1999 to 2009

A decade!!!! Another New Years Eve is upon us!! I can remember clearly sitting on my couch in my first home with Tim with Alex (he was a baby) and wondering what my life would be like in 10 years. You know what I though??? I thought O.M.G. I will have a 10 year old. With that I shut down most of my thoughts! I mean come on he was 6months old, hard to imagine him being 10!!! I remember the entire hype about the Y2K bug for the computers and the general fear as we rolled into a new millennium.

Our lives have changed so much in the past decade. I didn't give much thought back then to who I would be, or what my daily life would be like???

In ten years time sooooo much has changed.

• we had another child
• both kids are crazy into sports (good thing though)
• I've switched careers which included going back to school
  
• Tim switched careers
• We moved.
• I managed to get back into my own sport I love (field hockey)
  
• We had a few trips to the hospital for broken bones
  
• We lost loved ones
• We traveled more in the past few years
  
• Our relationships have changed (always for the better)
  

That is a small list of what has changed over the past 10 years.

Now what?? In 2020 I will have a 20 year old and a 17 year old. Our lives will be at a complete different point. Careers? Relationships? Housing?? I don't know what is in store, but I do know this time I want to think about it so the intention is out there for positivity!!!

Stop for a min and think about it. Where do you want to be in 10 years? Are you on the right path? What do you need to change to achieve that?

Pop over to Success Magazine's blog where editor Darren Hardy will be running a free online course about desinging the best 10 years of your life!!! Shann and I are totally on board to do this!

If you haven't checked in our blog for a few days, don't forget to read the post below as Shannon reflects how her life changed over the past decade!!!

Wishing you a wonderful New Years!!! May 2010 be the best year of your life so far!!!

jenn and shann!

Reflections of a Decade

Jenn had this great idea for a post. Writing about where you were in your life 10 years ago at the turn of the millennium and where you are now. I thought this was a great idea and was so excited to do it. Then as a reflected...we...for me...in a word...WOW!

1999 - I was working in a small -midsized company that had embraced the new computer technology a few years back and was now facing the Y2K scare that was such the hype. I loved my job, I was well respected and at 27 years old felt like the world was my oyster I could go anywhere from here.

The song "Party like is 1999" by Prince was in over play on the radio all week long.

Personally I was struggling in a 7 year old marriage that wasn't "unhappy" per se, but it wasn't going or growing, well, anywhere.

I spent the New Year's Eve of 1999 in a small rural farm with my then husband and our closest and dearest friends out in the middle of a horse field, roasting marshmellows and drinking beer around a fire in our snowsuits. One cooler held the drinks, another held the hot food like meatballs, hot dip, hot chocolate, crab cakes. It was a wonderful, peaceful way to spend new year's eve after all the hype in the media about power outages, the apocolypse and whatnot.

In the days that followed, as I reflected on the new decade, the new millennium something was settling into my heart, into my bones, into my soul.

My dear friend was expecting her second child, my sister was planning her wedding, there were big changes happening at work. At home things were the same, not overly happy, not overly sad, the same as always. There were lots of issues but starting a family was a big one and we did not seem to be moving anywhere on the topic for the past 5 years.

I sat down one day at my kitchen table and made myself a list of what I wanted my life to be like in the next 5-10 years. I wish I still had it to share with you, but I know it included, a husband who is my partner in every sense of the word, a family, opportunities in my work to grow and learn. I wanted to smile more, laugh more, give and feel love more. I just wanted more.

I moved forward with determination, survival instincts. We were on a course for an epic fail, I was busy planning for my sister's wedding and feeling like he was withdrawing and not giving a crap about my family. I will never forget the day I was running around the house trying to pull everything together for a party for my sister when he asked me the question.

"We're going to be okay, aren't we?"

There they were... hanging in the air in our kitchen, the words that had been whispering, haunting, growing silently. He stood at the doorway and I sat on the kitchen table, took a deep breath and responded.

"I don't know?"

That week went from bad to worse as we tried to figure it out. It culminated in a whirl of hurtful words and feelings and me packing up the last 7 years of my life and moving most of it to a storage unit and the necessities to my parents.

