Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Tips for Parenting

Top Ten Tips for Parents of Children 6 - 12 Years Old

10.  Make your rules fair and consistent.  If you allow your child to break the rules, you send the message that rules are made to be broken.

9.  Your child needs your time, love, and guidance, even when she acts as if she doesn't care what you do or say.  Spend time with your child.  Take her to the grocery store, make dinner together, and talk about what she's watching on TV.

8.  Preteen kids are all about contradiction.  Their bodies may be maturing but they are still capable of having temper tantrums and need parents to remind them to take a bath/shower.

7.  Children at this stage are concerned about justice and following rules.  They see the world in black-and-white terms.  There are no gray areas!

6.  Peer pressure becomes very important during these years.  Don't downplay your child's wish to "fit in."  Get to know your child's friends and their parents, and keep tabs on where your child goes when he leaves the house.

5.  Help your child manage emotions and control his anger.  It will be an important skill for success later in life.

4.  Preteen kids can drive parents crazy by saying "I forgot" to almost every request.  They get sidetracked easily and often lack skills for organization.

3.  Offer lots of alternatives to TV and video games -- board games, books, sports, cooking, bike rides, walking, instruments -- to get kids active.  Praise kids when they choose these activities.

2.  When your child is in school, he will be exposed to lots of different people and experiences.  Teach your child how to be safe in the outside world and how to ask for help when she encounters problems at school or in the community.

1.  Don't wait for your child to learn about sexuality and drugs in school.  Educate yourself, and your child, about the change taking place in his body and how to resist peer pressure to use drugs or have sex.  Don't be afraid to share your values with your child and let him know what is important to you.

Thought of the Day - 10/4/10

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

~~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ~~

Test Your Parenting Knowledge

True or False?

1. Most children would do almost anything to get the attention of adults they love.
2. By the time a child is two years old, he understands, at least, 200 words.
3. Young children don't pay attention when adults around them are arguing.
4. Law states that children cannot stay alone until they are 12 years old.
5. When parents divorce, it's a good idea for them to confide in their children so the kids understand what the parents are going through.

Answers

1. True -- Even when children misbehave, they are getting attention from adults around them.  When we give them attention for good behavior, it's more likely they will continue to behave appropriately.
2. True -- Most children understand up to 300 words by the time they are two years old.  Children understand many more words than they speak.
3. False -- Kids see and hear lots more than we'd sometimes like.  Even if parents  try to hid what's going on, kids usually understand much more about adult tension than we might guess.  It is important to handle disagreements with as little yelling as possible and with absolutely no violence.
4. False -- There is no specific age stated in many states' laws.  Parents need to consider many factors before leaving a child alone after school or while they are out for the evening.  The age at which children can stay alone varies based on the maturity of the child, the home environments, expectations of parents, and other factors.
5. False -- Parents should give children age-appropriate explanation for the changes in their lives but not take the place of adult friendships for support.  It's important that kids not feel that they have to take care of their parents when the kids need help themselves.

Life Journal #1

Today's date:  10/3/10

Today I feel good about:  getting all of the laundry done, scrubbing the entry way, spending time with Cassandra going through books, not losing my cool with Cameron, getting some more stuff better organized.

Something new I experienced today:  An email from an old friend.

Today's news and weather happenings:  I didn't listen to the news today.  The weather is cold, raining, chilly.

People who touched my life today:  Cassandra helped with chores around the house without a fuss.

I was fortunate to receive today: Kisses and hugs from Cassandra, phone calls from my boyfriend, the grace of God to live another day.

What I did to touch someone's life today:  Prayed for others.

Plans for a better tomorrow:  Prayers that Cameron will be in a better mood.

Notes and Thoughts: 
Killing bugs and spiders is not in my job description (as a single mom).  Ugh. 
The sunsets are beautiful.  Need to take more photos of the sunsets.
I love Alan Free with all my heart!

Won't you join me in journaling your day?  Let me know in the comments section if you do this life journal so I can visit your blog.

Personal Life Journal

This is something I started a few years ago and, though, I do not write in this journal daily I do use it on a regular basis.

Feel free to use this journal in your life.  It helps give a new positive perspective on your life.  If sharing this with others, please give me credit as the author.


Today's date:

Today I feel good about:

Something new I experienced today:

The latest with friends and family:

Today's news and weather happenings:

People who touched my life today.

