if i write it down

alright for all you 'my two pennies' readers...you will know that Heather and Marissa have joined the 365 Fashion Rehab movement and have decided to stop shopping until May. The 2 girls of 365 Fashion Rehab have made a pack with each other to not shop for a year...and now that I have read their blog several times, I understand that we have lots in common and I bow down to their efforts. When Heather decided a month ago that her and Marissa were going to stick with some simple rules of not buying a thing until the finish date, I was like, "oh I am so in! I of all people need to save some mula!" However, I have had 2 cave ins...purchased a cute little dress from H&M that I wore after a wee emotional break down, and just recently visited H&M to buy yet another get up...a plaid 'boyfriend' shirt to wear with leggings. argh! I just couldn't help it...I have been on a roller coaster this past month and thought to myself...what's one purchase...one tin-ey win-ey purchase in the grand scheme of things? so today is the day when I put a stop to new digs and instead focus on the goal of not shopping until the Boston Marathon. (April 19th) Why not until May? Well for one, I no matter the lack of funds in my wallet WILL. be getting a boston marathon jacket! Then perhaps I will get back on the band wagon and get myself to May 21st...my bday! I. can. do. it!! Oh man!
...alright on a side note: though starbucks is allowed as it is not a fashion item...I need to limit my intake! Give me a day or 2 to decide how many I am cutting out a week. Latte factor will get ya every time.
ps. I have also given myself a move out date...thus being the reason why I need to join Heather and Marissa in their quest! wish me luck!

I find every so often life throws you curve balls...and though I don't always understand them I know that some how later in life it will only make me stronger?!?
Quote for day: SATC of course...always on repeat.
Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.

"Do not waste your life in friction when it can be turned into MOMENTUM" - Willard

Keith Urban Sings ...

...Only You Can Love Me This Way. So good!

golden photo

Last night I completely forgot the golden globes were on and caught a couple glimpses of speeches and dresses. Of course today, I checked all the right websites looking for what I believe to be the best dressed people of the night. However, I didn't seem to be too impressed...but did come across this picture of my fav celeb couple..and it made me smile. I love this photo! It would be a touch better if she was gazing into his eyes and smiling...but never the less, what a perfect gentleman!

ps. did you know today is the most depressing day of the year. ba-hum-bug to who ever decided that!

lessons

Lessons of love, that's what they are.
We usually don't know what the lesson is while we're learning it. Maybe we're not supposed to. Besides, if we knew it, really knew it, we wouldn't want to learn it. We'd already be practicing it in our daily lives. But even when we don't know what the lesson is, we can know one thing: it's the lesson of love.
Courage. Faith. Patience. Loving ourselves when it looks and feels like nobody else cares. Starting over again one more time, when we think we've already started over again more times that we should have had to. Forgiveness. Compassion. Gentleness. Joy. Each one is a lesson of love.
For many of us, the problem isn't that we haven't had love in our lives before. The issue is that we haven't understood love. Know this: not only are the lessons about love, the lessons themselves are love.
Feel your feelings. Struggle through situations and experiences and emotions. The struggle to learn isn't incidental to your purpose. It's an integral part of your purpose, your destiny, your reason for being. Go through moments of darkness and confusion, and trust that the light will come. Through it all, rest in one thought: you're on track. You're on your path.
You're connected to love. And the lessons you're learning are lessons of love.
- Journey to the Heart

drum roll please

...I have completed my 3rd adult sized sweater! yay! (cell phone pic - of front and back) though my first one is hidden deep in my closet, and my second one is way too big...I find myself taking baby steps, and this time around am very proud of my creation...still a long ways to go but I am getting there! However, yes there is a however, I may have run out of the grey wool, and go figure this specific grey was discontinued North American wide. I was running around like a mad woman! Ha! So it would have been finished perhaps a couple weeks ago...c'est la vie. Also of course, because I think I am much taller than I actually am, it will be more of a jacket that can be worn with my leggings. Now I just need a warm cup of hot coco and to cozy up by the fire. For all you knitters out there: click on the link below if you would like to try it out for your self. Can also do a 'him' sweater...just an idea. Reindeer Sweater
ps. thanks Sam for the 22k'er we did this morning. i needed u every step of the way! thanks for being there for me! xo

you'll see the answer

The answer you are looking for may be right before your eyes.
Have you asked the question? Have you put it out to the universe, yourself and the world?
What do I need to do now? What do I need to do next? Where and why am I stuck? What am I not seeing? What's the answer? I need a clue.
Often, asking the question means the answer is trying to find you. Follow your heart, then open your eyes. You'll see it.
The answer may be right in front of you.
- Journey to the Heart

we remember

...on Saturday, this past weekend, my dad received a call that my Uncle Bill, my dad's brother, had passed away on Friday night in the Philippines. What a sad moment it was to hear the news....and though we all know my Uncle Bill is in a better place...we remember him for all his love and support he has shown over the years, and what a constant role he played in our lives. On Sunday we were able to remember him with the James side of the family, but tonight we will be together with his kids Heather and Sean...and as always we will share our memories and the love we have for him.

