Life Well Lived Moments Sweepstakes 2: Share A Moment - Enter to Win $250

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I'm expecting my first child in two short weeks. In the midst of lack of sleep and 2 am feedings I hope to pause and relish the moments. Life passes so quickly that it can be difficult to live in the moment. I hope my husband and I can find the time to relish all that we have!

I moved to a new area. Children have left the nest. Awaiting a new grandchild next month. Excited and anxiously ready to shop for new furniture. Design palette will be complete this weekend, but with the holiday's upon us, I must confess this fall is all about preparing small surprises for the family. Enriching the lives of others when I'm ready to receive guest's to my humble abode. Chestnuts roasting by the fire, delicious deserts, warm brandy and latte's, cinnamon buns and laughter. Oh what a joyous time awaits.

I'm getting out of shape sitting at the computer too much. I joined a fitness club and plan to hit the treadmill and go hiking more.

I need better time management. Last thing to do every night: make a short list of top 1-4 items to do next day and stick to them.

We are organizing our house and getting rid of things we no longer need. With holidays coming up it's important to us to make sure our children see the giving that should be done ALL year long. Hoping to get a few remolding projects done in our old house. :)

I'm reorganizing my house, getting back to my daily gym workout and focusing on adding balance to my life.

Spend at least an hour a day with the kids with no phone, computer or tv, not shopping, or driving. Just together.

My life well lived time will be a trip to Chile & Patagonia in 37 days with a side trip to see penguins. I am SO looking forward to this.

I'm cleaning some of the excess junk out of our place to make room to enjoy the things I'm keeping! By getting rid of old, ugly or out-of-style clothing (not to mention what doesn't fit and never will again), I'm also making room to acquire some clothing that actually fits, flatters and belongs in this decade. Last, I'm making space for a reading nook in the bedroom--reading is my purest pleasure in life, and I decided I should indulge it more!

It's already been that kind of year! Rockin' a new hairdo, running a half-marathon that I never thought I'd do in two weeks. I never thought I'd find me time! Now, I'm going to try my hardest to find more husband and me time and not just doing all the painting projects we have! We are painting kitchen cabinets, a bathroom, our bedroom, and a spare room above our garage! Will we have time to go out just the two of us? Only time will tell!

Just finished re-organizing our homeschooling stuff. Got boxes packed and ready to be taken to the local thrift store of stuff we purged this weekend. Have our fall and Halloween decorations up (gotta wait until October to that one). Went to the Scarecrow Fest, ready to hit the pumpkin patch soon! I have TONS of apples that I need to figure out what I'm going to make with them.

I tweeted here as FotoMacro: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/123792595330678785

We've already cleaned up the yard and are working on decorations for Trick or Treat. We are also working on cleaning up and out inside this fall. I feel like our lives are full of clutter and this clutter affects our minds and spirits as well as our home. We already took a full car load of goodies to the local Goodwill and I know we will have many more car loads to take the rest of the season. We have decided to have a traditional Thanksgiving this year at home as well...to feed the belly and the soul!

Two goals for me:

1. To transform my home office from a clutter-fest to a work inspiring haven

2. To commit one evening a week for quality time with my pre-pre-teen son (before it's uncool to spend time with his mom.) A dinner out, a movie, a night at home with some quality alone time.

Halloween decorations! It's my favorite holiday :)

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gina.m.maddox AT gmail DOT com

Fall brings within me a sense of renewal and comfort. I love this season and plan to execute many of my own "life well lived" moments in the coming days. The simplest pleasures often make me the happiest; I plan enjoying the crackling of our wood burning fireplace as the days get shorter and cooler. I will also delight in many homemade peppermint, gingerbread, and pumpkin lattes, and nights with the windows cracked to let in the crisp air, while I snuggle under my blankets next to my hubby and my oversized lap-dog. Oh... and I am also planning on getting a brand new haircut this Thursday! I can't wait!

gina.m.maddox AT gmail DOT com

Both of my sons just graduated this spring. My oldest from college and my youngest from high school. I am trying to enjoy each day with my kids (they are both still at home) because I know that they will be moving out and on their own very, very soon. I am planning to have the best Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!

