Relationship Realness

 There's a smile on my my face. Years have passed and he is still the person I love. After so many years we are going strong and I can go on for days on how wonderful our relationship is. Friends constantly say they wish they had a " perfect" relationship like ours. And we stop them right there!
We let them down easy....First of all, there is no relationship that is ever easy. Sometimes we romanticize about the idea of a relationship being "perfect", but there is really no such thing. Relationships are hard work....period! No person is without fault. No relationship is without challenges. For us is learning to compromise, to give something up in order to gain something greater.It takes effort to listen without defending and speaking without offending. Yes we lose our temper, we get worn out, and we know what it is to be overwhelmed. The pressures of life can either drive us apart or drive us closer together. We've had our share of both, and we are learning to do what it takes to  waltz in step, while making sure we're dancing to the right tune. Growing as a couple is learning about eachother and never giving upon us. What I can assure you is that for us failure is not an option and that means that we both know that everyday is an opportunity to become better, to work harder and to give it all we've got.

Sometimes in our discontentment we allow ourselves to think that everyone else is more in love, having more fun, taking more trips, watching more television and eating more chocolate. And maybe they are but at the end we all have our struggles. We all have to work hard and if social media is where you are getting all your assumptions, well.... let me tell you that's the projection we are giving to the world. Nobody  has it easy and I often want to vent about an argument, about my daily struggles or about how I hate washing the dishes and maybe I should. It's the positive side of me that doesn't make it happen, would you like to hear about it?

At the beginning of my rant I said my relationship was wonderful, and yes, it is. Because behind the good and the bad we still want and love eachother and every single day we both  work together  towards greatness.

 

Wanderlust

                 

       WE ALL DREAM OF FAR AWAY

As I am sitting right now in my home office with a cup of tea and Keith Urban singing about wanting a little bit of everything, I smile as I look at those amazing pictures from our trip, not because they're studio worthy but because they have captured smiles, adventures and free spirits.

Our trip started out in Vancouver British Columbia. In my short years of a wanderlust I had never encountered  such friendly people. The wonders that a simple smile or a friendly "hello" can do to your spirit. We got lucky with warm spring weather.

We started off by going to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, it stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River....I know scaaaaryyyy, but totally worth doing. They also have a cliffwalk that follows a labyrinth of narrow bridges, stairs and platforms.We got to see amazing totem poles from the First Nations people. We got to experience the sounds of nature that took us to the serenity of a west coast rainforest. José wasn't really into visiting when we were planning the trip but by the time we set foot and saw all the amazingness well he enjoyed it more than I did. And it's jut another reminder of how when we travel we need to open our minds and explore EVERYTHING.

 

We wanted to see everything but with so little time we decided to visit Victoria. Many friends raved about it, but it was an all day tour so we ended sacrificing other outtings. We took a 2 hr ferry to Victoria and once there we started by visiting The Empress Hotel for some AMAZING tea. Surrounded by rich chintz fabrics, antiqued tapestries and rugs, elegant wing back chairs, vintage furnishings and hand-carved tables, the picturesque backdrop of the Inner Harbor provides the quintessential Victoria experience to all of us who grace afternoon tea. They serve hand-made signature Empress scones, delectable pastries and tea sweets served in dainty William Edwards china and sterling silver service to the enchanting ambiance of the live piano. It's pricey but worth every penny.

We visited the B.C. Parliament Buildings. As a bit of a political geek, I always love visiting the legislature buildings of cities that I travel to and learning about their history and politics.

Lately, I've been so into flowers and gardens. I don't know if it's because I'm getting older but I'm now finding beauty in the simplest things. Things I didn't consider before, and since we decided to visit Vancouver I knew we had to visit The Butchart Gardens, and spring is the season of vibrant colors! We  witnessed thousands of flowering bulbs, shrubs and trees bursting forth and much more. The colors are so magnificent, so surreal and pictures will never do it justice.
 As soon as I walked in I thought I was in the scene of Finding Neverland, when Barrie takes Sylvia to this magical place, I was specting flying fairies. It's just an astonishing place.

These gardens are breathtaking, we were there for the daffodils, tulips, azaleas and rhodos; so beautiful. The gardens are meticulously tended and considering how many people go through there is amazing.

The morning of our cruise we went to Gastown, known for its shops and bars, cutting-edge artists and designers, chefs and mixologists but sadly it's also known for its rough  streets, but that’s part of what keeps things interesting.A Vancouver institution since 1977, the Gastown Steam Clock was actually more interesting than I had anticipated.  The clock itself is very attractive; a small replica of London's Big Ben.  

The chimes (on the hour) and whistles (on the quarter-hour) aren't particularly loud, but also aren't confused with ordinary urban noise.  The surrounding neighborhood is worthy of exploration, and the clock provides a nice focal point.

At last our trip ended in False Creek, The views were spectacular and the people so energetic.

