NaNoWriMo 2012 - Day 15

NaNoWriMo Day 15 - 

     Wow! I made it to the halfway point! I am halfway through this crazy writing challenge! This is also the first day I am actually slightly ahead of the curve punching in with 25,350 words! Not to toot my own horn, but... ah what the heck! Toot Toot!

     Actually, I can't take all the credit. I have a strong support group and I have believing mirrors. 

     This past week has been really hard. My body is retaliating and my mood hit the dumper but I persevered and here I am. Halfway.

     Today I visited my son's school. They have this great program called "Superstars". Every month there is a superstar theme. This month's theme was "making good decisions". My son was chosen by one of the teachers to receive recognition for his excellent decision making. The school holds a mini monthly awards show for the chosen superstars. The room fills with superstars and their parents (parents bring lunch for their child from their favorite restaurant) and while everyone eats, they call the student's names one at a time, have them stand at the front of the room while they read who chose them as a superstar and why. The student then receives an award and a small gift. They have their picture taken with their award. The pictures are then displayed for the rest of the month on a wall next to the office for all to see.

     It is such a cool program. It not only promotes student success, but it recognizes and rewards those students in a positive way. I was so proud of my son and all of this months superstars.

After returning home I sat back down to work on my novel. I couldn't help but correlate between the parents at school and those of you who have been cheering me on. It has been a hard few weeks and I still have a few more to go, but right now I just feel so proud and I want to thank all of you who are cheering me on. You make me feel like a superstar and I am grateful for that. With my word count as my reward, I...

Thank You!

"Show up. Get to work even when you don't feel like writing—especially when you don't feel like writing."  ~Daniel H. Pink

Ever feel stuck? Ask yourself "& then..." 

Representative of the spoonfuls of love, support and encouragement I have been receiving for which I am grateful.

Thankful

Hurricane Sandy.

The weathermen called it the perfect storm.

Looks to me to be a complete disaster.

Today I intended to post a few pictures of pretty fall leaves.

After the storm, it seemed so trivial. I was feeling guilty.

Then I realized it's not trivial.

It's my life.

Instead of feeling guilty, I choose to feel thankful.

Thankful for the beauty around me.

Thankful my family is safe.

Thankful I have a warm, dry house.

Thankful for clean water.

Thankful for the everyday things we so often take for granted.

I am thankful for humanity's ability to care for one another.

If you're looking for a way to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, the American Red Cross has a big banner across their home page asking for donations.

My heart goes out to those affected by the storm.

I pray there are no more lives lost.

I pray the healing will begin immediately.

A Bit Lost

If you know my blog, you know I have been MIA finding myself on hiatus for personal reasons.

While I was gone...
~ my heart broke but is now on the mend
~ I feared for my life then found hope that all will be well
~ I almost drown in a river of tears until I finally landed ashore
~ I realized I was blind to much and have since opened my eyes
~ I nearly lost faith only to land deeper in than I ever imagined


I have grown in self and in spirituality.It has been a very personal journey and it has changed me. I have been back for a few weeks now and am eager to jump back into blog mode, yet every time I sit down to the blank page, it feels different. I'm not sure how to approach the page anymore. 


I've sat and pondered, created and deleted, ignored the page, attempted a don't-think-just-do post, all with the end result being trashed instead of published. Today I decided the best route back is the route of honesty. This post might not be my best, it might not even make sense, but it is honest.


Things I have been working on...
affirmations
gratitude
attitude
intention
self-love




I thought the following quote would make a wonderful affirmation. It is supercharged by the addition of one of my children's hands holding a piece of childhood magic gifted by Mother Nature. We call them "blow flowers" in our house.

Photo of my son's hand holding a "blow flower" as we call them.   © Lynn Retzlaff 

Thank you to all who have read my blog in the past and for those of you who are still hanging in there. Your love and support means a lot. Please bare with me while I find my footing. I am hoping to settle back into a comfortable posting routine again real soon.


Love to all.

New Day, New Mood, New Attitude

Find yourself in a bad mood?

Change your attitude!

The rubber band idea is working.

You might think it a bit barbaric, but it actually works!

Every time I start having negative thoughts

or start feeling yell-y (ready to yell)

(yell-y may not be a real word but my first choice was crotchety so you pick)

I snap my rubber band.

Oy!

Note to self: snap on back of wrist, not inside, to avoid numb fingers

I've been practicing the rubber band method of positivity for a few days now.

The method is a bit hard when those around you are the ones being negative.