I struggled to keep it together. This was a difficult decision. I loved him and I loved being married. But what I settled on... in my heart and soul was that I did not like the person I was, when I was with him.

I knew I was a good person, I knew I was capable of great things, I knew I was capable of giving more love and support than I was. I knew I deserved more love and support and encouragement than I was feeling. None of those things were coming into play in our relationship much less my life and I could no longer accept that.

Something had to change. We both knew it. I was the one who had the fortitude to say, own it, and be it.

It sucked! He moved on fairly quickly and I dated with no intention to develop a relationship. I dated for a distraction but I was focusing on what was next for me. Within 6 months an agreement was in place, he was in a relationship and the birth of a child was expected (ouch!) within the year we were divorced.

At 27 years old I had invested 10 years of my life, I was scared, broken, vulnerable but hanging on by a thread to what I knew was my truth. Again, I sat down and made myself a list of what I was looking for in a man, a partner, a husband. I would share this with you, but I had it framed and gave it to my current husband on our first anniversary. I had this little list tucked away in a journal that sat on my night table, I would review it now and then.

Carrying on I met a guy through relatives, in passing really, we crossed paths several times, but neither of us was ready to pursue a relationship. The more I got to know him, the more items I was able to check off the crazy list I had scribbled in my journal. Eventually we were crossing paths frequently enough that it was time to give it a try.

Flash forward to today as I prepare to bring in 2010. I am happily, ecstatically in love and married to the partner I was seeking. I have a beautiful happy and healthy growing family. I have good and great relationships with my family and friends.

When my teenage nieces asked me "how will I know when I am with the one?" I tell them with confidence that being in a relationship should make you more of who you are already, better, shinier. (that's how I feel, like I shine)

Life is an ever evolving dream, are their things I am still working towards, you bet!

If you would have asked me on that peaceful, dark winter night 10 years ago if I would be married to a wonderful man with 2kids +1 on the way and living the life of Riley. I would have said yes of course! I knew that was where I wanted to be. I just didn't know that it would be such a journey with so much change and growth.

So this year while I sit with my orange juice and sparkling mineral water waiting for the ball to drop, I'm going to plug in my iPod (so I don't wake the kids) and shake my booty to a little Prince and be so thankful that I am where I am today.

I love being me !

Where were you in 1999? and where are you today! Have a look. You've come a long way baby! Give yourself some credit!

Goal Setting

As 2010 approaches us quickly I thought it would be good to talk about goal setting. What do you really want to accomplish this year? Is it little things, BIG things, or just getting rid of some bad habits??? Everyone has at one point in their lives with the best intentions to keep their New Year’s resolutions. Every year in January millions say they have a resolution that they are going to keep for a year. We ALL do or have done this. Have you noticed how long they last? Most will last a few days, a week, or a month at the tops. Why do they fail? High expectations, too hard or they seem overwhelming.

Ever felt this way?

Rather than setting New Year’s resolutions that we seem to break, just set small goals. Start now too. Do not wait for the “new year” put your plan into action now! Once you have some short term goals in place it will allow you to put long term goals in action too.

Short Term Goals

These are generally goals attainable in a month to three months time.

1.

2.

3.

These are important to me because:

I will accomplish them by:

Long Term Goals

These are generally goals that are attainable in a year or longer

1.

2.

3.

These are important to me because:

I will accomplish them by:

I always find when I put a date to when I want to accomplish the goal it helps me meet my target. The above is an example of what I use. I have business goals and personal goals on separate sheets that allow me be organized and stay on track. I review the short term goals monthly to see if I’m achieving them and if I’m not what I need to do to achieve them. It is motivational to keep me going. I do not get upset when I have not achieved my short term goals I just refocused figure out if they need to be adjusted or how I can meet them. No goal is unattainable. If you set your mind to it you can do it.

In the wise wisdom of Henry Ford “if you think you can or think you cannot, both are right”.

Put your mind to it. Anything is possible!

Merry Christmas from A balanced lifestyle!!!

