10 things that make me happy

Over on my Tumblr, i was tagged twice by two sweet girls, Lisa of Leebeeloves and Sarah of abitofsilliness,to list FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY. Since I was tagged TWICE I'll list Ten things. This post could not have come at a better time- I need to focus on the good things in my life with all this craziness happening in my life.

Here are my Ten things that make me happy

//My Family: They have been right by my side each and every step of the way. They are always there to offer support and love with everything I pursue and they are always the biggest cheerleaders when I venture to try something new.

//Painting: This has always been something I loved throughout my whole life. I currently surround myself with my own artwork in my room and also at work. In the last couple of years, painting has served the purpose of a stress reliever. I hope to post some of my paintings on here in the future.

//To Do Lists & My Planner: Crazy I know; These two items not only bring me a piece of mind but they bring me a sense of accomplishment to see what I have achieved.

// My Career: Even though, in a million years, I never would have thought I would end up where I am; I am thankful and grateful to have this opportunity. Some days may be nonstop and other days may be slow but overall I truly enjoy what  I do. ((Now I know the saying If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life......I believe that is sorta true))

//Curious George, Minions and Mickey Mouse: These three things sound like a small child would put these on their list but for me, I love being a child at heart and sometimes you just need to laugh and let go of "adult " stressors. These three are perfect for that.

//Sunrises and Sunsets: Seeing the beautiful colors that God paints each morning and night really make me appreciate life even more.

//Old Photographs: I love surrounding myself with old photographs of my grandparents. The photos themselves are beautiful and I am always curious of what was exactly happening at that very moment in time. Why did they have that expression on their face. They are just full of history.

//Crafts: I try my hardest to be Martha Stewart but no one can live up to her perfection. Pinterest has helped me become even more craftier than I was. It always makes me smile when I find something fun and then try it and it actually comes out just like Pinterest.

//Perfect Summer evenings: You know this, everyone has a story of a perfect summer evening. An evening where there is no humidity, there is a slight breeze, the sun is setting ever so slightly and you are enjoying it with your significant other, your family or with a glass of wine by yourself. This moment has been written about in many songs like Eric Church's Springsteen "Like a soundtrack to a July Saturday Night."

//Random Acts of Kindness:  I always love doing something nice for a random stranger. I always think, maybe that person is having a terrible day and this little act of kindness will put a smile on their face or let them know things will get better.

Well Ten things later, you're still reading this- good!!! I'm glad I didn't bore you!

Tomorrow is a scary/anxiety filled/ unknown day. I have an appointment to see a doctor about my stomach problems and I am very nervous. I am trying to think positive and how this is a step in the right direction but I know that at some point, I have to redo all those tests again and honestly it's not even the fact that I have to drink barium/magnesium/distilled water its the actual tests. The one test took an hour and it was terrible and uncomfortable and scary. That was the only test Penelope couldn't come with me. (( I should mention, Penelope is a stuffed flamingo beanie baby that has been through everything with me in the last year. She comes with me to all my doctors appointments, testings and hospital stays. She's a trooper. The doctors and nurses think its adorable. She'll make an appearance sooner or later.)) I have to stay positive and just pray.

xx. Gabrielle

Hi August

From bowtiesandbankers.tumblr.com

August is officially here and I cannot figure out if I am excited about it or frustrated about it. On one hand I am excited about it because it means FALL is closer and I will be able to wear cute boots and sweaters. I am frustrated about it because I felt like I did NOTHING this summer. There were so many things I wanted to do/see/accomplish but it looks like I did nothing. Which in a way is nice but I really want to see the Minions Movie- ((I know, Im five but it looks really cute)) Many next weekend I will be able to do that.

As I look at my August calendar for both my work life and personal life, it looks a bit crazy. I want to start to preparing for Adopting Day in November. I know its 3 months away but those three months will fly by and I need to be super organized! My personal life is filled with doctors appointments, yoga classes and personal training. I often look forward to my yoga class and personal training because I know I am getting stronger, mentally and physically.

I made my goal list for August. After looking it over, my goals are more abstract this month rather than specific.

August Goals:

1.  Keep calm and level headed
2. Real and truthfully blogging
3. Educate myself more on my gastro issues
4. Time for me (paint more)
5. Take at least 1 photo a day

I have been blogging on and off for the past four years. The only time I really stuck with blogging was back in 2011 with my other blog, Just Simply Elle . It was basically just daily ramblings with no real sense of direction. I think it showed my true personality and I didn't really care about readers or anything. I did it for me. I am happy that I was able to capture these ramblings and I sorta wish I kept up on it more definitively.  My point with this babble is I want to get back to what I had back in 2011. My goal specifically #2 is to do just that. Not really care about who reads this, just to keep myself sane.

Pinapples painted by me 2014

Another goal I really want to do is #4 paint more. I absolutely love to paint. Am I the next Picasso, Rembrandt or Warhol, HECK NO, but do I enjoy it and love what I do, HECK YES! It basically works as a stress reliever for me and sometimes what I paint is really pretty, sometimes its not. I don't care- I just want to put paint on a canvas and hope for the best.

From acrohnieslife.tumblr.com

My Gastro issues have been a sore spot in my life for the past 3 years. Last year, I wrote down that I finally wanted to figure out what was going on and boy I think I made a mistake with that one. It has been a roller coaster ride trying to figure out what is going on inside of me. My most recent hospital stay (I promise a post just about that soon!!) made me realize whatever is really going on inside of me is bad. I've had doctors tell me that I have something and then other doctors tell me I do not. It is scary when you have conflicting opinions from medical professionals. All I want to do is lead as normal of a life as I can. Easier said than done I believe.