I was fortunate to receive today:

What I did to touch someone's life today:

Plans for a better tomorrow:

Notes and Thoughts:

School Evaluation

Nine out of ten students attend public schools, so parents need to speak up on issues affecting their child's classroom.  Learn how to advocate for public education and reach out to elected officials during Give Kids Good Schools Week -- October 10th through 16th -- by going to Give Kids Good Schools.  You can also see how your child's school stacks up against the rest.

Thought of the Day - 10/3/10

Nothing is more important than human relationships.

Thought of the Day - 10/2/10

If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.
~~ Tom Stoppard ~~

Simply Healthy #8

If you notice a pattern of headaches related to when you take your medicines, talk to your doctor about switching medicines.

Thought of the Day - 10/1/10

Blessed be childhood, which brings down something of heaven into the midst of our rough earthliness.
~~ Henri Amiel ~~

Thought of the Day - 9/30/10

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons.

Thought of the Day - 9/29/10

Lord, please help me today to uphold the standards You have set for our family, to enjoy my children as You do, and to truly know these precious souls that You have put in my care.  Amen.

Thought of the Day - 9/28/10

Live your life in such a way that it sends an unmistakable message that you care enough to make your children a daily priority.

Thought of the Day - 9/27/10

Be purposeful in your actions and words.

Computer Tips #17

Use quotes -- "like this" -- around a set of words in your query/search to match the words exactly.

Thought of the Day - 9/26/10

If we all lost our kids because of what we say, we would all lose our kids.

Thought of the Day - 9/25/10

Think of failure as a detour.  You made a wrong turn, but you can still reach your destination.

Thought of the Day - 9/24/10

Depression hurts.

Thought of the Day - 9/23/10

To look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first time or last time: Thus is your time on Earth filled with glory.

~~ Betty Smith ~~

Thought of the Day - 9/22/10

You cannot always control what goes on outside.  But you can always control what goes on inside.

~~ Dr. Wayne Dyer ~~

Thought of the Day - 9/21/10

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.

~~ Phyllis Diller ~~

Computer Tips #16

Highlight and delete all email addresses that are included in a message. Please protect your email friends by doing this so that spamers do not have access to their addresses. When forwarding a message use the BCC (blind copy) option . . . by doing this the spammers will see a name but not an email address.

Thought of the Day - 9/20/10

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.
~~ Mae West ~~

545 vs. 300,000,000

Charley Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgments made that impact each one of us every day.


545 vs. 300,000,000

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, why do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, why do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code.  Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy.  Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy.  The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings -- out of 300 million -- that are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he/she votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The President can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass the budget over his veto if they want to and agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million people can not replace the 545 people who stand convicted, by present facts, of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army and Marines are in Iraq, it's because they want them in Iraq.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let those 545 people con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses . . . provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Sales Tax
School Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Excise Taxes
Property Tax
Cigarette Tax
Medicare Tax
Inventory Tax
Real Estate Tax
Well Permit Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Inheritance Tax
Road Usage Tax
CDL License Tax
Dog License Tax
State Income Tax
Food License Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Social Security Tax
Service Charge Tax
Fishing License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Building Permit Tax
IRS Interest Charges
Hunting License Tax
Marriage License Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Property Tax
Accounts Receivable Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
State Unemployment Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax

Not one of these taxes (listed above) existed 100 years ago and our nation was the most prosperous in the world at that time. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and moms stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened? Can you spell p-o-l-i-t-i-c-i-a-n-s?


Adapted from an 545 People written by Charley Reese.

Dashing Through the Snow

Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

"In the picturesque village of Branscombe, New Hampshire, the townsfolk are all pitching in to prepare for the first Festival of Joy.  The night before the festival begins, a group of employees at the local market learn that they have won $180 million in the lottery.  One of their co-workers, Duncan, decided at the last minute, on the advice of a pair of crooks masquerading as financial advisers, not to play.  Then he goes missing.  A second winning lottery ticket was purchased in the next town, but the winner hasn't come forward.  Could Duncan have secretly bought it?

The Clarks' endearing heroes -- Alvirah Meehan, the amateur sleuth, and private investigator Regan Reilly -- has arrived in Branscombe for the festival They are just the people to find out what is amiss.  As they dig beneath the surface, they find that life in Branscombe is not as tranquil as it appears."


It was a fast, easy read.  It was very enjoyable but it lacked the intensity that is usually seen by both of these authors.

It was fun to see so many of my favorite characters (Alvirah & Willy, Regan & Jack, Nora & Luke) from both authors combined in this mystery.

Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 3.5

I was not compensated in any way for this review.

Thought of the Day - 9/19/10

Love cures people -- both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.

