Where fiber meets mud

Monday is just a word

2009-07-06T08:08:00.004-04:00

Been on this plan for a while now....

Looked at the exercise today....

Said - what the heck! Go ahead and give it a try....

100 is just a number!

But when you accomplish 100 Dumbell Rows and 100 weighted step ups...

Well you feel - hot and sweaty and exhausted but accomplished...

No matter what happens from here today I know where I started and what I accomplished before 8 am!

Monday is just a word!

Sunday visits are fun

2009-07-05T22:22:00.003-04:00

I love a surprise.

I had a planned practice session with my daughter today. Always nice to have a good client practice session with a good sense of humor thrown in there for comfort. I need to practice my Healing Touch technique and get the questions to a comfortable point and the listening peaked.

So I get people I know to lay still and I lay my hands on them and practice my gift. Works for me. I learn more each time I do this and I can see a pattern developing that I can continue along in comfort, naturally.

Back to the surprise. I got a phone call asking me to teach a friend and her friend how to knit Socks! How much fun is that going to be. I need the practice teaching (period) and what better way to teach sock knitting to teachers. This will be a fun experience. Win - win all around.

So many new doors openning and I just need to go on through them... interesting.

So there are no pictures today. Monday is suppose to be dry and sunny. This will be great for pictures... Lots of pictures... promise.

Maybe even the two turtles will be available for this photo shoot!

OK. Now all the emails I have ignored all day. A small meditation and then to bed...

Each day I learn to Let Go and Let God...

Sweet Dreams to you all.

JULY 4 OR WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

2009-07-04T23:17:00.005-04:00

I know that time goes by in 24 hour intervals. I just stop sometimes and gasp at how fast they fly by and at times how painfully slow the minutes trudge along.

This has been a very good half summer.

I have read each day which was my resolution in January!

I have the garden as full as I want it. Room to walk between the plants and sit down if I so choose. The tomatoe plants are doing well but they would like night time temps about 70 degrees or more I am sure. The pepper plants are doing OK and the cucumber plant has been the star pupil already giving us two long cukes! I also have two turtles which surprised me a lot! Because I thought I only had one!

Today I planted in the garden three pots of starter basil plants, one Italian, One Thai, and one Kapro. Two will be for food and the third will be for tea. I have two jars of tea herbs almost full already! I have used the chipped wood from our yard for mulch in the herb section and it makes it look so quaint. It is just hiding clay mud but that is OK. The plants may disagree! Oh well! I used the grass that Fele pulled as mulch in another spot and have a few other mulch experiments going.

Still need to plant the fig tree!

Because this has been a coolish summer for the most part, we have been able to keep the windows open and the AC off. This is a help. Besides I do not feel like a prisoner in my own house with the windows open!

I have seem some amazing growth in my children over the last 6 months. The kind that makes your heart swell. I have seen some moments when slow and steady have paid off enormously. There is still some pain in their lives but for the most part they have made peace with it and accept it as part of the day.

I had a conversation with some new people last week and it was most refreshing. They actually paid attention to me and our conversation instead of ducking out to chat on a cell phone. It actually amazes me that I became accustomed to such rude behavior.

How open are my eyes now.

OK, One daughter requested photos of the garden. The rain stalled that process. Tomorrow.

I am going to practice my gift tomorrow. My intent will be to be focused on love. Unconditional love.

Sunday beckons.

One more circle of knitting and I will be on to the pattern of the sock!

Photos indeed!

