Happy Labor Day Weekend

Image: House Style

Have a safe and blissful weekend filled with great laughter!

All in A Day

The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be
in reality what we would appear to be. -- Socrates

Thursday is not going down in my book of history of the best day. We are about to sign this amazing new client , Nike. My day was hard in communication as to how I was going to lead this project. The good out of it though is that I realized after a Starbucks® on the way home, a good scream in my mind, running on the treadmill, and a bath, that listening is the key. One also must keep integrity about themselves during challenges and just truly trust in God. To be thankful for blessings of health, family, a smile and the things that are important in life! I hope if you had the same kind of day as mine that you find hope in the fact that God is still God. He still has control. I think it is making the choices on our part to live in integrity, smile anyway, have faith, keep a watch with not saying what we think and feel (Thank goodness I kept quiet today!). I think it is knowing that we need to see the view beyond the circumstance and that God could be trying to mold us all into better humans that reflect his light. Frankly, be thankful that beyond ourselves he still loves us completely and has our best interest in His hand. I am looking forward to Friday being a great day and thankful that I grew as a person a bit today. I know I am looking towards a day of light, smiles and success. I wish the same for you.

Friday morning update---All is resolved in communication world and so very glad I took a moment and was proactive to a solution! Still learning to lead. Thank you God for helping me. AMEN.
Image items: Dream Cammy, Purple hue, Home Style, Nike, apple, Chris Rue website and keep file. If anyone knows who did this rabbit item, I would love to find out to purchase a real copy.

The World a Better Place

Rest, Peace and a Pretty View

Imagine the view at night with candles everywhere!

Nothing like a view like that after a long day of work.

My reality view from my tub is of a

couple of tiles that need to be fixed (and soon!),

but the positive is that it is a couple of tiles and not many.

Okay, if a candle is lit, and the overhead lights are out while in the tub

and if ones eyes are closed one could imagine this...hummmm....well, I am trying. Really, I am!

I must find an image of a view like this and stick it

to the tile that needs to be fixed...or relocate!

Image from Purple Area.

Soft Touches

"If you can learn from hard knocks,
you can also learn from soft touches."
-Carolyn Kenmore

To work from here for a day...or two!

I have a new hard deadline to meet for a graphic user interface prototype due in the next couple of days. This project is for a new potential client for the company I work for. I am thinking I could take my laptop to this lovely place pictured above and get the project finished so much quicker and with a smile on my face. Oh well, maybe one day I could do just that. Back to reality for now and grateful to have my job!
Image via Dreamhouse Cammy

Wendy & Peyton Angel Grace

My sister Wendy went on one of her final interviews with a different county fire department today. I have known over the course of this last bit what she has had to go through in interviewing beyond her working her current fire fighter job. It is strenuous to state it mildly and she has just taken it in stride without complaint. I wonder in your job did you have to go through the tasks listed below to gain employment? Oh me oh my! Fire fighters should definitely get a pay raise!
* Written test
* In-depth background investigation
* Physical agility test
* Polygraph examination
* Psychological examination
* Medical examination and drug screen
* Oral interview
She has been a firefighter for over 10 years if not longer for another fire deparment in the Atlanta vicinity. Women firefighters are few and far between in this world. How does one be strong, yet feminine and corageous? Her generous soul houses each of those qualities, plus she is hillariously funny. I just wanted to state congratulations that her interview went well and say that I am amazed by her and adore this sister of mine. Love you Woo. LB

Bird graphic from Rhonna F.

Courage, Persistance & Victory

God seems to be swiftly making changes within the halls of my soul to grow in faith and action in order for my life to finally move forward. It is far more likely that He has patiently waited for me to finally see what He has had in his hand forever and finally take leaps of faith. So I am willing to go boldly move forth with God speed, wisdom, and courage and know that I will blossom by the path He is lighting. The point is to take the step of faith. "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom". - Anais Nin. The truth of this quote resonates with my heart incredibly.

So blossom I will and just simply take steps of faith.

Susan Ashton sings this song called stand and the words have been writing themselves in my thoughts and (out of my mouth in the shower...smile) since early this morning.

I hope this quote and words to this song give you courage as well today and that the sun will shine brightly on your soul.

STAND
With visible breath, I'm calling your name
With visible tracks, I'm finding my way
With a sorrowful heart, I honor this pain
And offer these tears to the rain

In a moment of truth at the top of the hill
I open my arms and let go of my will

And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone

There's a new pair of eyes to embrace all I see
A new peace of mind and it comes quietly
There's a joy in my heart that you've given to me
And I offer this soul's melody

So I beat on my chest till my song has been sung
And I cry like a wolf at the top of my lungs

And stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand alone

When the thundering voices of doubt try to shake my faith, oh
I'll be listening from inside out and I won't be afraid to

Stand with my face to the wind
With the storm beating down on this sacred ground
If I stand for the grace that I've known
For what I believe
Then I won't stand alone
No I won't stand...I won't stand alone

The Best Day of My Life! So very true.

by G. M. Lousig-Nont

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people.

