tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40728938782175569002024-03-12T20:17:50.788-04:00Letting it out- unfiltered and uneditedThis is me. . . Who I am, Who I have become, How I deal
This is me. . . . Letting It All OutCrystal Arsenaulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05106655618682843531noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-71252850822878558462022-01-07T23:37:00.001-05:002022-01-07T23:37:14.603-05:00Happy 12th Birthday LaurenHow on earth can it be that my baby is 12 years old today. How on earth do they grow up right before your very eyes and you wonder where time went.how on earth does that even happen. <div>Lauren is so different than my first born, but similar in many ways, but they also have a wonderful connection. Not all sisters are like that I only had brothers so I would not know. </div><div>Either way the the almost 7 year age gap yes planned was perfect. Amber told me today she cried looking at the post of photos I submitted on social media. Awwwww</div><div>Anyway back to Lauren she is so funny, creative and kind. She has such a loving nature and a kindness to all that will take her far. She looks at everything positivity and I think I need to learn that from her.. I got so lucky with my two daughters, different unique and similar. </div><div>Happy Birthday Doodles <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-91130134981302339912021-01-12T22:54:00.001-05:002021-01-12T22:54:40.185-05:00Patience While I have some, I need more. . My mom god love her, but some days I feel like I just can't adult with her. Someday Ibwish she would just open up the idea of learning something new, maybe not be so set in her ways. . . But I guess that's the generation. <div>So while I must be patient with life, I must also learn to be more patient with her, cause got knows she is not getting younger. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-79298603792190966262021-01-11T23:10:00.001-05:002021-01-11T23:10:47.994-05:00Defeated...So your out to prove yourself,you know the boss puts you through a pressure test and your 1000% intact and ready. <div>Then someone makes you feel defeated and your confidence goes in the shitter. How do you come back from that and still want to give 1000%>. </div><div>Today that was me. I cried I won't lie, the stress I was feeling and the fact that I felt like what I was given to do was too much, which that was the farthest. </div><div>I guess I have to have thick skin, which is not easy for me. I give 1000% and take each challenge and I get doubed and oh accused of doing. </div><div>Adding this to my list of things to improve upon. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-5316270405401149932021-01-08T23:01:00.001-05:002021-01-08T23:01:04.968-05:00the world does not help. So I know I've said it earlier this week that the world is against each other, and this sums up perfect and so I will just leave it here.<div><br></div><div><div>Copied:</div><div><br></div><div>“This morning, I realized that everything is about to change. No matter how I vote, no matter what I say, lives are never going to be the same.</div><div><br></div><div>I have been confused by the hostility of family and friends. I look at people I have known all my life so hate-filled that they agree with opinions they would never express as their own. I think that I may well have entered the Twilight Zone.</div><div><br></div><div>You can't justify this insanity. We have become a nation that has lost its collective mind.</div><div><br></div><div>We see other countries going Socialist and collapsing, but it seems like a great plan to us.</div><div><br></div><div>Somehow it’s un-American for the census to count how many Americans are in America.</div><div><br></div><div>People who say there is no such thing as gender are demanding a female President.</div><div><br></div><div>Universities that advocate equality, discriminate against Asian-Americans in favor of African-Americans.</div><div><br></div><div>Some people are held responsible for things that happened before they were born, and other people are not held responsible for what they are doing right now.</div><div><br></div><div>Criminals are caught-and-released to hurt more people, but stopping them is bad because it's a violation of THEIR rights.</div><div><br></div><div>People who have never owned slaves should pay slavery reparations to people who have never been slaves.</div><div><br></div><div>After legislating gender, if a dude pretends to be a woman, you are required to pretend with him.</div><div><br></div><div>It was cool for Joe Biden to "blackmail" the President of Ukraine, but it’s an impeachable offense if Donald Trump inquiries about it.</div><div><br></div><div>People who have never been to college should pay the debts of college students who took out huge loans for their degrees.</div><div><br></div><div>Immigrants with tuberculosis and polio are welcome, but you’d better be able to prove your dog is vaccinated.</div><div><br></div><div>Irish doctors and German engineers who want to immigrate to the US must go through a rigorous vetting process, but any illiterate gang-bangers who jump the southern fence are welcomed.</div><div><br></div><div>$5 billion for border security is too expensive, but $1.5 trillion for “free” health care is not.