Keeping a good thought that my friend who is visiting with her husband that returned from Iraq on Saturday is doing well! Got to be hard. Like a first date and honeymoon all at the same time. Peace to them I send.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2009-06-19T13:09:00.001-04:00

1. Eye exam - uneventful.
2. Seeds and plants - in soil and doing well. The garden even got a much needed weeding. Most seeds have shown up in the right place even though we have had lots of rain.
3. Cats are doing fine. Friend is doing OK too.
4. Socks need a few more rows.
5. Other socks are going to be late.
6. Read for Women's group. More to read.
7. Read for Healing Touch class. More to finish. Class this weekend and I am so ready to move on that I almost explode sometimes with enthusiasm...
8. Back on the diet and the exercise plan. Need to really focus on a way to make it more a life style and less like a "plan" that has a beginning and an end timeframe. I am sure the doctor on Monday will have words about that - seeing as my blood sugar levels over the last 3 months of chaos were terrible!
9. Packages mailed.
10. Cleaned a few more corners.
11. Looking forward and planning my next steps carefully.

TO DO

2009-05-29T23:45:00.002-04:00

1 - Cat care this summer - remember to mark the calendar
2 - eye appointment - hope it is uneventful
3 - plant the plants in the garden and the seeds and the flowers
4 - collect all the stick and twigs for the chipper that now works
5 - relax in the pool
6 - read for Women's Group
7 - read for Healing Touch
8 - finish current socks
9 - start new set of socks for someone else
10 - wash the car

That is enough of a list for me - maybe when I get more than half done I will revisit the list and add more - right now this is fine with me.

I have this list going now because I cannot get on FB. First the computer demanded that it be scanned which took long enough that I could do a complete chakra connection on myself. Now the phishing filter is scanning for phish!

I need to go to bed because I am tired and I cannot get a good eye exam when I am tired.

Did I mention a crown fell off my tooth today? Went to bite into a brownie and there it was... So I will fit that into the list behind eyes and before clean the car... should work just fine!

have a great night!

mud makes me happy and other misc thoughts

2009-05-26T23:05:00.003-04:00

I wonder why digging in dirt and planting things in that dirt make me so happy.

I am most content when either planting or grooming or just being in the garden. It is a very hallowed place for me. Must remember to bring in some soil to plant things in this winter. The fact that February is my worst month may have something to do with deprivation from mud!

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So my daughter has this great discovery posted on her FB site!

Drama Button

if that does not work it is: www.dramabutton.com

Drama Button... For all of life's unnecessary drama. This is a fun and humorous way to compliment the epic moments in life.

How many millions of times could I have used that? Mentally I have played it over and over again - usually followed by an audible sigh!

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gardening in the light of the moon and stars is the best!

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love covers hate like paper covers rock

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going to bed when you are tired shows a lot of maturity - I wonder if I will ever arrive at that point?

Miscellaneous thoughts are rather random

2009-05-12T21:45:00.003-04:00

I have reconnected with three friends over the last 60 days that I have not seen or visited with in three years.
The young call this "reconnecting" networking! I call this joy.
These friends and I shared like we talked yesterday. Very good and very odd.
One friend is moving to NC because her husband took a job there. Good travels my friend.
An evening in the garden fixes just about everything.
Digging clay is hard work but turning a new leaf is no easier.
Validation is important. I am calm when explaining myself and my dreams, which is new for me as they have always been a bit oblique in the past. Now my dreams and paths are clear and open and can easily be articulated.
Intense must be a mandate for me - I always seem to find intense situations into which to jump
New horizons await my next steps and I feel like the horizon line is very close
I discovered just how twisted some situations really are today and the whole thing left me with a rather sick stomach
I have two friends in the service. One in Iraq and the other in Afganistan. Soon to have a third. One comes home in the late summer. One just went over and the third reports for duty in July. Brave and noble men, all three and I pray for them without ceasing.
Someone said "no pain, no gain." they should feel my legs right now. I think I have gained the world
The toads "peeping" in spring is the most important sound of the entire natural cycle
I have a box turtle living in my garden
The compost piles are cooking
I emptied my worm bin into one of my compost piles to hasten the process
Lots to do - so to make it simple - we will make a list and pick the five most important things to accomplish and let the rest be as they will. We cannot recapture yesterday - we can only live today.
I am finished with these random thoughts and my hands want a rest from work.