I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

Image is of my sweet Niece, Peyton Angel Grace. A girl that Loves life and giggles, bigger than anyone I know!

Birthday Dinner with the Girls

I had dinner last night with my family to celebrate my birthday. It is so much fun to be at dinner with them (Mom, sisters and my six year old niece, Peyton Grace). Just a good time to listen, eat and talk and just be in their presence. Against my wishes, they chose to be exceedingly generous with gifts. I was quite humbled honestly. I hope they do know that all they needed to do was find a funny card and bring a smile and their company. There is an unspoken funny card competition among the girls in my family when it comes to birthdays. It is a favorite moment when we start laughing at the card and pass it around the table until we are each giggling until gleeful tears come down from hearing one another's laughter. That moment is just the greatest! My Mom gave me the winning card this year that was in a word (or two), hysterically funny. So, I walked away from dinner with more than enough in my heart. I am so blessed to know my family and actually like and love my family. Thank you so much for treating me and for just a precious evening spent with one another. Image courtesy of Violettes website. This sweet little French restaurant in Atlanta.

My Birthday Beach Trip

Ahhhhh Rest! Sand in-between toes, pristine blue water, sunshine, throwing a Frisbee in the ocean, running on the beach, a good book, great food and much, much laughter. The beach is truly good for the soul. Thank you Anthony for such a sweet trip. Thank you God for such a sunny sky birthday day!
He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. -- Psalm 23:2-3

Just loving this image of my niece Peyton Grace!

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will
himself be refreshed. -- Proverbs 11:25

Peyton Grace's love and laughter definitely refreshes the world's soul!
She started first grade this week! How did she get this grown up this fast? Forgive me for speaking of her so often. She is my niece, but in many ways because of life circumstances I have been privledged enough to be part of my family villiage that has helped (my sister) her mommy be a small part in raising her. So in a way, she is my daughter too.

My Birthday Blessings!!!!!!!

My Birthday Blessings. Instead of the sheer panic of my birthday in the next couple of days, I am trying to really rest and be happy about it. There is so much I have to be grateful for instead of focusing on dreams not yet fulfilled, or mistakes of decisions that I have made in the past of yesterdays that I can't get back. How blessed am I and happy to still be on God's green earth and smile.
MY BLESSINGS....
• My relationship with Christ and the fact that he chooses to love me over and over again. That amazes me.
• My health - I always say if you don't have your health you don't have anything and I must state that I am so very grateful for excellent health for me, my family and the people I love and care about. I pray that will always be my praise. The ability to walk, talk, think and have all of my faculties at 100%, learn, see, hear, dance and sing. For that I am ever grateful.
• My Family - They are the sweetness in my life and the people I share true joy with. Thank you for your honesty and laughter and truth and always just being there. For all of these things I have grown in character and can love bigger because of you. I love each of you dearly.
My Mom - Beyond Family I don't have words of what you mean to me. You are my friend and my joy. I admire you so. Thank you for bringing me into this world, teaching me so much, and just being my friend.
Anthony - Your sheer humor, honor, your always unconditional friendship, long intelligent talks, hide and seeks with Peyton Grace and for always finding a way to make me smile and loving me anyway.
Peyton Grace - You just make me be a better person. I am so very blessed to know your 6 year old fun, smart, life loving, full of giggles soul.
• My Long life friends - Thank you for walking through this amazing journey of life along with me, come what may. Each of you make even life storms have hope of sunshine.
Paige - What do you call someone that you have been through a life long journey of intense pain and amazing joy with and still be true friends. So thank you to you Paige, my creative, silly, life long friend.
• My Job and ability to use my talents - Where else can you work that you get to experience clients and projects like Tiffany & Co., Godiva chocolate and Starbucks all in the same day?
• My Country - I love the twinkles of Paris, but to you I will always honor and show my allegiance. Thank you for giving me the ability to love God freely, learn and live a happy life without delegation.
• My life and all the hope of just being grateful for this sweet life and moments that take my breath away!Birthday and the Beach. I am not headed to this particular beach in Jamaica this weekened, but a beach none the less for a fun filled birthday weekend near Seaside. Looking forward to getting my toes in the sand and just reading a book or two, giggle and just being able see the ocean and smell the salt in the air and resting for a moment!

Images: Masha Illustration and Jamaica image (Where we would be had we gotten the passport situation worked out!).

Lights of Mine

This song was in my head all night last night, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine." I love that sweet song! One of my favorite all time movies is Corrina, Corrina. Near the end of the movie Corrina sings this song to her Grandmother to give her hope and then encourages her Grandmother to sing along and it brings a smile. That is what my niece Peyton Grace does for me and the rest of the world. She often brings a bright and shiny light to any dull and dreary day. My nephew Zachary above on the other hand is this calm light that is like a gentle breeze on a fresh spring day. At any rate, I pray light all over you today. I pray for your light to shine bright for the world. So, SHINE ON!

