Auld Lang Syne My Dear!

For as long as I can remember, the pinnacle of December 31st has always been that moment when the ball in Time Square dropped as the clock struck midnight.  The build up to that moment was always just as much fun.  When I was very young, I remember my parents having parties at their home.  Days of preparation went into a night with a lot of alcohol and dishes of yummy treats all over the place.  My mom could be seen decorating and cleaning and yelling orders throughout the house.  There was nothing quite like it!

In those days, we dropped long before the ball did and right along side the wine drinkers that to this day probably can't remember one single countdown!  

Being from NY, I had always wanted to go to that great big TIME SQUARE for New Years Eve.  Dick Clark made it look like so much fun.  Even as he wore his earmuffs, I never once got the feeling that he was too cold or too old to party that night!  Well, I never made it to Time Square for New Years Eve.  Some years ago, I did make it to see Time Square, but somehow it wasn't as glamorous in the daylight and it didn't seem so big either.

As I celebrate this year though, there will be many things that I would like to remember about 2012 and some I would rather forget.  But, even those that I would rather forget, I am going to lovingly say good bye to.  After all, if you don't say farewell with love, then you still hold on to pieces of those things.

As I count down tonight, I won't be at Time Square because Dick Clark won't be there.  I won't be wearing ear muffs and shivering from the cold.  But I will be singing  Same Auld Lang Syne, Dan Fogelberg style, and counting my blessings along side the ones I love, in front of the TV where it's warm and remembering all the great things that happened this year!  

After all, we just lived through the end of the world, there can't be anything better than that!

Enjoy this tribute to a GREAT artists and man....One of my favorite songs!

Dan Fogelberg - Same Old Lang Syne - 1980

A Little history!

The words 'Auld Lang Syne' literally translates from old Scottish dialect meaning 'Old Long Ago' and is about the love and friendship in times past.  The lyrics in the song 'Auld Lang Syne' referring to 'We'll take a Cup of Kindness yet' relate to a drink shared by men and women to symbolize friendship. 

 Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookies ~ I bet that gets your attention!

In light of recent events in the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary, I plan on celebrating the children this week.  My grand daughter being the object of my overwhelming love and affection and the focus of my concentration this week.

Have you ever just sat and cried over a tragedy that you had no personal attachment to?  I have done my fair share of crying and my heart aching for those innocent children and super hero teachers.  So, I turn my attention to the ones I love and reach out to them a little harder and a little more passionately.

This photo was captured by a reporter in memory of the 20 little students and 6 teachers that were killed on 12-14-12.  This will forever be in our hearts and minds as a Nation.

Much like all of America and even other nations, we share an overwhelming sense of loss and care for these victims and their families.  So, let's turn our attention to the loved ones right beside us and our neighbors and people we can help, show them how deeply we love them and celebrate the season with Jesus as the reason!  

With that in mind, I just feel the need to bake Christmas Cookies with my Grand daughter.  She was super excited to make the Princess Sugar Cookies Saturday with me.  Tonight we are celebrating by being serenaded by her 3 favorite Disney Princesses singing their favorite Christmas Carols.  We have more cookies to make tomorrow night and lots of prayers to lift up to God as we give thanks to him for all of the wonderful things we have in our lives and show our appreciation to him as our Savior.  

Our hearts are full of compassion and reaching out, it shouldn't be something we do only in times of need, we should practice this every day!

Look to the Lord for guidance, love with all your might and give of yourself to others!

It will bring you all the yummy things that life can give :)

Have a blessed Holiday Season with the ones you Love!

A Heartful of Thanks!

From our CRAZY home to yours, celebrate with gratitude!
We love our friends and family and wish you all the wonderful things that life has to offer.

Stay safe and together!
Love,
The Heisler's

The Video Revolution!

I have just joined the Movement!  The Video Movement.  Let me share a little about myself and you will understand just how I can get so excited! 

I am super excited about the places in my life that I am going to be using this. 

First of all, let me tell you a little bit about me, then you can understand why this product is so super exciting. 

I have been in the real estate industry for 12 years. About 2008, my life went in a million directions all at once as I prepared to be the President of the Women's Council of Realtors for Washington County. I took the marketing and internet knowledge that I had and used it to run our chapter in 2009. I traveled to other states to functions and networked with a ton of people...it was an exciting time. It was also the first year that we received an excellence award for our chapter and we grew fast.

During that time, I leveraged facebook to keep in touch with all those I met from around the country and soon, I mentored with social media gurus in my industry. I was asked to teach a class, one of our best attended classes, on social media and marketing. It kind of grew on me.

