Afternoon darlings! As Naomi said, we will be covering for Elizabeth for a while, but we are also considering signing off for a few days. Considering we don't really seem to have much of an audience it should be not problem, but if anyone out there wants to say, No! I love you guys! We will keep posting while we wait for Elizabeth.
Let us know!
From me to you,
Louise
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
50 Habits for a Happy Life - Naomi
Hello imaginary people who follow our blog, Elizabeth can't post today and it's her day so I'm filling in. Today I am being extra lazy and just sharing something I didn't even write. This is from MindBodyGreen.com there is lots of really good advice:
As it turns out, the smallest of changes can add up to the biggest of transformations. So, if you want to get happier, here are 50 habits to start implementing, like, yesterday.
1. Slow down.
2. Be mindful. Life happens now. This moment is all you've got.
3. Create a ritual. Have tea every afternoon. Write a gratitude list every morning. Walk around your neighborhood every evening. You can make a ritual out of anything — just perform the activity deliberately and mindfully.
4. Exercise. Every day. Walk. Run. Skip. Swim. Play four square. Whatever.
5. Make friends with Mother Nature. She’s got a lot to teach you.
6. Challenge yourself. Growth comes when you push your limits.
7. Keep an open mind. Open minds are happy minds.
8. Eat with relish. Love your food. Don’t eat on the run or mindlessly.
9. Smile. A lot.
10. Laugh. A lot. Real, authentic laughter.
11. Drink water. As much as you can stomach.
12. Soak up the vitamin D. Sunshine cures many ills.
13. Be afraid. And do it anyway. Fear is the gateway to a stronger you.
14. Sleep well. Make a good night’s sleep a daily priority.
15. Disconnect from technology. Turn that iPhone off from time to time.
16. Touch other people. With their permission, of course. Touch is hugely important for healing and mental health.
17. Cut back on caffeine. It's still a drug, even in delicious liquid form.
18. Consume happy media. Skip the news — watch positive, life-affirming stuff instead.
19. Talk to strangers. You never know who you might meet.
20. Be kind. Extend kindness as often as possible. Random acts are good.
21. Eat plants. Food that comes out of the earth is better for body, mind and spirit.
22. Cultivate compassion. For yourself and all other living things.
23. Leave your comfort zone behind. Discomfort is a sign of growth.
24. Identify your destructive thoughts. Then, write a positive script to fight back.
25. Drink less booze. You'll feel better.
26. Play. It's not just for kids — playtime is beneficial for grown-up brains, too.
27. Use affirmations. Pick some that resonate with you, and recite them religiously.
28. Get minimal. With less junk in your life, there's more room for what's important.
29. Listen. When you talk to people, give them your full attention. Don't just wait for your turn to speak.
30. Make positive friends. It's hard to be happy if you're surrounded by negative Nancys.
31. Give back. Countless good causes could use your talents.
32. Listen to upbeat tunes. Music has power.
33. Embrace a spiritual connection. While this is certainly optional, feeling connected to something greater than yourself can make a world of difference in your life.
34. Do something unfamiliar. Explore a sport, activity or subject you've never been particularly interested in. You never know what you might discover.
35. Visualize. See yourself with all that you desire, and you're on your way.
36. Give hugs. Hugs are so underrated. Dole 'em out generously.
37. Work to live. Not the other way around.
38. Look for opportunities. When we get stuck in our regular routines, we're often blind to new possibilities. Open your eyes, ears and heart.
39. Train your brain. Your mind needs to be challenged to maintain its top form. Try crossword puzzles, brain games or memory quizzes.
40. Climb a tree. Trust me. Best thing ever.
41. Do things you love. If you don't know what you love, start exploring.
42. Get a pet. Animals can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and add to your life in innumerable other ways. Plus, who couldn't use a little unconditional love?
