Overcoming Challenges

Someone recently asked me what I am most proud of about myself. At the time I couldn't think of anything. I was having one of those days where I was really getting down on myself. I was thinking of all the things I haven't done rather than all the things I have done.

One of the things I am most proud of is the way I don't let challenges in my life stop me. I have a few medical conditions including a chronic pain disorder and severe anxiety. Yet, I don't let it stop me from doing what I need to do and normally it doesn't stop me from what I want to do either. I realized that this was something I was proud of while reading this blog post over at
http://empoweringsuccessonline.com.

I have my bad days, for sure. I have had to miss work here and there, and I missed a lot of school back in the day. But, I have never given up on myself. I don't use my pain as an excuse not to do things. I have made big steps in regards to conquering my anxiety.

That is what I am most proud of. Overcoming challenges that have come my way, not just the pain or anxiety, but those are some good examples.

Do challenges stop you? What are you most proud of?

You Like Me! You really like me!...

Jia over at Color Me UnTypical gave me the Versatile Blogger Award this weekend. This is my 2nd award, and my 2nd versatile blogger award. Thanks so much Jia you made my funtabulous weekend even better!

vur-suh-tl or, especially Brit.-tahyl]
–adjective1. capable of or adapted for turning easily from one to another of various tasks, fields of endeavor

I think that fits me pretty well. If you don't think so, well, obviously you're wrong b/c at least 2 people out there seem to agree with me and I now have the awards to prove it.

7 things about me...I love how Jia did hers so I'm totally stealing her style. Each thing is a link to a fabulous (and versatile) blog post!
1 - I love taking pictures with my camera phone.
2 - I love taking pictures with my nikon d50.
3 - I have an unyielding desire to be an awesome hostess like the housewives of the 1950's.
4 - I officially started this blog on July 12th 2008.
5 - I'm a total Daddy's girl.
6 - I'm obsessed with zombies.
7 - There are currently 11 pets in my 1 bedroom apartment. (this entry has not yet been posted since the number jumped from 4 to 11 literally over night and I have not yet found the time to write about it. Stay tuned!)

Now on to the people who need to receive this award...(I cut it down to 7 b/c I just did this award a few days ago and I don't want to look like a total blogwhore, also not all of these blogs are recently discovered but I still really enjoy them.)
Aubut Family
The Ethertons
Babes Rockin Mami
Boobies, Babies, & A Blog
After 'I Do'
Mass Hole Mommy
The Blog O' Cheese

Look What I learned!

I also learned how to import my blog to my facebook page.

Thanks to the SITS Girls for the tutorial. Click here to learn how to do it yourself!

 

Award Time!

I received an award from Sara at Unoffcial Mom today! What a great way to brighten up a Monday. Thank you so much Sara!

As with all good things, it comes with rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to fifteen bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!
4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award. 

Seven things about me...

1. When Lord Hill and I first moved into our apartment we found a statue of a mom and baby zebra in a crawl space. Zebras have an inside special meaning to us and I knew right then and I took it as a sign. The statue lives in my "office" and I look at it every day. 
2. Windsurfing is one of my all time favorite activities.
3. I went from being wildly unpopular in highschool due to my lack of concern about what anyone thought of me to being in the Homecoming Court my first semester of college for pretty much the same reason. To thine own self be true and what not. 
4. I am addicted to all things Disney. Figment is my favorite character. If you don't know who he is, you really need to google him.
5. I desperately want to live "in the middle of nowhere" but I'm afraid of the dark and of being alone and isolated. It's really quite a problem. 
6. You already know about my love of zombies, penguins, and disney pins...so I won't repeat that. Oh wait, I just did. I'm the President of the ZRS Long Island Chapter
7. I have over 20 AIM screen names. 

15 people I am passing this on to...

