How much did your vote cost you?

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  Maybe you've heard, but there's a pretty big election coming up. I mean, it's kind of a big deal. Oh, and the best part for you?! It won't cost you anything to participate. That's right, YOUR vote has already been paid for. And let me tell you my friend, the price tag was a pretty hefty one. No, it wasn't paid for in diamonds or gold, but it was bought with the blood of generations of brave men and women who have given everything defending your freedoms and liberties. Don't let those sacrifices be in vain. Do your research, educate yourself on who YOU think is the most eligible candidate. Don't let your vote be determined by your friends, or the media, or the voting record of your great-great granddaddy. You decide for YOURSELF! Once your decision is made, don't sulk and pout over political affairs as you make your way to the voting precinct, voting is a PRIVILEGE!!! Remember?!  Oh, and one last thing... don't waste your time or the time of others by making silly comments about what you will do or how you will feel if your candidate doesn't win. You've done your part. Say a little prayer, and give the rest to God. He gets the ultimate vote so spend your time in prayer, don't waste it on worry. You have the right to vote, CELEBRATE it!!

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. - Romans 13:1 

I think my girls have gone with me to vote in every election that I've had the oppurtunity since they've been alive. I love to talk to them about the bravery of the men and women who with such courage volunteer to defend our rights. I want them to know that they are a part of a blessed nation. I don't know what the future holds, and neither do you. So the only thing that we need to worry about is doing our part the best way that we know how. Go vote.

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Perspective

I've been thinking a lot lately about a little word called "perspective". I recently spoke with a beautiful lady who has been battling an advanced form of cancer for the past few years. As she so graciously shared parts of her story with me, I was deeply moved by her positive disposition. She explained to me that the doctors had told her that after she made it through treatment, and after a certain amount of time had passed, then they could give her a 5% chance of survival without relapse. Wow, 5%... but before I had time to consider what that number really meant, she said something that struck me. With a smile on her face, she gently placed her hand on mine and said, "hey, someone has to make up that 5%, right?" Wow, what an amazing perspective. Not long after this conversation I couldn't help but notice the way this same lady and her husband were interacting. His love for her was completely evident in even their simplest of exchanges. I said to him, "I bet you look at everything differently now." Without hesitation he said, "Everything." They both went on to explain how things that they used to disagree over, now seem so petty. Every moment is a gift, not to be taken for granted. We gain perspective through our own life experiences, but we can also gain perspective through the experiences of others. I want to learn to recognize opportunities to be encouraged and gain perspective. Opportunities like the one that I was given when I crossed paths for only a few hours with a very special couple. In such a short amount of time, through their example they taught me an invaluable lesson. I want to cherish each moment with my husband here and now. I don't want to wait for tragedy to strike before I'm reminded to speak sweeter, and to laugh harder. The day may very well come that our world will be turned upside down by disaster or disease, but by the grace of God that day isn't here yet. Sure there are things in life that we have to deal with in the day to day. There will be times that we feel overwhelmed or discouraged, but remember this... we are not promised another minute on this earth. When your path is laden with obstacles that offer pain, or scattered with roadblocks that seem hopelessly discouraging... search for an avenue that will lead you to a greater perspective. Will a better attitude change your situation? Maybe not... probably not. Life will always have it's challenges. That fact gives us hope for a greater life beyond the one we know here. What is your perspective today? Is your glass half empty, or half full? There may be times where by worldly standards, you have every right and reason to think it's half empty. Times when you deserve to say that it's half empty. CHOOSE to see it as half full. Sure, that may be the unexpected path to take, but take it anyway. If you are reading this then that tells me that at this very moment your heart is beating in your chest, which means that things could always be worse. Today is a gift... will you throw it away, or will you rip the paper off and see what's waiting for you?! Maybe it's not what you've always dreamed of, but what can you make it to be? Sometimes the cards are crummy, but strive to make the best of the hand you've been dealt.

Many times when I write, it's something that I need to hear myself. I have a feeling that I may be revisiting this one from time to time!!

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Seasonal Nesting: AND a Thirty-One GIVEAWAY!!!

