What the What?!

Get some Liz Lemon in your life!  

I'm getting this shirt!

I love Tina Fey!  She is super funny, a little quirky, lovable and just adorable.  Whenever I have a chance to watch TV, 30 Rock is always a show that makes me laugh.  Definitely the best sitcom since Friends.  I found this little video clip of all the Sh*t Liz Lemon Says and oh man, is it funny! 

Watch it & Laugh!  She is so sesual.  haha

Madly? In Love

This is when we were Madly in Love.  My high school graduation day.

My husband and I have been together since we were 17.  We are now both 34 with 3 beautiful little girls.  We have essentially grown up together.  We have been together for as long as we haven't been.  That is a long time.  There is soooo much to write about us & so much I have to share with everyone on the things that life has taught us.

I was just crushed having to leave him for college.  It wasn't long before he followed me though :)

But, the first thing that I want to write to you all about is what one of my girlfriends told me several years ago when we were going through some growing pains.  My girlfriend, Rain, has always been the friend that will tell me the things that I don't want to hear.  The things that are hard to hear.  I love her for that.  It is so wonderful to have a friendship like that where you never have to worry about speaking up to one another.  We both know that we will always be there for each other.  I am so blessed for all of my friends in my life.  They have truly been angels.

Wedding Day

While I was in deep, emotional conversation with her about my marriage,  I told her that we used to be Madly in Love - that I thought we still were Madly in Love?  What happened to us?  Rain said "Why would you want to be 'Madly' in Love?"  At first I got a little confused by the question.  Everyone wants to feel that way.  But then she said, "Krista, you aren't 17 anymore.  You don't want that kind of love anymore.  You want an adult love - a mature love - respect - partnership - individuality."  It really made an impression on me.  I thought about it for a while and talked about it with Andy.  We aren't 17 anymore - why am I still stuck in that immature mindset about love?

The answer for both Andy and I was "NO".  We don't want to be Madly in Love!  That is not where we are in life.  We want something better, something true, something mature and something obtainable.  I think that since we have been together since we were kids we had to learn how to really love one another.  We had to learn the hard way, but at least we did learn and at least we have a whole life time still to enjoy real love for one another.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is the best description of what we strive for every day. "Love is patient. Love is kind......."

What Rain told me that day has stuck in my head ever since!  I think many people may think that too.  That you are always supposed to feel Madly in Love.  But that is so False.  It is not sustainable.  It is not what you strive for in a loving relationship.  A lot of people like the falling in love part and want to hang on to that feeling to feel loved.  I think that they are missing so much.  I am so glad that I now know how to love and hope all of you learn to love like it says in the Bible.  This kind of love is called philia love.  It is said that when you do love like that then you have so much love to give that it spills over for all the world.  That is our goal!  My wish for all of you and especially my girls is to have so much love which is real happiness that your love will spill over for all the world.

My love, Andy and our beautiful life with 3 girls

My Happy Place

Whenever I feel stressed or anxious or just need to think of something relaxing, I envision myself in my "Happy Place".  

I am a Beach Rain Bather!

There is no better feeling than laying in the sand right at the surf in the hot sun.  And then a light rain shower comes and cools you off.  That is just about the best natural high there is to me!

And, of course, some good conch fritters or some fried island food with a fruity cocktail sounds divine!

What's your spot?

This is me in St. Croix with my lover (Andy) cooling off from laying in the surf.  The only thing missing was some hot rain bathing!

Here are some other Happy Spots:

photo source

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Emotional Scale

Abraham-Hicks has come up with a series of emotions that will help you work from feeling bad to feeling better about what ever you are experiencing. If you find where you are emotionally on the scale, and then try and find thoughts that feel just a tad bit better about it. Small baby steps toward Joy.


This scale of emotions helped me through some of my rough times. It's a great way to see how certain feelings rank. It gave me hope & showed me how even though I felt angry that it was a better feeling than depression. So, I was actually doing better than before. Thought this would be a good tool for many of you.