Life is Beautiful
THE DAILY DOSE OF REALITY
Who Bakes Cupcakes

Cheap Geeks Anonymous
NOT WORTH MENTIONING!
BATCRAP CRAZY 
Fourth Grade Nothing 
Hearts Make Families 
I Think It's Interesting
Salt says...
☀ Sami by the Sea! ☀
HaupLight
Momma's Pixie Dreams
Kitty Cooks in Heels
Newlywed & Unemployed

Worrying vs. Praying

I just read a post by Julie over at Joy's Hope that was just perfect for how I am feeling right now.
I am a worrier. I always have been, I probably always will be. To prove just how extreme it can be...when I was a young child, elementary school age, I used to sneak out of my bedroom, into my parents' bedroom to check on them and make sure they were breathing. I would have done the same with my brothers but one was in the room next door and his snoring was loud enough to ensure he was alive and well and the other was in the basement. I still avoid the basement after dark.
I find myself doing this in the middle of the night now with Lord Hill and my furbabies.

I cannot shut my brain off. Not only am I a worrier, I am extremely anxious and prone to panic attacks. I'm sure all of this will come up at some point, and I'm all about honestly and they say "write what you know" and well, most of my blogging is about me trying to learn the things that I DON'T know, so in order to make up for that, this is a taste of me.

Anyway, I'm currently worrying about everything under the sun. My parents' health, my dog Diva's health (she stayed with my parents when I moved out) my job, money, whether the new teeth whitening system I'm using is harmful, an odd mole on my arm, the fact that my God daughter just turned 11, my niece will be 16 in a few weeks, whether or not one of the loud planes flying over head is going to land on my builiding... and lots of other things all of which I have no control over. (except for maybe the teeth whitening)

So, what's the point? Why waste all of this time and energy worrying about these things when I can spend some time praying to God and putting it all in His hands and thanking Him/focusing on all of the good that He has given me?

Of course it's all easier said than done. I already pray all the time. I pray and then I worry, and then I pray about the worrying... but for just a few seconds after reading Julie's post I felt at ease/peace and my brain shut up for a moment. It was nice.

WOW! Shutter Love Tuesday Viewer's Choice!

The photo from this post won the Viewer's Choice Award. Thanks soo much to everyone who voted for me (and Tango and Bunny.)

Click the button below to see the top 10 winners. 

Prayers for a fellow blogger

I am an avid reader of Abby's Blog. Abby is a 16 year old girl who is on a solo sailing trip around the world. Her blog describes the challenges and adventures she's faced on her journey.

Unfortunately Abby is feared to be lost at sea after her crew lost contact with her and her emergency beacons were set off.
You can read more about the story and rescue efforts over here.

In the meantime please say prayers for Abby and her family that she is found safe and sound.

**********UPDATE 6/11/10 **********
They found her. She is safe and they will have a boat to her location in about 20 hours or so.

Who taught you how to tie your shoes?

If you're remotely close to my age Mr. Rogers probably helped.

I just read an awesome post about everyone's favorite neighbor over at I Think It's Interesting and I think you should go and read it too. There are great links and video clips and it will help give you a warm fuzzy feeling.

The crayon factory is the best episode of anything ever on television.

Why are you still here? Go check it out.

What was your favorite children's show when you were little?

Let it snow...

let it snow let it snow...

I find it very hard to practice all of my FLY Lady techniques when it's snowing.
Today I'm sitting at my desk working in my fleece pj pants, a comfy shirt and a hoodie with socks and no shoes on while snuggling my sleepy dog.

It was so hard to get my butt out of bed today... let alone dress to the shoes and do my hair and makeup and everything.

I did however shovel this morning and made sure the dog was fed and got his medicine and everything he needed before settling down at my desk to get comfortable.
That helped me feel a little more motivated.

My cousin's husband shared this link on his facebook page and with the current snow situation on the east coast I thought I'd share it with all of you b/c at least we're not THIS bad.

I'll share pictures of my snow situation later in the day. Do you have a snow picture? I'd love to see it!

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2010/02/lots-of-snow.html
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