Thoughts on the new year.....

While I consider myself a protestant, was raised in protestant churches, and attend a Presbyterian church today, there was a two year period in my life where I was immersed in the Catholic "world".  I attended a Catholic girl's school my junior and senior year in high school.  I learned all kinds of things in those two years....many things that had nothing to do with academics, but more to do with the variety of life that was around me.  I met my life-long, best friend during that time and she shared her "Catholic world" with me just by being in my life.  After attending my 30 year high school reunion a few years ago, new friendships were forged and old ones were rekindled.  One thing remained the same.......the strong, inner faith that these women have.  It's energizing!  And when these women link together, there's nothing that can't be dealt with.

One of them posted this on her Facebook page on New Year's Eve and it has really resonated with me.  I'm not an outwardly spiritual person.  That's something that is deeply private and personal to me.  However, this just seems too good to not share.

May 2013 bring us all peace, understanding, prosperity, and love...........always challenging us to be more and do more.

~Allie

From the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

Daily Prayer for Monday, December 31
We can't help but think about all the things we should change in our lives, Lord.  While some want to lose weight or stop smoking, others resolve to be kinder or to make positive changes in their life.  Help us all to accomplish the things that are truly important and to focus our attention on doing things to benefit others. May we carry into the new year the lessons we have learned from the year now ending. Always challenge us to do more and be more. Amen.

Almost a year.....really?!

It's been almost a year since I've posted on my blog.......priorities have been all out of whack.  Taking the day for reflection and readjustments.......hope I'm successful.
~Allie

Thankful for family

Thanksgiving at my parent's house in Central Texas was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! A chance for family, young and old, to get together and enjoy each other. We stayed up late at night, talking, telling stories, playing spoons, laughing, and eating!

The weather was absolutely gorgeous! We had plenty of time to sit out on the deck and enjoy the sunshine and the view of the lake. Erin and my mom enjoy each other's company and both like to clown around in front of a camera. I love this picture!

Mom was SO happy with all of her family home. All of my cousins have lost both of their parents and mom has become the matriarch and the glue holding all of us together. How wonderful that their lake home holds all of us AND that we all enjoy spending time together.

I'm truly thankful for my family!

~Allie

Time for a new perspective...........

My 30 year high school reunion was recently held and I had the opportunity to fly back to Virginia and participate in all of the festivities. Traveling on my own, being with old friends, catching up with people I haven't seen in 30 years..........wow! On the flight home, the 3 hour trip allowed me some reflective time. In fact, the trip home seemed to happen in a blink of an eye! What I came away with was the knowledge that there needs to be more reflective time, a re-evaluation of priorities, and a more concerted effort to stay close to the things that make my heart fill with joy and love. I've let work and the noise of life drive my "bus" for the past couple of years and that is going to need to change. How? I don't know......but I'm going to figure it out.

Wish me luck..........

~Allie

Feed Your Soul............

Do you know about this very cool site?

Feed Your Soul is a free art project. Each month artists are invited to participate and to contribute a print which is totally free and available for download.

This project is coordinated by Jen Wallace of Indie Fixx to help art lovers feed their souls with art in these difficult economic times and to help artists promote their work.

New prints are added on Mondays as they become available.

CHECK IT OUT!!!

Peace, love, art and happiness......

~Allie

Hangin' in there............

So I'm 3 and a half weeks into the Atkins, low-carb diet. Have lost 10 pounds. That's good. Still craving carbs. That's bad. Have fought through the cravings. That's good. So I guess, all things considered, I'm hangin' in there. HOWEVER, August 1st, I have a date with Carmine's pizza! One dinner, eating pizza that has been verboten for 7 weeks, will not take me under.

Only 2 more weeks of summer vacation and it's back to school for the principals. Gonna make EVERY day count!!

What have you been doing this summer?

Hugs,

~Allie

Finishing day 3 of our Atkins, low-carb diet.........I am a carb addict. There's no doubt about it. Just keep moving on......day by day......change is never easy......hang in there....and all that stuff! Thank heavens for iced tea and that I don't like it sweetened. Thank you, Patrick, for doing this with me!

Have you ever had to kick the carb habit? How did you do it?

~Allie