October Quotes

Blog post #348 of 365

"Chocolate is made of cocoa which comes from trees. That makes it a plant. Which qualifies it as a salad. The end." Preston S

When someone is nasty or treats you negatively, do not take it personally. It says nothing about you and everything about them." Karen D

"The kindest people have felt the most pain." Jay

"Never pus a loyal person to the point they don't care." Marian LM

"Collect good people, truly good people... And protect and love them the best you can." Kerry H

"Laugh until your belly hurts then just laugh a little more." Shell

"I love you too." Shell

"Always kiss your kids goodnight, even if they're already asleep." Kat

"Seek respect not attention, it lasts longer." Kerry

"If you want crappy things to stop happening to you then you gotta stop taking crap and demand better." Stephanie

"When someone shows their true colors, it isn't time to try painting a new picture." Richard

"Running away will not help your problems unless you're fat." Jake G

"Appreciate what you have before it becomes what you had." Richard

"Ahh, thought your goofy attitue was going to help you, that has never worked with me!" Cop friend Marc

"S.W.A.G. she wants a gentleman." Kayla

"At my age getting lucky means walking into a room and remembering what I'm there for." Bobby B

"Instead of casting shadow where there is already darkness, I'd much prefer to cast some light." Oatmeal

"The only way to make peace with the horrors we see is to try to help as many people as possible." Oatmeal (paraphrase)

"Sometimes I just look up, smile and say I know that was you God, Thanks." Darcel (I do.)

"The only thing you can truly control is how you react to things out of your control." Richard

"It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy. Jimbo

"People wait. All week for Friday. All year for summer. All of life for happiness." Richard

"Truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, ignorance or disbelief." Stone via Jimbo

"Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." A. Einstein via Reilly

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If it isn't you will find an excuse." Richard

"Come on, humble yourself and cease to care what men think. As you walk on in meekness, you will be happy to let God defend you. You will have found peace which meekness brings." AW Tozer via Craig

"If you're holding tight to pain you can't reach for happiness." Marcie

"Destiny is destiny and fate is fate, it can't be avoided." Richard

"Be the reason someone smiles today." Richard and Marian ML

"Life is crazy good." Daisy Shoppe

"Try to make every creative decision based on the notion that you have millions of dollars in the bank, even if you have nothing in the bank. David Foster Via Mary T

Beauty Defined

Blog post #347 of 365

The other day I was reading a Facebook entry by a friend who said that he was tired of everyone calling everyone else beautiful. He claimed not everyone is beautiful. Well I disagree. I do not believe everyone is in fact beautiful as far as physically attractive but I know a bunch of people who are so beautiful to the core the outside is easily over looked. Not that any of them are in any way ugly.

I know that ugly is as ugly does. Meaning that attractive, beautiful people can appear really ugly by their actions. However I also know that in even the most vile human being it is possible to find some attractive quality. Even if that quality is the happiness that ensues once that particular person exits the area.

So while I was thinking about beauty and how some people just are it got me thinking about a commercial. This one  I think Lea Michele is pretty. No not beautiful but close. Anyway I have issues with her hands. They are kind of stubby, her fingers aren't straight and her thumb looks abnormally long compared to her fingers. Evey time I see this commercial I wonder why they had her hold up her hand. There were other ways of getting the point across. Since this commercial cam out I have noticed that there are many actors and actresses who you rarely see their hands. And I think it may be they are trying to hide something. Like Gary Burghoff who played Radar in M.A.S.H. years ago who never showed his left hand because his fingers are deformed. Recently I have seen a few of those elusive hands and they are smart to keep them off camera. I am not naming names here.

Anyway, the definition of beauty in the dictionary condensed version is "The quality of being physically attractive." I knew there had to be more to it than that so I looked it up. The full version of the definition said, "Having qualities that give pleasure to the senses, mind or spirit." That makes my earlier statements about there being more to beauty than a pretty face even more truthful!

