Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happy. Show all posts

Friday, 21 March 2014

'It'd be nice if you could pull me into town...'

This week has been (dare I say it) a relatively good week for me. After my temper tantrum Saturday and a relaxed Sunday I have been trying to focus on my calmness and the acceptance that each day may not be easy. I felt a lot of anxiety on Monday and sat writing down my 'anxieties' while I had breakfast which worked well - it was as if that helped me to 'let go'. Maybe now is the time I am ready to begin thinking more toward CBT? It's too early to say, all I can say is that I have had a number of happy moments this week and I have had drive.

I came across a few things on Pinterest which I have looked at in mornings to cheer me and which make me laugh. Now it has been years since I have watched Napoleon Dynamite but I cam across some movie stills and quotes which have just cheered me up no end today so I wanted to share them with you all and put a smile on your face!

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What has made you smile this week?



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Saturday, 8 March 2014

5 reasons why I love being a woman!

Today is International Woman's Day so I thought I would share some reasons why I love being a woman. It is not always easy to be a woman but it can definitely be fun!

1: I can cry when I want 

Emotions - the bain of my life sometimes but I love that I can let them go and just cry sometimes. As woman, we are sometimes berated for showing feelings and we're made to feel like we should lock things up inside. No. We shouldn't. We feel emotions and we should let them go. 


2: Who did what?
We gossip, we bitch but what would being a woman be if we didn't do it. I am not talking about the nasty stuff. It's just those rants you have with your best friends where you put the world to rights. I also know men who when they are with woman comment how much they love to have a little gossip session. Men are laughed at but women, we are made to share news. At the end of the day, there was a show all about gossip - it's ok. We can do it and feel fine.



3: Makeup
Where would I be without the invention of make up? Holed up in my home more than likely. For years I suffered with bad skin and only the use of makeup helped me become confident to go out. If Cleopatra wore makeup, I can and I can be happy to wear it. I don't care if it 'hides' me or men think I look better 'natural'. I love doing m eyes and finding new products and feeling pretty. Who doesn't like that right?


4: Glitter, sequins, short skirts, long skirts, halter, crop...
Clothes! I love clothes, however materialistic that sounds. New shoes are a weakness of mine but I am picky so will not go to crazy. Shopping for clothing as a woman we have so many choices and options out there. We can match our outfits to our moods, shoes or just choose something because it looks downright awesome. I will wear what I want and what I feel comfortable in. But still, as I trawl through my wardrobes I hear myself saying, "I've nothing to wear."


5: I am always right and never really fine. 
We, as women, have our own language. Do we mean what we're saying? Yes we do, but maybe we don't? You'll never really know. I sit with my friends and I can read everyone of them. Sit with a group of men and they never quite know where they are, they just always know I am right. Being so open  showing our emotions, sometimes words are the only thing we can use to protect us. So go ahead, ask me if I really am 'fine' today.



What do you love about being a woman?


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Monday, 10 February 2014

Valentine's for the whole family!



Today is the start of 'Love Week' here at Take All Chances. With Valentine's Day at the end of the week I thought I would do some posts about love this week. Today's post is something which I have worked on with a contact regarding ways to celebrate Valentine's with the whole family! After all, love goes between the whole family and to show them love and spend time with them is a perfect treat!

Enjoy!
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3 Valentine’s Day Activities Your Whole Family Will Love


Valentine’s isn’t just about spending time with the person you love.  It is also about bonding with your kids and teaching them how important it is to appreciate and love their family.  By helping to challenge their minds and helping them get some exercise with fun Valentine’s themed games, you will not only be able to bond during the day as a family, but as they pass out from all of the fun, you get to enjoy your significant other at night.   


1. A Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt with Themed Clues

In a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt, you’ll have your children searching for red heart-shaped clues that lead them to a fun activity and prize for the whole family.  First, assign each of your children his or her favorite cartoon or movie character- this will serve as the theme of your child’s scavenger hunt.  Write each of their first clues on a Valentine’s card featuring their assigned characters.  Many drugstores carry inexpensive movie- and television-inspired Valentine’s cards, or you can make your own using free Valentine’s Day cartoon printables from the internet.  Include a letter with the first clues explaining that their character has lost something he or she loves and needs your child’s help finding it.  Make sure to put your children’s first clues somewhere they won’t be able to miss, such as their bedroom doors or bathroom mirror. 


On the rest of the clues, include objects that are important to each of your children’s characters but are not what that character loves and is searching for.  If you’re using Aladdin, you can include a magic carpet on one clue and a genie lamp on another, but don’t include Princess Jasmine until the very end.  Make sure that your children’s clues always lead to the same locations throughout the hunt.  This way, they can brainstorm and work together in finding their next clues. What can be more fun for a parent than seeing their children work together!  


Once your children arrive at their final destination, glue a picture of what each of their individual characters have been searching for all along.  Leave a letter explaining that as a reward for working together, you’ll do a fun activity as a family later that evening.  This can be as simple as eating dinner at your children’s favorite restaurant or watching a movie together in new Valentine’s Day pajamas that your children can find as a prize for finishing the scavenger hunt.


Oh so pretty and cute! [Source]



2. “You’ve Melted My Heart” Pictionary

You’ve Melted My Heart Pictionary is a fun and simple Valentine’s guessing game that can help your whole family to be creative and have a blast. To begin, place water in heart-shaped ice cube trays, and add red food coloring to the water.  (If you don’t own a heart-shaped ice tray, you can find them at a local dollar store or very inexpensively on sites like Amazon.)  Have everyone write words or phrases on little strips of paper, and place the strips of paper in a bowl. The key to Valentine’s Pictionary is to relate all of the notes to Valentine’s Day or love. For example, one of the notes can say “Cupid’s arrow,” while others could say “secret admirer,” “initials carved into a tree,” or “Valentine’s Day candy.”  


Once the ice-shaped hearts have frozen, you’re ready to begin playing!  Have someone randomly pick a note out of the bowl.  Then, drop an ice heart into a container of warm water.  Whoever’s turn it is to be the artist can only draw for as long as the ice-heart has not completely melted.  When the ice has melted, it is up to the rest of the family to yell, “You’ve melted my heart!” and then have someone else take a turn being the artist.  Whenever someone guesses what the artist has drawn correctly, both that person and the artist get a point.  That way, everyone will do their best to draw the words or phrases well and guess correctly!  

The only way to play! [Source]


3. Heart-Shaped Baking and Valentine’s Day Cake Decorating

Having your children help you to bake and decorate mini heart-shaped cakes or a large Valentine’s Day family cake can be a lot of fun, especially since they’ll get to eat what they create!  While you’re baking, an adult must be present to supervise and make sure that children do not handle knives, use the oven, or use or touch anything that is hot, as this may be dangerous.

There are two ways you can create heart-shaped cakes.  The first, which is easier, is to have your children help you bake a large cake and then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out smaller cakes.  The second method is to use a large square pan and small, springform cylindrical cheesecake or cupcake pans.   If you are using this method, take the square cake and cut it into even squares.  The diagonal across the square should be the same size as the diameter of the cupcake or circle.  Next, slice each circular cake in half and place two half circles on two sides of the square on the top to form a heart.  


No matter if you choose to make mini-heart shaped cakes or a large Valentine’s Day family cake, having your kids help you to pour bake mix into the pan and decorate cake with Valentine’s Day candies, Hershey Kisses, and cute sayings like “Be Mine” or “I love you” can be a ton of fun for your children.  Make sure that everyone initials their mini-heart cakes or their slices of the Valentine’s Day family cake so you can take a picture of everyone’s creations before you begin eating! 

Yes please! [Source]



Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful opportunity to share special moments with your family.  By making a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt, playing Your Melting My Heart Pictionary, or enjoying Valentine’s Day baking together, you can create activities that your whole family will love.  With these activities, you can help your family to grow closer and make Valentine’s Day special for everyone.  

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I don't know about you, but I love baking so heart shaped cakes is definitly a winner for me!

Have you got plans for the whole family this Valentine's? 

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Thursday, 6 February 2014

When you need a pick me up...

When you're having a down day, how do you pick yourself up? My down days are becoming less but when they come I still struggle with them. I now accept them and just go along with the day but I have developed a variety of things to make me feel better and pick me up a little. 

1: TV Time
I get myself wrapped up on the sofa, with a chamomile tea and find something to watch. Since having time on my hands lately, I have watched a number of different series - Son's of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, Life Unexpected and Breaking Bad. I have loved them all, I like becoming immersed in the show and it keeps my mind focused. I picked a pretty good set of shows to watch didn't I?

Who wouldn't want to watch this man? [Source]



2: Seeing friends
Having not been up to going out as much as usual, I have a couple close friends who have been my rocks during this time. Whether it's a pizza night, day trip to feed reindeers or just being on the other side of the phone for silly texts. Being able to be honest with people is not easy for me but these people are those I can be truthfully honest with, I can be myself with and don't mind being with me when I'm having a 'down day'. They're pretty special and can pick me up. 

I am lucky to have friends to be crazy with GG style! [Source]


3: Treats
It seems a little superficial but a treat perks me up no doubt. Whether it be chocolaty treats, a new canvas or DVD set. It brightens my day, and puts a little smile on my face. Especially if it's a chocolate treat. Chocolate is the way to my heart more times than not!


I want ALL the candy! [Source]

4: Quiet time
When I am not feeling at my best, I like to turn off all sound and just lay in quiet. Sometimes I nap, but most often I just lie and take a time out. Just having quietness is nice. It let's me sort my thoughts. 

Who am I kidding? I mostly sleep...

5: Working Out
I am back to pole classes after a shoulder injury and I am enjoying it. While I'm working, I focus so much on the moves that my mind is clear. Not only do I get to tone up but I get to feel like I have achieved something when I get my new moves. The classes make me feel good about myself. 

Look at me go!



As it has been difficult to actually find the happiness lately, I have had to focus on the small things and enjoy them. 

What little things have been making you feel better lately?

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Friday, 8 November 2013

Friendship - Pinterest Edition

Over the past few months, I have needed my friends much more than I thought. When going through tough times, it is amazing just how valuable you're friends become without even knowing it. It is also a time when true friends really show their colours. So today I wanted to share some thoughts on friendships and give a big thank you to those who have been that for me - a friend and not passed judgement.









All images are from my Pinterest - follow the link to find more.


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Friday, 11 October 2013

Friday Favourites

[One] Favourite Show
I am late to the party and just started watching Breaking Bad. I am addicted to the show. In the UK it was not really shown so I am working my way through the DVD's. Currently I have worked my way to Series 4. I am working away and I love it!

Didn't take long too long to work through these.


[Two] Chocolate

This could be on my list every week but I am adding it anyway. It has been keeping me sane this week when I have lost appetite for anything else.



[Three] Friends
I have some great friends who have really been there to support me the past few weeks. They're accepting me for who I am and comforting me when I need it the most.

[Source]

[Four] Pinterest
As I have some time on my hands, ahem, I have been loving some Pinterest fun!


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[Five] Fall colours

I am not the biggest fan of the colder weather approaching but I do love the colours which Fall brings.


[Source]




What's you Friday Favourite?


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Sunday, 29 September 2013

British coastline - early morning sunshine.

After another restless night's sleep and spending Saturday sleeping. Yes, that's right, I was out of it on Saturday - thank you anti-depressants for that little treat! So when I awoke Sunday at 7 and couldn't get back to sleep I lay for a while and decided to get up. I was happy just to be able to get out of bed to be honest. After having breakfast I decided I wanted to clean so I got my fetching pink gloves on and got scrubbing the bathroom. After that morning fun, it was still only 9am.

I looked outside and the sun was shining and I wanted to be in it. I knew it would not be hot but it looked fresh and bright. So I put the first things on I picked from my closet, grabbed my ipod and hoodie and left the house. I then drove to the coast. Where I live it's only a 20 minute drive to a beach but it's not somewhere I head to often. Today, I was glad I did.



Bright and breezy


The sun was shining and I walked along and back again the shoreline. Having my feet in the sand and feeling the sun on me calmed me. I felt like I was breathing for the first time in a long time. The sea waves and the brisk feel was amazing. I had my shades on and enjoyed my own company. Being so early the beach was quiet with a few dog walkers about. I can't explain how amazing it felt ... free almost. I wanted to share a few beach photos with you all and even a sneaky pic of myself! 


Heart in the sand...

Wrapped up and enjoying the sun...


Happy Sunday everyone!

Wednesday, 14 August 2013

Wedding Day Pictures!

I have had the most perfect weekend. I witnessed my twin sister marrying her true soul mate. As a couple, they are amazing. I watched them at the weekend and realised how much of an inspiration they are to me. They fit perfectly and just read each other so easily. 



The day started early, and as chief bridesmaid and twin we shared a room the night before. I would like to say I helped keep the bride calm but in fact I was more stressed than she was. I had barely slept and worried about things being perfect. We had breakfast in bed and just tried to relax. I then spent some time setting up the extra touches to the room in the venue (sweets, photos of family weddings and time capsule). Then it was straight into hair. As the morning passed, with a background playlist including Jack Johnson, we chatted, had a visit from the best man with a special memory book for the Bride and excitement.





As time came to get dressed, the Bride's nerves were setting in and she began shaking. Luckily she had two very competent bridesmaids to get her dressed. The dress was stunning and she just looked beautiful. After the walk down the aisle and the exchanging of vows, the day went in a blur. Everyone had fun and danced the night away. To say it went without a hitch it an understatement! Everything was just absolutely perfect!

Don't you just love the gown and bridesmaid dresses?

Sunday, 4 August 2013

Lazy Sunday...

1. What are 3 items you can’t live without on a daily basis (water, food, shelter, and clothes don’t count?
- Phone
- Laptop
- Music

2. What is your all time favourite book? Why?
I have different favourites for different times. One of my favourite ones though is 'I Heart NYC'. 

It's a book written by Lindsey Kelk about a woman who makes a spontaneous decision to move to New York. It's a fun read and definitely made me long to go back to NYC (which I did). 