Sleep well my friends, sleep well.

Rejoice and be glad for this is the day the Lord has made

2009-04-12T23:20:00.006-04:00

In comparison to the the last couple of weeks - today was a blast. I really like my house filled with people and laughter.

We all gathered to share an Easter meal.

All the children home and giggling and chatting and having a great time.

Just that fast they were all headed back in their own direction. Back to their own nest.

Funny how thin the line of transition.

One minute eight around the table and in a blink; two in recliners resting...

Life is like that - a fine line between the changes and chances of life - how fast we transition between what floats our boat. How fast we turn our gaze to the new passion in our life. How fast the changes and chances of life happen. I think that is a good thing. Un-attaching from the last entanglement may take a while - but once you steady your gaze on the new horizon I find people to be perfectly happy with their new adventures.

Changed your path lately?

Changed your gaze on the world?

Are you starting something exciting?

Are you becoming someone you like better?

Making new friends?

Finding a deepening of your love?

Wanting more peace and serenity?

There is a song from West Side Story that tells us that it is just around the corner. Time to start walking...

Love - peace - joy can be yours...

Thankfilled

2009-04-09T07:41:00.002-04:00

I am thank-filled.

Thank-filled with awe.

Thank-filled with the people who have sat with me and whispered prayers for me when I had no words.

While the human connection, not seen with the eyes, is certainly felt with the heart.

Thank-filled that my eyes are aware of these miracles, angels and saints.

LESSON LEARNED: Storms clear your vision.

It was Saturday night and I was

2009-04-04T23:27:00.001-04:00

One week ago I am sure I was online on Saturday night because I remember going to bed at 11:37pm.

I did a good job of sleeping until 3:30am when my husband jumped put of bed, stumbled to the bathroom, and banged his way back to bed - panting and struggling to breathe the whole time. He went in the bathroom to get his robe and I thought he was just going to sleep in the chair in the front room... Well the lights went on and I knew this was not just a position change - he was severely struggling for breath... tried the hot tub to see if he could relax and relieve the pain - not so much.

We got on some sweatpants and a t-shirt and shoes. I got on some jeans and a fleece and then I did one stupid thing... we got in the car... I had to decide if I wanted SR32 to the east or I-275. I chose the direct I-275 route... not a big a chance of deer and no stop signs. Doing 90 mph my husband is trying to find a space in the car where he could expand his lungs to get air. I am so scared I crank the heat and he opens the window. I was so afraid that he was going to open the door... Dumb thing to do - drive a sick person to the hospital...

Pneumonia was the diagnosis and we got admitted to the hospital – general floor. Monday was a blur. They did x-rays and ultrasounds. About 1:30pm there was a CT and about 3pm there was surgery... Thank God for doctors who know great things about the body. Obviously the pneumonia had been there for two weeks – with no cough or even a cold.

Surgery went fine. In ICU for comfort - discharged to a regular room because he was doing so well on Monday – that stopped on Tuesday and we were back in ICU. It was a little sketchy there for a few hours but overall things have been going well ever since Tuesday.

We had a few rough patches - a few moments of climbing the mountain that was harder than most - a few tears - but the miracle is that I felt all the prayers that were coming our way.

Grandchildren did not argue. My daughters were comforting. Texting was a blessing. Each word - each sigh - each thought felt warm and wrapped me in protection from doubt, fear and panic. I am most grateful for all the people who lifted their hearts and minds to the heaven above. I am not fussy which higher power you choose to pray to - our whole family felt just the fact that you chose to do that small gesture.

I called my Healing Touch Therapist to assist with the healing process. Wednesday and Thursday night, John had HT therapy and it made all the difference in his process. I was able to supplement on Friday and Saturday nights what was started on Wednesday and Thursday nights. John feels relaxed afterward and has a new appreciation for what I am studying.