</div><div><br></div><div>If you cheat to get into college you go to prison, but if you cheat to get into the country you go to college for free.</div><div><br></div><div>And, pointing out all this hypocrisy somehow makes us "racists"!</div><div>Nothing makes sense anymore, no values, no morals, no civility and people are dying of a Chinese virus, but it is racist to refer to it as Chinese even though it began in China.</div><div><br></div><div>We are clearly living in an upside-down world where right is wrong and wrong is right, where moral is immoral and immoral is moral, where good is evil and evil is good, where killing murderers is wrong, but killing innocent babies is right.</div><div><br></div><div>Wake up America. The great unsinkable ship Titanic America has hit an iceberg, is taking on water and sinking fast.”</div></div><div><br></div><div>Dave Ramsey</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-35431438346089269572021-01-08T22:58:00.001-05:002021-01-08T22:58:50.978-05:00Self Love Reflects So your own self love reflects onto those who watch you each day, your actions, your words everything. I'm talking about my daughter's. My oldest is 18 old enough to think she's big enough to not have to go to mom well guess what she still does and that's fine, we share a closeness where she tells me everything and I'm comfortable with that. <div>My you hear turns 11 today. So she's growing into being a young woman with changes happening. I need to remember as I learn to self love it will too reflect on her so If feel it's really important to portray that. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-12112200496660577702021-01-06T23:14:00.001-05:002021-01-06T23:14:46.744-05:00Needed a distraction Well when cauious errupts in the world (a group of protestors stormed the us senate) anyways this is not about politics it's about just getting away from the hate and disconnect with the world. So tonight I dove into my About me page of my bullet journal, it's far from perfect (but hey that's me) it's about learning to love the imperfections. <div>It's a start, and it was the perfect start to do it on a night when their is so much hate going around. </div><div>So about me.... What I love, and what I dislike a glimpse of a page that you can learn something about someone with an image or a word.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hmmmm time to research how to confront my self love troubles and enhance my strengths. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-46635021278529531982021-01-04T23:13:00.001-05:002021-01-04T23:13:16.377-05:00Well not today... Well no self love today, felt more like self hurt, self anger, self sadness. Today marks 7 years since I lost my dad. <div><br></div><div>I relive the day like a nightmare. Some days I miss him so much that I can't do anything or have motivation to do anything. I feel like I could cry all my tears and not feel better. Some days for the most part I miss him like crazy and maybe a thought or memory brings tears and those days seem to be more of a reoccurrence than before.</div><div><br></div><div>I know that I have to heal at some point from this larger than life loss but yet I can't force myself to heal when it still hurts so much. I was Daddy's Little Girl, always was even as an adult and my daughters were the apple of his eye. </div><div><br></div><div>I often wonder how different life would be with him here, cause dam it was always an adventure with him. I love him more and more with each passing day and I think about him so much. </div><div><br></div><div>I know he's here and protects us, but some days that's just not enough. I miss you dad. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-76150270635720317382021-01-03T22:43:00.002-05:002021-01-03T22:43:14.447-05:00Creativity <p> So I have heard that to start with self love you need to first not be afraid to jump out of a comfort zone, and or start something. So along with my (hopefully) daily blogging I can also do some self creativity, called Bullet Journaling. I'm still learning about it by of course none other than a Google search.</p><p>So I picked myself up a couple of bullet journals,stickers cause shit who does not love stickers, (I remember a sticker book I had as a child) the puffy and smelly ones were my favorite. Anyway, this bullet journal think is all about creativity, there is no set thing, there is no instructions a blank canvas persay to just explore your creative side.</p><p>I like to think I'm creative, I give credit to of course google and pintest for ideas, either way I'm hoping it will make my journey to self love,fun, creative and I'm sure full of goofy shit that I would only understand.</p><p>It's all about discovering your self right so why not step out of a few comfort zones in the process. </p><p>See below my journals and already an idea of how to start. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPpmxI3ZQ7T_aShVzwu8k0juUI5Rdk43ocvuqFWCyTgWlLayksB9q0WR5IQgc7ikOZttbx2VQa7tF72r84AwCIOyhbPJpGRZrwb7ySqLRfHImlhKidqtZ6buW7q06T5iT5gn6I9iuMJM/s4032/20210103_215852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPpmxI3ZQ7T_aShVzwu8k0juUI5Rdk43ocvuqFWCyTgWlLayksB9q0WR5IQgc7ikOZttbx2VQa7tF72r84AwCIOyhbPJpGRZrwb7ySqLRfHImlhKidqtZ6buW7q06T5iT5gn6I9iuMJM/s320/20210103_215852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj7yMUNKjd_YGFJHfpA6cCmuvchyphenhyphen_48S5_Ko67Y2l7mnoJRIECsS1x4i9wRVNnf4VhN0VB93GkFWtjGLMx10cYdJGCQPErUcbb3-rnHyoPnhKzdZzWFXjOKgx7xTZawL5cDN-i3lffaQ/s1078/Screenshot_20210103-223009_Chrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1078" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSj7yMUNKjd_YGFJHfpA6cCmuvchyphenhyphen_48S5_Ko67Y2l7mnoJRIECsS1x4i9wRVNnf4VhN0VB93GkFWtjGLMx10cYdJGCQPErUcbb3-rnHyoPnhKzdZzWFXjOKgx7xTZawL5cDN-i3lffaQ/s320/Screenshot_20210103-223009_Chrome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-84639808026006680402021-01-02T23:44:00.001-05:002021-01-02T23:44:08.785-05:00Some Things for Me.So, I just did a Google search for self love books. Google is my go to for E V E R Y T HI N G. I ordered three books all of which are recommended, so we shall see. <div><br></div><div>I feel like something that can prompt my thoughts, creativeness will help me discover self love within myself. I'm also going to start journaling. Bullet journaling to be exact. Not quite sure how to do it but people say it's great.</div><div><br></div><div>See I'm sometes afraid to tackle something out of fear that it may not be just like it should, or look as good as someone else's. I'm sometimes afraid it won't be good enough. </div><div><br></div><div>I need to learn that it will be mine and mine will be perfect. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-84172977182501198202021-01-02T00:22:00.001-05:002021-01-02T00:22:43.978-05:002021 my focus Self Care and Self Love Well, the shit show of 2020 is over, while many I'm sure wish the madness and unknown of the pandemic will go away with 2020,let's be honest it's January 1st of 2021 and for the most part is everyone is still wearing masks, it's still on the news and people are still dying from it and more cases seems to triple overnight. Either way this year is going to be a focus on Self Care and Self Love. <div><br></div><div>Come on..... we could all tend to focus on that at some point, but for me it's going to be a big focus. I feel like I never take care of me, Come on us mom's just don't put themselves first. While I'm sure I still won't 99%of the time I have a 1% chance that I will dedicate to me. </div><div><br></div><div>I want to feel beautiful, last year with having my breast reduction was huge for me, I felt more confident.I felt normal, I felt like people looked at me not my boobs (which is how I have felt for so so so long, God really back to being a teen years. </div><div>But, while I have my perky much smaller girls I still need to do stuff for ME. I still need to feel beautiful, I still need to feel and dress confidently. So hopefully with my goals of proving my self care and self love I will get there. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm sure it won't be easy but ya know I'm ready for the challenge. So here we go. </div><div><br></div><div>Day one a shopping adventure with my oldest daughter, and there we were standing in Victoria Secret, as she is gaga over the sales, (cause who needs more underwear an 18 year old) but she really walked out without any. It was the bras. I was in awe of pretty bras, sexy bras for 30plus years I wore ugly ass plain jane bras in beige. Yes how fun right....NOT but beige would never show through clothing so yes why would I want anything different. </div><div>Anyway I looked at them as my daughter was like mom your not that big you are C or D at least. Oh she's too kind. But it was not the cup it was the band around. Not sure I could squeeze my flab into that. Well stared at the bras, touched the softness and then walked away. Not sure I could deal with the dissapointment of getting home and not being able to wear it. </div><div><br></div><div>While my daughter insisted she get three new bras I walked out with a body spray. So it's not a new bra but its something to make me smell pretty. Goal One feel comfortable with the girls that you can feel sexy in a bra. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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But this blog is much different well I want to separate it as such. I'm amazed with people in this world, people who portray lives better than yours, complain and or have no problems at all. Sorry life ain't F$#&*@? Perfect. This past week I have really reflected on myself and the people in my life, really looked hard at the ones who maybe are just along to be nosey, ones who want to compare and ones who truly get me and love me. It's funny when you start to look around people and their true colors show. They say they care but ya know they don't give a rats ass, well I think it's time I pull up my big girl panties and only worry about what I think of myself. The world is scary enough and life is too short to waste on those whom only bring you down, so I look at the bigger picture and keep those who love me for who I am.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-75888328784149979922015-02-10T23:34:00.000-05:002015-02-10T23:34:05.965-05:00Blogging the new stress relief.I have always loved writing as a child and I recently came across diaries that I had as a child. I get that from my mom she writes in one every night. There is something about just letting it all out. I have this blog and another that talks about the man I lost a year ago my dad. It's my escape from the pain of grief, the happiness of memories and the tears of fear. It's funny how your mind leads your fingers across a keyboard and before you know it you have filled a page and your shoulders feel lighter. It's my escape from stress, drama, and just every day life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-64923259486684100502015-01-21T23:15:00.002-05:002015-01-21T23:16:57.184-05:00Crazy how time fliesWow I was just looking back upon this blog of mine that I started and stopped so many times. WOW how life has changed for me, I have lost important people in my life. I suffer through grief and some days just trying to get the get up and go. I'm working on it, yes maybe a year has passed but there is no time frame you can put on grief and I'm learning that. <br />
