I have MOVED OUT...Please, do not be sad.

When I woke up yesterday and read a message, I realized... TODAY is the day!  Change has come. 

A day I had only dreamed of.  A day that was a long-g-g time in the making.  A day that was about to move into the next stage towards the goal...it was HERE.

I was beyond the feeling of bliss, I was so far in the clouds that I do believe I needed a rope tied to my waist to hold me down, for I was floating.  I found myself humming - loudly- oops (sorry neighbors...I can not carry much of a tune) and i was even singing!  CHRISTMAS CAROLS, no less.  REALLY?!  Yes, really....Well, I did feel that it was beginning to look a lot like that!! Between all the boxes and all the excitement and all the inside "tickle me pink" that I felt....It was surely GREAT.  Yeah, I even used an air guitar while strutting my stuff inside the garage! (thank you B and JM for playing in that rock band of my mind along with me)  I believe I pulled a muscle!  But, where there is a will, there is a way!  So keep on keeping on.

So do not go getting all scared and thinking I will leave you... for I am NOT. Trust me, I am planted and my roots are deep!  I ain't a goin' anywhere!  I will not be "moving out" from our Robin's "nest", that would take pulling out all my feathers leaving me bare and I don't agree with animal cruelty nor nudity in public!!   However I DID move out of the garage.  I did, I did!  The hubs almost a had a look of sadness in not seeing my infamous stack of near endless boxes marked"cottage" crowding his man cave oasis.  It is a forward step though and the opening of a new door on the future.  One that just simply adds an adorable "glimpse back in time" cottage where the little birdies who flock there will enjoy some tweets and greets and sweets and make beautiful lasting memories.  The Cottage will be complete before long ( yea yea yea... could take months!  after waiting this long what is another 60 days?) and all the "treasures" in those heaping boxes that just "moved out" will be finding their new resting space soon, unpacked and loved again.  Graced with the decor of yesteryear, tossed with textiles of mix and match prints and blessed with God's perfect timing.  I have dreamed, waited and anticipated this new step and I have accepted the path in which it has lead me.  I am so thankful for the time it has taken, for when you have to wait and learn patience and understand it is not about us yet about how God will use us towards a greater purpose, it makes it all the more a treasured walk.

I taste fresh brewed tea, I see children using their creativity through arts and crafts, I hear friend's laughter during our gatherings, I feel the touch of my husband as we sit and share conversation and I reflect on the words of my dearest of friends who have supported this adventure from day one.  I  will always be grateful to my "business partner"  and awesome friend for believing in me and knowing that wearing our matching pink tool belts, we are a force beyond measure.  She has been more than helpful, she has been my motivator and an inspiration in keeping this up on the TO DO list at the tippy top!  I am gifted with parents and an aunt who love me to the very core and know that dreamers do make things happen, through hard work and setting goals.  I am blessed with two beautiful women who entered our family through love, together with our boys and who have always thought the idea of a cottage was not a silly dream but a cool idea.  They patiently wait to see the reality unfold.  In fact I have a sign painted by N, that will hang on the wall as a reminder of one who loves me.  There have been lots more supporters not yet mentioned here, but have no fear, I am long winded and my book of life has many pages.  :)

If I may, (you know I will...) let me leap back a few years to fill you in.  Ok, QUITE A FEW YEARS...

There was a boy with the most amazing sparkles in his beautiful and stunning blue eyes.  He had gorgeous chestnut brown hair, strong yet loving hands that made you know he will always be loyal to you and a heart made of pure liquid gold.  Now when this boy set his mind on what he wanted, there was no keeping it from him.  He met a curly haired and bouncy personality girl with a smile and one never ending, rarely sleeping, barely resting and oh so creative mind. There was fireworks that sparked that day and their future had begun. 

Is love at first sight real?  Apparently so.  At the very least, we KNOW... your heart will land, where it falls.   For this, I say, Thank you, Lord. 

Now let me fast forward over 3 decades later.