We are wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!!!

Love Jenn and Shann

FOCUS

Alright People pay attention here. This post is going to be all over the place, and probably a little on the long side, but hopefully I will be able to bring it into perspective and focus at the end.

I have been in the wings lately, Jenn has been so gracious and generous with her time in covering more than her share of work on this blog.

We had the idea growing for this blog for over a year. We talked, we thought, we discussed, we mulled. Then we got in to serious discussing and thinking. Then we said this is ridiculous let's just get going. We were both comfortable with the relative chaos of our lives, yes it was busy but we knew what to expect.

So armed with a basic schedule for posting and an outline of what we wanted this to be, we dove in and registered our names, email addresses, facebook pages and twitter account.

Then the curve balls came, we both had nasty colds and then the flu run through our households, we prepared and lived through thanksgiving and then started preparations for Christmas...well Jenn did anyway. Jenn had to deal with hockey tryouts and then hectic team schedules x2. I was segued by a few more challenges.

In my department of 6 people we had 2 people leave and one leaving in November for a month long vacation which left us severely short-handed. Work has be overwhelming, overbearing and just plain not a fun place to be at the moment, we are working through it the best we can, but the stress fractures in our team are there.

Our physiotherapist made the difficult decision to move back home to Newfoundland at the end of the summer and later in the fall we found out that funding for our Childrens treatment centre was cut severely enough that services and frequency of services would be drastically effected. This meant a huge blow to our rehabilitation schedule and treatment plan after T's surgery last April. This required some serious revamp of our homelife schedule to incorporate more therapy time at home as well as with a private provider.

I was asked to be part of a panel at the treatment centre to work through how to deal with this new funding reality. This has required some of my creativity and brain power to wrap my head around alternative programming and funding.

We discovered that our 13 year old dog has an aggressive tumor growing and that my husband will very soon have to say good-bye to his steadfast companion through a divorce, a period of self discovery, our meeting, dating, marriage, and babies. This will be a huge loss for our family, but I'm afraid devestating to my husband for a period of time. I have had to sign the papers before to have an animal euthanized. I have watched, held and cried at a pets last breath. Unfortunately for my husband this will be his first and there is just nothing I can do to ease this painful experience, it is what it is and we will all live through and survive this pain as a family.

But probably the most underlying and overwhelming part of my existence for the past several months, the biggest draw on my energy and resources was the little surprise I received back in September one day.

I peed on a stick and saw this +

Can you imagine??? I'm sure some of you are praying for this symbol, I'm sure some of you are thinking about this symbol, I'm sure some of you are thanking your lucky stars you have not seen this symbol.

That one little symbol has totally thrown me for a loop these days. Although we had not closed the door on the discussion of adding to our family, I thought we would be persuing adoption or perhaps foster parenting. Not because I thought we couldn't have more kids but I didn't think, no I knew I did not want to be pregnant and give birth again. I wasn't sure my body could take it.

You see I am not one of "those" pregnant people. You know, you might even be one. The type of person who loves being pregnant, feels great, looks great, lives for the miracle of life growing inside her.

No, I am a oh my god when will this be over, my back hurts, my side hurts, i feel like barfing ALL.THE.TIME. the poking, the kicking, the no sleep, the lack of coffee, the tired exhaustion EVER.SINGLE.DAY.

And since we are being honest here. I'm not a big fan of the first six weeks after birth either of the no sleep, boobs the size of a small country, and squishy insides, that you shove into whatever clothes you have that are not maternity because you hate them so much you burnt them the day you got home from the hospital. You'll note most of this is self-centred and so not even measurable against the joy of a brand new human being. But I am being honest and not a good pregnant, post birth person I'm just not.

Don't get me wrong. I love little babies, I love MY little babies and I love THIS little baby. It wanted to be born to this family so badly it had to SNEAK its way in and that is just pur miracle that I have accepted and cherish and am so very thankful for.

