The reason and meaning behind this song can be found here.
Please join me in sharing songs that touch your heart. Add your link to Mr. Linky below.
20 Healthy Snacks For a Healthy New Year
9 months ago
Sing to Me Saturday #8
Thought of the Day - 11/6/09
Vanity is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but it's something to indulge in with careful consideration.
Thought of the Day - 11/3/09
The person you might not have been counting on can turn out to be the real deal. This is the one who decides how she can help you and then just does it. She climbs over her fears and yours, and just shows up. One individual's selfless act of coming to your side without your having to ask creates an unexpected space for you to get a sense for how you feel.
If you have just one friend like that, you are lucky an you have a lifesaver. If you have several friends like that, you have a lifeboat.
Taken from Hope Journal written while dealing with cancer, 2003-2004.
Crafters Free Holiday Ebook
The holiday season inspires the crafter in all of us. Whether you’re trying to save money, want to create homemade gifts & decorations, or simply enjoy the art of crafting, this ebook with over 25 quick and easy crafts will inspire you. In this ebook you’ll find Christmas Ornaments, Home Decor, Greeting Cards, Kids’ Holiday Crafts, Gift Giving Ideas, and more. You can pick up your copy here.
Thought of the Day - 10/31/09
Allow even the smallest bit of encouragement to be the thing that keeps you afloat.
Thought of the Day - 10/29/09
Where there is great love there are always miracles.
~~ Willa Cather ~~
Thought of the Day - 10/28/09
You can be proud of being a bit wiser than certain people -- but if you get too cocky about it, you're sure to end up making a fool of yourself.
Thought of the Day - 10/27/09
Single but fine when we go out to dine,
Your always there with us so we don't make quite a fuss!
~~ Cassandra, 8, written for her mother (me) on 10/17/09 ~~
Just Do It
It was probably a busy mom who handed Nike that successful line of advertising, "Just do it." It wouldn't surprise me if she'd thought of it while racing between the grocery shopping and picking up her kids, before heading home to knock out the second half of her sixteen-hour day. We busy moms don't waste a single minute moping or calculating how hard it will be -- we just do it. I believe most families have little awareness of how much Mom really puts into handling the details of their lives. If you need to get something done -- and done right and in record time -- go hand it to a busy mother.
Thought of the Day - 11/2/09
Cancer is the worst thing that you will ever need to explain to your children. Telling them the news of your own impending death is plainly not right. You shudder internally. It shakes you to your core. It helps to read up on what the experts recommend, but in the end, you, the parent, must rely on your intuition, strength, and faith to see it through. Even then, it will be a horribly painful experience, one which there is no way out of, one that you must go through. Like all storms, it must be faced directly, and headed straight for, lest it chase you down. This conversation is not a storm you can outrun.
Taken from Hope Journal written while dealing with cancer, 2003-2004.
Between Me and the River
Between Me and the River
Living Beyond Cancer: A Memoir
by Carrie Host
"I do have a future, and the picture of that future is made up of a multitude of tiny dots called 'right now.'"
~~ Carrie Host ~~
"Carrie knows that the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness takes a split second to change your life, as well as the lives f your partner, partners, children, and all who love you. Packed with inspiration, advice, comfort, and hope Between Me and the Rive is Carrie's candid and uplifting memoir of how she found the strength and fortitude to triumph over a rare form of cancer, and craft a new and meaningful life."
When I got this book I was really nervous because I have dealt with cancer personally. (I had cervical cancer. My father, my aunt, my grandmother, my godson, and more had cancer.) I was afraid I would cry throughout the whole book. Yes, there were times that I needed the Kleenex. There were many more times where I sat there nodding my head up and down, totally understanding and connecting with Carrie. The book is poignant and tender, honest and insightful.
This is a beautiful, compassionate story about a woman who is supported by friendships, love of family, and dedication of doctors. This powerful, thought-provoking book stays with you.
Excellent book!
Rating (1, lowest; 5 highest): 5+
Thought of the Day - 10/25/09
The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.
Today I Am Thankful - 10/24/09
Today I am grateful for...
My friends:
- Thank you, Alan, for showing up in the middle of the night so I could go take care of a sick and hurt friend.
