All Things Cherished

Thought of the Day - 3/3/10

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.
~~ Jonathan Swift, Author ~~

1. Wake Up! Decide to have a good day. Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart. I Samuel 16:7

3 . Shut Up! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. He who guards his lips guards his soul. Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good. Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up! To the Lord. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up! For something higher. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up! Your Prayers. Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Philippians 4:6

Thought of the Day - 3/2/10

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.
~~ Henry Miller ~~

5 Items Every Woman Should Have

A signature perfume.
A bra that actually fits.
A power drill.
A great go-to recipe.
A copy of Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman.

Thought of the Day - 3/1/10

When you are through changing, you are through.
~~ Bruce Barton ~~

Scrapbooking Again

Whoo hoo! I am been in such an uncreative, funky mood for a while now that I was scared that I'd never get back to scrapbooking. This month I created four fanciful bookmarks for my (boy)friend as a Valentine's gift. I also created a beautiful mini album for my daughter. Check out the What I Love About Cassandra album over at my 365 Days of Memories blog.

Thought of the Day - 2/28/10

If you can't change your fate, change your attitude.
~~ Amy Tan ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/27/10

Angels are never too shy to tell you that they love you.

Thought of the Day - 2/26/10

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
~~ Franklin D. Roosevelt ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/25/10

A powerful agent is the right word.
~~ Mark Twain ~~

Invisible

You don’t know me. I live in the house next door.  I’m the one who never turns the music on too loud. You like that, but it’s one of those things you don’t notice. Like your heart. You don’t notice your heart until it malfunctions, until it seizes up trying to find the next beat, shoots pain through your body like an electric current. Or until it breaks. You notice your heart when it breaks.

You don’t know me because I am invisible. I look like everyone else who is invisible. Not like the homeless woman who sleeps under the tarp out back of the local church.  She’s not invisible. She’s homeless. You see her and look away. She makes you uncomfortable. She makes you wonder how it feels to sleep on a sidewalk under a tarp in the February snow. Or else she makes you frantic, eager to fill your mind with other thoughts (like your to-do list, your meeting tomorrow, your kid’s soccer game on Saturday).

Either way, looking at her, or looking away, you see her, the homeless woman. She’s not invisible.

But I’m not out there on the street. Invisible people live in houses and apartment buildings. We have beds and refrigerators and windows with blinds on them. We have mailboxes close enough to yours that every now and then you get our mail by mistake. Flipping through your stack, you come to an electric bill for me and what registers for you is not my name, but only how the letters don’t arrange themselves into yours.

You don’t know me. You don’t know that my car’s in the shop so I’ve been walking.  You pass me every morning on your way to get your morning coffee.

I wanted to tell you about my car. Because we’re neighbors, and because it turns out I don’t really mind walking -- when the weather isn't too hot or too cold -- so I’m thinking I’ll do it even after my car gets fixed. I think you’d like that. You seem like someone who cares about the planet.

You’d say, "Wow, that’s great," and you’d mean it. Maybe we’d hug. People hug a lot now. I like it when that happens, spontaneous public affection. But when you’re invisible, certain things are hard, like saying, "Hey, I’m your neighbor," to the person in front of you at grocery store.

You don’t know me. I live in the house next door.  I walk quietly, read, eat, listen to the television quietly. Every now and then, I feel an urge to break the quiet wide open. Turn up the music impossibly loud, dance, stomp, cry, scream. I imagine you next door.  Surprised. Suddenly aware of your neighbor.

"What the heck?" you’d say, and maybe you’d knock on the door, but I wouldn’t hear it because I’m doing so much banging, splashing through my house that’s filling up with my tears and the words I never say, and me. Me.

And when the water started to leak through the front door, you’d pound on my door to be heard. I’d open the door and you’d start to speak, "What the?" but the words would get stuck in your throat because there’d I’d be, breathless, hoarse, wet, reborn.

You’d recognize me. You’d see me. You’d know me then.

Originally published in Making Me (magazine).

Thought of the Day - 2/24/10

Count your blessings, not your crosses,
Count your gains, not your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes,
Count your friends instead of your foes.

Thought of the Day - 2/23/10

Cherish each smile, each laugh, and each tear.
You blink your eyes and one day becomes a year.

