Where Do I Begin

I am on a mission - a mission to declutter my house.  I have been spending time (let's say lots of time) peeking into my closets and also visiting the basement (aka - think storage unit that never ends).  I am realizing that I may just keep some items much too long.  Now, with technology, I can always just take a digital picture and have the item with me forever.  Life is just too short for clutter and too long not to make memories.  I guess I will try my best to make inroads one day at a time.

Loving Kisses

Having my nephew who recently turned 9 years old live with me and my family has been an opportunity to enjoy those loving kisses that little one share with you often unconditionally. This morning, I received so many wonderful loving kisses as I "rushed" him to finish his breakfast and scurry for his bath.  Amazingly, we made it through Mother's Day, his first without his loving Mom and then days later it was his Mother's birthday.  Strangely, enough a school assignment came home for him and I to read together and it was about kidney disease (something she had also experienced at the end of her life).  Today, after the kisses, my husband and I went to court to regarding guardianship and ended up with another future court date.  As I look at the name of my blog, I am trying to see the positive spin I put on the events of the day.  Actually, I know I still have a few more weeks to be a positive force in my nephew's life.  I am going to do all I can to make these weeks just the best and I will always enjoy his loving kisses.  The futre is never promised.  Nor, I do not have a crystal ball and I cannot fortell the outcome of the court's decision (whenever that will happen).  So, I am just going to do the best I can.  Have you received a loving kiss today?

Vera and Me

My daughter Kim and I embarked on our annual trip to Ft. Wayne, Indiana this past Friday for the Vera Bradley outlet sale.  For the very first time, we made it into inside the coliseum to wait for the doors to open. That was a great surprise because all the other 5 trips we made to the salel we were always waiting outside in the elements.  In our divine spin, we met some wonderful Vera Bradley devotees, some wearing "test market" products that could only be purchased at a certain store (i.e., Washington, DC area) and others who traveled even further than our 2-1/2 hours for the sale.  We didn't spend as much as we did last year and I guess that is a good thing.  Our plan of attack included going through the sale with the sale brochure, trying to find the items we were pinning for, searching out great bargains that peeked our interest and then getting together, reviewing our finds, purging and then heading to the cashier area.  Viva Vera Bradley.

Treadmill and Prince

When I decided to do my treadmill exercise for the day, I happened upon one of my all time favorite movies, Purple Rain starring Prince.  I must say it was so much easier to get my walk on with the movie playing out in front of me.  I actually ended up doing addtional time of the treadmill as time just seem to pass by without me watching the clock.  The movie just makes you smile and want to get up sometimes in dance.

My First Visit to Whole Foods Store

This Saturday, my husband and I stopped in a Whole Foods store and I was amazed by the things the store has.  The week before, the Life Makeover women and I went to Plum Market (another amazing store).  While visitng both stores, I found myself sampling some great food, picking up some great fresh food (i.e, snap peas) and getting some recipes to try.  Wow...it seem like everything was very expensive...but isn't poor health a big expense.

Waking up to Walk

Yesterday was a day to check in with the great people at St. John Hospital in Madison Heights.  I began the day walking on the treadmill before my early morning appointment.  I can't remember the day that I wanted to start the morning on my treadmill.  I have rountinely started exericse programs but I usually wait to the end of the day (when I am so tired) to get my "exercise on."  I am pleasantly suprised that being part of a 12 week makeover has made me do new things and actually see new results - and I am talking about better results.  Well, I have not made it to the treadmill yet today and night is upon us.  I have to let my feet do the walking and stop the fingers from hitting the keyboard.   Our friends at St. John told us that there are many 30 minutes windows in each day.  We just need to find one little 30 minute window to do something "heart healthy."

End of Year Giving

My husband and I have started our own charitable giving fund (T. Rowe Price Program for Charitable Giving, http://www.programforgiving.org/).  Last night, we took the time to remember all the great work done by the American Heart Association.  Wise people often say "Knowledge is power."  Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women in America.  I am commiting to learning more about heart disease and I am taking action to love my heart.  Join me and visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/.