Happy World Gratitude Day!

gratitudeday

Hello everyone! It’s Monday and it’s also World Gratitude Day!  I could go on a little rant about waking up to my first cold in months. To be honest, I think my last cold was before the summer. But, I instead would like to express some gratitude. After all, it has been proven to improve your health to express gratitude so there’s no time like the present while I am sick to pour on the love!

The picture above is a cropped (yup, you heard it, cropped) photo of my desk this morning. I spared you the eye sore called clutter that is currently residing outside of the picture frame.

I am grateful for many things and will list a few so as not to keep you from your busy day.

My health: First, I am grateful for my health (aside from my common cold I am experiencing now). I mean my overall health. I have been making a conscious effort to improve my health since last April and I can feel the difference. I am grateful that I have the ability to work out at home daily so I don’t have to spend extra money or time going to and from the gym.

My husband: I am very private with a lot despite this blog. But I do want to say that I am so grateful that Leao and I met and have made a wonderful life together. He gets me and is so supportive of all of my endeavors. I am also grateful for the amazing relationship he has with our boys. He is very hands-on with their lives and I know it will only make them into even more amazing men in the future.

My boys: I can’t mention Leao and not include my boys. Wow, where to begin? I mean, they rock my world. I know it’s cliche but I can’t imagine life without them. I have a more richer life with them in it. They help me grow and keep me young. Don’t get me wrong, spending 30 minutes plus last week trying to get the adhesive Apollo spilled on my work desk off, is not fun stuff but the rest is pure goodness.

My job: Every morning, I wake and am thankful for another day to do what I love. I love crafts. I love coming up with new ideas. I love playing with my markers and craft tools and don’t get me started with my Silhouette.  Oh yeah. I am blessed to have the opportunity to explore my interests period. My husband helps me make that possible and I do not take it for granted.

My books: I’m getting goose bumps thinking about books. I love them. I love reading them and letting them take me on their adventures. I am so grateful to be able to go to the bookstores and browse the shelves. This never gets old for me.

My friends: I am really grateful for my girlfriends. I have friends both near and far, that keep me grounded. I have the most amazing and talented crafting friends on the planet. Yup, and they inspire me when we are together to play. They simply rock. I have book club girlfriends that open me to more, while having great discussions and laughs over our obsession for books.  I have school mommy friends that motivate me to be a great mom and are there to lean on when things aren’t going so well. I am grateful for them all.

My family: I am so grateful for my sister, Bernadette. She is the most generous person I have ever met outside of our mother.  She has a gift for connecting and caring for people and it is demonstrated daily at her job. She makes me laugh constantly and I am so proud to call her my sister.  I also have the most amazing sister-in-laws. I mean it. These ladies are the real deal, intelligent, talented, motivated and beautiful inside and out. It’s fun when we can all get together and catch up. I am so grateful to have married into the most amazing family. My brother-in-laws are equal forces to my sister-in-laws and I love having more brothers. Since I grew up with a bunch of sisters and only one brother. I hit the jackpot marrying Leao.

Well I could go on or I go do some work. Be sure to take some time today to reflect on your gratitude.

Have a blessed day my friends!

Belinda

Happy World Elephant Day!!!

elephant-cards

Today is World Elephant Day! I had meant to have this post up this morning but it looks like I will not have a “normal” schedule until school begins in September.  In honor of World Elephant day I thought I would share a picture of some elephant cards I made earlier this year.  I have had a thing for elephants since I was a child and it just stuck with me.

adoptelephant1This year for my birthday I adopted two elephants (Tarra and Flora from The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. I learned about them after reading, “Leaving Time” by Jodi Picoult. A great book which I will post a review for soon.

adoptelephant2I can go online and see how they are doing. It’s a great program and elephants need our help today more than ever.

elephant_decor1I also began to look around my craft room and noticed I have lots of elephants hanging out in my room. I received these and the next ones as gifts from India.

elephant_decor2If you have time check out these links:

The Atlantic’s post.

IBT’s post regarding poaching.

Have a blessed day my friends!

Belinda

Up Close and Personal with Animation

One of my friends told me about a new exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science that she thought my boys would be interested to see so last Monday, Leao and I took them to the museum to see it. It is called, “The Science Behind Pixar”. The boys were so thrilled when I told them we were going to see this exhibit. They both love Pixar movies and looked forward to some hands-on experiences.  I too, was excited to learn more about the people behind the magic.

pixar2The boys loved it and I was very impressed with the layout and organization of this exhibit. There was so much to see and learn that honestly, I think we could go again and learn more.  I liked that they had hands-on activities. It help to break up the amount of information for the boys. I know that Leao and I definitely found the video segments with different staff people facinating. The boys watched a few but loved the hands-on. That’s why I think there is plenty more for them to learn.

pixar3We arrived around 1 and it was actually perfect. No huge crowds and after all of our exhibits we headed to the cafe and had a great window seat overlooking the Charles River.  What a treat. Then of course they boys had to go to the gift shop.  Despite some of the overpriced goods, I do enjoy seeing the things they have in stock.

pixar1There was a good amount of life-size characters to pose with. I of course found Sully from Monster’s University and Apollo found Dory. We even renewed our membership so that we will be better about going more frequently. Summer is so special because it takes away some of our crazy scheduling to allow for more fun outings. I look forward to many more.

Have a blessed day friends!

Belinda

Beach Day!

beachjuly12b

Hello my friends!! It has been way too long. Summer is so tricky for me. I never seem to sit down to update my blog as often as I would like. So pardon the infrequency.

We decided to get up early today and head on over to Crane Beach in Ipswich. There’s still something special about the whole beach experience. First you have the preparation – What to bring? In what? Seating? Towels? What to read? Is it reasonable to tote across the sand? Then there is the packing. This time around I took a totally different approach. I was busy yesterday so running to the store wasn’t an option for snacks. So we packed the cooler this morning with a bunch of water bottles I had put in the refrigerator the night before, bread, and a few pieces of fruit. On our way we stopped at Trader Joes and picked up some fruit, turkey and some chips. Then off we went to the beach. On one occasion, last year, we arrived late and had to park and take the shuttle. This time we went early so that we could park in the lot. Then there is the choosing of the ideal place to set up your stuff at the beach.

beachjuly12aMy current read was hardcover and I didn’t want to bring a hardcover to the beach so I brought a new book and and old one from my shelf to consider for my beach read. I ended up starting The Hypnotist’s Love Story. I get more reading in when it’s only Leao and I but I don’t let that stop me from bringing a book. It just wouldn’t be right for me not to bring a book.

beachjuly12eNicholas took a comic and a graphic novel with him to read. After we played in the water for a bit which in my opinion, is still too cold, we came back and had a snack then began reading. Apollo brought his word search book and did a little but he enjoys playing in the sand more than reading.

beachjuly12fApollo had a scone after his sandwich and he got more crumbs on the towel than sand!  Did he offer his mom any of his yummy scone? No, absolutely not! I tried to pretend it didn’t hurt.

beachjuly12cWhen I was younger I didn’t care much for beach hats. Now I love wearing them. They provide the extra shade I need and protect my hair.  So I all for them. Last year we bought a beach cart and boy does it make life so much easier at the beach.

Now we are home and Leao is preparing the grill so we can have a quick dinner that doesn’t heat the house up!! Yeah!  I love weekends! I hope you had a great one too.

Belinda

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox

Join other followers: