All Things Cherished

Thought of the Day - 12/14/10

When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
~~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld ~~

Thought of the Day - 12/13/10

Time you enjoy wasting is not time wasted.
~~ John Lennon ~~

Thought of the Day - 12/12/10

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.

Thought of the Day - 12/11/10

Always give without remembering
and always receive without forgetting.
~~ Brian Tracy ~~

Thought of the Day - 12/10/10

Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.

~~ Norman Vincent Peale ~~

Thought of the Day - 12/9/10

It's not what you got, it's what you use that makes a difference.
~~ Zig Ziglar ~~

Thought of the Day - 12/8/10

It is always easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.
~~ Author Unknown ~~

Thought of the Day - 12/7/10

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies WITHIN us.

Thought of the Day - 12/6/10

The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.

Thought of the Day - 12/5/10

Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.
~~ Jim Rohn ~~

Christmas Tree for the Desktop

There are 19 trees to choose from. When you click on the tree it tells you how many days are left until Christmas. You have the choice to download the Atomic Alarm Clock if you right-click the tree. Each tree is animated in its own way.

Thought of the Day - 12/4/10

The only difference between those that think they can and those that think they can't, IS what they think.

Thought of the Day - 12/3/10

Live your dreams.

Thought of the Day - 12/2/10

When you give with joy,
joy is your reward.
~~ Ida, Landing, NJ ~~

Thought of the Day - 12/1/10

Build a bridge and get over it!
~~ Susan, White Lake, NY ~~

Thought of the Day - 11/30/10

It does not matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up.
~~ Vince Lombardi ~~

Thought of the Day - 11/29/10

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.

Thought of the Day - 11/28/10

Gratitude consists of being more aware of what you have than what you don't.

Thought of the Day - 11/27/10

Be sure to put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.
~~ Abraham Lincoln ~~

Thought of the Day - 11/26/10

Gain control of your time and you will gain control of your life.

Thought of the Day - 11/25/10

Three phases of life . . .
Teenager: time + energy, but no money.
Working Age: energy + money, but no time.
Old age: time + money, but no energy

Thought of the Day - 11/24/10

Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.
~~ Ken Hakuta ~~

Thought of the Day - 11/23/10

Today could bring a lovely sense of freedom. Freedom from what? The answer might surprise you. Sometimes, we think we need to be freed from outside constraints: work, social demands, family duties, commuter traffic, and so on. But actually, a sense of inner freedom is a far more powerful thing. Sometimes just realizing that you are, in fact, in control of your life and the choices you make is all the freedom you need.

Thought of the Day - 11/22/10

To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.

Thought of the Day - 11/21/10

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Thought of the Day - 11/20/10

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend wWhile I'm here, than a whole truck load when I'm gone.

Thought of the Day - 11/19/10

We live in a society where the penalty for lying to a congressman can be up to 30 years in jail, but the penalty for a congressman lying to you is another two years in office.

Isn't there something wrong with that?

Thought of the Day - 11/18/10

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the most of everything they have.

Thought of the Day - 11/17/10

I Believe...

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Thought of the Day - 11/16/10

I Believe...

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

Thought of the Day - 11/15/10

I Believe...

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.

Thought of the Day - 11/14/10

I Believe...

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

Thought of the Day - 11/13/10

I Believe....

Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

Thought of the Day - 11/12/10

I Believe...

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life forever.

Thought of the Day - 11/11/10

I Believe....

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
But, we are responsible for who we become.

Thought of the Day - 11/10/10

I Believe...

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparedness means being prepared for an emergency of any kind, natural or man-made, and being prepared means having emergency kits on hand, ready to use when they're needed. It's important to prepare in advance for threats to public health such as pandemics of infections disease like the 2009 "swine flu" pandemic.

A pandemic is defined as epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide. A widespread endemic disease that is stable in terms of how many people are getting sick from it is not a pandemic. Further, flu pandemics exclude seasonal flu. Throughout history there have been a number of pandemics, such as smallpox and tuberculosis. More recent pandemics include the HIV pandemic and the 2009 flu pandemic.

Having emergency kits stocked with enough food for two weeks can limit exposure. Fewer trips out into public could literally spare you and your loved ones from being infected. Emergency kits could provide food for you and your family until things return to a "safe" and normal state, and should be a part of your own pandemic preparedness plan.

