on CNN.com: Study: Experiences make us happier than possessions

 

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list from last weekend

Last weekend was my birthday, and after a weekend full of love and attention and friends and family, here is my gratitude list:

1. The RED HOT 37 was a blast- I love sharing laughter and my home with tons of friends.
2. The generosity of my friends who blessed me in many ways on Friday. 
3. Homemade Mac-&-Cheese from Mali and Bill Hanna
4. Waking up to a completely clean house despite the party....thanks, Bill! You are the best.
5. Sleeping most of the day on Saturday. 
6. Working out Saturday afternoon. 
7. Sleeping last Sunday morning. 
8. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Milkshake cake with the WHOLE Crow clan at Mom and Dad's house. 
9. Mom-Mom, Poppy, Meredith, Peter, Cameron, Courtney, Joel, Chandler, Fi, NM, BC, and Bill...I love you all and thank you for hanging out. 
10. Mike Flan---thanks for taking Bill and I to the fun celebrity thing Sunday night. It was way cool to meet those folks---and to see Office Space with so much fun energy!

I didn't take my camera to Mom and Dad's....but we did get a good shot from the RED HOT 37 of the 3 Crow Sisters. 

My List for the day

List of the day comes from really trying to be focused on gratitude. So often the sky is falling around us and there is so much to worry about.  My lists are little efforts to put down in writing, and be grateful for- the simple things in my everyday life.  I encourage you to write down, everyday, a list of things you are grateful for....and see if your life doesn't get deliciously better real quick. As Dianna Kokoszka often says, 

Change the way you look at things,                                                  and the things you look at change.

1. Dinner with my family around this round table and goodthing/badthing conversation we play. Each person tells one good thing and one bad thing that happened that day. Even my teenagers will talk using goodthing/badthing. 
2. My teenage son Will is now driving his own vehicle....Parental Bus duties have dropped dramatically since he turned 16 (Lord, I am grateful AND please keep him safe). 
3. Honey Bunches of Oats cereal any time of the day for a tasty treat. 
4. www.LMCCB.com and all the training and great advice I got from Lee and Kimberley and Sherri --if your dogs are controlling your life get help! I look at my 3 dogs--and they are truly daily treasures in my life..and in my families-----> thanks to the training!
5. Teaching classes in our market center about things I'm passionate about or enjoy- how cool is it to get paid for this! 
6. Girl Scout cookies: Thin Mint and Lemonade. 
7. That Girl Scout cookies are only sold once a year.
8. clean sheets and a tightly made bed- thanks billy
9. My mother in law- I got a sweet card from her Saturday and It made me all warm and fuzzy. 
10. My own mom...who called me tonight and who is always there for me...is happy for me to come by anytime and who gifts me with fun socks on special occasions. 

11 Benefits of Being Positive

11 Benefits of Being Positive

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hank in action

still dreaming of a dog ranch

I often kid with my husband and my friends....that i want to just stop everything else a go farm dogs. Well, really just ranch them...rescue them, let them laugh and play and run all day and snuggle up and cuddle with us all evening. 

After this video, I might be able to add elephants to my farm, too.  

Still just love the dogs....and how human they can be. 

Thanks to Malita for sharing on her blog (if she had "sharethis" i'd a shared via that!"

dreamy cover song by the lennings here in austin

my list for the day

It has been a while since I've posted a 'list'....I'm inspired today so here goes:

1. Free Sandwiches for lunch - thx star floors
2. Yesterday's free pizza for lunch-- thanks CTC services
3. Friend re-connections sponsored by Facebook 
4. the real estate market is moving faster this month than it did last month
5. and feburary looks even better
6. looking forward to Hill Country Ride for Aids Kick Off Party at LaZona Rosa
7. Bill Flanigin, the hottest and most fun hubby who always has a way to make me smile
8. new agents with thier first contracts
9. diet coke
10. facebook
11. and this photo of my homie blythe

How To Get out of Debt the EASY way

Would you like to be a part of something Extraordinary?

Hey Friends,

It is time to start thinking about and training for HCRA 2009! My goal this year is to ride up the big ass hill without getting off my bike! Here is more information and let me know if you want to be a part of our team! It is usually a dinky little team, but we have a blast and the ride is the Highlight of my year!

Bill is speaking at the kick off party this year! You are invited!

Bring your friends and join us at the

Tenth Annual Kick-Off Party!

Generously sponsored by Bill Evans, Realtor

Thursday, January 15

La Zona Rosa

7:00 doors open,

8:00 new video

Free food, cash bar, and the best people in Austin.

http://www.hillcountryride.org/site/PageServer

My first year I didn't train at all....and I made it! http://allisoncrow.blogspot.com/2007/05/hill-country-ride-for-aidsi-made-it.html and last year...I didn't train either and made it but was dead to the world for a day! It was amazing! Join us...riding or just cheering!

