Happy Easter

Happy Easter All!

We had a lovely Easter. Dave's family was here, along with Colton and lots of neighbors and friends. We managed to eat, visit and hunt eggs before this treacherous rain started to fall. We are all still on a sugar high and I have great plans to be in some form of junk food detox for the next few weeks. I hope your Easter was as nice as ours was.

My test date is drawing near and Dave goes back to work the end of next week. We have enjoyed all this time together and though we could find lots more things to do to fill our days, it is time to get back to the business of our life. Schedules and work seem to hang out on your porch waiting for you to go.

I like this motivator and though I hope you do not have something looming large, even the little stuff can get in the way. So whatever it is that is being the dark cloud, create the sunshine that runs it out of town! Lots of love!

Kathy

Go one better

What's a great way to get beyond a bad experience? Create a good experience of equal or greater significance.

When something bad happens to you, it can continue to take its toll even long after the original damage is done. In the absence of anything else to focus on, you're likely to continue to dwell on it and allow it to put a negative spin on everything in your life.

And what happens when you try not to think about it? The very effort involved in trying not to think about the bad experience will probably make you think about it even more.

There is, however, a very effective way out. And that is to create a new experience so overwhelmingly positive and memorable that it takes over the primary focus of your thoughts.

Put your imagination and creativity to work. Think of how you can be especially good to yourself, to those around you, and to the world in which you live.

Respond quickly to the negative experiences by creating even greater positive experiences. It's a habit that will add extraordinary richness and serenity to life.
Ralph Marston from The Daily Motivator with permission www.thedailymotivator.com

Happy Spring!

Happy First Day of Spring!

Well, I know it was yesterday if you are reading this on Monday but who cares? It is raining anyway. Laughing!

I am embarking on a VERY busy week and an even more daunting task for the 8th of April. This week is all about getting ready for Easter on Sunday (We will hunt eggs and carry on as planned even if it rains). I have to be ready by Wednesday as I will be out of town from Thursday through late Saturday night. All this while spending every morning at the gym and then studying for my test on the 8th. It is one thing to embark on an voyage on your own when you have worked in an industry and simply want to go do it your way. I am learning that it is quite another thing to pickup a (big) book on an industry and learn it without any of the benefits of osmosis. Wish me luck!

The journey of discovery between Dave and Mason continues to tickle me. Mason has reached a point where he gets upset if Dave leaves. I think there must be some understanding of that he may not come back. Things smooth out just fine but there is no denying that Mason loves his dad and clearly wants to be with him, near him, on him, under him, clinging to him, hanging off him and just like him! And what about Dave's role in all this? He is a great dad. He engages Mason and grants him lots of beingness, must be why Mason digs him so much! I hope you get to see the two of them together very soon!

I hope you have a great week. Here is todays Motivator:

Make it a point to find something in your work world that reminds you why you wanted to do it in the first place. Remember why you love what you do and love it a little more! If you don't love what you do, think about what you do love and start finding ways to make that what you do for a living!

Lots of love to you!
Love Kathy

Mexico Pictures

Mexico

Hello All,

We are back home, safe and sound and for all things considered, we had a pretty smooth trip home. Mason was a total trooper and for the most part seems to be a very good traveler.

From last week, we were supposed to go on the Unamog tour of the Sierra Madres but when we got there, we were informed that Mason was too little to go. I opted out and took Mason back to the condo where we had a lovely day with an afternoon trip into town.

The hi-light as far as sightseeing was the Canopy tour Dave and I did on Tuesday. We did 10 zip lines through the jungle and across the river some were well more than 100 feet up. It was the best! If you go to PV, be sure to do the El Eden Canopy Tour. It is the one that is at the set where they filmed Predator.

We finally had two really nice, warm, sunny days just before coming home so we went to the beach and though Mason was a little apprehensive, he enjoyed himself and I think will even like it more next time he gets to go. Our final night, Mary & Keith along with Dave, Mason and I had the most wonderful dinner at a restaurant on the beach called Daiquiri Dicks. This by recommendation of the Anderson's was all we hoped for and more. The atmosphere was lovely, though upscale, they welcomed Mason and made my life very easy and we watched a magnificent sunset and the tide come in through our meal. All in all, it was an awesome family vacation. We will talk about it for years and years.

Here are a few pictures. This first one is of all of us with a sunset off the balcony of the condo. Most are pretty self explanatory but the first one is of Mason summing up the good time we had! I really like this motivator. We implemented its message many times on vacation, especially during the flights and connections. I hope you find something in it too. Here's wishing all is well with all of you and that I hear from you soon! Love you lots!

Kathy

Choice of attitude

Your attitude is not something you're stuck with forever. You can change it whenever you wish.
Your attitude does not define you. It does, however, represent you to the rest of the world.

Your attitude does not determine who you are. It does, however, determine what you can accomplish.

Your attitude is not the inevitable result of events that happen to you or circumstances that surround you. It is, instead, based on the way you choose to respond to the events and circumstances in your life.

You can choose an attitude that will open your eyes to the valuable possibilities. You can choose an attitude that will attract success and accomplishment to you like a magnet.

No matter what has happened in the past or where you are now, you are free to choose whatever attitude you wish. So choose, in every moment, a positive, empowering attitude.

For that will always serve you best.
Ralph Marston from The Daily Motivator with permission http://www.thedailymotivator.com/

Ola!

Ola!

I think I am the only one not adapting to the language here. It is not that I can't, it is just that with the others becoming so fluent, I can just coast!

We are having a blast! The weather has been nice, not hot but very comfortable. Today is muggy and schfitzy. We went to Yelapa yesterday and the boat ride was great. We came upon a mama whale and her baby. THAT WAS THE BEST! The beach at Yelapa was pretty but the day was cold(er) and even rained just a bit. Dave and I had a wonderful night out to a romantic dinner and then went to a club for a few drinks. Talk about a reality check, YIKES! I am old and married. I thought I looked great, a pretty dress, good hair, make up and jewelery and even girly shoes. All was fine until the night club.....my dress was suddenly a lot like curtains and I envisioned that I looked like an older woman off a cruise ship with my long fabric dress and big hair and jewels! It was fun none the less and Dave was commenting that the "Cherub" look seems to be in for women. I laughed out loud and gave a Hallelujah to the Gods!

Today we are doing a jungle tour and tomorrow Dave and I are doing a canopy tour, you know, the zip lines through the tree tops! I can't wait for that. Sunday, Dave and Keith went to watch the Nascar race (which happened to be in Mexico City) and Mary and I went toodling around town and shopped.

I hope all is well with all of you and I will have pictures next week when we are home!

Lots of love and for some motivational words....."Siesta is Besta!"

Love Kath

Bliss

"OH, I don;t believe it! I would like to thank the Academy........"

Oops, wrong opening! I didn't win an academy award but I DID win the happiness lottery. Some would say it is not winning at all but simply by design. I could agree with that by most measures but I also think there is fate, timing, destiny, Kharma and yes, luck. It is rarely by one circumstance that something spectacular happens. At least that is true for me and what I observe around me....so many things usually come together to make great things happen. With that, let me tell you that things are wonderful with Dave, Mason and I. I feel a lot like I am living a storybook life. My marriage is more than happy, my husband is incredibly loving, my son is healthy, gorgeous and funny, we have a dog that is a hoot and a cat that is, well a cat.

Tonight, we had this magical, romantic experience in the hot tub with a bottle of champagne and an ice cold rain pouring down. It was very exhilarating to be in the hot, hot water with ice cold, really big drops of rain falling on your head, face and shoulders. It may sound cliche, but it just don't get any better!

I passed my Real Estate Principles test yesterday so I now have my cert. to apply for my state test date. I am hoping to have a date and have my license by early April. I am ready for Easter in the Woods here in Auburn and can't wait for Wednesday to come when we can leave for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. That means no Monday Motivator next week but a good one for the week after with pictures!

I hope you like this Motivator, I do. Have a great week and Mexico, here we come!

Lots of love,
Kathy

Choose To Feel Good

Choose to feel good and your actions become more effective. Choose to feel good and you'll see opportunities that you otherwise would have missed.

Choose to feel good and you'll attract positive, helpful people into your life. Choose to feel good, and events will work in your favor.

Choose to feel good, and you'll find a reason to persist through the most difficult of challenges. Choose to feel good, and the problems will not be able to overwhelm your spirit.

Choose to feel good, and your creativity will flow. Choose to feel good, and your days will be purposefully productive.

When you choose to feel good, it costs you nothing and it causes no harm to anyone else. In fact, when you choose to feel good you create much more value for yourself and for those around you.

So whatever life may send your way, choose to feel good. The joy you give to life cannot fail to make it better.
Ralph Marston from The Daily Motivator with permission www.thedailymotivator.com

Home And Gone Again

Yes, it is Tuesday and what a week it has been!

Dave has been home, in San Jose, Alameda, Clayton, home again and is currently on a plane headed for Washington state. He will have a week or so of medical tests and evaluations before he will be sent home to start therapy and treatment. It looks like he will have 6-12 weeks of medical leave and then his terminal leave will start before he returns to the everyday work world we all know and love....okay, don't love but it is how the saying goes. We leave for PV, Mexico on the 2nd and I cannot wait! We are all in need of some sun, sand, rest and relaxation. It is funny, Dave is excited about our trip but thinks it is funny how excited I am to leave home when all he wants to do is BE home.

Mason and Dave are just the cutest pair. Mason cannot get enough of his dad and is even taking to schnubbin the mama. That's gratitude for you! I'ts okay, I would much rather have Mason want only Dave than to continue to be saddled with full responsibility.... while this way, I get the much needed break from Mason's every need. I love feeling like I have such a successful marriage and family. I am sure it is a good combination of luck and determination.

I am sure in the coming weeks you will be hearing from Dave. He has lots to say and tell with regards to his experience as a whole and with hindsight perspective. I hope you are all well and are taking the time to appreciate the good people you love. I know we are!

Love to you and have a Successful week!
Kathy

Real Success

There are as many definitions of success as there are people who pursue it. Real success is what feels right to you, what you know in your heart that it is.

If you have to compromise your most deeply held values to achieve success, that isn't success. If you have to make yourself miserable to achieve success, that isn't success.

Real success comes from bringing to life the best of who you are. It has nothing to do with acquiring trinkets or exercising power over others.

Real success comes when you use each moment to express a purpose that is uniquely you. Success is a gift you work to give rather than a position you strive to attain.

You can never be happy by accumulating things you don't truly cherish, no matter how many of them you may have. Happiness is yours when you simply let it be, with no conditions and no requirements.

Move on past the disappointment that comes from following a dream that is not yours. Be the best of who you are, and live the joy of real success.
Ralph Marston from The Daily Motivator with permission www.thedailymotivator.com

Reunited!

Happy Valentines Day! Or, if you are single, Valentines Day Sucks! Laughing.

Mason and I went down to Paso Robles to see Dave and welcome him home. It was a long drive and the National Guard didn't make much easy. As it turned out, we got to see Dave the evening we arrived but only for a very quick hello, kiss, hug and back to the base. The good news is that Dave was off at noon so we got most of Friday and all of Friday night.

Dave looks good but is still on "Go Fast" mode. I asked him if he was nervous and he told me no. I then pointed out that he had not sat down or stopped moving for what seemed like an hour. It probably wasn't that long, but he had ants in his pants for sure.

We went out toodling around a Wal Mart and then went for a nice steak dinner. The most fun for me was watching Dave and Mason get reacquainted. Mason just adores Dave and Dave is amazed at Mason's level of understanding and his ability to communicate with signs. It will be nice to be a complete family again and I most look forward to the mundane tasks of life. BBQing on the grill in the back yard, making the bed together, knocking on the bathroom door asking Dave if he is okay because he has been in there so long! All you women are laughing and you guys are nodding!

Mason and I will be off to Fresno tomorrow and then will be at the Armory on Tuesday morning for briefings and to greet Dave and the others to bring them home!

So on to some other good news. I have been toying with the idea of a new career for several years now. It has been tough because I am not as career minded as I am mommy minded. In any case, I have listened to my closest friends encourage me to get my Real Estate license and I am doing just that. I picked up the ball to run with it in Alameda and found it just too overwhelming while trying to close Missing Link, get married and move away from home. Now with some settlement and Dave home, I am embarking on a career as a Mortgage Broker. I have started my on line study and am finding it not only very interesting, but not as difficult as I thought it would be. I like the stimulation of studying and it makes me feel good just to be exercising my brain in a way that is not, "If it is glass, he cannot play with it." I am also incredibly lucky to have Lisa Anderson as a Mentor. She is a gem through and through. Needless to say, I will be marketing to you in the coming weeks and months! Laughing!

So I am off to do some housecleaning, laundry and tidying of the play spaces. Love to you all and I hope to see you at one of the homecoming parties. If you did not get the info, let me know and I will send it out to you.