Honestly not everyone is beautiful. It would be a boring world if they were. But I'm glad some are. I am especially grateful for those with inner beauty that makes this world a better place.

Tis the Season for Indulgence

Blog post #346 of 365

The holidays are upon us. No hiding now. I love to bake and make soups and stews through the winter but with the weather here I don't know if soups season will start for a while...

The holidays are a time we all feel like we can indulge and we can, a little. The trouble is when we don't keep in mind a little is all we need. A friend once told me she didn't gain 50 pounds over night it crept up on her 2 or 3 pounds a year during the holidays.

I lean toward the indulgent side myself. I figured a way around it though. I always make treats for the neighbors. It is a way to make the things I love but not to have a whole batch laying here waiting for the willpower to break, and break it will!

My all time favorite to use granola and dried cranberries instead of Rice Crispies in my marshmallow treats. Sometimes I'll add a little coconut or chocolate chips to them too. Buy a bag of marshmallows and make your own substitutions! But I make several kinds of treats every year.

A new one for this year is soft caramels super easy.

What you'll need:

A well buttered pan smaller means thicker caramels but 9x11 works well
1 cup light corn syrup
2 cups packed light brown sugar (Dark will make your caramels look burned.)
1 can sweetened condensed milk (I use Eagle brand but any kind will work.)
1/2 pound butter

What you'll do:

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, over medium heat, while stirring constantly. Keep stirring for 20 minutes. Pour into the buttered pan and cool. (I put it in the fridge because it cools faster.) Once it cools cut into squares and enjoy. Make sure to share.

Halloween and Kids

Blog post #345 of 365

I hear Halloween is a pagan holiday. Well you know what I don't care either way. No, I really don't.

Halloween is a good day for me. It is a day I use remember people who have passed before me. People I know and loved who have departed this world and gone on to whatever lies ahead.

Halloween is also a good day for kids. No matter how old the kid may be. It is a day to dress up, pretend, and collect or give out candy. I tend to give it to my neighbors who come knocking on my door. I enjoy looking at the creative and not so creative costumes. Honestly I love the ones you know were thought out and made over, the store bought stuff.

Every year our church has a Halloween celebration. We have carving contests, costume contests, a chili cook off and people decorate their cars so the kids can trick or treat in the safety of friends.

This year I was invited to go Trick or Treating with my grandkids but I'm not sure I want to leave my house unattended on a night I know will make my dogs nuts. But the idea of hanging out with my grandkids does have its pull.

My Idea Backfired

Blog post #344 of 365

I am painting for the holidays. It is what I do. I get crafty to bypass hanging out in over crowded stores and the expense those stores can bring. Also a gift from the heart is usually way better than a store bought gift.

Painting requires daylight. So I have taking a sleeping pill and drifting off to sleep early so I can make the most of all available sunlight. Truthfully I am just more sleepy and not as productive as I'd like.

Well I tried! I'll post photos of said art in a later post.

How Big Your Brave Is!

Blog post #343 of 365

I was watching a video made by a couple of nurses in Minnesota of their patients and their caregivers set to Brave by Sara Barilles. I've seen it a few times now and it always makes me smile a little.

As I listened I began really thinking about the words. I watched and listened a few more times just to make sure I heard the words right. Then I thought about being brave. What is it to be brave? Then I listened again...

I am not one to hold back, especially if I see an injustice, but I know so many who seem afraid to peak out. The world isn't fair by a long shot but it is far worse when the deck is stacked against you. I stick up for people who haven't found their voice. I work to change things for the better whenever and wherever I can.

There are two parts that stick out in my mind. First "Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out. I honestly wanna see you be brave." And second "Don't run, stop holding your tongue."

If you read the last two posts add this to the challenges. Speak up and get your brave on. Do what you can to make someone's day better. Even if the someone is you! Not with empty words but really sticking up for yourself and for those who haven't found their voice yet. Or for those who never will.

Show the world how big your brave is.

Fault Finding

Blog post #342 of 365

This seemed like the perfect post after yesterday's challenge post. It you didn't read it navigate back and read it. I dare you!

