Frustration...

I am feeling especially frustrated today...
kinda like a top wound up too tight....
or a runner on a treadmill that just keeps going and going and going....
or maybe a hamster on a wheel?  



Help!!!

Sisters....

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double.  ~Toni Morrison

 I just can't tell you the love you feel for a sister....

Celebrate!

This weekend we are celebrating the graduation of our sweet niece, Kinzi.    This is my little tea party partner.   (One of them anyway).   I can't believe she is embarking on a new journey, leaving childhood.   She is a beautiful young woman.

Love you, sweet Kinzer!

(*Another plus--get to stay with Tina and Adam at their new place...Yay!)

the iPhone

Well, I hope Lauren over at Mental Pause Mama will be happy...I have an iPhone.  Finally.   Not that I didn't like my Droid.  I did.   I also used to like my blackberry, too.

And, I was a hold-out on the iPhone.  I was determined to keep and android phone of some sort.  I faithfully waited and waited on the new Droid Bionic. 

But, they PULLED it...and don't know when they will issue it.  So, a few weeks ago, I got an iPhone.   I do like it.  I like that it runs the same way as an iPad or iPod, so you can kinda keep everything uniform.   There have been a couple things I don't like.  But nothing major.  Partly just adjusting, and partly finding the perfect apps.

So, I guess I am now a true convert from the PC world to everything Mac?   Who'd'a thunk it?

Favorites!

I had intended to do a "favorites" post every so often, but didn't follow through!   However, since it is spring and I've been able to get out and about walking now again, I have noticed some of my favorite smells again!   (And, what memories a simple whiff can bring!)

Smells of spring:
Rain
Lilacs
Honeysuckle
Fresh cut grass
Irises

(to name a few...) Please add any of your favorite spring scents!

Interesting...

Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22)

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

If you're willing to work hard, you'll be able to accomplish an awful lot right now. Your energy level will be extremely high, and you just ought to make sure that you bring every bit of drive and vitality you can to all your efforts today. You'll be very focused on your goals right now, and you should do everything possible to pursue them.

If you have to work with other people today, it’ll require a great deal of patience and cooperation. Some communication breakdowns could cause you to lose your temper. And just be prepared because there could be a few issues to have to deal with involving a few of your friends as well. Mantra: If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.

This one seemed to kinda hit right on.     I do have a lot to do, new goals and need every bit of energy I can muster!   And, patience is always a commodity we can use, right?   And, of course, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right!!  

Movie....

Have any of you seen the movie Case 39?   I guess I wasn't really quite sure what it was when I put in on the Netflix list!   But, wow, it was sooooooo suspenseful.

When I watch a movie that scares me, I always plug my ears and partially cover my eyes.   Not hearing the scary music helps....ha!  

I did like the movie, but it was pretty intense!

I think I am more of a Disney movie girl!   :-)

Scattered Thoughts...

"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."- Carl Jung


Good thing to know and remember, don't you think?

Friday was the end of another school year.  However, it really is not an end for me, but a beginning of a very busy time.  I better make a list, there is so much to do here at work!   And, my plate just got another helping!

We had an end of the year gathering on Friday and it was a lot of fun.  I left early, but that was good.   It was long enough to have a good time.

I had to present at the end of year staff meeting.  I laid awake all night with a tummy ache.   I dont' know why I was so scared...hate to be judged I guess.   Gosh, I talk to a lot of these people every day, but here I was, freaking out!   True panic.

Summer is coming!   Brooklyn is coming to visit.  I hope Chloe will too...she has a lot going on!   She is a busy girl!

Yard work is JUST beginning....

We have had a lot of dreary rainy days...hoping for some sunshine!

Elijah is growing fast.

Sammy Sighs

Hi!!  It is me, Sammy. You'd think Mom would let me post since she has been so very neglectful. Geezers!  I haven't got to post for a long time!