The Flanigin/Crow top 10 of 2008

1. Will and Manthie cuddle with the dogulars 
2. Hill Country Ride for Aids 2008
3. Hank, Daisy, and Lulu take over our bed AGAIN
4. Samantha is Diamond of the Week
5. Bill and Will at Will's Baptism
6. Allison and Bill hang with friends
7. Honeymoon in Tulum with Andy, Mark, Maggie, Todd, Malia & Jack
8. First dance at our May 3rd wedding
9. KW LTMC grand opening
& 
10. Our wedding at Town Lake Park with family and our closest friends

12 Things to Stop Doing in 2009 | chrisbrogan.com

12 Things to Stop Doing in 2009 chrisbrogan.com http://www.chrisbrogan.com/12-things-to-stop-doing-in-2009/
And this Comment: 26 Kristina Libby 12.29.08 at 3:02 pm I published a blog in response to your post on our site: biztropolis.ning.com, that will run in a couple of days. But I wanted to thank you, this post was great and my 12 things to stop would be this: If I had to write 12 Things to Stop Doing in 2009, they would be 1.) Stop watching the news 24/7. Nothing has changed since yesterday. 2.) Stop thinking about risky chances and just start taking them. 3.) Stop wanting to be an entrepreneur/small business owner and do it already. 4.) Stop saying you will travel the world. Flights to Europe just got a lot cheaper— anyone for the Azores? 5.) Stop thinking your company will succeed without a social media presence. 6.) Stop thinking that you don’t have to contribute to the discussion. 7.) Stop thinking that the world is going to come to your feet. 8.) Stop thinking you don’t have to work for it because he didn’t have to. 9.) Stop thinking economic recession means you are doomed to failure (see Iceland and geothermal warming). 10.) Stop thinking you don’t have what it takes…. 11.) Stop believing that filling your life with things/meetings/work means you are living a full life. 12.) Stop. Stop reading. Stop doing. Stop wasting time avoiding thinking. Best, K
allison crow flanigin sent this using ShareThis.

We had to staycation

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Man.....LARGE disappointment occurred yesterday when on the way to the airport for our week long adventure to Key West, I realized we had missed our flight.  "Complete and utter dumbass" as Bill calls it. Neither one of us had read the itinerary correctly....we've had the thing for 3 months...and yes, BOTH of us read the itinerary as LEAVING at 3:45.   This in fact was our arrival time....so arriving at the airport at one did us no good for a flight that was to have left at noon.  2hours on the phone with US AIR (not very friendly) and Travelocity (not friendly either) we were not able to book a later flight -

NOTHING.  "Ms. Flanigin, we can get you on a flight on Wednesday."  Bite me lady. 

Ok....so 2 hours later, fortunately we are relieved to find out that we did get a full refund for the hotel and we have a credit for the air fare.  What happens if US Air goes out of business. I think we will try and get a refund through our travel insurance. 

Really, I do and did feel sorry for my self. This was our long ago-planned Christmas present to each other.  It was a bright spot on long work day to look at the hotel web site or day dream about our sailing excursion booked for new years eve. 

My sweet hubby took over the phone negotiations for me and then booked us a few nights at Hotel San Jose here in Austin-- a cool modern suite too.  We got our room and cruised down congress to the South Congress Cafe's turquoise and orange recycled glass bar and ordered a pomegranate margarita or 4.   Already I feel a little better. I can't seem to find the sun or a beach or a hammock.  I did find sweetness in my husband as he was just as disappointed as I was...and we were both thanking God that it wasn't ONE of us that had read that ticket wrong. Can you imagine if it had been ALL my fault, or ALL his fault.  So, we dumbass together here at the San Jose. Smiling because we are a WE.....cuddling in a cozy bed and thankful for days off and that the city we live in is itself, a hip spot to vacation.    

Yesterday, I was so saddened by the loss of something I had looked forward to for so long. And today I realize that I get to look forward to that trip to key west still.  Casa Marina waits for us--and maybe at cheaper rates since it won't be Christmas time....and US Air...well...maybe that will get us there on another day.  And our sailing excursion ...the one we had already paid for--no refunds, and no rescheduling..... Well, I called him yesterday and asked if we could transfer it to another party so someone else could at least enjoy. He said sure and thought it was a fun idea and would have the couple he gave the trip to write us a note.... "Nah, just tell them to pay it forward....make someones day for us..." we suggested. 

A few minutes later, Sunny from the sailing harbor called and said,  "Ms Flanigin...ya know...if you ever do make it down this way...we'll save this sail for you...just call me and we'll take you on your trip."  No such luck from the outsourced Indian workers from US Air and Travelocity.  

I thought that was pretty dang cool and we look forward to a trip only delayed.....and are grateful for the surprise of our staycation here in Austin. 

oh and...no more plane trips during the holidays....and I will read my tickets CAREFULLY from now on.  I do not look good in dumbass...neither does Bill. 

Crow Family 2008

 

My Little Lover Honie Pies

Ok...I'm in love every time I see these little faces. These are my precious nieces and nephew...just had to share because they are ALWAYS on my list of things to be grateful for!