Lots of love,
Kathy

Dave's Out Of Iraq!

Hi guys,

This is going to be short and sweet today...Dave is safely out of Iraq and in Kuwait. By the time you are reading this, he will be on a plane for the USA! Whoo-Hoo! All information from here is not only subject to change, but WILL change so let me just say that he should be back in CA by Wednesday and will likely be tied up with demobilization briefings for up to two weeks. From that point, we think he will be coming home and finished with this deployment!

Thank you all for listening to me be happy and sad through all of this and thanks to many of you who were there for me in ways I didn't even know I needed you to be. I made some really great new friends in some of Dave's fellow soldiers wives and ultimately made the ultimate pitcher of lemonade from an overproducing lemon tree!

Love to you all!
Kathy

Didn't I Tell You They Would Change The Date?

Well my dear friends, it is Sunday night, not that late and I am completely pooped out!

Mason and I were in Alameda this weekend and we had a wonderful time. Our visit with Lisa and David was great, Lisa and I got lots of time to visit. The Chili Cook Off was great fun and though Terry (and I) did not win this year it was great to see everyone and visit. The best part was watching Mason in his first real big social situation. I am sure you all realize that babies and young children love music, well, Mason is no exception. The thing with Mason is that where most little ones will bounce by just bending their knees, he will bounce, shuffle his feet and he has a move with his hands and arms that is his alone. With one hand he will motion like he is snapping his fingers and moving his arm appropriately and with his other arm, he has it strait up above his head doing a wiggling like a noodle motion. I know that is a wild description but it is as accurate as I can be! I will have to at some point try to get it on video, it MUST be captured for future generations! So dressed to the nines in his little Wranglers, boots, western shirt and belt with buckle, he was as cool as could be......or as cool as you can be with a big ole drool hanging from your face! Laughing! He had a ball as did all of us watching him. Yet one more time I was so sorry Dave was not there!

So It looks like we are not going to meet Dave this weekend. As we expected, it has been delayed. I do not know for when but I will let you all know when I do.

Lots of love to you and have a wonderful week! I think this motivator was written by a one year old! No kidding that persistence will get you what you want, it sure pooped mom out!

Love to you all!

Kath

Power Of Persistence

One small effort, by itself, will not have much of an impact. Yet when that same effort is repeated again and again, the results can be truly magnificent.

Persistence has power. With persistence, soft drops of water can wear away the hardest stone. With persistence, a tiny seed can grow into an enormous tree. With persistence, what seems to be impossible can in fact be achieved.

With persistence, the setbacks and obstacles are overcome, one by one. With persistence, you will get where you intend to go.

Persistence does not require a massive effort or special resources or exotic skills. To benefit from the power of persistence, all you must do is keep on going.

Persistence is really quite simple, and available to anyone who decides to use it. Choose to put the power of persistence on your side, and you'll bring the very best of your dreams to life. Ralph Marston from The Daily Motivator with permission www.thedailymotivator.com

Counting Down The Days!

Well, the count down is officially on for Mason and I. This whole military thing is so crazy. We are leaving for Washington (Tacoma) in two weeks and we are not even for sure Dave will be there. I have good reason to believe he will be but I think it is just one more maddening thing about the army that we can never know anything for sure. Keep in mind as you read this I have had the official crappy week that has carried over into the weekend. Mason and I have both been sick. He with the typical cold and ear ache and me with a crazy flu virus in my muscles. Maybe it is just the way it manifested but I have been achy and sleepy and crabby for almost a week! I guess Mace has had about enough of me and just let me have it today. He cried, screamed, fake cried and crabbed right back at me. EESH! When did I say Dave is coming home? He needs to come deal with HIS son! Laughing!

We are actually both better and very excited about our travels. I will keep you all posted and be sure to send pictures when we get back. Next weekend we will be in Alameda for the Kiwanis Chili cook off to see if Terry can pull off a 3rd strait First Place! Then it will be a mere 5 more days until we are off to see our man!

Lots of love to you all,
Kathy

Under The Weather

Hi guys,

For those of you asking, Mason and I are both under the weather.....we will see you next week though! Lots of love!

Kath

All Smiles!

Hello All!