43. Travel. New places and faces expand your awareness.
44. Do nothing. Call it mental health time.
45. Meditation comes in countless variations. Pick one. Even five minutes a day makes a difference.
46. Swim.
47. Take risks.
48. Let go gracefully. All things have their time.
49. Love yourself. It's not as easy as it sounds, obviously. But work at it, and the warm fuzzies will come.
50. Appreciate everything. You have so many gifts, acknowledging them is the best way to feel fabulous about your life.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
As it turns out, the smallest of changes can add up to the biggest of transformations. So, if you want to get happier, here are 50 habits to start implementing, like, yesterday.
1. Slow down.
2. Be mindful. Life happens now. This moment is all you've got.
3. Create a ritual. Have tea every afternoon. Write a gratitude list every morning. Walk around your neighborhood every evening. You can make a ritual out of anything — just perform the activity deliberately and mindfully.
4. Exercise. Every day. Walk. Run. Skip. Swim. Play four square. Whatever.
5. Make friends with Mother Nature. She’s got a lot to teach you.
6. Challenge yourself. Growth comes when you push your limits.
7. Keep an open mind. Open minds are happy minds.
8. Eat with relish. Love your food. Don’t eat on the run or mindlessly.
9. Smile. A lot.
10. Laugh. A lot. Real, authentic laughter.
11. Drink water. As much as you can stomach.
12. Soak up the vitamin D. Sunshine cures many ills.
13. Be afraid. And do it anyway. Fear is the gateway to a stronger you.
14. Sleep well. Make a good night’s sleep a daily priority.
15. Disconnect from technology. Turn that iPhone off from time to time.
16. Touch other people. With their permission, of course. Touch is hugely important for healing and mental health.
17. Cut back on caffeine. It's still a drug, even in delicious liquid form.
18. Consume happy media. Skip the news — watch positive, life-affirming stuff instead.
19. Talk to strangers. You never know who you might meet.
20. Be kind. Extend kindness as often as possible. Random acts are good.
21. Eat plants. Food that comes out of the earth is better for body, mind and spirit.
22. Cultivate compassion. For yourself and all other living things.
23. Leave your comfort zone behind. Discomfort is a sign of growth.
24. Identify your destructive thoughts. Then, write a positive script to fight back.
25. Drink less booze. You'll feel better.
26. Play. It's not just for kids — playtime is beneficial for grown-up brains, too.
27. Use affirmations. Pick some that resonate with you, and recite them religiously.
28. Get minimal. With less junk in your life, there's more room for what's important.
29. Listen. When you talk to people, give them your full attention. Don't just wait for your turn to speak.
30. Make positive friends. It's hard to be happy if you're surrounded by negative Nancys.
31. Give back. Countless good causes could use your talents.
32. Listen to upbeat tunes. Music has power.
33. Embrace a spiritual connection. While this is certainly optional, feeling connected to something greater than yourself can make a world of difference in your life.
34. Do something unfamiliar. Explore a sport, activity or subject you've never been particularly interested in. You never know what you might discover.
35. Visualize. See yourself with all that you desire, and you're on your way.
36. Give hugs. Hugs are so underrated. Dole 'em out generously.
37. Work to live. Not the other way around.
38. Look for opportunities. When we get stuck in our regular routines, we're often blind to new possibilities. Open your eyes, ears and heart.
39. Train your brain. Your mind needs to be challenged to maintain its top form. Try crossword puzzles, brain games or memory quizzes.
40. Climb a tree. Trust me. Best thing ever.
41. Do things you love. If you don't know what you love, start exploring.
42. Get a pet. Animals can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and add to your life in innumerable other ways. Plus, who couldn't use a little unconditional love?