I need to do this more I need to Let It All Out. Yeah that's what this blog had come to be cause I needed to let it all out. There is something about putting your feelings out there something about just spilling it all, no one to judge you well just your blog readers. <br />
A new year is upon us 2015 Holy Crap where did 2014 go. . . Man 2014 was a year of HEARTACHE huge loss of my dad which made my heart break, I completed my first ever half marathon, not in any record time but wait it was my race so my pace, I watched my daughter perform and earn scholarships, I watched my little Lauren grow up right before my very eyes with her learning and and her personality. A trip to Hawaii oh the Island where I left a piece of my heart I cant wait to go back and pick it up. Travled to Las Vegas and took a road trip to Los Angeles. My daughter got o experience Hollywood. We had firsts together as a family, my nieces 1st birthday, My 35th birthday party, and lots of firsts with out my dad. We grew together as a family and I guess you can say we grew apart too. <br />
Well its a new year, so that means new adventures and new 1st and new experiences, So here's to a new year. . . And hopefully I can remember to let it all out more than just once a year. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-58196302774213583112013-01-07T23:47:00.001-05:002013-01-07T23:47:26.658-05:00Christmas and a New YearChristmas seemed to had flown by as fast as it came. Christmas morning was magic as it always is as we make the girls come down the stairs together while Matt and I sit and watch them, its pretty awesome. This year the look of surprise was no different and the magic twinkled in their eyes. We got right down to business opening gift after gift one at a time pausing in between to look over what they received, and they were both ever so grateful for everything they got. <br />
I twas not long before the adventure continued to my parents house and the look on their faces were just as magical that they saw that Santa had in fact stopped there too. Amber on the other hand came down sick with a fever and slept most of Christmas afternoon away. That night we took her to the ER she had broken out in hives and was just so not herself she had influenza yep the flu so it was going to be rest and lots of it with the fluids as well. So needless to say her Christmas and Vacation was pretty much spent on the couch and Lauren and I soon followed suit sick and on the couch. The sickness seems to be behind us Thank god and we welcomed the New year the only way we have known how for the past three years with our dance family,the team put on a show and then the girls had the annual sleepover while Lauren and I still battled the cold we came home. <br />
Well the new year started off not how I ever would had wanted it too with the passing of my dear Grandmother, she was 92 years old and while I know that she lived a good long life I was not ready to let her go. I'm so very blessed that I was able to call her my gram. I knew it was not going to be easy on anyone in the family for this is really the first death we have had to deal with since the loss of my brother almost 24 years ago. I knew there would be plenty of tears and plenty of memories as well. I knew in my heart that I needed to do something and I did I wrote a tribute to my grandmother that I read at her Wake/funeral on January 5, 2013 I knew it was not going to be easy and I knew I would have to fight back tears and pause to get through it and I knew I would. Sure enough I delivered her tribute like a proud granddaughter should and I know she was smiling down on me as I recalled all her memories well most of them I knew I could had gone on forever but I would still be there reciting the words that I wrote about her. She has a copy with her. I also placed a grandmother neck less on her and I wear the other part of it that says granddaughter so we are forever connected. I will miss her forever but I know that she is by me watching over me and the family and all those she loved. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-53193359585513449232012-11-28T15:09:00.000-05:002012-11-28T15:09:34.388-05:00Catching UpOk It seems that I always promice myself that Im going stay at this, but things get crazy and this gets put on hold. Well Its now almost December one of my favorite times of year. Is it the holidays, another year older for me (not really) the end of a year, I think it maybe a mix of everything. <br />