There is a man with exciting hair of warm browns and soft grays, who has remained steadfast as the wind beneath the wings of his lady.  Never wavering and constantly supportive of her happiness.  He listens to all of her dreams and he is the "me"  in Mel and Me.  This man who wears a golden ring as his symbol of loyalty and unity  from a woman who loves him beyond her wildest dreams. Now this woman has had some rather exciting dreams, let me tell you.  FROM her infamous sketch pad it all begins...for example, the idea for the family to experience their very own playground and nature park...TO using the bob cat to dig out the earth "just like that" getting the job done! FROM removing a wall, TO removing MORE walls and finally busting out the back of their home to continue that quest to make room for their growing family all to have the place to gather making wonderful traditions, year after year.  FROM designing an intimate courtyard right down the to very smallest of details TO always standing beside her man in a construction tool belt being his helpmate and partner that has lead them to build on their lifelong legacy of togetherness. 

Their boys walked each and every step of the way along side them.  Grown now and on their own journey, proving that love & support & happiness, in even the smallest of ways given to another from oneself, (take a quick breathe) comes back to you in the biggest gifts imaginable. It is NOT about money.  It is NOT about career titles.  It is NOT about winning any competition. It is NOT anything that you can buy.  If you ever think it is any of those things, my friend you will find only loneliness and heartbreak and failed relationships. It is ALL about faith. ALL about truly loving someone.  Honestly trusting your heart and giving it to another. It is ALL about saying YES and then jumping in, feet first- submerging and bathing yourselves in that love. It is ALL about BEING that wind beneath the wings of your loved ones and letting THEM soar...  For a real relationship of any kind (spouse, parent, friend, etc) will NEVER leave YOU grounded, they will pick you up and together you will fly on that wind you generated.

So...

That boy and This girl knew that Those fireworks from many moons ago had only gotten more grand of a show in their skies.  For Together is where they will always rest their heads.

My dear husband and I had the pleasure of meeting when I was just a teenager. He remembering hearing him tell the cutest story to his family and friends of how he found me young and he modeled me into his "perfect woman".   So if that could be true, here is how I respond.  By telling him..  Okay...  well YOU MADE ME WHO I AM...(even when I get feisty).

I gotta love that man!  He is awesome.  He is a-maz-ing.  He is my loving and endearing husband.  He is my friend.  Thank YOU for completing the Mel and the Me :)  I love you, D. Forever

Be sure to count your blessings each and every day.

And...

Yes, I shall keep posted on the updates of the cottage, the memories being made, the progress and anything so awesome that leads me to bring my fingertips back to the keyboard to write and tell you all...for the journey has begun around the bend.

Have a lovely day and pay it forward with a smile.  You just never know whose life you can change with Being Simply You.

Tweets from our nest to yours, 

Melany Meadows- LaRochelle

It is official, I have hit ROCK BOTTOM :)

Hitting  ROCK BOTTOM... have you ever found yourself FEELING this way?  How about SAYING this about your life, situation or even the day?? When you read those words, does it come to you in a negative way?  If so, I would like to share with you a NEW way to VIEW your life in a more POSITIVE and UPLIFTING style.

R U READY?

For me, hitting ROCK BOTTOM has a huge smile attached to that phrase,. To me, this means the ground breaking of a dream that has seen both passion and tears, high hopes and lots of prayers, from a thought, to a goal, to a sketch to reality.  It is here.  The COTTAGE.  Some are tired of hearing the word, some know every detail of the plan, some have supported me with all their heart & soul and some ask me- how can they be there to lend a hand?  For ALL of those feelings, I can say, I love each and every one of them!  Although people may not support your dreams, people can look at you in wonder and some may choose to giggle and ask WHY...  All I can say is WHY NOT?

In life, we have but one chance to spend that moment.  To make a REAL difference.   To love with all your heart, to set the goal on your eternal picture and to take the focus off of ourselves...Make the most of it!  As time goes (and it does go quick -trust me) I have learned and I practice and I fail and I dust myself off and try again.  NO ONE is perfect, especially me.  NO ONE makes all the right choices, NO ONE goes on this journey without bruises. 

But....
What we do with those experiences, knowledge and trials is all about HOW we will spend the rest of the moments AFTER the event.

Cause and effect? or let me say Cause and Affect.
Thinking of AFFECT, meaning that will SHOW your emotions, have an influence and BE as a result of a CAUSE.  Let me explain.  If ROCK BOTTOM is the lowest place in your world- sadness and depression and a whole host of EFFECTS can  result. You can take that same ROCK BOTTOM and the AFFECT can be how you HANDLE it and influence others to be positive in a situation versus negative.

