Everything Else Archives - Page 2 of 88

It’s Ok to Take Time Off

December 21, 2017 By: Nanette

I know I haven’t written in awhile. I kind of took the summer off and haven’t really hopped back on to things for lots of reasons. Disney’s words, “you only have 18 summers” with your kids really hit me this summer and it hit hard. As I look back at the time that has gone by it makes me sad ’cause I feel like I missed so much of it though I know in reality I didn’t.

Then came health issues for my family and I had to put that first. Because you know, family always comes first with me as I’m sure it does with you. Time kept creeping by and I just didn’t have it in me to write. Maybe because I was enjoying just living life and not feeling like I had to capture every moment of it and write it down or type it out, or photograph it and post it on social media.

I took a break from social media too and honestly, it felt so good I didn’t know if I ever wanted to go back. Yes, I’m back on social media because I’m a blogger and that’s where work is. That’s part of the job. I know that. And that’s ok but maybe now I have a better understanding of boundaries, of time restrictions. If I post now, I post with intention not just to get something up on my social media sites whatever it may be. If I write it’s because I have something to say not just because I need to get something up. Maybe I’ve been doing it wrong all along. I’ve been listening to the people who say you need to have this number of followers, this number of readers, this many likes per post, you have to post this often and use this many hashtags.

I’ve been listening to the wrong things, the wrong voices. I need to be listening to me, to my heart, to my head, and to my body.

Life kind of threw a curve ball at me I wasn’t ready for. Actually, it threw a couple at me. One has to do with a family member I love with all my heart who is facing a very difficult health path. Prayers always welcome and needed. And then it was me who got some rather eye-opening health news. Here I thought I was doing pretty well at taking care of myself. Well, apparently not.

But the one thing I did find out is that I need to take care of me. I need to control the things I can control and let go of the things that I can not. I need to take the time I need for me even if that means I have to tell everyone else they have to wait. I know I’ve said it before but now if I want to be around for my kids and my family, I HAVE to put me first. I have to stop trying to take on everything. I have to teach myself it’s ok to say no and that not everything has to be done right now. I need to get myself out from in front of the computer and move. I need to feel the sun on my skin, the breeze on my face.

I don’t know if I’m writing this for you or for me? Maybe I just need to hear myself say it all. Maybe I just need to be able to come back to this post and remind myself it’s ok to say no, to take time for myself. Or maybe I’m writing this for you. Maybe it’s words you need to hear too.

I’ve taken some time to re-focus on my family and on me and the things that I love, the things that make me happy.

Are you doing the same? If not, I encourage you to. I’m not saying you need to lose weight to get healthy or stop posting your life on social media. I’m not saying that at all. I just want you to take some time, however, you choose to do it, to let your mind be clear, to think with your heart and mind and give yourself some time to breathe. We all get so caught up in life we forget to live it, to enjoy it.

I want you to enjoy life. I want to enjoy life. Let’s do it together.

Breathe.

The Ultimate Willy Wonka Party

September 25, 2017 By: Nanette

When is a movie not just a movie? I’ll tell you when, when it’s a party! I will start off by telling you I had never been to an Alamo Drafthouse Movie theater before this week.

We went this weekend and saw Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Yes, we’ve seen it a million times in our lifetime and our kids have seen it lots of times. It’s a classic! Who hasn’t seen it right? (Actually, 6 people in the theater hadn’t.)

The Ultimate Willy Wonka Party!

But as I found out seeing a special event movie like this one at Alamo Drafthouse, it is more than just a movie. It’s fun! It’s a party! And this special party, The Ultimate Willy Wonka Movie Party, even had two very special guests. I’ll get to that part in just a bit but let’s start at the beginning.

As we walked into to the lobby of the theater we saw Willy Wonka. Yes, I know it wasn’t the real Willy Wonka but still it was a super fun way to be greeted and handed our “goodie bag” for the movie.

Goodie Bag Fun

What’s a party without a goodie bag right? Most parties you get the goodie bag at the end as you leave to take home. Not so with this goodie bag. You see, at these special Alamo Drafthouse events, you get to have fun WHILE the movie is going on. You get to be a part of all the fun.

In our Willy Wonka Party goodie bags, we found all sorts of fun props.

Milk Chocolate Balls because of course, you have to have chocolate!
Candy Buttons to eat during “The Candy Man” song. I hadn’t had those in ages.
Bubble Gum because you know Violet, she was always chewing gum.
Bubbles to blow during the Fizzy Lifting Drink scene with Charlie and Grandpa Joe. So fun to see bubbles floating around the theater.
A Yellow Streamer to wave around during the Golden Goose scene.
Gobstoppers but remember not to share it with anyone.
Party Popper to pop as the glass elevator crashes through the glass ceiling.

As you can imagine the kids had a blast and in all honestly so did we. When was the last time you blew bubbles at the movies?

The Alamo Drafthouse also created this special drink just for the event called the Golden Ticket Shake. Of course, my husband had to get it. Not complaining though, it was delicious. It had vanilla ice cream, chocolate, caramel, and so much more! By the way, popcorn makes a great topping for the whipped topping instead of sprinkles. You’re welcome for that.

The Special Guests!

Oh dear, I got lost in the thoughts of that Golden Ticket Shake description I almost forgot to mention the two very special guests we got to meet and take pics with.

The film’s Veruca Salt – Julie Dawn Cole and Mike TeaVee – Paris Themmen came out after the show and sat and answered questions and told some stories of their time on the set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It was so much fun listening to their stories. My Princess wanted to ask a question so badly but there were so many who had questions she didn’t get to. After the question and answer portion, they graciously snapped photographs with every single guest for that showing. They were both so kind and caring.

We are a family that does everything together. When we get the opportunity to do events like this as a family it always means so much more than had we done it without the kids. We left with our hearts full, lots of laughs, fun, and memories we’ll cherish for a very long time. And a nice little-added bonus!

Insane Inflatable 5K Coming to Houston!

September 8, 2017 By: Nanette

This is a sponsored post in conjunction with Insane Inflatable5K. However, thoughts/opinions in this post are 100% my own.

Hey, Houston! It’s time to get your running shoes on. The Insane Inflatable 5k Race is coming to town Saturday, November 18th!

What’s the Insane Inflatable 5K?

It’s the only 5K run that includes fun inflatables throughout the course. Running through inflatables! How fun is that?

A 5K made for everyone!

Whether you’re a seasoned runner who wants to add a little more of a challenge to your run or a casual runner looking to add something new to your run this is a great way to do it.

Don’t worry if you are a wanna be runner but you just can’t seem to get yourself off the couch (like me) ’cause the idea of running seems too daunting, this race is for you too! It doesn’t seem near as daunting when you add some fun like inflatables to it does it?

Just imagine 3.1 miles with more than eleven inflatable obstacles before you reach that finish line. That’s more than 11 opportunities for challenging yourself and I’ll bet a lot of laughs too. Who doesn’t love to laugh?

When was the last time you climbed over and through inflatable obstacles? Remember how fun that was? Well, that was too long ago.

The inflatables, some as tall as 26 feet provide lots of challenges like “Ball Maze”, “Crash Course” where you dodge and push yourself through hanging obstacles and “Finish Line” where you’ll dodge wrecking balls, towers, climb rope ladders and slide your way to victory and your 5K medal!

Sounds like a blast!

So what are you waiting for? Grab a friend, get more information about the Insane Inflatable 5K and register at www.insaneinflatable5k.com