november goals

Happy Halloween friends! Tomorrow I get to officially start planning for Christmas! Yes - I am that person. This is my most favourite time of the year! Time to get focused on my plans and projects. What do you do to keep yourself sane during this overwhelming season?

My goals are a bit different this month - more personal vs. project based. I have been doing a lot of self-discovery lately through my reading, who I spend my time with and the activities I put into my calendar. Heading into a wonderful holiday season with only peace, joy and love on my brain! What are your November goals?

November Goals:

1. Judge less. I wish I could eliminate this all together but I am realistic. If I catch myself doing this at least that is a start.
2. Stop apologizing for things that I am not the least bit sorry for (nor should I be).
3. Be less passive aggressive. Deal with things in the moment and don't put them off.
4. Read more.
5. Focus on ME. Put ME first because now one else is going to! :)

last night

We watched this ...

Is it just me or is Charlize Theron way prettier than Kristen Stewart no matter how old they make her look ... and does Kristin Stewart not have the biggest front teeth and biggest ears on the planet? And have you ever seen her act really well? What is the deal with her? What is the fuss? I so do not get it. Just saying! :) Don't really recommend the movie - except for the fact that the special affects are AMAZING! Oh - and I could look at Thor any day in any way. Just because! :)

boundaries

I have been wanting to write about this book for a while now but wasn't quite sure where to start. Long story short, I have been going through some family issues that have rocked my world for a few months now and after sharing a few stories with one of my trusted and loved co-workers, she showed up one day with this book in tow for me. I was actually quite shocked but felted loved and cared for. It was a good feeling so I thought "what the heck?" and dove right in. I am a huge fan of self-help books but usually start them and never finish them. Or I skim them and miss parts here and there - you know how it goes. This one was different though - I made a commitment to read it cover to cover and even got out my old Sharpie highlighter to highlight the parts that I wanted to go back and re-read ... and now half of the book is highlighted in bright orange. Seriously - this book blew my mind. It came to me at exactly the right time and addressed exactly what I was going through in my life. Coincidence? I don't really think so. I quickly learned that I wasn't taught how to create 'boundaries' in my life as a child and that has (way too easily) transferred into my adult life. I quickly gobbled up the section on boundaries and the workplace, boundaries and your marriage, boundaries and yourself ... wow! I am shocked by how common sense most of the suggestions were and yet, I went out of my way to avoid certain uses for boundaries on a regular basis. I even have Boundaries with Kids on my Amazon Wish List ready for whenever that time comes! Ha ha - I will be armed and ready :) Now - the only down side for me (and I'm only speaking for me) is that the whole book is centered around the bible and quotes scripture in relation to the common sense ideas around boundaries throughout the book. I had a tough time getting past that (I am not an openly religious person - consider myself more spiritual - and really do not know what I believe or don't believe) but I was - again - blown away by how directly the bible speaks to boundaries. If you are a Christian this book is a must read - and if you aren't a Christian, this book is a must read. That's the point - take what you want and leave the rest but if you are a time in your life where things aren't really clicking, your job isn't making you happy, your marriage isn't exactly where you would like it to be ... read this book. Grab a highlighter and spend a cold night with a hot cup of tea learning. If this book wasn't so entangled with the bible, I would buy it for everyone I know this Christmas - ha ha! I just urge you to take the time for personal growth and development. You can only be better for it. Enjoy friends!

today's inspiration

happy halloween friends!

Try and stay dry and be safe. Enjoy all you tricks and treats! xo

today's inspiration

it's almost the most wonderful time of the year ...

Halloween people. Relax - it's still only October! :)

food, inc.

I've had Food, Inc. on my 'must watch' list for a while now and last night I finally got around to it. I had recently watched a few reviews of the movie as well as read parts of The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan who is one of the stars of Food, Inc. and it all had me really, REALLY curious. Exactly where does our food come from? And that is the question that this documentary tried to answer.

There were many graphic images throughout the documentary that had me physically covering my eyes from time to time. Did the facts make me want to become a vegetarian? No. Did the facts make me want to be better educated about the food that I am putting in to my body? Yes. Did the facts make me want to make more organic and fresh food choices for me and my family? HELL YES! I don't want BUSINESS to rule my health, my food and my choices. I want that control. Keep in mind that this is 100% American but really - I can see how these corporate choices effect all of North America. Watch it - listen - learn. Every time I watch a new documentary, it makes me think and explore and learn new things ... Food, Inc. will do this in relation to what you buy at the supermarket during your next visit. Guaranteed.

