LOVE My Live

Dear Family, Mostly Aunt Banana & Grandma & Grandpa! :)



Your thoughtfulness and generosity know no limits. I regret that in our holiday haste, we have lost track mostly of who gave what, but I do know a certain favorite few. Ok, so Daddy scored each of their favorites - Phoebe's DSIXL, and Christopher's Angry Birds board game and t-shirts, those are far and away their favorites. They both love Christopher's Bilibo chair. Phoebe absolutely adores her Spectra doll from NB, as well as the Liv Doll hairstyle head thing from Janet & Brooke. Christopher's second favorite is the train table - thank you NB! He enjoyed it as a table for a simple oval track for a few days, but I did get the city center installed by Thursday, and he does love it.

After reading Esther 2:12 I decided to do 12 months of beautification starting this January 1st-December 31st, 2012. This will pertain to understanding why it is important to embrace my womanhood, enjoy being a woman and nurture my femininity everyday. In Esther 2:12 the maidens pamper themselves for twelve months 6 months with oil of myrrh and 6 months with perfumes and cosmetics. I believe that when a woman get to know her self inside as well as outside then she will not allow anyone to treat her below her worth. Many women do not know their worth because they do not take the time to get to know who they are, what they want and what makes them happy. They constantly become who other people want them to be instead of who they truly are within. I decided in 2011 to get to know myself and be true to myself. When you make a choice to be authentic sometimes this may mean the people in your life will change. People who are intimidated by who you are will eventually rotate to the background of your life. It is important to be a thermostat not a thermometer. You should always be the lady setting the temperature and shifting the atmosphere. If you are ready take this 12 month journey with me then first print out the following schedule below:

• January - Beauty is only skin deep... Take this month to take care of your skin. Get your massage, facial and spa treatment appointments schedule for this month.
• February-Love Is...Do something special for yourself for the next 28 days. Take some time to rest. All women need their beauty rest.
• March - Get Well...Spend this month making some goals for your physical health and make changes in your eating habits. Join Weight Watchers or get a trainer or join a gym or even buy those fitness DVDs for Pilate's, Nintendo wii fitness, zumba etc.
• April- Spring into a new you...Take this month to focus on your emotional state and mental health. If you need someone to talk to schedule an appointment with a close friend, therapist, counselor or spiritual leader in your church. Give yourself time to slow down and put your emotions into perspective.
• May- Time to reconnect....plan a girlfriend's weekend no kids allowed! To build effective relationships and mutually beneficial relationships you have to connect with positive people who will keep you motivated in your goals.
• June- Vacation, Vacation, Vacation...Take time away from the hustle and bustle of your business or job every woman deserves a little R&R! This month is strictly for you so vacation alone and get some clarity for the next 6 months ahead. This will be your personal retreat.
• July- Fashion is your best friend...Find out what clothes really scream your personality. This month get to know the fashionista on the inside of you. Also reacquaint yourself with makeup tips. (A little makeup will not hurt you.)
• August- Spiritual Connection...Take this month to create and build a more intimate relationship with the Lord. Understand where you are spiritually and then reevaluate where you want to be with the Lord. Also remember the relationship you have with God is between you and Him only. Meditate on this quote for the month:

• September - Try Something New..Think of one thing you would like to do that you have not done. Think about how this activity will add to your productivity and becoming well rounded. After you do that then it is time to actually step out the boat and immerse yourself in the new activity.
• October- Financial Health..Reanalyze where you went wrong in this year and make financial goals to do better before the year is out. Also review how much you have saved and top the dollar amount next year.
• November- Holidays are vastly approaching and you are going to be doing alot of holiday shopping how about you make yourself top priority this year.
• December- The last month of the year, time to make a new vision board and reposition yourself to a successful new year. Begin to write your congratulations letter for the next year to come.

If you are still lacking christmas gifts inspiration maybe check what we developed with our friends at NOWNESS ... 



Gift Wrapped: DVF on Nowness.com.




Gift Wrapped: Alain Ducasse on Nowness.com.






Gift Wrapped: Yves Béhar on Nowness.com.

Article by Maria Vittoria Berti for Exibart, published 20th December 2011:
FRANKO B - BECAUSE OF LOVE: L’ARTE SI FA CON IL FOUND RAISING


BECAUSE OF LOVE is a new multi-discplinary performance piece currently under development by Franko B. To find out more and support the project, please visit indiegogo.com/because-of-love.