A matter of PERSPECTIVE.

In the above case of the cottage, it has been years on the slate and waiting has been long but the dream will happen in the proper timing.  Not MY timing yet God's timing.  I shall rejoice in the reasons for changes and exercised use of patience (although I feel I am  not blessed with an abundance of patience... I do know, for a fact, that I must have it)  For what do we have if we don't have trust that all things happen for a reason, for a greater good and for God's Will versus our own.  Do not get self absorbed in the world of "YOU"??  If so, you... will only be let down.  Do not put ALL your trust in another, for the world is made up of many.  We are to interact, learn from lots of different sources and fall... yet, get up to dust off ourselves and develop the wisdom over time.

This, too, is  matter of perspective.

Today, marks the day I hit ROCK BOTTOM and for me, it is a shovel that hit a rock on the bottom...in the dirt, down deep to break the ground to start the cottage that is a dream that started many many moons ago and will be set into motion seeking the results of a little building housing a girls vision of delight and simplicity that will fill the heart of many who walk over the threshold to step back into the days gone by.....  Now. say that without taking a breath and you can experience my AFFECT of enthusiasm I strive to live every day with!  Why... NOT?

Come and share with me, your ROCK BOTTOM story and let the world see that it is ....a  matter of perspective.  Being that "affect", that influence of turning someone else's frown upside down into finding the pleasure, on the sometimes long journey it takes to get where you are meant to be.

Enjoy your step towards Spring, my friends, each and every foot of it!
Melany Meadows- LaRochelle

Out with the old and in the with NEW (YOU!)

Who says that there is a certain day of the year that we need to plan for all these grand changes to take place in our lives?  Typically, folks tend to make all these ideas for the NEW YEAR.  New SCHEDULES, new SELF IMAGE, new GOALS, new PRIORITIES, new JOBS, etc.  Whoever started this ideal (which I could do the research and find out, but why?)  had it all wrong!  Why does one bursting moment of the calendar change have to be THE MOMENT to think about our lives?  Isn't  your life valuable EACH and EVERY moment?  If you have not thought of this quite to this depth, then I encourage you to do so NOW.

Our lives, our moments and our daily grind is a gift.  Once that moment leaves, it is the past and we can not get it back.  All those curves, hills, valleys, twists and plateaus, (that are sometimes quite difficult to handle)....are PERFECT!  Perfect in the way that it shapes us, teaches us, changes us and allow us to grow.  We may not see it at the time, but truly when we surrender and learn from these pasts, we have everything to gain.  Now, that does NOT mean that we will have no pain, no valleys and no more curves in the opposite direction which we THINK we need to be traveling. No no no. But in the end people ALWAYS say....  if I only knew THEN....what I know NOW... Have you ever heard that saying?

Let's take a look at some events and see if anything rings a bell.

1.  I want this house SOOO BADLY, BUT.... then later you find the perfect HOME that fits the path that your life took.  Remember a small HOME filled with love is so much MORE than any size HOUSE absent from the commitment of a couple sharing their love journey together.

2.  I would like 3 babies....  BUT....  you were blessed with FOUR!  That last bundle has a purpose!  You just wait and see!  ALL of those babies HAVE A PURPOSE.  Male, Female, Fair or Dark, "perfect to your standards or perfect with disabilities", EACH life is precious and born for their purpose.