But anyone who knows me knows that I have to be prepared for the unexpected or have planned things to every detail. This situation has been the supreme test of my ability to "go with the flow" and it has been a rough ride. This pregnancy just brings so many things into play. Can I continue to work full time? Can I continue to commute to work?? Can I continue to provide the home therpay program that the boy needs??? Can I spend time with and focus on the girl as she enters JK and begins her education???? So many questions. I feel stretched so thin already.

I have to say that my husband was over the moon ecstatic and deliriously happy about this development and that is also my blessing to count.

So to bring things in to perspective and to piggyback on Jenn's recent post about What will be your word for 2010. I hope that this will help explain my choice for 2010.

FOCUS

Focus on the special blessing that has been bestowed upon me
Focus on one thing at a time and do my best with that focus
Focus on myself
Focus on our future
Focus on making a plan the next few years
Focus on how full of love and fun this adventure will be
Focus on the soltions and answers to my many questions
FOCUS on believing that all will reveal itself when the time is right

FOCUS

Stay tuned as A Balanced Lifestyle takes on a whole new meaning for me and I will be able to share with you this process of discovering a new balance, a new way of life. I wish I had a great quote to end with but that is Jenn's department.

I guess I can just end with what I know.

I know that saying good-by to 2009 will be sad and challenging and that 2010 holds many opportnities and excitement and wonder and thoughtful choice and abundance.

Are you ready to kick it in 2010? I am!

Shannon
:)

Stop rushing...

The simple truth is that rushing has become a habit for many of us and it is not particularly a good habit! It has a negative effect on our mental, spiritual and physical health. When you are rushing the body literally is in panic mode. The physical systems feel as if they are constantly being stressed to meet imaginary deadlines. An occasional shot of adrenaline might be good for you but a continuous stream of it will wear down the body and its immune system. You will tend to get sick more often, feel more fatigued, enervated and listless.

Slow down. Find five minutes to sit and breathe deeply and grab a tennis or golf ball and roll it on the bottom of your feet, especially in the arch. This is where your adrenal reflexes are located.

In the next few days rushing is going to be the state for most people. Take time to stop, slow down and just breathe deeply and know that tomorrow is another day. Otherwise, we see people sick over the holiday season or just after it. Why, because as soon as they do slow down, their immune system catches up to them. Instead they needed to slow down over all before that big day on the 25^th. We make time for what we want in our lives. Make a few minutes to slow down every day this week!!! Life is only 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it!!!

What word are you going to focus on for 2010

As Christmas draws near (and yes I'm pretty much ready for it) I start to think about my new word for 2010. Every year I pick a word and try to focus on that word through out the year. My first year I started this in 2007 I picked "Believe" then in 2008 I choose "Gratitude" and last year was in 2009 I choose, "Simplify". Why? Hey it would help me focus throughout the year. When I'd feel out of balance I would refocus on my word. I blogged about it every year so people would often ask me how I was doing with my intents on my word. Good way to keep me in check!

BELIEVE - was important to me that year because I was really focusing on getting my business up and running. I started in 2006, but the following year it really took off. I needed to believe in myself and those around me. I still go back to this word even this year. It has so many different meanings to me from believing in God to believing in myself and others... just BELIEVE.

GRATITUDE - I picked this because I realized I had so much to be thankful for in my life. Its filled with really great things/people/feelings. I still use that word. Every day I'm trying to write out at least 30 things I'm grateful for, from the little things to the big things!!!

SIMPLIFY - That is my word for 2009. Why? Because there is so much in my life I just need to simplify from work, house, diet... you name it.

In past years believe and gratitude where great words for me and really helped me focus and balance myself. This past year my word wasn't as strong for me. I will go into that more later, but I still okay with it.

That brings me to this year. 2010 to me feels like it is going to be a fantastic year. I can feel the success, opportunities, love, happiness when I think of the year ahead. I have not picked my new word yet, I'm still working on that one!!!

I have a challenge for you! Pick a word! Write it down somewhere that you will see it often in 2010 and focus on it! Make it part of your life!!! Its not January, you have time to think of this challenge! But if your going to play along leave a comment! Saying that, I'm leaving you with a list of words from Ali Edwards site last year. Pick from there or come up with your own!!