- Thank you, Mike, who despite your own life's tribulations and being six hours away still calls every day to check on the kids.
- Thank you, Marcy, for starting a new adventure with me.
- Thank you, Rick, for fixing my car despite the fact I didn't have enough money to pay the bill. (Yes, I will be making payments.)
- Thank you, Teresa, for the support of my Christmas passion and helping host our annual Christmas Open House.
Make a BIG Difference!
Big Brothers Big Sisters Makes a BIG Difference
Teachers who were surveyed about children who are matched with a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple said:
- 83% have improved their academic performance.
- 66% have better self-confidence.
- 32% are better able to make decisions.
- 33% have better relationships with their peers.
- 33% are better prepared for school.
Big Brothers Big Sisters' mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth and to assist them in becoming confident, competent, and caring individuals by providing committed volunteers.
Thought of the Day - 10/24/09
Too much credit is given to the end results. The true test is the struggle that takes place between the dream and the reality. That struggle is a thing called LIFE!
Gas Vouchers
I need your help.
Gas Vouchers Program
The cash earned from this program will benefit SOS/Save our SplashPark (local pool at Memorial Park, Butler, PA) and also help me get a more secure vehicle for my family.
This is an never-ending program at this time. Send your gas receipts to me. Email me at storm2c [at] zoominternet [dot] com for my address.
Duplicates of receipts can be used if you need the original receipt for personal or tax reasons. For security, you can black out the credit/debit card numbers (though the receipts only show the last four numbers).
Anyone in the United States can participate.
Ask family, friend, neighbors, and colleagues for their receipts too.
Receipts/vouchers are turned in on a monthly basis so please mail your gas receipts to me on a regular basis.
I will update you on our progress monthly.
Thank you for your help. The children of Broad Street Elementary School and the neighborhood children thank you.
Have You Ever Been Grumpy
Have you ever been grumpy for what seemed like no reason?
Well, there is probably a reason. It could be that someone triggered something inside of you or someone is mirroring a part of you that you have not accepted. It could simply be that you need to drink more water or you ate a food that your body did not digest properly.
When you feel grumpy for no reason, take a few minutes to do have some meditation time, i.e., One Minute Meditation, with the intention to get clarity. Because there probably is a reason. Before getting quiet, ask what is in the way of my being happy or what does my body need to feel better? Then do your meditation and let go. After doing the meditation, pay attention to what shows up in your life. It may show up now or later . . . be open.
Let me know what you notice.
Thought of the Day - 10/23/09
Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
~~ Mahatma Gandhi ~~
Today I Am Thankful - 10/21/09
I am thankful today for...
- Lilly because of her perseverance and faith in God.
- Alan because of his humor, help around the house, and kindness.
- Marcy because of her acceptance of me, faults, quirks, and all.
Thought of the Day - 10/21/09
The ONLY difference between a good day & a bad day is your attitude.
(This is a hard one for me to remember.)
Thought of the Day - 10/20/09
Fear is a habit; so is self-pity, defeat, anxiety, despair, hopelessness, and resignation. You can stop all of these with two simple resolves: I can and I will!
Thought of the Day - 10/19/09
God determines who walks into your life. It's up to you whether or not you let them stay, let them walk away, or refuse to let them go.
Today I Am Thankful - 10/18/09
Today I am grateful for...
- Mt. Dew.
- The hugs I got from Joe.
- The late night conversations with Marcy, Teresa, Joe, Mike, and Bobby.
Thought of the Day - 10/18/09
The people that matter in life are the ones who, even after you've treated them like shit in the worst way possible, come back loving you without expectations.
Today I Am Thankful - 10/17/09
Today I am thankful for...
- The ability to read.
- The ability to write.
- Internet service/access so I can blog, write, surf, and chat with friends.
- The power of hugs that can cross the miles via the Internet.
- The power of hugs from my children.
- Telephone service so friends can help me through the rough nights, through the transient global amnesia episodes, through the pain.
Thought of the Day - 10/17/09
Believe in your dreams. Speak them out loud; put them out to the universe and they will be realized.
Today I Am Thankful - 10/16/09
Since the decline of my health and the death of my mother, I have found it very difficult to be thankful for anything.
Today I am grateful for...
- A gracious and patient God.
- New online friends.