43. Travel. New places and faces expand your awareness.
44. Do nothing. Call it mental health time.
45. Meditation comes in countless variations. Pick one. Even five minutes a day makes a difference.
46. Swim.
47. Take risks.
48. Let go gracefully. All things have their time.
49. Love yourself. It's not as easy as it sounds, obviously. But work at it, and the warm fuzzies will come.
50. Appreciate everything. You have so many gifts, acknowledging them is the best way to feel fabulous about your life.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sleep - Louise
Hey darlings! If you actually follow us you may know that Naomi and I switched days yesterday. This was for a few reasons, first I was babysitting all day, which Naomi was supposed to do but fell ill, and then I went out with a friend who I haven't seen in forever, got home, and got very sick myself! I got in bed around 9 15 or so and slept for around 11 hours! I woke up this morning, still feeling kinda crappy so that sucks. Babysitting was good though (made a ton $) and dinner was great until I started to feel sick!
Anyway never mind the illness and such, I will be fine tomorrow I'm sure. I really should be working on math (I'm taking a math course this summer) and working on my french, and reading my school books, but at the moment, my bed and Netflix are endlessly more inviting than anything else!
"Sleep is the best meditation."
-The Dalai Lama
Anyway never mind the illness and such, I will be fine tomorrow I'm sure. I really should be working on math (I'm taking a math course this summer) and working on my french, and reading my school books, but at the moment, my bed and Netflix are endlessly more inviting than anything else!
"Sleep is the best meditation."
-The Dalai Lama
From me to you,
Louise
Monday, July 28, 2014
Work Study - Naomi
I am nearing the end of my bedroom renovation; my exchange student arrives in less than a month! I have been neglecting my language practice but I have a feeling that my laziness will come back to bite me when I am in Germany trying to figure out how to ask a question in class or keep up a conversation. I just found out that I will be required to do four weeks of work-study while I am there. Instead of school for four weeks I will be apprenticing to learn a trade (very old-fashioned sounding, I know). I don't know what the options are or what I will choose but if it is a possibility I might want to work in a bakery or Konditorei as it is called over there. The downside to apprenticing as a baker would be having to get up around 4:30 or 5:00 am every day because all of the baking is done in the early morning so people can come get breakfast on their way to work or school. I will keep you posted on what happens.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Funny Fears -Elizabeth
Hey guys,
Just checking in sorry to say I don't have much time today.. i'm about to go work out and then go for a swim in the lake!!! Speaking of swimming in lakes I wanted to see if any of you guys have these same fears... you see when i'm standing in the lake with my head above water and I can look down and see where my feet are i'm fine however the moment I duck my head under the water I am suddenly super aware of the fact that behind me is the great dark, deep expanse of the lake. So I then turn around so that my back isn't to the unknown but then suddenly I feel like there could be some huge lake monster swimming right at me from that dark water and I wouldn't know because my eyes are completely shut! I then come up sputtering and thoroughly freaked out... Its strange though because this only happens in lakes or big ponds not the ocean and obviously not in a pool I mean that would be silly right? Soooo anyway another of my weird fears is having a weed touch my leg while im swimming... oh boy when that happens I leap out of that water very fast :p Who else has had these worries before? Please comment I would love to think i'm not the only weird person out there! ;)
Just checking in sorry to say I don't have much time today.. i'm about to go work out and then go for a swim in the lake!!! Speaking of swimming in lakes I wanted to see if any of you guys have these same fears... you see when i'm standing in the lake with my head above water and I can look down and see where my feet are i'm fine however the moment I duck my head under the water I am suddenly super aware of the fact that behind me is the great dark, deep expanse of the lake. So I then turn around so that my back isn't to the unknown but then suddenly I feel like there could be some huge lake monster swimming right at me from that dark water and I wouldn't know because my eyes are completely shut! I then come up sputtering and thoroughly freaked out... Its strange though because this only happens in lakes or big ponds not the ocean and obviously not in a pool I mean that would be silly right? Soooo anyway another of my weird fears is having a weed touch my leg while im swimming... oh boy when that happens I leap out of that water very fast :p Who else has had these worries before? Please comment I would love to think i'm not the only weird person out there! ;)
Yours until butter flies,
--Elizabeth
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Busy Day - Naomi
I just got back from a long day of drifting down a river in tractor tire inner tubes with my family and cousins. We are spending the weekend with them catching up and we are about to have dinner so I can't write a long post... I promise I will next time.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Friday, July 25, 2014
Boyfriend Material - Louise
Good afternoon darlings! I am quite awake which is surprising, and I want to apologize for how late (and short) I was the past couple of posts! As I said I was in Halifax or in the car and it quite slipped my mind! I drove down to Halifax with my mom and on the way there we stopped in Maine for the night about halfway to Halifax but yesterday, as we were closing in on the end of the first half of the trip, I asked my mom if we could go all the way (why? I really don't know) and so we did! I got about 3 and a half hours of night driving (I need 10 to get my license) and we got home around 2. So that was a lot of driving and by the time we got home, (I put my PJs on in the car) I slipped off my shoes and fell asleep in 5 minutes.