Today John walked with the assist of a walker - up and down the halls - even doing a few jumping jacks and a few loops with the walker... The nurse roared. We got rid of the IV pole. No Bi-Pap. No BP cuff on continuous cycle.

He wants to sleep tonight. He was on his side trying to curl up and get comfortable. I hope he was successful because he will be a new person with 8 hours behind him. He wants his normal Sunday Sabbath - as many naps as we can fit into one day...

So it is Saturday night again... I am seeking boring and normal. I want chicken and broccoli with rice. I want Ice Tea and dogs to walk. I know that when John comes home things will be different for a while and normal and boring will take on a new feel. But I will seek normal with all my heart.

You just never know how fast your life can change when it is Saturday night and you are on the computer until 11:30 pm...

Some days you should knock the dust off your feet

2009-03-25T22:11:00.003-04:00

Some days should be washed off your feet as soon as they are done.

Today was one of them. Fiber meets Mud and they like to play in the yard. After a winter we have lots of play time because leaves fall; branches fall; sweet gum balls fall; fall falls over the place.

So Saturday, instead of exercise regime, we decided to rake all the yard litter. I have very high respect for my aging body on these adventures. I make lots of little piles all over the yard and then I slowly go around and pick them up with some form of container - maybe a garbage can - maybe a wheelbarrow.

Well, the Manly Mud was helping and as I have done in my youth - he made a few large piles - used the best rake swinging action I have seen in years - really got the sweet gum balls to loft up in the air.. That was Saturday morning. We finished shortly after lunch. By then I had pain all over my body. I wanted a hot shower and a flat bed after consuming the perfect amount of Advil to conquer the pain. A nice long soak in the hot tub helped too. Good food and 10 hours of sleep.

I also felt a little defeated because the Mister did not seem phased by the two hours of yard work - until Saturday night. Then there was a little twinge... By Sunday morning it was a HUGE twinge and more rest was the remedy - Monday rest - Tuesday rest - and then there was last night - as I am sleeping I hear these two little squeaks... "eeek eeek. I can't breathe..." well that wakes you up... So after the Mister got up and wrapped his chest with an ace bandage and took something for the pain... he crawls back in bed... so for the rest of the night I listened to make sure he was breathing... as dawn broke we had the "seek medical professional help" at the Urgent Care conversation - which he did willingly. Diagnosis: you pulled a muscle - go home and rest - if it continues see your regular doctor...

As the day progressed some relief came with "Ice Ice Baby" and more rest. The Mister rests like I do - he made some great Potatoe and Sausage Soup. It was delicious.

So as the day comes to an end I pray that the pain for Mister has gone away and that sleep comes easily. I did stress out about my Mister being in pain - after 39 years of friendship - a person worries and even panics a little... I know how fragile the human condition is and I respect it immensely. I love my Mister!

So now day is done.

Brush off the dust of the day.

Moving on to tomorrow... Thank you Jesus!

That's what I am talking about!

2009-03-17T21:19:00.003-04:00

It was a perfectly heavenly day mixed with enough play from the local leprechaun to make it worth your while being Irish...

I had an early meeting and that was enjoyable for Dress for Success. A good time was had by all! I had made a cup of coffee for the commute and the leprechaun let me forget to grab it while going out the door. I missed it just as I was merging on to I-71 North from I-471! Somehow, I forgot that it was a left hand merge adventure - but found space in the lane and managed to get over in plenty of time.

The rest of the day was funny too. Somehow, the leprechaun kept putting Peanut M&M's on my desk which flew into my mouth without a thought!

The sun was shining and the weather divine. I had a nice walk with the dog and spent an hour cleaning up the garden.

I found:
a medium sized Box turtle
Marjoram
Mint
Bergamot
Hyssop
Onions
Chives
Sage
Tarragon
Chamomile
Lemon Balm
Hollyhocks
German celery

The blueberry bushes are very bud worthy!
The grape vines look healthy!
the worm bin was active
the mulch bin was warm

and I got muddy and soil under my nails and it was a perfectly delicious experience!