- A working washing machine and clothes dryer so I don't have to lug my clothes to a laundromat.
- Facebook which has offered me a lot of happiness, new friends, and games to distract to me.
- The loss of 20 pounds.
Thought of the Day - 10/16/09
Always keep enough love in your heart so that there's no room left for hate.
Thought of the Day - 10/14/09
Tip of the day:
BREATHE! In with the good, out with the bad! Great friends (and good sex) will take care of the rest.
Thought of the Day - 10/13/09
I feel a bit like a duck. Gliding gracefully on top, but paddling like crazy underneath!
Thought of the Day - 10/12/09
Worry not about the hand you are dealt, but play that hand to the best of your ability and you will still be a winner.
Thought of the Day - 10/10/09
Never make someone a priority when that person considers you to be just one of many options!
Thought of the Day - 10/9/09
It's important to have friends. Friends make the good times better and the bad times easier.
Thought of the Day - 10/8/09
It doesn't matter how many friends you have. It's quality, not quantity, that counts!
Thought of the Day - 10/7/09
Don't forget to be your own best friend.
(This one is very hard for me.)
Thought of the Day - 10/6/09
It's not the size of your friends that counts. It's the size of your heart.
Thought of the Day - 10/4/09
Friend
(frend)
n
1. one attached to another by affection or esteem
2. acquaintance, a favored companion
3. confidant
synonyms: acquaintance, ally, alter ego, associate, bosom buddy, buddy, chum, classmate, cohort, colleague, companion, compatriot, comrade, consort, cousin, crony, familiar, intimate, mate, pal, partner, pen pal, playmate, roommate, schoolmate, sidekick, soul mate, spare, well-wisher.
Thought of the Day - 10/2/09
The best index to a person's character is (a) how he treats people who can't do him any good, and (b) how he treats people who can't fight back.
~~ Abigail Van Buren ~~
Thought of the Day - 10/1/09
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
~~ Michael Steward, a friend of mine ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/30/09
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
~~ Thomas Edison ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/29/09
I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
~~ Michael Steward, a friend of mine ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/28/09
Life is not about how hard you can hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.
Thought of the Day - 9/27/09
Remember that no matter how much greener the grass looks on the other side, it took a lot of manure to get that way.
Thought of the Day - 9/25/09
I can't control my destiny. My only goal is just to be. There's only now, there's only here, there is no other path -- no day but today.
Thought of the Day - 9/24/09
Nature needs to step up its natural selection process, cause there are some people in this world that should be in the recycle bin.
Thought of the Day - 9/22/09
To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower, you hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.
~~ Paul Myer ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/20/09
When we were kids, we took it for granted that there was always a friend on the other end of the teeter-totter. Now, I realize what that really means. How do people get through life if they have to go to a playground by themselves?
Thought of the Day - 9/19/09
Before you were conceived I wanted you.
Before you were born I loved you.
Before you were an hour old I would give my life for you.
This is the miracle of life.
Thought of the Day - 9/18/09
I do have a future, and the picture of that future is made up of a multitude of tiny dots called "right now."
~~ Carrie Host ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/17/09
Seek wisdom of the ages
but look at the world
through the eyes of a child.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/16/09
There comes a point in your life when you realize who matters, who never did, who won't anymore, and who always will. So, I'm not going to worry about the people in my past, because there's a reason they didn't make it to my future.
Thought of the Day - 9/15/09
An expert is someone who has succeeded in making decisions and judgements simpler through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore.
~~ Edward de BonoWant ~~
Are you an expert?
Thought of the Day - 9/14/09
The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.
~~ Helen Keller ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/13/09
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
~~ E. E. Cummings ~~
Thought of the Day - 9/10/09
Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
Thought of the Day - 9/9/09
Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.
Thought of the Day - 9/8/09
There are four things you can't recover:
The stone after the throw,
the word after it's said,
the occasion after it's missed, and
the time after it's gone.
Thought of the Day - 9/7/09
There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.
~~ Walt Streightiff ~~
5 Ways to Grow Your Faith
With the school season in full swing, there's no doubt that you're already overwhelmed with the demands of homework, Boy/Girl Scouts, church events, fall sports, and other activities . . . not to mention the time and budget constraints that make things even more challenging.