~~ Dr. Karl Menninger ~~

Around the 'Net - Kashless

Instead of splurging on brand new ice skates that your kids will soon outgrow or splurging on a brand new flute that your child will no longer be interested in playing in a few weeks, visit the newest exchange site Kashless.  You can get pretty much anything - sports equipment, school supplies, instruments, furniture, you name it -- for FREE from others. 

It's also a great way to clear away your own clutter.

Thought of the Day - 9/18/10

He who has health has hope.  He who has hope has everything.

~~ Arabian proverb ~~

Works for Me - Hang a Picture

I love sharing household tips and ideas that others may not have thought of, so I am going to share them with my dedicated readers and followers.

Hang a Picture
Need to hang a picture, but not quite sure where the wall stud is?  Studs are usually 16 to 24 inches apart, and you can find one by using an electric razor.  Turn on the razor and move it horizontally against the wall.  When the buzzing gets quieter, you are over a stud.  When the buzzing gets louder again, you've passed the stud.  You want to place your nail in the middle of the stud.

Bulk Blogging

I'd like to encourage you to try blogging in bulk, instead of blogging every day. Try blogging by the week or better yet by the month. It really relieves you of the stress of daily blogging. I have over 12 blogs and each are totally different from each other and different than your blog(s).  My personal goal for each blog is 2 - 3 posts per week. That is only 8 - 12 posts a month.  Everything else in addition to this amount is a bonus. Surely you have 8 - 12 things you can write about . . . right now.

Thought of the Day - 9/17/10

Appreciate EVERY moment!

Holistic Wisdom

Like many of you, I have seen my Aunt, Grandmother, Grandfather, and Mother suffer from cancer, and they all have passed from it.  So many amazing and beautiful women have been afflicted.  You need to be educated about breast cancer and practice preventive measures through diet and lifestyle.


Life is short and celebrating the pleasure of life is important!

Recycle That One Can

According to the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), the energy saved from recycling just one aluminum drink can is enough to power a 100-watt light bulb for 20 hours or a TV for two hours. 

Thought of the Day - 9/16/10

If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.

~~ Robert Marlowe ~~

Simply Healthy #7

When washing your hands, don't skip the soap.  Rinsing them with water alone, even hot water, doesn't get rid of bacteria and viruses.  Scrub your hands for 15 to 20 seconds, then dry them thoroughly, as germs attach more readily to, and multiply more quickly on, moist surfaces.  Then turn off the faucet with a paper towel, since that handle is often the dirtiest thing in a restroom.  If there isn't any soap, use the mini sanitizer you keep in your bag/purse.

Thought of the Day - 9/15/10

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.

~~ Abigail VanBuren ~~

Just 27 Words

The most powerful 27 words...

God, our Father, walk through my house and take away all my worries and illnesses and please watch over and heal my family in Jesus name.  Amen.

Around the 'Net - Trial X

Promising new treatments for common diseases may be within your reach years before they're available to the general public.  If you have a serious illness, like diabetes or cancer, consider joining a clinical trial.  Visit TrialX.com, a site that uses specific criteria to match you to a study.  Enter your personal info (age, gender, condition, and location), and you'll instantly receive a short list of relevant, nearby trials.  Print the details, bring them to your doctor to discuss, then email the researcher to apply.

Thought of the Day - 9/14/10

If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of payments.

Thought of the Day - 9/13/10

If you want something done, ask someone who is busy.

Thought of the Day - 9/12/10

If you want to be well liked never lie about yourself and be careful when telling the truth about others.

Thought of the Day - 9/11/10

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness . . . you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

Thought of the Day - 9/10/10

If you don't like something about yourself, change it.  If you can't change it, accept it.

~~ Ted Shackelford ~~

Thought of the Day - 9/9/10

If you go out looking for friends, you're going to find they are very scarce.  If you go out to be a friend, you'll find them everywhere.

~~ Zig Zigler ~~

Thought of the Day - 9/8/10

If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

Thought of the Day - 9/7/10

As long as youre going to be thinking anyway, THINK BIG.
~~ Donald Trump ~~

Thought of the Day - 9/6/10

If you have the desire, you are halfway there.
~~ E. Crique ~~

Thought of the Day - 9/5/10

If you have time to worry, you have time to pray.

Thought of the Day - 9/4/10

If you let go of the past, it no longer has a hold on you.

Thought of the Day - 9/3/10

If you only have the Word, you will dry up.
If you only have the Spirit, you will blow up.
But if you have the Word and the Spirit, you go up and grow up.

~~ Author Unknown ~~

How Spiritual Are You?

