Today's thought

I was just outside gardening, and thought about this:

Why should I waste my time thinking anything negative about myself? It makes life that much harder. It makes life that much less fun.

I know from experience that we can practice feeling good, until it's no longer practice. We can choose to think healthy thoughts of ourselves - oh how we all shine! How we give so much love to others...now let us give that to ourselves every day.

Imagine, all of the things we can do with this new energy. Let's not waste anymore time.

Trapeze

I just returned from a business trip to Florida. Gosh did I meet some really cool, talented, fun and down to earth people, most of them engineers. At the resort where we stayed, there was a trapeze school and anyone could take a lesson. I was so excited about this that I tried it. However when my time came, I froze! I had that feeling that I just couldn't believe that I was swinging on a trapeze. You know that feeling, right?

I started out swinging on the bar (as you see in the first pic), but did not flip my legs over the bar to then reach out and eventually do a back flip. My friend Lance did wonderfully (as shown in the 2nd pic). I'd like to give it another try someday, and that won't be hard to do, as there is a Circus School in San Francisco, and a Trapeze School in Oakland. Who knew? To my friends with kids - these are apparently good places to hold birthday parties. To any adventurous adults with no kids, these are good places for your birthday parties!

I am glad to be home, although it was fun to run away to the circus for just a little while.

Where gardenias grow like weeds

West Palm Beach, Florida

I hope all of your wishes come true

Happy 35th birthday my gent

Santa Cruz

As I took the photo, a guy near me said, "This is the way Santa Cruz used to be".

Temporary setback

I had gone 5 days without sugar. And then these came along.

Boxing!

My sweet and spunky future sister-in-law just called. She's taking a boxing class in Baltimore. And, she ordered these hot gloves! She was schooling me in the lingo, telling me about flutters and hooks...it sounds like so much fun. Jay has got to photograph his little sister getting her hands taped up, looking like a badass. Then with the pink gloves on. I love it.

What's your favorite boxing movie? Is it "Rocky"? "Raging Bull"? Or perhaps my favorite, "Somebody Up There Likes Me". Paul Newman starred in this 1956 film, and it's the story of Rocky Graziano - a scrappy kid always getting into trouble until he got into the ring. The love story is so sweet too.

I thought "Cinderella Story" was good and I loved "Million Dollar Baby", even "Rocky Balboa" - the one that came out this past Christmas. What is it about boxing?

About 2 years ago, I went by myself to a middleweight championship boxing match at the Shark Tank in San Jose. It was so cool. One of my must do's in life is to go to Vegas with Jay and go to a heavyweight boxing match. He likes to add, "and throw around some f&%k the world money" (very unlike his true nature).

Speaking of must do's...soon I'll write about the 100 List, and maybe even declare that I want $16 million dollars!

Follow-up: Jay just arrived home, and without knowing that I'd just had boxing on my mind, told me the following..."This weekend when I went skating with Jaden and Jeff, Jaden asked me to tell him a story. Little did he know, I gave him the whole plot to "Rocky I" and I told him the moral of the story is to always do your best! Because if you try your hardest and don't win, you're still a winner." Jay then asked Jaden to rate his story between a 1 and 10. Jaden gave it a 6.

Hopeful

Today is my second day without sugar or coffee, or any sort of "bad for you" foods. I am feeling wonderful. What prompted this was that it was hot this weekend, and when I put on my skirt and tank top, I knew I wasn't at my best - and I was finally ready to take charge...of myself! Of course I want to look beautiful in my wedding dress, too. But I want this to last for the rest of my life. I've gotten into a slump over the last several years and it's time to put a stop to that, and be the best I can be! It's harder not to. (One of my very favorite sayings).

I got my Perricone Prescription book off the shelf, and planned my 3-day program, which will be followed by the 28-day program. My co-worker Lance is doing this right alongside me. I've done other cleanses in the past, which involve only lemonade, maple syrup and cayenne pepper - no food! This one however, is all about healthy food.

First I couldn't wake up and have coffee, as coffee "raises levels of cortisol and insulin, hormones that accelerate aging and store body fat". I am to substitute green tea instead, "which contains catechin polyphenols, antioxidants that boost metabolism and slow aging. Green tea can also block the absorption of bad fats by 30 percent". Sign me up!

Now I love coffee, I love sugar, I love (fill in the blank)...but I am ready, so that's why I can do this now. Hey, when I go to Maui this summer, you can bet I'll have a cup of kona coffee and a pina colada...but I will be able to control myself, as I haven't been so good at that in recent years.

I will post more about my results as time goes by, but I am eating a lot of salmon, spinach, tuna, romaine lettuce with only olive oil and fresh lemon juice, canteloupe with fresh berries, egg whites and oatmeal (not instant). There are also raw hazelnuts involved, olives, chicken, apple and pear. Oh, and a lot of water.