I was looking of course for a quote, but got his email today, and thought why not share it. When you loose someone close to you, you definitely realize how short life can really be...

By Mastin Kipp

What if tomorrow never comes? Have you lived the courageous life you've always been inspired to live? Have you taken risks, fallen down, stood back up, tried again and again and again until you finally got it right? Did you give it your all so when you look back you have zero regrets and lots of scars? Can you honestly look at yourself in the mirror and see respect staring back at you? Have you felt fear and done it anyway?

What if tomorrow never comes? Could you honestly say you lived your life to the fullest? Could you say with a hearty "YES!" that you never ran away from love? Would you be able to say that you let the most important people in your life know how much they mean to you and that they aren't taken for granted? Would you change anything in the past or are you proud of the path you've taken?

What is tomorrow never comes? Have you been able to embrace life's messiness and realize it'll never be perfectly perfect? Did you have the courage to stand up for what you believe in not minding the consequences, no matter what?

What if tomorrow never comes? Would you have died with your music still in you? Would that precious gift that is only yours to give to this world die with you? Or would you and your gift live on eternally in the hearts of those it touched?

What's true for you and me is that one day tomorrow will never come, what if it's tomorrow?

if i were a spring coat

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be the new spring line for Burberry! I keep meaning to post these pics. I came across them on Lainey and keep going back to look at them again. So nice...too bad my wallet doesn't support my love for a beautiful burberry spring trench coat. sigh. oh well nice to window shop and dream every so often. ps. i am well aware that it's not even close to spring...

peace out

"In life as in dance, grace glides on blistered feet"

For some reason as I was getting ready today, I noticed this quote that is up near my desk and it made me think (as quotes tend to do)..and for some reason Cinderella popped into my head. Yes random I know...but it seems sometimes fairy tales can give you a peace of mind in a way. ?!?! anywho. Had a nice little walk with Josie this afternoon after yoga, and am heading to see Leap Year with Box (Hodgins) this eve. In need of a chick flick / love story...

Last night also had my school staff party...it so interesting to see people that you work with in a different light...i love finding out more about people, especially meeting their other halfs, finding out what they wear when they dress up, how they socialize with other people, and basically whether or not they release and are able to party it up...and let me tell ya, I am lucky to have met a great group of teachers...especially being the 0.1 newbie that i am :) hopefully there will be more experiences to come.

2010

Happy New Year! 2010 already? Where does time go? Well, may this year be the year I have been waiting for. Though the end of 09 was pretty great, I would love to keep the momentum going and have a few more smiles this year! I wish everyone the same! Life is too short to have unfulfilled dreams! Anywho so I am back from the sunny (but cold this time around) state and have started off on the right foot. Went for a 'special' 16k run with my group this morn at 7...and it seems it has been awhile since I have been pushed that hard. Within the 16 we had to do a stair drill (intense) and then when hitting the 14k mark had to do a 9 minute time trial around the track (sprinting) to then run back the our starting point. Eesh. Though I am fighting to stay awake, I felt it was such a great start to the new year and have finally had my wake up call (no more excuses...I am in training mode!). Anywho back to my vacay to Florida....of course we had a great time...took awhile to get there, but the florida lifestyle is lovely. Everyone is so active and you just feel so much healthier when you are there (the Bryce retreat is also top notch). sigh. As it was a little cold, we still got to fit in some beach days and golf, but did some discount shopping (I am officially dating a bargain shopper!), puzzle action (picture included...1500 pieces and though we desperately tried was unable to finish it....hopefully our late joiner, brenda, is able to add the finishing touches and we can frame 'er), bike ride, new year part'ay, intense weight work out where I destroyed my arm muscles and am still feeling the pain, and of course being mesmerized by Mitchell growing before our eyes - he is such a cutie and so funny! 'onk onk'! Anywho so now back to the real world...dont think I will be working tomorrow, but I have a job on Tuesday and will hope 2010 brings me the career I am ready for!

ps. my bro and Dave - Team Facial...are currently in Vegas competing in the World Championships of Beer Pong. Oh dear! They are 5 and 2...and are hoping to make it all the way. I guess all those long 'tough' hours of practicing are finally paying off. ha! Good luck! Bring home the trophy!

pps. thanks B&B for a great trip! xoxo

ppps. Mitchell turns 2 in 3 days!