Fall is here (if you say so)

Walking around disneyland today and the stores this past weekend I saw all the beautiful reminders of fall. By reminders I mean decor. Did I tell you that I live in Orange County. Yes a cool 82 degrees today. It's almost silly to shop for fall but how I love it so. I love the warm colors and the fact that Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner. I just wish it would get cooler already.

I am sharing these pics because I love them and how cool would this project be to make with your kids?

I heart colored doors. This green is perfect.

Feeling better

Don't you just hate when you are in a funk? I hate it. My husband says I make so many excuses to avoid things. And he's right. I hate to admit it but it's true.

So I have been studying for my Pilates cert and then I started to feel guilty because I would drop the kids at daycare while I worked out and studied. Then I would feel guilty for spending money on daycare. So I decided to take a mini break and enjoy the last few weeks of summer with the girls before they start pre-k.

Then it all changed from there. I became funky. I wasn't doing my pilates like I wanted. If I had the mojo I would find a way to do it but sadly I am making up excuses and blaming the girls and the fact that we have no money.

So this week I started going to my gym that I pay for monthly and has daycare. Pilates is given maybe 3 times /week and never works with my schedule but that's okay. I am mixing it up as my instructor told me today and that's good. What's great is that my girls love it there and I am doing something great for myself. I am working out, sweating, having some "me" time and in one more week I'll be back in my game. Kicking funk to the curb.

Absence

Please excuse my absence but I have been super busy here taking pilates classes everyday sometimes twice a day. I am working on getting my certification and will be taking my finals in August. I also have a family to take care of, house cleaning, food making....you get the picture. At least I can say I am absent from being super busy and not lazy because I am doing something that I have always wanted to do and I am slowly working on achieving my goals. I do peruse your lovely blogs when I get the time and it's so inspiring to see what you all are up to.

Inspirational Thoughts Thursday

If you have a dream, don’t waste your energies explaining why

Paul Coelho

Chase after your dreams, go for it. Actions speak louder than words. We all have dreams and it's what keeps us alive.

Do you follow you heart or your mind?

Whenever we need to make a very important decision it is best to trust our instincts, because reason usually tries to remove us from our dream, saying that the time is not yet right. Reason is afraid of defeat, but intuition enjoys life and its challenges. Paul Coehlo

Do you follow your heart or your mind?

I struggle with this everyday. Especially when dealing with my decisions and dreams of changing my career. When opportunity knocks do you open that door and take that risk? My mind jumps in immediatley, that little voice of reason, telling me what I already know. That comfort zone or that safe little bubble that I have created. It's fear is what it really is. Life is about taking chances, transformation, faith, trust and creativity. As I type this I have come to the realization that I don't trust myself. WHA?? Really is this who I am? I need to kick FEAR to the curb is what I need to do.

As for me, knowing that I at least tried even if I failed is far better than not knowing. Nothing in life is wasted. Mistakes are lessons learned.

In honor of Earth Day

I just heard through the social media grapevine of two events happening in honor of Earth Day

Lowe's will be giving away 1 million free trees on Earth Day April 23rd.

Stop in at any Starbucks and get a free coffee or tea when you bring in your mug or tumbler.
April 22.

These are some great freebies all in honor of my birthday Earth Day!!

Boy how time flies

It has been a very long time since I have posted anything and I have been away from the blog scene for the past two weeks as well. Not perusing my faves like I usually do every morning with my cup of coffee has actually been nice. I have been trying to do a lot of soul searching during this time, working out, eating cleaner most days and just trying to stay positive. I can't believe my last post was March 1st and it feels like it was just yesterday. Boy how time flies. Life just happens and I have to say I am not being very good about enjoying the present moments. As I type this I am thinking about what I've missed, what I haven't done or did not do yesterday or this past month. And of course the thoughts of what am I going to do creep in as well. We are renting our home now and in 6 months we are going to move again. The actual moving part I am dreading. There I go again with those thoughts. We haven't even found our next home and it's not even that time. Geesh no wonder my husband thinks I am crazy. Okay lets get back to the present moment shall we? It's a beautiful spring day here and that's what I should focus on. Gardening, flowers, the outdoors, nature walks,.... my birthday, our anniversary and my daughters birthday, also mothers day and Easter. Better stay focused for real.

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. Buddha

I heart their little feet

Their pretty little toes, pretty little feet.

My little girls are so girly.

playing dress up

twirling in their dresses

I just love my girls.

Where am I going?

Alice: Which way should I go?
Cat: That depends on where you are going.
Alice: I don’t know where I’m going!
Cat: Then it doesn’t matter which way you go!!

Ever have days like this?

I do appreciate what Cat says though. It doesnt matter but I do need to figure out where I am going?

This one needs a do-over

I need a resolution do-over.

It's only been 10 days and I feel like all of the great ideas, goals and dreams that I had in my little crazy dreamy head 10 days ago has now become clouded with the mundane day to day tasks that I do daily. YUP I am already over it. Then I came across this. It's probably the #1 reason why I never meet my goals. That and procrastination. Sounds easy enough, at least putting it down on paper does.