I have always loved this time of year, my birthday is amongst the hustle and bussle of the holiday and yes it tends to still get tucked aside but oh well its not nearly as fun to celebrate a birthday when you get older or is it, I always love a chance to celebrate. Maybe its the magic of the holidays that I love so much, the lights, the music the decorations the cheer, the MAGIC of the season in my children's eyes the gleam of sheer delight as they take in every last detail of decortating the tree, decorating the house and the wonder of it all. <br />
Im so lucky that the spirt is still alive and well here in our home and it makes it so much more magical, last year we welcomed Tinsel our Elf on the Shelf into our family and this year she brought her twin sister with her Sparkle and WOW have they caused some mischief but its awesome to hear the first things from my daughters in the morning be "lets find Tinsel and Sparkle and see what they did last night. <br />
For this is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year right.<br />
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Here is Tinsel and Sparkle's return to our home this year.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-85318617442033898262012-04-22T21:45:00.000-04:002012-04-22T21:45:50.959-04:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999;">I think of myself as a support system and a friend to many, never really in my years growing up did I have a lot of friends but the friends that I did have were always loyal as I was loyal and close to them. In my adult years I have met people that have come and gone and yet have always learned something valuable from them even if they were in my life for a short period of time. But its funny how I still have ties with my friends I grew up with, we may not speak on a daily basis but when we do we always pick up right where we left off. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999;">Having a family makes a huge difference on the people you want in your life or the people that end up in your life, and ours is our dance family, each family is unique to us in their own ways. We really did not really get to be part of this dance family until about two years ago and Lauren has grown up at the centre and she certainly thinks of them all as her big sisters and brothers, its really awesome.</span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Well just within the last two years I have really become close with Lisa a Dance Mom at the centre, Amber and Liz have done a duo together, Amber and Lauren call her Auntie. For the last two years and we have shared some well a lot of memories together, from trips to NYC, hotel adventures and competition adventures and everything in between. </span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">It was a month ago when Lisa confided in me about a lump in her breast and as a friend I told her that everything was going to be just fine and that I'm sure it was nothing to worry about, Well it was in fact something to worry about she has Breast Cancer. Do I feel like an ass oh yes I do.But I guess I cant beat myself down because friends do things like that they make you feel better and they always give you the positive than the negative, Does it hurt knowing that she will go through a double mastectomy hell yes it does, do I think its the right decision for her yes I do and do I think that she will be a survivor you bet she will be. </span><br />
<span style="color: #ea9999;">Tomorrow is her surgery and I know that she is in good hands she has the best Dr's and the best support system not with just her family but with her friends as well. They say that laughter is the best medicine well I can tell you that over these past weeks I can for sure say that I have made her laugh so hard she cried, she likes to tease me that she will have new boobs before me referring to my breast reduction ha ha. She is a very good friend to me and to my family she is the sister that I never had and I'm proud to cal her my bestie. When this is over I will be proud to call her a survivor. I love you Girl. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-74398472310488669192012-03-19T22:01:00.000-04:002012-03-19T22:01:29.010-04:00The journey to a new me. . . . .I have embarked into a new lifestyle, I'm still the same old fun and loving me just trying to be a skinner and healthier one. I have started Mend a Body a program that allows me to eat certain foods, low glycemicand no sugar and low carb. I have given up my full time soda habit and my love for the baked goods, my will power has definitely been tested but I have not given up. My first week was really a long hard week only eating protein no fruits and veggies but my willpower paid off the first week with a 7.6lb loss and a 1 and 3/4 inches lost off my waist I will take it. My 2nd week I lost 4lbs. So down a total of 11.6 lbs.<br />
I get the question a lot of well what can you have or where do you want to eat or can you eat there, I can eat anywhere I just need to make the right choices and so far I have. I know that I have a huge support system. Its kinda funny to hear Amber ask me can you have this mom or that mom and the other night she wanted to go out to get ice cream and Matt said to her Amber is that really fair to mom, sorry she said to me I guess it was not fair. But that is one thing that I don't want to happen is for my family to suffer well not saying that not having ice cream is suffering but you know what I mean, when I get at least 20lbs behind me then I can cheat once in awhile and it will not effect my weight.<br />
