The Things We Find Inside

I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop!

2012-01-29T22:21:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop!

RULES

1. Follow the host (me) and the guest host on GFC. For this week, there are no guest hosts. (I will follow back.) Leave a comment to let me know. As GFC will no longer be available for non-blogger blogs, if you'd like to be followed via another outlet please let us know. (Facebook, Twitter, Google + etc.) Include it with your link here. Eg. The Things We Find Inside (GFC)

Inspired Finds ~ Pinterest.

2012-01-27T21:35:00.000-04:00

Oh Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest. I am addicted to you and I have no intention of getting help. :)

I've just joined this very fantastic site and I'm simply loving it. Pinterest is wonderful...no, scratch that Pinterest is AMAZING! I've been spending hours just pinning fabulous finds...it's wonderful to have all my favourite things in one place.

Inspired finds via Pinterest.

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My Bucket List

2012-01-25T18:18:00.001-04:00

I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop

2012-01-22T18:22:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend thus far. I have spend the majority of it preparing a project for school. JOY!!! I am NOT almost done either. Anyway, I managed to pull myself from my books and get on in time to post this. I hope you'll join in and consider inviting your blogging friends to join to. :) Have a fabulous week everyone.

A blogging pet peeve!

2012-01-21T23:27:00.001-04:00

Okay, come on people...please, please, please...shed some light on this...what's up with bloggers insisting that they ONLY blog for themselves? It seems the new craze in blogging land is to add a short snippet in your 'About Me' page a line like this...'I blog for me.' Or worst yet, to splash it across your homepage...'I am a blogger and I write for me...and no one else'. I came across a blog this evening, saw those words and said, 'Okay...no problem. Bye then.'

Our Art Exhibition

2012-01-18T20:31:00.000-04:00

Every year at school we have an art exhibition which showcases several pieces of art from our children. It is a fun time for the kids, they spend countless hours preparing their special piece for the showing. Parents and teachers get together to assist each child produce two or three pieces. There is a spirit of unity and togetherness and of course, endless fun! We display the art in our school hall for two days. We invite principals from other schools, parents, members of the media, and even our government leaders pay a visit to our exhibition. This gives the kids a sense of accomplishment and pride. It leaves them feeling like they do matter and they are important. The Art Exhibition is one of my favourite school productions.

I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop

2012-01-15T18:28:00.008-04:00

Welcome to the I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop!

This hop has been MIA for awhile. The last three months have been hectic, to say the least. As you know, I have started back school, while maintaining a full time job. It's been a roller coaster of craziness. My blog was left to its lonesome for a great part of it. I have since shuffled things around so that I can keep up with my favourite hobby of all time, blogging!

So, after much encouragement from you all, I have decided that bringing back my favourite meme would be a great way to jump back into things.

You know how it works, link up your blogs and let's meet some new friends. If you can (and would like to), you are more than welcomed to post about this hop so that more people would know about it.

Okay, let's get started.

My week in Post-It notes!

2012-01-11T23:08:00.002-04:00

I Love My Online Friends Monday Hop ~ Technical Issues

2012-01-08T18:37:00.012-04:00

Hi all,

I know I promised that the I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop will be back today, however, I am having some technical issues getting it up.
The linky isn't showing up, just the code. All of my posts lately have been only showing codes. When I copy and paste HTML for pics/videos etc., the code shows up and not the pic or video. I have to always save the pic to my computer and then click the 'Insert Image' button above. It's the only way it works.
I have requested help from Blogger. So hopefully I can get it fixed soon. Thanks for your patience.
Tami

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My battle with depression

2012-01-08T13:11:00.003-04:00

I write this post for a very special blogging friend of mine who is going through a very difficult time. Keep your chin up babe...all will get better. I'm living proof that it does. xo Tami

At sixteen, my world had come crashing down. Life was…unmanageable at best. I hurt all over. Nothing felt right to me. Life was a misery. Heavy chains enveloped me; escaping those torturous bounds was impossible.

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I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop is coming back!!!