Thought of the Day - 2/22/10

The love of a child makes you change
And become all that they will aspire to.
The blessing of a child makes you appreciate life.
~~ Lisa Billings ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/21/10

Freedom is my greatest asset.

Thought of the Day - 2/20/10

A child is the greatest poem ever known.
~~ Christopher Morley ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/19/10

The most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
~~ Helen Keller ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/18/10

Hope is a good thing,
maybe the best of things,
and no good thing ever dies.
~~ Stephen King ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/17/10

When I see you
smiling
ear to ear
I look at the world
in a whole new way . . .
and the important things in life
become clearer.

Thought of the Day - 2/16/10

To the world you may be one person,
but to one peson you may be the world.

Thought of the Day - 2/15/10

The way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. So think first, judge later.
~~ Norman Vincent Peale ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/14/10

I love you, and because I love you, I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies.
~~ Piero Aretino ~~

Happy Valentine's Day

The Awakening

A time comes in your life when you finally get it -- when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out -- ENOUGH. Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it’s time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety, and security to magically appear over the next horizon.

You realize that in the real world there aren’t always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you . . . and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you are and that’s OK. Others are entitled to their own views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself, and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

Your stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you -- or didn’t do for you -- and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and everything isn’t always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself, and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties, and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing, and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you’ve outgrown or should never have 'bought' into to begin with.

You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing, and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a 'consumer' looking for you next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don’t know everything, it’s not your job to save the world. You learn the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say "no."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over, and ignoring your needs.

You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drinking more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline, and perseverance. You learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it’s OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to giving in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn’t always fair, you don’t always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people, and you lean not to always take it personally.

You learn that nobody’s punishing you and everything isn’t always somebody’s fault. It’s just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You lean that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted -- things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about -- a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, and a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart’s desire.

You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

Finally, with courage in you heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

Thought of the Day - 2/13/10

Don't let any obstacle stop you. Always remember that you have the spiritual and mental qualities within you that can overcome even the seemingly impossible.
~~ Norman Vincent Peale ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/12/10

Faith power in the mind,
like adrenaline in the body,
can release amazing powers within you in crises.
~~ Norman Vincent Peale ~~

Different Sides of Me

This barely counts as a post. My apologies. No real reason. No life shattering drama, just a rough day in the life of this Mom. My world isn't so different from yours. It's not more difficult. It's not busier. It's just life, and life today -- and the past several days -- was hard.

I was not a great Mom today, and it was one of those tough days where I didn't care . . . at least, not at the time. Now I feel the pangs of guilt, the sting of my tone, and pray for the hope of short memories. I am sorry for them and to you. But there it is.

Let me just ask you this ---> Are you friends with those in your own home? Are you friends with your family?

Today I would have to say "no".

I have a bad habit of being too real with the sweet people who share my immediate space.

On more than one occasion my friend has said, "You don't talk to others this way."

She is right. I am not confrontational. I am regretfully happy. I am not so easily angered. I don't get my feelings hurt very often. I love my friends, and I want them to love me.

At home, I AM different than my public persona. Maybe more real, but certainly less long-suffering.

Thought of the Day - 2/11/10

Set aside a few minutes every day to say aloud such words as "exciting, dynamic, marvelous, fabulous, terrific."
~~ Norman Vincent Peale ~~

PLR

PLR Gift and How to Use It

Private label rights content, better known as PLR, is the best go between for days you just don’t want to write up full blog posts on your own but you don’t want to publish "copy and paste" stuff or use other people’s work either. You can get PLR pretty inexpensively from various places on a variety of topics. Sometimes, you get sweet deals like the FREE PLR below.

Computer Buying Tips
This is a report which you can break up into smaller chunks to make a blog series or add to your freebie list.

It is best you read the can and cannots by the PLR provider before you use them. Generally, they are pretty liberal with the terms. Some suggestions on using the above PLR:

Break it up into chunks to make a nice week-long series of posts.
Break it up into chunks to feed into your email autoresponder as a mini-ecourse.
Use is as a freebie download with or without subscribing to your email list.
Send it to your customers or list subscribers as a bonus or thank you.
Make an audio or video recording based on the reports.
You could do more than one of the above. Don't limit yourself.

