Inspiration running wild...

I'm not one for inspirational quotes.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them.  I read a ton that I think are great. But, that's the problem.  I read them, I think they sound very inspirational, and then I move on.  I need more than a few lines of words with a pretty background to get me going!

That being said, today I found myself inspired and motivated and in three very different instances.  And I came loaded with pictures to share my story today.

On my way home from Zumba class this morning, I was day dreaming about what I was going to have for lunch.  That's a regular occurrence for me.  I like to eat, all. the. time.  Ironically, as I was driving on the tree-lined back road leading up to our house,  I noticed this:

An Arby's bag just barely hanging from a tree in the ditch.  It reminded me of a couple weeks ago.  I had taken Herky for a long walk.  He came across a Culver's bag.  So I thought.  It was a Culver's bag FULL of food.  Sandwich, fries, cheese curds, the whole deal.  (By the way, it should be a federal offense to throw away perfectly good Culver's food.  Just sayin.)  Silly, yes.  But, made me think.  Who does that?  Why is it necessary to toss garbage out of your window?  I guess I just don't get it.

I purposely drive a different way to work every day just to admire the beauty of what God has built for us.  Trees, grass (well in the summer anyways), fields, cows, barns and the list could go on and on.  Why cover that up with brown paper bags?  It just seems like common sense to me to save your garbage for the trash can.  The inspiration I find in all this:    treat what we have been given, with respect.  I could stand to be better at this myself.  And it seems very simple.


I thought I was already done for the day at this point.  Oh no, I was just getting started.  I excitedly opened a piece of mail from a friend when I got home.  I must back up and tell you a little about this friend.  Her name is Shazette.  I met her about 4-5 years ago at my job in Chicago.  I loved her immediately.  She is hilarious.  She is kind.  She tells it like it is.  And, she is now one of the most amazing and strongest mothers I have ever known.  In July 2011, after an already rough road, she was blessed with two beautiful babies.  Jackson and Paige.  Her sweet baby boy Jackson was born with a heart problem.  He faced several surgeries and was in the hospital for months before ever coming home to join his twin sister.  The entire time, I could not imagine the pain that Jackson, and his mommy and daddy, were dealing with.  All I could do was pray.  Pray that Jackson's heart could be repaired and that he would grow up to be a strong healthy boy.  Well, this is what I received today:

Is that inspiring or what?  That little guy has been through more in six months than I have been through in my entire life.  I think I am doing alright!  And Shazette, I am one lucky gal to call you and Greg my friends.




And the day just continued.  I decided to take this guy:

 on a date to Pet Smart.  Its kinda our favorite thing to do.  Well, Herky made a friend in the toy isle.  She was pulling toys out and letting him sniff them, rubbing his belly, telling him how handsome he was.  Herky lives for attention so he was in heaven.  As we checked out, the checkout gal asked if he could have a treat.  Dumb question.  Of course he can.  Before she could even get the treat out I hear, "oh wait  let me get him the good stuff."  Herky's friend was in line behind us and was going to open a bag of the extra yummy treats she was buying and give him one.  So, Herky sat like a good boy and swallowed it whole.  We go to leave and she says, "here ring this up quick I am sending this home with his mommy."  She paid for the bag of treats and sent it home with Herky.  That just doesn't happen every day.  Most of the time, we are in such a hurry to get in and out, take care of OUR needs and move along with our day.  I wanted to hug her.  She reminded me that I need to be more kind.  To be more patient, and give more to others.   She is a special lady and I don't even know her name.

I will go to bed tonight with a very strong sense of inspiration.  I will treat God's blessings as just that, blessings.  I will be strong, as I have faced no where near the troubles as others have.  And, I will be a more giving and kind person.

A full heart, full of love that is...

With February fast approaching, and my secret obsession with Valentine's Day, what better time than now to talk about love.  If you read my profile, you know that my family is kinda my world.  Today my family made my heart full.  Full to the brim with love. 

