Marvelous May & Other Random Thoughts!

Happy May, everyone! I LOVE May, and I am SO glad it's finally here! I kind of can't believe that I didn't post one single time during April, but I swear it came and went faster than a rocket. It was up and down with really weird weather and although I did write throughout the entire month, I didn't find the time to post....ce la vie!

So, here it is, the first day of May (Happy Birthday to my good friend, Nancy!) and it is indeed a lovely Spring Day! I just love Springtime--minus the allgergies, of course--those aren't so fun, but anyway....

I have all these random thoughts floating around inside my head, so I'll just throw them all out there and see what happens, I'm warning you, this entry is a twisty-turning train ride through my mind, hold on tight:

*First off, THANK GOD for indoor plumbing! Seriously, not to be gross, but it is such a gift! The fact that I have a clean, quiet bathroom and a toilet I don't have to dig in the ground! Awesome! I'm so glad outhouses are a thing of the past! So many people in so many places (even right here in the U.S.) don't have a viable place to relieve themselves--I do--and I am thanking God for that--especially today! (Sorry for the T.M.I, but you have to admit, indoor plumbing is pretty genius and we all depend on it so often that we rarely stop to think about how lucky we are to have it! I'm just saying!)

*I swear that heartburn is the devil's advocate, and when it wakes you out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night--oh dear Lord, hang on! It is the WORST! I think we should give people horrendous heartburn when we want them to divulge all their secrets!

*I LOVE Fresh Flowers! Today, I am especially thankful for them! And specifically YELLOW TULIPS! They just scream sunshine and springtime and they're just beautiful! It's so fabulous that I found them in the half-off bin last night at the store--I am on a budget, but sometimes, a girl's gotta splurge--and I can't think of a better way to brighten the house, my mood and everyone's spirit than fresh flowers! They are definitely a gift from God!

*I love it when I have the house to myself and it's all quiet and calm. I love it even more when I have my Nellie sitting on my lap, purring, meowing and am just hanging out with her!

*Reading is so cool! The amount of people that are illiterate in the U.S. is astounding, and not in a good way. It is so sad that we send people out of H.S. in THIS country without the ability to read. READING is the KEY to EVERYTHING! You can't drive, sign your name or know much of anything without knowing how to read. I feel compelled to do something about that, but I'm not sure what yet....we'll see!

*I LOVE READING! I didn't until around seven years ago when I was 19...but ever since then, I LOVE IT! I learn, I think, I ponder.....reading is wonderous and necessary, and I'm so glad I know how!

*Meditating is awesome too! Even though I can't seem to find the energy/time as much as I'd like to anymore--when I do sit down and meditate, it's awesome! Sitting in the quiet, or writing, is also a form of meditation for me--and I'm lucky that it is! Meditation is such a gift!

*I have lived in an 89* zip code all my life! As a life long Nevadan, yeah, I just realized that today. If I had to give a zip code of 9....or 5....I don't think I'd know how to do it! LOL!

*N.Y.C. Nail Polish in Blushing Plum is my new favorite! Every time I paint my nails with that color, it just makes me SMILE!

*Sticking to a budget is hard--but being in debt is much harder! I've been there and it sucks. It also sucks having to CHOOSE between what I REALLY want to do each week (eat out, new shirt, etc.) What would suck worse is having to choose between food and housing--that, I don't have to do and I'm so blessed because of that. Sticking to a budget is much easier than being completely unable pay anything--and it makes you learn balance, discipline and gratitude for what you DO have. I mean, I have so many clothes and so much stuff that it took me five garbage bags to clear out my dresser drawers and dining room yesterday--does it look like I really NEED much? I don't think so!

*I like spending money just as much as the next guy--really! I do! I just like HAVING money more!

*Recognizing the difference between a WANT and a NEED takes practice! It doesn't come naturally in our society and we are indeed living in a consumerism environment. That said, spending an extra $2 on a toothbrush I truly NEEDED anyway--not a bad thing, my friends! It was pink and purple with little ridges and just looked cool--hey, I have to brush my teeth each day, so why not have a fun toothbrush to do it with?!

*I WANTED to get a manicure last night, I didn't--instead, I did my own nails and am enjoying the extra $15 to put towards groceries--yay me!

*A budget is not about deprivation, it is about self-preservation! (Wow, that's pretty brilliant!)