You Are Super Spiritual

You are in touch with the world around you, and you find peace in connecting with others. You believe that every life is special and that every life has a purpose. You value harmony and understanding. You try not to judge, bicker, and fight. As simple as it sounds, you truly think it's important to make the world a better place.

How Spiritual Are You?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

Thought of the Day - 9/2/10

When I was a child, I used to think a mistake was simply a mistake.  You make it, you pay for it, you move on.

Now, I think, some mistakes are like a pebble hitting a pond.  They start a small ripple, then get bigger and bigger, an exploding circle of mistakes, until they become a tidal wave and you simply drown.

Get Your Flag Ready

Please join the FLY THE FLAG campaign.  If you don't have a flag, get one... even a small flag will work.

On Saturday, September 11th, 2010, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this ninth anniversary of one our country's worst tragedies. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to  galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

So, here's what we need you to do . . .

Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then, at least, make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation.

God Bless You and God Bless America!!!

Thought of the Day - 8/31/10

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.

~~ Chinese proverb ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/30/10

If you have never been hated by your child,
you have never been a parent.

~~ Bette Davis ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/29/10

If you laugh a lot, when you get older your wrinkles will be in the right places.
~~ Andrew Mason ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/28/10

If you have much, give of your wealth;
if you have little, give of your heart.
~~ Arab proverb ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/27/10

If you depend on others to make you happy,
you will be endlessly disappointed.

Thought of the Day - 8/26/10

If you decide not to choose then you have already made the wrong choice.

Thought of the Day - 8/25/10

The distance between defeat and victory is measured by the distance it takes for us to fall on our knees before God in prayer.

Thought of the Day - 8/24/10

A parent's approval always matters, regardless of age.

Thought of the Day - 8/23/10

Buy a journal or start a blog. There is no better self-discovery tool.

Thought of the Day - 8/22/10

Sometimes I feel as if everybody else has come into the world with a set of instructions about how to live and someone had forgotten to give them to me. Sometimes I have no clue what I am supposed to feel, so much of the time I fake at being a human being, with no idea how other people feel. What is it like to really love someone? What is it like to really fit in or belong somewhere? I learned at an early age to give the impression of a normal, happy girl, but inside I have always felt lonely.

Thought of the Day - 8/21/10

I am one of the most unhelpless, self-sufficient people I know. Ask any man who has ever loved me. I do not want to depend on anybody for anything. I was taught it was wrong to depend on others. I have always taken care of myself. I didn’t want to need anybody.

Now I need to learn to depend on others and ask for help.

Thought of the Day - 8/20/10

I know that being in love all by yourself is the loneliest, most painful experience.

Thought of the Day - 8/19/10

You’ve heard the phrase: You can’t be too rich or too thin. Why doesn’t anyone say: You can be too poor or too fat?

Thought of the Day - 8/18/10

The problems we encounter that no one else seems to understand -- God sees.
The pain we feel -- God sees.
The tasks we perform for which no one thanks us or pats us on the back -- God sees.

Thought of the Day - 8/17/10

We can choose to accept the things we cannt change and learn to act on the things we can change.  We gain self-respect when we decide to stop blaming others for our dilemmas and start taking responsibility for our own choices.

Thought of the Day - 8/16/10

I don't have time to be this busy!

Thought of the Day - 8/15/10

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. 
Talk to the Shepherd.

Thought of the Day - 8/14/10

If you are willing to admit you are wrong when you are wrong, you are all right.

Thought of the Day - 8/13/10

If you are not enjoying your work, you should either change your attitude or change your job.
~~ Leo Tolstoy ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/12/10

If you are never scared, embarrassed, or hurt, it means you never take chances.

Thought of the Day - 8/11/10

I would do anything for you.

Continuing

Even though I was off-line, I continued to search and write my daily thoughts.  Over the next few days, I will be adding those thoughts to the blog.

Thought of the Day - 8/10/10

When I saw you the first time, I had no way of knowing how incredibly special you are on the inside.  How wise, how good.  I didn't know that I could feel the way I do -- whole and complete -- whenever I am with you.

I'm Back

Due to my health issues getting worse and a totally unexpected and difficult move, I have been off-line for four months.  I am truly sorry for being MIA.  I am so glad to be back on-line and can't wait to get back into blogging.  

Thought of the Day - 8/9/10

If you are headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.

Thought of the Day - 8/8/10

If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.

Thought of the Day - 8/7/10

When a young woman can hear, see, and feel the love of her Father in heaven, she is changed.  Like a caterpillar emerges from a cocoon as a butterfly, a young woman can fly into womanhood in beauty and valor if we help her grasp the love of God.