I certainly don't want to snap myself for someone else dragging me down

so I am learning to walk away.

This morning, after I woke, I made myself a nice mug of green tea.

I sat down in my favorite chair and journaled. 

The last bit I wrote, was a list of gratitude.

I closed the journal and looked out the window.

This is what I saw...

Fog and Frost.

The perfect ingredients for a grey mood?

I think not!

I checked my attitude and grabbed my camera,

headed out the back door

and had some fun!

A week ago I would be frustrated at my lack of time to play.

I would feel inferior due to my status as a beginner (wishful) photographer wannabe.

I would wish for less shaky hands and time to edit.

Today?

I gleefully grabbed a few minutes in the snow in my slippers.

I am okay with beginning as you have to start somewhere.

I am thankful for my hands. Shake adds character to all that I do. tee hee

Time to edit? I'll get there. Time with my children is my number one.

 

   

Blessings

It may appear that we are alone on our journey through life,

but one need only to look to the left or the right

to see that we are not alone. We are walking side by side.

With deep gratitude I thank each one of you for being by my side.

~~~~~~

A wish, a kiss, a blessing

sent out onto the air

praying it reaches your doorstep

and finds you waiting there.

May your heart open wide and fill with love.

May your soul feel light and free.

May you find magic in the air this holiday season

and love filled gifts under your tree.

I thank you and love you for being here.

Your friendships and support touch my heart.

May God bless you this holiday season.

May the New Year bless you from finish to start.

An Interesting Journey

I was gone from Blogland last week.

Did you miss me?

It was a difficult and trying week.

End result - all is good.

Thank you to my two very special bloggy friends for your support.

You know who you are and I love you!

The Journey

Yesterday we (the family and I) decided to go for a drive.

We were only minutes out of town.

We turned down a road we have traveled before

but took it further than we ever had (which wasn't far).

We saw a road. 

We turned again.

The first address we passed held mature landscaping

and what appeared to be a home ripped off its foundation.

 

A bit further down was another home.

Big and beautiful

and boarded up.

 

 Next to that, another.

This one with windows and screens broke out

where the boards were on the inside rather than the out.

 

 

 At the end of the road

(opposite side)

was the biggest house of all.

When we first pulled up there was a hawk

perched at the tip of the garage.

Each home had a sign posted at the end of the driveway.

NO TRESPASSING

 

It was a short road along water.

Nothing but the few boarded up homes and empty fields.

A bit spooky actually.

As we left we wanted to know the name of the road.

Someone had stolen the sign.

The road remained nameless to us.

What was the story with these big beautiful homes?

Could it be contamination that drove the owners out?

Could it be the economy?

Failed development?

We decided to head back out.

Just yards down the road we passed a small turn-around and pulled in.

There was a stairway leading down to a lake

where a ghost of a tree lay silent.

 

Near the path we discovered more death.

 

We decided "That's enough of that!"

and piled back in the van. 

Within yards we came upon another (much older) community.

Some of the houses were run down yet inhabited.

Others appeared abandoned.

 

 How strange.

The home was left with half the roof torn off

and a tarp remaining to cover. 

It had obviously been a while since they decided not to finish the job.

 

 On closer inspection, it appears as if someone has broken and entered

and forgot to close the door behind themselves.

Or perhaps it was the ghost owners peeking out at us

as we peeked in at them.

 

The whole experience was so intriguing and strange. 

We drove a few more yards and came upon a curve in the road.

At the height of the curve is this mysterious farm

with its mysterious tree trunk fencing

and more NO TRESPASSING signs

assuring us that this was not the place to drop off the kids

for cookie sales!

 

The whole area was so mysterious and odd and intriguing.

What's the story behind it all?

What a cool low budget film hubby and I could make

heading back at dusk with our camcorder and imaginations!

Too bad we're both chicken shits!

My mind is still running wild with possibilities and stories.

The kid were intrigued as well.

I thought about nosing around to find the history on the area.

Then I thought of how the truth would take all the fun out.

How about you? 

Does it get your storytelling juices flowing?

Thanksgiving Poem

On this Thanksgiving Day

I am not only thankful

but I pray.

I pray...

 

For those less fortunate

may they feel many blessings

for those feeling pain

may it lessen

 

I pray for hate to halt

for love to grow

the war to stop

for everyone to know

 

The love that is possible

is not just for you and me

it is for everyone in the world

it's called equality.

May this day be filled

with thoughts of peace and love

being sent from our homes

being sent from above

a gift of the spirit

riding safe in the wind

may it land in the hearts of those in need

let the healing begin