Authentic Happiness - Love to all

Sometimes holidays esp. Valentine's can bring up a lot of emotions for people.  

It can also be a  stressful time & a time that reminds us of people who aren't with us anymore or of things we have lost or mistakes/regrets we have made.

One thing that I have learned is happiness is a choice that you make!  Don't choose to be a victim or the "woe is me" routine.  Take Life by the reins & Just BE HAPPY!  Love & happiness go hand in hand.

I also found this quote (below) that IS FALSE!  This is a good day to remind us.  Your happiness does not depend on another.  Your partner is just someone sharing your life - your happiness. 

Here are some tips I found a while ago that are great to help us ALL through these times of the year that can also bring sadness to some.

1) Respect for All Life.  In your daily life, you must manifest unconditional love and respect for all beings in creation.  First and foremost, you must make a conscious effort to love and honor YOURSELF as well as removing all judgments and criticisms.  Affirm this often to yourself because when you see yourself as lovable and worthy then you can extend love outward.  The more you love others, the less old "painful" patterns exist in your life. 

2) Genuineness.  Be True to Yourself!!  Don't make excuses.  Make healthy choices.  Be impeccable with your word.  If this gets hard just reaffirm that you live from honesty, sincerity and faithfulness which is your TRUE nature.  This also means saying no to things and not over-scheduling yourself.  Be kind to yourself.

3) Considerate.  "When you have the choice to be right or to be kind, always pick kind."  Gentleness generally implies that you no longer have a strong ego-inspired desire to dominate or control others, and this allows you to move more into a rhythm with the universe.  You will accept people and events as they are.  Then, blame and being a victim disappears and you enjoy the peaceful world around you.  You don't feel the need for revenge or to be hurtful to others.

4) Supportive.  Giving to others without any expectation of a reward.  Don't listen to your "ego" that can dominate your life by telling you...I'm unworthy, I can't do this, No one will help me, No one cares.  Just think of how you can serve the world and your attention will shift it's focus.  Then you think less about what you want and need and instead find comfort and joy by giving.

All of these things are important.  It is good to be reminded.  And Remember most important is to truly love and adore yourself first because then your love will overspill to others. 

"Be Kind. Everyone you meet is in the midst of a great struggle." -Plato

Happy Valentine's to everyone! I hope it is full of love, joy, friendship, family, laughter, forgiveness, understanding, and harmony.

Day of Love - Last minute gift

Needing a last minute Valentine Gift?  

Flowers, of course, are the way to go.  Here are my picks this year:

I hope everyone gets a little loving today!

Cymbidium Orchids are gorgeous.  Potted orchids are also very nice.

Hydrangeas are very vintage feeling & all the different shades  are lovely.

A wrap of Casablanca Lilies is pretty top shelf!  I recommend white roses if lilies aren't available.

A Tropical arrangement is thinking outside the box.

I Love orange or yellow roses sometimes going non-traditional is appreciated.

Photo Sources:

martha stewart

trendsettingwedding.com

floweradvisor.com

Valentine's Day Every Day

I personally think romance should happen year round not just once a year.  But it is a good excuse to be kinda sappy.  My husband & I usually do a little something for each other - a card, a poem or a sweet gesture that's a little extra than normal.  But, we usually like to "DO" things together because to me that's just way sexier.  We love snow skiing or cross country or snowshoeing since it is winter in CO!!  But I have no problems with beach things either :)  Plus you get to be in a bathing suit in the sand with your honey.....  Sounds perfect too.

So, here are a few of my Valentine Day suggestions for the couples who are little more like us:

The CARD:

Homemade or Bought is just fine but I LOVE these from Etsy.

Architecture Valentine Construction Card

And I always think a touching sentiment written inside is a nice touch.  Write a love poem.  Last year we both wrote 100 reasons why we love the other.  I love reading over it!

And if you are looking for some ideas, check out my Etsy Treasury List for special gifts for Him!

May all of you have a very Romantic & Sensual Day!!!