Sunday.

"Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better."

Maya Angelou

Tomorrow is Monday, again.  The weekend just comes and goes.  Saturday and Sunday are over in a blink of an eye.  I bat my eye lashes once, and poof, it is eleven o'clock on Sunday.  Our weekend was amazingly relaxing.  Date night on Friday, "Sleepless in Seattle" Saturday, and relaxation Sunday.  What more could I ask for?  The Ziggles was happy his momma and daddy spent so much time with him.

May we have a wonderful week.  May the next five days be filled with an overabundance of fabulous.  Tomorrow, do something you wouldn't normally do.  Tomorrow, do something for someone other than yourself.  Tomorrow, get out of your skin, take a chance, take a risk, take a leap of faith.  You'd be surprised at how amazing you will feel.  And remember, smile.  It is true what they say; smiling is contagious.

May your night be dreamy.

xoxo

For the Love of my Grammy!

"Homesickness is just a state of mind for me. I'm always missing someone or someplace or something, i'm always trying to get back to some imaginary somewhere. My life has been one long longing."

Elizabeth Wurtzel

*My grandmother is the one in the orange, isn't she just adorable?

I have searched my mind through and through.  Unfortunately, there is no grand way to say what I am about to say, I miss my grams.  I miss her, I do.  I miss her in a way impossible to place in words.  For the majority of my childhood I yearned to be one of those children that could take a weekend trip to their grandmother's house.  I wasn't.  To get to either one of my grams' house I would have had to take an eight hour plane ride to a different continent.  The South American continent, in case you were wondering.

The night before my grandmother left I went to my parent's house to say goodbye.  I hung around until the very last minute.  I wanted to prolong those seconds as much as I could. Couldn't I just leave without saying goodbye?  Could I not simply say, "I'll see you later".  I hugged her tight, I kissed her face, and left before she saw my eyes well up with tears.  I smiled, turned, and walked away.  The 30 minute drive back to my house?  I cried like a colicky, teething baby.  Big, fat, ugly alligator tears.  It was quite the scene.  I put Kim Kardashian to shame.

My grandmother is back in her home, exactly where she is meant to be.  I guess where I am meant to be is here.  And, instead of thinking of all the moments I did not share with her, I can cherish those moments I did.  Plus, what else is there to say other than what I've said here?  

Take a few moments and think of your grandmother.  Call her, write her, skype her, e-mail her, just tell her you love her.  And, if your grandmother is just down the street, well, take a drive and hug her for me.  Hug her hard, hug her long, and never let her go.

xoxo

*The first photograph is my grandmother and her sister, ugh, I just want to squeeze them

The Most Magical Place on Earth.

"That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up."

Walt Disney Company

If only there was a way to capture the magic of Disney World and bottle it up.  It'd be sold all over the world.  I mean, two words, Magic Kingdom, boom!  It truly does not make a difference how old you are: seven, seventeen, twenty seven, or seventy.  Disney World equates happiness for all.  July 13th was a spectacular day.  As I've mentioned before, my grandmother and her sister were visiting from Brazil.  Though my grandmother is a Disney World veteran, her sister had never been.  So, of course we had to go, duh.  My dad was trying to take absolute advantage of my grandmother's last weekend here.  Therefore, we turned what should have been a weekend trip into a 24 hour Disney adventure.  During the busiest time of the year.  Did I mention it was excruciatingly hot?  It was.  Did I mention it was a day trip?  Of course I did.

The night before I surprised my little cousin with a ticket to Disney for her ninth birthday.  She was over the moon.  It most likely had to do with the fact that it was her very first time at Magic Kingdom.  Her very first time seeing Cinderella's castle.  Her very first time walking down main street sporting MInnie Mouse Ears.  Her very first time experiencing the amazingness that is Disney.  I'm pretty sure she had a smile plastered on that sweet face all-day-long.  She's cute, isn't she? 

So, Saturday morning at precisely 5 o'clock in the morning my alarm went off.  I hid my head underneath my pillow.  Five more minutes I thought, five more minutes.  Almost instantaneously I heard my dad's voice in my head saying, "Renata, Renata, RENATA".   I threw the sheets to the side and fell out of bed.  At approximately 6:15 AM my dad called to tell me he was outside waiting for me and my cousin.  Off to Disney we went.

We arrived at Disney World at 9:30 in the morning, and we left at 11:45 at night.  Did we have a good time?  You bet.  Now, would I recommend taking a day trip to Disney World in the summer time?  Not in a million years.  The things you do for the ones you love.  I only got home at three in the morning, no biggie.  However, the memories made were priceless. 

My cousin was happy, my grandmother was happy, my dad's aunt was happy, my dad was happy, and I was happy.  What more could we ask for?  We waited in those long lines, we ate the bad food, we rode the rides, we bought the cheesy souvenirs, and we got caught in a typical Florida storm.  It was absolutely perfect.  On the drive home I couldn't help but be filled with this sense of utter and complete satisfaction.  Moments like these come once in a lifetime.  As I got into bed that night I couldn't help but miss our day.  It had only just ended and yet I yearned for it to repeat.  I closed my eyes, I opened my heart, and back to Disney World I went.  

