I'll Try

Whenever someone says to me, "I'll try to be there.", I most often mark them as a "no". Although some may say trying is a noble thing, I disagree. Like the sign says, DO or DO NOT. I know for myself, I make time for what I truly want to do. I make time for people I really want to be around. I get work finished that I want to accomplish. Trying is often an excuse word when we really mean no. No, I won't make time for your request. No, I won't make time to hang out with people I don't enjoy. No, I won't get to my goals set for today, this week, etc. Telling someone that we'll try is easier than telling them no. It is an avoidance mechanism that we have all used. It often helps us skirt the issue and put off the real answer ~ no.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Don't try ~ do it!

Women's Conference ~ Part One

This was in my fortune cookie last night. It seems fitting after the week I had producing the Expand Your Horizons Women's Conference at the Nixon Library. It is the culmination of a five year dream of mine to produce a women's conference. All in all, it was 95% positive and the feedback we have received from people has been heart warming. So many elements go into creating any event, you forget some of the little details that make it, as I like to say, go from good to GREAT!
We were lucky enough to have professional photographers capture the morning and I am so excited to see it all through their creative lens. This is only a small post about the conference with more to follow once the photos are in to help tell the story.

Here's part of my opening speech:

Good Morning! Welcome to the Expand Your Horizons Women’s Conference. We are so glad you are here.

I am Susan Svoboda & this is Elisa Dilabio. We are the producers of today’s event. Looking out at all of you gathered here, in this beautiful setting, on this sunny morning, says to me that dreams DO come true! This conference has been a dream of mine for over 5 years. I have always believed that women are excellent at supporting and helping each other. Last July, I shared this dream with Elisa and she said, “When do we start?” Together, we have worked hard to assure that this day is one you won’t forget. We searched for speakers and topics that would encourage, inspire and teach you. Today, we have some incredible women as your speakers. Some we have known for many years and some we met just recently. Their topics vary, but what they all have in common is a willingness to share some of what they know with others. We’d like to thank them for giving of their time and talents. Ladies, please stand.

It has been said that the only dreams that matter are the ones you have when you are awake. We challenge each of you to ask yourself ~ What is my dream? What can I do to get closer to realizing my dream? Our goal today is to inspire you to reach a little higher, think a little more, and believe in yourself and your dreams.

Hands Down!

If this isn't a perfect photograph depicting Abbey's personality, I don't know what is! #3 does things when she wants, as she wants and will not be coaxed into dispensing smiles upon command. Ahhh, but when she does offer you one of her beautiful smiles, you feel washed over in sunshine and goodness.
Smart as a whip with a memory that scares me daily, she keeps me on my toes. Driving, she will start many sentences with, "Remember when we went here and...". She recalls minute details that have long left my brain. She is never wrong in her recount of the event. I am blessed and amazed by her daily!

My Kids

Al I have ever wanted for my children is two things ~ for them to be happy & to be productive citizens. Watching their relationships and seeing their happiness, makes it spill on to me as well. The road of relationships is neither a straight line nor without its share of bumps. The point is, it is worth the ride. Having the right person next to you, makes the journey even better. I hope, when times get rocky, they can recall the many reasons they first wanted to share their life with this person. In my opinion, if you can recall it, you can always get back to it.

Making Memories

The whole family went to Disneyland this week to celebrate January birthdays, specifically, Abigail's. It was probably the best day we have ever had there, with picture postcard weather and VERY few people. We were definitely spoiled for future visits. For some reason, Pa really wanted to go on the water rapids ride in California Adventure. Jack and Abbey didn't make the height requirement, so daddy stayed behind with them, while Pa, Grammie, Amber, Maddy, Tyler & Emily went on the ride. Lest there be any doubt, YES, you get wet! For some reason, my seat was the one that didn't just get splashed a little, it got pummeled with huge waves of water leaving me the most soaked out of the riders. For whatever reason, this was seen as a total delight to all my family.

My hair was wet. My shirt was wet. My jeans were not wet ~ they were soaked!!

Five hours after the ride, you could still feel how wet the pockets were on my jeans!
At the end of a 12 hour day, we went around and asked, "What was your favorite ride AND what was your favorite memory of the day?" Hands down, my drenching came to the top of everyone's list. There's just something about mom (now, grammie) getting the brunt of any joke. In the past, I would have taken offense to this and felt like my family was being mean to me. I was not very good at laughing at myself. This day, however, I realized that these very people who were laughing at my miserable, soaked state were be the same ones who would run through fire for me. They would rescue me. They would protect me. They would make sure I was okay, no matter what!
Knowing that, makes a little bone chilling soaking kind of warm you up! You make memories when you least expect it. It is often in the small things not planned, but later, so cherished.

AMSR

Thirty two years ago today, at 4:40am, I became a mother ~ the hardest job you'll ever love, as the saying goes. My daughter is a wonderful woman who juggles a very busy life filled with her own children, a husband who travels a lot, a job, many friends and more. She is like me in many ways and very unlike me in other ways. I would say we have a fiercely honest relationship with each other. Who else could say to me, "God, mother, you're not wearing that, are you?!?!" She calls me on my judgmental-ness and often asks me questions I don't want to answer. I, on the other hand, offer suggestions and ideas, sometimes pushing and prodding, that she may or may not want. She is my best friend and when we are at odds with each other, it makes me feel like something in my day is just not quite right. The level that we clash is less than the level that we love.
I quickly grabbed old pictures for this blog and, after looking at what I had, I realized that the men in her life are in some pictures ~ her first love (father), thorny love (brother), everlasting love (husband). They each have their arms around her, back when the picture was taken and today as well. Lucky girl!
May your day, your year, and your life be blessed, my daughter, as you have blessed mine.

Experience Gift

My son and his girlfriend gave me an awesome Christmas present. It was a gift certificate to a place called "Pure Light" at The Spectrum. There, you make your own candles. You get to choose everything, from shape, to fragrance, to colors, to these incredible embellishments that they have. It can almost be overwhelming because there is so much from which to pick. I decided to take my crafty, partner in crime, JoEllen. Sitting there with her, laughing through the whole process, made it such a fun experience.
She may have enjoyed using the sharp tool to break up the blocks of wax a little too much!
Once you have picked your shape, you begin filling it with the color chunks of wax. Of course, I had to pick the heart because I love hearts! When complete, the store adds hot, melted white wax around the chunks. then, the cool part of adding the different embellishments happens. Deciding just where everything goes is the final step in your creation.
Here are the finished products. Mine is on the left. Along with the gift certificate, Tyler & EB gave me a few embellishments which I loved! One was a message in a bottle,which is proudly displayed near the top left. This is a double gift because I had the memorable experience of making the candle myself, just the way I wanted it to be and now, it will be on display in my house for all to see.
Thanks, guys ~ love it, love you!

Callie Girl

"Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window." ~Steve Bluestone

I just LOVE this picture!! OK, I just LOVE this dumb dog!!!