Fault finding is a hobby for some people. They stew about things until they feel they have a valid place to lay blame. This practice is just silly.

Crap happens. The majority of the time it just does. It isn't anyone's fault. Not really. I mean you can't predict or prevent every mishap and you can't blame those around you when stuff happens. Stuff is going to happen. Always hope for the best and plan for the worst. Isn't that how you avoid Murphy's Law, 'everything that can go wrong will go wrong?'

It you plan well enough stuff will be less inclined to go south. But when it does you have done your best and that is all you can do.

Finding fault becomes destructive. It wrecks relationships. It has not place in my life or yours. So how about we add this to your month of challenge. Lets not place blame. Just let it go. So stuff fell apart. Let the peices fall then clean up the mess. Build a few bridges. You'll feel better if you do.

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Blog post #341 of 365

I love that song. I'm not sure the pageant ladies will every get their wishes for world peace but I know in my world I am trying to be the catalyst for peace. You know, like the song- Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.

It has to start somewhere why not begin with me. Imagine what a wonderful world we would live in if everyone took on the challenge to be a peacemaker. Some would fail from time to time but for the most part we would have a much better world. Who knows we might even some day attain that every elusive world peace.

How about if everyone who reads this post shares it with someone else and for a solid month everyone just tries to be a peacemaker? Come on, I challenge you!

Fudge of Many Flavors

Blog post #340 of 365

I saw two exact recipes on the internet... I'm sure this happens often but they were for lemon fudge and chocolate mint fudge. Okay so they weren't exactly the same but you compare and see what you think.

What you'll need for lemon fudge:
1 & 1/2 teaspoons butter plus 6 tablespoons butter (divided)
2 packages (12 oz each) white chocolate chips
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup marshmallow creme
1 & 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract

What you'll do:
Line a nine inch square pan with foil. Grease with 1 & 1/2 teaspoons butter and set aside.
In a large sauce pan melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter over a low heat.
Add chips and milk and cook, stirring constantly until melted. (About 10 minutes.)
Stir in marshmallow creme and extract.
Keep stirring until smooth (about 3 or 4 minutes.)
Pour into prepared pan and chill until set.
Lift fudge out using foil.
Discard foil in recycling.
Cut fudge into squares.
Store in the fridge.

Here is what you'll need for chocolate mint fudge:
1 & 1/2 teaspoons butter plus 6 tablespoons butter (divided)
2 packages (12 oz each) chocolate chips
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup marshmallow creme
1 & 1/2 teaspoons mint extract

No really that is exactly what it said to use and the directions were the same!

Now I figure you can use any extract and pair it with your preference of chocolate. Like raspberry extract with white chocolate or cherry extract (I hate because it tastes too much like medicine, yuck!) with chocolate. Strawberry extract could go with either white chocolate or regular chocolate. The only limits I see are the availability or the extract you want and the size of your imagination to having any flavored fudge you want!

Inconsiderate Anybody

Blog post #339 of 365

I'm not a fan of inconsiderate people. I have been known to be a little inconsiderate from time to time but I am making a huge effort to avoid it because I know how much it bug me.

There are times when I sure people don't understand their actions or lack of actions are inconsiderate. I have no problem telling people when they are or avoiding them in the future. I appreciate when people tell me when they feel I am being inconsiderate. It actually bothers me to find out days or weeks later that I have offended someone.

I have always tried to look at everything from all of the angles. The bigger picture if you will. It helps me identify when and where I need to improve but sometimes I fail.

Our street has a bunch of inconsiderate people living on it. We have speeders. Small kids live on and visit this street. We have speed laws for a reason.We have gardeners that begin working at 7 am or earlier. Mowers and blowers are not the most pleasant of morning disturbances. We have dog walkers who don't pick up their poop. We have cat owners who don't pick up their poop either. (The cats love to hang out in my yard... why?)

