Hello...and...goodbye

If you've landed on this website, please stop and browse a bit. This is a 3 year "in the making" site where I did some soul searching, inspiring, goofing off, appreciating and so much more. It was my virtual playground.

I have since moved my writing to my main website http://www.lauraenglish.net/ and only write there now. There is a lot of content here (over 800 posts) and some of it might be interesting to you....so poke around if you wish...or jump in at my other site!

I hope you'll join me!


If you do or if you don't, I wish you peace, love, happiness...and moonshine! (how cheesy right?).

A blur

Why I haven't Written by Laura English

I am sad for April's passing. It was a blur. April held a visit from my parents, normal 'life stuff', calls with friends and clients, photography appointment, a visit to my mom's, and an 11 year old birthday sleepover . All of the normal ingredients of a life being lived. My disappointment is that I feel I wasn't as 'present' as normal. I know I have more 'normal' life to live...I intend to notice more...until I don't...and that is OK.

Back to normal.

Gratitude x 11

1. Sunshine


2. Cardinals


3. Long walks


4. Service to others


5. Flexibility of schedule


6. Husband who can hold down the fort


7. My mom's improving health


8. My dad, brother and nephew enjoying Italy


9. My other brother and family enjoying CA


10. Time with my mom and aunt


11. My great life

Back to normal

I have forgotten where I've been

I have forgotten where I was going

I have forgotten what I've learned

I have forgotten what I want

I have forgotten what I stand for

I have forgotten what I've gotten rid of

I have forgotten because...

my mind was on vacation....

I have NOT forgotten how to get back to normal...

It just takes time!

Gratitude X 11

1. I love facebook birthdays!
2. I love celebrating with friends
3. I love how excited my kids are for MY birthday
4. I love that I got a Daphne plant...it smells so yummy
5. I love that I got a new blender...I am a green smoothie maker now
6. I love that I got a new point and shoot camera (ours broke in Vietnam)
7. I love that I got a gift of a reflexology appointment from my dear friend
8. I love that I got a BEEYOOTIFUL bouquet of roses from my brother and his family
9. I love that my in-laws spoiled me with new lotions and other treats
10. I love that my mommy and daddy came to visit for my birthday
11. I love BIRTHDAYS (and jellybeans...got those too).

THANK YOU EVERYONE for being so kind to ME!

Jump

I bought a mini trampoline

It is in the middle of my family room

My daughter bounces and sings to pop music

It makes me smile

Unfortunately this trampoline isn't pretty

What is a mother to do?

For now, it is a central piece of furniture in our house

Kids need to bounce, and jump, and sing, and dance, and hop, and skip...that is their job

A week of it

I am declaring today

That this week will be great

I have things on my plate

That I love (and some I hate)

By the end of the week

My age changes (to 42 to be exact)

And I plan to celebrate!

STARTING NOW

This was an unintentional poem ( and not a good one...but a FUN one)

Gratitude X 11

1. SUNSHINE
2. BLUE SKY
3. FLOWERS BLOOMING
4. ROBINS FLYING
5. EAGLE SIGHTINGS
6. BIKE RIDING
7. FULL MOONS
8. SUN GLASSES
9. VITAMIN D
10. SMELLING FLOWERS
11. DID I SAY SUNSHINE?

Sunshine

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy! Today was a gloriously sunny day. I stood in my front yard with pastie white limbs exposed to soak in the Vitamin D. I am sure I was a sight and perhaps the neighbors were a little leery...but I LOVED IT. It is amazing what one day of nice weather can do for the countless days of 'water boarding' we just experienced. I am putting my order in for more!!!!

No sleep 'til Brooklyn

No sleep last night. Very sleepy tonight. Not much longer for this day.

Gratitude X 11

1. Rainbows after hail
2. Sun after rain
3. Crocus sightings
4. Walks
5. Talks
6. Re connecting
7. Resting
8. Adventures
9. Laughter of children
10. Hugs
11. Plans for my week

Hours and hours

I just got off the phone with one of my new friends I've brought into my life. We went on and on and before I knew it, we'd been on the phone for 3 hours. It was as if time had stood still, but it didn't. I love those kind of connections ...however, they're not conducive for getting 'other stuff' done. I guess all things need to come in moderation (or not).

New perspective

My big computer crashed.

I now am using an "old" laptop of my husbands.

I no longer sit in my office.

I sit in the kitchen and watch hummingbirds.

It feels like a nice new perspective.

I wonder if I ever go back to my office.

Interesting.

Brain Hurts

Today I dealt with the nitty gritty of my business. It felt very much like a challenging puzzle and sometimes I felt really uncomfortable. But, in the end, I feel proud for sticking with it and now I know what to do differently. So weirdly, as much as it was uncomfortable it was also extremely rewarding....and I have a lot more to learn...and I probably could have done it better... but hey! I'm human.

Peaceful

I've got a peaceful easy feeling today! I am going to revel in it! Off to meditate and express gratitude for my awesome life.

Gratitude X 11

1. Walks in the snow
2. Robins with big bellies
3. Crocus peaking through snow
4. Hummingbird visits to the feeder
5. Support from colleagues
6. Movie night with daughter
7. Playdates and parties for my kids
8. Plethora of books to read
9. Inspiring videos
10. Unlimited access to inspiring writing
11. Writing again

Well Hu-lo

Wowee cazowee it has been awhile since I've been over here OR over there. I have 'excuses' but really, if I wanted to be here and there I would have made time...so excuses fall flat. I am kind of 'just getting by' with all of my activities so the extra stuff have fallen by the wayside. Somehow I'm either avoiding or not able...not sure which is true-r. So...really, I'm just stopping in to say hi. I'm still kicking. Stuff is 'rumbling' in me and I'm making moves on some fun activities in my life. I've finished some books, I played the lottery and created a fun story of my winnings (key word "story"), I've walked in the snow a bunch, I've slept a lot better, I am bringing meditation into my life, I am in a class with some great women, I connect regularly with the people I love....that is where I am...my actions are not stalled, but I do believe my thinking has been...I'm working through that now!