Let me give you a little background on my family.  My Dad's side shares what we have termed, the Greenfield hug.  In other words, we don't hug.  We are not affectionate.  We rarely gush the words, "I love you."  It's just how we roll.  My Mom's side, thats a different story.  Hugs, kisses, crying, you name it...we do it.   I fall right in the middle of all that.  Hence the reason I am writing a blog on emotions, but may or may not hug you the next time I see you :-)  I also had a boss ask me a while back, "were you close to your Uncle (he had just passed away)?"  I found that to be an odd question.  Because, why wouldn't I be?  I don't talk to extended family on the phone every day.  I don't go to dinner with them twice a week.  I don't even call them on their birthday.  But that doesn't mean we aren't close right?  Closeness to me means, loving them.

Anyways, back to today.  As I drove home, I realized I had smiled a lot today.  And each time it was because of the love I received from or gave to my family.  And this is how it went....

1) Last night I received a text right before bed from my sister-in-law Emily.  She loved my blog and she was so excited for me she almost cried (she married into the family so she does cry ;-)).  Next, my cousin and bestie Tammy texted.   She thought my blog was cute and she was my first follower.  Yep, I woke up smiling today.  

2) My Uncle Lyle has called me three or four times in the last few days.   I didn't even know he had my cell phone number.  Lyle is one of "those" family members that isn't into hugging.  In fact, when I see him, he shakes my hand.  Well, he called again this morning.  His calls, very simply, make my day.  

3) Uncle Steve walked into our office this morning as well (I work for our family business).  And you guessed it, he's in the "no hugging" category too.  He doesn't even say hi.   But, he does feed my 2 year old yellow lab chocolate, and twizzlers, and beef jerky, and more chocolate.  So, it makes me smile and it sure makes my dog happy too.

3) My mom called to ask if I, along with my nephew and sister-in-law, wanted to meet for lunch at our favorite local spot.  I didn't even bring my wallet.  She always treats us.  Need I say more?

4) Cue time to leave for lunch.  My gas tank could not be more empty.  Dad, to the rescue.  Its winter, its cold, its icy.  He WALKED to the gas tank, while I drove.   I sat in the warm car while he pumped the gas.  And, he did all of that without the blink of an eye.  You know that LMFAO song, "I'm Sexy and I Know It??"  My version would be "Im Spoiled and I Know It"   :-)

5)My husband is out of town for work.  He texted me this afternoon and asked how much I missed him.  That's all.  :-)

6)I have mixed feelings about Facebook.  I hate it for a lot of reasons.  I don't care what you had for dinner.  Sorry, I just don't.  But, I do love it for the opportunity to stay in contact with family and friends I may otherwise be distanced from.  My cousin Scott popped up on Facebook chat about 5 minutes before I was to walk out of the office for the day.  I was thrilled.  He lives about 10 minutes from me and I see him maybe once a year.  He has twin sons about to head off for college to play football and baseball.  Thats a big deal in my book.  And, in the few short moments we chatted, I was able to congratulate him and his sons on their accomplishments.  I can tell how very proud he is.  Again, I just smiled.

That, my friends, is a good day.

And I am off....

Ok, so here goes nothing.  I started my blog.  I have put this off for a long time.  I thought, certainly, no one wants to read about me.  And they still might not want to.  But, then I thought, who cares?  I feel like writing...there may be someone who feels like reading.  My intentions for this blog are to simply express emotions.  Whether they are happy, sad, painful or glad.  I am an emotional gal, just ask my husband. :-)  However, I know I am not the only one!  And the best way for me to express my emotions is by sharing them with those around me.   Some days I might share what made me laugh.  Others I might share what made me cry.  Either way, you will know the "shapes of me heart" at all times! ;-)

I should have started by saying, I am a horrible writer.  I write like I talk.  And to say the least, my high school English teacher wouldn't be all that proud.  But she never cared for me anyways.  So, oh well!

I look forward to posting on here as often as I can and I hope at least a few of you enjoy reading it!