Potholes of Life

It is said that the trials and tribulations of life are what make us strong, make us who we are.  Well then... start addressing me as Hercules please!

The road we choose to travel is there to teach us a lesson of some sort or another.  Well, I don't recall choosing the road littered with pot-holes.  That is the road, however, I have travelled.  Why didn't I just turn back?  Take a detour?  Turn my hazards on and wait for someone to rescue me?  I don't have answers to those questions.  I just continue to hold on to hope that I am nearing the end of this bumpy road. 

I know I must be getting close - I can feel the anticipation of relief.  I have persevered and triumphed over this God-forsaken fork in the road. 

My journey was not in vain...it was for a power much higher than myself.  Something so much bigger than I am.  A force so strong that I knew taking the easy way out was not an option. 

I have learned much about myself along this little trip...I am a fighter, I am determined, I am prideful.  I have learned to give when necessary to benefit others.  And I have learned to stand my ground when giving for others means sacrificing my soul. 

I will, in due time, give thanks to this bumpy road littered with pot holes.  For now, however, I will just sit back and enjoy the scenery a bit, waiting for the smooth black asphalt at the end of the road.

Popcorn Tree

Strange day today was.  It was back to school for Logan after a week off for spring break.  And of all things...we awoke to snow.  I bundled Logan up in his snow boots, heavy winter coat, and gloves.  In true Colorado fashion, however, when I picked him up from school only three hours later, the skies were blue, the sun was shining, and any hint of snow was a distant memory. 

Logan stripped himself of his winter attire and headed outside to plant "popcorn trees" in the warm sunshine.  After only 30 minutes, he was headed into the house where he changed into his swim trunks (and ONLY swim trunks) and headed back outside to "clean" the back patio.

A couple hours later, Logan was back into his sweats, t-shirt, and a hoody (and his newly acquired soccer shin guards) and we were outside playing soccer...while tiny little snowflakes fell from the sky!

It IS true what they say here - "If you don't like the weather, just wait ten minutes!"

Credits: Scrapkit - "Sleepover" by Julia @ Everyday Mom Ideas

Scrapkit - "Eco Friend" @ Sweet Shoppe Designs

Denver Makes the World a Better Place

Thank you, Denver, for bringing me laughter and smiles when they were needed.  You are truly deserving of your very own Facebook page!

Denver the Guilty Dog's Facebook Page

*UPDATE* 

My brush with fame!  A comment from Denver herself...



Denver Our Guilty Dog sends greetings to Tia in beautiful Denver, CO! Sounds like you're havin' fun -- ROCK ON, girl! xoxo

A Stitch in Time

Just have to give a BIG shout out to my friend Dawn's gorgeous new site (and talent)...

She creates G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S crocheted hats, headbands, diaper covers, and slippers for infants, toddlers, and children.

These are only a small sample of her work. You can see more of her talent by visiting

her website at:  http://www.wix.com/4squaredshop/4-squared

her Etsy shop at:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/4SquaredCrochetShop

or her Facebook page at:  http://www.facebook.com/4SquaredCrochetShop

Know someone having a baby soon...just had a baby...or has a little one (or not so little)? These make the perfect gift for any occasion or simply just because. Visit Dawn at one of the links above and browse through her catalogue and photos. You will be glad you did!

Reflecting

Each time my little man is away from me, I sit for hours glued to my computer screen looking at old photos and videos. And each time, I feel that old tug of what was. The old cliche "they grow up so fast" really doesn't even BEGIN to describe just how fast they DO grow up...and, eventually, away.

For now, I will hold tight to my baby's hand and help him grow and discover his world. And although some day he will expect me to let go of that hand, with hesitation I will. But...I will forever hold on to his heart!

The Elusive Peace

PEACE

1.  A state of tranquility or quiet;

     a.  A freedom from civil disturbance;

     b.  A state of security or order within a

          community provided for by law or

          custom.

2.  Freedom from disquieting thoughts or

      oppressions. 

3.  Harmony in personal relations.

4.  a.  A state or period of mutual concord

            between parties.

     b.  A pact or agreement to end

            hostilities between those who have

            been at war or in a state of enmity.

Dear Peace,

How I long for you.  You are the first hope in the morning and the last prayer at night.  I have searched for you endlessly for years to no avail.  At times, I can see you peeking around the corner.  I run to you at full throttle only to find you have, once again, disappeared into the abyss.  For short, sporadic moments I have enjoyed your company but your visits are brief.  Teasing almost.  I know you are out there, somewhere.  I would love to welcome you a place to reside.  I will ask nothing of you...just your presence.  If you need directions, I will eagerly supply them.  I will even meet you half way if necessary. 

Oh, you are more than welcome to bring your companion along with you, Hope!

Blessings to you.  I look forward to welcoming PEACE and HOPE into my world!

Anxiety Girl

Thank goodness for Xanax!

Push My Button

Brilliant!!! Wish I could take credit for this but alas, it is not mine to take credit for.

Positivity in one's world is so essential. Lately, positivity has been lacking in mine. I am bound and determined, however, to make it my mission. And yes, you can help! Uplifting, positive, kind thoughts wanted within, so...

Go ahead - PUSH MY BUTTON!!! (but not this one - the one over there)

{You will be taken to this entry's page. Just leave a positive comment. The more, the better!}

The Sound of Silence

Ssssshhhhhh...Listen - can you hear it? Me either! Silence -- I honestly don't know what to do with it. It's so foreign to me that I am at a loss with it. What do I do? Turn the television up to full volume? Crank up some Motley Crue? Or should I just sit and take it all in...get lost in it...surround myself with it?

Wait...what was that? "Mommy, watching?" "Butt clean as a whistle?" Hmmmm, must have been my imagination.

Silence...it truly is golden!

Hmmmmmm...Something to Chew On

Independent Paralegals Improve Access to Justice
By Steve Elias

Paralegals who directly help consumers prepare their own divorce, estate planning, name change, and guardianship papers have been around for a long time. Usually, these paralegals gain their expertise from having worked for lawyers or having attended formal paralegal schools. Yet many lawyers have sought to drive these independent paralegals out of business by charging them with "unauthorized practice of law"--a criminal offense in many states. While some of us believe that a thriving independent paralegal industry would vastly increase access to the justice system for the many millions of people who can't afford lawyers, others--especially many lawyers--believe that only lawyers can be trusted to help people with their legal problems.

In October 2007, a Massachusetts statewide commission examining barriers to access to justice recommended that independent paralegals be allowed to speak on behalf of low-income parties embroiled in certain civil matters. According to the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, the Massachusetts Bar Association predictably shot the concept down, arguing that poor people deserve legal representation just the same as rich people and that non-lawyer paralegals could not be expected to deliver competent representation. Their answer to the access problem? More court-based assistance to self-represented litigants, more lawyers, and more pro-bono legal services.

What's my point? That lawyers fight tooth and nail to maintain their monopoly and that legal consumers in Massachusetts probably will have a long and rocky road ahead before the Massachusetts powers-that-be finally accept the obvious facts: there are lots of legal tasks that don't require a law school education, and access to justice in Massachusetts would be vastly improved by bringing non-lawyers into the mix of legal service providers.