Svenska!

I have been coming to Sweden during the summers the last 3 years to visit some dear friends of mine, and I am here again now. I can say that I will never get tired of seeing my friends and visiting their beautiful country! Their laughter is worth travelling the world for and whether it be in Stockholm, where I am today, or on the coast of Sweden which I've visited before...it is always a delight!

The people here are so forward! Fashionable, funny, kind, astonishingly bi-lingual- all Swede's

speak English, and have a wonderful healthy joie de vivre!

They are sporty and like to party, two things that I think should definitely go hand in hand.

Last year I was out on one of the islands in the Archipelago, and I commented on how everyone looks like they jumped out of a Ralph Lauren ad on their sailboats and fresh faces and sporty clothes.

In the city of Stockholm it's more of a trendy metropolitan city bustling with women in 80's dress, legwarmers and all...because they actually have balls to take the fashion to the limit. I think in America we dabble with the trend but are too worried what people will think. Men are sporting the Member's only jackets and polos with popped collars and they all look great!

Last night my friends wanted to bike 3 miles to a restaurant that was on the water, and the practical American side of me was thinking...it's sunny now, but on the way back, we'll be too cold, it will be too dark, we'll be tired from eating and drinking, etc etc...but as most Europeans do...practicality is not on the forefront, and I have to say that is where the spirit of adventure and zest for life and new exciting experiences are born!

Riding home, I had a youthful feeling of being a little girl racing home when I knew I was out too late, it was dark, my heart was beating, I was cold and a little anxious...but after 10 minutes, I was warm, I was laughing and wishing the trail home was a bit longer than it was.

This morning our gorgeous sun we've been having turned to rain, and you would think it would be time to hunker down and mourn the rain...but I look outside and the neighbor girls (about 8 years old) are jumping naked in the rain on their trampoline and my girlfriend and I went on a 1oK walk with ski poles! Gotta love the zest!

Let's take that sense of adventure and live it when we can! Unbutton one more button and live a little!! I hope this makes you want to go walk in the rain or take the little less expected path home once in a while.

Go. live. life.

I'm RICH!!

It was my birthday this week!

All I can say is that I am lucky. I have so many good friends in my life, to hear from them via whatever means available: calls, texts, Facebook, emails, flowers, dinners, cards, gifts....all of it signs of love and mutual adoration, because I certainly love and appreciate all of these wonderful people in my life.

One of my cards had this perfect quote on it that I wanted to share:

"It's not what we have in our life, but who we have in our life that counts." - J.M. Laurence

With that said, I'm the richest person I know! Two amazing children, my parents, my friends, and we're all healthy and getting through the tough times together.

I've won the lottery!

Makin' Whoopie!!

There are some things that just make you go ummmm!

I'm talking Whoopie Pies people! I have to thank my girlfriend Stephanie for bringing back this old school treat into my life, that makes you feel like your eating a better version of those ho-ho's back in the day. She made them with this simple recipe and they are delicious and will not dissapoint! These clouds of yumminess can't help but make you smile.

These whoopie pies are following me. I happen to be at Oddfellows today, which is one of my favorite little lunch spots and great for getting a little work done with their free wi-fi. Only problem is, as you sit here, staring back at me from across the room, on their counter....almost like those Geico eyeballs on those cheezy commericals, are a platter of Whoopie pies!

Come to find out...they are even having a Whoopie Pie bake-off! Check it out here!

Just made me think of a fun afternoon activity to do with the kids...our own whoopie pie bake-off...I doubt we'll have anything to show for it!

Let me know how yours turn out!

Action...

Can't believe it's been 9 months since my last entry.

I have to tell you, it's been a TOUGH 9 months.

I am going through a divorce. Yup. There it is. It's been something that has defined the last 9 months for me...but you know what, I'm tired of that.

All of the fighting, drama, sadness, worry for my children, worry for my future etc, etc. It's exhausting.