Follow these basic steps to develop your family disaster preparedness plan:

1.Gather information about hazards in your area. Find out what types of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.

2.Meet with your family to create a disaster preparedness plan and make sure it includes emergency kits for the whole family. Discuss the information you've gathered. Choose a place outside your home to meet in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Choose a friend or relative who lives out-of-state as your "family check-in contact."

3.Implement your disaster preparedness plan:
•Post emergency telephone numbers by phones.
•Inspect your home for potential hazards, such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire, and correct them.
•Install safety features such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and instruct others how to use them properly.
•Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local emergency medical services number.
•Keep emergency kits in your home with enough supplies for each member of your family for two weeks.
•Keep a disaster preparedness response kit with items you may need in case of evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags.
•Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.
•Keep a smaller disaster preparedness emergency kit in the trunk of your car.

4.Practice and maintain your plan:
•Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules.
•Make sure everyone knows where to find your family's emergency kits.
•Test your smoke detectors monthly.
•Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's recommendations.
•Replace spare batteries as required.
•Conduct periodic drills to make sure you are prepared in case of an actual emergency.

Don't wait — make and put your disaster preparedness plan into effect before disaster strikes.

Thought of the Day - 11/9/10

I Believe....

That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

Thought of the Day - 11/8/10

I Believe....

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

Overstock Shopping

Ready to shop for Christmas? Check out the sales at Overstock.com.

Overstock.com is an online retailer offering everything from diamond rings to sporting goods. Even better they offer $3.00 shipping no matter what you order.

Black Friday Sales
http://www.overstock.com/blackfriday

Cyber Monday Sales
http://www.overstock.com/cyber-monday

Especially for you, my readers, there is a discount -- ?121728? -- for 10% off all Overstock.com products. Happy shopping!

All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received for doing this post, however, I was provided with a discount code.

Thought of the Day - 11/7/10

I Believe...

That sometimes when I'm angry
I have the right to be angry,
But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

Thought of the Day - 11/6/10

I Believe....

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

Personalized Ornament Giveaway

Go to 365 Days of Christmas, my Chritmas blog, to enter the Personalized Free Christmas Ornament Giveaway.

Thought of the Day - 11/5/10

I Believe....

That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

Tiny Prints

Tiny Prints has brand new beautiful, classy, elegant Christmas cards this year. You can personalize 100s of cards with your photographs and your words. There are many options, such as color changes and designs for each card.

Go to my Christmas blog, 365 Days of Christmas, to see what I have to say about Tiny Prints.

Thought of the Day - 11/4/10

I Believe...

That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

Thought of the Day - 11/3/10

I Believe...

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

Let's Thank Our Veterans

The businesses below are honoring Veterans by providing discounts and free items on Veterans Day and
throughout the year. I encourage you to contact a store listed below or a local merchant to see if they
would offer a day in the future where a percentage of the day's sales would go to National Military
Services.

Restaurant Freebies
• Applebee's Restaurant - Free dinners to veterans throughout the day.
• Outback Steakhouse - Free Blooming Onion and beverage.
• Golden Corral - Free buffet dinner from 5-9 p.m. on Nov. 16 to anyone who has ever served in
the U.S. Military.
• Krispy Kreme - One free doughnut of any variety.
• UNO Chicago Grill - Free entree or individual pizza with an entree or pizza purchase of equal or
greater value.

Retail Freebies
• Brides Across America - Provides free wedding gowns to qualified military brides.
• Lowe's & Home Depot - Extra 10% off to active-duty military members, National Guard and
reserve members, retirees, honorable discharged veterans and immediate family members.
• Sam's Club - Over 25,000 Hugo canes will be given away to U.S. veterans in need of mobility
assistance. Membership is not required, but supplies are limited, so check with your local store.
• Amazon.com - Free "Veterans Day Honor" MP3 album download. The album includes 12 songs
by The Bands and Ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Cabela's Outdoor Store - Offers their employee discount to all veterans, active-duty military, and
reserves, law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel Nov. 11-12. Discounts vary from 5% to 50%,
depending on the item.
• Build-A-Bear Workshop - Members of the armed services including the Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserve Officer Training Corps, will receive a 20% discount
Nov. 11-15 on any one transaction at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
• Dollar General - l0% discount for all veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, and Reserve
and their immediate families.
• Fashion Bug - 20% off all plus-size and misses clothing purchases with a copy of military ID or
spouse's military ID.

