Questions For Humans: The Series

 Back again for another Question for Humans. I LOVE the question I chose this month.  Lets get right into it.

This month's question is:

Isn't this a great question?!

My answer:

Picture: 9th grade English class. I was clearly misplaced in this class- I had never been in classes with any of these people before and I am pretty sure there was a 10th grader in this class too. Mr. Hickman was the teacher and he was awesome. He was much older than the other teachers but that made him even cooler. He was so passionate about teaching and what we were reading. He clearly realized that I was misplaced in the class and he would always tell me in the middle of the craziness

"You're an isle of calm in a sea of despair"

He wrote this in my senior year book- 4 years later, he still remembered. I was confused by this initially but years later, I realized this was a really really sincere compliment. Mr. Hickman said even in the midst of chaos, you were calm and a place to focus on. 

Snapshot from my senior year book 

These words have stayed with me my all through my life and I think about it often now that I am in my 30's. Thank you Mr. Hickman.

What's something you'll never forget?

[[Words are powerful; words change lives; words and ideas change the world.-Bryant H. McGill]]

Questions for Humans: The Series

 Its back!
Another round of Questions for Humans- Did you like last month's question? 
If you missed it, it can be found here

Okay... on to this month's question:

This is easy for me... a FLAMINGO! (hurries up and checks google to see if its an exotic animal...)

Phew, Google told me that flamingos are non-native exotic animals. On to my reasoning why....

So flamingos are not only so pretty but they have such fun personalities... perhaps it might be because I have given them said fun personalities. BUT nonetheless, Flamingos are just so pretty to look at.

Have you seen the photos on social media from that specific Aruba beach where you can get up close and personal with the flamingos? How fun and exciting (and perhaps slightly scary) is that? 

I think they would make great companions and they are quite the conversation starter... "So, how long have you had your flamingo for? How old is it? Does it like going for walks?"

I guess until they are legal to own as pets, I will settle for Penelope the flamingo...

What kind of exotic animal would you like to have a pet? Let me know in the comments below!

[[Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons!]]

Questions for Humans: the series

NEW SERIES ALERT!

For Christmas, I got this fun deck of cards that has all different types of questions for you to ask yourself, friends, family, loved ones, etc. Its a great ice breaker and it makes you think.  Dr. John Delony is part of the Ramsey Solutions group and after checking out his Instagram, I felt a connection to him. He 's down to earth and tries to live his life to the best he can. He admits when he's wrong or when he's learning and he has fun with life too. This deck of cards has brought some big smiles to my face and lots to think about 

I carry it around in my purse, just in case. I have really loved the conversations that have stemmed from these questions. The particular deck of cards I have is for couples, but I have found most of the cards can be used with anyone.

My idea is to share one card a week with you, my lovely followers and in hopes to sparking a great conversation. I will always post my answer within the post and ask you to post your response in the comments.

This month's card is....

This felt like the best way to start these series off with this question. Your perspective as a kid to adult changes so much and to reflect on the change shows how you have hopefully grown and matured. 

My answer:
When I was a kid, I thought success was having a big house and driving around in a fancy car.

When I was a teenager, I thought success was being famous.

When I was in my 20's, I thought success was having a lot of friends and going out all the time.

and finally now, in my mid 30's, I think success is being happy with your job and having money in the bank for a rainy day. Security is success and while security might differ from person to person, it has the same idea- you being safe. 

Clearly, my idea of success has changed over the years and it was interesting to think back of what I thought was successful. Would I like a big house and a fancy car, of course- who wouldn't?! The idea of being financially secure and being happy with what you do each day is so much more important to me now. 

What's your answer? Comment below!

If this question has peaked your interest, you can find this deck and other decks here. 

[[True relationships and connections are the emergency fund for your life. -John Delony]]

Hi August

From bowtiesandbankers.tumblr.com

August is officially here and I cannot figure out if I am excited about it or frustrated about it. On one hand I am excited about it because it means FALL is closer and I will be able to wear cute boots and sweaters. I am frustrated about it because I felt like I did NOTHING this summer. There were so many things I wanted to do/see/accomplish but it looks like I did nothing. Which in a way is nice but I really want to see the Minions Movie- ((I know, Im five but it looks really cute)) Many next weekend I will be able to do that.

As I look at my August calendar for both my work life and personal life, it looks a bit crazy. I want to start to preparing for Adopting Day in November. I know its 3 months away but those three months will fly by and I need to be super organized! My personal life is filled with doctors appointments, yoga classes and personal training. I often look forward to my yoga class and personal training because I know I am getting stronger, mentally and physically.

I made my goal list for August. After looking it over, my goals are more abstract this month rather than specific.

August Goals:

1.  Keep calm and level headed
2. Real and truthfully blogging
3. Educate myself more on my gastro issues
4. Time for me (paint more)
5. Take at least 1 photo a day

I have been blogging on and off for the past four years. The only time I really stuck with blogging was back in 2011 with my other blog, Just Simply Elle . It was basically just daily ramblings with no real sense of direction. I think it showed my true personality and I didn't really care about readers or anything. I did it for me. I am happy that I was able to capture these ramblings and I sorta wish I kept up on it more definitively.  My point with this babble is I want to get back to what I had back in 2011. My goal specifically #2 is to do just that. Not really care about who reads this, just to keep myself sane.

Pinapples painted by me 2014

Another goal I really want to do is #4 paint more. I absolutely love to paint. Am I the next Picasso, Rembrandt or Warhol, HECK NO, but do I enjoy it and love what I do, HECK YES! It basically works as a stress reliever for me and sometimes what I paint is really pretty, sometimes its not. I don't care- I just want to put paint on a canvas and hope for the best.

From acrohnieslife.tumblr.com

My Gastro issues have been a sore spot in my life for the past 3 years. Last year, I wrote down that I finally wanted to figure out what was going on and boy I think I made a mistake with that one. It has been a roller coaster ride trying to figure out what is going on inside of me. My most recent hospital stay (I promise a post just about that soon!!) made me realize whatever is really going on inside of me is bad. I've had doctors tell me that I have something and then other doctors tell me I do not. It is scary when you have conflicting opinions from medical professionals. All I want to do is lead as normal of a life as I can. Easier said than done I believe.

Well, Here is hoping that August is better than July; questions are answered and my life can remain somewhat normal. 

xx Gabrielle