2012-01-05T14:13:00.008-04:00

That's right! This Sunday evening, I'll be bringing back the I Love My Online Friends Monday Blog Hop. Several of you were asking me about it over the last few weeks. As I know that it helped a lot of us build solid and lasting connections, I figured that bringing it back would be worthwhile.

Time was not on my side these last few months and so I had to stop it for a bit. I missed it though. Missed the connections we all made. I missed blogging on the whole.

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I'm a teacher, not a nun!

2012-01-04T22:15:00.003-04:00

I don't get it!! Seriously I'm perplexed. Since when did teachers become these holier than thou saints? Enlighten me please...but where does it say exactly that teachers sit home all day and knit? We have lives too. We have fun, we go out, we have families...we aren't Mother Teresa. And oh...while you're at it, please show me where I can find the words...'Teachers and nuns are exactly alike.'

Parents who think like this...excuse me...but you are sadly mistaken. As a teacher, I have a responsibility to my students. I try to set the best example possible IN CLASS! When I'm out, I also carry myself with a measure of respect. That's my personal code of conduct. I absolutely agree that teachers on the whole should set a good example.

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Damon or Stefan??

2012-01-03T13:39:00.000-04:00

My new favourite obsession...hands down has to be Vampire Diaries!!!! OH EM GEE!

I have just gotten into it...(thought the show looked like rubbish at first). My friend convinced me to give season one a try and since I was on vacation and in the christmas spirit, I decided one day to watch the pilot episode. I was hooked after the first 10 minutes.

Who watches it? Who is absolutely enthralled with those Salvatore brothers? The story line...the characters and not to mention the eye candy...oh my gosh...what's not to love?

So...I'm in a good mood today...actually scratch that, I'm in a GREAT mood today. Wasn't up for a deep, intellectual...soul searching post...wanted something a little bit more...fun :)

Since I'm hooked on VD...went to bed around 4am this morning trying to catch up on the episodes before Thursday, when the season returns, I figured my next post needed to be on something related to my new found obsession.

My friend and I are at a war on who is cuter/sweeter? Damon or Stefan! (We are both grown women...and this is the depth of how conversations!) Hey, sometimes you need a little sillyness in your life. :)

Humour me...play along with us.

Who's cuter/sweeter? Damon or Stefan?

Damon

Stefan

Damon is definitely hotter! No argument from me on that one. Something about that bad boy persona is alluring. However, Stefan wins my heart. He is so sweet. Nice guys always win in my book. My choice is Stefan. :)

Song crushes...

2012-01-01T15:27:00.001-04:00

Are there any songs that you are just loving at the moment? Lately, my IPOD seems to be stuck on repeat. When I sit down to write, I am clicking on one of these songs to listen too. It must be the magic in the air...or the fact that I'm in a fabulous mood, or maybe it's because I'm on vacation. My home is filled with music. I'm loving these four songs in particular...they make me smile. :)

Song crushes...

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T14:06:00.003-04:00

To TTWFI's fabulous community...I wish you all a healthy, happy and spectacular 2012!

You've all made my little blog what it is today; a thriving, growing and wonderful place to be. It wouldn't be where it is today without each and everyone of you. I am so happy with what I have managed to accomplish and to call this place mine.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support, love and friendships. God's richest blessings to you and yours. xo Tami

2012 is going to rock!!!

Escalate Network

2011-12-30T15:52:00.001-04:00

Hi folks,

Wanted to share a great site with you all. Escalate Network! If you haven't checked it out yet, please do so now! It is a great company to work for!

Escalate Network links companies and bloggers together. You become affiliated with the company by selling/advertising products/services. When someone on your site clicks the link, you have an opportunity to earn some cash from it. It all depends on what the company requires the consumer to do; click on the link, sign up for the newsletter/site, purchase a product etc. All of it will be explained when you check out the offers.

However, it has been my experience that most of the products/services offered are ones that are enticing...consumers WANT to click on the links. Escalate Network works with Coupons.com which has been doing very well!! It is earning affiliates a great deal of extra income.

I've always been skeptical with this sort of thing, but Escalate Network works! I have just received $71 US from the company for sharing links and getting people to sign up!! YES, there is a referral commission too!

