What 2012 has taught me.

Life is definitely interesting to say the least.  I've learned A LOT over the 2012 year.   

Do not take your grandparents for granted.  One day, they will no longer be around to share stories of the past.   

Always listen to your gut when it comes to people.  It does not matter if they are allegedly your good friends or acquaintances.  I wasted too much time allowing someone to take advantage of me as well as take me for granted and never again. 

Marry your best friend.  Honestly, my husband and I could not be any happier in our life together.  We've been together for 9 years and almost married for 6 years.  We never left the newlywed stage.  

Kids grow up fast.  They learn a lot from their parents and their relationships with family/friends/spouses.  Try to teach them what a healthy marriage/relationship is.  It is not what is on the outside that matters, it is what is on the inside.  Be the example. 

My dog is not just a dog.  She is my furbaby.  She has gotten me through so much in my life and has taught me a lot as well.  

Love what you do and it will not be considered work.  I love my job.  I love what I do.  I always strive to be the best that I can be at whatever it is that I am doing.  

Everyone gets burned in life, it is how you pick up the pieces that matter.  It defines your character and who you are.  

Do not take people for granted.  You never know when its their time to exit from this world.  R.I.P. LT. Christopher Nicholas Cambiotti (EOW: 10/20/2012).  There has to be a good reason as to why God took you from our family so soon.  R.I.P. Jennifer Livadais.  Why you took your life so soon, I do not know. 

Never be afraid to try new things.  Life is about living in the moment.  Expand your horizons.   

If people are hating and/or jealous, then you must be doing something right.  Keep on, keepin' on. Pray for you enemies.  Lord knows that they need all of the prayers and help that they can get.  It's not easy being me, but I must make it look as if it is.  

At the end of the day, life is too short.  People come and go.  When one chapter ends, another one is beginning.  Things happen for a reason.  You MAY find out why, you may not.  In the meantime, live, laugh and love with everything and all that you are. 

 

 

My weekend.

Friday night, I rode in Cleopatra.  It kicks off the Mardi Gras parades for the westbank of New Orleans.  It is my third year riding and I have more and more fun each year.  

 This was the float that I rode on.  This year's theme was "Hats off to Cleopatra."

 Of course, while waiting for our floats to arrive, we consumed some beverages and shots at Michelli's Bar in Algiers.  Jimmy Michelli, the owner, hooked us up!!!  

Toni, myself and Kristine at Michelli's.  Had a blast hanging with my girls.  Gave Toni my tutu and boa.  With the outfit that she wore, she rocked it WAY better than I was in there.  Cannot wait until next year!!!  

Saturday was a bit rough.  My daughter was marching in the Caesar parade in Metairie.  It was freaking freezing cold and had she not been marching, my butt would have stayed home, that is for sure.  I (nor the girls and other parents marching) have never been more miserable in cold/freezing temps than I (we were) was Saturday night.  I saw people out there with little ones and was thinking who would bring their itty bitties out in that kind of weather?  I certainly would not.  That is for sure.  Guess some people will just do anything to get beads and stuffed animals.

This is a picture of the girls before we started marching.  One parade down, two more to go.  Hail Thoth and Orpheus.  Thankfully, it looks like the weather will be warmer this weekend and not feeling like it is in the 20s like it did Saturday night.

 

What I am thankful for.

I am thankful that I have a healthy, loving, well adjusted daughter.  That she is not afraid of anything and takes the bull by the horns when she has to.  She's a lot like me.

I am thankful for the loving husband that I have.  Who loves me despite my faults and encourages me to be the best person that I can be.  He also supports what ever crazy endeavor that I come up with as well.

I am thankful for my parents.  Who raised me to be the person that I am today and who have stood behind me in the good and bad times.   They have taught me to fight hard in what I believe in and to never just give up when things get rough or hard.

I am thankful for my siblings.  My brother and sister both rock.  I am close to both and enjoy everything that they bring into my life.  We've been through a lot as a family, but we've come through a lot closer and tighter than ever.  