Recently we have had a bunch of service people. Lots of maintenance and building going on. Our neighbors took down part of their roof and re-roofed last week. Holy cow they started at 6 am. really? I know it is hot but please refrain from all of that noise at such a tender hour. The same neighbor must have had a tree problem too because this week I woke up to chainsaws and wood chippers. That wasn't the really inconsiderate part. The worst part was the amount of space and mess they made.

They blocked much of the street and the driveways of the neighbor they were working for and the neighbor next door. It mad it very hard for me to get in and out of my own driveway. Was all of that mess necessary. Then when the truck got full they would take off to dump it while the rest of the crew played soccer and did absolutely nothing...  

\

 Granted it was just one day but really, why? I was not the only annoyed neighbor I can assure you.

They cleaned up most of the mess but left a load of logs on yet another neighbor's lawn.

The Path

Blog post #338 of 365

Every individual walks a path. Every decision influences the path. Not just the direction but the kind of path. Will it be up hill, smooth, rough, winding, fast, slow or any other variation?

When I had kids I prayed they would make a good path. Avoid mistakes I made. Walk a different route than I have. I want their path to be stronger than mine, easier than mine, and go further than I could ever dream.

As I watched them grow through their younger years I was for the most part pleased with choices they made and the direction they were headed but I had in part some influence on where they were headed. They are all grown now. They make their own decisions without any influence from me. It scares the daylights out of me.

In all honesty I feel like they will turn out alright. Not because of me, more like in spite of me. I know at times I held on too tight. I know there were times I could have done so much better but I did the best I could with the tools I had.

I still pray for them every day. I pray they make good decisions. I pray for their health, strength, & safety but mostly I pray they will one day look back on their path and be happy with their journey and with where they are.

Less Than A Month

Blog post 337 of 365

I am less than a month away from hitting my goal of writing every day. Now to be honest I'm not sure I'll quit at 365 but that was the goal.

There are days when I have felt uninspired to actually write anything. Days when I'd rather do any other thing. There are days I have begun several posts. There are days when I have written ahead when I knew I had a busy week ahead. There was about two months when writing slipped away and I had to complete several days at a time to 'play catch up' but not too many.

Having this goal has proven to me that I can write every day but is it anything worth reading. Every post has between 1 and 10 hits. 10 whole hits? I mean it is probably a fluke but down deep it makes me smile a little. I usually have 3 or 4 every day.

I have had this blog long before I began writing and it will stick around long after this goal is met. Overall it feels pretty good to be this close to the 'end.'

Rants and Venting

Blog post #336 of 365

I believe venting is good. You know getting stuff off your mind. It relieves stress and keeps people from guessing why you are upset. recently I have read a few good rants. Here are samples.

Truth is I'm insecure. I'm broken. I'm easily frustrated. I'm tired of being tired. I keep things to myself. I bottle up my anxiety and long story short honey, I'm not perfect. I make mistakes. I'm flawed, but I;m me. This is just who I am. If this isn't what you want, okay. Move along. If this is too blunt, I'm not sorry. Not everything in life is going to be sugar coated. I'm going to do things you don't like or don't know how to accept but please if there is anything you can do for me it is just to be patient. Know things are going to be okay in the long run and if they aren't then oh well. You can't say I didn't try.

Sorry that is my rant for the day.

Or this one.

Recently my feelings were hurt. I feel overlooked. I feel underutilized. I feel like others have taken the place that should have been mine. Yesterday I was telling God I was nothing compared to His greatness. I think I need to be more consistent. Either I'm good enough or I'm not but my self-worth is not dependent on the acts or lack of acts of others.  

I believe they were both pretty good rants. They weren't laying blame. Those are the best kind of rants. They both probably felt better afterward. So go ahead and vent all you like. It might make you feel better.

Fashion Fan

Blog post #335 of 365

I was going to title this one fashionista but that word bugs me... I am totally not into fashion as a general rule. I don't care what is trendy or out of fashion. Either I like it or I don't simple as that.