I pray for the earth

who feels inflicted pain

to be healthy and whole
to be vibrant again.

 

May the whole world unite

in feelings of love, hope and peace

may the sentiments combine

and the energy increase

Let this feast represent

union of heart

tying love around the globe

doing our part

I am thankful for the ground below

for the sky up above

I am thankful for you

I am thankful for love

~ Lynn Retzlaff

The picture below is from a few Thanksgivings back. We had some cousins over a few days prior.

The adults and children all traced our hands on construction paper and cut them out.

On some hands we wrote something we were thankful for. Others we left blank.

We made a turkey and used the hands for tail feathers.

We took it to the family dinner and taped it to the wall.

The string you see hanging held a pen at the end.

We encouraged other family members to pick a blank hand and add their thanks!

Oh Joy!!!!

Oh what a beautiful morning. Oh what a beautiful day!!!

I am sooo happy!

My quaint little "N" has been included in an Etsy treasury!

Surrounded by other brilliant "n's"

Check it out HERE 

 Incredible thanks to the lovely lady who included me.

It was the sign I needed. 

The kick in the pants.

The ego boost.

I am going to list more items ToDaY!!!

I am going to start back up on my artwork as well.

I needed the love. The acceptance.

The picture is a bit blurry. 

I am still learning how to take product shots.

Don't list much, make much

or promote much.

I have self-doubted long enough.

I have put off and procrastinated.

How to improve, to move forward, to practice

when I'm standing in my own way,

holding myself back?

Today that changes.

Today is the day!!!!

Waking to Generosity

What a lovely morning I am having.
This morning found me feeling quite queasy. My rummy tum tum has not been well lately. The stress level in my life is partly to blame. Or should I say the way I have been responding to stress is to blame.
I had fear that my ill felt wakening would continue across my day causing a domino affect of yuck throughout. That fear was eased as I sat down to my computer to check in on my fellow bloggers. I was pleasantly surprised by a generous gift.


Patti, a very talented artist and fellow blogger (whom I faithfully follow) has posted a piece of her art and generously given permission for her blog followers to download and use (with the simple request of gifting back to her the credit for the piece).
Check out her blog! It's full of treasure! I bet you'll want to be a follower too! :)

P.S. Picture posted here is 25% of what Patti is offering. Love it? Visit Patti for the real deal :)

Gratitude Attitude - Day 16

Wow! Look what I found today!!! (click on the link and share in the journey) I Am Thankful

The last few weeks have been really trying for me. Lots of sadness, stress and trying times. How wonderful that I started this Gratitude challenge for myself right when I need it most. I am grateful the universe keeps sending me reminders of keeping a Gratitude Attitude. I have run across many articles, blogs and websites with gratitude as a topic since starting this journey. The universe does provide and what you think of does attract.

Gratitude Attitude - Day 5

(28 days to an attitude of gratitude - learn more here)

Today I am ever so grateful for my teenage son. Yes, I am thankful for a teeager. ;)

He likes to challenge my patience and is a bit moody some days but he is an outstanding young man. He spends most of his time with the family, gets along well with everyone, respects (for the most part) our rules, and is very loving. He does not get into trouble and does well in school. When he has behavior hiccups or grades start slipping, we discuss the issues, figure out what can be changed and he works at improving the situation.

(He likes to pick on his siblings and frustrate his dad but what teen doesn't? And what the heck is up with teens needing so much sleep? Could it be the late night read-a-thons? Riding bikes, playing football and early morning school days? Or is it the freakish growth spurts?)

I am also grateful that I remember what it's like to be a teenager with mood swings, thinking you know everything and the pressures of school. With these memories comes the compassion necessary to properly handle any negative attitudes or behaviors that may arise. It also allows me to realize his need to grow in person, in freedom and in self-expression. I was very young when he was born and we have grown exponentially together. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming.

I am extremely grateful for my loving, talented, healthy, wonderful teenager.

Have a gratitude to post? picture? words? do share!

Gratitude Attitude - Day 2

Today I am thankful for the music that fills my home. It comes in many forms. Children laughing is always music to my ears. The radio or my iTunes can often be found accompanying the mood of the house. Many days I am lucky enough to be able to catch a live concert right in my very own living room!

I am also grateful for a handy and capable husband. For all my nudging (and sometimes downright nagging) to get something done, no matter what speed he works, I truly am thankful for what he is capable of doing for the family. He is currently working on finishing the basement bathroom. Gorgeous!

What about you? What are you grateful for today?