Let your light shine before men that they may see

your good works and praise your Father in Heaven. Matt. 5:16
Image is of my sweet lights (niece and nephew) Peyton Grace and Zachary

Adversity into Opportunity

One of the great driving forces in nature is the desire for change.

If you had everything you wanted, what would motivate you?

"Many have found opportunities in failure

and adversity which they could not recognize in

the more favorable circumstances."

— Napoleon Hill

— Jane Packer Floral Design Image

Yippee Ki Oh

Peyton Grace on a trail ride in Colorado. Funny, people ask when they see the images, "She is six years old right? Is she riding all by herself?" She is quite the assiduous one, so my answer is most definitely, "YES, and well too." She is a Wohlust/Darling girl after all. Or as we say in my family "Cold Mountain". Meaning Wohlust girls look all girly, but we are tenacious to the core. Each of us love our lace and stilettos, but give us a task that requires getting in dirt to accomplish a goal and we won't back down until completion. I am so happy for her that she could accomplish this with ease. In these images the pensive look usually means she was probably singing a cowboy "Home on the Range" tune with a yippee ki oh or y-e-e-h-a-w to go along with the song. A cowgirly meant to be!

assiduous \uh-SIJ-uh-wus\ adjective
: marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application

Peyton Grace. I love her tenacious spirit!

I guess the moral here is, when your first plan doesn't work out, get in there and make it happen!

This image is of Peyton Grace in a river in Colorado learning the basics of fly fishing while staying at a Ranch. I am originally (as in, I was very, very little when we moved) from Colorado and miss from vacations we used to take to go back there, the "Wide Open Spaces", the stars that hang so low you could touch them and the air. I am getting convinced more and more that Peyton Grace just needs her own outdoor television program with her love for adventure, animals (including lizards and insects), the great outdoors and her giggly heart! She is her Grandmothers, granddaughter, the great adventurer herself! Peyton Grace took me outside this past spring, as she was dressed in a lacy April Cornell dress and showed me her earth worm family that she had gathered together in her garden....yikes! She stated the each was lonely and needed one another. She then said, "Kiki, we all need a family". Sometimes talking with her she has the wisdom of a 90 year old. More Peyton Grace outdoor adventure images to come.

Believe

I was praying basically this prayer below this morning. I get to work and this devotional comes through. I am certain as wordy as I can get at times in trying to communicate that God might well have made certain I got a copy of this too, to say to me, "See Kristin, you don't have to go on and on about this for hours. I already know your heart. This is all you said to me over an hours time in a paragraph! Now smile, get on with your day in grace, and trust in me and love on my people. Love God." Simple prayers!

Today's Scripture
“Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NIV).

Has God spoken things to your heart that haven’t come to pass yet? Sometimes when we are believing for things, it’s easy to let circumstances and the pressures of life drag us down. But when you make the choice to receive your promise by picturing it in your mind’s eye, and declaring it with the words of your mouth, your faith becomes stronger. You begin to feel more confident. You begin to feel more settled. You begin to have joy and peace because you know God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. What are you believing for God to do in your life today? Ask the Lord to give you the picture of what He sees when He looks at you and desires for his will in your life. As you open your heart and allow God’s thoughts to become your thoughts, and your receive His promises by faith, just like it says in the above verse—whatever you ask for in prayer will be yours because it is his idea/dream first!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to serve You. Thank You for the gift of faith. I ask that you search my heart and mind and remove anything that does not please you. Please help me choose grace first and receive your forgiveness and forgive others. Give me your thoughts of peace and joy today so that I can learn to receive all you have for me always. Help me to desire the things that matter to you and bring those dreams to pass. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Image: Ashes and Snow

My Lulu Pie (Peyton Grace) in the Sunflowers

Godiva

We (myself and other members of the Godiva project team in my company) have completed the Godiva Coaching project today! Desiging this project was definately great and the challenges definately stretched me/all of us. The final project gets sent to the client tomorrow. Elated to say the least after many, many (did I say many?!) hours of effort. I am going to sleep well tonight!

Because it's August

Did you know?
"August" comes from the Latin word "augustus," meaning "consecrated" or "venerable," which in turn is related to the Latin "augur," meaning "consecrated by augury" or "auspicious." In 8 B.C. the Roman Senate honored Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor, by changing the name of their month "Sextilis" to "Augustus." Middle English speakers inherited the name of the month of August, but it wasn't until the mid-1600s that "august" came to be used generically in English, more or less as "augustus" was in Latin, to refer to someone with imperial qualities.

August is also my birthday month. Funny, each day that goes by in life we find more and more the value of moments and the incredible gift of life. I have always thought that I wanted to live to be a healthy and spry 121 years, if not longer. I think that would just be so great. Do you hear that Willard Scott?! I am healthy, still very young to some that are older than myself. I am happy, incredibly blessed and surrounded by so many that I love and hold dear. Amen!

Image made by Kristin (me).