Month: October 2016

Boost Your Mood

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I’ve been in a low recently.  Booo hissss.  Good news is, I’m climbing on up!  I’ve done some soul searching, some meditation, lots of reading…you get the picture.  My mind and soul are feeling much better, but I have still been lacking in the body department.  Since my goal is balance in all things, I’ve gotta get my butt in gear!!  Get movin’!

I made this infographic to share some much-needed motivation for myself & anyone else feeling the struggle.

Here’s to hoping this gives someone a little boost!boost

 

breathe, just breathe.

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Today there is no silencing the darkness.  Today I am shrouded in a heavy, black cloud.

This cloud slowly sucking life from my body.  A storm cloud, thundering so loudly I am unable to hear anything but its booming.

Booming, booming, booming.  Silencing peace.  Silencing positivity.  Silencing all logic.

 

Physically, I hurt.  More of an ache, really.   Waxing and waning like the tide.  My hands and feet tingle when the anxiety comes.  The weight of my chest increasing 10 times when the feeling is at its worst.

I am tired, so tired (even though I slept from 11am Tuesday until 8am today, Wednesday).  In spite of this excessive sleep, all I want to do is go back to sleep (but even that thought brings anxiety about tomorrow).

I spent the morning drinking coffee as usual, although today, I retreated into the quiet darkness of my closet.

I close the door and quietly cry.  Floods of tears soak my face, no matter how hard I try to hold them back. Even when I gather the strength to leave the safety of my closet, tears continue to escape.

My mind swirls with thoughts and emotion.

Worry. Sadness. Confusion. Anger. Defeat.

Breathe, just breathe I tell myself.

Breathe, just breathe.

mind-swirls

The swirling madness slows. Still, I am unable to make it stop.

I go through the motions.  I put one foot in front of the other.

I should eat, but I can’t.  I should watch a funny movie.  I should meditate.  I should take a walk.  I should exercise.  I should…. I should…I should…

Instead, I remain frozen in my depression.  I disappear into the blackness.  Trapped in my own head.  I feel sorry for myself.  I feel stupid for the illogical thoughts that control my mind.  I feel like a failure at life.  I feel, and feel, and feel. I feel until the only feeling I have is numbness…. then I remember,

Breathe, just breathe.

There are five reasons, I remain.  Five reasons, I keep going.  Five constant reminders to…

Breathe, just breathe.

One day the world may turn its back on them.  One day they may need someone in their corner.  One day they may feel as alone as I have felt.  As long as it is in my power, I will ensure that they are never alone (no matter the twists and turns they face, no matter their choices, no matter what).

I hug the little two, I look at pictures.  I write words the five may never read.  I find comfort in their goodness.  Peace in their innocence.  Hope in their potential.

Breathe, just breathe.

Loved ones stand by helpless, unable to pull me from the blackness.  They can’t. No one can.  I have to face it alone.  Yes, it helps to have support.  It is nice when someone reminds you they are there.  But ultimately, when the battle is with your mind, you are the one doing the fighting.

You are the one who must continually, tirelessly, each and every day, save yourself.  No one else can.

I know this will pass.  I’ve been here before.  Eventually the sun will shine again.  Light and love always win.

Even in this knowing, today I remain cloaked in my darkness. A familiar feeling.

Today, like many other days, I am my own worst enemy.  My mind and I at constant odds.

Some days I quiet my mind, no problem.  Other days, like today, my mind takes control and there is little peace to be found.

On the tough days I am thankful for my five reasons.  I am thankful for five reminders.

Reminders to breathe, just breathe.

breathe

 

 

100 Costume Ideas: Inspired by DragonCon 2016

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It’s finally October!  Yay!  The countdown to Halloween has begun!

I love, love, love Halloween!!  My kids love, love, love Halloween!!

What do we love most about it?  Dressing up!!!

Although, so far this year, the kids  have changed their minds 152 times about what they will be and I haven’t decided either!

How about you guys?  What are you transforming into this year?

Need Some Inspo?

Typically, I scour the internet, and overdose on Pinterest, for costume ideas.  This year I didn’t have to do that.  The ideas just strolled right by…er, um…paraded right by…

Yep…Thanks to the 2016 DragonCon parade in Atlanta, I viewed thousands of costume ideas up close and personal!

If you have never been to DragonCon you are missing out.  It  has become one of my favorite weekends in Atlanta!  Thousands of people in AWESOME costumes?!? Yes, please!!

This was the first year we made it to the parade, and I CANNOT wait to do it again!  If you haven’t been…DO IT!  It was a little tricky to get there…the parade starts earlier than I would have liked, especially with kids in tow (you’re gonna wanna ride the MARTA if you ever get a chance to go), but totally worth setting the alarm for!

I thought it only fair to share some inspiration with you!  Without further ado…

100 Costumes (via DragonCon 2016)

#1- Waldo

#2-Scary Pig Man

#3- Carmen Sandiego

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So You Wanna Be A Super Hero?

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Four outta five of My Super Heroes 😉

 

#4 – Captain #Murica

 

img_1812 Love that trash can lid shield!!

