Sometimes lists get int the way!!

Good Morning to you all! We are slowly but surely ending this week..at least here in Germany ..as it is Friday morning and I am happy to report that tomorrow I drive home and be with my husband and 4 footed kids for a few days at least!! The past 2 weeks have been a bit crazy as far as what I have gotten accomplished..my Mom has always said that I tend to thrive when things ae super busy and hectic..this is indeed true..So past 2 weeks..lots of prayers, 2 Nursing certification courses, 1 course for work, finished up my second course for my MA, started the next 2, took a personality assessment, completed 2 books (really should have set my 2015 goal with Goodreads higher!!).. started 4 more, a shopping evening, a day trip to France, a day to myself exploring Kaiserslautern, a few workouts, several sleepless nights, time with co workers who have become good friends, enjoying being able to wash and dry my clothes in a period of about an hour..this is for those of you who live in Germany and also use drying racks most of the time!! 
Needless to say I am ready to get home but have a great feeling of accomplishment and even a bit of increased self confidence as there were a few times where I thought to myself..there is just no way..but stayed on track regardless..BUT..what did have to go out the window were my lists of what I wanted to get done everyday..I am a list maker and love to be able to check items off..half is because I am older now and I need reminders and half is because I am also a touch complusive with a bit of perfectionist mixed in..sometimes not a good combo!! Regardless, I started the 2 weeks with a long list for everyday..and got frustrated because I was not checking all of the boxes..therefore beginning to feel like a bit of a failure with every passing day..finally after about a week and a half of this I gave up on the lists and bam-some of the stess I was putting on myself disappeared and as a result..more productivity, esp outside of the work setting. Will I give up my lists? No way, but this episode has taught me a valuable lesson that sometimes what I expect out of myself just should not be listed-as what I check off does not define my productivity and success for that day. One of the books I am now reading is Joel Osteen's "How to be Happier..Everyday a Friday"..every morning a chapter before I start my real day during what I call my Inspirational time-coffee, reading, thanking God for the amazing things He does!-in Chapter 5 I read this passage..Don't let yourself become so focused, so driven, so busy with what you do each day, that you miss the miracles along the way.--fitting for I would safely say quite a few of us, a simple sentence but a great reminder.
So, I wish you all an amazing day, don't forget to share your smile!!

            Happy are those who take life day by day, complain very little, and are thankful for the little things in life!!

A friday afternoon and my mornings!!

 Hi there! So, last week was a bit on the stressful side but I ended the week with a trip to the new mall here in Kaiserslautern and got some retail therapy..ladies you all know what I am talking about..sometimes an absolute "have to"!! But what is even better than that is starting almost each and everyday with a little inspirational reading..I am currently reading Everyday a Friday by Joel Osteen..for those of you have yet to read this book I highly recommend it, I just finished chapter 4, titled Bloom Where you are Planted..great stuff! plus am right in the middle of Psalms..talk about starting your day off right..God's word and learning how to make everyday a bit better than the one before!!
So, the step challenge is keeping me motivated and planks are becoming part of my daily routiene..yesterday was spent with friends both old and new on an adventure into France to do some pottery shopping..will post pics on Have Flip Flops will Travel this evening..and I decided as today is yet another gorgeous day here in Rheinland Pfalz that I am taking 1 of my textbooks to an outdoor concert and then to the Japanese Gardens here to get outdoors and soak up even more inspiration and Vitamin D!!
I wish you all an amazing, blessed day..we are slowly but surely rounding the summer months out..enjoy every minute of it and don't forget to share your smile!!

                                Happy are those who take this life day by day, do not complain, and are thankful for the little things that life has to offer..

How can the days get away from me like this??

So, it has been said that life happens when you are making plans..oh how true this statement is!! Things are moving and shaking all over the place in our household with career opportunities for both of us..granted these opportunities don't always meet in the middle and line up nicely but between my husband and myself we are now so flexible that just about anything could come our way and we will be able to find a way to make it work..maybe with some bumps along the way but hey..that keeps thing interesting!! I have been on the road..and in the air quite a bit..am actually living out of hotel central again as I write this..but last time I was home I received these gorgeous flowers just because I exist..what a beautiful thing it is to be appreciated and missed...Sometimes indeed, it really is the small things that make it all worthwhile.

As I have been busy with work and school..see temp office below!! My husband has been busy with work and home renovation projects..the weather and his crazy schedule finally allowed him to complete the fence and now it is time for the new patio extension..Missy will not be happy as her own personal beach will be going away but for us it will be wonderful to have a new outdoor living area. Our fruit and veggies keep growing but the grapes are what are doing the best as we have had cooler days and rain for the most part..but as you can see the flowers just keep on blooming.  This week is a bit sleep deprived as I am working on getting all of my Nursing certifications back in order as 2016 will be the year I begin working as a RN again ..ask me if I am psyched!!! However, PALS and ACLS in 1 week is a bit stressful as my fellow nurse know. ;D Just wrapped up my second course for my MA this afternoon and am about to go out and get some fresh air..started a step and plank challenge with one of my co workers yesterday..talk about doing a body good and getting some motivation..being held accountable!! I wish you all an amazing and blessed Wednesday..remember to share your smile..

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.

               ---Psalm 7:17