The New Year is vastly approaching and it is getting closer to the countdown of another year. Many have started to recite their New Year's Resolutions however this does not mean anything if you are carrying the same habitual, traditional habits into every year. The year may change but you stay the same every year. It is important that this year you become new with your "new" year. You have to make a decision to become new in mind, body and soul. I am going to share five things I have vowed to myself to do in order to cultivate a "new" me and even greater me in 2012. If you are willing to take the journey then continue to read the steps below:

1. Stop making New Year's Resolutions. Are you flabberghasted by this statement?Yes, you are reading this correctly because a couple of years ago I stop making resolutions and start making goals. Resolution is stated to be an act or declaration (an announcement). However goals produce actions and results for you to accomplish. When you make a resolution you may never accomplish it because you are merely stating it but with a goal you write it down and the vision is becoming more obtainable. Goals are written down to give you an end result for each year. Get a pencil and paper, stop talking to others and make your vision plain by writing down what you expect to accomplish for 2012.
2. Have A Vision Board Party. After you write your vision plain on paper now it is time to make your visualize your goals. When you begin to see your vision come forth on your template (which is the board) then you become excited about the end result. You are excited to work harder towards making your vision a reality. So, Jan 7th, 2012 I am having my first Vision Board Party at my house with some other like minded individuals who are positive thinkers, innovators, and shakers. It is so important you start your New Year off being surrounded around people who are moving in an positive direction for their success. Make a note to yourself before January 2012 is here  schedule a vision board party with like minded individuals.
3. Cultivate Healthy Realtionships. The year 2012 should not be a year where you are bringing the same dead weight into your new year. Before 2011 takes a bow it is important you trash all the toxic relationships in your life. The relationships that have distracted you from becoming great or have distracted you from staying focus on your goals now is time to let those relationships expire by December 31, 2011.
4. Give Back To Yourself 100%. Sowing and reaping is a continous law and principle according to the Bible. If you have sown expect to reap what you have selflessly planted into others. So many people have been taught that it is selfish to give back to yourself. It is important to sow into yourself  so you can reap the full benefits. If you are good ground then why not expect a greater return by investing in yourself. When you give back to yourself it will create an abundance.  You will be able to give back to others out of your abundance and overflow.
5. Embrace The Moment. Too often we want to rush through every process in our life without enjoying the lesson that we have to learn in the situation. Instead of being antsy about getting to the next phase embrace the moment you are currently in at the time. Sometimes we want to rush through the rain without enjoying the growth the rain has to offer. Embrace every big, small, good, bad or diffcult moment because it all is working to build character. (Romans 8:28)

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T'was the night before Christmas, and what no-one could see,
The men with the dolphins were under the sea.
Most of the crew was flat on their backs,
Snoring and dreaming all snug in their racks.

Those men on watch were making their rounds,
Some manning the planes or listening for sounds.
Back in maneuvering or down in the room,
They all hoped the oncoming watch would come soon.

I'd finished some PMs whose time was now due,
And hoped for some sleep, even an hour or two.
Against better judgment I took a short stroll,
And found myself wandering into control.

The Nav had the Conn, the COW was in place,
The COB had the Dive and a scowl on his face.
The helm and the planes were relaxed but aware,
The QM and ET were discussing a dare.

To comply with the orders the Nav told the Dive,
To bring the boat up with minimum rise.
The orders were given and soon they were there,
At periscope depth with a scope in the air.

The QM confirmed our position with care,
The broadcast was copied, we brought in some air.
The Nav on the scope let out a small cry,
He shook his head twice and rubbed at his eyes.

He looked once again to find what it was,
That interrupted his sweep and caused him to pause.
Try as he might there was nothing to see,
So down went the scope and us to the deep.

I asked what it was that caused his dismay,
He sheepishly said, "I'm embarrassed to say."
It could have been Northern Lights or a cloud,
Or a meteorite he wondered aloud.

But to tell you the truth I guess I must say,
Whatever it was it looked like a sleigh.
And though it passed quickly and never was clear,
I almost believe it was pulled by reindeer.

We laughed and teased him and I got up to go,
When our moment was broken by "Conn, Radio."
They told us a message was just coming in,
We looked at the depth gauge and started to grin.

"Radio, Conn, I feel safe to say,
Your attempt at a joke is too long delayed.
If it had been sooner it might have been neat,
But I doubt we're receiving at four-hundred feet."

"Conn, Radio, you can come down and see,
We're not playing games to any degree."
I headed aft with nothing better to do,
Surprised by the fact it was still coming through.

It stopped and was sent to control to be read,
The Nav read it slowly and scratched at his head.
Then again he began but this time aloud,
To those that now waited, a curious crowd.

"To you Denizens of the Deep and men of the sea,
Who risk your life daily so others stay free.
I rarely have seen you on this, my big night,
For far too often you are hidden from sight.

But purely by luck I saw you tonight,
As your scope coaxed the plankton to glow in the night.
And lucky for me I've finally won,
The chance to say thanks for all you have done.

I know that you miss your families at home,
And sometimes you feel as if you're alone.
But trust what I say and I'll do what's right,
I'll take something special to your families tonight.

Along with the gifts I'll take to your kin,
I'll visit their dreams and leave word within.
They'll hear of your love, and how you miss them,
I'll tell them that soon you'll be home again.

It might not be much I know that is true,
To thank you for all the things that you do.
But I'll do what I can, while you do what's right,
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight."