Vegas

When I got back from Vegas so many people wanted to hear stories about what kind of crazy, wild, scandalous adventures I had while out there ... the truth of the matter is I didn't really have any! I know! TOTALY not like me! Even though it was a dual bachlorette party, it was such a nice relaxing trip. Catching up with the girls and laying in the sun was about as crazy as it got. Well, minus the best Mojito I have EVER had at Dos Caminos in The Palazzo (I actually finished the drink giggling to myself), admiring the performers who so graciously thrust themselves all over the stage at The Thunder From Down Under and dancing until 4am at The Bank in The Bellagio...it was you know, relaxing!

Revelation

I am a busy person. Work is so busy right now I feel like most days I could stay until long past everyone has already gone home and still not feel like I am getting ahead. Getting together with friends, trying to find time to workout, freelancing and delving into this new adventure of illustrating children's books with my girlfriend has taken up all of my time. It doesn't help that I hurt my back at the gym the other day so now sitting for hours on end at work has become extremely uncomfortable. Then catching a bit of a cold last weekend that has decided to stick around and develop into this runny, itchy nose/lost voice thing...

I have so much to get done yet it always seems like something is getting in the way of me getting my stuff done. Maybe I have taken on too much? At times I think I am spreading myself too thin and when you do that, when a person spreads themselves too thin, then certain things 'give'. The things that 'give' are the things that aren't as important as the things that don't 'give'...and that's my revelation. 

In that revelation I have discovered the need to pair my life down to the people, projects and things that are most important to me in order for me to be able to be the best me I can be. In my personal life it seems like I have a hold on the 'things' in my life that are most important to me. I have all but stopped spending extravagantly on unnecessary items that only hold pleasure for me for a brief moment and then either end up at the bottom of my closet or useless on a shelf somewhere. I also have a better hold on 'projects' these days and have begun to schedule time to complete those projects first which have been on my list the longest. By the end of the month I should be set in that regard. The biggest area of difficulty I have with this revelation is in regard to 'people'. 

After much thought, meditation and soul searching I have come to the conclusion that I am who I am and I can no longer feel guilty about that. When I think about the people I want to spend time with I do it because those people illicit something in me that makes me feel good. When it comes to what makes me happy, how I want to live my day to day life, what I see in my minds eye for myself in the future...I find I surround myself with people who inspire me. People who are driven, passionate and people who are caring and loving and people who are true to themselves and God and people who aren't afraid to take a chance on faith and karma and believing in something greater than themselves. These kinds of people are my people and I don't want to lessen their involvement in my life, in fact, I have to increase their involvement in my life.

I truly believe that everything we do, everything that happens to us, everything that we are is for a reason and not just a chance fluke. I believe everyone who comes into my life, weather they come for a brief moment, stay for a long while or go, came into my life for a specific purpose and has fulfilled or is fulfilling their purpose for me as I am fulfilling it for them.

I guess this means that I then also have to accept that it doesn't always end in a 'happy ending'... but that's the beauty of it...I am who I am because it always hasn't.

Angie's Wedding Shower

After Christina's Lunch Shower Alissa, Baby Olivia and I headed over to Karen's house for Angie's Wedding Shower! We met Ellen over there and had a chance to see Angie and Karen again and a bunch of their friends from high school....many of whom we are headed to Vegas with at the end of the month for Alissa's and Angie's Dual Bachlorette Party Weekend Extravangaza! Miss Olivia was quite tired from the day's festivities but I didn't mind. Angie got some amazing gifts from Crate & Barrel (thanks Ellen) and a lot of glassware from her registry. Break out the SPF and sunglasses girls! Next time we see these ladies we will be headed for warmer weather!

Christina's Lunch Baby Shower

This past Saturday was a busy one! I threw a shower with Alissa and Baby Olivia for Christina and Baby Addison (who isn't planning on being here until May 8th) at Maynard's in Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka. It was an absolutely perfect day and it was so good to see all of Christina's friends and family. Alissa was able to get the most wonderful cake from Taste of Scandinavia; strawberries, bananas, almonds and whipped cream...need I say more? It was to die for! Everyone bought decorated scrapbook pages and now Christina will have a scrapbook to start filling once Baby Addison arrives! Miss Olivia was quite the hit of the party too...and I must say, she has the most adorable onsie on! Must be from her Auntie Natalie!

Notes from the Universe

I just read an amazing book. It was so amazing that I literally sat down to read it and didn't get up until I had finished the entire thing. Every note written spoke to me. While some of these notes were more applicable to my life right now others conjured up thoughts and emotions from lessons life has already taught me. It's an absolute must read and so I thought I would share some of my favorite notes with you here. 

~Do you realize that the Universe cannot have, do and be more...unless you have, do and be more? Want it all. 

~Your "challenges" are simply the manifestation of your so-called invisible, limiting beliefs.

~Be yourself. Not who you're supposed to be, but who you want to be. Not their way, but your way. And everything else will take care of itself.

~Don't let those who aren't in tune with you, distract you from those who are.

~The good thing about bad things is that they make way for even better things.

Saturday

This is the first Saturday I have had in a while with absolutely nothing to do. As usual I have a list of items to run around town and pick up, cleaning and organizing to get accomplished around the house and various art projects I want to start on. So what do I do on the one and only day I actually have time get started on some of these things? Nothing. I read three celebrity-filled-gossip magazines, watch two movies and eat pizza to my hearts content. Didn't even make it to the gym and I feel no guilt what-so-ever. I am actually proud of myself for sitting on the couch, for laying here curled up in a blanket in front of the fireplace all day and for giving myself some much...needed...rest.