Well, Here is hoping that August is better than July; questions are answered and my life can remain somewhat normal. 

xx Gabrielle

Saying Goodbye to July and Old Fashion Handwriting

I cannot believe it’s going to be August tomorrow! Where did July go? Where is this year going?? My July went by in a blink of an eye- I swear it was the 4th of July last week! It doesn't help that I spent almost 2 weeks in the hospital!! (More on that later) I always like to start my month out with a list of "goals" that I would like to accomplish that month. I was so busy, I didn't even have time to make one for July- EEK! That is the one thing I would like to accomplish tonight- a Goal list for August.

I know I've heard in the news for the past year or so, that handwriting- cursive, script- won't be taught in schools anymore. It absolutely boggles my mind that children won't have any idea how to sign their names. I know my handwriting is something to be desired most days but at least I know how to sign my name properly. As I've grown up, my print and cursive have combined into this print cursive hybrid but geeze! This article really got me thinking... Will the younger generations know how to sign their names? 

Bring Back Handwriting

This was an interesting article I read; I am such a big supporter of handwriting. I usually hand write everything and then type it out if i need to. I always feel that actually writing things down or working things out the “old way” on paper with a pen or pencil always feels more organic I helps me retain the knowledge and helps me retain more information.. Does any one else feel this way?

Since we are on the subject of handwriting, I am on the hunt for a new planner. I decided earlier in the year that i was only going to use a little pocket calender. That has been working fine for me.  I also have a notebook that serves as a catchall for notes/ideas/messages/doodles. I am toying around with the idea of a all in one planner but i have such reservations. I am so picky with my planner and what I would like in it. I don't need meal planning pages and cleaning schedules. I would like just a large calender, an area to write notes and it to be portable.I know it sounds simple but its so hard to find.

As I am trying to get back into blogging, I made a plan first using paper and pen to actually plan and layout what I want this to be. I thought it was interesting that Emily Ley  posted on Instagram her process for the Simplified Planner planning and it started with white oak tag and sharpies. She laid everything out on paper before she dove into the computer/ technology pool. I wonder if there is a certain personality trait or if its just a learned habit to start the "old fashion way" first.

I hope to post more regularly in the coming weeks. My life has gotten pretty crazy in the past few months and I hope this blog will keep me accountable and able to keep some normalcy in my life.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Look up to the night sky to see the Blue Moon then indulge in a Blue Moon to celebrate (( Only if you are of legal drinking age!!))

xx, Gabrielle

  ((all photos in this post are my own))

Beginning again

July 2015. 

I'm back again. Ive had such a turbulent year and it doesn't seem to be getting better. I have to stay positive and not stress over every little thing. After an eleven day hospital stay (I did say I wanted a vacation but not a vacation like that!)  I have one answer and lots of unanswered questions. I feel as if my body is against me. I have a lot to be thankful but I can be sad because of everything that has been happening. I know things can be worse.

I am thankful for my parents support and information they provide me.

I wish I had a close friend to vent to. Mama and daddy hear everything but sometimes I need to tell someone else.

I hope I can have a good night sleep and a good day tomorrow.

-Gabrielle

Game Night

My parents and i started playing games after dinner once or twice a week. We always eat dinner together- mama always makes something yummy and healthy. Tonight was turkey breast from the German Butcher Shop (yes! that is what its called!!) and a sweet potato.
After dinner I dug out of my closet, Clue, Disney Trivia and Picture Picture. We ended up playing a round of Clue (Daddy won $10!!) ((we also play for money too!) and We ended up playing multiple rounds of Picture Picture. Apparently there is no trace of this game on line. I ABSOLUTELY  love this game because you have to be creative and quick and very observant. The gist of this game is there are 50 photos that a person chooses from and places it in the holder. Everyone has 90 seconds to write down what they find in the photo on a little slip of paper with the letters A to Z on it. ( Only one word per letter) After 90 seconds you compare answers to see what everyone else got. If someone else wrote down the same word as you, neither of you get a point. (If three people are playing, and two write down Apple and one writes down Avalanche, only the third person gets a point)
I am a super observant person and I really enjoyed this game as a kid and I think I even enjoy it more now.
I really enjoy spending time with my parents, playing silly board games. Daddy always thinks mama and I are plotting against him so we win.

off to plan something super secret.

xx, gabrielle

the first day of the new year...

Beginnings are scary: the start of a new relationship; the first day of school; the first day of a new job; the first day in a new city... Beginnings are a way to start fresh, start new, forget what happened in the past and be something else. The first day of a new year is a great beginning- you can ((finally)) close the door on the previous year; you have the good memories, the lessons learned all tucked away in your memory. January 1st is the beginning of something new. If you want to change something, you can; if you want to start doing something new, you can. The possibilities are limitless.

How I spent the very first day of 2015, you ask?

In my pajamas, sitting on the couch, playing mindless games on my phone, reading and just relaxing; something I don't always get to do. My parents took it easy today- my mom watched some of the honeymooners marathon and daddy watched NCIS. We ate dinner as we always do as a family and we quietly welcomed the new year with open arms.

In case you were wondering, I kept on dreaming right into the new year last night.... I fell asleep watching Cutthroat Kitchen. HA. I am getting old.

As I settle down for more relaxing, I leave you with this photo from last New Year's Eve with my parents.

xx, gabrielle

New Years Eve

HAPPY 2015!

I am hopeful for this year.

My goals/resolutions are simple
1. be healthy
2. be happy
3. do good

I am not asking for a lot, you see.

Be safe for all who are heading out and I am very content sitting home tonight, snacking in my champagne bottle pajamas.

Blessings for all to have a splenderous new years start.


-Gabrielle