I've been happy with the income that this blog has been bringing in...in this day and age anything extra helps and TTWFI is pulling in a nice steady income. This site, Escalate Network has been a big part of it. If you are interested in making money from your blog, I suggest you try affiliate marketing. It's not hard to learn and once you get the hang of it, it is quite easy. I love it! The team at Escalate Network sends out regular deals by email...they make it that much easier for you!

Sign up today!

ESCALATE NETWORK

Story time - "Christina"

2011-12-30T13:24:00.001-04:00

So, it's that time again for another story...you know how I love writing. I promised that I would share some of my favourites from the past with you all...this is one that I particularly loved creating. Enjoy!

Christina

November, 2011

As Lisa Anderson makes her way quietly to the back pew of St. Mary’s Church, she notices all the sad eyes and dejected steers emanating from the lone figures that populate the church. A lone tear escapes and rolls slowly down her cheek as she sits down on an empty bench. The clock in the square booms loudly, signaling the hour. Distant cheers from a neighboring bar echoes throughout the church. The irony of it all, thought Lisa.

Lisa and her husband Scott had been trying to conceive for the past nine years. Countless visits to infertility specialists, undergoing invasive procedures and two massive loans later, had turned up nothing. After nine, grueling and disappointing years, Lisa and Scott accepted the inevitable, parenting was obviously not part of their destiny.

The couple picked up the broken pieces of their lives and moved on as best as they could. Scott delved into his favorite hobbies, while Lisa concentrated on healing; physically and emotionally. Her body was sore, her heart bruised and her mind scarred. Scott was her salvation, he was her strength and his undying love and support helped Lisa heal.

A year passed and life for the couple had returned to some semblance of normality. They had both returned to their jobs and for the most part kept regular working hours. They hosted regular dinner parties, entertained friends and family as often as they wished and on weekends they gave into their every whim and fancy. Their sex life was better than ever; they had both been through so much together as a couple, it brought them closer than they had ever been before.

The call came right after Christmas. Their friend Bonnie knew of an adoption agency and wanted to add the couple’s name to the list of potential parents. Lisa and Scott discussed their options as they cuddled in bed that night. They held one another closely, fingers entwined as they talked way into the wee hours of the morning.

Lisa awoke just before midday. The faint sound of the lawnmower indicated that Scott was outside working in the yard. Lisa stretched lazily and smiled happily to herself. She grabbed her cellphone and dialed Bonnie. “Bon, Scott and I have talked about it and we’d like you to add our names to the list!”

Three months later, after sharing every possible bit of information about themselves; the couple was officially on the adopter’s list.

It took another five months for the call that they had been dreaming about to come. A baby boy was up for adoption. Lisa and Scott were the perfect fit. Suzanna, the agency’s counselor assigned to their case wanted them to come in immediately.

Lisa and Scott held hands as they drove to the adoption clinic. They were overjoyed with excitement. “It’s happening baby…it’s really happening! We are going to be parents!” Lisa exclaims in delight. Scott beams at her; inside he was just as exuberant as his wife.

“Lisa and Scott, thank you for coming.” Suzanna ushers them into her office.

“When can we meet him?” Lisa could hardly contain herself.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still have to follow procedures…but…you may keep this.” Suzanna opens a file and hands a picture to Lisa.

“Oh, Scott…look! Isn’t he precious?” Lisa and Scott were positively enthralled.

“So, what’s the next step?”

“Well, long story short…child protective services took the baby from the mother a few weeks ago. Her parental rights were revoked. Courts have placed him in a children’s home. His case comes up tomorrow!”

“So…we can have him tomorrow?”

“Once all goes as planned, yes!”

Lisa squeals in delight as she grabs hold of her husband. They burst out the doors of the adoption agency hand in hand, gushing with joy.

The following day, Lisa wakes bright and early and heads into the baby's room. The couple and some friends fixed the room up shortly after their application was finalized. Beautiful pastel colors lined the walls, a state of the art crib, an old rocking chair, a changing table and a small closet filled with an assortment of adorable baby clothes lined the shelves. It was everything a baby could ever need. Lisa picks up a teddy bear, sits in the rocking chair and hums the melody to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Scott wakes Lisa with gentle kisses. He crouches in front of her as she manages to collect herself. “I can’t believe I fell asleep. What time is it?”