So here;s to willpower and fruits and Veggies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-71699764838820999392012-03-19T21:43:00.000-04:002012-03-19T21:43:18.615-04:00Competition RecapWell Dance Competition has been month after month since January, so a little re-cap from Headliners in New Hampshire, having the centre not competed here in a very long time we were unsure what we were all up against, well it was a very hard competition, but Amber and the team still made us all proud, Amber was choosen by the judges as a nomination for the USA dance team with an opportunity to perform in Germany, a very high recgonition. I think after leaving that competition the team knew that they all needed to step it up a bit and in March they did just that.<br />
Turn it Up Dance was our March competition and this has always been a favorite of mine (having been to Nationals last year) I saw how well respected they all were as a staff and as a competition. Amber was running for Miss, Junior Turn it Up, so she had to introduce herself and answer a question which maybe she had a hard question or maybe I'm being a very biased mom. Anyway she answered it very well. What was the question it was "Besides dance what do you like to do. Hmmm Amber's world is dance is always at class, she is always dancing home, stores, school ect so her answer "I like to read and do math and well you know stuff like that. For a 9 year old I would say that she answered that question pretty well. Amber's title number was "Broadway Baby" well I saw her confidence the moment she walked out on that stage and she nailed her number. I was so proud of her. It was an indeed a pleasure to watch the Centre girls and guys this weekend that made all of us Dance Moms and Dance Dads very proud. Amber received the "Future Barbara Streisand" award, "Broadway Bound" award along with a scholarship from Broadway Connection to attend the New England Summer Dance Camp. Amber won Platinum's on both her solos and took 1st place with Broadway Baby. She was runner up with Miss Junior Title and it was amazing and totally took me off guard as they announced the Overall High Score winner of the weekend was #60 "Broadway Baby" that was my girl my own "Broadway Baby" it was so awesome. I think it took some time for it to sink in really did not until that night at home when we explained it to her. I'm so very proud of her accomplishments at just 9 years old she is an amazing little lady and I'm a very proud mom. <br />
So our competitons this year have been very sucessfull this yearUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-39372621837193417492012-01-31T21:38:00.002-05:002012-03-19T21:19:44.161-04:00New Year New Competition SeasonWell the start of the new year brought us our First Dance Competition of the season. It was held in New York City. So here we go back to the Big Apple. It was a tight schedule finding out that we would need to be there for the first number on Friday at 3:00 with the bus not getting in until 12:50 and that was without any delays. Oh did I mention that Amber is the FIRST number to open up the show oh yes #1<br />
Well off we left on the 6:00am bus and hit some traffic so we did hair on the bus and then we still had an hour to spare after we took a taxi to the hotel and venue. <br />
Well Amber was first up with her Tap number "I ain't in Checotah Any More" being first is very hard to do you are the one making the first impression she did very well but her nerves showed. <br />
Then only 10 numbers later Amber was up for her jazz solo "Broadway Baby" and every worst dancer, teacher and parents nightmare happened. Amber's music skipped not once not twice but close to five times and did not even finish playing the end of the song. But do you know what my "Broadway Baby did she kept going and going and going and she never once missed a beat if that music was off she made up for it, as I felt my stomach tighten up and tears form in my eyes hoping that she can pull this off.<br />
Well she did it pulled it off and won a platinum and 1st place in her age category it was awesome. That moment will forever be one thing that we will always look back on for a very long time. Watching the support from her big dance sister Liz hug and squeeze her as she came out from behind the stage and her other "Big" dance sisters and "2nd Dance Moms" We truly do belong to a wonderful second family that can show their support to this little dancer. She won a Silver on her tap number and so she needs to work on facials and not being so nervous going first, but live and learn. <br />
Our NYC trip was full of some great laughs and tons and tons of memories. So here's to a wonderful Competition seasonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-19055406527533611022012-01-30T21:31:00.000-05:002012-01-30T21:31:45.494-05:00Ok Time to Catch Up.Ok I see that I have put off my blog shame on me, Well it is now the start of 2012 and lets see if I can catch up. Hmm September's blog was me starting something new and that would be my Capture the Moment Photography. It all started with Amelia asking me too take her senior pictures. So I decided to try my hand at a business so since September I have done many photo sessions, (but that is on a different blog)<br />
Dance Dance Dance is once again in full swing with Amber as well as Lauren.<br />