~~ Pam Farrel ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/6/10

Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden,
Like the heaven above.

~~ Julia Carney ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/5/10

Everyone loves to be loved.
~~ Mark Spitz ~~

Thought of the Day - 8/4/10

Nothing happens until all conditions are right.

Thought of the Day - 8/3/10

Today's thought of the day is dedicated to all of those who were so helpful and thoughtful one year ago when my mother passed away.

Perhaps you sent a lovely card,
Or sat quietly in a chair.
Perhaps you sent a floral piece,
If so, we saw it there.
Perhaps you spoke the kindest words,
As any friend could say.
Perhaps you were not there at all,
Just thought of us that day.
Whatever you did to console our hearts,
We thank you so much whatever the part.


I miss you, Mom!

Thought of the Day - 8/2/10

Everyone needs to learn to love him/herself.

Thought of the Day - 8/1/10

Ironic that the things men would do for love could be so much worse than the things they'd do out of hate.

Thought of the Day - 7/31/10

Puzzled, my friend got up and looked in the basket.  There were many bottles of pills.  She read the dates and names of the pills on the bottles.  The date on some of the bottles was almost a year ago, but the bottles looked almost full. 

"I don't understand," she said.

"I have many bad days that bring me back crashing to earth.  What's a pill going to do about that!," I said.  "I'm afraid I'll take those pills and it won't get any better.  That nothing will change and what will I have to to look forward to then.  What will I hope for then?"

The haunted look on my face undid her.  I broke and she took me into her arms, cradling my head, and rocking me against her.

Thought of the Day - 7/30/10

Encouragement is so much easier when it is reciprocated.

Thought of the Day - 7/29/10

Images flashed, nothing I could help or stop, snatches of our romance, but it isn't the romantic part that I remembered most.  It was those homey moments, him fixing things around the house, me shaving his head, the way he has to eat so slowly, the way we both love pizza... I thought about how he was the only person in my life who didn't expect me to be the strong one all the time.  I thought about how safe I used to feel when I was in his arms.  I thought about how charming he is.

Thought of the Day - 7/28/10

I wonder if the problem is really his job or his guilt . . . or if we had unconsciously conspired together to keep a safe distance from a relationship that has all the potential to be lasting and real.

Thought of the Day - 7/27/10

Life is an adventure. It’s a wild ride through our 20s, 30s, and beyond. From the changing landscape of relationships to possibly marriage and motherhood; physical, financial, and emotional swings; to the lessons learned along the way, it’s generally not for the weak or wimpy, and definitely not for those traveling through life alone.


Thankfully, we have our girlfriends. From old friends who have known us for years, through relationships, hairstyles, and a variety of jeans sizes . . . to new friends we love connecting with, learning about/from, and with whom we enjoy watching our friendship grow.

Thought of the Day - 7/26/10

I am an impulsive, let-it-all-hang-out, emotional person.

Thought of the Day - 7/25/10

I am a mother!  That was the bottom line.  The mothering part of her was strong . . . so strong there is a tendency for it to squeeze out everything else.

Thought of the Day - 7/24/10

My pleasure in the day has returned.  I can't sort through the reasons and come up with the right one, but it had something to do with being included, and sharing, and being a part of a whole.

Thought of the Day - 7/23/10

Every child should have a dog.  You can't pick a better Christmas present to teach a child the true meaning of love.  Try spelling dog backward . . . it spells God.  A dog is always sad when you leave it and happy when you come back-- never asking where you were in between -- just as long as you come home.

Thought of the Day - 7/22/10

Love doesn't come easy -- not the kind of love that lasts.  It requires work and effort from both parties involved.

Thought of the Day - 7/21/10

Christmas is all about God and love.  It's something you cannot see or touch, but you have to have faith.

Thought of the Day - 7/20/10

There are days I wonder if I had the right to bring my children into this world.  (Look at all the problems: Kids deal with much more stuff in this generation.  Kids grow up faster.  Politics, environment, and wars have made the Earth worse.)

Thought of the Day - 7/19/10

Always look past your own eyes.

Thought of the Day - 7/18/10

I often look out the window and I see an ordinary world.  Ordinary trees, ordinary grass, ordinary blue sky, hardly changing from one year to the next.  Though most never see it, those of us with any sense know that an extraordinary force began all of this.  Sometimes, once in a great while, an ordinary person is allowed to see that extraordinary force.

We can't always understand why God chooses the vessel he chooses.  When He does choose a vessel, we'd better listen to the message.