I have dived into all the medias, helped my daughter in law grow a boutique business and taught about social media resources on a state level at a WCR orientation in 2011. I was named 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year for the WCR on the state level and maintain the websites and social media for both state and local levels. 

With all that, the owners of the company that I sell Real Estate for, came to me and offered me a paid position in my company to handle all their medias and technology every day. 

That is just a brief run down of me. So, when I tell you this is exciting, I MEAN IT! All of my gurus tell me that video is on the rise....and I am finding that to be true. Companies such as Applebees International and Make A Wish Foundation, not to mention numerous others, have found this tool to be exactly what their company needs. It has gone global and people sending their family members on a mission or into the service, have been using this to keep in touch.

Take a few minutes and watch this webinar, it can truly change how you do business and keep in touch. In fact, one of the products, the video conferencing and video broadcasting, is probably one of my super favorite products. I still sit on the board for WCR State and this is going to be the answer to many prayers. I will not have to drive 4.5 to 5 hours for a meeting! Yay!!! 

Want more information:  Check out this webinar and then get with me, I will show you how to get out of the 40-40-40 club and back into LIFE!

Here is the webinar
http://www.keyof2.com/

No Longer A Victim!

I have a super wise friend, her name is Michelle Orton. 

Michelle is a Life Coach and Motivational Speaker and she is darn good too.  I have had the pleasure of Michelle as my Life Coach in the past and have enjoyed my journey as a result.

June 23rd, I also had the pleasure of watching her in action at the TEDxSunRiver event.  I have heard her speak before on different topics and we have shared with each other during coaching sessions, but this time, she was so much more powerful. She put her heart and soul right there on the stage and showed how she had risen from the ashes to be this amazing person inside and out!

At this event, she spoke with such power and conviction and shared her beliefs of transforming from a Victim to Victorious.  Simply inspirational!  As a "former" victim of Domestic Violence, I embrace her two rules of life, "Trust" and "Safety".  I applaud her for sharing the message with others!

So many of us have felt the pain of being helpless and being frozen in fear.  Yet, what we do not realize is,  we have the power within ourselves to change the outcome.  We can take back our trust and safety.  That is just one of many lessons that Michelle has taught me. It has been more than 23 years since my experiences and I now see that I have risen from the ashes.  Today, because of the power that I have taken back,  I embrace the beautiful sight of the Phoenix (me) that has risen.

I now know that I have options. Now it is up to me to do something amazing with all this new found love and freedom from pain.

Since, hearing her story and feeling her transformation through her words, I also know that being a victim isn't something that defines who you are, it is something that happened to you. It is the becoming victorious that IS who you are.

Thank you my sweet friend!  I love and honor you!

This is a must see video!!!

Being the Change!

I attended a phenomenal event yesterday,TEDxSunRiver.  It was one I went into with absolutely no expectations.  But when I left, I was lifted, inspired and even moved emotionally to tears.

There were so many speakers, so many messages and yet the one theme that rang through the voices was that being the change begins with YOU!

When this beautiful 15 year old, Emily Lopez, stood up and gave a talk about igniting a SPARK within.  I was touched.  We all have a flame of passion that burns inside us, but may not realize it.  What sparks your passions, what are you passions and what do you do with them?  Do you share them, do you stand up for them, do you rise with them?

I had no idea what my passion was.  I have always been taught that I must have passion for my work, or it is meaningless.  However, what does that mean?

In the last two months, the message about passion has been being drilled into my cranium! From a very moving speech by the National Association of Realtors President who came to little old St. George to share one of his passions, supporting RPAC, to this TEDxSunRiver event that was mind altering and life changing.

So, what have I decided is my passion?  Well, I feel as though I am on the verge of that.  I have so many things going through my mind.  The one thing I know today, is I live with integrity and teach it daily in my actions.  Now I need to apply it to something that is meaningful and empowering and something that fills my heart with the passion and drive to become something more that I have been in the past, someone of excellence!

As Emily Lopez shared her inspirational message of SPARK, she also mentioned the struggle that she had to overcome to make this video.  The many people she invited to the park to film this video with her, of all of those that she touched while sharing the message, none of them showed up.  So, instead, she turned this moment of spark into a flame as she engaged the people that were in the park that day to share their voice!

It never ceases to amaze me, that the greatest people have made so many plans, yet it is within moments of impending failure that they rise above it all and create something more than they could have imagined themselves!

Thank you to the youth of the world who are finding their voice and their spark!  I know we are leaving our world in the most capable hands possible for our time!

I Found My Chin!

For years, my DOUBLE chin has been haunting me.  In the past, when I looked in the mirror, I could see nothing from the neck down!  Being overweight, I didn't pay attention, thinking that in the public eye, all they saw was my face! WRONG!  What was I thinking?

Of course they see the entire picture.  The one that I block out daily.  Recently, after some frightening tests, my Doctor said, "You need to lose weight and get some exercise in order to avoid Diabetes, you are right on the borderline and you need to change your habits!"   

On the other end of that phone call, I was feeling punished.  Had he done that to me? NO, I did it to myself.

So, I made a change that is changing my life every day! 

I have always had a love affair with food.  Every taste of a meal reminds me of something wonderful and good in my life.  So, I equate food with good feelings and who wants to curb good feelings.  Isn't that what we strive for every day?  

Today, 8 weeks later and 22 pounds lighter, I am starting to see some good feelings on my face.  I looked in the mirror this morning and I could see a chin!  I have a different outlook on things and feel as though I can do this.  

With more energy, better food choices and a desire to live again, I am going forward.  I helps that I am in a little contest at work with others to help our office get more healthy!  I love this journey so far, even though I know it will get harder, but I am on the right path!

I am looking to the lighter side of food and starting to make good memories with it, so that I can replace the other good feelings with even better ones!

Happy Father's Day!

First, I want to say Happy Father's Day to all!  Anyone who steps up to the plate and is a real Dad in a young person's life, is worthy of honor today.  It takes all kinds of people.  Some are single mother's taking on both roles, some are Dad's that came into a child's life long after they were born, but take the role seriously and provide stability and love.  To all, you deserve acknowledgement.

My father is no longer here, he resides in Heaven.  I miss him every day.  I Thank God for his presence in my life for all the wonderful years that I got to share with him.  He was funny, he was sweet, he great big arms to hold you tight and hands that were so large, when he held yours, you knew the world was going to be alright.  Those are the physical things that he gave to me.  But the gifts he left for me were much bigger than all of that.

He left me humor, so that I may carry on in his tradition of making people smile.  He left me fairness, so that I may know how to treat people.  He left me understanding, so that I may have a sympathetic ear and always make people feel as though they can be heard.  He left me acceptance, that I may drive down the street and feel as though I could wave at anyone and everyone, without exception, and make them my friend.  He left me a sensitive heart, so that I can feel for those I do not even know.  He left me gentleness, so that I may appreciate little children.

These are little gifts.  Over the years since he has been gone, I have found so many more gifts that he left for me, planted deep in my soul, that I could write this blog forever and there still wouldn't be enough room to put it all down.

May your time with your Dad be special and may you treasure your memories for life!  Happy Father's Day!

Hiram Wilson Brayton

You will forever be missed!

I love you with all my heart Dad!

Hero of a Different Kind!

This past Memorial Day, we celebrated our fallen Hero's and those that serve to protect our freedoms.  It is rather humbling to know so many have fought for the freedoms that we have today.

But, today, I am humbled for a different reason and am in awe of a different kind of Hero!  My son!  He hasn't fought in a war or even served in the military, but he fights a battle every day.

About a year ago this June, he fractured his femur.  It was a major break to a major bone in the body.  His thigh bent in half like another knee! YUKK...I have to cringe as I remember crying with him while he was in pain.  He had surgery to insert a rod from his hip to his knee. Thus began a year long recovery.

Because of the nature of the break, there we questions as to how it happened.  The reality is, he was laid up for 6 weeks prior to that for what they thought was a knee injury.  He was waiting or his insurance company to approve an MRI.  He is on Medicaid and they take quite a while for their approval process on some things.  After 6 weeks of being in a knee brace and hopping around on crutches, he sat down in a chair in his room and his thigh snapped like a twig!

Of course, the femur is the largest and strongest bone in your body and you really have to be doing a lot to break it.  Therefore, the doctors were very curious and started testing him for bone cancer and other factors that could lead to such weak bone.

After months of recuperating from the surgery, they started the long process of determining what caused it.  It turns out that my son, at age 26 has severe Osteoporosis, his thyroid is affected and testosterone levels with a severe vitamin D deficiency.  In a bone density test, they determined that his bones are that of a 65 - 70 year old with Osteoporosis.  People automatically associate this disease with older people and think, they have medicine that they can take for that, no big deal.  It is a big deal, especially for someone who is only 26 years old and is facing life in a wheel chair within the next 6 to 10 years.