Thought of the Day - 2/10/10

Celebrate the beauty of your dreams
and forever hold close the private treasures of your heart.

Thought of the Day - 2/9/10

A thankful heart is a happy heart.

Thought of the Day - 2/8/10

A baby is God's opinion that life should go on.
~~ Carl Sandburg ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/7/10

Our family is a circle
of strength and love.
With every birth
and every union,
the circle grows.
Every crises faced together
makes the circle stronger.
Every joy
adds more love.

Thought of the Day - 2/6/10

Life brings simple pleasures to us. Every day. It is up to us to make them wonderful memories.
~~ Cathy Allen ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/5/10

A winning attitude is . . .
I CAN make it work.
I WANT the responsibility.
I'll never know until I TRY.
I'M READY to learn something new.

Thought of the Day - 2/4/10

One person can make a difference!

Thought of the Day - 2/3/10

After all is said and done, more is said than done.
~~ Larry Wingate ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/2/10

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
~~ Confucian proverb ~~

Thought of the Day - 2/1/10

Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.

Thought of the Day - 1/31/10

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.
~~ Lin Yutung ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/30/10

Words and pictures can work togther to communicate more powerfully than either alone.
~~ William Allard ~~

Thought of the Day 1/29/10

Gratitude is good. The more you are thankful for, the more you will have to be thankful for. God responds to a grateful heart with joy.

Friday Fill-Ins #6

1. Wouldn't it be easy to just go back to bed and sleep.

2. My faith in God is better than ever!

3. I love the taste of chocolate. I am a chocoholic.

4. The traditional Chritmas tree is in the living room.

5. The first thing we're going to do is pray.

6. Drop, drip, drip, drip; drop.

7. Tonight I'm looking forward to staying home (out of the frigid cold), tomorrow my plans include taking down more of the Christmas tree and decor and Sunday, I want to scrapbook.

To participate go to Friday Fill-Ins.

New Year Resolutions Or Not

Resolutions Vs. Goals

Resolution

A written motion adopted by a deliberative body.
The ability to distinguish peaks in a mass spectrum.
The replacement of one longum with two brevia.
A rule of inference used for automated theorem proving.

New Year's Resolution
A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day.

Goal

A goal or objective is a projected state of affairs that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve.
A personal or organizational desired end.
Point in some sort of assumed development.
Many people endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting deadlines.

After reading the definitions of resolutions and goals, I prefer the word goal. I can achieve a goal; not sure (using the definition above) that I can achieve a resolution.

1. Do you make New Year's resolutions?
Not usually. I know for myself I will most likely fail in trying to complete the resolutions.

I like using the word goal . . . so if I fail to complete my goal it doesn't seem to be as hard of a failure. The word goal -- to me -- is more positive, more attainable, more focused.

I do not set goals every year. The main reason fo not setting new goals each year has to do with attitude. If I am not in the "right" mind-set, I cannot try or attain a particular goal .

This year my list of goals is long. With my renewed faith in God and myself and the support of wonderful friends, I know I can achieve these goals.
A. Stop drinking Mt. Dew. -- Already accomplised!!!
B. Stop social smoking.
C. Pray every day.
D. Spend more time reading the Bible and doing Bible study.
E. Walk.
F. Be a better parent.
G. Maintain contact with family.
H. Minimize the amount of pills needed daily.
I. Enjoy life!

2. How many resolutions do you make?
See above for answer.

3. Do you keep them (the resolutions)?
Depends on what it is.

4. If you break them, how long do they usually last?
Varies.

5. What are your New Year's resolutions are for 2010?
See answer for #1.

6. Do you think you will keep your resolutions for 2010?
I sure hope so because my life and my children's lives will be better and more enriched if I do keep my goals.

I've added this post (because it's full of questions) to Aloha Friday. Head on over to Kailani's blog and check out all the fun questions and answers.

What's Your True Passion

Your True Passion is Art

You feel most alive when you are creating or appreciating art. Art truly feeds your soul.

You love expressing yourself artistically, and it's likely that you dabble in many creative activities.

Even when you aren't channeling your inner artist, you enjoy brainstorming and collaborating with others.