Like a bolt out of the blue

Fate steps in and sees you through

When you wish upon a star

Your dreams come true

xoxo

Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

Mark Twain

*This picture is in no way related to this post

So, I had this ridiculous awesome post about my trip to Disney World all ready to be typed out.  Then something pretty amazing happened today, and, I just have to share.  I spent most of my life being an optimist.  Ya know, glass half full, look at the bright side, always searching for the silver lining kinda girl?  That was me.  I was optimism personified.  Things did not always go my way, however, I always looked for the positive side of things.  I just knew that there was no use being a sour puss.  

Then life happened.  And, little-by-little that optimism faded.  I was left feeling bitter and sarcastic, in the worst kind of way.  It must have been all the disappointment I felt in the human race.  Every single day I witnessed people do horrible things.  Every single day I witnessed people purposely hurting others.  There was no sense of comradery, no trust, no love.  I was hurt.  It pained me to believe that as human beings we could be so cruel to one another.

After what felt like a very long time the cloud dispersed.  The hard-to-break exterior slowly chipped away.  FInally, my former self reappeared.  Today was proof that kindness still exists.  I was shown that the universe is still a little bit sweet.  And, let me tell ya, I was nothing short than overjoyed.

Okay, okay, you are probably thinking get on with the story already!  Fine, fine, here it goes.  After lunch I made a quick stop at CVS.  You know, for lipstick and water, what else.  I was sorta late, sorta hot, and sorta in a major rush (what else is new?).  Where was the cashier?  GONE!  And, standing in front of me was a little old lady with a list and a shopping cart filled to the top with merchandise.  I screamed a little.  Okay, I may have thought some inappropriate things as well, in my head, IN MY HEAD.  I was late, I was in a hurry, and I needed to go.

I was busy thinking of how these things only happen to me when the little old woman turned around to face me.  She smiled this sweet grandma smile and said, "Hello, how many things do you have there young lady?".  I quickly responded I only had the lipstick and water and this sweet grandma said, "Oh, then you must go in front of me, you seem like you need to go, I have all the time in the world".  At first I was hesitant, I mean, here I was completely irritated with this stranger and she was going to let me skip her in line.  I stuffed my face with humble pie.

Nice people are not extinct.  They hang around your local CVS, they smile at you, say nice things to you, and let you skip them in line.  Little old woman, thank you!  It was such a small deed and yet it filled my heart with such incredible happiness.  Happiness to know that not everyone in the world is self-centered, self-absorbed, and selfish.  Happiness to know that she valued my time more than her own.  Happiness to know that I was wrong.  So, so, so very wrong.  There is in fact still good in the world, and ultimately  it always outweighs the bad.

If you are ever presented with the opportunity to do something nice, do it.  Do not hesitate, do not think, just act.  Your small gesture, your kind words, your sweet smile may be just what the other person is searching for.  Make an impact, be positive, fill the universe with love.  One day you may just need a sweet old woman in your life.

xoxo

A Beautiful Mess.

"Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up." 

Hans Christian Andersen

Above you will find the very face I made when I realized the last time I made an appearance around these parts was on the ninth of July.  Absolutely shameful, no doubt. However, in my defense, the last thirteen days have been a mess.  Though a good mess, it was still a mess.  My sweet paternal grandmother and her sister were here and I made the best to savor the last few days with them.  I even took on my father's insane idea to go on a Disney day trip.  Yes, I went to Disney for a day, more on that later.

I am a born worrier.  For some reason I worry about everything.  Did I do this, did I do that, was this good enough, was that good enough.  It is quite exhausting.  I hate clutter, I hate messes, I hate chaos.  Thus, I am constantly at war with making an attempt to control everything around me and just letting it go.  Which, if we are being honest, is a battle lost before it is even fought.  It is the one lesson you learn fairly quickly in life.  You have control over little if anything in this world.  

Recently I was told by someone that whenever I start to worry about something I should ask myself, "Would this matter in the grand scheme of things?"  I have been doing just that.  And, it rarely ever does matter.  There has yet to be something that would cause a great catastrophe to our precious universe.  The messy house?  Not important.  The laundry still isn't put away?  Not important.  The dog's toys are all over the living room?  Not important.  I didn't make the bed today?  Not important.  The cushions on the couch are not in their proper place?  Not important.  There are napkins left over on the kitchen table?  IT IS NOT IMPORTANT. 

Life is messy.  Those messes are just a sign that you are living.  Those messes are a sign that you are doing something right.  Accept the inevitable.  You will make mistakes.  You may or may not learn from those mistakes, and, that is okay.  You may go thirteen days without blogging and that is okay as well.  It is all okay, because in the grand scheme of things, it does not matter, it never has, it never will.

If you've missed me, I am back!  If you didn't, well, boo you!

xoxo

Resident Lazy Girl.

