Lucky Charms

Ever wonder why a horseshoe is said to bring good fortune? Here is the folklore behind the most popular symbols of luck.

Four-Leaf Clover
Celtic Druids considered this rare type of clover lucky for its finder. According to one legend, the four leaflets have different meanings: hope, faith, love, and luck.

Horseshoe
As the story goes, the Catholic figure of Saint Dunstan of Canterbury, known for his skill in horse-shoeing, held the devil captive until he agreed never to enter a place where a horseshoe was displayed.

Pot of Gold
The Irish legend says if you catch a leprechaun, he must take you to his treasure at the end of a rainbow.

Rabbit's Foot
There are several versions of the legend. One derived from African-American folklore says that the hind foot of a rabbit captured in a cemetery is believed to confer luck when carried.

Rainbow
In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, the rainbow was the symbol of Iris, the messenger of the gods. In Native American culture, a rainbow is seen as a gift from the sun god.

Shooting Star
An old New Orleans Creole superstition says that shooting stars are souls escaping purgatory, and if you see one and make a wish three times before it disappears, the wish will come true.

Thought of the Day - 3/14/09

In this day and age, being bored is possible, but only if you don't get your act together early enough in the day. You need to get involved in something before the afternoon, or you'll end up not being able to get involved in anything. If it looks like there's nothing going on, then look beneath the surface of the everyday stuff. You have the power to add intrigue to your life -- you just have to try.

Sing to Me Saturday #4

This song was popular around the time my son was born, eleven years ago. Though, many think of this as a romantic song, it reminds me of the relationship between child and mother. Listening to only the lyrics reminds my heart about my special needs son and all the amazing tasks he was was able to accomplish, especially since he has borderline Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Integration Disorder, and various other issues.

Amazed
by Lonestar

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you, it just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you

The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me, baby you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time every time
I wanna spend the whole night in your eyes

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you, it just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you
Every little thing that you do
I'm so in love with you

It just keeps getting better
I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever

Every little thing that you do
Oh, every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you


Check out this beautiful song here.


Do you have a cherished song to share? Join this musical meme by adding a post to your blog about a favorite song or two. Please add your link to your post (not the front page of your blog) to Mr. Linky below.

Thought of the Day - 3/13/09

Our deepest fear is not that we're inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
~~ Marianne Williamson ~~

Say It Forward #2

Comments are the jewels of the blogosphere. So how can we thank our loyal friends and readers for giving us these treasures? By honoring our frequent commenters with an award.

Say it Forward is a new weekly carnival, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom, where bloggers feature their loyal commenters.

Featured Commenter of the Week
Tami of Diary of a Mad Woman is a frequent visitor and commenter of the blog. Tami was also kind enough to nominate my blog for the Lemonade Award.

Tami, since you have been selected as a Loyal Commenter, you can display this Loyal Commenter badge with pride.

Friday Fill-Ins #3

1. When I look to the left, I see my craft studio and office and piles of paperwork on my desk that need to get done.

2. The kitchen is the room that has the best view in my home because you can look into the backyard.

3. Let it work slowly.

4. Get it done dirt cheap.

5. Patriotism, helping others, and being kind is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share.

6. If you have any skills and talents feel free to toot your own horn.

7. As for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to feeling better, tomorrow my plans include spending time with my children and Sunday, I want to scrapbook.


Check out the fun or insightful or thought provoking or silly answers (or all of these combined) of others by going to Friday Fill-Ins.

Aloha Friday #5

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is a day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend so Kailani at An Island Life thought that Fridays should be easy posting day too. I’ll ask a simple question. You respond with an answer, nothing that requires a lengthy response.

This week's question:

What does Spring mean to you?


To me, Spring means a lot of things.

Rebirth and renewal are what Spring means to me.

The weather gets nicer; the cold and muck of winter is replaced by the warmth Spring. Color comes back into the world with green suddenly popping up on trees and bright flowers popping up in yards.

To an extent, it also means misery, as I know that the blooming of all that greenery, etc., is going to set off Cassandra's allergies. The coughing, stuffy head, and asthma attacks are a sure fire sign that spring is 'in the air'.