So that was a lot about that! I was scrolling through my news feed this morning when I came across something I loved and thought you guys might enjoy! Here it is: http://svn.tn/6184l0g4. That's a link I from Seventeen which I was certainly excited to see, has to do with Ryan Gosling! <3
I'll leave you to enjoy there for now ;)
From me to you,
Louise
So that was a lot about that! I was scrolling through my news feed this morning when I came across something I loved and thought you guys might enjoy! Here it is: http://svn.tn/6184l0g4. That's a link I from Seventeen which I was certainly excited to see, has to do with Ryan Gosling! <3
I'll leave you to enjoy there for now ;)
NOPE!
*sigh
From me to you,
Louise
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Being Busy -Elizabeth
Hey guys,
So I have been so busy that it seems I may have slightly forgotten to post... ooops! I think most of us are pretty busy in the summer and often have issues remembering the simplest things in life such as checking in with your pals I greatly apologize for my brain cramp and next time I will hopefully remember and post about something a little more interesting ;p How many of you have ever been this busy?
So I have been so busy that it seems I may have slightly forgotten to post... ooops! I think most of us are pretty busy in the summer and often have issues remembering the simplest things in life such as checking in with your pals I greatly apologize for my brain cramp and next time I will hopefully remember and post about something a little more interesting ;p How many of you have ever been this busy?
Yours until butter flies (or I forget to post again)
-Elizabeth
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
I hate myself - Louise
Oh my goodness! My darlings I apologize profusely! I am in Halifax Nova Scotia visiting my sister, and I didn't even think of posting! I have been in the car since I woke up really, and then I went to see the Taming of The Shrew (Shakespeare) performed in a beautiful park by the Shakespeare by the Sea company. The play was wonderful and seeing my sister after about a year and a half is great! It's a little later here, and I have had a really long day. So I leave you with the question: Any Shakespeare lovers out there?
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."
- William Shakespeare
From me to you,
Louise
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."
- William Shakespeare
From me to you,
Louise
Monday, July 21, 2014
The Decoy Bride - Naomi
A few days ago, Louise and I watched The Decoy Bride. It is a great romantic comedy starring David Tennant, Kelly MacDonald (voice over for Merida in the movie Brave), Alice Eve and Michael Urie among others. It is set on the tiny fictional island of Hegg in Scotland.
Here is the trailer, decide for your self.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nvN7FDxTHkA
Au revior & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Here is the trailer, decide for your self.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nvN7FDxTHkA
Au revior & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Fishing - Elizabeth
Hey guys,
Just checking in i'm about to go fishing for the afternoon! I love fishing... I do a lot of fly fishing and I love to go trout fishing! How many of you have fished before? Does anyone like fishing? I don't have a lot of time to chat with you guys because we are about to head out! So I hope you all have just as wonderful a day as I certainly will... :)
Just checking in i'm about to go fishing for the afternoon! I love fishing... I do a lot of fly fishing and I love to go trout fishing! How many of you have fished before? Does anyone like fishing? I don't have a lot of time to chat with you guys because we are about to head out! So I hope you all have just as wonderful a day as I certainly will... :)
Yours until butter flies,
-Elizabeth
Sunday, July 20, 2014
My Life - Naomi
Last night Louise and I were at a reunion party of our 8th grade class which she put together. Therefore she was unable to post until very late.
