Jumping off the plank

I'm a "MOM" and it's one of the hardest most rewarding jobs I've ever had. I have a daughter Anna 18, sons Owen 16, and Evan 12. Something I've learned since that day they placed that precious little girl in my arms is that I am a different type of parent. By no means am I perfect. I'm human; however, there are lots of parents out there that believe they ARE and will judge you at every step of the way. I do things differently but, not "wrong". My goal as a parent is to raise happy, responsible, productive children. I believe in tolerance and acceptance. I believe that beauty comes from the inside and we all have the right to our own beliefs and expressions of self. As long as your not hurting yourself or others or ramming your beliefs down my throat, we will get along. If you attack my kids, be prepared for the mother bear to come at you. I hope to share stories, tips, things I've learned and well anything else that comes to me. Thank you, Maureen

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Be happy!

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Just Breathe

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[lawsofmodernman]

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You got that right!

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Amen

[theskinhorse]

Just saying

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Clean out a closet!

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LESS IS GOLD. Found on a recent trip to Seoul, Korea.

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Get outside!

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Yeah!!

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Kindness

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Capturing the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

To view more photos and videos of cherry blossoms and hanami parties throughout Japan, browse the #桜, #花見 and #お花見 hashtags on Instagram.

In Japan, sakura (桜), or cherry blossoms, stand as the symbolic flower of spring and start appearing all over the country as the seasons change. During this season, rows of cherry trees with their pastel-pink crowns transform the country and shower the streets in falling petals. People go out to gardens, streets and parks for hanami (花見), or flower viewing, to appreciate the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the mild weather after the long, cold winter. Often, hanami involves picnicking in the best sakura locations and enjoying food and drinks with friends under cherry trees. The blooming of sakura begins from the south around late March and spreads northward through the beginning of May.

Want to see more photos and videos from some of the most famous sakura locations in Japan? Explore the location pages below:

Kochi Castle, Kochi

Daigo Temple, Kyoto

Chidorigafuchi, Tokyo

Takatojoshi Park, Nagano

Miharutakizakura, Fukushima

Hiromae Park, Aomori

[theskinhorse]

So beautiful!!!

[serymn]

A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.

from Zen Shin Talks (via wryer)

[theskinhorse]

Frugal, Budgeting, & De-cluttering More posts Less stuff

I've decided to try and get back into more blogging and posting.  I would like to share more of my budgeting, frugal ideas, de-cluttering, less is more, and just general "THIS IS WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD" Real LIfe Stuff!  Hope you all enjoy.

So today I had to go for bloodwork and I had to be fasting.  Which all in all is truly not that bad but, as many of you know I'm so not a morning person. I get up at 5:30am and I tell ya the no coffee thing was the hardest part of waiting until 8:30am for the blood draw!  

To celebrate I had a $5 g/c to Starbucks I've been holding on to for a special day.  Well today definitely qualified as a day for a VOLT of caffeine.

So my hubby and I treated ourselves.  The g/c brought it down lower than buy one get one free!  

I don't go to Starbucks very often and today it was very GOOD STUFF!

[theskinhorse]

Less is More

A small load went out to ARC again today.  Striving to continue down the less is more path.