Here is an excerpt from CBC's introduction to Food, Inc.

They reveal how a handful of corporations control our nation's food supply. Though the companies try to maintain the myth that our food still comes from farms with red barns and white picket fences, our food is actually raised on massive "factory farms" and processed mega industrial plants. The animals grow fatter faster and are designed to fit the machines that slaughter them. Tomatoes are bred to be shipped without bruising and to stay edible for months. The system is highly productive, and Americans are spending less on food than ever before. But at what cost?

And I really want to be friends with Joel Salatin of Polyface - one of the interviewees in Food, Inc. and in my mind, an absolute genius!

Happy and healthy eating friends!

P.S. I also recently watched Religulous - a documentary about the ridiculous stories behind today's 'organized religions'. It pretty much blew my mind and had me second guessing a lot of things that I have just took as truth my whole life. It is worth the watch (as long as you can take it with a grain of salt and don't take religion - or God - too seriously).

i'm trying

I am trying Mother Teresa, I am so, so trying!

around here ...

I just finished listening to this audiobook and although it wasn't my favourite Kristin Hannah story, it definitely had a enough twist and turns in the relationships of the characters to keep me interested.

I am currently more than half way through Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and I am gobbling it up like I've starved myself for a year. I cannot put it down. It is as interesting and good as everyone says it is. Holy sociopaths people! It makes me think how many regular, Joe blow, every day people out there are actually nut jobs! I wish I didn't have soccer practice tonight so I could go straight home and curl up in bed and read. It is that good. Check it out ... perfect time of the year for a chilly, crazy read :)

If you know me even a little bit you know that a) I love holidays and b) Halloween is by far my favourite holiday. This year we don't have any set plans but I am enjoying all the photos, ideas and posts out there in the blog world about the spooky holiday. Cannot wait until I have kids so I can dress them up (I will dress up with them of course), decorate the house and create Halloween traditions. So fun!

I am working on this. Everyday I am working on this.

Loving this and feeling inspired and ... more than enough.

Happy hump day friends. Enjoy the middle of the week. It isn't Friday but it is still good! xo

some happy hump day inspiration!

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” ~ Bill Cosby

recently

Just finished listening to these audiobooks and I highly recommend them. A great piece of chick lit by the always entertaining Jennifer Weiner and another beautiful story by Kristin Hannah ...

Just finished watching and continue to love ...

A random movie from the library. Reserved it because of a recommendation from a co-worker. Oh Donald ...

Currently watching ...

Currently reading ... 

And just because I LOVE Halloween and I LOVE Paul Frank ....

 

feeling so inspired!

i hate liars

Wow - when I thought about writing this post, I wanted to find an image to go with it and when I Googled "I hate liars" there were SO MANY images that came up! Apparently I am not the only member of the "I hate liars" club :) I had a bit of an Oprah AHA moment this morning. I realized that I despise liars. When you exaggerate, are a hypocrite or are fake, you are lying. You might not think so but you are - plain and simple - and I do not respect you for it. When I stop to think about it, I cannot believe how many liars I have in my life. It makes me sick to actually count them up. From this day forward I am going to try really hard to be a person who does not fall into any form of lying. I have never lied to my husband since we have been married - not even a little white lie - and I am so proud of that. Won't you say no to the BS with me? Let's all become more honest and respectful to each other friends :)

Just saw this on Facebook ... I think it wraps up what I am trying to say quite nicely:

Living the Law of Attraction / The Secret

Never lie – not even a white lie! When you steer away from the truth, you steer away from your soul. Be honest, be real and tell the truth. This awareness forces you to make better choices and be a stronger person.

friday inspiration ...

Have a wonderful and cozy fall weekend friends!

oh happy day!

It's the little things that make me smile :)

thursday's inspiration ...

super busy but feeling inspired ...

I am so busy right now with life and work that I would say I am stupid busy :) Trying to keep myself on track, healthy and inspired. What do you do when the world just seems to be flying by and you would love to have at least 13 hours in a day? Have a wonderful week friends!