Isla de Angela is the name I’ve given the serene place in my mind that I visit when I meditate.  Wow, that sounds flaky!  But keep reading – it gets better!

Here’s the deal:  Despite having a really great life (supportive family, loving husband, great kids, financial security) I’ve struggled with depression, negative thoughts, weight, and low self-esteem issues for almost 2 decades (YUCK).  Meditation is new to me, as is the realization of how to find my inner peace, living in the moment, and “being present”.  But all of those things (ie.. (flaky) things!) have lead me to a door of happiness and now that I’ve found it I want to keep it open! 

Isla de Angela, the blog, is a place for me to recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate the good things in my life (no matter how seemingly small).  I’ve learned one of the best ways to bring more happiness and moments of joy into my life is to be thankful for the happiness and moments of joy that are already here!

I pledge to myself that this blog will remain a joyful place- never to become another “chore” on my to-do list.  This is a labor of love I give to myself.  If it adds some pleasure to your life as well, then that’s a bonus for both of us!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angie

Miscellaneous Stuff About Me:

Mom to 3 (Sam, Amy, Max)  & Jack Bower (2 year-old Weimaraner Pup) and Cooper (2 year-old Long Haired Daschund)

Wife to 1 (John)

40  years-old (young? – nope – old.)

Happily married for 15 years

Have lived in MI, TX, OH, LA, OH, PA, IL, VA, and now back in IL

I love to take pictures, scrapbook (mostly digital scrapbooking), read (inspirational self-help books, cooking book & mags, scrapping magazines, Oprah’s Magazine, and VAMPIRE fiction (yep, vampire fiction). 

I really enjoy going to the movies but usually wait for DVD.  I love to cook – but we eat out way more than we should!  I’d like to venture into being a Vegetarian for health reasons but so far have only gathered/read a lot of information on it! 

I’m a SAHM.  I’d be lost without my laptop and iPod (I primarily use the iPod to listen to books on CD and self-guided meditations).  But my DVR is a pretty important piece of electronics in my home, too!  I watch a lot of tv – but by using the DVR I can watch it commercial-free and when it suits my schedule (which makes me feel like I’m in control and not a slave to my tv).  Some of my top picks are:  the Sons of Anarchy, NCIS, Medium, The Office, House, American Idol (my guilty pleasure), So You Think You Can Dance (because I do – ha, ha!),  The Closer, 30 Minute Meals, How I met your Mother, Hoarders, Obsessed,and Malcolm in the Middle / Everybody Loves Raymond re-runs.  

Also, I think Criss Angel is a magic man.  Some of the things he does – totally totally mind freaking.

Hmmm….  that should be enough for now!  Would you like to be friends?