3.  I want to WEIGH this or wear that SIZE.....BUT....  you are graced with curves and look FABULOUS!  Let me point this out first and foremost....LOOKS are only skin deep! While exercising the body to your capabilities is ultimately healthy and important...giving in to social stereotypes is NOT.  Who really wants to be around a beautiful - "ugly" personality of a person?  NOT ME!  For those numbers???...  {PLEASSSSSE  Modeling careers need all shapes and weights of people, from petite to plus size to sports modeling, etc, it is their own CONFIDENCE that sells them to an agent... construction workers, sports players, actors or even comedians don't let their "number" phase them, in fact they have to eat more to have the calories to burn due to their active schedules.  So why do many people dislike their own body instead of accepting those things that we can not change.  We can want all day and night but if we are not tall and thin or graced with muscles like a body builder even though we try try try...  We simply were not meant to be that "look".  Same goes for all those dieters on the lifelong roller coaster ride,  what you once were...may not be what you will remain.  Change of our bodies is a part of life.  I beg you to see the BEAUTY that lies INSIDE yourself and beam with that positive energy instead.  The image in the mirror, yes, is important but do not allow it to DEFINE you.  Show the world, you are YOU because of WHO you are...  not what you look like or don't look like.  After all, I don't wish to be a "cookie cutter" and look like everyone else.  If THAT was the plan...  Don't you think we would have been made that way?  Our bodies are like our minds and our traits...  UNIQUE and REJOICE in the differences!  (even TWINS are not identical in all ways)

4.  I wish I could WORK at that place because I want to do this for my CAREER!  Well guess what?  We don't always get what we want.  :(  hey... Turn the frown upside down and SMILE..  Something better is coming down the pike!  You may not see it right then and there..  But it is COMING!  You will be SO GLAD that you did not get that "other job" because there is a greater plan and a better job in store for you!

5.  HE (or she) is the person for ME!  I heard a story that was so dear.  Get this...  in college a person set up a friend on a blind date.  The friend knew of the checklist of yes' and no's but there was ONE problem with the blind date that fell on the NO WAY list.  It was his NAME..  Now, his name is not a odd or strange or weird or silly name...  it was just a name that the friend particularity did NOT wish to call her "husband" by for a lifetime.  Well guess what?  The blind date went well... a second date was requested and yet another.  The two who started off as strangers, became friends, married and have celebrated over 40 YEARS of life together! They have children,.. grandchildren and even great grandchildren on the way.  Miles of vacations and memories of traditions throughout their lives, as well as the love that seems to be only found in fairy tale stories still lasts to this day. WHOA...  and to think that this girl would have missed the boat (ummm sayYACHT!!) that carried her prince charming all because his name is George.

I find it funny (scratching my head in wonder) NO- not really... but rather... INTERESTING or honestly...SAD... just how much pressure we place upon ourselves for acceptance in this world.  I truly pray for those who suffer with wanting to "fit in" or be this or that.  Rather than - finding YOU... be YOU...ACCEPT YOU.  If you have curly hair versus straight- it is...OK!  If you have a long pointy nose- it is... OK!  If you are shorter than the average male... it is... OKAY!  Some folks talk with all kinds of excitement while others are very cautious to let their feelings show.  Some keep us laughing and in "stitches" while there are other people who only display a distinguished side.  All that is OK- as long as YOU are BEING YOU. Now, of course we all have rules to follow, manners to practice and a time or place for all of our personalities to come out- this is not what I am talking about.  

What I am saying though, IS... if being a stay at home parent is your calling right now instead of a high paying career, then be the BEST CEO for your family!  If working for a small salary plus commissions is your calling, be the BEST COMMITTED SALES PERSON for your clients!  If being a girl in a so called guys world or being of color in a so called white world, makes you feel or possible are treated differently... then you show everyone the BEST OF YOU that can be!!  America has an amazing amount  of women who have achieved job titles and/or large salaries as well as America has an amazing amount of people of color who have done the same including our country's own elected leader!  He of all, can show us that if we apply ourselves and have dreams and work for our goals, WE are CAPABLE of that "success" that we seek.  Don't allow your gender OR your color OR your differences make you feel that you are not capable of ACHIEVING the same as someone else!  Again... WE ALL HAVE A PURPOSE!

Not everyone has the skills or even desires to be the one "on top" however... it is IMPERATIVE  for us to be ALL THAT WE CAN be in our own job, whatever that is.  You never know when someone may see your great spirit, excellent work ethic and truest sense of confidence that will open doors to paths of your dreams.   I could never envision myself as a technology guru OR a sports enthusiasts OR a great singer... but when I have let myself peck on the keyboard and "surf the net" I was given the opportunity to write for others to read - hopefully to positively inspire them to love themselves as the great and  beautiful individual they are.  As far sports goes, I played hostess and delivered pretty trays of food during TV time.  That service allowed me to see what great fun everyone was having.  In return I sat down and watch the game in a tense yet excitable way.  So, for that singing thing...  Well let's just say, I am soooo thankful that babies and pets love our sound versus how many records we sold...I can, however sing some pretty good lullabies!  :)