So - how was your Saint Patrick’s Day? Did the leprechaun play with you?

random thoughts

2009-02-21T23:52:00.003-05:00

Because I believe it is important to grow and learn - some days I do not recognize myself as I pass through different thoughts

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Sometimes plumbing is your friend and sometimes it is just crap!

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I read through the Farmer's Almanac for March and saw the word snow as many times as I did in February. I was not amused.

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Sometimes putting yourself in "time out" is all you need to relieve the stress of a crappy week.

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I am making friends with a very untrusting Bitty cat. Even comes out for petting now. I am amazed.

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Night in Rodanthe was a good movie to watch on a cold night.

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Pilates surely mixes it up. I am sure tomorrow I am going to be sorry I mixed it up!

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I repotted the Bay Leaf Plant today. I originally dug it out of the garden one cold day last October. I guess it barerooted itself because today when I took it out of the pot, half of the soil was gone. So after I potted it and watered it, the leaves actually look green. Guess that plants like humans need to be well grounded in order to grow and thrive.

I looked at those bare roots for quite a while in amazement that from October until February the only thing that kept that plant alive was the fact that I watered it regularly. I trimmed it back because I thought it did not like living in the house - what it needed was soil. Lesson learned - if something is not thriving - look at its roots to see if it is connected to the terra firma!

The whole time I heard my daughter tell of a friend that had a huge Bay Leaf Plant. I was feeling like a failure. What I failed to do was provide dirt for its toes!

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I have my herb and garden order ready. Tomorrow I will do my small part in helping boost the economy...

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I like random.

Other things on the needles and future thoughts

2009-01-21T07:56:00.003-05:00

OK the color contrast is not as good as it could be - but the sleeve is progressing nicely. I am to the elbow which means I can knit down to the wrist without too many more decreases (see the plastic pins)

Next time I work on it for a while I will put it on a white towel before I start the photo process.

Yes the color is that rich. Like knitting with a large container of amber... oh luscious!

OK Off to meet the day...

I looked at the schedule and it may as well be Monday again because I have chosen to take some classes over the next two years and they start Saturday. I am excited about them and look forward to the process of learning Healing Touch Therapy. I think it will fall nicely into the work I do with Healing Prayer and my very obvious talent for nuturing things - socks, sweaters, plants, gardens, dust, laundry, mashed potatoes, bread, meatloaf, coffee - - you name it I can bring it along.

So have a great day... enjoy the journey... that is all I ask... enjoy the day!

Inauguration Socks and other matters

2009-01-19T23:12:00.005-05:00

Hello! I did not fall off the planet when the calendar changed numbers.

I have been working on a sweater and these socks... Rainbow Socks - ready for the festivities tomorrow.

I supported Obama for president because I heard what I think is truth. The times ahead are not going to be easy but we will be OK. As a nation we have collective ingenuity and a very strong backbone. And if there is a generation that is soft - well we will exercise them enough to make them strong - giving service to others strengthens you - gives you purpose and creates community that helps to support each other.

We have what it takes and we appreciate the truth the first time out of the shoot - not after a federal investigation of the matter.

Tomorrow history will be made and I am glad to be living during this time for this purpose.

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Off the soap box - on to frivial things... I have spent way too much time on Facebook!

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Winter will end - my sister promised me!

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breathe in and out in rotation - it is good for the heart!

CHARACTER

2008-12-19T07:39:00.001-05:00

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Helen KellerAmerican Author, Activist and Lecturer1880 - 1968

After I read this all the storms of life came whistling through my head. WHHOOOOSH!

I was thankful that enough events came my way to build my character. I recently learned of others who have chosen to turn the challenge into character building events and not character breaking events.

