Calm in the commotion...

At last, I'm home! I've been aching to blog, yet I've not had the energy amidst all the "to-dos" to get done, in the last 2 weeks. So glad I'm here now!:-)

I've really felt caught up in the commotion of running here and there, scheduling this and that, packing, reminiscing, letting go, rearranging, donating, creating, being inspired, being exhausted, going, going, and going. For a minute, I was forgetting to take time and breathe and relish in what an incredibly precious time this is in my life. It can become quite challenging to remember the sweetness of it all, with never-ending details, preparing, designing, choosing, etc. It's work!:-) It's take effort, prayer and support.

Someone recently described a wedding --in the bride's perspective-- as directing and starring in a Broadway play and hoping opening night goes off awesomely, because you only have opening night. When she said this to me, I was like bingo!!! That is exactly how I feel! :-)

Today, as I was on my way to yet another appointment, feeling like I was in a marathon, breezing through emails as I wait for the train to move, I receive an email from our new landlord. I quickly read the email and notice the kindest thing at the closing, an unsolicited good wish for our wedding & marriage. Wow! Right then, in that moment, I was forced to pause. Stop, breathe, take it all in. This time, this love, this change in my journey that is happening every second that I exist. Yes, people do this every day--this marriage thing. I know. However, that doesn't make it any less wonderful to me. In the last week, I was becoming a little stressed and a lot tired. But, like always, God is always on time with a little nudge to remind me of what is really going on. Just that simple, yet thoughtful sentence from someone I don't even know, moved me. It pulled me back into gratefulness for my life and this time right now.

So, I'm breathing.. again. Ahhhhh. Yes. And I'm excited too. I am really ready to celebrate the beginning of my next chapter!!!! Goodness, light, love and laughter keep on flowing in. I welcome it all.

Sending light your way. Tag you're it!

2 cent tidbits...and the countdown is on :-)

Hello and welcome to mid-April!!! Today felt like Spring, at last in NYC. It was like exhaling after a really, long winter. The sun was beaming brightly from the wide, blue sky. Just makes me smile thinking about it.

It's been too long since I've been here. Happy to be sharing tonight. I have a few 2 cent tidbits---so here goes...I'd love to hear yours too.
**Sunshine, as I'm sure I've mentioned like 100 times by now, makes me drunk with jolliness. :-)

**JCPenny's has really cute dresses and other items, for incredible prices! Who knew? ;-)

**Only 30 more Oprah shows. I want to be in her audience. She just rocks! I really feel like she's my friend and has been for 25 years. Since I was a child!!! I'm open and receptive to getting tickets to The Oprah Winfrey Show, come on into my life. :-)

**I have a major pet peeve. Lack of acknowledgment/gratitude. I think it stems from my upbringing. My mom really instilled in us (my siblings and I) that appreciation is essential. She instilled that whenever you receive any token of love, or any extension of kindness--be it a card, a caring note, a gift, a thoughtful gesture, that you must acknowledge it. At least let the giver know you received the "goodness," and always say thank you. I'm realizing that some folks just do not do this. It's almost shocking to me that someone would not automatically, without even thinking, say "thank you" whenever a kindness is extended in any form. To me it's simply inconsiderate and there's no excuse. :-/  It really takes no significant amount of time at all to type or write or say two words, "thank you." They mean so much. It matters. :-)

**I got a sweet surprise at work yesterday. Tulips from my hubby-to-be. What a guy!!! Thanks from the bottom of my heart, BBP. I totally didn't expect to ever receive any calls from our security guards these last days at my job. Made me smile all day!!

**What a year of BIG stuff happening. Not just my BIG day --just 3 weeks away, not only Oprah's show coming to an end..But also, my mom is celebrating a wonderful new decade of living next Saturday. Yay, mom. I'm very grateful! And....All My Children, the soap opera I started watching with my aunt Joanne at 7 years old is coming to an end. I actually haven't watched Erica Kane or Adam Chandler or Jessie in about a decade, but wow. I will always remember Luke and Laura's wedding, and that beautiful song by James Ingram and Patti Austin- Baby Come to Me. Learning that this soap has been canceled made me a little sad. It's another chapter coming to a close. One Life to Live is ending too!