Good morning!  

This girl is about to show you the go-to mani for the resident lazy girl.  The resident lazy girl being me.  Hi, my name is Renata and I have sporadic bouts of laziness.  It comes around occasionally.  Ya know, here and there.  Unless you were to ask my momma who would probably tell you about how as a teenager my folded clean clothes would go from bed, to chair, to desk, to top of dresser, yet, never actually make its way in the dresser.  Of course she would threaten to take away my AOL privileges and then said clothes would be put away in .005 seconds.  You can take away my television, you can take away my phone, but you will never take away my internet!  I'm almost positive I made that speech to her once, maybe twice.  She didn't find the hilarity in its implication.  I on-the-other-hand found it to be genius.

If you know me personally, chances are you've rarely ever seen my nails unpolished.  By rarely, I mean never.  I kid you not, my nails are polished seven days a week.  On the days  where a proper manicure is just not in the books I tend to attempt a Renata manicure.  Otherwise known as a manicure done by you and you alone.  For some reason my skills have gradually decreased within the years.  Which is odd, since they keep telling me, "practice makes perfect".  If you are thinking, "Why doesn't she just use her lunch break for a mani?" let me be perfectly clear, lunch breaks are not for manicures.  Lunch breaks are not for sleeping.  Lunch breaks are for eating.  Unless someone is feeding me while I get my nails done, a mani during my break is just NOT HAPPENING.  Not today, not ever.

My nails were begging for a manicure this weekend.  Yet all I wanted to do with my spare time was indulge in the last season of Dawson's Creek.  I AM ADDICTED!  So, when I found Maybelline's Polka Dots color show nail polish sitting on the shelf at Target, I had a Eureka moment.  What is a lazy girl to do when she wants to polish her nails and watch television at the same time?  Use textured nail polish.  Textured nail polish hides all imperfections.  You messed up a little on the corner?  Dude, not a single person will ever know.  EVER.  

I used Essie's Sugar Daddy as a base just to help for when I decide to remove said polka dots from my nails beds.  Like glitter, polka dots tend to be impossible to remove.  I'll probably hate my decision four days from now, yet now I am reveling in its amazingness.  Two episodes down and my nails look the bomb (at least I think so).  And, if there are bubbles, I sure can't see them.  Plus, I think my nails look Devil Wears Prada posh.  I am channeling my inner Emily today.

If you find yourself in a pickle and you only have a short time to pimp those nails, go polka dots, you won't regret it!

xx

Weekend Lovin'.

Happy, happy Sunday.  Clearly the man upstairs is still working on answering my prayers (no work Mondays!).  It is perfectly okay, I am a forgiving person.  I'll continue making those wishes.  I mean, I think I have some spare pennies to throw in the fountain, cross your fingers!  I truly hope your weekend was as great as mine.  Seriously, happiness should be shared.  Can't it be Saturday again?

I can hardly believe I had four days off.  Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.  Is Sunday really almost over?  Really, REALLY?  Someone hand me a kleenex, please.  My sobbing may start to bother the Ziggles.  Back to the weekend.  I spent most of my weekend with the husband.  Just-the-two-of-us.  Those moments alone, are absolutely necessary.

I mean, look at that face, that smile, ahh, my heart beats a little faster.  Obviously I married him for his teeth, I mean, perfect.  Maybe it was the company, or, maybe it was that corona with lime he was having, but, he looks pretty happy.  I am overjoyed to spend my days alongside this fella.

We had a pretty epic Saturday.  Lazy time at the pool, lunch at Boston's on the Beach, drinks at the Sandbar, and then some late night swimming (lets leave it at that, shall we?).  If you ever find yourself at the Delray Beach in Sunny South Florida, go to Boston's on the Beach and eat the Mahi-Mahi sandwich.  It is delicious (or maybe I was starving?).  No, it is delicious.  Then for breakfast take a little stroll down Atlantic Avenue to the Green Owl.  It is a family style restaurant and their Spinach, Tomato, and cheese omelette is amazing.  So are their blueberry pancakes.  This morning the husband and I woke up and headed straight to breakfast.  They close at twelve on Sundays, so, be sure to wake up early.  

As the days go by, as we get a little older time just flies.  When you are young everything feels as though it is going slow.  As a child time is against you because you wish it away.  As an adult time is against you because you wish for just one more day, one more hour, one more minute.  You wish, you hope, you pray and yet the days still rush by.  One-by-one the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months.  Think about it, we are more than half way through the year 2013.  I ask myself at least once a day how in the world did I get here.  These past four days were just what the doctor ordered.  Relaxing, peaceful, happy, you know, the usual.  And tomorrow we kick start the week.  We mentally prepare ourselves for those five days of early mornings, meetings, planning, research, coffee and office living.  So, happy Sunday.  Enjoy the hours left of this much desired day.  Close your eyes and rejoice, work is still hours away.  As for me?  I am going to watch America's most loved serial killer.  Yup, ya know it, Dexter awaits.

xx