This disease is most commonly noted among women of advanced age with hormone deficiency due to menopause or surgically induced by having ovaries removed.  However, men can also get this disease when testosterone levels are low and there are other causes as well.

Right now, David's bones look like Swiss Cheese and he is at HIGH risk of fracture at any moment.  One fracture, a really bad one, could put him down for quite a while, especially if it is in the back.  

Having a 2 year old daughter and a part time job for now, he tries to go about life as normal as he can, but life for him can change in the blink of an eye. 

We are working with his doctors to get a much needed drug approved through his insurance for him, it is costly and nothing we could even help him afford.  But at this moment, they have denied him several times.  It is one of the only treatments that will help him build his bone back to a healthy level in a two year treatment.  But, Medicaid is his insurance and the will not pay for it.  

As we sit and wait for the red tape to be cut, we have no idea what is in store.  I can't tell you how I admire you David for your patience and strength without knowing the outcome or your future!  I love you with all of my heart and soul and would move Heaven and earth for you, were it possible.  

Dad and I Love you David!

Drive, Don't FLY!

First, I have to say to the woman that was behind me this morning on SR9 from Hurricane UT, What the Bleep?  Yep, I said Bleep!

SR9 is a 2 lane road and connects the town of Hurricane to the I-15 Freeway.  I was leaving Hurricane, returning to my office in St. George, when this woman was behind me flashing her lights at me to pull into the outside lane.  Now, I travel this road enough to know that the modest speed limit of 55 is a bit low, but going up the the hill near the jail, it is more than enough for most.  I too can be seen traveling 60 mph like the good ole' days, but I also know that since the jail is right there, inevitably there will be police in the area.

There was a car on the inside lane, that if I pulled in behind him, I would have to brake.  That is exactly what this woman wanted.  She didn't care, she just flashed her lights at me repeatedly.  At first, Road Rage sort of took over, I admit, and I wanted to do anything but accommodate her.  I then thought, well maybe it is an emergency, should I judge?  Nevertheless, I maintained my position and when I came around the top of the bend, there was a police officer coming down the hill, she immediately slowed down and behaved! What????

Just after she was FORCED to slow down by conscience, an RV got in front of me as we headed to the freeway entrance and she was very anxious and tried to get around all of us.  It didn't work, by the way.

I have no idea what her emergency was, but when she hit the freeway, she was gone.  I usually travel 80 mph (yes just a hair fast, I know!), but she was out of there, long before my speedometer could show me 80!

It is drivers like that, who drive with NO patience for WHATEVER reason, that cause the accidents we read about every day...that behavior changes lives and NEVER for the better!

So, when you get behind the wheel, remember that you have a license to DRIVE, not FLY, because I would like to make it home to my family and hug that grand daughter of mine.  YOUR choices can adversely change MY life....please remember that!

This video may be hard to watch, but people need to see it!

Living on the Edge!

I found this video on Youtube and I have to say, at first I was stunned. I found myself gasping and holding my hand over my mouth to keep my jaw from hitting the ground. The pure thought that someone would risk their lives to do this was pure insanity! In fact, seeing them flying around in the air, like rag dolls, limp and voulnerable was something that borders madness in my book.

I watched it again, then again and then again! I found myself so intriqued by it, that I just couldn't stop. I then began to wonder, what would that be like? What would being that free be like? I don't have to strap myself to a rope and throw myself off a cliff to feel free. I can just let go of the things in life holding me back! I can wrap a rope around them and throw them off the cliff and let the wind and sky take me to places I have never soared!

If I let go and live on the edge (the edge that I have created for myself), it can free me from the thoughts, feelings and perceptions that bind my mind, body and spirit! Now how to let go?

Practice and forcing yourself to step out of your comfort zone, even if it is just one toe over the line, forward is the ONLY direction. Some day, with little steps, I will be propelling myself forward without the slightest of hesitation. If you think that something isn't working in your life, create momentum by doing something you can not even imagine yourself doing....something bordering madness and either propel yourself forward or step one toe over the line! It is the ingredient missing in the recipe, I promise!

The Power of "Thank You"

Gratitude is over stated and under practiced! There I said it! In the past I have felt gratitude but never expressed it and never truly felt it. But, now, I embrace gratitude and give thanks every day for feeling gratitude and feel gratitude for even the simplest things in my life. I know, it sounds like I am preaching, but I am not. I am just stating that now instead of just saying it, I truly feel it, which has changed my life.

The same could be said for saying the words "Thank You". They are used often, but seldom with true meaning behind them. As children we are taught to use "please" and "thank you" as ways of being polite. How has that turned out for us? Well, please and thank you never stopped a war, hasn't stopped a crime and hasn't stopped lies. When do they have meaning?