I encourage you and your family to grow closer to God and each other this season with the following free resources from Crosswalk.com.
Family Devotionals
Build your family's faith and Christian walk by studying the Bible together with FREE family devotionals.
Kid-Friendly Movie Reviews
Read the latest kid-friendly movie reviews for new releases and DVDs from a Christian perspective. Create regular family movie nights that everyone will enjoy.
Online Bible Study Tools
Whether you need to do a quick verse search or an in-depth Bible study, BibleStudyTools.com makes it easy to understand Scripture. Start growing in Biblical knowledge with an extensive library of FREE resources like popular commentaries, concordances, study guides, parallel study bible, and more than 29 Bible translations.
Free Christian Music Online
Listen to today's top Christian music hits on the go with Crosswalk radio. Find your favorite artists and bands featured on 10 different radio stations including Praise & Worship, Christian Top 40, Classics, Southern Gospel, and more.
Christian Book Reviews
Catch up on the latest Christian fiction and non-fiction books for family members of all ages with Crosswalk's reading finds.
Thought of the Day - 9/6/09
I think the secret to a happy life is a selective memory. Remember what you're most grateful for and quickly forget what you're not.
Stop Smoking
Though, I don't smoke as often as I used to (a pack a day in the Army), I do still smoke when I am terribly stressed. This summer has been a very stressful summer so my smoking habit has dramatically increased over the past few months. I have several friends and my children who wish I would quit all together so I need to find the motivation -- and willpower -- to quit.
I think one of the main reasons it’s so hard to quit smoking is because all the benefits of quitting and all the dangers of continuing seem so very far away.
To help me (and you), I put together this timeline about some of the more immediate effects of quitting smoking and how that will affect my body RIGHT NOW.
- In 20 minutes, your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.
- In 8 hours, the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half and oxygen levels will return to normal.
- In 48 hours, your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.
- In 72 hours, your bronchial tubes will relax and your energy levels will increase.
- In 2 weeks, your circulation will increase and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.
- In three to nine months, coughs, wheezing, and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.
- In 1 year, your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.
- In 5 years, your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.
- In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
- In 15 years, your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.
I do (and you do) have more immediate things to look forward to if I quit now, besides just freaking out about not being able to smoke.
My promise to Sandy and Michael (and others) is I am going to quit RIGHT NOW!
Thought of the Day - 9/3/09
We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.
Thought of the Day - 9/1/09
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
Save a Child
If you are concerned about the welfare of any child, tell the authorities. Please report your concerns to anyone and everyone who will listen to you. If they don't listen (and your concerns continue), call again and ask to speak to a supervisor. The miniscule risk of invading another's personal affairs is trumped by the reward of saving a life.
If each of us truly believed we are personally responsible to help the most vulnerable population -- our children -- we would follow our intuition and go the extra mile to protect them. Any one of us could be the hero who saves a child from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
Freebie of the Month - September
Keeping your kids safe is a number one priority! If your child is young, you have a lot of safety skills to teach. You can start now by picking up a child safety kit for each child under 14 in your home. Click here to find out more about the kit.
Thought of the Day - 8/31/09
When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present . . . we experience heaven on earth.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
Thought of the Day - 8/30/09
A smile is a sign of joy.
A hug is a sign of love.
A laugh is a sign of happiness.
Thought of the Day - 8/29/09
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.
~~ Miss Piggy ~~
Today, find EVERYTHING beautiful!
I Have a Dream
"I have a dream." It was one of the most dramatic lines of the 20th century. Spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the summer of 1963, it cut deeply into the culture's consciousness when America was deeply divided and at war with itself.
It was 46 years ago yesterday (8/28/09) that Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, spoke passionately about his dreams and hopes for equality in the United States.
Thought of the Day - 8/28/09
If you see a difference between where you are and where you want to be - consciously change your thoughts, words, and actions to match your grandest vision.
~~ Neal Donald Walsch ~~
Thought of the Day - 8/27/09
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~
Cut Energy Costs
Now many people are trying to cut costs and stick to a stricter budget. Since the electric bill can be quite high for families and small businesses, it’s a good idea to cut the energy consumption as much as possible.
