All the days I complained about it being to hot. I think I need to remember the warmth and sun, and appreciate it more! The gray sky has got to go. Thinking back to this fun time snow shoeing to the ice caves

Why does Christmas time always put me in a sentimental frame of mind.  Could it be the holiday music that is blasting on my radio, the thoughts of giving those special gifts to someone special, or just the weather is blah and is a great time to reflect.
I remember when...
I would walk into a room and your eyes would light up like Christmas.  It always made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the room. 
I was so excited that you invited me out to lunch just to see me during the day.
You would fold the laundry without being asked.
You would say I love you and you made me feel so important and loved.
You brought me home a little present because you saw something in the store and you knew I would love it.
You would pick up dinner and surprise me ( allowing me to relax and not stress about what I was making)
You would help me wrap gifts and we would get excited for Christmas day to come. 
I would hear a song and a smile would appear on my face because it brought me to a happy place.
You would surprise me with a day adventure that inevitably turned into something so fun.
There wasn't talk about bills and life was so much simpler.
I didn't have sleepless nights.
A trip for a week was so easy to plan.
I didn't have wrinkles and it was so easy to loose weight.

I look back on some of these times and wonder why some things can't be the same as they were.  Have I grown up and just got used to the routine?  Shouldn't some parts of love stay the same?  Am I worth going the extra mile for?

We start excepting less, but really need to continue to nurture love or it will be gone.  This time of the year helps me to remember what I love best in life.  I remember and giggle about the happy times.  The simple things!
This year it is time to make an effort to treat another how you want to be treated.  I want to still feel like I did when I was in my twenties.  When I would walk in a room and your smile would grow and your eyes would sparkle.  The kindness you gave out so easily.  The words you said and the love that was felt.  
Christmas always reminds me to come back to this place and these thoughts.

Now it is time to get my santa hat on, throw on my red high heels, and decorate this tree that will inevitably become my masterpiece.

It is so much better
to be happy in
leggings and a fur
then ordinary and unhappy
in jeans.

Be you! Does it really matter what others think? Let me answer that for you, NO.
​explore.create.inspire

When at first you don’t succeed you need to put your high heels on and start painting. The little joys I get from doing the things I love. Some may call this a shelf, but I call this MY DISPLAY. I am displaying me!! This brings a smile to my face and some warmth in my heart.
Find you inner strengths and talents. Show them off! Be proud of who you are! It doesn’t matter if everyone likes what you. What matters is that YOU like what you do.
before and after below. Or after and before below 😉

I went to my very first MSU basketball game last night.  The energy and enthusiasm in that arena was amazing.  Everyone is there for this great night out and hoping for a victory for their favorite team (mine of course being the spartans).  With all this fun in front of us, there is a player and his family grieving from the worst news a mother could get.  Her son was hit by a train and is no longer with us.  The spartan family is deeply saddened and hurting for the pain this family is experiencing.  
Sometimes we have no idea what another is going through.  On the surface we can look fine, but inside could be fighting a terrible battle.  
This is the importance of telling those people you love that you love them.  
You may be the person that could bring a smile to another.  Show love, have compassion, and most of all be kind.

Jodie
Joe do this... Joe do that...
Wait, Toby is so cute, my precious...
Joe can we do this.... Joe can we do that...
Wait, I need to go to pick up the kids...
Joe did you see this... Joe did you see that...
Wait, I need to go to Home Depot for a new tool....
Joe teach me this... Joe teach me that...
Wait, I have to sing song...
Joe do this... Joe do that...

Joe
Knowing a week later you would eventually come back to where I am..
I never left the idea of doing this and that...