Walking in some new shoes

How much goal setting do you do? I love to research goal setting but I can be quite lax implementing them… However, now that our youngest has left for college my husband and I are discussing goals for our future and tentatively throwing out ideas for consideration. We not only want to create goals together to stay on a shared path, but because we both feel quite at a loss now that the kids are gone.

fam at beachKids. It is amazing when they are the focus of your life for so long and then they grow up. Is it too crass to say that its like the company folded and you no longer have the job you loved and worked hard at for 26 years? That has such a negative connotation, lol, but we didn’t get fired and there really aren’t any other jobs like it.

This is such a huge life change.

I know that so many people go through much harder changes, of varying degrees of challenge. This was just not a feeling we expected. I don’t think that anyone ever told us. Or maybe we didn’t listen.

So here we are.

Did I mention I bought a puppy? And that I started selling Thirty-One (love, love, love)?  Yes, all to have some fun new things to focus on (so book a party already haha). The picture on the left with the Frisbee is at 8 months old and the one on the right is at about 14 weeks. I’d have to check but that’s pretty close.

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Before I go I’d like to share a great article on productivity. Titled, “Eat That Frog,” you can find it on the website Asian Efficiency. It promotes tackling your most challenging tasks in the morning (avoiding checking emails). It also suggests working on your own personal to-do list first thing in your day – before work – because you most likely will be tired at the end of the day and put your own personal needs off and they won’t get done. This includes working out.

Here’s a tip, no matter what your stage in life: Bring closure to your day through ten minutes of reflection on what went well today, and reflect on how to do more of it.

Lori in writing Soli Deo Gloria size 28 copy

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14 years later

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Over the shoreline, over the city

Paragliders dotted the sky south of here, over Sheepshead Bay.

But first, the Verrazano Bridge.

Truly a work of art.  God is so amazing to work beauty out of science.

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Summer Vaca II

As mentioned, we had an amazing vacation as a family a few weeks later. From Ziplining to hikes, swimming and stargazing… 

This was taken after we ziplined 4,000 feet – we all wanted to go again!

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A hike to a waterfall and a dip in the creek…

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She had just finished teaching for the summer and had to prepare for her incoming 5th grade class. This was a fun photo she was going to send to her principal!

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Stargazing. There were so many stars and the Milky Way was magnificent! Of course, the dogs had no clue as to why we were all lying on the ground next to the lake!

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And yes, we saw a bear!

Despite the bear, this was probably the best, most relaxing vacation I have EVER had! Just goes to show that you don’t have to go TOO far from home to relax. Don’t worry, the bear was in the woods and we were on the road and I used a zoom to take the picture!

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And I just have to show that we used Thirty-One bags while on vacation!

The Let’s Party bag is the Essential Storage Tote and that was packed with snacks and a sweatshirt and other miscellaneous things that we used while kayaking and picnicking.  The lunchbag we are using here is the Thermal Tote, and I used that for sandwiches on this particular day.

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So there it is, a quick view of our vacation, and a great ending to our summer!

Enjoy your day!

Lori in writing Soli Deo Gloria size 28 copy

 

 

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The first thing I did on my Summer Vacation… (or where I’ve been for the past few weeks)

From Columbus, Ohio to the Pocono Mountains, the past few weeks have been fun, busy, relaxing, and wonderful!

Today I’m sharing just a bit from my trip to Ohio.  I packed a lot in over a long weekend!

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My new favorite Recipe Resource!  

I love this blog and the recipes on it. This French Toast Bake reminds me one I made way back, so I’m sharing it and pinning it so I can make it next week. YUM! Continue reading

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Style and Sort Conference Adventure!

As an independent consultant for Thirty-One, I’m always ready to party and get you that bag you need (or want) and to help you organize your home and family with our great products!

But in two days I will be at the Thirty One 2015 National Convention being held in Columbus, Ohio and I’m going to be having some fun with some awesome people.

I’m so excited!

 4876135AWhile I haven’t even been there yet I can already say that it is shaping up to be awesome! Through social media I have met a great number of women who are going to the event and we’ve been exchanging numbers. One person is now sharing my hotel with me and I haven’t even met her. She seems terrific!

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Joy in a bottle

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You may think I’m crazy to write about this, or that perhaps I’m getting recompense, but I swear I am NOT!

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I was picking up a prescription in CVS tonight after work and of course, before you get to the pharmacy you have to go through the store. So I meandered through and was drawn to the makeup sales, where I picked up a few things I need (I do!). While there I passed some perfume displays, but I walked by because though I love perfume, I am super picky when it comes to finding the right scent. Continue reading

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Need an excuse to play?

I spotted this post on Pinterest and thought it was a lot of fun – not just for bloggers but for everyone! On the first of every month I share an email with my company team with everyone’s birthdays, and I love to add fun and funky celebration days to our work calendar. Please follow the link at the bottom of Melissa’s introduction and you’ll find her huge list of days to celebrate!

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A Blogger’s List of National Days – Serendipity and Spice

There’s a “National” day for EVERYTHING….we Americans LOVE celebrating!As a blogger it seems like I’m always behind on knowing exactly when National days are….you know what I mean….like National Tortellini Day (it’s February 13th!) or National Fried Chicken Day (July 6th) or even National Ice Cream Day (July 19th)!  With so many “National” days it’s a lot to keep up with!I feel like everyone knows about these secret “National” days except for me….

Source: A Blogger’s List of National Days – Serendipity and Spice

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#WhatIdTell18YearOldMe – Don’t eat the Donuts!

Trending on Twitter right now is the hashtag #WhatIdTell18YearOldMe

Reading through those posts caused me to laugh, cringe, nod in agreement and shake my head in disgust. I tweeted a few words to join in the sharing, but reading the posts also made me reflect. I thought I’d share a few things going through my head.

Things I’d tell my 18 year old self:

1. As delicious as they smell and as pretty as they look, don’t eat the donuts!

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2. Keep working out, keep stretching, keep exercising. I mean, always. Really.

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3. Enjoy your kids. And if you figure out a better way to have a work identity and still give your best to your kids, share it with the world!

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4. Enjoy your body

5. Always have goals

6. Try harder

7. Keep your confidence

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8. Your significant relationship will survive when you both keep coming back to the fence to walk together.

9. Be flexible.

10. Finally, reflect & pray, so you can make sure your goals & dreams are still in focus.

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Love,

Lori in writing Soli Deo Gloria size 28 copy

 

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