I was reading a blog http://www.stylestun.com/ this morning written by a friend I've known since she was young. She really is beautiful. Now to be honest I am not into fashion. I know what I like and I don't follow trends at all. I am tall and have rarely been able to purchase anything off the rack until about 15 years ago when they started selling tall clothes in more places. I still have never purchased a dress or skirt off the rack without having to alter them. It bites. I purchase shirts that are way too big just so they are long enough. Enough of my woes that isn't why I started this particular post.

I was wondering if people are born into fashion? I was thinking about it and either you are or you aren't into trends/fashion.

It got me thinking about my daughter. She is tall like me but unlike me she was born into a world that figured out some people are tall. By the time she was her full 6 foot height she was able to find clothes in the tall range.

Now this girl loves clothes. She has a knack for looking her best in anything she wears. For a time she worked at GAP and could totally help people find what they needed to look their best. Now she works in a bathing suit store and I'm positive her customers come away looking their best. I don't think it is my daughter's calling or anything I just believe she likes getting paid. Thus any job would be fine as long as she can have flexible hours and room for growth.

As I thought about my daughter's talent I thought back to her early years. As soon as she learned to dress herself she became a clothes diva. She would change up to a dozen times a day. by nightfall she would have a pile of clothes in her room that she wore for a minute or more but not for long. Then she went through the favorite outfit stage. She would have absolute favorites and wouldn't put on anything else if her favorite was clean. (Honestly I bet people thought I only had the one or two outfits they always saw her in.)

As she grew she would go back and forth from the this is my favorite to wearing everything as often as she could. By her teens she was a fashion star. She only got what she liked and only wore what she liked. I could never get her anything without her there partially because of her unique size but also because she had specific tastes in clothes. Apparently I had and still have no taste what-so-ever!

I just wonder if everyone who are that good with clothes are into clothes so young? Hmmm.

Gratitude Brings Happiness

Blog post #334 or 365

I have a friend who is unhappy. I'm not talking depressed, clinically or otherwise. I mean a friend who says I never feel happy. How can that be? I have given this much thought and I have decided it is because he isn't grateful.

You can't be happy without gratitude. It just isn't possible.

I am grateful and in just a few weeks I get to begin my two months of expressed gratitude.

I am a lucky girl. I know how it feels to be really grateful. I know what happiness is and how to express it.

Give it a try. Think of all of the things you are grateful for and then try not to be happy about them. It is impossible!

Ya Can't Spoil Everyone

Blog post #333 of 365

I was watching a car commercial the other day. (I don't even know what car.) At the end it said, "May things always go your way."

My first thought was what a wonderful sentiment but it didn't last.

Things shouldn't always go your way.

Imagine a world where they did. You would be extremely happy. That sounds wonderful right? The problem is that everyone would have their way. That includes pedophiles, rapists, murderers etc. I just don't see that being any better than the way we are now. We find our own happiness.

Then there is this, if you give in the every whim of a child you end up with a spoiled child who turns into a spoiled adult. They don't have boundaries in a very bad way. They feel and act entitled. Imagine a world filled with that.

No I hope we all have days when most everything goes our way but I also hope we remember to be good humans.

Waiting For Inspiration

Blog post #332 of 365

A friend of my recently said, "I'm waiting for inspiration." It got me to thinking about what inspires me and when...

In all honesty I wonder why people need to 'wait' for inspiration.

I am inspired by music.

I am inspired by nature.

I am inspired by the laughter of children.

I am inspired by sad eyes.

I am inspired by humor.

I am inspired by achievement.

I am inspired by challenge.

I am inspired by age both young and old.

I am inspired by silence.

I am inspired by voices, people I hear not those in one's head.

I am inspired by science.

I am inspired by faith.

I am inspired by stillness.

I am inspired by movement.

I am inspired by living.

Now being inspired is one thing being motivated is another. Sometimes laziness gets to everyone and I find some people hide behind inspiration or mood when in actuality it is lack of motivation or laziness. May we all be inspired by the world around us and never held back by laziness or lack of motivation.