[Source]       

3. What is something you’d like to accomplish before the end of 2013? 
I would like to have amassed a good amount of savings after moving into my own place this year. I would also like to be better health wise after a tough year and to feel happy. 

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life which year would it be?
Ooo, this is a tough one! In some ways I would like to relive last year because it was the final year with my brother. But I would also like to go back to when I was 22, starting my first job and beginning my life after University.

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them?
That I am not as tough as I appear to be and that sometimes all I want is a hug. 

 


Happy Sunday to you all!

What could you not live without?

Sunday Social


Friday, 7 October 2011

People help the people...

As I've been having a few days where I haven't quite felt the best, I have been more sensitive to people’s behaviour, words and feelings. Almost like my heightened feelings have made me more aware of others. The teacher I work alongside within the other Year 4 class is going through a stressful time with workload so I have been trying hard to cheer her up and help her regardless of the way I was feeling. I like to make people feel happy and bright. 

While I was away, Miss Aussie was having a down day unbeknownst to me. I kinda sensed she was a little homesick but hadn't realised the extent. Knowing this I tried hard to make her smile and be a positive influence. Sometimes I find all you need to do is make someone smile and you see them visibly lift. From saying something nice and kind, can make all the difference. You can really help someone more than you think. I informed Miss GG today that I may be too unwell to join her birthday night out on Saturday and she replied with:

" Aw, I hope you can come. You're the only one I care about being there."

These two sentences made me smile and feel good about myself. Two little sentences was all it took to make my day.

In such a busy world, we sometimes forget how easy it is to make another person smile with a simple sentence. People CAN help people by just being nice and giving a compliment and a meaningful compliment! On the topic of helping people I would like to introduce you to a site from my good friend TexaGermaNadian. It's based on the premise of nobody need wait to make someone’s day and called, 'Nobody Need Wait'. She is wanting to collect a mix of stories about how we, as people, make can make each others day. Pop on over and have a look around, submit a story even and be sure to follow.




I am going to leave you with a pretty great song which I am loving at the moment. It is a cover of a Cherry Ghost song called 'People Help The People'. Hope you like it. 



 


Has someone helped you lately and made you smile? How?

Thursday, 18 August 2011

Guest Blog: I am happy when...

Today I'd like to introduce guest blogger Kristina. Enjoy her post and I hope you will stop by her blog to see the rest of her fabulous writing!!
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Hello Hello! 
First off - Thank You to Missy for having me come spend the lovely day with you! 
I'm Kristina!  My little area of the blog world is A Perfect Dose of Life.
I share this little space of the Internet with my husband, our 2 dogs and 3 cats.
I'm a wife, entrepreneur, Taurus, business fanatic,  twitter lover, etsy shop owner, and a lover of life.




My blog is pretty much exactly as the little describes.  Life and all that surrounds it - life, love, business, lessons, adventures, my weekly quote of the week.
Life at my blog is pretty simple really, and it's really quite a lot of fun! :) 




Today I am going to share with you - what makes me happy :)

Who doesn't love being happy?!

When Missy suggested the topic to me, I thought it was a fabulous idea.
And I got to thinking... there are all kinds of superficial easy things that make me happy.
Like, playing ball with my dogs, a cold glass of ice tea {unsweetened of course} on a hot summer day, a lovely coffee from Starbucks (white chocolate mocha or my absolute seasonal favorite - pumpkin spice latte), having friends of family over for dinner, surprises {the good kind!}, going to business networking business meetings with other business owners, making connections & helping one another, etc.

But what are things that really make me happy, outside of those basic things?
How about having fresh cut, vibrant colored flowers, where the light beams off of them in the kitchen window.
Or,
The moment my husband walks into the door from a long day of work with the look of defeat thanks to traffic and work stress, then he sees me, and that look loosens.

So, I kept going with this thought process, and came up with a bit more, deeper things:

- The days I wake up, set an entire day of goals, that long dreaded list and really no real desire to get it all done, and a hint of doubt that I really can - then that sense of accomplishment when it's completed.

- Hot days, when the warm rain blankets my skin, without the shock of the cold, but that warm embracing rain.

- Hiking that long mountain trail to reach the top, where you can see for miles, of the endless beauty of this world.

-The evenings where I take the dogs out before bed, and the sky is clear, all the stars shining down, then I take those next moments to be still, just soak up the world, and be still.

- Autumn. My favorite season of the year, the vibrant colors of the season the oranges and yellows, the crunching of the leaves, and the need for just a light jacket.

And when it's the end of the day, and I creep over to my husband, tucking myself under his left arm, into the groove of his arm and his body, where I fit perfectly.


These are some of the things that make me happy.
What makes YOU Happy?  
I'd love to hear! :)
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Thank you Kristina
What makes me happy? When my nieces and nephews smile! 


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