I find that many should partake in self-healing. Whether the stress is internal or external, it is important to take care of yourself before others. My escape is horseback riding. I feel so free and relieved of all duties. Nothing is more important than the bond between me and a horse. Just knowing that a 1200 lb animal could kill you instantly and chooses to trust you, is complete euphoria. People refer to it as a harmful addiction, I call it equasy. The sky truly is the limit when you're jumping it. Mujer del caballo para siempre.

el arco iris

 

This is what I saw on my way to work a few days ago.  The picture doesn't do it justice; it was much brighter than the pictures shows.  I remember one time as un nina that I road my bike as far as I could towards the rainbow's end because I wanted  to find the pot of gold. 

u15blog5

This is a picture of a fox, zorra. It is nice to be so close to nature. I lived in a city for 14 years so I enjoy what's around me living in the country. I don't take it for granted. La naturaleza es espectacular. 

verificación de la realidad .... mi niñita

So Mr. Trujillo is really into wanting us all to get to know each other.  What do you do? For work? For fun?  What is your greatest possession?  What makes you belly laugh?  What is your favorite movie? Favorite quote?  

I used to be cool, had a plethora of friends, and loved a night on the town.  Times have changed and here we are. My delusions of grandeur for the day, these notions swaying to at any moment, especially as a mother of four are a reality. So lets see, for fun today, I woke at 6am to let two dogs out, and then I cleaned up the remnants of a rug that a German shepherd had torn to one billion single threads.   Yay me!   Then I got all prettied up for the drive to school, lipstick, blush, and curling iron, ah…no, I put on a sweatshirt and running shoes. The three oldest kids were readied for school and delivered at that precise moment of tardy bell rings, “run, run, I love you, have a great day!”  I return home and wait for the maid to arrive.  Yep, no maid, I still can dream-  she will show up one day.  In the meantime, I am forced to remove the massive dust bunnies that constantly appear, one would assume my dogs were bald.  Oh, but the fun begins when my toddler rises.  She is the ruler of our castle, we merely reside and abide by her every need and desire and yes she still sleeps with Mommy and Daddy and yes, she is four years old.  Save the judgment, we let Nana have that joy.  “Pick your battIes” they say and I listen then respond, “well, we respect the toddler.”   After number four, I lose most battles as my passion to win is lost.  Just morning, it was going to happen, a cupcake for breakfast- so I put it on her plate.  She takes one bite and gives it to Gus, the stinky Basset Hound she likes to nap with. I do hope these deeply held convictions, her enthusiasm, and her persistence, for it all to remain intact at least until she graduates college and lands a great paying job so she can afford the facility she will have forced me in. The dynamics of large families are different, social norms are lost. There are 6 people living together under one roof; it’s like a boxing ring or roller derby maybe. Never a dull moment, I promise. Being a parent is my greatest possession, as well as my sense of humor.  The four best things to ever happen in my world, in my eyes each one is a gift from God.  My kids define me, even when their eyes shine green and their heads spin or when in the middle of a department store with great discernment, submitting to the urge,  “I poopied.” But there is a truth, bittersweet it is, that comes along with the last, the youngest.   Nadine is not a perfect child, she does not listen, she hates my taste I clothes, eats weird foods but she is a sweet snuggler, and says the warmest “I love you”s at just the most needed times.  If you have kids, want  kids, are amused by kids or come from a large family, I strongly suggest http://www.jimgaffigan.com .  oh, my favorite movie is Despicable Me!

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hey Everyone!

I hope that everyone is able to take a break and get some ice cream! This is my godson Elijah and this picture has me dreaming of Spring Break because that's the next time I'm going to see him, He and his brother are the coolest, ever. I actually helped deliver both of them which is something I'll never forget and always treasure. By the way, this picture is extra awesome because this is him "not eating" his ice cream while his mom is helping get his younger brother situated.

Keep breathing, we're almost to spring break!

Meakin

This is a picture of Sammy the Seahawk and I in my sophomore year of the UNCW Pep Band. I have played the flute for 11 years and this year is bittersweet because it is my last year playing for a school setting. I am so excited that the band is able to travel with the men's and women's basketball teams as they travel to Maryland for the CAA tournament. I have always been a band geek and an avid sports fan so I love that I can put these two together and really have fun!

So if any of y'all come to the last few home games we have this weekend, give me wave up in the stands! :) 

This is a pictures of me taken at Silver Springs State Park near Ocala in north central Florida.  I was born in Ocala, and I used to go here all the time as a kid.  However, back then it was a "theme" park with rides and exhibits.  A few years ago, the state bought it, and it is now a state park.  I'm sitting on a twisty-curvy trunk of a palm tree that has been there for as long as I remember. Ocala and the surrounding area is known for their spring-fed rivers.  If you are a nature lover, you should check it out.  They're simply beautiful!

Also... fun fact for Walking Dead fans.....I just read that several scenes for this season will be filmed in Ocala.