Louise and I are spending the evening together and I am sleeping over. We are about to watch a movie, probably Bridget Jones' Diary having just wolfed down some of her delicious mac & cheese. We also made chocolate ice cream which is in the freezer solidifying.
That's all for now.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Louise and I are spending the evening together and I am sleeping over. We are about to watch a movie, probably Bridget Jones' Diary having just wolfed down some of her delicious mac & cheese. We also made chocolate ice cream which is in the freezer solidifying.
That's all for now.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Saturday, July 19, 2014
So sorry -Louise
Oh my God darlings! I am dreadfully sorry! I have had such a busy day and I completely forgot! I promise to tell you about why I was so busy on my next day.
From me to you (in a very late manner),
Louise
Friday, July 18, 2014
The Lake -Elizabeth
Hey guys,
Sorry its so late I have been having problems figuring out how to post! I am in New York and I was not able to bring my computer so I was forced to figure out how to post from my phone...
I am at a beautiful lake and its not too hot here... its nice to finally get a break from the heat! :) Today I went blueberry picking! The blueberries were huge and really sweet!! Who else has gone blueberry picking this season? Has anyone not had a chance to pick blueberries? I would love to hear from you guys!! :)
Sorry its so late I have been having problems figuring out how to post! I am in New York and I was not able to bring my computer so I was forced to figure out how to post from my phone...
I am at a beautiful lake and its not too hot here... its nice to finally get a break from the heat! :) Today I went blueberry picking! The blueberries were huge and really sweet!! Who else has gone blueberry picking this season? Has anyone not had a chance to pick blueberries? I would love to hear from you guys!! :)
Yours until butter flies,
-Elizabeth
Thursday, July 17, 2014
My Athletic Failings - Naomi
Today is my one day off from work this week, so I slept in. After I got up I started rereading Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock which, since the main character is all athletic and hard working, made me feel kind of guilty for sitting around all day in the summer and never exercising. Come fall I have to start up cross-country to fulfill my sports/gym requirement for school. I don't play any other sports because I am utterly unathletic (I don't think that's a word) but I would like to not be the very worst on the cross-country team because that's just super embarrassing. So I promised myself that after I got back from family vacation in Delaware (that was two weeks ago) I would run every day. Guess how often my unmotivated self has gone running this summer? Never. So basically my chances of failing are increasing daily as my lack of motivation persists. Any suggestions for motivational forces to make me run rather than watch Netflix?
Proof that success is possible:
During the 2012 Olympics I watched most of the women's gymnastics competitions which resulted in me spending two weeks being depressed and wishing I could be a gymnast, which I obviously can't; non-flexible, non-athletic, clumsy and very tall does not equal gymnast or dancer for that matter, I've tried. So anyway that's all for now... I've just spent half an hour looking up ancient female warriors. The results are quite interesting, if you like this kind of thing you should do a few google searches, you'll learn some cool stuff and hopefully be inspired.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
Proof that success is possible:
During the 2012 Olympics I watched most of the women's gymnastics competitions which resulted in me spending two weeks being depressed and wishing I could be a gymnast, which I obviously can't; non-flexible, non-athletic, clumsy and very tall does not equal gymnast or dancer for that matter, I've tried. So anyway that's all for now... I've just spent half an hour looking up ancient female warriors. The results are quite interesting, if you like this kind of thing you should do a few google searches, you'll learn some cool stuff and hopefully be inspired.
Au revoir & Carpe Diem - Naomi
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