Laura Scarlett

Ever notice how most men can just drop a pound or two by just thinking about it? While most women can’t even look at a cupcake without adding a pound.  At least, that’s what it seems like to me.

I’m going to be watching my weight carefully from now until April because I’m going on a cruise and 5 lbs less would make a difference in how I’ll fit into my shorts.

My ideal goal would be to lose 10 lbs. I’m aiming for 10 lbs. Aim high. Sure.  I can do it. 

Now if I could just get myself motivated to wake up early and exercise…

Here’s an inspirational picture to get me going.

This morning I awoke and it was so dark out that I couldn’t believe it was 7am already. Yep, we deep into October and the days are considerably shorter.

The older I get the more I look forward to the seasons but I will admit I like the seasons when the sun is out better than cloudy days. In Fall, the leaves are brighter colors, the oranges and reds come alive as if on fire. In winter the snow glistens, like a million little crystals. In Spring the new green of the leaves and grass are inviting, and the various colored flowers display their beautiful colors brightly. And summer… well, what is summer without the sun? It brings out smiles in people’s faces. It’s light makes everything radiate with warmth.

Yep, now if I could just someone to rake the leaves, shovel the driveway, trim the bushes and weed the yard it would be prefect!

It’s been so dry around here that fall has come early. Trees are already turning…pretty, but sad. I was kind of hoping summer would last a little longer.

Anyway, let’s embrace fall. Glorious colors on trees, windy days, Halloween, Thanksgiving… and the extra 10 lbs we all gain to fatten up for the winter!

Why is summer going by so fast?  If it wasn’t because I like Thanksgiving and Christmas I’d be mad.

I saw a tree with orange/brown leaves today… and it’s only August!!! Not fair.

Oh well, I guess I can look at it as one day closer to another year…

Right now I’d love to be on a hammock, relaxing the day away. A gentle breeze swaying, not a worry in the world. To me, this is getting away from it all.

I did it earlier this year but even four full days of it wasn’t enough. This is something I’d like to do every weekend. Right now I’ll even take a hammock in my backyard. I have a hammock, a pretty one from Central America, unfortunately, I just don’t have anywhere to put it.

But someday I will.

And I don’t like it.

Quite frankly, I would love to go back to June and start summer all over again.

We’ve had unusually warm weather since early in the year but since I grew up in a tropical country it’s not enough! I want it full year round.  I used to live in Quito, Ecuador and I miss the weather. 70 degrees all year round and only two seasons: the rainy season and the windy season.

Loved it. Everyone deserves to live in  a place like that.

Did I mention I went hiking in the Andes mountains? The beauty is beyond compare. The feeling…unreal.  Not only that but I actually lived in a place where I woke up to see three snow topped mountains every morning. Here’s one of them, Cayambe:

Here’s to hoping that someday you get to experience this too.

I’ve been watchng a lot of Phineas & Ferb this year and I’ve come to a conlusion – I need to make the most of each summer day.  I think we all do. Whos says we can’t be kids anymore? Who made up that stupid rule? Why can’t I enjoy the summer in my own way every day? I’m going to strive to bea kid, inside and do fun and free stuff this summer. (Free because I’m a little bit low on cash but what’s new about  that?

So to all of you reading this, take heed of Cheryl Crows’ message in “Soak up the sun”:

It’s not having what you want
It’s wanting what you’ve got

So, what do you have that you can enjoy to it’s fullest?

Earlier today I read an article about learning to close the windows and doors of your mind by Remez Sasson, in other words, learning to block other people’s troubles and emotions so they do not affect you. 

Perfect example-  this morning, when I arrived at work I was in a great mood, jamming to some good music and loving the warm weather. Then I get in and some of my coworkers are all worked up about something and since I can’t close an actual door I get to hear and almost feel the stress they are feeling.

So what do I do in these situations? I find that turning on the music helps me cope with this, I try to concentrate on the lyrics instad of listening to the mayhem If that doesn’t work I take a coffee break so I can get away from it for a while and visit a co-worker who makes me smile. However, that solution is temporary, so when I get back to my desk the problem is usually still there.

So what can I do other than telling them to “chill out” (and possibly loose my job in the process)? To me ,the article suggests tat you visualize yourself as a room and that you close the windows and doors so things like the “storm” outside my office doesn’t affect me inside. Inside I am safe from the hail, lighting and thunder that is my co-workers state of mind, and I can imagine yourself all bundled up  in front of a soothing fire with a purring kitty on my lap.

Mmmm, wonder if my hubby would approve of me adding hot butler massaging my feet to the picture…

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.  ~Chinese Proverb

Ain’t that the truth! I’m still in shock over the 70 degree weather we’re having in March!!! But the plants can’t lie, can they? Trees are blooming, the iris has come and gone and now daffodils are popping up. It must be spring! So even if it snows next week, Spring has officially begun – the plants have said so

“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.”  – Lucile Ball

Yep, I’d say good ol’ Lucile had it right. Sometimes you just have to go out there and try something new. Another of my favorite sayings is:

” Sometimes the grass IS greener on the other side.” -  Unknown

Not too long ago I fulfilled my goal of improving my day-job situation. I managed to go back to school and get a new job with a decent raise at a much better place. However, this would not have been possible if I had listened to a certain individual who lives her life by adhering to “Better the devil you know.” If you ask me, that’s a bunch of baloney!

“Success comes by grasping it, not by just waiting for it to happen.” – Paramanhanse Yogannanda

Anyway, things are looking up this year and it looks like that will continue. And now that I’m done with school and have a better job, I can go back and spend sometime on my writing and that makes me very, very happy!