Strengths Vs. Not-So-Strengths (Inspiration from Promise)

Promise Tangeman - whom you all know I love - recently challenged her blog readers to talk about strengths and not-so-strengths (don't you love that she didn't call them WEAKNESSES?).
So, I thought I would post mine:

Strengths:
Creating
Communicating
Writing
Researching
Hard-worker
Cooking/Baking
Passionate
Encouraging
Making people feel like they matter (BECAUSE THEY DO!)


Not-So-Strengths:
Cleaning
Accounting/Finance/Budgets
Organization
Fear
Over-analyzation

Just because there aren't very many Not-So-Strengths does not mean they are any less important. All of the Not-So-Strengths are humbling. Very. I'm realizing how much of my life is a tug-of-war between dreaming and fear. On one hand, I'm a huge dreamer and I know exactly where I want to go and be in my life. On the other hand, I second-guess my ability (sometimes) to the point where I remain paralyzed in place. I'm currently learning and pushing forward to break the tug-of-war. In addition, I don't like cleaning and I can be organized but it takes a concentrated effort. Thank-goodness for Ben. Those are definite strengths of his and he helps me to be better.

Of course, the Strengths make me feel empowered and bold. Which is ironic because "bold" is the word of the week for me. I'm working hard to make my dreams reality and to worry about the "what-ifs" later. Feel free to share yours; I'd love to know your thoughts!

My Mother-in-law

I'm being brave. I know my mother-in-law reads my blog. (Hi Cindy!)

I will be honest. I really struggled with the concept of Mother-in-law. Right after I lost my mom, I worked really hard to separate myself from any women close to my Mom's age. It was too difficult. Too painful. Too many memories. Too many "What Ifs".

Ben's Mom is so sweet. Everyone loves her. She loves and gives and helps so many people. She is generous with her time. To everyone around her. Our relationship in the first months of our (Ben and I's) relationship was rocky. In my opinion, my relationship with Cindy was rocky, mostly because of ME: my fears, my baggage, my issues. To be fair, a lot of my crazy, sporadic wedding planning dreams evolved into reality because of Cindy. She took on that wedding not as if it was her son getting married, but as if it was her own daughter getting married. I was very lucky. But, my fear continued to hold me back.

Over the last couple of months, I've changed. I think it was nothing short of giving myself permission. Permission to relax and establish a relationship with the woman who has seen Ben at his worst and lowest points; who raised two crazy boys by herself; a woman I am learning a lot about life from.

She makes me laugh. She makes me feel loved. She has given me survival tips for how to live to tell about Ben's "depression" if his team suffers a loss. She makes me feel like an equal. And, I'm learning how to trust.

But, more importantly, I am happy, thrilled even, to call Cindy my friend.

New Years Resolutions

So, a week into the new year I FINALLY nailed down my New Years Resolution. I wanted to make sure that whatever my goals were that I actually stuck to them. And, of course, 4 weeks into the New Year, I'm sharing my New Years Resolution with you. Better late than never, right?

They are very simple.

1. Be creative and make something every week.
This year, I want to be able to look back and SEE the fruits of my labor. To see my creativity more fully developed. My goal is simple and so far I'm making GREAT progress. :)

2. Make going to the gym a habit.
I've already discussed this. I have nothing else to say about it. (But, you know that isn't entirely true...who am I kidding?)

3. Spend more time with Ben. I'm in love with that boy. I MUST soak up every single possible and available moment with that lover of mine him :)

Creeper: Some Blog Lovin'

I love to creep. Is that weird that I just announced that? Well, I do. And, I definitely mean that in the best possible stay-out-of-jail way.I love blogs. I love facebook. I am constantly exploring new blogs (Hey - it's cheaper than shopping!). I love Facebook because I continually creep on all of my 500 + friends. It makes my heart happy. Truly.

Recently, I learned, that I am not the ONLY person who loves to creep...YOU do TOO! This made me so happy...only to weird me out to know that you are creeping on me.

I feel the love. A lot. Ha!

So, here are some fun Stats to show of just how creepy my readers REALLY are:
1. Number 1 referred site - FACEBOOK. This is FANTASTIC news. It means my friends are reading my blog! 
2. Countries - I am proud to announce my blog is viewed internationally! Let's celebrate my readers from Canada, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, and the Philippines...and I will NOT leave out my faithful U.S. of A. readers. 
3. Last month I had 899 views of my blog. That is incredible. But, RRRRRrrrreeeeeeaaaaaallllllyyyyyy, guys, you couldn't make it 900? REALLY? (haha...just kidding...sorta)

4. I've got a ton of lurkers. About every OTHER blog post or so, I get 1 comment. Friends, neighbors, visitors, readers...PLEASE comment. Talk to me. I'm begging you. From the bottom of my heart.

The Milo Shop: A Proper Introduction

In my excitement to announce my Etsy shop, The Milo Shop, I kinda skipped over WHY I've opened up my own shop.

Over the past year, I have embraced creativity. I have embraced it with a growing boldness and a desire to do more work with my hands, textures, colors, and more. This has come out in different ways - decorating my home, adjusting my wardrobe, starting my blog, and now my Etsy store.

But there is more. I have a strong desire to work for myself, to own my own business, to turn my creativity into a business. This part has been extremely intimidating. I've spent so much time doing research, pouring over blogs, articles and more. But, my favorite resource? Etsy's Quit Your Day Job series. I L-O-V-E that series because it gives me hope...Hope that those series aren't for everyone else, but for me.

This is bold for me. This is taking a huge leap of faith. This is embracing the potential of my future. But I'm excited for the journey. 

Do you feel like you are embracing your dreams? Do your dreams scare you? Do your dreams motivate you?

Gym: Version 2011

So, the New Year brought a renewed commitment for Ben and I and the Gym.

Argh.

Why can't I just read and blog and craft and the pounds just shed? WHY?

Anyway, it has been a challenge for me. But, I am committed to it. For real.

Through all my anxiety of going to the gym, I love this sign:

Sign reads: Due to the damages caused on our equipment, proper workout attire is now required. This excludes denim shorts and pants, as well as khakis or anything with button and clasps. This will ensure longevity of our equipment. Thank you.

I love this sign. A lot. Mainly because there is this lady. She is about 60-65 years old. She is one of those work-out grandma types. You KNOW those types. I only ever see her ride the bike. Which is NOT a criticism - I ride the bike. But, she and I differ in our techniques of bike riding. I ride with shoes on. (You know, because it makes sense). She does not. She rides barefoot. Which is why I love this sign...I always wonder if she has ever read this sign?

Just a Typical Day

We joke about it, Ben and I. That if anything crazy/weird/abnormal will occur, it will happen to us. No doubt.

So this morning when I walked out the door to go to work and saw a chihuahua on the roof of an awning on the second floor of our apartment, I panicked. And, then went screaming back into our apartment demanding that Ben get up. Because, HELLO! There was a dog on the roof!

All I kept thinking about - "Please don't let this dog commit suicide!"

I tried to bribe the dog off the roof with a treat. It did not work. It took Ben sweeping the dog - with a broom - towards me to save his life. It was an ordeal.

So, of course - the dog got an immediate bath (more trauma for his early morning adventure). And, then he settled in. Sorta.

We posted fliers. We posted an ad of craiglist.com.  Right away. And the response - nothing.  Yet.

As much as Milo would probably love a brother.

We are a one-dog family. SO, Do you want a dog? Let us know!!!

Help find this little dog a home! He was rescued off an apartment awning and he is ready to go to a great home. He is very sweet and appears to be crate-trained. He does appear to have been (previously) abused, but he is a great dog. Please help him find a great home!