Birthday Parties

Blog post #331 of 365

 I love birthday parties. I do. The idea of celebrating someone you lover is a spectacular idea.

 

 
 A whole day of fun! Happy birthday honey. I love you

Not Into Nails

Blog post #330 of 365

I am not into nails but I am into the holidays. I have orange polish. Why? So I can do this!

Diabetics Please Look At Your Feet

Blog post #329 of 365

Diabetics please look at your feet every day. When you don't this kind of thing happens.

It could have been way worse...

Familiar Faces

Blog post #328 of 365

Some faces are too familiar not to be related.

They haven't seen each other since he was in first grade. At least not in person.

Parking

Blog post #327 of 365

My mom is in a weird extension of the hospital after having an infection. A place they put you when the insurance is nearly dry but the illness isn't. My dad and mom have both been there many times before. Well they cut out half of the parking. then made the stalls tiny so more cars could 'fit'...

 As you can see I'm over the line so I can get out with a bush next to me.

I'd have parked on the end but this jerk was blocking the space.

 I can only imagine how tough it is for people driving a truck.

 Like this girl who took two just as I was leaving. Ugh only a week of this I think...

It Took 326 Posts

Blog post #326 of 365

It only took 326 posts in as many days to realize I may not be as creative, profound or funny and I'd like to be.

It took only 326 post in as many days to realize how determined and happy I am to have not given up.

It took 326 posts to realize that I only have a little over a month to figure out what my next blog challenge will be. Yes there will be a next blog challenge. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The Funeral

Blog post #325 of 365

My ex father in law passed away. We have a weird family on that side. Nobody really communicates.

My sister in law was very close to her parents. (Mom passed away about 6 months ago.) For several years we lived out of state. When we returned we visited with the grandparents. My kids needed to know them. I don't think anyone knew but us. Well maybe us and anyone who looked at my FB photos.

It was a very one sided funeral. They raised three kids and have eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren (I think.) The funeral was literally geared and focused on the relationships of his daughter and her family only. Their son and his children were never mentioned in the services.

 Looking outside the chapel.

There was a lovely gathering post funeral. It was at my sister in law's home. The walls were filled with photos and mementos. It was beautiful for sure. The food was yummy. The conversations interesting. Catching up was nice.

 Family

It was a nice day when all was said and done.

5 Parts of Gratitude

Blog post #324 of 365

I was thinking about what Brian said about gratitude. I've decided there are 5 parts of actual gratitude.

1. Recognize it.
          Knowing when (all of the time) and where (everywhere) to be grateful is half of gratitude.

2. Appear grateful.

          Grateful people are not boastful, egocentric, angry, or conceited. Show gratitude.

3. Express it vocally.
          Always say thank you.

4. Thank God.
          We all know where everything comes from so don't forget to tell Him. For those of you who don't believe in God I can only imagine how much you'd have if you showed Him gratitude.

5. Give back.
          To be truly grateful you must pay it forward. Go ahead, it will make you feel better.

5 Levels of Gratitude

Blog post #323 of 365

My friend Brian recently said he noticed that people have 5 levels of gratitude.

5. I am grateful and I'm determined to show it.

4. I am grateful and I'm willing to show it.

3. I am grateful and I'm willing to say it.

2. I am grateful but I don't express it out loud.

1. I am not grateful.

He claims 5's are usually the most fun to be with, earn more money, enjoy better health, experience more peace and freedom and seem more confident and happy.

I agree with the five levels of gratitude but I don't know that I agree with his other claims.

I am vocal about my gratitude and I try to give back whenever possible. I am confident and happy most of the time, in most situations. Most of the time I am peaceful and feel free. However I am not earning more money and my health has never really been great.

He did say most and usually but maybe half is good.

Kids and Bugs

Blog post #322 of 365

These two angelic little girls are my nieces.

 At the wedding yesterday my nieces kept catching bugs. Their brother was fascinated.

And yest I think it is very cool!