After suffering through my second major depressive episode this summer, and being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (which lead me to blogging!) I'm dedicating this season (my favorite, by the way) to 24-7 healing and wellness. My last depressive episode was by far the worst and the lowest experience that I never want to experience again. Now that I'm stable...this is my time, and I'm going to own every minute of it. I vow to dedicate as much time as possible to focus on healing from the summer and the shock of my diagnosis, and focus on surrounding myself with nothing but positive hobbies, and people that will help me stay afloat, so to speak. To find out how I've already begun to live a better quality life, check out my blog!

One thing that I plan to do this Fall is plan a vacation for next year. I just returned from vacationing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and it was incredibly invigorating. It had been quite a while since I had a REAL vacation and being on that trip made me realize just how necessary they are. I plan to spend the next couple of months researching exactly where I want to go and what I want to do on the trip, planning my budget, and finding out what other friends or family members may also be interested in going.

A few years ago, I took a Spanish class that I really enjoyed. Though I was rusty, I was able to recall some of what I learned while in Punta Cana. That vacation has lit a fire under me to pick up my Spanish books again! So this Fall, I also plan to give myself a refresher on the language. I will also begin plans to learn the main language of the next vacation location I choose.

Fall is my favorite time of year, i love the crisp morning air. This Fall I'll definitely be updating my wardrobe, I love Fall fashion, scarves and boots. I'll be getting a new hair cut, a new hair cut is just symbolic of big changes. I'll be catching up with loved ones over coffee too. I plan on catching up with friends and family I've lost touch with us. :) I love Fall~

I've lost over 100 pounds, so this fall I'm definitely rocking a new look! I purchased some new clothes, had a bra fitting, and this weekend cut my hair (not by choice but I admit it does look better!)

Fall is special for me, it's my birthday in October and I try to take small moments daily by walking with my dog or drinking coffee and eating cookies with my kids after school. I used to do that with my grandparents. They always had a coffee hour in the afternoons with special treats for me. My grandpa has passed away few years ago and I try to honor them by doing this with my kids and my boyfriend, just 15+ minutes and my kids enjoy that. I also use the time to spend time with my boyfriend as our life is so busy and we're all over the place.

A life well lived means a different things to different people. Fall always energizes me after the sultry Midwestern summers -- it used to mean getting hypes up for back to school, but since I started full-time freelancing this summer, I've had to shift my focus a little.

So moments from this fall that have/will fill me with joy or quiet pleasure:

My first wearing of my favorite Parrish blue tights.

That first cup of hot chocolate, made with vanilla, cinnamon and milk, shared with my husband while sharing a rare evening watching some trashy TV.

Breaking out the pajama pants and curling up in front of my laptop with a cat on my lap and a good idea percolating in my head.

Spicy-as-the-devil chili.

A late October road trip with my best friend and a trunk full of costumes (yes, at 39, you can still take fun road trips with masquerade balls at the end.)

Cold air coming through the bedroom window as I curl up under the duvet and watch the moonlight and listen to my husband breathe softly.

Waking up to cool air and warm blankets to spy one of those crystalline blue skies accented with trees turning saffron, amber, and flame that you only get in autumn from my bedroom window.

Red wine on a cool night with friends, laughing and wearing a battered old sweater of my dad's and a pink faux-pashmina, instead of clutching a melting cold beverage and sticking to the chair in my sweat-limp skirt.

And just FYI, if I had $250, I'd use most of it to pay bills (being a newbie freelancer doesn't make me one of the 1%) and I'd splurge on a bag of honest-to-gosh excellent coffee beans. That would ensure two weeks of Quiet Caffeinated Pleasurable Mornings. Economizing is vital, but I mourn good coffee. :(

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nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

With fall comes wonderful weather for taking walks outside with the family. This is something I really enjoy! We also have some household outdoor projects that we would like to get done before the long winter months set in. So, our family will be squeezing in as much outdoor time together as we possible can.

nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

there is a special occasion coming by, that is our first anniversary. i am going to celebrate big way. shopping, fun. but i'm missing my parents. I like to see the trees changing color in this season. Fall/winter/summer every season is good for me when I am with my lovely hubby!!!!!!

