Never underestimate

So, I have been told once or twice that my communication or replies can be long and drawn out. Perhaps I always put too many details in to the text. Whatever it maybe be I can not seem to help myself. I may need to work on this or maybe they have just accepted this piece of me. Some of my dearest and closest friends email back and forth with me occasionally. This can go on through out the day, it can be color coordinated, spastic and never completed, regardless we do it. It is a way for us to catch up on our lives since we do not see one enough near as much as we should or would like to. I always wonder about how they perceive my replies. I think they like them, because they keep coming back for more! 

One day we were going back and forth. You know reply to reply and I was reading down to only come upon the sweetest thing ever. It was so genuinely sincere that I instantly had to take it out of the email and paste to a draft. Lord knows it would get lost in the flood of those replies I must send. I wanted to put it in a special place to be able to go back and read again and again and again. Most importantly I wanted to share it.

I know there are many quotes out there about this very concept and I just want to reiterate it. Never underestimate the power of words. When they are sour they can be like paste in the tube. Once it comes out there is not putting it back in. When they are positive and encouraging, they can push someone to do something they other wise would not have. When they are sweet and thoughtful, they do as this did for me and turned a blue day into a sparkling afternoon. Whatever the words may be they are not tangible, you can not eat or touch them and you should always be thoughtful of what they are before you explode them.

The excerpt from my email is copy and pasted directly as is.

"I think this is great. I have always admired your courage. I find that most of the time my fear of failure prevents me from even questioning things…it’s like bc I don’t wanna face fear or the truth I would rather just not ask. I love that you aren’t afraid to ask! Not afraid to ask (yourself or the world) in order to find what makes you happy. I absolutely LOVE that about  you. Your persistence is what will bring happiness to you..in all aspects of life. You will not give up until you are fully satisfied! Good for you. Can’t wait to see you at sushi!!!"

I am not near as brave as she thinks I am, but it is nice to hear and and to know that others may think I am much braver than I give myself credit for being. However, I know am not as courageous as I hope to be. However, these words from her sure did encourage me to step it up a notch or two. I say take some time to reflect and do the same, it will be good for all of us. 

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.

People underestimate their capacity for change. There is never a right time to do a difficult thing."

Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!

2012 Wrap

                    Another Day brings us to Another Year, so this is good-bye to 2012

Jason and I rang in to the New Year at my Cousin Erik’s house. I  would have never imagined myself celebrating this holiday with him. I would never be opposed to it, but just something I would not have anticipated happening. Perhaps this will be the year of surprises for me. I mean my name did get drawn out of the hat for a prize at my companies Christmas party. The invite was Don’t WIG out I am having a New Years party and we were to wear wigs. It was a ton of fun and I would not have traded the night for anything else.

What were my commitments for 2012 and how well did I do?

“For 2012 I pray to get that debt paid off, be in better shape, and have fewer vices, yard sale, to have found a church (or going to ONE more regularly) and to do a little more with my apartment. I always want for good health and love in my relationship as well. If 2012 gets any better than 2011 I cannot possible imagine what it must feel like. I smile with anticipation.”

I did pretty well. I finally got that ever lingering debt paid off, however due to some major medical bills (BOI) I had to take a little loan, but I will have that paid off at the end of next month. I am not going to sweat that. Better shape – I would like to think I am, but still not as good as I want to be. We not only had one yard sale, but I think we had three and they were so much fun. Apartment improvements are always, but I am done with that and for 2013 I wish to be out of The Cottage. Church, we did not hit the nose on yet, but still working on it. I figured out within myself throughout the year it was not as important as I once had placed it to be. I am happy with where we are on The Church front. Good Health, well everything is awesome other than my damn ovary. We are dealing and it will be okay. Love in my relationship is still as strong and amazing as it has been. Basically 2012 gets a whole lot of check marks. 

What shall I wish for in 2013?