Reading about Meaning

I am reading Victor Frankl's book Man's Search for Meaning!

It is short

It is powerful

It is stressful

It is insightful

I must go

I want to read more!

Gratitude X 11

1. Birthday parties


2. Superbowl parties


3. Impromptu parties


4. Friends who make these parties fun


5. New acquaintances


6. Coffee plans


7. Walking dates


8. Phone chats


9. Connecting


10. Email check ins


11. Connections = fuel to an extrovert.

Good golly

I sat down to write today and really am not feeling like I have anything interesting...so I am going to list my 'things' that are keeping me busy:

• Chaperoning play practice (just today thank goodness)
• Writing communication survey for PTA
• Reading the book SWITCH which is about change and is very interesting
• Re-reading the Joy Diet because I am going to run a course on it...wanna join?
• Organizing my office and house based on the ideas of David Allen, Getting Things Done
• Networking with new people outside of my normal circle
• Coaching clients
• Creating visual journal pages (my new addiction)
• Eating healthier AND eating candy...as I pop a mini Heath Bar into my mouth
• Supporting my children with their learning goals
• Keeping the 'flippin' house clean grrrrrr

OK...now that I've listed it all...I must do, do, do...ciao for now! (that brings me back to 1987 when I lived in Italy and that was what I wrote on all my letters back to the states).

I like busy

Today was the kind of day that feels really good yet really really busy...I think I like busy.

walk

90 minute mastermind class

travel to 'the big city'

2 hour meeting

travel back to 'suburban town'

1 hour bank visit

quick shop (buy smelly candle with hummingbird on it)

pick up kid #2 from play practice

1 hour phone call

dinner

homework with kid #2

pick up kid #1 from play practice (she has a bigger part)

bed time ritual

PTA 'homework'

client catch up emails

friend email chats

blogpost

fall into bed!

Gratitude X 11

1. book reading


2. candles burning


3. park playing


4. dinner partying


5. office organizing


6. house cleaning


7. visual journaling


8. friend connecting


9. client coaching


10. friend photographing


11. life loving

KISS

This post was supposed to be published yesterday but I guess I didn't push the "publish" button:

Right now in the background I can hear a cover mix of KISS songs sung by current rock artists. I believe this was my husband's favorite band at one time which inspired his purchase of the cover CD.

I was made for lovin you baby, you were made for lovin me.

I wonder if his neck will ache from the head banging going on in our house. What a fun family experience...I guess?

Clean sheets

Isn't it just the best to tuck into freshly washed (and dried) sheets? Mine are calling to me. I will tuck in with my book and my glasses (now a must) to have a good read and then to sleep. That is my definition of a lovely night. I flit, I float, I fleetly I fly....goodbye...goodbye...goodbyeeeeeee.

Good golly I'm a goofball!

Gratitude X 11

1. Books


2. Walks


3. Robes


4. Showers


5. Sleep


6. Movies


7. Hugs


8. Friends


9. Curiosity


10. Support


11. Life

Feel

First word that came to my mind.

I feel warm and cozy.

Why?

'Cause I just took a hot shower.

I'm wrapped in my big warm robe.

I want to crawl into my big warm bed and read.

What I am instead going to do is ready for a date.

With my hair dresser.

I want bangs.

I want to look a little more put together.

I sense change 'is 'acomin'

and I want to look good for it.

Maybe I'll read for 20 though.

Maybe.

STUFF

I am reading book with the title STUFF (about compulsive hoarding).

It is fascinating to me.

I am semi-obsessed with organizational shows.

I get a charge out of helping others organize.

I am following my interests and I am holding an open heart and mind for what it means for me.

My next read is Joy Diet...a book that may even be seen as the opposite of the STUFF book.

Focus

I don't seem to want to do it today (focus that is).

Lots of dibbling and dabbling.

Distractions abound.

I will 'step away' from this spot.

AND do what?

Hmmmm my book sounds like a good start...

Oh, but there are dishes to wash

And beds to make

And clients to contact

And And And....

Focus crazy lady, FOCUS!

Today I

...am feeling as if I'm hitting on all cylinders.

I don't feel anxious or buzzy, I actually feel calm and peaceful.

I'm thinking that this is what it feels like to feel authentically living your life. When there is a buzz, I wonder if it is a more surface-level approach.

The feeling I have feels as if it is deep inside....as if it is becoming part of my DNA.

I like this feeling.

I will notice it more.

I will also notice the Buzzy kind too.

It is all good!

On track barely

I have a desire to be more regular here.

I had a day of trying to put order to my holiday scrambled life.

I am finally here writing in this blog.

I am feeling more order in my life.

I have found time to type.

However, what to type is what I didn't find.

So this post ends here...

Catcha later

Gratitude x 11

1. Tylenol - to help my champagne headache
2. Sledding with family and kids didn't complain about not having gloves
3. Hot chocolate helps to warm the hands
4. Beautiful day for sledding
5. Stunning vistas of snow covered mountains, and evergreens for miles
6. My new book Alice I Have Been
7. Heat in my house
8. School starting tomorrow
9. Clients filling my calendar
10. Checks to deposit...and more where that came from
11. Plans for 2011