Think about the words "I'm Sorry". Ouch! Those words, when said repeatedly as an excuse to misbehave, are empty words. For these words to have meaning, I feel that there needs to be a gesture and a feeling that accompanies such words, or there is absolutely no point in saying them!

So, as we teach Miss Mariah to use these words, I want her to use them in a way that truly means something. Every time she asks us to do something, give her something or help her with something, she is so precious and politely says "Thank you Nana!" And for now, at age 2, that is about all I can expect of her. But, in the future, I want her to feel gratitude for the world she lives in, even when it seems as though all gratitude is lost on her. It will be the backbone that helps her hold her head high, dream BIG dreams and live a fulfilling life!

Practice Gratitude! Feeling it every day will fill you up inside and when you are full of gratitude, there is no room for the negative feelings.

Have a Grateful Day!

It's All About the Bunny!

Today was a fantastic day, as Mariah was met at the park by her Easter Bunny. There were children on the carousel, but when they saw Mariah's special Bunny, they flocked to it. However, Mariah, was having a special moment with her Bunny as they danced to the music of the carousel, hopped around the grass and played with the beautiful colored Easter Eggs. She immediately told the kids, "MY BUNNY". Then, she generously let a few of them get pictures with her Bunny. When the kids backed off, it was just her and her Bunny while Mommy and Daddy watched. It was a beautiful time in the park!

So, if you see a big white Bunny this Spring, remember, take the time to walk, dance and hop with him. The moment comes and goes so quickly and others want to play too. Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

Day #5 - Relax!

Last night I attended a wonderful Anniversary Party for Elan Woman Magazine. It was a beautiful night, with tons of great people I haven't seen in a while, great food, tons to see and learn as well as a wonderful Chinese Face Reader! For 5 minutes, she gave me the summed up version of her reading.

She couldn't have pegged me more! I am amazed by people that have that ability. I am seriously considering a more in depth reading very soon! She said the one thing about me that I have known for some time....I have trouble saying NO! WOW! On the money with that one. She gave Kellie a reading as well and nailed it!

What a great night. A great way to continue my High Energy year! She said I was wrapping up a 9 year cycle and boy I am sure glad to be done with that one!

Today, I finished up my chores by mid day and relaxed on the couch for the rest of the evening. That is how I like to spend my Sunday's! Now back to work Monday!

Oh! she also said I don't like to get up in the morning....I am sure I will prove her right again tomorrow :)

Grateful for Sweetness In the 365 Days of Me!

In the past months, I have been on a journey of gratitude. I have been learning and growing from this awesome experience. As I set forth in a daily routine of recognizing things that I am grateful for, I have been led to a different journey called awareness. After all, you must be aware of your surroundings and feel them, to experience the gratitude of it all. Being aware has led to some astonishing revelations!

First, I marvel at my grand daughter, of course I am grateful for her in my life, but I am truly amazed at the amount of love that is born into her. From the instinct of loving the person(s) who brought you into the world to everything that is new.

She hugs and kisses everything, even the vacuum that she fears the most. She has respect enough for the vacuum to know its place and be sure its there from time to time. When she opens the closet door to be sure it is resting, she is quick to give it a hug and kiss too. Or the phone, she hugs and kisses it along with the iPad. I have even seen her lay on the floor spread out and kissing the floor. As I watch her, I laugh, but I can't believe all the things that she shows gratitude for, just because they are new and exciting to her.

When you think about the things that you are grateful for, they don't have to be big things, in fact it is the little things that we rarely notice that are the most significant in our lives, yet we don't notice them enough.

So, today, on my 4th day of the "365 days of me" it is yet another excuse to be grateful for something, so I choose to be grateful for the carpet! Yep! I know it sounds weird right? But, the carpet is so many things to us all. It quiets the echos in your home. It offers a cushioned landing for all the things that we hate to drop. It makes for warmth under your feet. BUT, what I am grateful for most of all, is that it is a comfortable place to sit or lay so we can enjoy coloring or playing with our favorite little ones that we cherish the most.

It seems that little Mariah has been an excellent teacher in the art of Gratitude. Someone we could all take lessons from! So here's to all the things that bring Sweetness into your life! I hope they bring you peace and comfort and gratitude!

Day 2!

Ok, only Day 2 and today was a transforming day. Day of decisions. Day of Action! Love it. Made some decisions on my future, stay tuned to see what they are! More importantly, I decided to try Zumba today and got my BuTT KiCkeD! But it feels so good.