Don't change for others  (In fact, you can NOT change for others,) You can "play" the part but you will be living a life of turmoil within and eventually you will expose the true you.  Do not let PEERS make you feel insignificant.  See them for WHO they are and mind you...  that is NOT a peer but rather a bully or peer PRESSURE.  We all can use a cheerleader, don't get me wrong. To encourage reaching for the stars, setting our goals one extra notch higher or loving us enough to express concern for our choices BUT that is far different than peer pressure.  Don't get the two confused.  Pressure, leads to traveling the journey of life on a far different course.  Trust your gut instincts and follow them.  Pray about decisions before making them and choose wisely because each action produces a reaction.

Loving YOURSELF, allows you to fully GIVE yourself to another.  Love is the greatest of gifts.

Unwrap today's present with a smile each time you look in the mirror.
Be...Simply YOU-
Melany~

TGIF

TGIF

T- Thankfulness
G- Giving
I- Inspiration
F- Forward

I trust most of you have seen the letters, TGIF, which usually would stand for people's elation that it is Friday... The last day of the week, the work is over from punching a time clock and the fun filled weekend is about to start.  "It's 5:00 o'clock somewhere" attitude, right?

Just in case you have forgotten about the laws that changes many moons ago where the work week was no longer just Monday through Friday, I shall brief you on it.  It became a Saturday ideal which then crept into our Sunday being fair game to serve the public for their worldly desires of convenience  instead of savoring that day for rest, family and above all, serving God.  (but this will be another topic- so stay tuned)  In doing so, those letters, TGIF may no longer be fitting for all to use on Fridays.  I know that nurses work weekends, and waitress' work weekends and so does cashiers for grocery stores, department stores and more.  So how did the acronym become such a cool thing to repeat?  Even a food chain is named this.  What about all the other days of the week?  We really need to thank God for them all.

So I came up with my own version and I hope that it allows us to think a little deeper than Friday and use it to be our daily dose of happy...each and every morning- fill your heart with TGIF.

THANKFULNESS is more than just the feeling of excitement and happiness when what we get wrapped up in a pretty box is something we have wanted.  To be truly thankful, is to see each and every step of our way in gratitude that is far deeper of an emotion than a surface smile.  Thankfulness comes from understanding that even the curves in the road of our journey in life has a purpose... Missing the bus gives us time for that extra hug we give our child before we rush to work and they have their long day of learning..  Spilling the coffee on our outfit and having to change serves an unforeseen purpose that was meant for us to be delayed..  traffic jam, accident, maybe that we forgot to turn off an appliance, or should the phone ring and we needed to hear that caller.  Thankfulness grows humility.  Humility- we all need and strive for in becoming the best we can be.  Be THANKFUL for the ups and the downs for it all has a purpose into making us what and who we are.

GIVING comes from the heart.  At least it should.  If you give from within yourself, the rewards are plenty.  Remember the rules "you give to give not to receive?...  what is funny, is the giving to others allows us to receive!  Receive that joy of highlighting someone's heart and brightening their day which in return floods our lives with the sun's rays also!  It can be a muffin, a pillow you made, a surprise visit by their office or even a special cup of latte... it is not about the amount of money spent.  It is about the amount of TIME spent.  Great things come in small packages and the gift of time comes in any size! 

INSPIRATION is like a cheerleader.  What inspires you?  What motivates you to being all that you can be?  Could it be a blog post, a billboard along the road, a message written on a chalkboard, or possibly the sermon from last Sunday?  Our inspirations come daily.  From the mouths of a friend, the service from a waitress and that of a child who innocently stares in your eyes with 100% of trust that you will love them and do them no harm.  Inspiration comes from YOUR ACTIONS as well as WORDS.  What inspires you?  What you DO can INSPIRE others.

FORWARD, meaning the future.  Live for Today, for it is our GIFT.  A gift of life given to us, for yet another day to have time to spread the good news of our purpose.  Our purpose of being the best we can be. Employee, Mom, Friend, Servant for the Lord, Spouse, etc.  Learn from Yesterday for it is our past, we can not change it, we can not fret on it and we can not live in it.  What we can do it learn from it.  Plan for the future by Paying it FORWARD.  Paying it FORWARD with love offerings to others.  Such as a visit to a nursing home to drop off flowers to a resident whom you do not know.  Giving some of your time to serving at the local soup kitchen or perhaps saying YES to the volunteer sheet at school or church.  Paying it FORWARD does not have to be with money.  In fact, I believe that you will find a greater reward by spending your TIME versus spending your money when it comes to this.  Most of us, can gratefully say, that we can toss a penny in a wishing well and not "need" that 1 cent. BUT... I ask you now...  A Penny for your thoughts, what will YOU do for another in the future?  

Today is a new day!  Rejoice - Dance - and Be HAPPY!!  TGIF lives within us all...  be sure to open these gifts and spread the news.  

TGIF= GIFT
Peace and Joy be with you, today and always
Melany~

Is it Wednesday already?

What have you done with your time so far in 2015?

Have you seen it as "day in and day out", "same day different year"," just movin' along", or perhaps not being able to grasp the thought that 14 days have already past!  Are you are still working on that infamous New Year's resolution plan???  Let's put a halt to all of that right now and make it REAL change.  Don't get me wrong, a "resolution" is alright (I guess) as long as you put your whole heart in it.  Statistically, fitness centers load up with people in the beginning of the year with all these plans of loosing weight and within weeks the attendance drops and the members fade away.  People set goals so high thinking they can master the list within a year (or less) and find themselves not able to achieve and dwindle away from their process it takes to getting there in the first place...  viewing themselves feeling as a failure instead seeing what they DID accomplish.  Let us forge onward with the Power of Positive Thinking to lead us.

Consider taking time each day to be about learning in 2015.  Learning about yourself. The more we know, the more we grow...both inside and out.  Not only is this great for us but all those whom we meet.  Did you realize that HOW we interact with others sends ripples of effects around and around and around?  How we interact begins with how we FEEL...how we feel ABOUT ourselves...how we FEED our soul,.. and WHERE we learn from.  Do you have the greatest of teachers??

I truly believe if you:
1.  open your eyes to seeing all those small victories in life,
2.  center your goals on simplicity and
3.  have your heart in the right place at all times...Then grand things will take place in you, through you and because of you.

Rejoice in knowing that YOU MATTER!  Being a stay at home mommy or a leader of a great company, YOU matter.  Being a fruit farmer or a fashion designer, YOU matter.  Being an elderly person whose life may be nearing the end or a brand new infant whose life has just begun...YOU matter.  Never feel any less because you didn't reach some goal and Never feel to great that you don't need a goal.  For we all need to strive to be our very best in all things, in all ways and... always.  So let a ripple flow through you to help with the wave of positive thinking and shed yourself of negativity that may shadow your journey.

Make 2015 the Best of YOU....by being: Simply You.
Melany~

Happy New Year, Day 5

So after taking a long winters nap "z z z"  (not really<--- who has time for that!) I am starting 2015 fresh and new.  Actually the past few weeks has been enjoyable, rewarding and most of all relaxing.  While rejoicing with family, mixing in friends and tossing in some good ole fashion days of wearing only pj's... I can say that 2014 ended with peace and happiness.  I can only hope that the same was for all of you.

Now back to that "nap" thing.  YES..  you do need to take the TIME for it..  We all have the same 24 hours, yet it is about TIME MANAGEMENT that allows for us to take care of ourselves as well as the needs of the day, the TO DO list, if you will and all those "hundreds" of other things that we must do.  But I once heard the advice of "naps are essential" and OH how true that is.  A power nap can make the world of difference.  In attitude, GRATITUDE and overall feeling of inner strength.  We tend to work and work and work.  Whether that be a paid job outside of the home, a virtual job in the home or the task of parenting and stay at home "16 hour" job!  

So take the time to UNPLUG, SIGN OFF and RELAX.  15 min of your mind being mindless allows you to focus more on calm that will shed the light to a new you.

Happy Days are among you, open this GIFT of the" present" that we are blessed to have today and say, Thanks Be To You.

Blessings of joy,

Melany~