Oh My!!!

Well I have not posted in a while.....it's all for the better because I have been in quite a funk. So it's probably for the best. As I was vacuuming (I do my deep thinking in the shower and while vacuuming), I was thinking I need to just post my angst, and I got myself all psyched to do it, but then I thought better of it because I will just come off as a psycho, not that I don't already, because I'm pretty sure I do. We'll see what I end up doing, I will just need to vacuum the rest of the house and take longer showers before I decide how to proceed.
In the meantime, while I sort out my dilema, I had a high school friend (thanks Gina) post this on her facebook status a few weeks ago and I absolutely love this.

I am strong because I am weak.

I am beautiful because I know my flaws.

I am a lover because I am a fighter.

I am fearless because I have been afraid.

I am wise because I have been foolish.

I can laugh because I've known sadness.

-Unknown

This has become my mantra. After two years of weekly therapy, this has so much meaning for me.

The 80/20 Rule

Ed forwarded this to me from one of his colleagues.
The original can be found at www.drtimthayne.com
I really liked the message and thought it was appropriate for the New Year.

Italian Economist Vilfredo Pareto observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population, and found that it was similarly distributed in other countries as well.
Since then, business management has applied this principal as a rule of thumb in business: that 80% of your sales come from 20% of your clients, or 80% of your productivity comes from 20% of your employees.
Does this rule apply to you? Sure. Don’t you wear 20% of the clothes in your closet about 80% of the time? Or eat 20% of the favorite meals for 80% of your dinners? Or maybe out of your 10 favorite people, you are in contact with 2 of them 80% of the time?
Though it’s not a rule you couldn’t poke holes through, there are some extremely spot-on lessons to learn from this 80/20 rule:
We could all take this new decade and look at the 20% of our personal interactions that yield 80% of our joy and satisfaction. Focus there. Don’t be distracted by the sheer number of those “other” interactions.
In our work, we need to shift our concentration to the 20 percent of clients and projects that generate 80 percent of the revenue. Even if we think we’re really good at keeping a dozen plates spinning, if we narrow our energies to that which can build the greatest wealth, we arrive at that abundant place much more quickly.
Lastly, know that you can get rid of that 20% that causes 80% of your grief and worry, (unless it’s a spouse or child, of course)! For 2010, my goal is to focus on the 20% that creates 80% of the value in my life...both in my personal as well as business life. Then with that extra time and energy, I’ll find more of those people and experiences that fit in that 20% category. Wow, the sky is the limit here!
So what makes up the 20% in your life? Identify it, magnify it, and make 2010 the best year you've ever had. Happy New Year!

Keeping it Real

Out of Control:
In Control:

Christmas Topiaries

I saw these super cute topiaries at Gardner Village after Thanksgiving. I absolutely love them. However, they were $80 for the set. I'm going to make them. The bases are regular candle holders in 3 different sizes. Each tree is a styrofoam cone. From what I can tell, the fabric was dipped in liquid starch and scrunched and pinned with a metal staple.
I priced out some similar candle holders, I can get all three for under $25 (paying full price). I have gone to 2 different craft stores and no surprise....all sold out of cones!
The staples are metal and are "squiggly", not sure where to find those. I haven't gone to Home Depot yet to see what my options are. I also need some fabric. If anyone has some cute remnants of fabric, I am accepting donations. I want to use similar colors because they really look well together.
I'm hoping I can make them before Christmas, if not, I have a full year 'til next Christmas.

20 Years!

Today is Ed and I's 20, yes you hear right TWENTY year Anniversary. A couple years back, I started to save up for a big celebration of 20 years. I thought, we're gonna do this right....well then the economy tanked and Ed's income got cut by more than half, so my $$$ that was tucked away was used for things like groceries, clothing for growing boys and utilities. No fancy trips, cruises, weekend away to celebrate 20! Do I sound bitter? I am! I really was thinking ahead and had saved up a lot of dough, but oh well, we still got a roof over our heads!

Ok, on a more serious note, there was a time in the very recent past that we didn't think we would make it this far. We've had some extremely rough patches lately, lots of heartache and headache. Alot of facing our demons, being honest and confronting our fears. Two solid years of therapy so far, and here we still are. There are days when I'm not sure we have another year in us, but then there are days when I feel we have an eternity ahead of us. Not sure, where we'll end up, it's been a wild ride so far, but I'm glad to be on the ride and have Ed beside me. Our marriage is stronger than it has ever been, yet I am more aware of how fragile our relationships are. We have to care for them, nurture them, take risks, be vulnerable and nourish them daily. I have learned so much these past 2 years that I wish I would have known sooner, but at least I know it now and for this we must celebrate! Happy Anniversary to Ed and me!

Christmas Decorating - Phase III

Christmas Tree #3 is up this week as well. This is my favorite tree. It's colorful and bright. This year I put this one upstairs in a little corner. I still have visions of 2 more tree, but not this year. Maybe in years to come. I would like one in the kitchen and one in the basement (shhh, just don't tell Ed! He thinks I'm crazy).

The first thing to go up after Thanksgiving was the Nativity. Brennan set it up, which was good because we get a chance to talk about the true meaning of Christmas. All the decorations are up now, the garland, the mini trees and knick-knacks. There are a few things that still need a little tweaking, but I am relieved that the big stuff is done, now to enjoy it and look forward to taking it all down.

Christmas Decorating - Phase II

Tree #2 is up. I call this tree the Family Tree. There are ornaments on this tree that are close to 20 years old. It has a mish-mosh of ornaments that the boys have made over the years, we've received as gifts, we've bought because they were cute or had some significance. Last year I didn't put up this tree because by the time I got done with the 2 other trees I was tired. I really didn't think anyone noticed or cared until cute Ryan that is generally quiet pointed out after Christmas that he missed the 'family tree' and how it's his favorite. I felt so bad and guilty, but it made me happy that someone does notice and does care. So Ryan...... this one's for you! And thanks for putting it up and decorating it. You did an awesome job.