**I can't wait to start biking!~ I know I totally changed subjects on ya... lol

**I'm so excited about moving into my first townhouse with my husband in less than one month!!

**Last but absolutely not least, I was surrounded by love, laughter, warmth, and good people two weekends ago at my bridal shower. How blessed am I to have friends from 15 years ago; friends through the years; a new friend that drove 6 hours roundtrip; and my fun and always loving aunts and cousins (and family near & far) come to celebrate my new chapter. It was an evening I'll always remember. I cherish these times more than you can imagine. I take nothing for granted. This is my life. My big screen movie. I value every person that plays a part. I love each person that has helped me grow, accepted me, encouraged me, & even challenged me. I'm very grateful for this life. :-)

Sending smiles your way. Tag you're it!

Not because I love you..because I LIKE you :-)

Hello and welcome to APRIL! It's been too long since my last posting. Please forgive me. I've been in full-speed, coloring the pages of the new chapter of my life. The stress has simmered down, and now I'm feeling really excited!

 So much has happened since I last shared. I'm not only getting married. I'm moving! Leaving the place I dreamed of, as a little girl, NYC. Yes, I imagined living in New York, New York as a child. And I am so happy I got to fulfill that dream. I didn't become a famous actress, but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. In fact, I've spent my entire adult life in New York. It's been wild, crazy, exhilarating, fun, and an adventure more days than you would think. I'll blog more about that later. ;-)

Right now, I wanted to share how I've been feeling the last two weeks. The word that comes to mind is awe. I'm actually amazed at how kind people seem to become when they find out you're getting married. I can't tell you how many times I've been told to enjoy "this special time" in my life. After about the 4th time, I think it started to really sink in. I've been recalling the last 4 months and it IS a really extraordinary time. Even amidst the planning, anticipating, packing, resigning, emotions, and all. One of the elements that makes this time so beautiful is that it is one of the few times in life when people want to shower you with blessings and good wishes and all that is wonderful. It's priceless!

Words are incredible. To be told by someone what they've thought of you all along, or think of you now and what they wish for your life, -- that's tremendously moving. I've felt this so many times in the last few weeks.

I resigned last week. I was a little nervous, I must admit. Though, totally ready and thrilled at the same time. After 8 1/2 years, I went into my supervisor's office to say, "the time has come..." Yes, that's exactly how I started it off. As soon as the words left my lips, I felt relieved and as if I took the first leap into the next phase of my "living.". And I do believe the net is appearing (as the saying goes). My boss said she was SO happy for me, but sad for herself. Sad to lose someone she considered a friend, as well as a colleague. She also said she hoped I considered her a friend, as well.  But, what deeply touched my heart, was her response to me after I asked if she'd be a reference for me. I was surprised to hear, "Deniceeee, of course I will. I'd adopt you as my daughter if I could." And me being me...couldn't stop the tears from falling after that. What a sweet thing to say! I am grateful. That was just the beginning of my colleagues, my supervisor and others that I've work with for the last 8 years expressing what they think of me personally and professionally. I'll take those positive words with me as I walk into my next roles (in this journey).

And so it is that in all of this, I kept thinking of this precious scene from The Cosby Show. (click the link below to watch) :-) The scene is with Denise (daughter) and Claire (mother). Claire says a few wise words to her 2nd born daughter Denise about college & life. Finally, Claire says, "I want you to know I'm gonna miss you," then she pauses for a split second and continues her thought, "not because I love you, but because I like you." Wow. How totally wonderfully beautiful!! The first 10 times I watched that scene, I cried. It's just pure sunshine to know that you are not only loved, but liked. And you know what, that's what I'm feeling right now in my life. Ahhhhhhhhhh. I'll keep this feeling in my heart always. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6bP4GV3qgs&feature=related

Sending awe-some-ness your way. Tag you're it!