Able
Abundance
Accept
Acceptance
Accomplish
Accountability
Achieve
Act
Action
Actualize
Adapt
Adjust
Adore
Adventure
Affirmative
Allow
Appreciate
Aspire
Attack
Attitude
Authentic
Authenticity
Aware
Baby
Balance
Be
Beautiful
Become
Begin
Beginnings
Belief
Believe
Beloved
Better
Blessed
Bliss
Blossom
Bottom
Bounce
Boundaries
Brave
Breathe
Brevity
Brighten
Calm
Can
Capture
Care
Carpe Diem
Celebrate
Centered
Challenge
Change
Cheerfulness
Cherish
Chill
Choice
Choices
Choose
Clarity
Clean
Commit
Commitment
Communicate
Complete
Confidence
Connect
Conquer
Conscious
Consistency
Content
Continue
Courage
Cozy
Create
Cultivate
Cure
Dance
Dare
Dash (It's All About The Dash)
Declutter
Dedicated
Deeper
Define
Deliberate
Delight
Determination
Determined
Devote
Devotion
Dignity
Diligence
Discipline
Discover
Disentangle
Do
Dolce
Downsize
Dream
Dynamic
Edit
Effort
Elevate
Embark
Embrace
Endeavor
Endless
Endurance
Energy
Enjoy
Enlighten
Enough
Enrich
Enrichment
Enthusiasm
Evolve
Example
Excellence
Execute
Explore
Facilitate
Faith
Family
Fearless
Fierce
Find
Finish
Fitness
Flexibility
Flourish
Flow
Fly
Focus
Follow-Through
Footprints
Forgive
Forward
Fresh
Frugal
Gentle
Gentleness
Give
Go
Good Enough
Goodness
Grace
Grateful
Gratitude
Grow
Growth
Happiness
Happy
Harmony
Heal
Healing
Health
Heart
Hold onto Love
Home
Honor
Hope
Humility
I’m Okay
Idle
Imagine
Imminence
Independence
Initiate
Inner-Strength
Innovate
Inspire
Integrity
Intend
Intention
Intentional
Involve
Journey
Joy
Kindness
Laugh
Learn
Less
Let
Let Go
Life
Light
Lightness
Listen
Live
Love
Loving
Lucky
Marathon
Material
Matter
Maturity
Me
Memory
Mercy
Mettle
Mindful
Miracle
Moderation
Moments
Momentum
More
Motivate
Motivation
Move
Mute
Nascent
Nature
New
No New, Make Do
Non-Reactivity
Notice
Now
Nourish
Nurture
Observe
Open
Opportunity
Optimistic
Optimism
Order
Organize
Organized
Others
Overcome
Pace
Passion
Patience
Pause
Peace
Perseverance
Persevere
Perspective
Plan
Play
Positive
Positivity
Possibility
Potential
Pray
Prayer
Precious
Prepare
Presence
Present
Preserve
Prevail
Print
Prioritize
Progress
Promise
Prosperity
Pumped
Pure
Purge
Purpose
Purposeful
Pursue
Push
Quiet
Reach
Read
Ready
Realize
Reconnect
Reduce
Reflect
Regenerate
Reinvent
Rejoice
Relationships
Relax
Release
Remain
Renaissance
Renew
Resilience
Resolve
Respect
Restore
Results
Revitalize
Revive
Rhythm
Rise
Roll
Run
Save
Savor
Search
Seasons
Seek
Seize
Self
Self-Assured
Self-Discipline
Sensitive
Serendipity
Serene
Serenity
Seriously
Serve
Shalom
Share
Shine
Simple
Simplicity
Simplify
Smile
Soft
Sparkle
Start
Stay
Steadfast
Step
Still
Stillness
Strength
Strive
Structure
Success
Surprise
Surrender
Surround
Sustain
Sweeten
Tackle
Ten
Tenacity
Tenderness
Thankful
This is my year.
Threshold
Thrive
Time
Today
Together
Tolerance
Transformation
Treasure
True
Trust
Truthful
Try
Turn
Uncomplicated
Understanding
Unite
Unload
Unplug
Unwritten
Valor
Value
Vision
Vitality
Voice
Wait
Walk
Warmth
Welcome
Why
Wisdom
Worth
Yes
Zeal

My Holiday Stress and Cheers

This is shaping up to be some kind of holiday here at the homestead.


I was pretty proud of myself this year. I have my kids totally looked after for Christmas and most of my other gifts. My shopping list for the week before Christmas is made so I know what I have to pick up so we can eat for two weeks without having to go out for anything. I still have a few gifts to pick up for the neices and nephews but I'm not stressed about it. I have 6 lunch hours left to pick everything up.

My hubby was a HUGE help this year as we split up the list and he picked up a bunch of things to make my life easier.

We have been able to do all this on budget and for cash, no credit cards this year! AMAZING!

But we all know there are checks and balances in the universe and the piper needs to be paid, usually NOW not later.

We discovered and had confirmed that our 13 year old boxer has a cancerous tumor and it is growing rapidly. We will likely get through Christmas but will have to say good bye to our steady companion shortly after Christmas. He has had a wonderful life and has been an excellent family pet and a beautiful spirit. He will be missed dearly. This will be an adjustment for our kids 6 and 3, but also for us adults.

On the day of the vet visit to have this sad news confirmed the check engine light came on in my car. Since I commute more than a few miles back and forth to work I thought it was best to have it checked out. $300 and a bit, later... then while my car is in the shop, I get a call from my hubby who is out trying to finish up some Christmas shopping for me. His Truck has died, it will not start.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Who knows what that will cost but needless to say the credit card will be coming out.

However today was the Primary Christmas concert at my sons school, a wonderful magical event that warms your heart.

We are always so proud of our son and this year was no different. It is the things like that will be remembered about this Christmas.

I can't wait to see the kids faces light up with each gift that their grandparents, aunts and uncles have decided to spoil them with.

Our children will be cleaning out their toy room this weekend to donate toys they don't play with for others who may not be getting any toys this year.

We generally only have one gift for our kids "from Santa" and one small gift from mom and dad plus their stockings filled with neccesities, ie, socks, underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.

This has been a tough tough year for many people in our community, so far we have had a few knocks but we will be okay.

I continue to believe that we have the tools to deal with whatever is given to us. We just have to believe it is possible to deal with it.

That is the key, Believe!

shann

:)

Holiday stresses???

Yeah come on, you feel it?? Don't you?

I know both Shannon and I are feeling it! The running around of normal kid events such as scouting, swimming, hockey, hockey and oh more hockey. Then you can add in festive parties, church events, friend get togethers, extended family outings and its a recipe for over load. Oh and lets not forget to add that rush to the mall because you need to buy more. Then there is the search for the perfect gift, oh and fitting in some holiday baking somewhere in your chaotic schedule too!!!

Sound familiar?

I know its that way in this household lately.

What can we do to have less stress and more balance.

1. slow down. You don't have to say "yes" to every event. I know its hard, but sometimes its just impossible.

2. everything in moderation. You don't have to over do the food or alcohol. Although we all want to at certain events (especially if we have energy vampires there) but really everything in moderation. Including food. Don't go and not enjoy, but don't over do it. You'll thank yourself later!

3. forget perfection. It is not the time of year to worry about every last little detail if your entertaining. Just go with the flow. Remember people aren't there to visit your house, they are there to visit YOU.

4. remain positive. If you have to deal with family/friends that you know are going to upset you, don't go thinking this is going to be horrible. It will be whatever you think it to be. The key to dealing with that kind of issues is having a positive attitude.

5. take time. Make sure you take time this holiday season to enjoy something you like doing. Relax, go for a walk, go shopping (only if it doesn't stress you lol) but do something for you! Massage, reflexology, hair/nail appointment. Something fun that you will enjoy!!!

6. keep the meaning. What does Christmastime mean to you? Keep that spirit of Christmas alive! To me its the magic of Christmas, the joy, and the birth of Jesus. This is what we keep alive in our house. Whatever the meaning is for you, keep it!

