is off work, ready for exercise and trying out ping.fm to see if I can post to all of my favorite social media sites...

I'm Honored!

Thank you, Julie!   Julie at Another Chance Ranch  honored me with the Versatile Blogger Award.    Wowza, I've never won any kind of award like that!   I was so excited! 

According to the rules, you have to tell seven fun facts about yourself....I'll try...

(1)  I'm very accident-prone
(2)  I collect Wizard of Oz stuff
(3)  Today I washed my flash drive
(4)  I always wanted my name to be Michelle growing up
(5)  I can be very anal....I organize my closet by color...
(6)  I can be very messy....my closet is also my achilles heel
(7)  I cry easy...give me a Hallmark commercial and a box of kleenex

You are also to share the award with other bloggers.  Ten of them?  Yikes.  Not sure if I have ten to "nominate".   I am faithful to a few (a couple which already got this award) and I lurk around some others!    I'll work on that part.

THANKS AGAIN Julie!!!

Off the Deep End

Do you ever have a time when you just lose it?   That was me Wednesday night.   I had a kinda bad day .. and then came the night.

On top of the usual work/life stresses, my youngest daughter, who is pregnant, was just so sick with the crud.  Poor thing was just miserable.   I wanted to help.  I wanted to be the mommy.   I started thinking that she should come "home" and let me take care of her and thinking that she shouldn't be married, she should be my little girl, so I could make her feel better.   I felt helpless and worried.   She ended up at the ER for a few hours, but not much they could do for her.  And this stuff going around is just miserable, let alone if you are pregnant as well.

I was concerned about my daughter who is struggling with wedding plans and feeling overwhelmed deciding things trying to please people.  I just want her to have a perfect day, one that SHE wants.

I am concerned about my other daughter who is also planning a wedding, wondering what she has in mind, and hoping she knows how much I love her as well and want her day to also be just what she wants.

I worry about my son.  Always. 

I had a friend tell me that she was very sad and upset but she couldn't share why, so then I added that to my plate, feeling helpless and wondering what, why, where, who...imagining all kinds of things but never really knowing where her pain was coming from.

I had another friend who was stressed out, and that I tried to reach and didn't respond, so I built that into something in my mind over the hours into something stupid as well.

By the time I went to bed, even though my daughter was resting and back from the ER, and knowing I could do nothing about anything else, nor could I save the world, I went to bed, where my night was laden with crazy thoughts and dreams, and no sleep.

Then, Thursday morning, I had to drive an hour to a workshop.  On the way, hot tears rolled down my cheeks.  I don't know why.   I was being crazy, I thought.  I said outloud in the car...to myself...GET A GRIP!!   By the time I got close to the end of the drive, I was over it and the workshop went well and even though it was a lot to learn, it was good.   My drive home was fine, and by evening, I felt like myself again, although very tired.

What the heck was that all about?  :-)

PS  Thanks for listening....sometimes blogging is therapy...

No Blue Food!

So...at exercise class the other night, it was mentioned how someone we knew had lost 50+ pounds by giving up bread and sweets.   Now, first...let me tell you about exercise class...there are three of us and the instructor....the instructor, R and I are all about the same age (you know, within a few years)...and then, D is probably 80 or close to.   (And, I might add that D is in much better shape than I am!)

Anyway, as we are exercising, I answered that I sure didn't want to give up bread.  I like bread.   Then, D said, she didn't want to give up sweets.

So, I came up with a plan.  We shall give up all blue foods.

Great diet plan huh?  (And, blueberries are really purple, I say...so we can have those!)

Sisters

This is a picture of the sister I saw over the past weekend, with me.   I admire her so much...she has many qualities I wish I had...strength, courage, commitment, and conviction, to name a few.  She's a great teacher...so smart!   She's a good coach, a wonderful aunt, wonderful great-aunt, daughter, friend and sister.  

Love you, Jolyn!!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad!   I love you bigger than the sky! 

(My sis, Dad, me)

Appreciation

 
“Appreciation is like looking through a wide-angle lens that lets you see the entire forest, not just the one tree limb you walked up on.”  -- Sara Paddison



Let's all make at least one other person feel appreciated today! 

Forgiveness...continued

It was a great weekend...we went to see our folks, and it is always good to be "home" for a bit!   You are never too old to enjoy being a daughter!   I will post a couple pics later this week!