This person chose to live close to his son. Chose to hunker down and live within his means. He watched rented videos. Walked a lot of places. Made friends with a clerk at the video store. Made a good choice in his new friend and they have grown closer over the years. They too had storms but hunkered down and did the right thing and have thrived. Others thought them insane but they were convicted of love and endurance.

Push the screen play forward a few years and he has one of the best families that I know. The family is well adjusted. The family faces life full on not ducking if challenges come their way. They too have chosen not to climb into the bucket of their despair but turn the challenge upside down and step up and grow and fly.

I am not saying that there is no cloudy day in their lives or in mine. But even on cloudy days I look to see what color is predominate in the grey sky. Sometimes it is blue grey, pink grey or white grey.

Guess we have learned the lesson of character....

Silence Inspires 2008

2008-12-17T08:13:00.000-05:00

When we set aside time each day for deep communion with the infinite, then, as surely as day follows night, the light of inspiration will illuminate our beings." ~Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith

Maybe this is what I am missing this year.

I had a few rough Christmas seasons in the last few years and had plenty of silence because I was wondering how it was that I was at the head of the table. This year I am comfortable with my position and my age.

I have had plenty of laughter and noise - but no silence.

Everyone that knows me well, knows I have to have a fair amount of silence in my life to survive and create my space.

So...

Today, I will create that space. I will silence all the noise in my head and in my environment and find the Season.

Get the action going.

Create the holiday and illuminate the way. I need to get going.

I think all the noise has frozen me in fear. Out of hear noise. Away fear.

Come LIGHT of the Season. Come JOY! Come HOPE! Come LOVE!!

Discordant Disoriented Winter Time Blues

2008-12-14T22:41:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have been in a discordant mood.

Sometimes sassy, sometimes quiet, sometimes just want to walk a mile and smile.

But not necessarily sure I was ever going to be in the right place at the right time to ever make a difference to anyone. I was suspecting that I was an amiable face in the crowd.

It seems that I get lost from time to time in my own little world. I question whether I make a difference in the tour of the globe about the sun.

Then out of the blue, I am late for church, I attend a different service, I see both old and new friends.

I hear a story that just about blind sides me and I look up to the heavens and say WOW! You made me late for this moment to occur. You wanted me here and now to wipe those tears away and hug those shoulders. Wow and all this time, I thought, I was aimlessly wandering the desert and I was actually following a star to this moment in time.

Introspective.

Not going to take so much for granted.

Going to thank my lucky stars that occasionally I get off the path and wander into new places and see old and familiar faces.

Going to continue to listen more and talk less because it seems that is how I do my best work.

Going to bend the knee in some deep prayers tonight.

I have a lot of things to discuss with the maker of the stars.

Sufficiency

2008-12-11T07:39:00.000-05:00

"We each have the choice in any setting to step back and let go of the mind-set of scarcity. Once we let go of scarcity, we discover the surprising truth of sufficiency. By sufficiency, I don't mean a quantity of anything. Sufficiency isn't two steps up from poverty or one step short of abundance. It isn't a measure of barely enough or more than enough. Sufficiency isn't an amount at all. It is an experience, a context we generate, a declaration, a knowing that there is enough, and that we are enough." ~Lynne Twist

In all this economic downturn news this is an interesting thought. I at times get a panicked feeling in the pit of my stomach. I remember the stories that my Grandparents told of the Great Depression and wonder if America today can actually work together with neighbors to survive. I surely hope that we are the same people who can share what we have and trade and swap to sustain our lives. I heard some pretty scary comments during the election process and fear that there will be more hoarding than sharing.

But then something like this comes along and reminds me that what I have each day is sufficient for my needs. God counts the hairs on my head and watches over the birds of the air. I was given an intellect and if I take the time to really think through what is ahead I can see my way each day. I have friends who are fighting wars on foreign soils. I have friends who have put the love of their lives in Hospice. Each day I find out that the steps before me were blessed before I stepped there and all is sufficient for the day.