“It’s after one.” Scott mumbles softly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Suzanna called.” Scott stands up; a dejected sigh escapes his lips.

“We aren’t getting him?” Lisa spits out.

Scott shakes his head.

“Why do we keep doing this to ourselves?” Lisa storms out of the room. Scott follows.

“Babe…Suzanna said we’ll keep at it. There will be a baby out there for us. I can feel it.”

“Scott…who are we kidding? We aren’t supposed to be parents. It didn’t work before, it won’t work now.”

“No…I won’t give up and neither will you. Come here.” Scott grabs his wife and pulls her toward him.

“I know that you are angry and hurt. I am too. I really thought that this was it. But baby, I don’t want to give up just yet, please.” Scott strokes his wife’s hair, whispering into her ear softly.

Lisa and Scott were disappointed several more times after losing the little boy. At the last minute mother’s changed their minds. Lisa couldn’t blame them. Who would want to give up their baby?

The cycle of disappointment started again. It took a toll on the couple’s marriage. It tested their strength and commitment to one another and the process.

Just before Christmas, Suzanna called again.

Lisa refused to hope. She and Scott visited Suzanna, listened to the details, asked very little questions and then left. A baby girl this time, Lisa didn’t even request a picture. She said okay and didn’t give it much thought afterward. In her mind, she knew she would never be a mother. She had decided that she wanted to remove their names off the adoption list. She was waiting to tell Scott her decision after Christmas.

She knew Scott loved her, but they hadn’t made love to one another in over two months. Lisa was planning to change that, that night. It was the only thing on her mind.

A week passed and Lisa was finally feeling like a woman again. She and Scott had made love every night since the meeting with Suzanna. They both needed it.

On Christmas Eve Scott’s firm was throwing a Christmas party. Lisa begged out of it, she was not in the mood for a party. Scott offered to stay at home with her, but she brushed the thought aside. Scott deserved a night out with his friends.

“You go baby…and enjoy yourself. I love you.”

Lisa drove to St. Mary’s church.

The following day, sounds of laughter and squeals wake the couple. The neighbor’s kids were obviously pleased with their gifts from Santa. Lisa and Scott snuggled in closer together. “Merry Christmas babe.” Scott whispers.

“Merry Christmas honey.”

The doorbell sounds. Lisa sighs. “It’s probably the neighbors.”

“I’ll get it.” Scott throws the duvet off.

Several seconds later, Scott calls out for his wife.

Lisa rolls off the bed begrudgingly. She trudges annoyingly down the stairs. She rounds the corner and spots Suzanna, in her arms is a tiny bundle. Lisa’s heart skips a beat.

“What…” was all she could manage.

“The mother signed the papers yesterday. Her family convinced her that this was the best thing to do.” Suzanna announces.

“But…” Lisa mutters.

“It’s settled. The papers are drawn up. She’s yours if you still want her…”

Suzanna pulls out some papers and hands it to Scott. “I need you both to sign these. It won’t be final for three months, but I don’t envision any problems.”

“Seriously…is this really happening? Now?” Lisa stutters.

“Yes, right this minute! Santa brought you two a very special Christmas gift. Merry Christmas to you both!”

Lisa moves forward and reaches for her daughter for the first time.

“Do you have a name?” Suzanna asks.

“Yes, Christina…because she’s a gift from God.”

Life is...

2011-12-29T15:08:00.000-04:00

Life is unpredictable. Life is uncertain. Life is...a mass of confusion, excitement and wonder. We never know what we are going to get. Life is best spent living one day at a time. I've learnt that much so far.

The uncertainty of life calls for preparation. We have to be prepared for what's next. Live for today...but plan for tomorrow. I'm twenty nine and I'm still trying to get the hang of that!

Growing up requires tough decisions to be made. Childhood is such a carefree time of one's life, you really don't know what you are getting into as you near adulthood. I've found the role of adulthood to be at times, overwhelming, but for the most part quite exciting...it's been an interesting learning experience for me thus far.

