What I know for sure....

Is that I could NEVER live in Seattle Washington, London, or a Rainforest! I really don't know how people live there. Latley if it's sunny then it's freezing out, if it's raining and gloomy, then it is damp and cold. Yesterday my dogs were at the back door begging to come in from and Ice pellet storm! Just for the record the first day of spring was March 20th people!

Okay, done with that little rant.

Changed my playlist player to include some of the songs that were on that ultimate wedding dance youtube video I posted. So much fun, they really make wanna get up and dance!

So,I mentioned a little GIVEAWAY!

If you've been reading the blog for awhile you know the last 6 months have been tough. To pull myself out of this funk I have tried, and am trying to do  several things.

1. I have read and am re-reading The Shack. Re- reading from the point of arrival at the shack.

2. Keeping a Gratitude journal.

I don't want to loose you now.... it's very "Oprah" like......

3. Creative visualization boards.

I used to use these alot and they do work.

So, to pay it forward I have picked up a new copy of The Shack and a gratitude journal just for you!

I have done contests,and giveaways before, but the only people that win are my friends because they are the only ones that leave a comment.

I know you are out there because I can see how many views I get a day.

So, ENTER, just leave me a comment. I don't care if you just say" Hi there!"

Below is a story, maybe you've heard it before, I hadn't, so I will share it with you. A copy of it starts out my gratitude journal.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.
Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Or since I don't drink beer, how bout a couple of cosmos?

 The freebie:

For fun:

Happy Easter!

As a little girl I would watch The Sound of Music with my Grandmother every Easter. Whenever I hear the soundtrack I think of her and how much she loved this movie. This morning my sister sent me this video.... This was a promotional video for the casting of a lead part. They did this with only 2 rehersals!I don't think grandma would have liked the remixed version, I can hear her now saying "come on now, sing it the right way" Enjoy! Come back tomorrow I'm having a giveaway!

A Golden Celebration

Today we celebrated Ella's Golden Birthday. If you are asking what is a Golden Birthday, well it is when you turn the age of the date your birthday falls on. Today Ella turned 11 on the 11th! I went a bit overboard, but you only have one of these in your lifetime, right? I am also in this photo class www.snapshotsofagoodlife.com and I was trying out some differnt angles, positions, and lighting techniques that were taught this week. I had tank tops made for all the Golden Girl's and a "The Golden Girl" tank for Ella. I took ALOT of pictures, we went to see the new Hanna Montanna movie( very cute), and then I attempted to make homemade pizza. Why I thought this was nessessary living in the Chicagoland area is kinda crazy! The girls played Wii and did some artsy stuff, danced, sang and at 12:45 I said we need to get ready for bed! So while I am waiting for the last straglers to doze off I made a smilebox of the day.But before I share that I have to say 3 moments brought me to tears today, but they were tears of joy. All the girls were just so sweet and while at the movie towards the end I looked over and they were all swaying their little arms to the music and all smiling at each other, the second, driving home and hearing all 6 sing the Taylor swift song Love Story, word for word. Then lastly, today is the first time I have taken a picture of Brad since he started showing signs of being sick, and I'm glad I did. Today, we celebrate a 11th year of life and the completion of the 11th of 12 chemotherapy treatments. Thank God! Remember to pause the music on the playlist so you can hear the smilebox.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2 videos for you!

The first video was sent to me this morning. SO funny, I would love to have been at this wedding. Watch the whole thing. This second video I have posted before, but I never get tired of watching it, especially with this Easter upon us. object width="425" height="344"> Busy making things for Ella's Golden Birthday Party tomorrow! I'm going overboard a bit, well alot, but you only have one of these in your lifetime, so why not make it special! Di