In my quest to understand forgiveness, of oneself and others, I found some more interesting ideas, articles and thoughts...

“Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.”

 Sara Paddison quotes

When you forgive: Forgive is defined as: giving up resentment against or the desire to punish; stop being angry with; pardon.

1. You relieve yourself of the burden of the past.  You shed the hurt, pain, anger, and loneliness.  You can begin to heal.
2. You give the person you forgive (even yourself) the freedom to live in peace and to be able to change for the better.

Points about forgiveness:

1. Forgiveness is not forgetting.
2. The pain may not be completely gone.  One can forgive and still grieve a loss or feel pain from a wound. 
3. Damage and wounds can take time to repair.
4. Forgiveness does not deny responsibility for behavior.  You have simply committed to not hold the other person in debt.

Book Review...

I just finished reading a book by one of my favorite authors...Jodi Piccoult. I am reading House Rules.

She once again did not disappoint me!

TV this spring...

Have you been watching this season's Biggest Loser? I have. It's probably not my favorite season, but I'm hooked into trying to guess who'll win. Once again, I have not chosen a favorite so far. I still LOVE my show "Biggest Bang Theory". Just loving those nerds.

I started watching the new law show with Kathy Bates. I kinda enjoy it as well. Criminal Minds is still one of my favorites too..what a strange assortment of characters.

I hate to admit but I am hooked on a few tv shows!! Are you?

Forgiveness Continued...

Since I have been thinking of forgiveness lately, I found an interesting article on the links between forgiveness and health. It is amazing how holding onto envy, pain, grudges, and resentment affects a person's emotional and physical health! Here is a link to an article from Mayo Clinic: Forgiveness: Letting Go of Grudges and Bitterness.

One thing that I found interesting in the article was:

"Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life."

I think a lot of times we don't forgive because we cannot excuse the act. It is good to know you can forgive without excusing. But, in that, we must move onward.

Another thought within the article that I find trouble doing at times, which makes good sense to do:
"Move away from your role as victim and release the control and power the offending person and situation have had in your life. As you let go of grudges, you'll no longer define your life by how you've been hurt. You may even find compassion and understanding."

I hope you find the article enlightening...I did!

Your Home

What do you see when you look around your home?    I see love.

My home is not decorated wonderfully like some. It is just comfy. It's just ordinary....it is just me. 

I want it to be welcoming and inviting. But, it's not fancy. What it is...is my grandma's antique trunk, my grandpa's antique buffet, pictures of family, past and present, treasured books from my mother, treasured dishes from my mother in law, gifts from my children, treasures from friends...put simply...love.

and...my welcome mat is always out...

Forgiveness?

I saw this quote:
"It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend."
--William Blake

I find that is probably very true, because the hurt is so much worse. However, I think the hardest person to forgive (for me) is always myself.
What do you think?

Let's all forgive someone today...someone who has been waiting for our forgiveness.

Have a good day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentines Day, blogging friends! Enjoy your day!  

"Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved."

Things that Matter Most...

As Valentine's day approaches, I have been thinking. Sometimes it is the smallest things in life that matter the most. For me, it is surprising what that can be. It's not getting flowers or gifts--it is the every day things. The fact that my husband just helps pick up after supper, the times he'll just drive thru Starbucks (or other coffee places) just so I can have a "foofoo" coffee and he doesn't even like them, the way he is such a great dad and grandpa, the funny way he talks to our dogs, listening to him talk on the phone to his mom each week, all the little ordinary things that happen .. that is what matters to me...

“Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”

What things matter most to you?

Todays Horoscope...

Today's Horoscope..I think I should have read it in the morning, so I could have made a better effort!!!




If you're just willing to make an effort, you ought to be able to come across very well to anyone you're trying to impress today. Most people will really believe in you and want to help you and see you succeed, and you won't want to let them down. So don't hesitate to take full advantage of all the opportunities and support surrounding you at the moment.

Many of your goals and ambitions should soon be well within your reach if you’re willing to work harder than ever before. Just remember to look at every obstacle as one more chance to prove to everyone how capable you really are. Mantra: Respect.

Beautiful...

bride to be!

I got to spend the weekend with Tina, and we shopped for a wedding dress.   We had so much fun.   The perfect dress has been ordered! 

It was a great weekend filled with shopping, talking and good food.  And, of course, Starbucks! 

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend-Part 5

The final post from this article...thanks for following along... 