So, when Mom is at work, I nicely hide in her closet all day. Safe and sound. But look what Sissy does? She is such a silly sissy.

Oh, my....

This is my horoscope today.Yikes!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

A lot will be expected of you on the work front today, and you could end up feeling a little overwhelmed by certain responsibilities. If all your obligations keep you from doing some of the things that you'd really like to do right now, just try not to let yourself get too irritable and stressed out by it all.

You’ll start the day feeling very positive and energetic though, and you’ll undoubtedly be in the mood to have a little fun. You ought to share your good feelings with lots of different people today. Your positive attitude can really help you make a great impression on just about everyone you meet. Mantra: I will be aware of how my actions affect others.

I hope my attitude will be positive...because it is rainy and dreary and I wish I were curled up in a blanket with my doggies reading a good book, sipping hot chocolate!

Heaven is For Real

I finished reading Heaven is For Real the other day.   It was a quick read, and I highly recommend it.   This is a brief description!

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Plus, he's from Imperial, Nebraska, bringing it closer to my heart.  

Enjoy!

Rain! And other Scattered Thoughts!

• It is raining...it seems like we don't get that often...the smell, the sound...love it!  
• However, the dogs now smell like wet dogs.
• Finished reading "Heaven is For Real"...good read!
• Got to see our little dancer/athlete last weekend (GO CHLOE!)...pictures up soon...
• Work is busy...gotta love those long days!  Love my job, though!
• Work will be busy...seeing no changes coming there, except for new duties.
• Missing my mama and dad!
• Missing my kids!
• Missing old friends!
• Still feeling confused over some relationships.
• Watched "The Kings Speech"...inspirational!
• Baby Elijah is one month old today!

Names...

Do you ever think about what you would choose if you could choose your own name? Growing up I thought I should be "Michelle" and be called "Mikey". Why? Who knows! Just one of those things kids think up, I guess.

My name is Joan. I have been going by "Joanie" for a while now...not forever. Why? Because a few people call me that. Then I hung onto it because it was a very fond reminder of my aunts, uncles, and other people who made me feel special and who have always called me "Joanie". It makes me feel good because of those fond memories. And, I had a nickname in school of "Joanie Mac" due to my last name being McLaughlin. So, there you go... the "reasons" behind my nickname. I have embraced it because it makes me feel warm inside, like those familiar things do, things that you grew up with, the love you felt. The funny thing is that there have been even a few people who have made a bit of fun about me using that name. Why? I wonder why they care or why it is necessary to take something I enjoy away? I still will use my nickname, and hope to understand yet again why something so small that makes me feel good has to be made fun of? I'm a grown adult. When do games stop?

Do you have a nickname?

Reality....

(1)   I have realized that people who back-stab you think they are safe and above reproach but there is always someone out there who will be more than happy to let you know who said what about you....so somehow we always find out...and it is so hurtful because you think the person is a good friend, and then you find out otherwise.   The hard thing is that you are stuck because you can't confront them because you found out that way...    I like these two quotes from Les Parrott--
~ They put on a front that appears accommodating, loyal, and yes, even sacrificial. Then, without warning, they raise their knife, and by the time you see the glint of the blade, it's almost always too late. ~ 
~ Backstabbers operate out of insecurity, believing they have to have perfect order to eliminate any threat to their power. ~

(2)   I have been enjoying a lot of time with my new little grandson, Elijah...he is just, well, wonderful.   I miss my other two grandkids even more now!   It is nice having a baby around, since it's been so long for us!  

(3)  I enjoyed a few days away at a meeting and then technology conference, and I am super excited to try some of the new ideas out and share them!   I love learning.

(4)  I am unhappy in my own skin.   Back to the routine of exercise and portion control.   I started a new, private (at this point) blog about my health journey.   I guess we will see how I do.  

(5)  Spring is coming, although the past couple days have been a bit cool and WINDY!!!  

(6)  Have a good week, my friends!