You believe the world is what you make of it, and you want to make it as beautiful and interesting as possible.

What's Your True Passion?

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Thought of the Day - 1/28/10

Life's most urgent question is:
What are you doing for others?
~~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/27/10

Peace begins with a smile.
~~ Mother Teresa ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/26/10

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.
~~ Seneca ~~

Computer Tips #15 - Erase Files Forever

This is one of those high value freebies that come by once in a while but not too often. Share this with your readers right away because it will expire January 31, 2010. This is a software that truly and completely removes data that you want to delete. When you delete documents, pictures, cookies, or your internet history, it is still there on your hard drive -- it is not completely gone. You don’t see it, the computer tells you it’s gone, but it is still there. That’s not good if you truly want that data erased permanently. East-Tec Eraser can do that. They are giving away the 2009 version. We don’t always have to have the latest and greatest to get things done, right? Especially when this software costs $49.95 regularly.

Find out how to get it here thanks to the guys at TechSupportAlert.com.

Thought of the Day - 1/25/10

Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.
~~ Benjamin Spock ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/24/10

Studies suggest that we decide how close a relationship we will have with a new acquaintance within the first ten minutes of meeting that person, and that in evaluating people, we weigh early information more heavily than information aquired later. So, make a big effort to be openly friendly the first time you meet someone.

SparkPeople Challenge

As you may know, I am an active member of the popular healthy-living website, SparkPeople.com. In an effort to help SparkPeople live out their mission of helping millions of people reach their goals and live healthier lives, I have joined a contest they're holding called "The Spark Free Chapter Challenge." If you have one minute to spare, I could use your help, because I REALLY want to win!

So here's the deal with the challenge…

Chris Downie, SparkPeople's CEO and founder, recently published a book called "The Spark" that offers a proven new approach to improving your health, transforming your life and reaching your goals (for example, real people have lost over 10 million pounds using their free online program)!

People like me who are helping them "Spread The Spark" through The Spark Free Chapter Challenge are encouraging our friends and family to download a FREE chapter of "The Spark" book. And for every person I can encourage to download the chapter, I will get an additional chance to win a $500 weekend getaway and other prizes, as well as something they offer called "SparkPoints," which also help motivate me to reach my goals.

All you have to do to help is download a free chapter from The Spark book. Nothing else. To do so, simply go here and click the button to download your free chapter.

If you would be willing to help me with this, I would truly appreciate it, and I also think you will enjoy reading this free chapter from "The Spark". I know I did!

Thought of the Day - 1/23/10

Friendship is the act of supporting someone without condition or without thought for gain.

~~ Kathy Ireland ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/22/10

Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.
~~ Albert Schweitzer ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/21/10

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
~~ Author Unknown ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/20/10

Step forward.
Leave an impression.

~~ Emilie ~~

Thought of the Day - 1/19/10

Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.
~~ Walt Disney ~~

The Snowflake Test

You Are Unique Because You're Clever

Unlike most people, you are able to draw interesting connections and come up with amazing theories.

You are able to take in a lot of information at once. You can see patterns where others can't.

You are rare in your ability to think without boundaries or preconceptions. The whole world is open to you.

Like a snowflake, you are happy to contribute to something great. You like feeling that you matter a little.

The Snowflake Test

Blogthings: We're Not Shrinks, But We Play Them On the Internet

Organizing Printables For Moms

Moms are the ultimate managers. They often manage everyone and everything in their homes, from planning the kids’ lunches to keeping track of the family’s money. It’s not always easy to keep things running smoothly. That’s why many moms need a little help now and then. If you find that you need something to help you organize, you may want to download these printables.

Thought of the Day - 1/18/10

Want New Friends?

8 Ways to Make Yourself More Likable

You can't actually make someone like you, but you can behave in ways that will make you more likable.

We all want to feel that other people enjoy being with us. Having close relationships is one of the most meaningful elements to happiness. It's not always easy to make friends, however. To form a friendship, you must like someone -- and you must also be likable.