The trick to lowering the electric bill is making smart purchases and using good strategies. To start cutting your energy costs and saving our natural resources, download these free goodies from EnergySTAR.
Do you want to teach your child about saving energy? Check out the kid-friendly downloads and kids page.
Do you need coupons to help you start the “saving” process? You can get coupons just by taking the GE lighting pledge. If you don’t want to sign up, you can visit the rebate locator to find deals in your local area.
Thought of the Day - 8/26/09
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.
~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~
Wordless Wednesday #31
First day of school is today.
Of course, we had to have one silly photo.
For more photos, go to 5 Minutes for Mom.
Thought of the Day - 8/25/09
Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain.
~~ William Jennings Bryan ~~
What Does It Say?
What does it say about me when the first thing I do every morning is check my Facebook messages?
What does it say about me when the last thing I do every night is check my Facebook messages?
What does it say about me when I also check my cell phone at those times?
All in the hopes that I get a message, however brief it may be, from you.
What does it say about me that after 25 I still love you?
What does it say about me that during these 25 years I have missed you during all that time?
Thought of the Day - 8/24/09
In solitude the mind gain strength and learns to lean upon itself.
~~ Laurence Sterne ~~
Grace
Grace by Richard Paul Evans
"She was my first kiss. My first love. She was a little match girl who could see the future in the flame of a candle. She as a runaway who taught me more about life than anyone has before or since. And when she was gone my innocence left with her.
There are things that become clearer to me as a I grow older. This much I know: too many things were kept secret in those days. Things that never should have been hidden. And things that should have."
This is a story of a young runaway and the boy who hides her from a frightening world too large and unfathomable for him to comprehend. As usual for Mr. Evans, it is a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Get out the tissues.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 5
What is Your Mom Blogger Status
I’m curious. Has anyone else seen a trend in the SAME mom bloggers who are being handpicked for special events, conference panels, or incredible business opportunities? With the web overly saturated with so many fabulous mom bloggers, it seems that only a select few are being recognized over and over again. Why is this happening? This observation has me intrigued as to how one determines blogger status, and if that method is fair.
I am not a marketing or PR guru, so I do not know or understand the formula for figuring out one’s status or influence. Maybe it is calculated by Twitter followers or subscribers. Maybe it is based on years of experience, college degrees, or frankly, who you know. I personally have nothing against the “high status” mom bloggers, and I think it is awesome that they get to share in these experiences. My only qualm is why do companies and PR firms want to pick the same groups of bloggers? Would it not be more effective to target a completely different pool of mom bloggers, each time, who have not previously worked with companies A, B, & C, and who do not have current obligations with those companies? Would it not be smarter to tap into a new circle of bloggers that would soak up a special opportunity, and thus, put their heart into it more than, say, a blogger who has already been to 10 events that year?
I have no idea what my mom blogger status is, and I honestly don’t care. What I do care about is building positive, meaningful relationships, whether it be in friendship or business, and not worrying about what may follow monetarily.
Hold Tight
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
"Tia and Mike Baye never imagined they'd spy on their kids. But their sixteen-year-old son Adam has been unusually distant lately, and after the suicide of his best friend Spencer Hill, they can't help but worry. Within days of installing a sophisticated spy program on Adam's compute, they are jolted by a cryptic message from an unknown correspondent that shakes them to their core: Just stay quiet and all safe.
As if Mike Baye isn't dealing with enough, he also learns that Luca Loriman, the sweet kid who grew up next door, is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. As the boy's doctor, Mike suddenly find himself in possession of an explosive secret that threatens t rip the Loriman family apart at the seams.
Nearby, while browsing through an online memorial for Spence, Betsy Hill discovers a surprising detail about the night of her son's death. Before she can find out more, Adam disappears, taking the truth with him and sending shock waves through the neighborhood.
As the lives of these families collide in tragic, unexpected, and violent ways, long-hidden connection in their small suburb begin to work their way to the surface. And when an unidentified Jane Doe is beaten to death no far away, those connections threaten to turn this quiet community upside down -- and force these desperate parents to decide whether there is any line they won't cross to protect those they love most in the world."
The book raises the question how well do you know your child(ren). Harlan's promise of a thriller falls a little short in this book.
Rating (1, lowest; 5, highest): 3.5
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