 Seasonal nesting...

Do you know what that is? It's the urge to purge, clean, tidy, organize, and make your home "homey", only instead of being triggered by the upcoming birth of a child, it's brought on by the shift in the seasons. Happening now... FALL nesting.

 Yes, in order to start the season off just right... I must light a Pumpkin Spice candle, hang a cinnamon broom, and place an arrangement of fresh cut fall flowers on my table.

Once these things are in place... the rest just happens. The combination of fresh cut flowers, cinnamon, and spiced pumpkin does something to me... it gets my insides stirring. Suddenly, corners that have accumulated piles of misfit items for weeks, just can't wait another day to be sorted. Jobs that have evaded completion for months are now screaming, FINISH ME. Donation bags are filled up and are dropped off. Drawers are organized and closets are cleaned out. Loaves of pumpkin bread beg to be baked, and visions of fall flavored craftiness start to dance in my head. It's such a magical time, the shift from summer to fall... so full of potential. While I have to admit that I still long for the more obvious shift in the seasons that an Indiana autumn brings, I'm learning to make the best of a Florida fall. It's true... I miss the crisp, cool air of late September evenings. I miss the enchanting performance of the leaves each October, as they fade from summer greens to hues of orange, yellow, and red. I miss sweatshirts, and blue jeans, and hot cocoa at football games. And sometimes, as I trudge through the 90 degree heat and feel the sweat that is rolling down my back, I slip up and let it show. I resentfully mutter things underneath my breath. Things like, "October was never meant to be this hot!" Here's the thing though... I want my girls to know how special this season is, regardless of what the outdoor thermometer says. Anyway, lucky for them... they don't even know what they're missing. Okay, and in Florida's defense I should at least add that it pretty much has the whole,"winter weather", thing down.  So for now... we will light candles, and decorate. We will craft and bake. We will make fall flavored memories the best way we know how.

Beau and I laughed over how accurately this picture and the next represent our girls' personalities. Here you see our little perfectionist. Below you see...

...our little free spirit. (Free spirit sounds a lot sweeter than "our little mess.") She was sloppin' pumpkin bread batter all around. :)

The first batch of the season is always the best. Soooooo yummy!!

Don't feel too sorry for me, the cooler evenings will start making an entrance soon enough. And when they do, we'll be ready. We'll celebrate with sunset trips to the park, and late night runs for hot chocolate. What about you? Are you celebrating the shift in seasons? I want to hear about your favorite "Fall Nesting" ritual. Do you do anything special that gets you in the mood for fall? What about a favorite fall memory from seasons gone by?

I've been chatting with fabulous Thirty-One consultant, Laura Coles. We thought it would be fun to do a GIVEAWAY!! Need a new wallet? Well we're going to give you a chance to win one. This is a BRAND NEW item from Thirty-One.

Retro Metro Wallet

If you win you will have your choice of three great patterns. Want to be entered to win? Then follow these 3 simple steps!! Leave a comment here on this blog post. Tell me about your favorite fall ritual, tradition, or memory. (Comments left on Facebook are welcomed, but WILL NOT be entered in the drawing.) After you leave your comment, click on the Facebook icon below and share this post with the caption, THIRTY-ONE GIVEAWAY, CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!!!. Last step, click here or type "Sit Down And Take A Brake" in the search box on Facebook, and "like" the page. After these three things are done, sit back and relax... you're in the running for this great new Thirty-One Wallet!!! Contest will be closed at 1:00 pm on October 6th. One comment will be randomly chosen via random.org and the winner will be announced on the same day. Don't go yet, there's more!!! LOVE Thirty-One products?! Laura is offering YOU a 10% discount off of your ENTIRE order, now through October 10th. If you want to take advantage of this great discount then click here, and then click "Place An Order". You will see a party that is named "Sit Down and Take a Brake", beside it there will be an option to "shop now." One thing to remember... you order will not be processed until Laura closes the party out on the 10th. Your 10% discount will be applied at that time. Happy shopping everyone, and HAPPY FALL!!!

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