"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet." — James Oppenheim

GRADUATION PHOTOS!!!

News Report from the Hilltop

I feel as though my graduation from the Master of Liberal Arts program at Southern Methodist University deserves its own blog entry, but at this point when I finally have a little time to sit down and write there has been so much that has gone on that I have to just get it all out there at once. More to come on the big graduation...

So, I'll just say this for now - Graduation was awesome and it felt so good to walk across that stage, accept that diploma and shake the hand of the Dean as I was congratulated for going above and beyond what has been expected of me. I felt smart and beautiful and hot to trot (it was 88 degrees and I was wearing that silly cap and that gown that feels like a gorilla suit in the Texas heat!!). It was a momentous occasion.

In other local news...

I received an amazing gift from my sweet husband for graduating. A beautiful gold and diamon "O" necklace. I am very proud of my last name - "O'Neill" - and I have always "oohed" and "aahed" over the many "O" necklaces I see. My girlfriends gave me a very pretty silver and cz "O" for my birthday several years ago and I wore that bad boy out until the chain literally broke and was unfixable. Now, the "O" my hubby has given me is even more precious because it symbolizes the pride I have in us and the pride felt for this accomplishment. Thank you, sweetheart!!

Other treasures were bestowed to honor this special occasion as my friend Babsy sent me a pretty necklace that I can't wait to wear and gave me a yummy candle to light my home, my Baba gave me beautifully monogrammed towels and my best friend, Mandy, presented me with the most gorgeous bouquet of some of my favorite flowers at graduation that still brighten my home today. Aunt Kay and the Perrottas were equally as generous with the "lucky" scarf and the gift card for Bath & Body Works.

My Mother passed along cherished mementos that were property of one of the most important women in her life, her grandmother. Mom gave me a wonderful scrapbook and all of these precious items, including old school papers that my great grandmother wrote in high school back in 1908-1910. What a blessing it is to have these memories!! I will guard them with love and care and keep them always.

To wrap-up this special week and weekend report, I spent many fun and silly days and nights with Greg and my New York Ma, Nancy. The three of us got a kick out of our many antics during her time in Dallas and I think this may have been her best visit ever. Thanks for putting up with us Nancy and congratulations on your newfound smoke-free lifestyle. I know it's not easy, but I'm so glad you're making it happen.

To wrap up the news report...
A thief abounds in North Texas!! Someone managed to get their hands on my checkcard, name and addredd information and used it to purchase many expensive appliances at Lowe's in Allen, Texas. I tell this story of violation simply because I want others to be aware that stores now take credit card orders of high value over the phone with no proof of who the card holder is. They even deliver the items ordered in less than 24 hours to an address different than the billing address. I didn't realize Lowe's was quite so "customer oriented" that they would allow such a rush on so many expensive items all ordered over the phone!! (I hope my sarcasm is perfectly clear here!!!) This lesson is one we have learned the hard way.

"The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!" — Henry Ward Beecher

My thankful heart is blessed by...

a husband who loves me no matter what and puts up with me when I get crabby and irritable and emotional.

wonderful friends who understand, support and appreciate me and who allow me to be a friend in return.

a career that I enjoy where I'm working with people I admire and who inspire me.

family who are always there for me, remind me from which I came and who allow me to just be me.

the opportunities presented to me and the opportunities I have created, which have led me to achieve more and expect more of myself.

people who make me think, who listen, who contribute to my feeling smart and funny and beautiful inside and out.

A New Home

Almost every week since sometime in February I have been watching the metamorphosis of our home. From walls patched, paint slathered, ceilings scraped, moulding nailed in and furniture rearranged to a brand new covered patio with bright, comfy new patio furniture - it's all a part of our "New Home" executed through the hard work and vision of my "Home Improvement Hero" who, even after eight years, still amazes.

Our "New Home" is so much more than what you can see with your eyes, it's also something that can be felt with your heart. The love that's in every hammering, every brush stroke and every drop of sweat is evident as you wander through the house. I merely sit back and enjoy the love swirling all around me and it's such a glorious feeling. One room at a time, one project at a time building a "New Home." We may look the same on the outside, but on the inside we are getting better and better every day.

Just Smile and Breathe

Some of my favorite Russell Simmons-isms in his book "Do You!" that I find useful, truthful and fruitful:

"Always speak from your heart, even if what you're saying isn't popular. Dissent built this country. There's no one good idea that we have to subscribe to. We can never be afraid to add our voice to the American voice, which is a collective voice."

Favorite of those Simmons Quotes: "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." - Buddha

"Get Your Body & Mind Right First - One of the first steps toward empowerment is having confidence in your physical form. What I'm really promoting is being comfortable in your own body, of having confidence in your physical relationship with the earth."

"Recognize the Real - Giving, not trading or selling, is the basis of success. The most rewarding thing you can do is just to give the world something good. And ultimately you will be paid so much more for that gift than if you had tried to trade it for something else."

"Stress Doesn't Equal Hard Work"

"God has already put a lot of time into you. When you put a little time back into God through prayer and meditation, that investment will always pay off. That's why when I start my day by reflecting on all the things I have to be thankful for, I'll have a much more rewarding day."

"Silence - There's a reason you have two ears and one mouth. Once you stop talking, you'll be able to start listening to your higher self. Of course, appreciating silence is easier said than done (pun intended). If you're like me, running your mouth comes much more naturally than shutting it. Sometimes I still talk too much and can't hear everything God is trying to tell me...stay with it, because eventually you'll understand that God has instructions for you and they will be heard if you're silent."

"When people ask me for advice on situations, I often tell them 'Just smile and breathe.'"