Q is for Quitting #AtoZChallenge

Sometimes quitting is easy, like when you stop working out. That's easy to do; unfortunately it's really hard to get started again.

But more often, quitting is hard... quitting smoking, quitting a relationship, quitting a job. Sure, we might fantasize about leaving a tough situation, or what life will be like after we make the change, but when it comes down to it more often than not those are the pivotal moments in our lives.

Thankfully I am not faced with a decision of such magnitude in my life right now - although I have been many times in the past.

But if you are, please allow me to offer this...

1. Will it matter in five years? Or even just one? Put yourself in "future-self's" shoes - when you look back at this time, what decision will make you proud, happy or breathe a sigh of relief?
2. Whatever it is... you're going to be OK. Believe that... one way or another you'll move past this and it will be OK.
3. You are not alone. If you feel like you are, join Twitter... seriously. Twitter is like being at a HUGE party where everyone is talking and I'm willing to bet you that no matter what problem you are facing, someone out there is talking about it. Search around, you'll find them. 
4. *hug* really, it'll be OK.

“Quitting is not giving up, it's choosing to focus your attention on something more important. Quitting is not losing confidence, it's realizing that there are more valuable ways you can spend your time. Quitting is not making excuses, it's learning to be more productive, efficient and effective instead. Quitting is letting go of things (or people) that are sucking the life out of you so you can do more things that will bring you strength.” 

― Osayi Osar-Emokpae, Impossible Is Stupid

B is for Blessed - #AtoZChallenge #OolaLife

It's easy to dwell on, or complain about, life's little inconveniences and frustrations, but I really am very blessed and do my best to focus on that. Party because I believe one manifests what they focus on...

If you focus on all of the negative around you - and there's a lot of it out there - that's what you'll draw to you.

So, here are just a few of the things I am blessed to have in my life...

Jeep Rides

And pretty skies

My little pot

and a hubby who's HOT ;) 

What are you blessed with?

H is for Hoover... how I love thee... #AtoZChallenge

I purchased a Hoover FloorMate about a year ago, and I absolutely love it.  I hate to mop my floors, but with this machine it's a breeze. My floors have never looked so good!

The FloorMate can vacuum, scrub hard floors and even dry them. You mix hot water with a cleaning solution and lay it down like you would with a carpet shampooer, scrubbers scrub the floor and suck the dirty water back up into a different tank.So, dirty water doesn't go back on your floors as it does with a traditional mop.

I will caution you that if you have dogs, or other furry animals, that you may not want to use it to vacuum - it can do the job, but the hair will likely get wet and cling to the scrubbers, insides, etc. Plus, the water tank is gross. So, with two dogs who shed constantly, I have determined it is best to vacuum with my regular vacuum first.

I rarely use the dryer on the machine, the floors really aren't that wet after scrubbing - there's a rubber squeegee in front of the scrubbers/vacuum that does a great job pulling up the water.

I have used this machine on the linoleum floors in my kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the wood floors in my den. Works great on both.

The machine is not heavy and the amount of effort required to scrub your floors is about the same as you'd put into vacuuming them.

So, if you're in the market for a new mop, get this instead. Your floors will look fantastic and you'll find yourself cleaning them more.

You can find this item on Amazon, or at your local Target or Walmart. I definitely recommend it!

*This review is not sponsored in any way :)
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Today's photo prompt is "priceless".

Arizona Sunsets are Priceless to me :)

Mondays

I think we can all agree that Mondays often leave a lot to be desired. Well, from now on you can think to yourself..

"Hmmm today sucked, but at least I didn't get shot with pepper spray!"

That's right, Lenny got pepper sprayed right in the face this morning. Don't worry, it was on purpose and he knew it was coming - it was part of his training to be a Correctional Officer. But still... pepper spray isn't the best way to wake up in the morning... I'll take my coffee, thank you.

In other news - I have yet to finish my first painting, but have started on my second...

I call it... Monday Morning. Or Remember to wash new paintbrushes before you use them.

Yes, the canvas is all black. I'm actually prepping it to paint something similar to the picture at the bottom, although I probably won't actually work on this one next. I think it's be cool to paint on a black canvas - can't wait!

Everyone has been super supportive of my new hobby - thank you!

Finally, for you sunset lovers...

Tonight's Sunset

So remember folks, next time you have a rough Monday... at least you didn't get pepper sprayed. Unless you did, of course. In that case... well... hopefully that's the worst part of your day.

Sunset - #PhotoaDayApril

There's no A to Z post today (we have Sundays off), but there is a Photo Challenge - Sunset. 

Of course, tonight's sunset was less than spectacular... so I went into my photo library and pulled out a few recent sunsets that I haven't posted here. Enjoy! 

Tomorrow, NomNom and a photo of a flower.

MrsPickle - #AtoZChallenge

Every once in awhile someone asks me where the name MrsPickle came from. Well that's easy enough... I married MrPickle.

Really, what did you think?

This is how my family sees me much of the time... "Smile!"

Anyways, MrsPickle started out as my gaming name - yes, I'm a gamer... TFC, TF2, WOW, D2 (if you don't know what those are, you don't play those games, so don't worry about it), among many others. In fact, I have been a gamer since I was about 7.

Also, as you may have noticed, I love taking pictures. I am sooooo grateful for digital cameras. I have taken over 14,000 photos in the past five years alone. If I had had to buy film and process all of those pictures we'd be living in a cardboard box somewhere.

Which reminds me, if you don't have a remote backup for your digital photos - GET ONE! See my Ode to Bulldog Backup for my recommendation.

Anyways, enough about me. Today's photo challenge was "how you feel today". I took these photos today...

A little moody, but with the sun shining through...

 Or 

Finding a brilliant end to an otherwise cloudy day...

Or

WOOHOO! (I bribed her with pickles to let me take her picture - really)

I'll let you guess :)

Beautiful - #AtoZChallenge #PhotoadayApril

One of the best parts about living in Arizona is the sunsets... they don't call it the Land of 1,000 sunsets for nothing. Talk about lots of colours!

Note: None of these have been touched up or modified :)

Next up: Something that starts with a C and mail.