Lauren took a time for two's class on Thursdays in Gorham with Ms. Vicky and two other children. I think I have an up and budding little dancer with Lauren as well. She loved everything about class.<br />
Amber now takes Tap, Gymnastics, Competition Class, Ballet,Lyric, Jazz, Hip Hop. So Saturdays are now our dance day it makes it much easier on all of us. <br />
We are at our second home in Gorham, on Thursdays and Saturdays and Wednesdays as she does her solo practices.<br />
Our Holidays were great and memorable. Watching Christmas through the eyes of my girls is perfect I love it, Lauren was all over it opening each present and ripping paper very slowly piece by piece then turned into shred by shred. Amber she is just getting so big but still enjoys the little things we welcomed our Elf on the Shelf Tinsel into the house this year on Thanksgiving keeping the Magic of Christmas alive for many, many years to come. The girls loved finding our elf every morning and it was fun having our new friend join our family.<br />
So here's to a Happy, Healthy New Year. Full of laughs, magical moments and memories.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-28179970633621939602011-09-20T22:21:00.000-04:002011-09-20T22:21:30.154-04:00Could be a great opportunity!I love to take pictures, I always have my camera right handy at home to snap that shot of the kids or the pets or the wildlife outside. But I also love to bring it with me on yes Dance trips to local and not so local competitions! I love to capture that moment that not every one sees but I do. The world looks so awesome through the lens of my Nikon! I was the official photographer in NYC on our Nationals Dance Competition and wow did I capture some great shots 1200 of them to be exact. <br />
Well I was approached by a Dancer at the Centre that needed her Senior Pictures done because her photography had to cancel, I could not believe it when she asked me, I was nervous and excited at the same time. <br />
So on Monday September 19th 2011 we met at Fort Williams it was a picture perfect day with not a cloud in the sky just beautiful sunshine. She was so easy to work with and each pose and smile came natural to her (must be all those years of dance and performing) I could not wait to get them loaded on the computer and see what shots I could use. They are going to have a tough time deciding they were all beautiful, some things I would had done a bit different but you know its a learning adventure. <br />
As soon as I get approval from her and her mom I will post them so you can see them. I'm hoping this will be the start of a new adventure in one of my favorite hobbies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-80334305125567567082011-09-18T22:00:00.001-04:002011-09-18T22:08:27.748-04:00Time to get serious!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXjEqCa5HgUQDw6ZCo_j3PDR-pX3a9shnyiQYqc-hLkuNwH6DnE8gpSspusIWcHQH04Sx5mKcXfSstRwlThKEYBs5QB6Z7YVlXvWl458_sAM0y4a6rue4uygfAT8pdfm7G7Juw2V2piI/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXjEqCa5HgUQDw6ZCo_j3PDR-pX3a9shnyiQYqc-hLkuNwH6DnE8gpSspusIWcHQH04Sx5mKcXfSstRwlThKEYBs5QB6Z7YVlXvWl458_sAM0y4a6rue4uygfAT8pdfm7G7Juw2V2piI/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1E0ycHjlXUw7NI2tsJ8EnYrHOf2_jc2U_sr7U_Sy8-hbLRubp2nvp22gIafQIaDLx7keLw7ERKWFjQ-98nQg6a_ZdSMaozjO6IIJ7OU_zgSlEGScGFBGnHSgDwbH029zIVOtErmqwL0/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1E0ycHjlXUw7NI2tsJ8EnYrHOf2_jc2U_sr7U_Sy8-hbLRubp2nvp22gIafQIaDLx7keLw7ERKWFjQ-98nQg6a_ZdSMaozjO6IIJ7OU_zgSlEGScGFBGnHSgDwbH029zIVOtErmqwL0/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpxncO05shVbfCPclDseLsl1-NNMnTvKta9D2J1k_K_2xu92s8BUryQLU9HqGZZ8yK5sDSW-tVRVql0IMqwY4Y_Q-w1O3f3ATkFQz2A21OlMpDcHAqyNohyeDb27u9dmHZCWcoF8ihQ0/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpxncO05shVbfCPclDseLsl1-NNMnTvKta9D2J1k_K_2xu92s8BUryQLU9HqGZZ8yK5sDSW-tVRVql0IMqwY4Y_Q-w1O3f3ATkFQz2A21OlMpDcHAqyNohyeDb27u9dmHZCWcoF8ihQ0/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well the camping season is over for us for this year. We had some great trips and made some wonderful memories, Amber as much of a girly girl that she is loves to be outside and still do the camping thing. Lauren even though she was camping while still in the womb and first official camping trip was when she was only 4 months old she seems to be a seasoned pro ha ha. Both her and Amber love to gather sticks for the fire and explore everything. Lauren is quite lucky to have such a helpful sister that will show her the ropes. <br />
Now its time to get down to dance well we really never stop. Well lets just say its not as busy. Well classes have started at the centre and Amber is taking 7 classes this year and we are down to just two days a week in Gorham. She is the dancing queen. LOVES it! Lauren loves to watch but also thinks that she can be a part of all the classes at well. But her turn will start on Thursday where she will take part in the Tumbling for Twos class this will be a blast for Lauren, so excited to see how she likes it. So our family time in the great outdoors now switches to family time at the Centre but we are so lucky to be a part of such an awesome Dance Family. We all have a really good time. Plus Lisa (AKA Christi) is there and its always a great time when we can hang out! So more to come on the class this week for Lauren and Amber has a performance this weekend too. <br />
