31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 24: Glitter

Glitter!!!!!!!!

I love it. I honestly can't think of a single time when I've thought, "boy, that's too much glitter" (I'm speaking strictly in artistic terms...cosmetic usage is a completely different topic). 

When I say "glitter" I mean ANYTHING that glitters, sparkles, shines, and otherwise reflects everything overtly feminine and bling-y. 

In fact, I've kind of built a business around my love of these things.

Someone once told me I leave a trail of glitter everywhere I go...including toes (ha!). 

I am inclined to agree.

Today I am thankful for glitter because it evokes in me the senses of happiness and joy, 

beauty and femininity.

How do YOU sparkle in your everyday life?

"Some girls are just born with glitter in their veins. "   -Paris Hilton

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 19: Peace

peace  

/pēs/

Noun

Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.

My very first tattoo (sorry, mom...it's true) was a small, colorful piece on the left side of my lower back: a little heart, a little peace sign, and a little smiley face. 

Yup: Peace, Love, and Happiness. 

I've been rocking that little beauty since spring 1999 (it's amazing the things you'll do when you're on spring break...) without the tiniest ounce of regret. Why? Because I love that sentiment as much now as I did then, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

In the departments of Peace, Love, and Happiness, I am thrilled to announce that I enjoy an abundance. Each day brings me a new adventure, something to laugh at (even on the WORST day), and something to be grateful for.

I try to do my share of imparting peace and equality into the world. I am hoping that my role as an educator means that I am helping to produce more peaceful, tolerant, well-rounded world citizens, and I take that very seriously.

Am I "free from disturbance"? Not always. Am I experiencing "calm and tranquility"? Maybe after a nice glass of chardonnay. So much for the definition...but, at my core, deep in my heart, I am truly enjoying peace.

How does peace play a role in your life?

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."  -Jimi Hendrix

Linking to

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 14: Quiet

Oh, the joys of a peaceful, quiet moment.

Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get a whole DAY.

There are always so many things going on: every day is a rush to get through, to get done, to get ready for the next day to come along and do the same things again.

Working in an elementary school affords me the unique opportunity to me to have this hustle and bustle without all of the garbage that goes along with corporate America. I love every moment I spend in my school...but every once in awhile, I need to take a moment for a bit of peace and quiet.

Yesterday (Sunday) was an amazingly beautiful day here in Pittsburgh. I was thrilled to be able to spend the day quietly making jewelry while my back door (which spans the width of my condo) was open and a lilac soy candle gently worked with the 65 degree breeze to create a spring-like feeling. That bit of peace and quiet was just what I needed to get this week started off well!

Today I take the time to honor the small moments in life (well, the quiet ones at least), that bring me joy.

"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind."  -Albert Einstein

What do you do when you have the chance to snag a quiet moment?

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful! January 1: Family

Welcome to 2013! I am thrilled to be ringing in the new year with a new series: 31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful. Some may say that the season for giving thanks has passed, but I think that the arrival of the new year is the perfect time to reflect, count your blessings, and prepare to take your life's bounty and move confidently into the future.

Today, I take the time to honor my #1 reason to be thankful: my family. I am honored to be a part of a quirky, loving, sarcastic, slightly dysfunctional yet fully supportive and overall amazing family. As I write this, I am enjoying the final day of my trip to Florida, where I came to visit and spend New Year's with my brother. We laughed until we cried and cracked sarcastic jokes for 4 days straight, making this one of my most favorite times of the year. Yesterday, my mom text messaged me a picture of her television screen showing the score of the Pittsburgh Steelers game: a MAJOR technological feat for her and her special way of saying that she was thinking of us. The day before I left for Florida, my stepmother called me to wish me a good trip because she remembers everything and never lets an event, appointment, and even the smallest milestone go unacknowledged.

 
My dear Bubbie, although she passed in June 2011, continues to play an influential role in my life and my business. I often laugh when I think of what she'd say in certain situations...and most times that is what guides me to the right decision. Bubbie always said that she was my #1 fan, and since she has been gone my Aunt Patti has taken over that role and become my best business "partner" and friend. Aunt Patti has been with me for some of my biggest bel monili moments, including flying all the way to Texas for my first Country Living Fair, hopping behind my table to help me at NOCC's TEALtini, and coming armed with Starbucks and comfortable shoes at Handmade Arcade.

Sure, there were times when my family has had issues. We're more Bundy's than Cleaver's...but that's what I love and there's nothing in the world that I would rather have.
As I move into 2013, I am so thankful for the wonderful times I have had with my family and for the memories we will create in the coming months.

Today my wish for all of you is that you can take a moment to reflect on YOUR family and share your favorite moments in the comments below...good, bad, or otherwise hilarious. Happy New Year!