Today's luncheon at the Women's Council of Realtors was so inspiring. First, Chef Imi of the Riverwalk Grill catered our meeting with an incredible meal, real silverware and cloth napkins, we sure felt pampered from the start!

Once the meeting began, it moved with importance and we got a lot of business out of the way, and that led to our speakers of the day. The Latin Ladies of Fuego House of Dance were the speakers, sharing their path to "Creating a niche in a diverse market". The challenges they met in their business and how they decided to treat their "customers or clients" set them apart from the rest of the crowd. Service, warm and friendly environment and follow through. Not new information, but at times we need a swift kick in the pants to remember why we do what we do.

At the end of the talk, they shared some incredible photos of all the community work that they do and the fun that is had. It was infections and contagious. So much so that they decided to treat us all to a taste of Zumba that is offered at their studios. They made us all get up and try it and everyone did it. It was amazing to see so many enjoying it and really getting into it.

After the meeting, several of us got together and decided to try a full class tonight. It was hard, hard, hard, but it was fun! My body is sore right now, but I am going to go back! I talked a bunch of girls into going with me and they are going back too! So, here's to health, good friends and tons of fun!

Incredible day!

Gonna Miss You Davy Jones!

Some of the best memories of my childhood are associated with the teen idols and tv shows that I loved so much. Today is a sad day, as one of those such idols have passed away. Davy Jones made day dreaming and believing in something other than violence, sex and reality ok to do!

The innocense we had at that time, really made being a teen fun and easier than today. Today there is so much pressure on teens to look a certain way, to do drugs, to engage in violence and more. Those pressures should never be part of the your teen years. But sadly, they are!

If you are too young to know Davy or just want to reminisce, then check out the videos and reminisce with me!

Late Start! 365 days of ME!

It is only appropriate that day number one is the 29th of February. It will not come again for 4 years. Me being so different and unique, it's only appropriate that I should start my project on a different and unique day.

DAY #1 - Today, I am short and sweet! Just like my 2 year old grand daughter. I want it straight to the point, hence the short and sweet. Do you sit and argue with a 2 year old? No, they only understand short phrases at this point. For lessons in life, short and sweet is always BETTER!

Next time you are asked a direct question, don't take the long way home, just get to the point and be concise. Also, don't forget the sweet! A smile drives home more than the words, it drives home the sentiment behind them.

Now, if I could just figure out a way to get that 2 year old stories to be short and sweet! NAH! The fun in the journey is trying to understand! But don't look like you are running away from the conversation when it's long....stay in there, it's worth it!

Have a GREAT DAY!

Technology IS For EVERYONE! Even 2 Year Olds!

A couple of days ago, I was enlightened about technology! Now, mind you, I am a techno-guru! (At least in my mind) I teach technology for my industry, I spend hours everyday co-ordinating technology and social media for my company and I use it in every way possible daily in my life and business! I have spent hours learning what I know, only to find out, I really know nothing compared to a 2 year old! That's right, all that educating Out the WINDOW!

I carry my iPad2 in my briefcase and use it for many things, but most widely for fun. I have to say, the applications that you can upload are just addicting and there is nothing like playing a game of "Words With Friends" from your iPad! I attach the keyboard case when I use it for business, it's like a mini laptop from heaven! Not too heavy, not too cumbersome, just right!

So, it isn't a far stretch that everyone who spends a little time on it, starts to fall in love with it. At my house, the minute I walk in the house from work, I don't get greeted with kisses or hugs, I get greeted with hands rushing into my briefcase to retrieve my precious iPad! Where did the good old days of off with the shoes, on with the slippers and dinner ready go? Oh! OOPS....that doesn't exist and definitely not for women, what was I thinking?

My husband goes straight for the games, while my grand daughter (2 years old mind you) goes straight for Youtube! Right now, you are thinking, No Way! But, I assure you, it happens! She goes straight to her favorite videos and watches them one after another. Occasionally she breaks to check out the web, or other game apps that I have, but walks around marching to the Barney Tune "The Ants Go Marching In". Yep, marching down the hall, carrying the iPad, she now acts out the entire video, thanks to Youtube!

I guess at this point, you can understand what happened to me the other day. I came home from work and out slipped the iPad (husband's hands immediately). When Mariah went to my briefcase to retrieve it, it wasn't there. She looked at me and said "iPad?". I told her that I thought Papa had left it in the bathroom. Well, I had never seen little feet carry a person so quickly down the hall and into the bathroom. She came back with iPad in hand and announced "I got iPad!" and then sat down on the couch and began to use it. I am not lying here, 2 years old!

