Twenty Fourteen

As 2013 fades into 2014 I have been mulling over how to make changes in my life that will result in a happier, less stressed me.   I've narrowed it down to a simple formula.

(Crafty Time + Exercise Time) = Happier Me.

Happier Me = Happier Family.

Seems simple enough, doesn't it?

The formula will require some work, however.  This work hinges on one little word. 

BALANCE.  My word for 2014.

Balance for me can only be achieved by setting a New Year's Resolution and sticking to it.

"Learn to say NO."  

Selfish?  Yes.
Necessary?  I think so.

I spent a huge chunk of 2013 both volunteering for and accepting projects/assignments/responsibilities that resulted in major time commitments. 

Major commitments take time away from my daily walks. 
Major commitments take away creative time. 
Too many major commitments make me cranky.
Very cranky.
Cranky is not a positive thing.
A Cranky Me is not Happy Me.

I do not have to say YES to every project.  I have the right to be choosy. 

Every crafty project is not my responsibility.  
Every school project is not my responsibility.  
Every photography project is not my responsibility.
The polarity of the world will not reverse if I occasionally say no.    

2014.  I will set aside time for walking and exercising because a FIT ME is a HAPPIER ME.

2014.  I will set aside time for JulieWorld because a CREATIVE ME is a HAPPIER ME.

2014 is all about BALANCE.

Christmas Morning Favorites

After Christmas morning was all said and done it became clear that my kids would have been happy with just one gift each.  For Jay it was this magnesium fire starter.  Once a pyro, always a pyro.

Meg's favorite was a toy she had when she was younger that had long since gone the way of the donation pile.  (A fact that she's never forgiven me for.)  I surprised her with a replacement and she hasn't put it down since.

For those wondering, it's a Hoberman Sphere and it does "amazing" things.

All that fretting on my part and I could have made them both happy with fire and spheres.  If only I'd known....

Ack!!!

I'm usually ready for Christmas weeks before the big day but somehow I am struggling this year to get it all done.  Between working and all of my volunteer hours at the school along with all of the other things I offer to do for friends/school/cheer, I am exhausted and so not ready.  I keep asking myself "How can that be?" knowing that I did 90% of my shopping online.  Oh well, it is what it is.

Today is Meg's last day of school so I spent the morning wrapping her gifts.  I plan to have her help me wrap the other ones on Monday.  My list for today is full but I wanted to share a few fun photos with you.

Meg pleaded for an Elf on the Shelf this year.  Yes, she knows "the secret" but she thought it would give her a bit of the magic of the season back for her.  I surprised her with an elf on December 2nd, her first day back from the Thanksgiving/Cheer weekend.

Every day after school she walks in the door and immediately sets about to discover what sort of mischief Mr. Elf has been up to while she was gone.  Here are just a few examples of what she's found...

I must admit that having Mr. Elf around has been a lot of fun.  I have no doubt that we'll see more of his mischievous adventures before December 25th arrives.

We Are the Champions!

I tuned in to the game as soon as I got home from work.  It was the start of the third quarter.  The score was Hoffman 8, Jensen Beach 6.  Within minutes both teams scored again making it 14-14.  It wasn't long however before Jensen Beach quickly pulled away.

  Final Score  

Jensen Beach 36, Hoffman 14

The Jensen Beach Falcons 

now hold the 

Pop Warner National Title 

for the 

Junior Midget Division II.  

They truly deserve it.

We are so proud of you!

A Big Happy Birthday...

to my nephew Clay who turns 16 today.  I won't embarrass him with a photo but wanted him to know that his Aunt Julie is wishing him a wonderful day!!

I'm working tomorrow so will miss most of the upcoming Super Bowl.  (Really sad, darnit.)  Game time is at 1:15 EST.  I won't be home until at least 2:15 but will gladly accept text updates should any of you be watching.  *wink*

We're Going to the Super Bowl!!!

The Pop Warner Super Bowl, that is.  Yes, our little Jensen Beach football team, the one Meg has cheered for all season long, won their semi-final game this afternoon in Orlando against the Gilroy Browns of California.  Final score - Falcons 36.  Browns 0.  Through the wonders of streaming technology, I was able to watch the game on ESPN3.com.  (Can I just mention how cool this was? !!) The broadcast commentators had nothing short of rave reactions as to the speed and depth of our little team.  We have a few players that will undoubtedly go far in the sport, made more special due to the fact that everyone must maintain their grades to play in the league.

I snapped a few stills from my Iphone while watching the game....

And yes, he slipped through and scored on this play as well.





The Final Stats....

Impressive, aren't they?  As you can see, neither team did any passing.  The Falcons had no need and the Browns had no chance.  

We are scheduled to play the Hoffman East Redhawks of Illlinois in the 57th Pop Warner Super Bowl Game this Friday for the title of The Best Jr. Midget Division II team in the nation. Game time is 1:30 EST and can be viewed via live streaming on ESPN3.com.

GO FALCONS!!!

Proud Mommy Moment

While in Orlando last weekend Meg and I had the opportunity to meet up with Jay and Colleen.  They've recently moved to a new area of town and it couldn't be a more perfect fit for them....close to shopping, restaurants, bars, parks, etc., all within walking distance.  I'm so very happy for them and can't wait to visit again.

And speaking of happy!  Their RN licenses were waiting in the mailbox when we returned from lunch/shopping.  

They've both worked very hard and we are so proud.  Colleen was just promoted to RN at a clinic where she was already employed while Jay has two interviews scheduled for next week with two local hospitals. Keep your fingers crossed!!!

And now for the Christmas card photo.....

I am so lucky to be their mom.  LOVE YOU!

Regional Cheer Competition

We are back from a very fun but absolutely exhausting cheer weekend.  You may remember that Meg's squad won their district competition in October, allowing them to compete in the Pop Warner Southeast Conference Regional Cheer Competition in Orlando.  All Junior Midget squads (12-14 year olds) performed yesterday. The competition started at 8:00 AM with a different squad brought out ever 4 minutes....for 5 hours.   (Yes, five hours.)  Our girls performed at 9:04.

The district cheer squads are placed into divisions based on team size (small, medium and large) as well as skill level (Level 1-4 with 4 being advanced acrobatics and skills).   With 17 members, Meg's squad is classified as Medium with a Skill Level of 2.  As it turned out, they were in the most competitive division, with 16 teams total representing Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida.

We were all up at 5:30 AM to see the girls off but not without a group photo, of course.  (The two in jeans are teen coaches who help the two adult coaches with practices.)

The girls were shuttled off at 6:00 AM with most of the parents arriving at the arena by 8:00. Here is a link to yesterday's performance, courtesy of a competing team's mom mom who took the video on my IPhone while I snapped photos.

JBFC Regional Cheer Competition

Meg spends most of the routine in the back row, far right.  She is a back spot which means she is the person in the back spotting and catching the flyer when doing lifts and stunts.  At about the 2 minute mark or so she moves to the far left for the dance portion.

Only the top two squads for each division move on to Nationals.  With that slight fumble at the very end of their routine we knew deep down that they probably wouldn't advance.  (Throughout the day there were fumbles that took down entire squads making ours fairly minor but typically only flawless performances place in the top two.)  Later, however, when they set up for the awards and we saw that they had trophies for the top FIVE finishers we became hopeful that they would come home with something.

And look....a four state territory and our girls placed 5th overall in their division!!!!!  We are sooooo very proud of them!!!

Trophies are good.  :-)

And to make the weekend even sweeter, our Falcons football team WON their regional championship game, 38-8, and are off to Nationals!!!

GO FALCONS!!!!