7. keep it simple. Commercialism has taken over a lot of Christmas, but it doesn't have too. You don't have to spend till your broke! Remember that sometimes the best Christmastime memories are events/people not the gifts!

8. ENJOY. Remember to live in the moment, stop worrying about tomorrow. Just enjoy the season and all its magic.


Smile ....and have a wonderful few weeks leading up to Christmas!

New look coming...

We had Holly Lesson do up a new look for us! Thanks Holly! You will see some changes to the blog again in the next week! If your a member of facebook we now have a page on there too! Just follow the link here or go to your facebook and type in the search area "a balanced lifestyle" and our fan page will come up!!!

We are also on twitter! On there we are called Ourbalancedlife you can find it here!!! Be sure to join up and follow us if your on facebook and twitter. We'll be running some fun draws and of course we'll have lots of info!

Below is a peak of our new look!!! We're pretty excited! We are about balance... everything we do as parents, friends, moms, sisters, workers ... it all involves balance!!!

Its been a week.

I think I spent most of the week grumpy. No matter what I was doing I couldn't pull myself out of that funk. That and it felt like national stupid week happening around me. Every time I turned around I literally thought "what the heck". The snow storm came, that meant my work schedule gets changed, which isn't any of my clients fault, but adds to my grumpiness.

How did I get out of it. Lots of reading on positive thinking and some treadmill running, a few glasses of wine, ;) sleep and trying to focus on the big picture. Easier said then done.

Did it work... yes it did, but it took me all week!

Again its all in the attitude! Although its not always easy to get the attitude right!!!

I've had a great day today and to cap it off, my oldest son just got his first shut out (he's a goalie) of the season!! Nice way to cap off a crappy week!


Something cool happened to me last weekend though. I found out that one of my tweets (my personal twitter account is jennmet) made it into Success Magazine! If you haven't heard of this magazine you really should check it out! Click here!! Both Shannon and I love, love, love this magazine! So it was awesome to see my tweet in print! 140characters but it was my words right there! How cool eh?

Sorry we haven't been posting this week, but gearing into the Christmas season we've both been crazy busy! We'll do better ... promise ;)

Some cool things to come in the next few weeks!

Hope you are having a great weekend!!!

jenn

A great man....

A few days ago a great man passed. Jim Rohn. Now I know most of you might be who was he? He was one of the godfathers of positive thinking, the master of self improvement. His life touched many and will continue to do so.
God speed Jim.
You will be missed.


Jim has so many great quotes!! (you know I love quotes) I decided to share a few of my favs here!

• Success is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

• Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.

• You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.

• Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.

• You don’t get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.

--Jim Rohn

Why oh Why?

This is a fun little thing I like to do when bizarre things cross my path all in one day.

Why oh Why... do I have to run into an old boss at Chapters?
Why oh Why... did he have to leave the company on less then stellar terms?
Why oh Why...does he find it necessary to actually talk to me?
Why oh Why... is the last piece of "news" I heard about him bad and so I have nothing good to say?
Why oh Why... is this 10 minute conversation so brutal
Why oh Why... am I wearing a sweater and a long winter coat?
Why oh Why...do I have to SWEAT so much!
Why oh Why... is my deodorant not working?
Why oh Why... can't I find the book I want?
Why oh Why... is the "PRECIOUS" line soooooooo long and slooooow
Why oh Why... do I not have magical powers?
Thank you Jesus...The sound track for GLEE is on sale at the checkout IMPULSE BUY!

Why oh Why... does the chick at the drive-thru sound like she is on crystal meth?
Why oh Why...does Wendy's drive thru think I can drink my Coke without a straw?
Why oh Why...does Wendy's drive thru think I want my salad upside down and spilt open in the bag?
Why oh Why...does Wendy's drive thru think I can eat my salad without croutons?

Thank you Jesus...Sound track from GLEE is most awesome highlight of my day playing in my car!

Why oh Why...does my wonderful husband call me to tell me he feels like crap and does not want to go to my company Christmas party?