Mind blowing as that is, and to me it is, she is also potty training. She is always reading books on her cute little pink potty! In fact, Mommy usually reads her favorite books to her to distract her. Guess what she does on the potty now? You guessed it, she brings the iPad and watches videos.

So, to those of you that say you can't figure this stuff out, that computers confuse you or social media takes too much time and is difficult to understand, I say - Ask a 2 year old! In its simplest form, it truly IS EASY to use and you don't have to spend time and money to learn, just dig in and try it:)

Oh, and for those that have been accidentally dialed from my phone while my grand daughter uses it, I apologize. She knows how to pull up phone numbers and loves to talk, so thus is born the next Chatty Cathy (or Mariah)! AT 2!

LIFE Ins't Fair! Throw a Temper Tantrum!

Imagine a 2 year throwing a temper tantrum.  Come on, you know you have seen or been part of one in your life!  It turns on like a faucet and turns off just as quick.  In fact, when it's done, they are back to their sweet self and you stop and think, "What just happened and where did this kid come from"?  Call it schizophrenia if you will, it is seriously that quick.  

I equate the temper tantrum to tsunami!  The giant waves of destruction start quickly and before you know it you are left in the wake of destruction and shaking your head in wonder, if you are lucky enough to survive!  

There are so many theories on how to deal with a tantrum, you have to think, does anyone really know what they are talking about?  They don't know my little natural disaster!  It may have worked for them, but they really need to see this to believe it!

When wanting something as simple as a crayon can trigger the event, you have to wonder how we all have survived these to be the patient, caring and loving people we are today?  Don't you?

We have to learn lessons along the way and curb that emotional tug of war going on inside us.  Does it always work? No!  But, more often than not, when we learn how to stare down our emotions, we can control them and hope and pray that we don't stomp on them too much and still grow into a loving and compassionate adult. 

Let's face it, Life is CHALLENGING!  Yeah, a good tantrum would feel great right about now, but will it help?  This week, I was told that two of my immediate family members have a mass on some internal organ or another.  In the case of my mother, she has one on her parathyroid and in the case of my brother, he has a mass on his kidney.  My mother is awaiting a doctor visit, while my brother has to have his removed in a couple of weeks and it is cancerous.  I will pray for them and ask that everyone join me in a giant prayer chain.  Faith really does get you over the hump!

For just today,  I feel like having a 2 year old's temper tantrum.  But, I think that I will just be thankful for the day!  Life is not FAIR! I just want to cry.  But, I am willing to share my crayon with GOD and let him draw on my life the way he will.  I have to accept that, with or without the temper tantrum, he will draw a beautiful picture on my heart and give me the strength to understand.  

However, tomorrow, when Mariah is having her temper tantrums, do you think anyone will notice if I join her for just one of them?  I want to run through the house screaming and throw myself on the floor and cry, cry, cry!  I promise when I get up I will be a different person :)

Love you Mom and Tony.  No matter what life has done to us, it does not have to power to take away LOVE!

At Last, Everything is in it's Place!

What an eventful weekend this was.  Mariah's 2nd birthday party brought out the "rush and get ready" in all of us.  As we all hustled to pull together a decorated home for the little Missy's birthday, we knew it was going to be fun for her.

There was a giant Piniata about 17 of her friends and family and their parents. It was relatively a calm party with little bundles of energy flying around! Wrapping paper and tissue was everywhere and so was Mariah.

She enjoyed her beautiful cake so much that we had a hard time prying her away from it when it was time for the opening of presents.  She never eats nearly as much as she did of that cake and the ice cream.  In fact when her friend Shaylee left to put her attention elsewhere, she moved in on her cake too! It was perhaps the single most amazing thing for her parents and me!

Overall the day was a blast and Nana is happy she had a great day.  All the mess is put away and the leftovers in the fridge! Now if I could just find my drink and the remote, I think I will veg in front of the TV until she turns 3!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIAH!

Tiny little baby, I remember the day you were born! January 5, 2010 she joined our family! She was a miracle baby and truly meant to be here.

While her Mommy was pregnant, in the first trimester, Mommy had severe morning sickness and lost 25 pounds. It was terrible. She then had to be put on a feeding tube and after about a week or two it dislodged and she had to have it reinserted. Shortly after, they found that she had gal stones so bad that surgery was necessary. So, Mommy underwent surgery to have her gal bladder removed. After she came home to recover, she ended up back in the hospital with pancreatitis and during that incident, while on medication, she stopped breathing and had to be revived.

