Happy December, y'all!!!
As part of my Proclamation 31 I made it a goal to go to Philly more often. I want to fall in love with my new city like I'm in love with NYC! What better time of year to experience a new or unfamiliar place then when it's decked out in holiday beautifulness?! After searching and searching I've come up with a list of activities I hope to get to take part in this month and I wanted to share it with you- perhaps you'll be able to give me some suggestions as well!
Christmas Village in Philly's Love Park
I've wanted to go to Love Park since before I moved to PA so to get to see it and a Christmas Village, done and done! This looks like such a sweet activity and it's family friendly, what could be better?
Center City Tree Lighting
This is a bit time sensitive since the actual lighting is TONIGHT BUT the tree will be lit all month, just like the Rockefeller Tree! So if you can't make it into NYC-like me- then you can enjoy this one perhaps after you're done in Love Park!
Longwood Gardens
This isn't actually in Philly, in fact it's about 45 minutes away, but it's still worth checking out! My mom and I went to the Gardens in August and fell in love! I don't know what it is about old, massive gardens, but they have my heart! I think it goes back to my love for The Secret Garden! Anyway! The Gardens are known for their Christmas extravaganza and I've been meaning to go for a couple of years now. Since my mom fell in love and purchased a season membership I will make it a priority to check their displays out this year.
Hershey Park Sweet Lights
Again, not in Philly, but still a great and somewhat close attraction to check out. I actually went to this a few years back and was blown away by how long the light display is! Absolutely worth the drive and the price!
Hershey Park Candy Cane Lane
While you're there for the lights, why not enjoy the park, too?! Again, we did this a few years back and it was so much fun to walk through the park as it was snowing, sipping on hot chocolate, and watching all the kids play. We could go on almost any ride- it seemed only the roller coasters were shut down. There is something magical about being on a ride at night in the snow! Check it out, you will not regret it!
These are just items that are on my to-do list, there are so many other things that you can try. If you're looking for more suggestions I strongly suggest going here for more ideas. I think I may actually be adding to my list and I'll be sure to update my adventures through instagram and of course on here as well!
What are some of your favorite activities around the holidays?
Does your city/town have a tradition that you'd like to share?
Please let me know, I love seeing and trying new things!
(original photo credit)
My mind really messed with me last night with the worst dream I have EVER had!
I was at a friends house. The friend is someone I know in PA who lives in a house, but in the dream his home was a high rise apartment in Bayonne, but for some reason we could very clearly see the Statue of Liberty from his windows- much more clearly than would actually be possible from Bayonne.
I was there with another friend and we were watching the news.
A "breaking news" alert came on and showed the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben being blown to smithereens! Me and the other friend freaked out! The person who's home I was in is actually in the military and laughed at us, insisting that it must be a prank. As he was laughing we started to hear whistling and the apartment started to shake. We looked outside and the town was being blown to pieces and we watched as the Statue of Liberty fell into the Hudson.
To say I felt panicked would be an understatement. All I remember after that is the guys pulling me down to the floor to cover me from the damage and then waking up still feeling panicked!
I've never had a dream so vivid or so emotional before! I didn't watch anything crazy on tv last night, didn't eat anything weird before bed either!
I think all these news of wars and ISIS is really starting to get to me!
Has this happened to anyone else?
And now for your viewing pleasure a few photos that reminded me of this awful dream!
(photo credit)
It's been brought to my attention that I have little or no self confidence.
I've been told I'm pretty, I just blush and say "shut up."
I've been told I'm smart, I just shrug and change the subject.
I've been told I'm capable of so much better,
I hold back tears and stop myself from screaming "how?"
(photo credit)
The other night I went to dinner with a friend and the waiter was extra attentive to us. I made note that he was super friendly and my friend laughed at me and said "he totally wants you." What? No one wants me! That's just absurd. The waiter was hot and way out of my league, there was no way in hell he was interested in me. But my friend still insisted that was why we received the service that we did.
The reason I bring this up is because other people apparently see positive qualities in me that I just cannot see. It frustrates them to see that I lack the confidence that I need to stand up and be strong and rock at life- something I desperately want to do. So the question is:
How do I become confident?
How do I see the beauty that others see, when all I can see is the lumps and rolls that I attempt to cover in my clothes?
How do I believe in my intelligence, when I feel like every other thing I say is stupid or crazy?
How do I take life by it's horns and show it who's boss, when I feel completely lost and uncertain?
How do you find confidence?
What can I do to see what other people see in me?
In search for the answer I found this article but
I'm very curious to hear what y'all have to say on the subject.
What are you most confident about?
What do you do to build your confidence?
(photo credit)
It takes a village to raise a child, that's what they say.
Well right now there is a child in need; my 33 year old estranged husband.
He's diabetic.
He's had a heart attack, which has caused at least 6 strokes.
He's currently considered to be in critical condition.
He only opens his eyes for about 10-20 minutes total each day.
He can only answer yes/no questions with blinks.
He does try to grunt and has even mumbled "I love you" to his sisters and parents, but this is rare and only happens at the end of visiting hours- once a night owl, always a night owl.
He needs a lot of rehab therapy and will likely be in the hospital for weeks, more like months. His hospital bills are going to be overwhelming.
His family has started a fundraiser to help with these costs.
If you're able and willing to donate, please do. Anything and everything is appreciated!
If you can post the link to your social media pages that would be even more incredible!
Thank you all in advance!
Things have been terribly stressful the last few months and I do hope to get back to blogging regularly but for now, this is all I have to share. I'll be back soon!
Fundraiser for Jim Cook
(Jim about 10 years ago and Jim this summer with our nephew- way too young to be this sick)
"Your brain will work tirelessly to achieve the statements you give your subconscious mind. And when those statements are the affirmations and images of your goals, you are destined to achieve them! Creating a vision board is probably one of the most valuable visualization tools available to you"
(source)
A lot has been changing in the best year, especially in the last month. Jim went into the hospital on 4th of July and life's been a whirlwind ever since. Seeing him so sick really got me thinking about what I wanted to do with my life and that's what led to me finally making a vision board.
I had wanted to do this for a while but the procrastinator in me kept it on the back-burner. Having so much time to myself at home to think, and having a mother with an endless supply of crafting tools, I grabbed everything I needed and got to work.
Here's what I started with:
Here's the finished product:
If you want to make a board you'll need:
*a poster board
*old magazines
*scissors (crafty ones make it more interesting)
*glue
*ribbon
To make a board is so simple and so fun! Go through the magazines, find pictures of things you want in your life and words that you want to focus on. Cut out the pictures and words, then arrange them on the board and have fun laying everything out then gluing it down.
Once it's done, what do you do with your board? Well, I hung mine on the wall opposite of where I sleep. Every day when I wake up, it's the first thing I see, and when I go to bed it's the last thing that I see. Sometimes I'll sit in bed and just look at it, reading the words I've chosen, looking at the imaged, and trying to internalize the ideas, empowering myself to move forward and become a better me.
My board is focused on second chances, powerful words I want to focus on, as well as friends, family, and a home. Ultimately, I want to power through these hard times, have a happy family, strong friendships, and a place to call my own, while still having fun traveling and being playful.
Have you made a vision board?
What's on yours?