It is a new week and quite the change for me, two big Fridays in a row (this last one and next Friday). I had a date last Friday with my wonderful neighbor Amy. We had dinner and saw a movie. It was quite an experience to have a real conversation with her with no kids, asking, talking, running, chasing, reaching, laughing, crying....well, you get the idea! We saw National Treasure. What a fun movie. Really Indiana Jones with a different subject matter, but a movie in the theater none the less! This coming Friday is Cher! Whoo-Hoo! For some of us, it is a good thing she can't say good bye!

Now, I hope you are sitting down.....Of course you are, you are at your computer....I have even bigger news than Cher! Can there be bigger news than Cher you ask.....Yes!

It seems to be confirmed that Dave has travel orders to leave Iraq on February 2, 2005! Yippee! He has to go to Kuwait for 3 days and then we believe he will be sent to Ft. Lewis, Washington. We do not know what will happen after that as far as time lines go, but we are both VERY excited! I guess I knew we would make it, it just seemed so far off, even during the holidays. I will keep you posted! (Dave, if I got any of this wrong, feel free to let us know)

This motivator is good. It is very representative of my journey while Dave has been gone. I hope you get something from it in light of the energy that always comes with a new year!

Lots of love,
Kathy

A Reason To Get Going

When the road ahead is long, that is no reason to slow down. When there is much work to be done, that is no reason to be discouraged.
In fact, it is a reason to get going. It is a reason to get started as soon as possible.

For when there is much to be done, there is an abundance of positive opportunities. When the road ahead is long, there are countless ways for you to make a difference.

The greatest achievements come in response to the greatest challenges. The richest, most fulfilling journeys are the ones that seem impossibly long.

When there is much to be done, there is enormous value to be created. Those who step forward, those who make the effort, those who persist will be able to claim that value.

When the road is long, when the challenges are great, that is your chance to truly shine. For when you give it all you have, you end up with the best you can be.
Ralph Marston from The Daily Motivator with permission www.thedailymotivator.com

New Year To All!

New Year to you all, Officially!

Actually, it is a very happy new year for me as I am feeling immense excitement at the realization of the short time we have left to wait for Dave's return home. Providing nothing goes terribly wrong with the Iraqi elections the end of this month, he should be back in the states by March. He sent me the most wonderful Christmas gift. He made a CD with a montage of pictures to music that was quite a 5 minute emotional journey. He also sent me a pillow case that he had been sleeping on. I had the best night of sleep that I have had since before Mason was born that first night with that pillow case.

So we have some things planned for when Dave gets home if we can pull them off. We will be going to Mexico and finally using the generous wedding gift we received but have been unable to use, and would like to go to Florida to see Dave's dad and Hotty Roddy. We are in the typical predicament of lots of time, and little cash. If anyone has (or knows someone who has) miles or vouchers they don't think they will be using any time soon and want to donate to a very worthy military family......I know, it's shameless but we are worthy! Laughing! After any travel we can enjoy, it will be a welcome back to the business of living our life. Real jobs, work around the house, playing with Mason, weekend jaunts, Poobah (June 10, 11 & 12), birthday celebrations, a bash for our anniversary in November and really putting the "Happy" and "Merry" back in place.

A very big Thank you to Mike for making a trip to Auburn to unclog my kitchen sink. To Eric for not only working on and attempting to repair my Durango, but for also loaning me his truck to get to work and trekking back and forth to the dealership to get mine in and out. And to Paul for many pizza shares, roof repairs (one really bad indoor down pour at 5:30 AM) and reminding me I need to get out with grown ups once in a while! You guys Rock!

So with all that, I have a few pics from Christmas. They are processed to a disc when I pick up my film so if they are big, I am sorry. I don't have software to resize them. I hope all of you can see them. Lots of love and I wish for you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Welcome 2005!

Kathy

Accepting disagreement

On a regular basis, you will likely disagree with others. Don't let that disagreement control your life.

When you are confident of your own path in life, you will not be threatened by differing opinions. Instead of fighting against others who disagree, allow those differing perspectives to strengthen your own.

There's no need to become defensive when your opinions are challenged. Instead, let the challenges help you to further refine and clarify your own thinking.

True success is not a matter of forcing others to adopt your viewpoint. True success comes from making your life a full, complete and valuable expression of your own unique point of view.

There will always be those who think differently than you do. Learn to see that as a blessing, and learn to appreciate its value.

When you gratefully, peacefully, and lovingly accept disagreement, it loses its power to control your life. And you can transform it into something positive that will truly enhance your world. Ralph Marston from The Daily Motivator with permission www.thedailymotivator.com

Pictures