I love wearing skinny pants and boots in the winter. I wear them to work, to church, to run errands. I just love being warm and comfy in the colder months, so this is what I'll be doing this fall!

Last winter was so crazy with snow, trees falling and power outages. I'm just trying to control the anxiety and get my art room organized to spend lots of time inside this winter.

While I was hating my new year-round school schedule in early August when we teachers had to report back to school, I am now enjoying my 2 week fall intercession to the fullest. It is a nice breather to take advantage of things like: no one fighting me for hair or doctor's appointments, no lines at stores, etc. The best part, though, is having time to establish a routine that will stay with me for the rest of the school year -just simple things like making time to enjoy a warm breakfast and slip in a half hour of exercise each day. I love having the opportunity to spend quality time with my husband and poor, oft-ignored dogs. This break has really solidified my belief in living in the moment -just the other day, my husband, sister, & I piled into the car to drive up to Wisconsin to watch the leaves change and visit our favorite apple orchard. In just a couple of short weeks, I have really made strides in establishing more balance in my life -doing what needs to get done tempered with the fun things that memories are made of.

Fall is my favorite time of year because of all the warm and vibrant colors! The airs scent of fireplaces, the aroma of freshly baked bread, and more importantly, family gatherings! As the years of raising 5 remarkable sons and working full time, I now have been challenged to accepting early retirement due to my MS, accute sciatica, fibromyalgia, and still trying to remember my mom is gone until I reach the heavens. My concentration is going to be directed souly and spiritually to, "Life Well Lived Solutions", knowing I am not alone and there are so many others less fortunate than I. Life is only a blink long.

As fall is upon us, the kids back in school and everyone back to their routine - we try as a family to slow down and take in family time. Too often everyone is so rushed that we don't even have two hours a day together. So the time that we do have we try to treasure and appriciate more. Either by taking a walk around the block in the early mornings or before bed. Letting the kids play outside as my Fiance and I watch the sunset. Taking a hike in the mountains on the weekend. My Fiance & I have also started praying together every night before bed. It's sometimes funny how just the simplest things in life can really open up your eyes. Life is way to precious to waste away! Happy Fall everyone!!

I love, love and more love the month of October. Something to do with the breeze and the harvest moon. I fully plan on taking in as much of its glory as possible after having been stuck in air conditioning for this terribly hot Texas summer. I feel so much more alive when I'm able to walk on a cool autumn evening and awake to crisp cool mornings. It will be a time for me to reflect on what I need to do in order to make a difference in my life. I need to focus on my health and time with family.

We're spending lots of extra time outside enjoying the weather. We've been cramped indoors most of the summer with record breaking heat, so it's a nice change!

When, earlier this month, I tipped the scales at my highest-ever weight, I knew it was time to knuckle down. Again. One day at a time I'm going to: 1) Drink a gallon of water, 2) Walk at least four miles, 3) Alternate upper- and lower-body strength-training workouts and 4) Eat three meals with NO snacks. So far, so good.

Cleaning out every drawer and closet in my house. And actually consume all that water humans are supposed to be consuming.

Blog 3 x per week

Quiet family meals where everything is turned off and we can connect

Drink more water

Eat more veggies

Get one pedicure a month

Spend time in prayer and meditation twice a day

My plans are the ones of really getting after my home in terms of uncluttering and organizing. It's pretty hard to "thin" out when you keep doing the shopping and saving things for that mysterious "One Day". It's about time to put my surroundings and ultimate satisfaction on the top of my "To Do List" rather than relegating it lost to the bottom of the heap where I may discover something useful.