One thing my family drilled into my head was the importance of savings, investment and insurance. Ensuring that my tomorrow's will be okay. From the day I got my first paycheck, I had to save. I have a pension, medical and a life insurance. All planned for me at the age of nineteen.

It was important for me to get Life Insurance because, not only is the investment worthy, I also wanted to ensure that when I leave this Earth, my loved ones will not be burdened.

I think the peace of mind that one gets from knowing that their family will be okay in the event of their passing is truly priceless.

The beauty of the web is that with just one click you can get tons of valuable information. Online Life Insurance Quotes has heaps of good, solid information that I've found quite useful.

If you are just like me, when you are first starting off on your own...you really don't know much about insurance...what you need etc....it was all gibberish to me and I was overwhelmed. It helps when you have a place that you can get the information you need to help you understand. It helps when you have people who are willing to explain it all to you.

This site shares valuble information on, Types of Life Insurance, Insurance Premiums and Choosing the right kind of Life Insurance. It also shares a bit on who needs it and why. Great information that came in handy when I was first planning on investing.

Making these decisions aren't quite fun...but hey...it's part of life and part of growing up!

NB* Paid Advertisement included. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more details.

It's 2AM...I should be dreaming.

2011-12-28T02:14:00.000-04:00

It's 2 AM and I'm wide awake playing Bejewelled Blitz on Facebook. Can't sleep. Mind is racing with stuff to do tomorrow, with new year's resolutions, with broken dreams and newly formed ones. So much is going on, so much to do, so many things I want, so much places to go.

Why is life so complicated? Why do we insist on making it that way? We have the power within to just let it be, instead we allow so much to take over, to consume our beings...it's like a drug that we can't get enough of.

The world has changed in so many ways, we have so much more on our plates...I think we try to take on too much. Everything has to have a plan, we must be in control, we can't make mistakes, we must always be prepared.

I've been learning more and more that this mindset is impossible. We can't pile our plates so high and expect it not to come tumbling down. I'm learning this lesson more and more everyday.

It's a new year...new possibilities...another chance to try again. I've got to lighten the load on my plate. I've got to stop trying to always be perfect. To always get things right. To always be prepared and in control.

So what if I don't have everything sorted? So what if I don't get things right on the first try? So what if I'm not perfect? I don't need to be anything but me...and if that me is still trying to figure out life and hasn't quite gotten the hang of being an adult...well at least I'll be sleeping at 2AM. ;)

Merry Christmas to all!!

2011-12-25T10:27:00.002-04:00

Christmas Countdown

2011-12-23T22:09:00.002-04:00

Christmas Countdown

2 more sleeps to go

2 more sleeps til santa

2 more sleeps til the big fat fella comes down your chimney and leaves you presents and drinks your beer

2 more sleeps til santa!!

My Expressions

2011-12-23T15:36:00.005-04:00

All of my stories, photography, art...anything that I create can be found here. This is the way I express myself!

Can you keep a secret?

Christina

Christmas Countdown

2011-12-21T22:07:00.000-04:00

Christmas Countdown

4 more sleeps to go

4 more sleeps til santa

4 more sleeps til the big fat fella comes down your chimney and leaves you presents and drinks your beer

4 more sleeps til santa

Can you keep a secret?

2011-12-13T17:33:00.001-04:00

I love writing. It is a joy to step into a world of imagination and pour out a story that is entirely make believe. I love writing stories. It is a passion of mine. Hence the reason for this blog. It allows me to express myself in ways verbal expression never could. I've written a few short stories, and would love to share it with you. Hope you enjoy! This is one of my all time favs. :)

Can you keep a secret?

I pretty much accepted that love was as elusive as a dancing butterfly. My journey would not include falling madly in love with the clichéd, tall, dark and handsome stranger I lock eyes with over a caramel macchiato. Time and heartbreak made it all too clear for me; this dream would never be. And so, I picked up the pieces of my broken heart and bruised ego and delved into an area of my life that actually showed promise; my career. It took precedence over everything and for a while at least, I gave it my all.