How can you boost the chances that someone will like you? Here are eight stragegies to keep in mind -- not ways to manipulate people or to be fake -- but to make sure that your desire to be friendly effectively shines through:

Smile. Studies do show that the amount of time you smile during a conversation has a direct impact on how friendly you are perceived. People mimic the expressions on the faces they see, so if you smile, you are more likely to be smiled at. (Scientists have identified 19 types of smiles.)
Be easily impressed, entertained, and interested. Most people get more pleasure from wowing you with their humor and insight than from being wowed by your humor and insight.
Have a friendly, open, and engaged demeaner. Lean toward people, nod, say "Uh-huh," turn your body to face the other person's body. Don't turn your body away, cross your arms, answer in monosyllables, or scan the room as the other person talks.
Remember trait transfer. In "trait transfer," whatever you say about other people influences how people see you. If you describe a co-worker as brilliant and charismatic, your acquaintance will tend to associate you with those qualities. Conversely, if you describe a co-worker as arrogant and obnoxious, thos traits will stick to you, so watch what you say.
Laugh at yourself. Showing vulnerability and a sense of humor makes you more likable and approachable.
Radiate energy and good humor. People catch the emotions of other people (called emotional contagion) and people prefer to catch an upbeat, energetic mood.
Show your liking for another person. We're much more apt to like someone if we think that person likes us.
Remember the person's name. Here are some tips for to help you remember.

Thought of the Day - 1/17/10

Laughter is America's most important export.
~~ Walt Disney ~~

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

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

365 Days of Photos

I've been wanting to do this project for several years now and I am determined this year to actually follow through on this project.

Check out my new blog, 365 Days of Photos, to see a new photo each day that represents me and my life.

Arthritis News

Health care reform is important to all of us, click here to read how the Arthritis Foundation is taking action to take care of the of 46 million Americans with arthritis. Contact your Senator and Representatives and let them know what we all need in the health care reform bill to benefit people suffering with arthritis and related issues. For more arthritis advocacy information visit Arthritis Foundation.

Thought of the Day - 1/9/10

Assert your right to make a few mistakes. If people can't accept your imperfections, that's their fault.
~~ Dr. David Burns ~~

Continues

The Thought of the Day column will continue throughout 2010. By an overwhelming 85% readers, like you, want to see the TOD continue to be a daily column and 100% of those voted want to see the TOD continue. Thanks to all those that voted!

Thought of the Day - 1/8/10

Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labors is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our own versatility in being able to fail in so many different ways.
~~ Samuel Crothers ~~

Freebie of the Month - January

The Polly Klaas Foundation's FREE Internet Safety Kit will help you, as parents, keep children safer online and will help you open communications about the Internet with your children. Click here to order.

Parties With a Purpose

The Giving Book shows children the power of their actions and encourages them to help others and make the world a better place. The Hero Book helps children discover the traits they admire in their role models and to celebrate the hero within themselves. The Autism Acceptance Book and its sequel, The Special Needs Acceptance Book, help children better understand and accept people who may seem different or behave in unfamiliar ways. The Healing Book helps children and families deal with the loss of a loved one by expressing their feelings and capturing their memories. The Greening Book inspires children to build a friendship with the earth so that they may appreciate its gifts, learn about its needs, and protect its treasures. The Healthy Body Book engages children in a journey that will help them learn about, and appreciate, their bodies as it inspires them to make healthy choices and form healthy habits.

So, whether it's for your child or the child of a friend, neighbor, colleague, or client, books are gifts that children will value and parents will appreciate.

Parties with Purpose
Planning a birthday party, a rainy-day get together, an activity for a group of children that you would like to be memorable, fun and inspiring? We developed “Parties with Purpose” Guides that can help you plan fun, themed parties while utilizing our books in a group setting. You can download these FREE guides in PDF format by choosing one of the options below:

The Giving Book “Parties with Purpose” Guide (240 KB PDF)
The Hero Book “Parties with Purpose” Guide (264 KB PDF)
The Greening Book “Parties with Purpose” Guide(322 KB PDF)
The Healthy Body Book “Parties with Purpose” Guide(518 KB PDF)

Tuesday Toot #14

In my continuing effort to toot my own horn, which I have a very difficult time doing, I added this list to the Tuesday Toot meme.

In case you missed my post, I quit drinking Mt. Dew this past Sunday night. I still have some side effects but slo-o-owly they are easing.

Top Ten Tuesday - Why I Love Him

In no particular order, my list contains the top ten reasons why I love this man (who will remain a secret).

Wonderful sense of humor.
Good father figure to my children.
Cares for me and my children.
Does things with his children, hands-on kind of father.
Lives a Christian life and has a strong faith in God.
Helps me (mostly) whenever I need it.
Fixes things around the house.
Great cuddling skills.
Great teasing skills.
Helps others on a daily basis.

To participate or to read others' Top Ten Lists, go to Amanda's blog, Oh Amanda.

Mommy Don't Drink

I have some unfortunate news, I lost a close friend today. We have been through a lot and we have had some good times and some bad times. I am sure we could have had many more good times, but my friend and I just aren’t good for each other. My friend's name is Mt. Dew. Yes, I am an ex now. I know Mt. Dew is bad for you with all the caffeine, sugar, and preservatives. Now it is getting expensive, but it tastes so darn good. The cold, the flavor, mmmmm, the first taste out of the can is so fantastic. The flavor goes with any meal, any snack, and its good all by itself. It gets me through the day, especially the tense, hectic, stressful days. Mt. Dew is enjoyable to have around but it is regrettable that he gives you things like high blood pressure, diabetes, tooth decay, and heart problems.

In the end it is probably good that Mt. Dew and I are no longer friends, but I am going to sorely miss him. Now I am an ex Mt. Dew drinker who wishes she was still a Mt. Dew drinker.

I am human and I have a rational side (sometimes) and my rational side will prevail (I hope). I know down the road I will be happy with this decision. I'll lose weight. I'll feel better physically and emotionally. I can stand proud and say, "I am an ex Mt. Dew drinker."

Thought of the Day - 1/2/10

Do something every day that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.
~~ Doug Firebaugh ~~

Thought of the Day - New Year's Day

You don't love someone because they are beautiful; you love them because their heart sings a song only yours can understand.

I know many of you like my Thought of the Day. I am glad to be able to share my thoughts with you. I am glad to provide the inspiration to challenge you to look inside of yourself to better yourself and to better your life. Now it is a new year and I want to know what my readers want. There is a poll above, so please vote so I know if I should continue my column in my blog.

A Time for Reflection

Each new year is the perfect time to pause and reflect -- to think about what we have done in the past year and think about what we want to do in the next year. What are you satisfied with and what changes would you like to make? Do you have new goals for the new year?

There are many things to think about, and reflection deserves your precious time, especially if you want to set goals for the new year. Without a plan, life just happens to you.

Would you like to spend more time with your family or with your friends? Would you like to eat healthier and exercise more? Do you want to learn more? Do you want to break a bad habit? Do you want to become more organized? Is there some place you've always wanted to go? Are there relationships you need to nurture or mend? Is there something you've always wanted to do but have put it off? Decide the changes you want to make and write them down. You are more likely to accomplish them if you do! Make the most of your life so it is fulfilling and full of the things you want and care about most.

They say your thoughts become your words -- your words become your actions -- and your actions become your destiny. Take time to make your life all YOU want it to be!

Thought of the Day - 12/31/09

Start living your life . . . stop looking at what you haven't got and start being thankful for what you do got!

Thought of the Day - 12/30/09

The fact is I regret my past, and I'm afraid of the future. But this is the present and I'm going to do the best I can to make it all worthwhile.

Thought of the Day - 12/29/09

I have bite marks on my tongue from all the things I should have said but didn't.

Thought of the Day - 12/28/09

Life isn't like a pencil, your mistakes can't be erased. Life is more like a pen, you can use whiteout to cover it up, but you'll be reminded of where you were mistaken.

Thought of the Day - 12/27/09

Your past is not who you are, it's who you were.

Thought of the Day - 12/26/09

I hope that, through my blogging (and photography and scrapbooking), I have been able to pass on my appreciation of the beauty of words. As adults we all need to stop occasionally and look at ourselves and our circumstances with an open mind and a sense of humor, and remember to appreciate the simple things in life, which are often the most important.

Thought of the Day - 12/25/09

Wish List

To our enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, our heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To ourselves, respect.
~~ Oren Arnold ~~