I started this blog in Spring of 2009 because it was my way of somehow focusing on the light in my life, the little things that make me happy. I was in a marriage that was not right for either of us and I started to look outside of my 4 walls to somehow keep it together. I started working out again, I started writing this blog to look at the good in life....but the wheels came off the bus anyway.

When it's inevitable, it's inevitable.

My supergirl powers were not going to change it.

So, here I am. Still struggling to have consistent good days. Still struggling not to stress about my life, and the well-being of the two most important people in my life, their happiness, our future.

But I just got a note from a friend...Action she said...you work well in Action. So, I need to keep moving forward with my head up and realize the low points, when I have to hold my head in my hands, are okay....they won't last forever.

I decided to start writing again. Try my best to pick out those little nuggets of goodness around me to share...and instead of just disappearing during the dark days, I'll write about those too. Life is hard, and you do most of the growing through the painful parts. Guess that's what makes the good times that much sweeter.

Like my baby girls 5th birthday party this week. Now that is a nugget of goodness I adore!

I'm Shrinking

Ever wonder why the term shrink is a term used for a therapist or counselor? Well if you see a counselor, then you get it. Your brain just feels “shrunk” after you see the “shrink.” Let’s face it, life has so many ups and downs, trials and tribulations, ecstasy and defeat. I used to just go to a counselor when an “event” happened, something with my mother, my spouse, a “situation” of some sort that I needed to sort out. But in fact, I’ve decided seeing a counselor should be an ongoing thing, because it’s not like there isn’t ALWAYS something one could discuss! Sometimes it’s nice to just vent, or get an opinion, or better yet…try to actually figure yourself out. Why you do things, and potentially work on trying to change the things you would like to… in you, in life, in your choices.

I figure there are two kinds of people in this world. People who ask questions and people who don’t. I for one want to ask the questions and try to answer them. If there is one person I know that I’d like to know better it’s myself. I want to BE better, I want to DO better, I want to LIVE authentically with no regrets. I want a future that’s better than the past, and an even better future for my kids.

I think for some there is a stigma with saying you are in therapy, but as a great friend of mine said…if you’re NOT in therapy, than your life just isn’t interesting enough! Amen. I like to admit I’m complex and complicated; it’s called having a PERSONALITY, and with that there are many facets to reflect on.

I highly recommend it, find a great counselor/therapist/shrink…bartenders don’t count.
Ask the questions, try to answer them. Look in the mirror and KNOW the person staring back.

Confidence, love, patience, acceptance, hopes and dreams grow from here.

HBO Series In Treatment

Mountain Mama…Take Me Home…Country Road…

Last week I went on a short little break away from my life in the city to the San Juan Islands. Amazing what a little connection with nature and being in the country for a few days does for the rhythm of your pulse. It just gives you a little “time-out” so to speak of all the hustle bustle, busy doing this, busy doing that.

I went on a walk down a country road and had to smile as I was getting hats tipped off to me as people in their pickups would drive by. Or that two finger wave off the steering wheel that is a sure indicator you are in a place where life moves at a slower pace. So slow the enthusiastic hand wave is reduced to a two finger lift. Just that can make you smile and feel welcomed in their neck of the woods.

Always nice to get away a few hours from where you live to feel the disconnect, but this reminds me that even on a lunch hour I could go to the beach, or a park with a lookout, and just take some time to…take some time.

Life does not need to be figured out in a day and it never will be anyway, so….breathe.

Light 'em if you got 'em

Candles, you have a million of them but isn’t it true that you don’t light them and enjoy them as often as you should? I happen to love candlelight. Everything just looks better next to candlelight.

It can change your mood after a hectic day and it is so peaceful to sit in the living room with something good to read and glance at the light that dances from candlelight.

The above candelabra of mine is from one of my favorite home stores Great Jones. Other very cool options can be found at Maison Luxe or Liberty 1,2, 3, or Tableau. All of these stores have fantastic home accents that just make you happy to be home.

Don’t save those candles for guests, use them for yourself. A tiny bit of “serenity now!” when you need it. In the bath, in your room, main room, kitchen, outside, let there be light!

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness – Chinese Proverb