*I believe we all need little splurges and luxuries, it's just a matter of deciding what we want MORE, or what we want the MOST! A peaceful night's sleep not worrying about paying a cell phone bill, or a manicure? The chance to go golfing next week or a steak dinner tonight?
You can have ONE, but not both....decide what's most important to you and then run with it! Besides, learning that you can never have everything you want is part of growing up--welcome to adulthood--it sucks and you're gonna love it!

*I love photographs, being able to take them and see them everyday--of people I love and admire, such a gift! Thank God for digital cameras, they make it so easy!

*Sodas are so bad for you, but sometimes, they are so good! One a week, Sarah, one a week! :)

*The fact that I have so many clothes that I STILL need sort through them, that's a blessing, not something to bitch about!

*New shoes are so wonderful! No, I didn't buy them, my grandmother bought them for me--yay! Thanks, Grandma!

*Speaking of Grandma, there is NOTHING like family and no one like grandparents! I have been truly, abundantly blessed by mine and it's not just 'cause she bought me something. She could never ever buy me anything again and I'd still love her with all I am. Sure, we've had our ups and down and at times, came close to totally despising one another, but you know what? I love her more than life itself, and she has been a rock throughout my life! I am now, and will forever be, her Precious!

*I am blessed to be young! Sure, I'm 26, which is clearly not 18. Yes, I've always FELT and most of the time, ACTED much older than I really am. Yes, I am closer to 30 than 20 and yes, I have physical ailments that sometimes rival those of a 60 year old; but still, I am young and youthful and grateful to be so! Youth is a gift. I didn't really realize that until last weekend.

*I asked my grandma what was good about getting older and she said: "Grandchildren." With my luck, I'd have a child and it wouldn't have children. LOL! I said "what about knowing so much more, being wiser because you're older?" She said "yeah, that's nice, but nobody gives a shit!" I laughed so hard I almost peed--because you know what, she's absolutely right! I already feel that way with my teenage sisters, I am older than them, I do know more about their life experiences right now, and they don't give a shit. Thanks for the real perspective, Grandma!

*Being able to write is such a gift! I'm glad I have it! Even if I don't ever become famous for it, it was a talented gift given to me by God and for that, I am forever grateful!

*Being a big sister is one of the best things in my life. I'm not the best, but I am good at it! I enjoy it so much! Even though my sisters sometimes act like they could give a crap that I exist, I KNOW they do! They are busy growing up and living their lives and I could not be happier for them. When their hearts break, so do mine. When they are full of glee, so am I! I thank God everyday that He bestowed me with 3 amazing younger sisters who keep me on my toes, make me ponder, make me guess--and who, most of all, force me to look at myself, my life and set a stellar example for them!

*A lazy, lovely Saturday is sometimes the best thing on Earth!

*Quilts, blankets, clocks, clothes and drawings made by those we love--treasures to keep forever--those are not just things, no matter what anyone says!

*Clean sheets are also one the best things in life! Changing them once a week is an absolute MUST for me and it's a household chore I actually ENJOY doing! (Go figure!) The fact that I have a bed and sheets to change, it's a blessing too!

*Today, I'm all positive and grateful, as you can see, but this hasn't been the case every day. Tiredness can zap your zest for life and your ability to be grateful and think clearly--that's why SLEEP is now a priority of mine. I can't be any good to anyone or anything if I'm not well rested. This is something my body has told me my entire life, but I'm willing to listen now!

*I really like my new spody ody water bottle! Thanks, Colin! Purple, BPA free w/ a handle and a bottle counter....so neat! Makes getting my daily intake of water so much easier! I love it! :)

*Depression sucks. I mean, it really sucks. It's easy to be depressed these days. There's so much chaos and uncertainty in the world. There are plenty of reasons to be negative and unsure. Sorry, there just are.

*NO ONE IS DOING LIFE "RIGHT!" EVERYONE feels, sometimes, (and some people ALL the time) that they're doing it wrong! NO ONE has it ALL TOGETHER, and if they do, they're lying to you or to themselves. I apologize for sounding cynical, but it's just the truth. We're all just getting by, doing the best we can with what we know how. I know we're all here for a reason, and I don't believe we're all just one big accident--but, in all honesty, we're just living life. It isn't perfect of flawless, but it is what it is. You can only change (yourself) so much, and the rest, we must accept and go on! That's it! But yeah, I'm starting to realize that EVERYONE second guesses themselves, EVERYONE has problems, and EVERYONE feels their inadequate in some way. And THAT, oh that makes me feel SO much better about myself, because when it's put in that light--we really are all in this togetehr!