Sufficiency is an attitude that is very positive and hopefully contagious to the people around you. I have had an abundance of thoughts lately and now I have a sufficient abundance of words to declare them. A declaration that all will be well in the world that I wander.

Go and be sufficient and spread that attitude around - be generous with your sufficiency!

Have you ever peeked at your Christmas gifts?

2008-12-09T22:13:00.004-05:00

Once upon a time I went to a wedding on Christmas eve - the officiant gave a sermon that described how the couple had peeked at the gifts under the tree of marriage before the ceremony... I thought it was a great analogy about discovery during a time of living together. He described how they went about trying things on and deciding about whether they wanted to keep the things they found. It must have worked - they are still married and enjoy a special celebration each Christmas eve.

I, on the other hand, did not peek under the tree before marriage - which made that first morning a very memorable moment. I have although taken a full look under the tree this year. I have been enjoying the gift for a week or so now. Unlike some women, appliances for Christmas are acceptable to me. I love things I can plug in and turn on! They make me happy. Especially the part where you can turn them on.

We have lived here for 7 years on Thanksgiving Day. Our washer and dryer were purchased new when we moved into the house. In that 7 years a church was built for almost 4 years; the foundation was waterproofed and extensive excavating took place; gardens have been located; grandchildren have lived here and the house creates its own peculiar forms of laundry too. So after 7 years of valiant duty and about 8000 loads of laundry, the washer gave up its ghost.

A trip to a scratch and dent sale garnered us a new high efficiency washer and dryer. It is a gem. We agreed that was our Christmas and my birthday present. That is fine. We will still have funny things under the tree. But we looked long and hard at our present and I am trying it out about 3 times a week before the big day... Yep we peeked and checked it out to make sure it fits and we are going to keep it a very long time...

Have a good night. Snuggle up. Keep the germs at bay. Wash your hands and keep you fingers out of your mouth.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-27T07:57:00.000-05:00

“There is something about the mental act of thanksgiving that seems to carry the human mind far beyond the region of doubt into the clear atmosphere of faith and trust, where all things are possible. Even if at first you are not conscious of having received anything from God, do not worry or cease from your thanksgiving.”~H. Emilie Cady

Quote is taken from: Lessons in Truth

Maybe this is what is missing in the world. The art of giving thanks in all situations.

At this moment in time I see not much to be thankful for in Mumbai, but I am sure that those that survived are thankful and the grieving are thankful for those around who are carrying them through the process. The terrorists are probably even thankful that they made the world news.

In everything give thanks... that is our charge from the writer Paul in the gospels. It may take a moment to realize it, but in every situation there is a way to give thanks, from some perspective.

I have been on this sphere long enough to know that in every situation - happy, sad or desperate, I am able to say thank you for the opportunity to grow and become a more real person.

Today, take a moment and be thankful that life gives you every opportunity to grow and become a better person. You become more knowledgeable, more patient, more accepting, more loving, more tolerant, more hope filled, more beautiful each and every day. And each of these increases are free for the taking - taking the chance and saying thank you when you are finished using your new found skill...

Thanksgiving in all things...

Election Day, why it is important to me...

2008-11-03T22:49:00.001-05:00

It all began with a question from my children one winter day. “Why was I writing my Senator?” I told them, “I was upset about the way that they were acting in the Senate and it was my right to complain…You can’t complain if you do not vote.” I left it there and it seemed enough of an answer for the time.

So blink your eyes from the late 1980’s to 2008 and this long and drawn out election season we are having. This year it did not seem enough to complain and vote. This year the donations were not enough of a contribution as they were in the past elections. Talk is cheap with 24/7 news on the internet and cable TV.

No, in 2008, it was time for the rubber to meet the road. It was time to act.

Over the weekend I did a literature drop in several local neighborhoods. I saw some people walking the neighborhood and dropped them a pamphlet also. Sometimes sample ballots help people decide. My daughter and grand daughter did door to door canvassing. They saw the real America. They got the door shut in their faces several times and probably got an earful for good measure. I just got a polite “No thank you.”