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend 

Lesson #5: Be on Time
Any person that has owned a stubborn puppy knows all to well the woes of training the “come” command. But a happy owner it does make when you finally bid Fido to come to you and right away he does! However basic the command may seem, it is an important one to establish because it sets up a hierarchy of control and can potentially keep your pooch out of harms way in the future (ie. darting out into traffic, etc). The same can be applied to work. Get to work on time, every time. This shows your boss that you respect the rules established by the company and that you are a dependable employee. Though it may seem like no big deal to walk in the door five or ten minutes late regularly, getting to work on time can surely save you from job disaster later on.

So there you have it, a few lessons in job success from your four-legged friend. Who knew your dog could teach you so much? There are lessons around every corner, you just have to be open to learning.

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend-Part 4

I may like this one the most, but not sure...continuing to share the Job Tips from our best friends...do you love it?

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend

Lesson #4: Get Over It
Though there are some exceptions to the rule, it generally takes a lot of unsubstantiated abuse for a dog to hold a grudge. You step on their paw, they yelp and move on. You refuse to take them for a walk when it is raining, they will settle for a game of tug-o-war in the living room. You yell at them for chewing through the strap of your favorite purse and they are ready to shower you with kisses to make up for it. The point is, as humans, we are privy to making mistakes. If you make one, be ready to openly apologize for your shortcomings and fix it ASAP. If a co-worker or manager makes a mistake that affects you, help fix the problem and do not hold a grudge. Learning how to get over it and help the situation as opposed to dwelling on it or shifting blame is a great lesson to learn and one that will prove that you are a team player.

Brooklyn Writes #4

Bear with me as I continue to share some of the writings from Brooklyn's winter break:

This is what it says:

Yesterday I played with Bailey.  It was fun. We payed the ipad and ipod.  We also played wii.  We played.  I ran man.  It was fun.   We also played ide and go seek.  I hid in the closet   he colednt find me   That is what we did!

Bailey is the son of my friend, and it is really great that he and Brooklyn are buddies!   They had a blast getting together over break!   

This one reads:

I went to the dentes today.  I got to teeth pulled.  It didn't hurt.   Why did it not hurt becaus they numed it and it rouend my vaction.   That is technically did today.  PS  was num for hours

Can you blame him?  Who wants to have two teeth pulled by the dentist during their vacation?  Hopefully, his teacher is continuing to make him write, spell and read!  (I am sure she is, and his grades are great!!!)

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend-Part 3

Here is part 3 of the online article I have been sharing about a dog's advice on jobs---still making sense!!

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend

Lesson #3: Be Neat and Clean
It is perfectly okay for your four-legged friend to go frolicking through the mud, only to leave paw prints on your carpet when they come inside. While they are intelligent creatures, the laws of cleanliness between man and beast are just, well, different. Keep this in mind when you consider going to work tomorrow without brushing your hair, washing your face, or heaven-forbid, not bathing. Your general appearance speaks volumes to your employer and your clients. If you are not neat and tidy, what do you think you say to your customers as a representation of your company? Take the time to be decently groomed before you go to work.

Brooklyn Writes #3

Here is another sharing of Brooklyn's writings:

It reads:

If I had majick for a day I would make me win the Xbox 360 Kneckt.  Next I would make my Dad win the Lotto.  After that, I would turn my self Invisabel.  That's what I would do with majick.

Oh, if we only had magic!!








 

And, here's another:

If I could choose my own lunch,  It would be steak and potatos.   It would also be water.  It would have salt and pepper.  Thats what I would choose.

Now, there's a guy who knows what he wants for lunch!!!

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend-Part 2

Here is part 2 from the online sight I found and wanted to share:  ( I just think this is so true...and I am lucky to have a boss who promotes learning!!)

Job Success Tips From Man's Best Friend 

Lesson #2: Learn New Tricks
The old saying that “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is simply not true. Dogs have an amazing capacity to learn new and different things despite their age; they just need the right trainer. Considering that human beings have a higher brain capacity than dogs, it is safe to say that you, too, can learn new and exciting things to put to good use at your job. Maybe you have yet to master the art of Excel spreadsheets, perhaps you have not learned how to use the new copy machine, maybe you need to learn how to speak basic Spanish to help non-English speaking customers. Whatever it may be, if you have the right employer to train you, being open to learning new things can lead to job success down the road.