A short getaway to the sister isle with a few of my fabulous girlfriends changed my life forever. We stayed in a charming little inn, four girlfriends, unsaddled with the baggage of men, computers and cell phones. The forecast for the weekend…pure bliss!

I first noticed him at dinner on the first day of our stay. Six feet, all muscle, surfer type…cute was the word that automatically sprung to mind. He sauntered over to our table, him and his band of buddies. They invited us for drinks over at the bar. We politely declined. This was a ladies getaway after all. No time for men.

HA! So much for ladies bonding! After a few, or shall we say several glasses of wine; we casually joined Mr. Cutie Pie and his band of loyal followers. Can you say adorable in French? Mr. Cutie Pie aka Christian is a twenty one year old photographer from France. He and his hot-model type friends were taking a year off school to travel the Caribbean. Hmm…Some people really DON’T have to work for a living.

Eight years my junior didn’t put a damper on things, or perhaps it was the five glasses of wine that made Mr. Cutie Pie oh-so-interesting, whatever it was, I ended up going to bed at sunrise.

Okay…nope, don’t even go there. Nothing happened; at least, not on that first night!

Boys can be quite relentless! When I awoke the following morning, scratch that…afternoon; a brilliant bouquet of flowers greeted me outside my door. Of course, I had to sit through a grueling hour of interrogation from my very thrilled and somewhat hysterical friends. At that point I was certain that nothing would come of this little crush, after all he was only here for a short time and not to mention, the boy was barely legal!

The girls and I decided to head to the beach for the remainder of the afternoon. It was an absolutely gorgeous day! Dazzling blue skies and crystal clear waters...it seemed to be calling our names. We found the perfect spot and immediately got comfortable. We could just about feel the stress dissipating.

Christian found us. I recognized him from a distance and almost immediately my jaw dropped. My eyes widened; my blood pounded wildly as he made his way toward us. I could have sworn someone said, ‘O.M.G.!’ He had just come from swimming. Tall, muscular, half naked and wet! You got that right…OH MY GOSH!

He knelt beside me as I lifted my jaw from off the ground. He asked if I had gotten the flowers. How I managed to get my mush of a brain together to answer coherently amazes me. He smiled. I smiled. So much for my logical decision.

We had dinner that night. The conversation flowed effortlessly. For the very first time, I felt alive inside. Desire and passion certainly weren’t dead within me. Turns out it was only asleep and this twenty one year old Frenchman was arousing it out of slumber. Christian made everything seem possible again.

I was the female lead in my very own romance novel. We took a walk on the beach, sipped on margaritas and rum and cokes, talked about everything under the sun and gazed upon the stars. Christian made the first move by tucking a few flying strands of hair behind my ears ever so gently. Even his touch electrified me. I couldn’t imagine that I was actually falling for this, but I was…and when he reached forward to kiss me, I let him. It was a soft, exquisite kiss. The kind you read about in romance novels. It was breathtaking.

The following day was bittersweet. I was leaving that day. We spent the entire day locked arm in arm lounging by the pool. As I boarded the plane, I looked at my palm, ten digits encircled with a heart. Christian’s phone number. As the plane took off, I looked out the window and locked eyes with him…the guy who picked up my dream and gave it back to me…the guy who awakened me…the guy who would forever be; my sweetest secret.

I love Blogging!

2011-11-15T09:33:00.000-04:00

Dear The Things We Find Inside, have I told you lately that I love you?

I just spent the last few hours reading past posts through out the year...it was a joy and a blessing to read my inner thoughts and feelings, to remember and reminisce about old times. I've had such miserable and gloomy days, but equally important are the endless joyful, happy days that have filled my year! Despite all my troubles, insecurities and uncertainties, I've had a blessed life all because of my will and determination to succeed. No matter how many times I fall, I'll get right back up.

I'll be thirty in a few months and I am determined to make all my dreams come true. I can finally say that I am on the right track. I have a purpose and a missiong and nothing is going to stop me from completing it. I'm getting somewhere and I have this amazing, wonderful and fantastic place to call mine. I LOVE my blog. Starting it was one of the best things I ever did!

Thank you for the trip down memory lane.

xo T