I can't believe summer is right around the corner! Spring is in full bloom and I love it. I finally got back to the lake this past weekend. I love everything about it (the loons, sounds of nature, momma duck with her ducklings, birds, smells, campfires, chain saws, etc). We only had 24 hours to be at the lake, so it was speed Spring cleaning and yes most of that work fell on my husband! Bless him :) Saturday evening my husband and I were enjoying some beers on the pier and our boys came running down the pier and within minutes they both decided they had to swim! It was great. Of course our dog (Moomba) was not going to miss out on the action. I loved being in the moment and watching them jump off the pier to swim to the raft for another big splash in the water. They both got out of the water freezing, but with huge smiles on their faces. All of sudden my 9 year old says "I'm going to go get my flippers and swim some more", so off they both went. All I could do was laugh and feel so blessed to have this time with them. Earlier in the day we were out on the boat and my son said "this summer is going to be so much fun". I believe he is right!!
Business wise this year I have not been focused on expanding new lake items (sorry). I wanted to focus on some non-lake items that would fit in any home. Each month I've been implementing new signs and other home related products. It's interesting because earlier in the year I wrote out my 2015 business goals. One of those goals was to implement 12 new sign with inspirational quotes. I'm happy to report I will be implementing 20 total signs! I'm forcing myself to stop so I can enjoy the summer months.
For me what's interesting is when I picked out the sayings in January that I was going to implement each sign now has a different meaning to me given what's been going on the last few months. I won't get into any great detail, but one of my siblings (who is 48 years old) had to have unexpected brain surgery due to a brain infection which led to a massive stroke. As of today my sister is not the same person she was prior to this all happening. Each week I look for the small baby steps that are occurring. I take comfort just being by her side hours at a time. She is a couple of hours away from me, but I make the time to be there because she is my sister and I love her dearly.
Below is a new sign that just went to print. When I saw the completed sign the words hit me stronger than I thought they would. We don't get to pick our family, but I'm so thankful I was born into MY family!! It's been incredible to see how much my family has come together during this time. When certain events happen in life it makes you step back and really see what's important. It also makes you step back and realize what little self absorbed bubbles we all live in. I spent over 3 weeks in the ICU with my sister. I can not believe the turn around in that unit. Each night/day there is a new family going through a similar event with their loved one. When one bed opens up the next day there would be someone new laying there fighting for their life surrounded by their family. Everyone's family is different. Just love and forgive & be thankful for the time together.
Business wise this year I have not been focused on expanding new lake items (sorry). I wanted to focus on some non-lake items that would fit in any home. Each month I've been implementing new signs and other home related products. It's interesting because earlier in the year I wrote out my 2015 business goals. One of those goals was to implement 12 new sign with inspirational quotes. I'm happy to report I will be implementing 20 total signs! I'm forcing myself to stop so I can enjoy the summer months.
For me what's interesting is when I picked out the sayings in January that I was going to implement each sign now has a different meaning to me given what's been going on the last few months. I won't get into any great detail, but one of my siblings (who is 48 years old) had to have unexpected brain surgery due to a brain infection which led to a massive stroke. As of today my sister is not the same person she was prior to this all happening. Each week I look for the small baby steps that are occurring. I take comfort just being by her side hours at a time. She is a couple of hours away from me, but I make the time to be there because she is my sister and I love her dearly.
Below is a new sign that just went to print. When I saw the completed sign the words hit me stronger than I thought they would. We don't get to pick our family, but I'm so thankful I was born into MY family!! It's been incredible to see how much my family has come together during this time. When certain events happen in life it makes you step back and really see what's important. It also makes you step back and realize what little self absorbed bubbles we all live in. I spent over 3 weeks in the ICU with my sister. I can not believe the turn around in that unit. Each night/day there is a new family going through a similar event with their loved one. When one bed opens up the next day there would be someone new laying there fighting for their life surrounded by their family. Everyone's family is different. Just love and forgive & be thankful for the time together.
Another painful event was my husband lost a wonderful biking friend recently. The only peace one can make with the situation is this gentleman died doing what he loved to do. He was out biking (on a bicycle) with a friend and had a massive heart attack. Here is someone that was healthy and strong, so it was totally unexpected. He lived life to the fullest and anyone that met him felt the love and charisma he carried with him with every interaction he had. He was a kind soul. He was loved dearly by many.
The next time you get impatient driving in your car or waiting in line and someone ahead of you doesn't act the way you think they should remember that person could have just gotten news that someone they love has died or they could have just returned from visiting someone in the ICU, their spouse could be on the way to the hospital to have a baby. You don't know what's going on with the other person, so be kind and keep your emotions & thoughts in tack. There is no reason to have road rage or flip someone off, or display anger toward another human being. You don't know their story. Have faith they are doing the best they can given their situation. They are not intentionally trying to bother you. They are just caught up in whatever is going on with them in that moment. Keep your thoughts filled with positive energy and compassion and you will see the world differently.
The next time you get impatient driving in your car or waiting in line and someone ahead of you doesn't act the way you think they should remember that person could have just gotten news that someone they love has died or they could have just returned from visiting someone in the ICU, their spouse could be on the way to the hospital to have a baby. You don't know what's going on with the other person, so be kind and keep your emotions & thoughts in tack. There is no reason to have road rage or flip someone off, or display anger toward another human being. You don't know their story. Have faith they are doing the best they can given their situation. They are not intentionally trying to bother you. They are just caught up in whatever is going on with them in that moment. Keep your thoughts filled with positive energy and compassion and you will see the world differently.
Above is another new sign. Live your life to the fullest & focus more time on the things you love & people that make you laugh & feel good. Know when to let go of certain people, drama, and unhealthy attachments. Live for those moments that take your breathe away and slow down to enjoy the ride. Most importantly don't let sad moments take your happiness away. Choose to always be happy & live a healthy lifestyle regardless of what's taking place.
My personal 2015 goals were the following...
Last week I was walking into hot yoga and I heard 2 mom's talking. One mom said to the other "So what activities have you signed your kids up for this summer?" The other mom paused and said hesitantly "You know, this summer I'm just going to let my kids play in the yard, swim, and have a summer break. I don't want to run around & have to worry about a schedule". It was the best response. I wanted to stop and high five the mom! My response would have been the exact same! In my opinion, life is too short to live in chaos. Kids these days are over scheduled. Spend the time together at home as a family not just driving them in the car and dropping them off for this practice or that activity. Be together. That's all they want. Kids want to be loved and be with their parents/family. At least I know mine do right now and I LOVE that about my boys. They pick me to play with out in the yard and jump on the trampoline and play catch with. Some days yes it's exhausting when I hear "Mom, Mom," yet I know this time is very short lived so I'm going to grab it while I can. One thing I love about the older generation on the lake is how simple life was for them growing up and how they remind you that in the old days schedules were led by the parents schedule, not by the kids schedules. There is certain activities my husband and I have told our kids they can not do because it disrupts our family being together. The best things is our kids understand what we are saying and accept it and move on to what fits within our family. I do not judge other families and how they spend their time. I just know what I want and need in my life.
It's time to get on with my day! Take care and create the summer you want this year. Say no to the things you don't want to do and enjoy the extra free time! Enjoy being BORED! Seriously being bored is the best gift to give yourself and your kids!
Here is a good read as you prepare for summer - 10 ways to give your kids a 1970's kind of summer!
Cheers,
Julie
Long Lake Lifestyle
For more details on the signs above click on the links below - Both signs would make great gifts for yourself or anyone in your life!
- Mediate at least 10 minutes a day
- Take an epson bath & read several times a week
- Exercise daily & stay healthy
- Train & teach Moomba (puppy) new skills
- Play and have fun with my family & Moomba.
- Take power naps & don't feel guilty
Last week I was walking into hot yoga and I heard 2 mom's talking. One mom said to the other "So what activities have you signed your kids up for this summer?" The other mom paused and said hesitantly "You know, this summer I'm just going to let my kids play in the yard, swim, and have a summer break. I don't want to run around & have to worry about a schedule". It was the best response. I wanted to stop and high five the mom! My response would have been the exact same! In my opinion, life is too short to live in chaos. Kids these days are over scheduled. Spend the time together at home as a family not just driving them in the car and dropping them off for this practice or that activity. Be together. That's all they want. Kids want to be loved and be with their parents/family. At least I know mine do right now and I LOVE that about my boys. They pick me to play with out in the yard and jump on the trampoline and play catch with. Some days yes it's exhausting when I hear "Mom, Mom," yet I know this time is very short lived so I'm going to grab it while I can. One thing I love about the older generation on the lake is how simple life was for them growing up and how they remind you that in the old days schedules were led by the parents schedule, not by the kids schedules. There is certain activities my husband and I have told our kids they can not do because it disrupts our family being together. The best things is our kids understand what we are saying and accept it and move on to what fits within our family. I do not judge other families and how they spend their time. I just know what I want and need in my life.
It's time to get on with my day! Take care and create the summer you want this year. Say no to the things you don't want to do and enjoy the extra free time! Enjoy being BORED! Seriously being bored is the best gift to give yourself and your kids!
Here is a good read as you prepare for summer - 10 ways to give your kids a 1970's kind of summer!
Cheers,
Julie
Long Lake Lifestyle
For more details on the signs above click on the links below - Both signs would make great gifts for yourself or anyone in your life!
- Our family sign - http://www.amazon.com/family-strength-founded-Together-Forever/dp/B00UUK9T9I/ref=sr_1_1
- Life is not measured...http://www.amazon.com/Life-measured-breaths-moments-breathe/dp/B00WCF457U/ref=sr_1_9
- All signs - click here - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_home-garden?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Lake+House+Products&node=1055398