Thank you Jesus...he suggests movie rental and popcorn for me and neo citran for him. I think that makes up for my day don't you?

It was the worst of times and the best of times.

Just the downs and ups of my day! What were the downs and ups of your day?
Shannon

:)

Some natural things to do for cold/flu..

With cold and flu season underway I have had lots of questions on what you can do to naturally fight of these things. I am a registered reflexology practitioner, not a naturopath or homeopathic, so please note these are my personal opinions and not the gospel. You can always check in with your local Homeopathic or Naturopath doctor. Minda Ahaju, ND is a fantastic Naturopath in West Mountrose and the one I go see! You can find a link to her information here.

So, first off the basics is lots of rest (sleep is key), plenty of water, exercise and take a good multivitamin! In this busy season make sure you keep going to your regular massages, reflexology, chiropractic or whatever alternative things you do! It is so easy in this busy season to just drop them and not do anything. Its your health, so take care of yourself! Some of the other things you can do is take extra Vitamin D and C to aid in preventing colds and flues. There has been lots of studies recently showing that vitamin D is aiding in preventing some flues. Vitamin D is also great to take in the winter due to the lack of sunshine we get.

If you feel a virus or cold coming on you can take a drop from Echinamide called Anti-cold or Anti-virus. There is a wild cherry flavour for kids too! Boiron makes Oscillococcinum which can be taken if you feel flu symptoms coming on and of course lots of people use Cold f/x too. Oil of Oregano is another great thing for sore throats and colds. This is sold in liquid form and is very strong. Just a drop or two is needed. I use it with a bowl of hot water and create a steam bath to inhale. Just add one or two drops and put a towel over your head tent it over the bowl. Close your eyes because it will sting if you have them open. Just sit there for 10 or 15mins and breathe it in deep!

These are just some tips that can guide you through some natural ideas! Contact a Naturopath or Homeopathic to find out more.

Remember flues/colds attack us when we are worn out and just plain tired. Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and water and eat well! It really does help!

Stay healthy this season!

saturday quote

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.

Francesca Reigler


Same amount of work and less energy spent on happiness then being mad, sad or holding a grudge. This is advice that I particularly need to heed today. That said today's quote is as much for you as for me! My reminder to let go of anger today. Move forward. Choose to be happy. If not for me .... for my family, especially my kids. They react and feed off how I behave. Important to remember that. What I make a big deal of they do. What I blow off they do. They see me happy... they are happy. Funny how kids mimic us eh?

I'm sitting here typing as the kids are laughing their heads off watching cartoons. Life is good. These are the moments I love!

Life is good!!!!

My experience with Yoga.

I remember my first yoga experience. I'm pretty sure it was about 10 years ago. It was in the basement of a local church

. I completely remember feeling terrified as I had NO clue what I was getting into. I must admit that I did not fully enjoy my first term of yoga. My instructor was amazing, but I was impatient. I didn’t want to be slow learning the moves and what helps with what. I just wanted to do it DARN IT! Although I didn’t learn as much as I should have from that first session, the breathing techniques certainly helped with the birth of my second son.

A few years later after taking a year of reflexology I had a new appreciation for a lot of things. One of them was the breathing in yoga and the slow pace of learning moves properly. I went back and tried it again with the same instructor. This time was a different experience all together. I was patient. I learned. I stretched and breathed. I learned what moves helped with digestion and what aided sore backs. I loved every moment of it. What was different this time?

My ATTITUDE and I had GRATITUDE.

Again, attitude is everything. EVERYTHING. I shifted my attitude and slowed down and took the time to hear my instructor and her here words of wisdom. I did not brush her off this time. I listened, absorbed, and enjoyed the moments. When you learn to slow down and appreciate things change.

This lesson taught me a few things.

1. To slow down and enjoy the moment. Stop rushing.

2. Listen to those who are wise in their profession. We are always students.

3. Gratitude. Be thankful for the teachers and slowing down.

I think of her and the lessons she taught me every time I do yoga. Thank you Shanta, you truly do not know how you changed my life!