A Better Me for Fall:

1. Write in prayer journal 3x a week.

2. Journal every night before bed (except Saturday and Sunday).

3. Call parents every Tuesday night on the way home. 4. Do something special for Ben.

5. Wash the dishes every other day in the morning.

6. Eat more vegetables! (at least 2/day)

7. Grocery shop every Monday.

8. Do devotions at least 3x a week; pray every morning for 10 minutes.

9. Cook a large meal every Saturday to store for the week.

10. Find an alternative to worrying about my looks that affirms my inner beauty and develops character traits I would like to have.

I am going to stop hiding under a rock, and live FULLY my purpose and passion. I am going to love me more fully, and love the people in my world more fully.

This Fall I am throwing myself into helping my only daughter move into her first place. She is buying a house and although I will miss her terribly - she's now a college grad with a real job and a real need to live on her own. Isn't this all we've ever wanted? So - her move is also perfect for me - garage sales, Goodwill, painting, etc. She's as frugal as me so already we've scored a $10 (yes, ten dollars) mahogany buffet (ok - it needs some work), a Hoosier cabinet, several chairs, and almost an entire kitchen of dishes, cookware, small appliances - on a dime (almost literally). So much fun! Come Dec or January - I don't know what I'll do - declutter my own place.

I'm making a point this month to not be lazy -- I need to keep my personal space clean and put in effort to small things -- do the dishes, pack my lunch at night, do my ironing and put my laundry away, etc. Having a clean and organized space makes me feel so much better about everything!

I plan to push myself to use my time better this fall. Less TV - more writing, play time with my son and bonding with my hubby. I am always so busy trying to capture things that I just want to sit back and soak up life. Not worry about snapping pictures, etc

I am trying to do what I can to help change "One life". My single-mom-friend wants to start her own business but she can barely make ends meet for the bare essentials for herself and her son. Since neither of us has any alternative income stream, we both combed through our stuff and decided to de-clutter our lives while at the same time, building inventory for a garage sale. I dragged all my pre-loved-stuff to her house last weekend and we collectively made one tenth of what she needs for her new venture. This weekend her stuff is coming to my garage since my whole neighborhood is having sales. We have vowed not to become discouraged or to give up on finding ways to save for her dream. I hope all of this will also change the life of her son as he watches her grab onto her destiny and not let go until it is her reality. I am going to be right there with him watching it happen and I'm doing everything within my power to help make it a reality with her!

I am writing a book called Living a Passionate Life! which will allow myself and eventually my readers to fully dive into a fully engaged, dynamic life experience to get the most out of life. I'll spend days and nights researching, experiencing and thinking about the intense emotion of passion. What I"m the most excited about is that Living a Passionate Life! has nothing to do with money, status, or environment. It is an attitutde - which means anyone can do it no matter where they are.

I'd use the $250 towards the graphic design of the book cover.

Life well lived is stocking up on clearance kites for next summer at the beach. Summer is my family's favorite season and we all go into a bit of funk as the cold cloudy days take hold in Chicago. Picking out dozens of cheapie kits and laughing at our selections (a pink butterfly, Joey??) remind us that even the rainy days of September can be fun and that there is so much in life to which we can look forward.

For October, I'm planning to knit more, laugh more, and cook less. Also? I'm going out and buying jeans in the proper size, rather than feeling fat all day by trying to squeeze into the too small ones I bought last winter.

At the end of October I will turn (cringe), thirty nine! I have one year left before the big FOUR-O. As I reflect on my life, looking at where I am as a mother, a wife, an individual, I have only few regrets but most importantly I realize that life is short. My oldest is done with high school, on to bigger and better things. Her sister has just entered high school and my son, the "baby" just turned in to a bonafide teenager. My husband and I have been married for eighteen years and I have dedicated my life to being a good mother and wife. What I realize now, before my fortieth birthday is that I have put some of my personal goals on the back burner and it is now time to heat them up! I am going to run a half marathon for the first time in my life, I want to paint and make art to hang on my wall. I want to run this house like a fortune five hundred and I want to look good doing it. This is going to be a great year.

of all the things I want to do, i think I am most in need of cutting ties with my "boyfriend" and moving on