#5 & #6 – Superman

IMG_1887.JPG SUPER never goes out of style!

Who wore it better?  

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#7 & #8 – Spidey Couple   #9- Spider Man:Workout Edition

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img_1959 Nice sneaks!

Robots Rule

We thought the robots were AWESOME!

img_1814#10 – This guy

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#11 – Check out the guns on this girl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#12 & #13 – Robotics

img_1825Check out that gas mask!

 

#15 & #16 – We come in peace…Who says Robots gotta be mean? img_1826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#17 – Policeman  Robot

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#18 – Iron Man (I guess he should have gone in the Super Hero category…don’t judge me)

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Who Needs Clothes We Live In GA*

*Warning: This category may not be helpful to you if you don’t live in the South.

#19 – Silver PeopleIMG_1907.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#20- White Haired Fiercenessimg_1813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love the BOOTS! 🙂

#21 & #22- GLADiatorsimg_1833

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Seriously…if you look like this, do us all a favor…wear this…

#24 – Grecian Queens

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#25 – Classic Harley Quinn

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Always one of my favs…owing her revived popularity to the new movie, Suicide Squad (loved it).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#26 – Arabian Knight?

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While I applaud his commitment, as a nurse, I could not help but think about all the grossness he was stepping on while making his way down Peachtree…

 

Group Getups

Phoenix’s Favs!  WHO YOU GONNA CALL???

Ghostbusters!

#27- Egon Spengler  #28- Peter Venkman  #29- Ray Stantz  #30 – Winston Zeddemore img_1878

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#31-Janine Melnitz “Ghostbustas whadda ya want?!”  img_1873

#32- Jillian Holtzmann  #33- Patty Tolan “The power of Patty compels you!” 

#34- Abby Yates #35- Erin Gilbert  #36- Dana Barrett

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#37 – Captain Jack Sparrow Ghostbuster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#38 – Gray Ghostbuster

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Suicide Squad

#39- Harley Quinn   #40-Deadshot  #41- Joker  #42- Enchantress  #43- Rick Flagg

#44- Captain Boomerang  #45- Katana  #46- Killer Croc

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Power Rangers

These guys been kicking butt for a LONG time!!

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#47- Black Ranger  #48- Pink Ranger  #49- White Ranger  #50- Yellow Ranger

#51- Blue Ranger  #52- Red Ranger  #53- Mohawk Rockin’ Axe Swingin’ Pig Man

img_1940

Mystery, Inc.

This was my jam growing up! I still LOVE Scooby Doo!!!  #greatdanelove

#54- Scooby Doo  #55- Norville Shaggy Rogers  #56- Daphne Blake  #57- Velma Dinkley

#58- Fred Jones  #59- Scrappy Doo

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Hungry For Brains?

#60- Zombie Psych Patient  #61- Guy Pushing Zombie Psych Patient

#62 – Photobomb Zombie

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#63- Zombie Pysch Patient’s Zombie Doctorimg_1857

#64- Zombie Psych Patient’s Zombie Surgeonimg_1859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, those great!  Zombie is never a bad choice for Halloween!

Maybe you are looking for something a little more…sparkly?

I Feel Pretty

#65- Cinderella  #66- Prince Charmingimg_1849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#67- Cinderella v.2.0img_1847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#68 & #69 -Anger & Joy

(Don’t miss them in the background.)

 

Secretly raising a princess near you…

#70, #71 & #72 – Flora, Fauna & Merryweather (The Three Good Fairies)

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#73- Mad Hatter  #74- Alice (not pictured)  #75- Cheshire Cat img_1846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feeling the Force?

May the Force be with you this Halloween!!

#76- Not sure who this guy is..img_1919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#77, #78, #79-  Coolest Storm Troopers eva!  img_1905

#80- Pimp accompanying the coolest storm troopers eva

#81- Han Soloimg_1908

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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#82- Darth Vader

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#83- Chewbaccaimg_1918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#84- Chewbacca’s Flight Crew

 

#85- Storm Trooperimg_1915

#86 – Classic Storm Trooperimg_1913

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#87 – The Force is strong with this one…Not sure who he is…..

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I spy a sexy bald man in the background of this pic… xoxo

Rando

This costumes, like me, are a category all their own…

#88- Pipe Carrying Crazy Ladyimg_1829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#89- Creepy Little Girlimg_1830

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#90- Her friend

#91- Tardis  #92- Dr. Whoimg_1837

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Not sure who this character is…but he’s cool…

 

 

 

#93 – Mr. Top Hat

#94 – Undertaker

Love this costume…If you want to see it up close and personal, head on over to Netherworld!!!

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Speaking of Netherworld…

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#95- Stone Angel  #96-Demon  #97- Voodoo Priestess  #98- Hades

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#99- Psychotic Nurse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#100-Deadpool

You can even be Teletubby Deadpool!

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Hope you leave here with a little inspiration!!

Which ones are your favs?

What are you and your tribe dressing up as this year?

Happy Costume Hunting Everyone!!!