“For 2013 I want to be out of my apartment, in better shape, more involved with some community service, attempted being a vegan, hit a 30 day challenge and played my first round of golf! Here is to rocking out 2013, it is going to be a wonderful year, this I know! Heck maybe I can even be better about blogging. At least once a month I can do this. I also plan to increase my earnings in the babysitting world, and network. Okay I think that is enough for now.”

I would like to take a few moments and reflect back on the things I feel I have learned, reflected on and experienced over the past year.  First off, I was just announced to be Charmer of the Month. It was kind of exciting. I was totally surprised and felt honored to get it. December was really good to me. I am glad I went ahead and got a second, actually third job. I have been talking about wanting to do it for years. It is nice to have something “light” and fun to do with some extra hours in my week. It was going to be seasonal, but I planned to stay on after the holidays. The fall was full of Cookies and Castles prep. I have decided that I am not going to be a part of the Tri Delta Alumnae after this year. I resigned from the book club and do not plan to pay next years dues. It just is not what I am looking for out of an organization, but I am glad I tried it out for a few years. October = ouch, I turned 32, but had the most amazing birthday. I really figured out who my family/friends are. It definitely had to look back over the photo to reflect upon all of us and how beautiful we look aging on the outside, but keeping our soul’s young on the inside.  The summer was a bit dreadful with emergency room and surgery, but we made it through. We finished it out with a trip to Vegas. It was Jason’s first and we had so much fun.

                                                                     Bring on 2013

Where’s your head at – Basement Jaxx

Monkey Business

I’m Nick Jones of Urban Urban Magazine based in London, the premier electronic dance music (EDM) magazine. In a previous life, I was an internationally touring DJ, considered by some to have been one of the top 3 EDM DJs in the world. Now retired, I serve as the technology editor for Urban Urban.  I search for and research the latest innovations in music technology.  Several months ago I received an email from a Dr. Heinz Sinnreich, a German research scientist. He indicated that he’d developed something that would revolutionize pop music. He invited me to his lab to witness this development in action.  He was vague and evasive, and a research scientist involved in music innovation was an odd occurrence, but my curiosity was piqued.

I caught a cab and gave the driver the address Sinnreich had provided. The driver gave me a strange look, but proceeded to drive me to an industrial area an hour east of London. As he pulled into an alley next to an ambulance I asked “Man, are you sure this is the right place” He replied ominously “Yes, sir. I’ve been here before.”

As I entered the building strange things began. A man was being wheeled out to the ambulance with a guitar in his hand. As he lifted his head he seemed to stare right through me. Continuing down the hall, I passed nurses and doctors in lab coats carrying more instruments. Something different was definitely going on here. I entered a room off the hall where several doctors were convening. “Hey I’m looking for Dr. Sinnreich. I’m Nick Jones.” Dr. Sinnreich introduced himself and the other doctors exited the room. 

We moved to Dr. Sinnreich’s office, where his tall, blonde assistant joined us. A stuffed monkey was seated next to my chair and a quick glance around the room informed me that monkeys were probably going to be the central theme of this quacks research. He began detailing for me his innovation, known as “Monktronika.” I was done with this visit almost instantly, teaching animals to play instruments is nothing new and is no innovation at all. Sensing my lack of interest and disdain the doctor quickly asked me for 10 more minutes of my time to allow him to provide me a demonstration.

I was led down a makeshift hallway that resembled a gerbil’s habit trail, which ended in a protective box. When I asked why this was necessary they abruptly replied “It’s protocol.” The demonstration began. Whatever I expected, this was definitely not it. The “Monktronika” musicians were no ordinary monkeys. I wasn’t sure what the hell they were.  It took me a moment to get past my astonishment, but I soon realized that these monkeys had faces that were eerily human. The music was truly amazing, but what the hell had these people done? What had they created? The Monktronica musicians were spinning records, playing keyboards, strumming guitars and most bizarre, their humanesq faces were singing vocals! This was definitely an amazing accomplishment for both science and music. I must admit I got quite caught up in experience.   