There is also and indefinable 'something'. Every spring, at some point I pause and it hits me that the seasons have changed. I cannot put a finger on what it is . . . just that my whole being suddenly comes out of hibernation and stretches.

Easter. The rise of my Savior over death is the best renewal!

April. My son's birthday is in April and that, of course, was an important day in my life.


If you’d like to participate in Aloha Friday, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants . . . it’s a great way to make new bloggy friends.

The Ultimate Blog Party 2009

The Ultimate Blog Party 2009

March 20th -27th

It is THE mom blogging event of the year. You don't want to miss it. If you want to grow your network, meet new friends, or promote your site, get ready for the Ultimate Blog Party 2009.

THE Destination for Virtual Partying!

It has become a tradition in the “momosphere.” It is the perfect event to build your network and have some serious blogging fun, all without stepping away from your life machine… err, computer.

The blogging life is about relationships — meaningful friendships that grow out of sharing who we are and getting to know one another. And like real life friendships, online friends need a place to meet and mingle. Some of my best online friends I met at our past Ultimate Blog Parties.

During the week of March 20-27th, the blogosphere will be partying carnival style, jumping through our Mr. Linky list of participating bloggers.

I will be there and I hope you will be there too.

I will be representing all four of my blogs -- All Things Cherished at http://allthingscherished.blogspot.com/, 365 Days of Christmas at http://365-days-of-christmas.blogspot.com/, 365 Days of Memories at http://365-days-of-memories.blogspot.com/, and 365 Days of Organization at http://365-days-of-organization.blogspot.com/ -- and each blog will have a prize giveaway too.

See you at the party.

Encounters

** Note: This is an intimate, controversial topic. **

People have sexual encounters for a variety of reasons. What is your reason? Because you have something in common? Yes, having something in common is a connection but is that a reason to have sex?

These days sexual encounters is so common and almost expressionless. I don't want my children growing up and having sexual encounters just because "it's the thing to do."

I think there has to be mutual respect, experiences shared, emotional involvement, in addition to true libidinous desire.

What scares me is that so many people, young and old, get involved in sexual encounters just because there is lust. Sometimes very little lust.

Many get involved in sexual encounters because of loneliness.

Lust

• Lust (or lechery) is an inordinate craving for coitus often to the point of assuming a self-indulgent, and sometimes violent character.
• Lust, or an immoderate desire for the flesh of another outside of matrimony, is considered a sin, or impure act.
• Lust, the an inordinate craving for sex; lechery.
• Synonyms: crave, hunger, thirst, starve, desire, want, sensual appetite, erotic hunger.

Is it worth your self-worth or your self-respect to have a fun few minutes?

I am not judging; I am talking from experience. My two biological children have two different fathers.

I love my children but both of their fathers have nothing to do with the children, not emotionally, physically, nor financially. Was it worth the few minutes of fun and sweat to deal with years of being a single mother? Yes. Because I have two beautiful children. No. Because I made a mistake and I have to admit that to my children often because they want to know why they don't have a father. Yes. Because my children are wonderful people and have a future full of promise. No. Because my life would of went down a different path and there will always be the unanswered "what ifs" in the back of my mind.

I write this from my heart and ask that you not judge my thoughts.

In case you don't know me, I do love my children and love them with all my heart (so please don't get the wrong idea when reading my ramblings).

Thought of the Day - 3/12/09

Thursday Thirteen #9

Last week, I wrote about why I don't like being a single mother. I apologize for such a negative list but the list was written in jest. This week, my list is about why I do, in fact, like being a single mother.

Thank you to so many that sent prayers and positive thoughts concerning my being a single mother and for my children.

13 Things I Do Like about Being a Single Mother:

1. I named my children.
2. My children have my last name.
3. I get the undivided attention of my children.
4. My children get my undivided attention.
5. I get all the hugs, kisses, and "pats on the back."
6. My children know they can count on me to help them and be there for them.
7. I don't have to discuss my decisions about parenting with anyone else if I don't want to.
8. I get to tuck them into bed and get the first kiss and last kiss every night.
9. I get to wake them and thank God for another day with my children every morning.
10. I get to learn something new everyday thanks to the new discoveries my children share with me.
11. I get to teach them and share with them my interests, such as photography, scrapbooking, and crafting.
12. They get to teach me and share with me their interests, such as dinosaurs, football, dancing, and "new" music.
13. I get to hear all the "I love yous" and treasure them in my heart.

Go to Thursday Thirteen to see the fun, interesting 13 lists of others.

Flip the Switch for Earth Hour

Flip the Switch for Earth Hour

On March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM Local Time

With just 19 days left until we turn off the lights on March 28, Earth Hour is continuing to grow in the US and around the world. Here's a quick update on some of the recent developments:

Washington, D.C. will join nearly 1,000 cities around the world in going dark for Earth Hour. The word came last week from the District's Environment Director, George Hawkins, who said Earth Hour was "a symbolic but important step in showing the world we're serious about the climate." At 8:30 PM, officials will turn off non-essential lighting on buildings and facilities owned by the city.

A total of 44 US cities and towns have now pledged to "turn out" for the largest climate event in history, with more signing up each day. A complete list of cities can be found at the Earth Hour map.

While the US is off to a good start . . . we've got some major catching up to do with countries much smaller than ours. Australia is the current leader with 144 cities signed up, but France is a close second with 137. Canada, boasting a total population about one-tenth of ours, has 96 cities signed up, while Italy has 77 and Denmark has 58. Come on, America! There's still plenty of time to bring Earth Hour to your hometown, school, campus, or organization. Visit tool kits for tools, tips and information.

The acclaimed actor and environmental activist, Edward Norton, supports WWF's climate change campaign by agreeing to become the official Earth Hour Ambassador for the US. He joins a list of notables that includes Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Janeane Garofalo, Melissa Etheridge, Alanis Morissette, Cate Blanchett, Jo Dee Messina, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Kathy Mattea and many more.

Get your children involved in saving the world through Earth Hour Kids.

Thought of the Day - 3/11/09

Attitude
is a little thing
that makes
a big difference.

Thought of the Day - 3/10/09

What is a friend?
A single soul dwelling in two bodies.
~~ Aristotle ~~

Friends Without Faces

We sit and we type, and we stare at our screens.
We all have to wonder, what this possibly means.

With our mouse we roam, through the rooms in a maze,
Looking for something or someone, as we sit in a daze.

We chat with each other, we type all our woes;
Small groups we do form, and gang up on our foes.

We wait for somebody to type out our name.
We want recognition, but it is always the same.

We give kisses and hugs, and sometimes flirt.
In IMs we chat deeply and reveal why we hurt.

We do form friendships, but why, we don't know
How some of these friendships will flourish and grow.

Why is it that on screen we can be so bold,
Telling our secrets, that have never been told?

Why is it we share the thoughts in our mind
With those we can't see, as though we were blind.

The answer is simple; it is clear as a bell.
We all have our problems, and need someone to tell.

We can't tell real people, but tell someone we must.
So we turn to the computer, and to those we can trust.

Even though it is crazy. The truth still remains.
They are "friends without faces" and odd little names.

Simply Healthy

We all strive to be healthier so I will share some simple tips on how to be fit, strong, healthy, vigor, capable, and competent people. These ideas are short on time but long on healthiness.

Start your day right.
Breakfast can help prevent a headache.

Thought of the Day - 3/9/09

If you want to be happy for a year, win the lottery.
If you wan to be happy for life, love what you do.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Women Are Smarter

Three men came across a female genie who promised to grant each man a wish.

The first man said, "I wish were 25 percent smarter." The genie blinked, and the man said, "I feel smarter already."

The second man said, "I wish I were 50 percent smarter." The genie blinked, and the man exclaimed, "That's wonderful. I know things now that I didn't know before."

The third man said, "I'd like to be 100 percent smarter." The genie blinked, and the man changed into a woman."


Join me in making Mondays funnier and brighter by sharing some laughs via jokes, cartoons, stories, etc. Add your link below. Please do not add the link to your front page but to the actual post.

Thought of the Day - 3/8/09

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
~~ Mother Teresa ~~