I was excited about our cruise but I wanted to stay a while longer, explore a bit more places. Talk to more people. Did I like Vancouver? No, I loved it. Do I want to go back? Heck yes! I would even consider moving over there. I feel so grateful that I get to travel and experience all that God has created. I feel blessed that I get to experience it with my best friend. And at that point of our trip I didn't know the AMAZING experience that was coming. Our trip continued and it changed us forever.Next week I will be writting about our cruise to Alaska.


I would love to read your thoughts, so please be social and share.

Three Hundred And Sixty-Five Days

Waves of dreams cross the threshold of my life and  I remember the uniqueness of which I am part of, it flourishes my thrive, it climbs my fullness to the open window of  perception  that remains available to life, now I know that this is my path, the path I take to fulfill the mission that brought me to this earth, now I'm the protagonist in the movie of my life, the immense opportunity to thank three hundred sixty-five days a year of happiness. I feel like being happy.

Inspiration

Love can be found in many beautiful things, from the decorations in your home to leaves falling from trees, it's time to see everything for what it truly is, beautiful inspiration.

 

Comparing and Confiding‏

A few days ago, I was reading books a lot to help the dull hours pass by. I wasn't reading the usual books I always read. I had been feeling ( I don't wanna say depressed because it's such a strong word)  overwhelmed of all the things happening in my life. One book I read had a section that really hit me. I read it over and over, contemplating what it meant in my own life. I don't even recall the title of the book, because overall, it was not even worthy of remembering. But I did jot down this one paragraph from the book that left an impact on me.

"All women compare lives. We are aware of whose husband works more, whose helps more around the house, whose makes more money, whose is more romantic. We compare our children, taking note of who is sleeping through the night, eating their vegetables, minding their manners, getting better grades in school. We know who keeps the best house, throws the best parties, cooks the best meals, has the best tennis game. We know who among us is the smartest, has the fewest lines around her eyes, has the best figure. We are aware of who works full-time, who stays at home with the kids, who manages to do it all and make it look easy, who shops and lunches while the nanny does it all. We digest it all and then discuss it with our friends. Comparing and then confiding; this is what women do. The difference lies in why we do it. Are we doing it to gauge our own life and reassure ourselves that we fall within the realm of normal? Or are we being competitive, relishing others' shortcomings so that we can win, if only by default?"

To some extent, this can be acceptable behavior. In comparing myself to others, I see the strengths in others and I admire them greatly, whether they be talents, abilities, or physical features. God has blessed us all with unique gifts, and I can recognize and appreciate those gifts in so many people.

But, this behavior can also have a very negative impact. When others compare and confide, AKA gossip, they acknowledge the shortcomings of others and they make themselves feel superior. In essence, they are hurting others in order to feel supreme, which has a harmful effect on themselves as well. Even though I've stopped participating in this, I still compare.

I want to be able to recognize the strengths that others have without feeling and allowing negative criticism towards myself for the weaknesses I have in those same areas. I want to be able to get to the point where I can recognize my own strengths and acknowledge the strengths of others, and realize and understand that god intended for each of us to have certain strengths and certain weaknesses. Because if I didn't have any weaknesses, I wouldn't need the help of others who had certain strengths that are unlike mine. Because if I truly had the BEST parts of all those people, I would have no need or desire for change or improvement. Because without my weaknesses, I would have no reason to feel humble. And without the need or desire to change and improve my life.How I love the power of books, they do make you think ;)

Too blessed to be stressed!!‏

I sometimes lie in bed and start making a mental list of everything I have to do, and that itself is exhausting!! Do you do does mental notes too? It's sometimes 2 in the morning and I get up to write all these things down on my organizer. Otherwise I will be afraid that by morning all my great ideas will "puff" not be remembered. I will toss and turn and next thing you know I didn't get a good night sleep.

 Today I get to clean the house.

Today I get to do laundry.

Today I get to go to the grocery store and buy food and cook for my family.

Today I get to finish organizing the guest room, and things that need to be done around the house.


How often do we gripe and moan about the chores we have to do, the piles of work we have, the errands we have to run? It makes me feel guilty with all the sad stories you hear around, people without jobs, people without money to buy food, or worse people who don't get to feel the warmth of a home.


I am so blessed to have a house that needs cleaning. To have clothes that need washing. To have a family that needs feeding. I'm thankful for this day and for the work that lies ahead. I'm thankful for the ability to do all of the things that need to be done.

Whatever you get to do today, I hope you have a great day.  And even though we get obstacles along the way, let's remember to be thankful!

Hello My Future Friends!!

My name is Ivette, and I wanted to let you know a little bit about me. I love to read books way past my bed time. I'm a "wanna be" photographer, I annoy people with all my picture taking. I'm a lover of old school housewife duties. I'm a hopeless romantic and love to travel as it opens my mind.


 And here is my tribe!!

I must confess that I'm more nervous than a porcupine at a ballon festival! Why, you ask? Well, I'm super excited and extremely nervous about writting my first entry. I have always wanted to write about little bits of daily living. I want to share my stories from all aspects of my life. And most important, I want to get to know you. I'm hoping the stories you read here, will warm your heart, make you feel that you are not alone and to make you laugh because you will realize that I'm nuttier than a fat rat at a peanut factory!

 WELCOME!!