Entertainment Freebies
• National parks, forests and monuments - Admission is free to everyone on Veteran's Day.
• Knott's Berry Farm - Free park admission to U.S. armed forces personnel and a guest during
Veteran's Month, November 1-26.
• San Jacinto Museum of History - Free visits to the Observation Deck, theatre, and special
exhibit for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.

THANK YOU, Veterans for serving our country! Thank you, families of Veterans, for allowing your children/spouses/loved ones to serve our country.

Thought of the Day - 11/2/10

Did you?

Thought of the Day - 11/1/10

I Believe....

That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

Thought of the Day - 10/31/10

I Believe....

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

Thought of the Day - 10/30/10

I Believe...

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

Thought of the Day - 10/29/10

I Believe....

That it's taken me a long time to become the person I want to be.

Thought of the Day - 10/28/10

I Believe...

That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

Second Verse

Thought of the Day - 10/27/10

I Believe...

That true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

Thought of the Day - 10/26/10

I Believe....

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.

Thought of the Day - 10/25/10

I Believe...

That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Waking Up is Hard To Do

Join me in the fun and giggles of making Mondays a better day by sharing some laughs. Add your link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post to Mr. Linky below. (All links not leading directly to your post will be deleted.) All posts should be funny in some way. Yes, this is up to interpretation. Ideas include riddles, funny family stories, comic strips, jokes, silly graphics, funny lyrics, hilarious photos, etc. Please don't leave me to snicker all alone. I'm sure YOU have something funny to share.

Thought of the Day - 10/24/10

I Believe...

That just because two people argue,
It doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
It doesn't mean they do love each other.

Thought of the Day - 10/23/10

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her '"ow could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc, I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said "Okay." Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said okay.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send jokes through email and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar, and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

The above was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, 12/18/05.

Thought of the Day - 10/22/10

Need a hug?

Thought of the Day - 10/21/10

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say "good-bye" or say "I love you."

While we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken, and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage . . . and old cars . . .and children with bad report cards . . . and dogs with bad hips . . . and aging parents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce -- some things and some people that make us happy, no matter what.

I was thinking . . . I could die today, tomorrow, or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling, or three words needing to be said.

Thought of the Day - 10/20/10

Let every one of your friends and family members know you love them . . . even if you think they don't love you back. You would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. Just in case I'm gone tomorrow. . . I LOVE YOU!

Thought of the Day - 10/18/10

Optimists believe that all will turn out for the best, they are therefore constantly disappointed.

Thought of the Day - 10/19/10

Nature does not possess desire;

Without desire, the heart becomes quiet;
In this manner the whole world is made tranquil.

Thought of the Day - 10/17/10

There is no happiness in any object of the world. We imagine through our ignorance that we derive happiness from objects. When the mind goes out, it experiences misery. In truth, when it's desires are fulfilled, it returns to its own place and enjoys the happiness that is the Self.
~ ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/16/10

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

Thought of the Day - 10/15/10

When you love someone, you put up with a thousand things you'd never tolerate from anyone else.

Thought of the Day - 10/14/10

Just because you can't see God,

doesn't mean He is not there.

Thought of the Day - 10/13/10

Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.

~~ Fred Rogers ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/12/10

He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Thought of the Day - 10/11/10

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.

~~ Bill Cosby ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/10/10

Patriotism is not so much protecting the land of our fathers as preserving the land for our children.

~~ Jose Ortega Y Gasset ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/9/10

The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate . . . the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.

~~ Abraham Maslow ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/8/10

Love is something eternal, the aspect may change, but not the essence.

~~ Vincent Van Gogh ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/7/10

We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.

~~ Dwight D. Eisenhower ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/6/10

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.

~~ St. Augustine ~~

Thought of the Day - 10/5/10

Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.

~~ Bo Bennett ~~

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?

Most children would do almost anything to get the attention of adults they love.
By the time a child is two years old, he understands, at least, 200 words.
Young children don't pay attention when adults around them are arguing.
Law states that children cannot stay alone until they are 12 years old.
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

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.
True -- Most children understand up to 300 words by the time they are two years old. Children understand many more words than they speak.
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.
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.
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.