Haiti Relief Effort

On January 12, 2009, Haiti was struck by the largest earthquake the island nation has ever seen. The Red Cross estimates that 45,000-50,000 people have died as a result of the 7.0 quake. As rescue workers dig through the aftermath for survivors, millions are left homeless in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country.

Examiner.com (who I write for)  has published a resource page full of information on this catastrophic event that includes ongoing coverage and information on how individuals can contribute to the relief efforts in Haiti:

• You can simply text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross' Haiti relief initiative.
• For ongoing Examiner.com coverage of this devastating event, you can subscribe to the RSS feed.
• Examiner.com is also donating to the cause with contributions to Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross. 

My hearts and thoughts go out to the millions of people affected by this horrific situation.

Thought of the Day - 1/16/10

When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.

~~ Walt Disney ~~

What Makes You Fabulous?

You Are Fabulously Friendly

You're nice to everyone you come across, even if they aren't being particularly nice to you. You genuinely like others. You love your friends, and you're happiest when you're a social butterfly. You always have a smile, joke, or kind word for someone. You're kind to everyone, even if they aren't very friendly back. You are simply a people person. You naturally make friends with almost everyone you meet.

What Makes You Fabulous?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Thought of the Day - 1/15/10

Peace comes not because your prayer has been answered exactly as you prayed it,
but because you shifted your focus and the burden of responsibility onto Him.
~~ Christopher Parkening ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/14/10

The dearest ones of time,
the strongest friends of the soul -- books.
~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/13/10

Every sunrise is a message from God.
Every sunset, God's signature.
~~ William Arthur Ward ~~

How to Say No

Are you suffering from mom burn out? Do you struggle just to make it through each day? Moms everywhere are breaking down because they are too chicken to say, "No".


"No" may be a tiny, two-letter word, but it can be your secret weapon. And you can say it. Here are some ways you can say "no" without feeling guilty about it:

Sorry, I’m taking a break.
The number one reason why you should say, "no" occasionally is simply that you deserve a break. You are chef, chauffeur, dish washer, and more. You job never ends on any given day of the week. You deserve a break. If you feel bad for saying "no", say, "Sorry, I’m taking a break".

My schedule is full.
We tend to jam-pack our schedule full of activities, leaving time for nothing. Cut back on your kids activities. Start a car pool and share driving responsibilities. Do whatever you can to free up some time in your schedule.

I don’t have time.
You’re headed out the door, rushing to the next appointment when the telephone rings. What do you do? Do you come to a screeching halt and answer the phone? Let’s say you do, and it’s a family member, calling to dump their latest woes on you. Do you stand, tapping your foot impatiently while you roll your eyes and listen to the sob story? This is a typical scene for many moms.

I have another commitment that day.
Say it and mean it. Regularly schedule in time with your family or time alone and if someone ask for your help during that time look in your planner and tell them you have another commitment.

Instead of rushing to be everything to everyone, stop. Ask yourself if you truly have time for whatever comes up. If not, say no by walking away, turning off the ringer on the phone, or not answering the knock at your door.

Always remember that you are a mom — not a super hero. When you have to say no, people will understand; if they don’t at first, they will get used to it eventually.

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Favorite Things About Christmas 2009

1. My children still believe in Santa Claus.
2. The gifts my children pick out for me from the school's Santa Shoppe or when I take them to the dollar store.
3. The surprises.
4. The happiness and laughter of my children as they open their gifts.
5. The help from agencies so I am able to buy gifts for my children.
6. The time spent with friends.
7. Our annual Open House.
8. I got 42 trees up and decorated.  Whoo hoo!
9. The annual baking of dozens of cookies.  This year a new friend helped us bake.
10. The fuzzy feeling I get when giving gifts to my friends.

Join Amanda, our hostess, and others as we list our Top Ten lists.

Tuesday Toot #15

This month I started a new blog titled 365 Days of Photos.  Description of blog:  Follow my life via photographs . . . the good, the bad, the ugly, the ordinary, and the extraordinary . . . photographs of little things and important things . . . photographs of people important to me, photographs of my life.  Join me every day for a new photo.

We, as mothers, have problems praising ourselves, so Tuesday Toot is a good way to take the time each week to "toot our own horns."  Join us at Tuesday Toot and see the good that we are all doing.

Thought of the Day - 1/12/10

When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
~~ John Muir ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/11/10

Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.  Dream.  Discover.
~~ Mark Twain ~~

I've Learned

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you.

All you can do is be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.

I've learned that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.
And it's not the end of the world.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that it's not what you have in your life,
but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you'd better know something.

I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself
to the best others can do,
but to the best you can do.

I've learned that it's not what happens to people,
It's what they do about it.

I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it,
there are always two sides.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned that you can keep going
long after you think you can't.

I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done
When it needs to be done
regardless of the consequences.

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don't know how to show it.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken,
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean that they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual
ahead of their actions.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.

I've learned that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.

I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of minutes
by people who don't even know you.

I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that writing,
as well as talking,
can ease emotional pains.

I've learned that the people you care most about in life
are taken from you too soon.

I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice
and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

I've learned to love
and be loved.

I've learned . . .

Thought of the Day - 1/10/10

Faith blesses my day and paves my way.