I have been encouraging my friends, spouse and children to vote since they became of age. Most times they comply. And with the right to vote exercised – we complain. We complain mostly to each other. Occasionally we will even write a letter to an elected official telling him/her just what we thought and how we voted for or against them.

So please, no matter your candidate. VOTE. Never let your voice go unheard in this great country.

Just do it!

THINGS PEOPLE FORGET

2008-10-27T23:06:00.003-04:00

"Please" and "Thank You" are the two most important words in the communication process.
"Excuse me" and "Pardon me" are next.
Keep your promises. Do what you say you are going to do. Make it important to be a person of your word.
Rude is an example of your ignorance and lack of respect for the other person.
Apologizing is essential to survival. Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes. Just own them and learn and get on with life.
Smoking is dumb, expensive and stinky. It affects everyone.
Courteous behavior goes a long way.
Appreciate what you have. One day you may find out that you have more than you ever imagined and wasted time complaining that it was not enough.
Sing whenever possible. It can get you through the hardest of times.
Stop the complaining. You may miss the most important minute of your day because you were grousing about the last ten minutes being not what you wanted them to be.
Keep your things picked up and orderly. Live simply. Less is more.
Never mind about what others have. They are not you and you are not they. You were made to be the individual that you are. One of a kind. Stay true to yourself. Always.

DID NOT FALL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH!

2008-10-03T09:29:00.002-04:00

DEAR ADORING PUBLIC!

I want to thank all of you for your patience with me over the last month. I have never worked so hard for so long with so few hands in my life.

I appreciate all the support that the DH has given me unconditionally. He has walked the dog twice a day, cooked meals that I have missed, created recipes that we can eat, done laundry and been a peaceful presence in my everyday life.

DH YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND!

This weekend I am going on retreat to hopefully clear the head.

The animals have not forgiven me for being away 24/7.

They are glued to my lap and side.

My new trick is knitting two socks at the same time - pictures soon.

My garden needs to be dug up and put away for the winter.

I am happy to be back among the living and have no desire ever to do another LARGE event for 1300 high maintenace people again.

I do have one funny aside. A friend uses silver colored plastic pieces all the time. I showed these to the ladies who were "planning the luncheon" and you would have thought I invented air. OY!UNREAL!

OK back to reality. Dyson the floors - cook - do laundry and switch the clothes for the warmer variety!

Love you all for your patience and keep the soldier in your prayers...

He left today for deployment.

PLAYING LOOSE AND FREE

2008-09-08T22:43:00.003-04:00

Admit it - we all do it - cheat around the edges of things. As HOUSE says in his TV show "We all lie."

The recipe calls for 2 T and we add heaping T's.

The label says add 60# of air - we go 62#.

The directions say assemble with these tools - we make do with a table knife.

OK - you get the picture.

We (the Mister and I) are on an eating plan. We count calories. He gets 500 per meal and I get 400 per meal. I never leave food on my plate - ever - I lick the last grains of rice off the plate. It is hard to do these meals - we are accustomed to having gravy and sauces on our meats. BUT when you add them now - they count toward the bottom line - that is living loose and free with the calories.

Over the weekend we grilled our sandwiches that had yogurt cheese - turkey - tomato and mustard. We were living high off the hog and all within the numbers with enough left to have a cup of soup!

I would rather be dieting now then recovering from a coronary in a few years. We will stick with it - keep exercising - keep eating right - we want to vacation a lot more times with the grandchildren - we like these vacations a lot...

OK my calories and my sleep are important - you loose weight if you rest enough - and hold on to the weight if you do not - has to do with stress... stess holds weight - relaxation releases weight... night now - check you another day when we can play loose and free with planting stories... gardens to move around this fall... HURRAY - they have been there two years and have grown well - time to move things around the yard!