I am thankful for my inlaws.  They have taken me in and made me feel as though I am one of their own.  Not only myself, but my daughter as well.  I am truly blessed.

I am thankful that my ex (as well as his family) and I get along as well as we do.  It truly does benefit our daughter and her well being.  Raising her in as close to an intact household as we can without trying is what is best for her.

I am thankful to be working where I am.  I love my job and what I do.  It pushes me to strive to learn new things and it challenges me.  

I am thankful for my friends.  Without them, I have no clue where I'd be.  I need them to tell me how it is going to be and to set me straight when I stray off of the path for an easier one.  

I am thankful for A LOT of things, but these are just a few that come to mind.  I am truly a blessed person and I know this.  Family and friends are important and its nice to show that to them during the holidays.  One thing that I learned is to let them know all of the time how appreciative you are of them.  Never know when you will see them again. 

Live, Laugh and Love <3 

Things that I have learned over the years.

Karma is a very interesting thing. I've learned over the years that you get back what you put out there. If it's bad Karma, you are lucky to only get it back tenfold, not worse.

Life is too short to be thinking about people who do not matter in your life. I've hand picked who I want in my life as well as who remains in it. I am very blessed to have who I have as well as the family that I married into.

Life is not a competition. I feel sorry for those who make it that.

Living in the past and trying to predict the future does not get you far because you miss out on the now and the present is what is the most important. Figuring that out is when you truly are able to live your life happily because you do not miss out on it.

No one is perfect and life is not perfect, but finding the positive in every negative makes life that much easier and better.

There are no victims nor are there survivors. Own your actions and behavior. It makes you a stronger person.

Assuming gets you no where. If you want to know, ask. Otherwise, it is none of your business if you do not have the balls to find out the truth first hand. No matter how painful or validating it can be.

Life is good and I hope that it is for you as well.

Namaste

Missed me?

It's been a while since I have blogged. Life has been throwing things left and right in this direction, but nothing I cannot handle. It has been mostly good though.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I cannot wait. I am thankful for A LOT of things. I am thankful for a wonder husband who supports me in my endeavors, no matter how crazy they may sound at the time. He sees the big picture and is by my side every step of the way. He truly is the love of my life and my best friend. I am thankful for a healthy and wonderful daughter. Who pushes me everyday to be the best person that I can be and by living that example, she is following in my footsteps (just hope that she does not have the detours that I have had along the way). I am thankful for my family and the love and support that I have from them as well. My friends rock and are there no matter what. I am also thankful for my dog. She is my girl and has taught me a lot about life through the years. I am thankful for where and who I work for. Pushing me to go back to law school to get my J.D.

The holidays are upon us and it is going to get hectic. The vacation house should be ready soon and I look forward to spending lots of time there with my family and friends.

I am truly blessed and life is good. The best thing is that life just keeps getting better!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and Holidays :)

When it all falls into place.

Ever have one of those moments in life where everything falls into place? You know, where all is good and nothing can go wrong? I have a beautiful , healthy, and active daughter who keeps me very busy. She is a blessing and because of her, I am who I am today. She is my heart. I am married to the most wonderful man ever. He loves me despite some of my flaws (which he says that I do not have any). He recognizes my artistic abilities and he backs me in whatever insane project that I start. I have a kick ass business partner who knows what she is doing and is someone who strives to obtain her goals (like me). I have a wonderful family and friends and a huge support system that has always been there for me no matter what.

It is nice when everything falls into place. I am so excited for the next chapter that is about to unfold. I will tell in due time :) Let's just say that I am truly blessed.

Hello Summer :)

Hello Summer!!! It is like a million degrees outside, even in the shade. Thank God for bikinis, swimming pools, and those fruity cocktails that are sipped by the pool in my bikini while hanging with friends and listening to some New Orleans music. What a way to cool off while working on your tan :)