After all that Mommy bounced back and made it through the first trimester to have an uneventful rest of her pregnancy. There was no damage done to Mariah, except for some ear issues that she will deal with for a few more years. It truly is a miracle that we are blessed with her presence. She is meant to be here and to teach us lessons we thought we had already learned!

This picture was taken nine days after she was born. She is dainty and precious and we all feel

immediately in love! Who wouldn't?

It was a day I will never forget and one that her Mommy and Daddy will never forget either. Papa had to be at work, but I stayed home and was able to be present for her entrance into the world, for this I was sad.

Looking at her tiny little face as they put her on the scale, I could only see one thing, DAVID! Sorry Kellie, I know she looks like you too, but that day, only David came through along with tons of tears!

Each day, as she grows there are tons of things that I learn from her! I know that sounds funny, since she is the one growing and learning, but I feel as though I am too. Happy Birthday Dear Mariah! ♫.•**•.¸♥♫♥¸.•**•.♫.• **•.¸♥♫♥¸. •**♫.•**•.¸♥ ♥ I sing this to you, as I learn how to Dance like no one is watching, I don't care who hears me sing! (And trust me, it is bad, LOL)!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday Dear Mariah

Happy Birthday to you!

Seeing Life In Purple!

Do you remember the song "Purple People Eater" What a strange name to a song and strange lyrics. But it was catchy and you repeated it over and over. To this day, you remember it don't you? If not, watch this video!

Many people live in color! I love that. There is no better expression of yourself than that of color. That being said, why do we fear it when we look at each other? After all, skin is just a color, isn't it? It may make us different, but that is what we strive for every day, isn't it? Too many questions, I know.

Children seldom fear color. They seldom see colors unless it's ones they love. Purple! Yep, Mariah's self proclaimed favorite color. How do I know this? We are learning colors and the first response when you ask her what color something is, yep, PURPLE! In fact, ask her what just about anything is and her response is purple. She is color blind, except for the purple she loves. I think that is awesome to love a color.

I just pray that as time passes and she begins to see all the colors of the rainbow, that she remembers how much she loves them all, especially purple.

I think that seeing life in colors makes perfect sense! In fact, we adopt that already in different things that we say. For instance, "feeling blue" or "Green with envy". We associate colors to our feelings in ways that are too commonplace. Time to stop and think about that.

So let your creative juices flow, let your colors show and never forget to just be yourself, whatever color that is and love everyone as though they are PURPLE! Love you Mariah, just like Purple!

Dance Like No One Is Watching!

I remember feeling like a child when I played games with my son. I remember enjoying letting him win, but teaching him the value of losing. There was nothing like teaching your child something new to make you feel alive inside.

As a grand parent, it is not different, but it is even sweeter! I don't know how? I thought about it long and hard, and the only conclusion I come to is the fact that we are getting older and are more appreciative of those milestones and teachings because we have more patience and we don't care anymore who is watching!

Take for example this weekend. The first day of the new year and I found peace and pleasure in playing in my front yard with my grand daughter. We wrote on the drive way in chalk, making designs that I made when I was a kid doodling on my notebook in school. We made a hopscotch board on the driveway and Mariah jumped from square to square feeling like she knew exactly what she was doing. She drove her car and we shot the basketball in the hoop.

Our neighbor was leaving her house and she drove up to the driveway and stopped. Looking at Nana, Papa and Mariah playing and said, "I can't believe how much she has grown! Look at that little cutie." I simply said, "She keeps us young!" I meant it!

At two years old, I am learning more lessons from this little bundle of energy and emotions, than I have learned in years since my son! She literally makes me feel a live again.

We went to the park to snap some photos of her wearing a hat and flower that she was modeling and she was so playful it was hard to keep up with her. She was EVERYWHERE! But, there was nothing more amazing than her sitting in the big girl swing and swinging back and forth! The smile on her face was so big, I just know my smile mirrored hers.

Later that day, her favorite song came on in her favorite show. It was called Jump In, Jump Out. Upon the first musical bar, she was jumping all over and turning around and raising her hands, etc. She smiled and she danced and she pulled me up to dance with her and I did. I know I looked like a complete idiot, but truly, I was feeling alive! I want more, I want to live my life like that, alive!

So, today, the 3rd of January, 2012, I write this blog and raise a hand to make an oath to Live Like No One Is Watching! Don't worry what others think, because if you do, you just may miss feeling ALIVE!

Thank you Mariah, for the wonderful lessons! Nana Loves You!