*@ Life: if we're lucky.....if we've been given the right tools--and are willing to use them--we know how to BE HAPPY ANYWAY--to be grateful for what we have, pay attention to the little miracles and smile about small blessings--we do that and we run with it!

*Being optimistic doesn't mean you live in a state of denial. It's all about choice. We all have free will. The CHOICE to be happy, to TRY our best to stay positive and to keep smiling no matter what life throws at you--that's not denial, it's the only way to stay sane! (At least in my opinion!)

*This http://twitter.com/wheresitshaking is just downright frightening--who knew so many Earthquakes happened each day? I'm getting my emergency kit next paycheck, that's for sure!

*Everyone should be married just so they can learn about themselves! Marriage is mostly a mirror held up to your face every single day, if you're willing to honestly look at yourself, it'll teach you more about yourself than you can learn in any self-help book! Just saying.....

*The people @ Starbucks are so nice--I tried the new Dark Cherry Mocha today (using my gift card from Christmas) and EW! Tasted like chocolate milk w/ cherry cough syrup in it--no thanks! They re-made me my favorite drink--free of chrage, thanks Baristas!

*I am so lucky to have a job! But, sometimes, if ONE MORE PERSON says something about my voice, I think I'll scream--oh wait, I can't! My new tactic "nothing is wrong with my voice, no I don't have a cold, are YOU feeling okay?" The rudeness of some people never ceases to amaze me, it's called COMPASSION people, that and mind your own business. Do you go up people in wheel chairs and ask them how they got there?! No, I didn't think so! No, I don't have a cold and I didn't lose my voice--when I say that, believe me and move on--please! Why would I lie about it anyway?

*MOST (like honestly 99.9%) of my customers are super sweet, incredibly patient and all around lovely--I'm blessed by each kind customer that walks through my door! Thank God for kindness and understanding!

*I love looking out my bedroom window at the trees! The crystal clear blue sky w/ a light breeze and big beautiful green pine tree w/ baby pinecones on it--absolutely wonderful! What a sight to see!

*I'm blessed to have all 5 of my senses!

*That said, we are WAY too overloaded in the aroma department! I mean, come on--I don't want to smell like a peach or even a rose. I don't understand the fascination with scent--I LOVE it when things smell good, but sometimes, UNSCENTED is the best! I want to SMELL REAL LIFE--trees, flowers, fresh fruit, clean sheets--homemade food--anything else? Yeah, I don't need to smell a rainforest in the middle of winter! I think it's causing cancer in us, I really do. I love, love, love my Vera Wang perfume (birthday present!) and I wear it almost every day. But that's it. I'm now into unscented lotion and unscented soap! I don't need my nose to be bombarded with 10 different scents, nor do I feel the need to walk around smelling like five different things? Pick one and run with it! Oh and a truly clean home? It'll smell like nothing--no smoke, no food ordor--no bathroom/pet stuff--just clean. Fresh flowers, a nicely scented (1) candle and you're done! I don't need to SMELL the clean, I can feel it and see it, thank you very much!

*Actually, we're on sensory overload in every which way in this country! Sight, sound and scent. It's just too much! No wonder I feel the need to meditate so often--and have quiet! I love ALL of my senses and am tremendously grateful for each of them. The ability to see, hear and smell are downright incredible and awesome--but still, sometimes, we need a break! I don't need to watch TV in my car (talk about distracted driving)! I'm just saying that I honestly believe that one of the reasons we have so much illness in our society is because we're so overloaded with sight, scent and sound. Even taste--but I love that, I won't lie. We're so caught up in the sights, sounds and smells of the world that we no longer have time (or are completely unaware0 and are WAY OUT OF TUNE with our bodies. We are taught NOT to listen to them, and we don't listen to our bodies and RESPECT what they're telling us--they turn on us. Can you really blame them? I love music, I like TV, don't get me wrong. I just need everything at once time, you know! A breather now and then is a good thing! You can't pay attention to yourself, your body, your God--if/when you're constantly insinuated with noise, digital stuff, sight and smells. It's almost impossible, so yes, the sensory overload concerns me!

*Each day that I wake up, breathing, able to walk and talk, get in and out of my car, w/o a struggle....that I get a fresh glass of water, or a good cup of coffee, food to eat, that I get to hear the sound of a loved one's voice, that I get to glorify God--each day I get do any of those--it is a gift! And I am blessed because of it!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)