Summer Blog Challenge #13, 14 & 15

#13 - How do I see myself at the end of the year. Realistically I would like to say on route to getting my writing published, because anything can happen in 6 months. I would also like to say I started working on the few home renovation projects I want to do around the house. But I can tell you something I am definitely certain of, and it is spending some memorable quality time together with my family.

I had mentioned before that I am one of 7 children and although I live only 1 hour away from them I do not get to see them as often as I want to. So much so that my mother would call and ask if I was still living in England or Canada and not in Trinidad. "Wen yuh visitin?" she would ask and I would arrive home the next day. 

However at Christmas time my family have a tradition that we started over 10 years ago. Every Christmas we go from house to house on weekends and help put up the Christmas Tree and decorate the house. Its the one time of year where I see everyone started from Middle October till the end of the year. 

It is great time, fantastic fun and a very precious time for me. I get to re-anchor myself to my roots and remember where I can from. It is a time when I am completely surrounded by unconditional love and you are people who know you completely. I live for this time of year and I hope the tradition stays strong for generations to come. 

#14 - 15 Tips to get Through Life -

1. Love your family... and make time to spend with them.
2. Be open and willing to communicate.
3. Listen.
4. Practice patience and learn to breathe away stress.
5. Know when to hold em and know when to fold dem... Kenny Rogers.
6. Be true to yourself and do not pretend to be someone you are not... it is hard to keep up a facade for a long period of time. 
7. Dance, laugh and learn to live a little.
8. Stop feeling guilty to take some time for yourself, even if the house is a mess.
9. Follow your dreams/ goals fiercely ... they are your own and you are responsible for accomplishing them and no one else!
10. Believe anything is possible once you set your mind to it... look at me ... I am blogging!
11. Follow your heart .. it will not lead you astray.
12. It is good to take a vacation without the kids and just with our husband/wife... you need it.
13. Budget... budget... budget.
14. One day you will realise you do sound just like your mom!
15. Everyone needs a hug... even you. 

#15 - Post a picture I am proud of...

I love this shot just because it captures the peace and comfort of the 2 special people in the photo. I do not care that it is pixelated and a little on the dark side... every time I look at it I know it is very beautiful!