This elation did not last long. Things suddenly took a terrible turn. The monktronica band became highly agitated and began destroying their instruments. Before I could react they had descended upon my protective, habit trail box. Monkey paws were ripping at the box and punching through the plastic. I looked for an escape and ran back down the habit trail hallway looking for an exit. The first double doors I came upon were locked. Turned, ran the other direction. I next stumbled upon a lab with an experiment in progress.  A man and a monkey were seated side by side. My eyes were immediately drawn to the metal helmets both were wearing. The helmets were connected to one another via electric cables. I now knew what was going on. I stumbled around the room trying to figure out what to do and how this was happening. The monkey growled and gnashed his teeth at me. There were scientific flow charts indicating the process of this horrible experiment. A man in a lab coat who was running this process was in possession of my bag, which I had left in Dr. Sinnreich’s office. He was sorting through my possessions. There was a picture of me posted nearby and next to it… a photo of a monkey. They wanted my brain! I had to get out of there. I grabbed my bag from the clutches of the lab coated man and jumped through a window like opening landing on my hand and knees. Looking down at me in this next room were 4 human men, but they had clearly ape like features and faces. As I scrambled to leave Dr. Sinnreich approached from the hallway with a dog on a leash, only this dog also had a human face melted on to his canine body.  The last thing I remember as my human self was huddling at the end of that hallway.

Have you figured it out?

I am currently writing the essay at the behest of Dr. Sinnreich, for evidently, I am his greatest achievement!  This would also explain my new, quite hairy appendage!  A TAIL!!!

“What a wonderfully unexpected day. We had our third yard sale this season. We meaning Jason and I. Ruby graced us with her attendance this time around. We had a pretty successful day if I say so myself. Other than the incident we had with the the darn thief that took her phone without permission and well did not return it either.Moving on to the evening Jason had a paper that was due for class and Ruby being so eager to show her scholastic skills offered to help and even volunteered Spud since the paper had to do with music interpretation. I thought the paper above was extremely entertaining and thoroughly enjoyed watching the three off them fight off mosquitos, exchange shots of whisky and keep the thought process moving forward. Hey and after all the fun, Jason managed to score an A-. June 2012“

Bathroom VS Kristina

I got so frustrated with my bathroom this morning. I have had the sniffles all week and this is not how I intended my day to start. My apartment is so damn small. I must stay organized in order to find anything. After time it is just easier to get lazy and trash things in the back of the cabinet. You know how you just stuff, shove and shut the door hoping it settles before you need to open it again. I think we have all been there. Anyhow, I was fed up when I could not find my baby powder this morning. Grrrrr…. To only see it was right in front of my face the entire time. I started looking around at the bathroom floor to see maxi pads, boxes of q-tips, an assortment of travel baggies and just some other miscellaneous items. I had just been pulling stuff out of everywhere. I instantly started to giggle inside and out. I quickly grabbed some of the items to place back inside the cabinets. A brief moment of being juvenile swept over me and I felt the need to hide my behavior with the cluster behind the closed door. Whatever may have happened I realized that the bathroom and I would be going to war as soon as I got home from work. I will win. I was in no mood to mess with this right now.

Bathroom cleaning has begun, shower and bath first. I am on round two with my scrubble bubbles and trusty brush when I think to myself how disappointed my mom would be in me if she saw this nasty tub. If she taught me anything, it was that one must always keep a clean bathroom, sheets on the bed and remember to kill with kindness. I couldn’t let another moment pass, so I took a break and made sure to send her a letter and that letter is what brought me to this blog entry. Besides I needed a break and the grunge needs to soak. I was working on a solid honey do list. I sure do enjoy making that list, especially when my honey do likes to get them marked off as quickly as possible. Writing my mom is like having a pen pal and it is kind of fun. Especially when I think that I may possible bring a smile to her face. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy and to have all I felt she deserved. I had to learn along the way sometimes what you think may make someone happy is not really what does. So, you have to let them be and allow them to be in charge for their own happiness.

I would call bathroom vs Kristina a tie, because I only got half of it completed. However, since I didn’t get the other half done until 5 days later I will say the bathroom won. Gosh darn it, better luck next time or perhaps I do not let it get so bad next time. 

Check Mark

Jason and I had a great time having some dinner at The Melting Pot. We had both been to Simply Fondue before, but it had been 10 plus years for each of us. We have been talking about going to either one for probably about as long as our relationship has been in existence. We were out a couple days prior having our number one luxury, Sushi and I suggested that we just go ahead and plan to do some fondue on Friday night. Did we really have the money, NO? Was there even a special occasion to use for justification for such a lavish dinner, NO? We were able to find some amazing coupons to help make it a little cheaper, NO? Sometimes you just got to go for it and so we did. We had a great time, one of the 8 menus they hand you in the beginning stumped us a little and if we went back we could probably make better decisions on what to order. Most importantly to me is that we did it and we experienced something new together. That is what life is about to me. Making memories, learning new things and experiencing all the cool things this world has to offer us. 

Jason being a trooper for Kristina's photo shoot - Documentation is a must!

Banana Foster's = Very Yummy

If you were to ask me Melting Pot or Simply Fondue I would say Simply Fondue. I think Jason would agree. It has been awhile since we have been there, but we both kind of remembered it being the same. Melting pot is a more luxurious fondue dining experience if that is what you are looking for. Simply you kind of get down and dirty on the cooking the side. I think the pricing on both is comparable if I recall correctly. So make sure you to take a day and go and do something that you said you have been wanting to and never did. I think you will be glad you did.

The Frame

I had an idea and then again I have lots of ideas. However, this wasn’t just an idea it was something I put to work and still plan on putting to work more, but I have slacked off some.  To me I thought the idea was blog worthy and something I wanted to remember.

The FRAME – This is a very popular concept now, but it was not every  where when I first thought of it. I found this old frame that I had seen used to capture a picture in a magazine, cute idea. I wanted to do that , but I also wanted to take the frame, paint some stuff on the side walk and make cards out of them. I did and then I decided I wanted to create the story of the frame. It would take the journey with us and capture lots of different things. We got a go green wine bottle bag (you know they have six compartments in them), filled it up with different colors of can spray paint, so we could change the color as we wanted. Then the frame got wobble and started coming apart. We tried to fix her, but she just was not looking good. I hated that we did not get to keep that frame for the rest of the story, but now I am looking for another one and get to start a new story. We always know how exciting a new story can be.  Maybe we will get a little more creative with the next frame. Who knows, either way I like the idea.

What ideas do you have for The FRAME? 

What do you see?

I created my very own vision board. I am not sure I have it down all the way, but it is a starting point for sure. I had fun making it. You may ask your self what is a vision board?

A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life.


It has been such a struggle for me to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I thought this may be something good to help me. I certainly know it isn't going to hurt. Some may call it kind of cheesy, I say it is out of my head and now on paper. I was amazed to see that there are actual technology tools to help you create these things. 

Insight to what my board means -  The name of my board is Finding the JOB for me. I had emailed it to a couple of my biggest fans. One instantly emails me with why on earth does it say alone? She reminds me how many people I have in my life and that I am far from being alone. I find it interesting to see that is what she thinks so quickly. The alone is for how I feel at the office and in my "career" and my fulfillment of what I want out of work. The rest is pretty easy. Graduating college was a major accomplishment for me. I felt very proud. I enjoy organizing, working on the computer, taking a risk, thinking, imagining, growing, traveling, recycling, keeping work and life balance is major and possible making some pals at the office. Maybe I am asking for too much or maybe you should be more thankful for what you have.