Happy first week of Daylight Savings.

Snot factory

backyard camellia

Today, I am a snot factory. It's true! Just ask any one of these 47 crumpled tissues laying around me. I've got to tell you, I bought a box of Puffs at Long's and it was on sale for .99 cents. I remember Puffs being one of the most luxurious types of tissue when I was younger and I didn't want the chafing on my nose. Well something happened to Puffs. They are no longer a luxurious tissue! I should have bought the Kleenex brand with the 'soothing aloe' for $2.19 a box. Live and learn my friends. Puffs needed to cut costs!

Another thing I will say is that when I get sick, I feel really negative. It's terrible and it happens every time. I tried to stop it from happening yesterday. I even watched my DVD of The Secret again, but as soon as I turned it off, I felt negative. It must be some sort of natural physical phenomenon. Today I am sick, but I can tell I'll be getting better soon, so my mind feels very positive.

Anyhoo, it is Friday and that is awesome. My dog is laying on a pillow near me and that is cool. 22 days ago, I didn't have a dog!

A few things to think about, that I read recently:

- Energy flows where attention goes.
- Nothing new can come into your life until you’re grateful for what you already have.
- Intend what you want and it will manifest.
- Follow your enthusiasm, excitement and joy.

xoxo

Happy Birthday Clare!

Clare & me

Happy Birthday to a true friend. I love you!

Light reading

On feeling discouraged:

"No man was ever so misplaced but that he could not find the right place".

Wallace D. Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich


On renewing belief in oneself:

"The Warrior of the Light is a believer. Because he believes in miracles, miracles begin to happen. Because he is sure that his thoughts can change his life, his life begins to change. Because he is certain that he will find love, love appears. Now and then, he is disappointed. Sometimes, he gets hurt. Then he hears people say: "He's so ingenuous!" But the Warrior knows that it is worth it. For every defeat, he has two victories in his favor. All believers know this."

Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light


A few of John Wooden's favorite maxims:

- Happiness begins when selfishness ends.

- I will get ready and then, perhaps, my chance will come.

- Don't let yesterday take up too much of today.

- The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.

- Do not mistake activity for achievement.

- Treat all people with dignity and respect.

- Acquire peace of mind by making the effort to become the best of which you are capable.

- Make each day your masterpiece.

From Wooden

Beach day

Conversation snippet

Setup: Jay is working on my car, I bring him lunch. He sits down on the steps to eat.

Jamie: "Oh, look across the street at those kids jumping on the trampoline".

Jay: "If we were filming it, eventually one of them would get hurt and we could put it on You Tube".

Devo and Willie...the showdown!

Devo spots Willie in the yard.
Fact: Whippets were bred to chase small furry animals!

Jay, the animal wrangler, gets Devo to sit and Willie to come closer.

The moment of magic ~ What a squirrel! What a dog!
(We gave Devo a treat too).

Random neat stuff

Jay holding my goddaughter, Rayleen
(aren't they adorable)?

We watched that DVD "The Secret" last week out of curiosity, because our good friends swore it started to affect their lives in a very good way. It was pretty corny at times like they said, but it left both of us feeling more positive.

The next morning I thought, how can I bring more abundance to our lives? I thought about Jay's photography and how I really would like to help him with his business. Later that day I was driving to Petaluma to visit Liss. I reached for my cell phone to call Jay's sister, Melissa. I clicked on the "M's" and the first name that popped up was Mario. I realized I hadn't talked to him in so long, so I dialed his number. Usually I get his voicemail but he answered. He said, "Jamie I was going to e-mail you yesterday! I wanted to ask if Jay takes photographs of 'normal stuff' or does he just do crazy things"? (Referring to our holiday card with the squirrel). I said "Heck yeah, the normal stuff he does is awesome"! Mario is a set designer for Pottery Barn catalogue. He told me to have Jay send him some work because they may want to rent his photos to hang on their walls as part of their sets. I hung up and thought, DAMN that secret s*%t works! My Mom would call it synchronicity.

It really does help in life to keep thinking positively no matter what, and to have gratitude every day. I'll tell you another time about a guy who has deeply inspired me - his name is John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach.

Now for the cool stuff. Check here for the images Jay put together.

Drop a line if you have a favorite!

Dad

Dad and his kids

Twins Babs and Bobby, as their mother called them when they were young

Dad's parents

My Dad just turned 60 yesterday. I miss him, as he lives in Charleston, SC with his wife. He's a great guy. He's always given me good advice and he's a good listener. He is kind hearted and he loves animals. He comes off as friendly and somewhat serious but he has the goofiest sense of humor. He loves to play golf. He was a philosophy major in college and later became a pilot. He's inspiring because he loved his work and loves to be physically active, and he doesn't let things get him down too much. I can't wait to see him this summer.