See so lets Get DANCE SERIOUS!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-28118101415647572202011-09-09T12:56:00.000-04:002011-09-09T12:56:52.955-04:00Everyone Dance mom has an inner "Dance Mom"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R5tUI6pw2EXjIoCcXE9M1nklNBQJ6N0G6OUHXewS1HHH8q4_j30KD6S7AQVzjzPrgf5icxSfokaJNOsrp79wPGgmMwVFNyCQSVih4AACIq0kyhuOOjyNIy7B7wPcfK7NllTnpLfrXgc/s1600/dance+10.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R5tUI6pw2EXjIoCcXE9M1nklNBQJ6N0G6OUHXewS1HHH8q4_j30KD6S7AQVzjzPrgf5icxSfokaJNOsrp79wPGgmMwVFNyCQSVih4AACIq0kyhuOOjyNIy7B7wPcfK7NllTnpLfrXgc/s200/dance+10.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>When I say the "inner dance mom" I'm referring to the new show on <br />
Lifetime "Dance Moms. I'm not afraid to admit that this is my favorite show on TV, my addiction really. I'm not one to sit and watch TV just because its on but when it comes to Wednesday nights at 10:00 you can bet that the kids are sound asleep in bed and that my butt is not moving off the couch for the next hour. Its a show about the Abbey Lee Dance Studio in Pennsylvania. She calls herself the cream of the crop in the dance world of teaching and competition. Well I will give her that she is the cream of the crop of<br />
DRAMA and well she does have some very talented girls. Well the moms are just crazy: They fight and argue with Abby, they fight and argue with each other, things get heated and a bit no wait quite a bit out of hand. Each one of the moms have a certain personality and well have their own issues that makes the show what it CRAZY. First is Melissa she is Maddie and Mackenzie's mom she is hmmm passive but lets the others know with a slight jab once in awhile that her daughter is the best! Christi is Chloe's mom she is very out spoken and not afraid to approach Abbey when she feels that her daughter Chloe is being treated unfairly. Kelly has two daughters that dance Brooke and Paige. She feels that she is always getting the shaft on everything her daughters are always last to get everything and is not afraid to call Abby out either on anything. Cathy is Vivi's mom lets just say she wants to be the dancer she wants to be in control, she makes the rules. Holly is Nia's mom she is professional on the team that wants her daughter to have fun and not feel pressured, Holly is the level headed one on the Dance Moms team.<br />
OK well now let me get to my point here, can I relate to some of these moms hell yeah I'm not ashamed of it at all. I want the best for my daughter, I want her hard work to pay off (Top of the Pyramid) and hell if you cross me I would be afraid to let the inner Kelly in me come out. If those dance moms really think about it YES they too can relate to one of these moms maybe not over the top like they are but at some point they have indeed had the "Inner Dance Mom" come out. Its funny to watch because if I was to categorize myself with anyone of those moms it would be Kelly! So be at one with your "inner dance mom" its ok!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4072893878217556900.post-7151832164108123062011-09-08T09:43:00.000-04:002011-09-08T09:43:41.953-04:00This is only the beginning. . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnvZH9gdFMhpkIYI6DYesld8E-4P_w2pdYZypKDP9DcSuellwgZKNrFaazOLQNsD1i5ooOqE1eWHprPhM9HqrAuv3LrdmA1oYORbLesWTA3ElSw2buuF26teXNu06fvuaxwDVcYap080/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnvZH9gdFMhpkIYI6DYesld8E-4P_w2pdYZypKDP9DcSuellwgZKNrFaazOLQNsD1i5ooOqE1eWHprPhM9HqrAuv3LrdmA1oYORbLesWTA3ElSw2buuF26teXNu06fvuaxwDVcYap080/s200/DSC_0175.JPG" width="132" /></a>This is how I spent my day yesterday, cleaning Amber's playroom well it has turned into well her dance room, this is where she dances and keeps most of her dance things, shoes, bags ect. Well going in there and seeing costumes rolled up in the corner, dance bags with some clothes and dance bags with just shoes. It was time for some organization. Was much easier to do it without her here. She tends to be a little pack rat hmm wonder where she gets that from.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now the closet that once was home to games of Candy Land and Connect four is now a dance closet. This is just a small amount of dance costumes of recent competition dances and recitals the others have been packed away. Lets hope that this organizing system works a little better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Its hard to believe that my 9 year old already needs another closet for her stuff and this is just Dance Stuff, wow this dance mom thing does not only involve spending time well hours on end at the center but it has now over taken a closet and leads into being home. Maybe we will need to add on to the house! Lets hope that will not be for quite sometime. I would still like to add some more shelves and would love someplace in her room or in her playroom to put up her ribbons and trophies, but I also have to remember that she shares the playroom with her always on the move little sister. This year I want it organized so we can just pack it and go and not hunt around for a missing pair of booty shorts or a hairnet at the last minute. We will see how well this closet works out! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0