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Reasonable

Timely

Here is my example:

Specific: I am going to lose 10 pounds

Measurable: lose 10 pounds and go to the gym 3 times per week

Attainable: Drop 1 to 2 pounds per week

Reasonable: I'd say it is. :)

Timely: By April 23 ( my b-day)

Ok so not sure how to go about it all. After all I am a SAHM and I have two toddlers so they are #1 priority. I need to work around their schedules too and let's not forget the hubby. He needs some attention too and food every once in awhile. I basically need to pencil "me" in and hope there aren't any illnesses or bumps on the road.

I think it's time for me to create a planner. I am not a list maker or calendar user but it's sounding pretty smart ( no pun intended) right about now. My brain has been foggy lately....which reminds me , I should start taking vitamins and brain food like omegas. (I see another goal to make)

I find that Simple Mom and Life Your Way are a great resource with tons of info on organization and free downloads to help you create that home planner.

Oh my as I sit here I am finding that I need to make a list of all the to do lists and checklists that I need to create.

I'll start tomorrow. It's winethirty here at Casa Bradfield. Goodnite.

Do this

http://weheartit.com

A poem to live by and carry in my heart

A Careful Woman

A careful woman I ought to be:
A little girl follows me;
I do not dare to go a stray
For fear she’ll go the self-same way.
I cannot once escape her eyes;
What’re she sees me do,
she tries
Like me, she says,
she ’s going to be,
The little girl who follows me.
She thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine;
The bad in me she must not see,
The little girl who follows me.
I must remember as I go,
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow,
I am building for the years to be,
For a little girl follows me

author unknown

There is a beautiful blog that I like to visit every week. It's a breath of fresh air for me. A place where I can go and read words that are comforting and reminders of who I am as a mom, wife and woman.

I love this poem and I shall print it and frame it. It's a great reminder for me to be the best mom that I can be for them, to breathe, don't sweat the small stuff and make sure to laugh with them everyday.

In my Inbox

This morning I woke up to a crying baby with a stinky diaper, a toddler who insisted she doesn't need to brush her teeth today while dressing in PJ's again because this is what she is going to wear. And I am out of coffee. Yes, it is just another one of those days but sometimes when it happens over and over it gets to me. I then go on this coaster of emotions because I have been thrown off track. The kitchen is a mess, the floors need mopping, I am out of groceries etc... I then find myself walking to the computer to check facebook, emails and my addictive blog world. It's my little mental escape. Well, today I found this from The Universe in my inbox.

Of all the things that matter, Brenda, that really and truly matter, working more efficiently and getting more done is not among them.

Chill,
The Universe

Oh how I needed this today. My permission slip to relax and breathe. It put it all in perspective for me. I love getting my "notes from the universe" everyday in my inbox. It's can give me that extra little bit of charge that I need to get the day going, to bring me back to reality and make me stop and smell the roses. I recommend you check out TUT (Totally Unique Thoughts) and take a look around.
"TUT believes that everyone's special, that every life is meaningful, and that we're all here to learn that dreams do come true. We also believe that "thoughts become things," and that imagination is the gift that can bring love, health, abundance, and happiness into our lives."

If you want some inspiration daily sent to you via email then sign up for Notes from the Universe, it's free. It's funny, insightful, spiritual and unconventional reminders about life and who we are. The voice behind the notes is none other than Mike Dooley the founder of The Secret.

Back to my reality. I read this today and didn't freak out about all I needed to do. I played with my girls, took them out for lunch and as soon as they are up from their naps we are going to a playdate. My laundry still needs to be folded and the groceries....maybe we will order a pizza.
Thanks for listening. Peace

Random Thoughts

Let food be thy Medicine~ Hippocrates

Today was a gorgeous day in Cali. The sunshine was just the medicine I needed. I have been feeling a bit down these past few days. It's a busy house with two little ones and a husband who travels tons for work. Lately I have had very little time for myself. Last Thursday I did get a chance to go to a wonderful seminar at the Babies by the Sea Boutique in Cardiff. If you are ever in the area you must check this place out. There are darling clothes for little ones, books for mom and kids, tons of toys too. Everything in there is organic, pure and good for mom and baby. Okay, so back to what I was talking about. I attended an event titled "The Busy Mom's Way to Eat Well Without Willpower or Denial" with Christa Orrechio of the Whole Journey. She is a certified holistic nutrition consultant and counselor. I learned so much about the poor choices that I am making. Well, I already knew it but it was an awakening when I sat there and told everyone (strangers) that I drink 2 cups of coffee a day and sodas too. Seriously, I felt like I was at an addicts anonymous meeting. So I learned about making "upgrades" to my daily habits. Did you know that Yerba Mate tea provides the same buzz like coffee but without the acidity? That's my problem these days. No energy. I also tried a drink called Kamboocha. Delish but it is an aqcuired taste because it is fermented. Fantastic healthy clean energy from this drink if you need it like I do at 3 pm. Another upgrade was a salad in a bottle by Evolution. The taste was refreshing and truly a salad in bottle. Great for those days when you don't get your 2 servings of green veggies. By the way did you know that we are supposed to get 2 servings a day? I really need some assistance in the nutrition department. I need to be a good example for my daughters and guide them to a healthy and vibrant life.

So in the end I left feeling inspired, wanting to change my ways. We are truly what we eat and frankly I don't want to feel like crap anymore.