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

Summer's Coming!

Renaissance Festival time again. May birthdays. My sweet cupcake turned 20! School's out in one more week. Cousin's Weekend at the lake is just around the corner. Yes, indeed...........summer's coming! I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!! The time to refocus and get centered is almost here........finally!!!

Are you looking forward to this summer?

~Allie

Dreaming of.................

Spring Break memories of drinking Toffee Coffee on the balcony of our apartment in Port Aransas. Feeling the warm breezes, listening to the songs from the seagulls, talking about the future with the best husband ever........aaaaagh......if only there was a Spring Break every month!

~Allie

New shoes are good for the soul..........

Today was one of those days that started out bad and just got worse as time went by. So I decided to drop in at the PayLess Shoes on the way home for a little shoe shopping therapy. Bought these sandals and two other pairs of shoes. While I'm still ready for today to be over, I look forward to a better day tomorrow...wearing my new shoes!

What do you do to lift your spirits?

Here's to a better day tomorrow.......

~Allie

9 school days

Only 9 more school days until Spring Break. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this...............

~Allie

Just a dusting?

The weathermen all said we'd just get a "dusting"....nothing more than an inch or so. Boy were they wrong! I've been out of school for 6 days!! We ended up with a bottom layer of thick ice and then about 6 inches of snow!! Does this look like a light dusting to you? Don't get me wrong......we had a FABULOUS time playing in the snow, watching movies, crafting, playing on the computer, making cookies, and napping. And when I say "we", it was just me and Big Daddy and Pippen. No children. But a snow day is a snow day! Pancakes and bacon for everyone!!!

But now, Monday is close by and there's lots of work to make up. I've been the grasshopper playing all this time.........it's about to catch up with me. I'm ok with that, though. Usually I'm the ant, always working.

Did you have a "light dusting" where you are? What fun things did you do?

~Allie

Day 4 and counting............

Tomorrow will be our 4th day off from school this week due to "inclement weather". Unbelievable!! Ice is everywhere and temperatures are barely going over 20 degrees today. A "warm spell" compared to previous days!

All of those "snow days" in Spring have flown away now. Spring Fever will be even harder this year since we won't have any breaks. The big question still remains.........how far into June will we be in school? When you start school in August, that makes for a short summer.

And time keeps ticking away.............

~Allie

P.S. I just love clocks. My parents bought this one for my grandfather when they were newlyweds, stationed in Berlin in the '50's. Don't know why I'm so attracted to old clocks.......especially when I don't like being a "slave" to time. Hmmmmmm........way too many random thoughts today. Interesting.........

Arctic weather........brrrrr!

Arctic weather came blowin' through last night. With the wind chill it was 0 degrees in Dallas today. Ice everywhere........no school!!! And they've cancelled school for tomorrow, too!! Since I did all of my chores today, I think tomorrow will be a creative day. I just bought a bunch of new card making "stuff", stamps, glitter, etc. Think I'll turn up the music and PLAY!!
Hope everyone is staying warm! It's definitely is going be a two dog night. I need another scottie!!!!

~Allie

I'm SO proud!!!

This is my second year of being in education administration and I think that this is one of the most proud moments I've had yet! Our student council was at the North Texas Food bank on MLK day, a day off from school when they could just be hanging out with friends, etc. Out of the clear blue, FOX 4, came in to do a MLK story and our students were included in it. These kids are AWESOME!!!

Texas Celebrates MLK Holiday: MyFoxDFW.com

Fancy Nancy Fish

A few posts previous, there's a post of me dressed as Fancy Nancy, a storybook character. It was storybook character day at my school. My dear daughter and husband purchased this ornament when we were in New Orleans this summer because they said it looked just like me. When the Fancy Nancy picture was taken they burst out laughing and said, "She looks just the fish!" What do you think? Scroll down just a few posts to see what they mean! My goodness!!! I think they're right!!!

~Allie

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~Allie

The Cupcake Princess is home!

My sweet girl is home for the holidays! Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday with those you love.

~Allie

I LOVE these candles!

Remember me telling you about my friend, Patricia? She owns her own company called Agape & Zoe Naturals. About two weeks ago, she made a batch of her wonderful, soy candles.

They are 22-ounce phthalate-free. These candles are made with :

-phthalate-free oils

-cotton, lead-free wicks that burn clean with no black soot

-a glass container that can be re-used again and again

She made them in 5 fantastic scents......

-White Spice (seasonal)

-Chestnuts & Brown Sugar (seasonal)

-Clean Linen

-Wild Fig

-White Magnolia

I bought the Chestnuts & Brown Sugar for me. It smells like delicious cookies. Then I bought the Holiday Spice for my best friend. But after smelling the Holiday Spice in my office for two days (it was never lit...the oils just fill the room), I bought a Holiday Spice for me, too. There's an underlying orange scent in it.....I LOVE it!!!

These are GREAT gifts!!! You can order the candles from Patricia's website and she'll ship around the world. If you decide to get one, you will NOT be disappointed. I was invited to one of those home parties where they sell all different kinds of candles about a month ago. If you look at their prices and what you get, Agape & Zoe Naturals is a far better value......plus, they're all natural. No soot.....they burn clean and have a wonderful aroma that doesn't fade. This will be the only place I'll buy my candles from now on.

Happy Tuesday!

~Allie

Answer

This is why I never seem to have time to clean my house, do my laundry, put up Christmas decorations, go to the grocery store, beautify my yard........and it's ok......making a difference, one child at a time. I am not Superwoman, but I CAN be Fancy Nancy!

~Allie