Green Thumb

Love You Forever~ By, Ryan Huston

Today, I am carefully tending to my personal garden... I am thankful I took the time to water my 'grass' and tend to the areas that needed extra attention. While it's still Wintertime I can tell there are already some changes happening, some buds getting ready to bloom bright and big this year.

Leap List

You Gotta Be ~ By, Des'ree

I love reminiscing... thinking about good times and memories that have been made in the past. Some are good, some are not so great.. but all in all these memories and lessons have made me into the woman I am today. You've probably noticed a trend.... evolution. The evolution of my womanhood. I look back at the person I was last year, a couple years ago, 10 years ago... many, MANY things have changed. There have been some really tough lessons to swallow and some low times in my life where I have questioned my soul... I have come to realize that these (wonderful and for lack of better words, shitty) circumstances mold you into YOU. It's you that has the choice in whether that mold is strong and unyielding or ready to crack at any moment. Like the song says "You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger." (And seriously, how great is that song?!)  I've done some really stupid things, I've been incredibly smart, I've put myself in danger, I've been compassionate, I've behaved selfishly, and I've given my heart. What can I say, it is what it is. I recently read a quote from Emily Hancock that struck a cord with me.... "Many women today feel a sadness we cannot name. Though we accomplish much of what we set out to do, we sense that something is missing in our lives and -fruitlessly- search "out there" for the answers. What's often wrong is that we are disconnected from an authentic sense of self." I've always lived for the next adventure, the next mountain to climb, the next accomplishment. Taking those risks were thrilling to me. All the while, I felt like there was something missing. While living for the moment is really fun and exciting... I've attained a higher sense of just being by... well, just being. I'm comfortable with who I am, with what I've accomplished, where I've been etc. I certainly haven't hit everything on that leap list just yet but darnit, it's okay. Who am I trying to impress? What am I trying to prove? If that means enjoying a quiet night at home or doing something spontaneous and wild, I'm going to let either energy flow and develop into something more powerful.... I will be thankful for the memory. This is my life. I'm planning on being around for a long time to come, letting each day unfold and enjoying it to the absolute fullest.

Skydiving... a feat I had to accomplish after bungee-jumping 15 stories in South Padre Island. Both events were life-changing. Bungee-jumping was probably the scariest thing I've ever done.

Coming Home....

Robert G. Joyce

12/10/1942 - 01/21/2012

Coming Home, Pt.II by, Skylar Grey

 After a long fight with COPD, my Uncle Bob is safe in the hands of God. I am grateful he is no longer suffering and comforted by the thought of an amazing reunion in heaven between Aunt Dene and him. The strength that my cousin Julie has had in the last couple years is amazing. She has endured her share of heartbreaks and my heart aches for our family.

My aunt Dene passed away in December of 2008. It was a huge blow to everyone in our family. Especially since my Grandma Baumhauer had passed away earlier in October at 94. Dene was battling a rare form of leukemia for a couple years and I remember getting a call from my Dad telling me that she was in the hospital and to pray for her. I prayed but didn't feel the imminent worry, I just assumed that she would get another transfusion and be okay. When she passed it crushed my Dad, to the point that my brother and I worried about his depression. Aunt Dene and my Dad shared a Tuesday morning conversation every week and were incredibly close. Julie had been by Dene's side until the very end. She held her hand as she took her last breath. My Uncle Bob's world was in a word... over. During the time we had in South Carolina he made mention that he was ready to go. Without Dene, he didn't want to live. I don't know and can't imagine what the last couple years have been like for him. He longed for his soul mate. That's not to say he wasn't a happy guy, I don't want to paint an inaccurate picture of who he was... but to the core, he was a devoted husband and father. Julie was a devoted daughter and took care of him, spent time with him, went above and beyond the call of duty. She is a saint. I spoke to her, hours before Bob's passing. She had moved into his house and was taking 2 hour shifts with a hospice nurse. Her voice was weary but steady... She had closure, she was at peace, if she was questioning anything that she was doing/or had done you couldn't tell. I know that Dene and Bob are so proud of her for the woman she is. Strong, steady, she is a rock for her family... and there's a softer side, she is compassionate, a loving wife and mother. Julie, you did right by your family, you are an amazing daughter. Uncle Bob, I hope heaven is treating you well. It must be the most amazing feeling to spend eternity with your soul mate. We've been doing a lot of praying for you... and we are grateful for all of the great memories you've left us with. I know that you and Dene are both watching over Julie, Scott and Brandon. We love you....

WINNING!

Happy New Year, Blog! It's been awhile since you've heard from me.... I've missed you, I've thought about you more than you can imagine... but I just didn't have it in me to put thoughts into words, words into coherent stories etc.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~Love, B & A

It's been a busy month. As many of you know I started a new job last Fall, a job that I had no background or experience in (well, besides the sales part) but it's been a challenge. Recently, all of the sales executives were asked to put together a presentation to go over 2011 (goals, quotas, numbers and accomplishments) and present to our corporate board. Needless to say, I was nervous, excited, and a little stressed. Like I said, this career change has been a challenge and honestly, I didn't know how well I would adjust to the change. I work with a great group of people, seriously, I really lucked out. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm forging some great friendships and I feel great about that. I am evolving into this role and I'm welcoming the challenges and variances with my head high. Confidence is a funny thing, I'm confident but there are days when my acting skills have to kick in. Especially in this new role, there is SO much to learn and absorb, and I'm not confident unless I'm the expert. So yes, I'm half faking my professional cool right now.

I was coming into this presentation blind and I wanted to come up with something that was creative and refreshing. So instead of blogging, I poured my extra energy into this presentation. I'm glad I focused on my priorities, I feel that my presentation was a success. I filled 8 slides with relevant content and bypassed all of the fluff. I hid the waver from my voice and clasped my shaking hands, and presented a confident analysis of my goals, accomplishments, and sales strategy. I wish that someone had taken a video of what I did because I honestly don't remember. However, my director and some fellow co-workers approached me during a break and mentioned how great I was. The next day, the CEO of our company stopped me in a corridor and praised my efforts. It seems like a good time to insert a "WINNING!" here. Ha! One of the lessons I've learned in the past couple months is that with determination I can be anything I put my mind to. Cheesy? Yes, but I'm not lactose-intolerant so I'm swallowing it! I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be a great year both professionally and personally.

Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it. ~Author Unknown