Friday, October 18, 2013

Teenage angst...

Teen angst - is that what we are calling it these days?  The life of a teenage girl (my lovely daughter is 15) is soooooo difficult.  I think it is much more difficult than when I was 15.  Let me put this in perspective:
  • we didn't have instant contact with anyone via text or cell phone
  • privacy was easier without Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram
  • we didn't post every aspect of our lives and relationships online for all to see
  • communication was done in person or over the phone or by the "old fashioned" passing a note in class
  • if we totally embarrassed ourselves (falling down walking across the courtyard between classes) no one caught it for all posterity with their cell phone camera/video to then post online therefore compounding the embarrassment
  • if someone wanted to know if we were in a relationship they asked, they didn't check Facebook

You could NOT PAY ME to be a teenager today.  Everyone in your business all the time, instant gratification - immediately available via text (can I spend the night with my best friend, can I go to the movies after school).  This instant gratification is going to lead us into the future that consists of a spoiled society where everyone feels entitled, I am convinced!

High School these days is much more free than I remember.  If I didn't turn in your homework on time I got a big fat ZERO, but today you can turn it in until the end of the quarter and still get a grade (and a good one too).  If I failed a test, too bad, today you can retake your test to get a better score. 

Life changes so very fast, just remember to slow down and enjoy it before it's gone........

Monday, October 7, 2013

My favorite season is here....

My favorite season is Autumn.  The colors, the smell of fresh rain in the air, snuggling in sweaters, jeans and boots, you just can't beat it.

This also means Halloween is just around the corner.  This year we are having another Halloween Party for the kids and their friends.  About 30 people will be invited (man I don't know what I'll do if they all show up......here is the way cool invitation I came up with. 


Cool huh?  Now on to the decorating phase - that's easy - cover every piece of furniture with a white sheet/plastic/cloth and light candles.  Can also put white twinkle lights (Christmas ones) under the sheets and behind stuff for additional ambiance!

Food - that's going to be FUN!  Thanks to Pintrest I have a ton of ideas on candy, healthy snacks, punch etc......Can't wait to see what everyone comes as......I'll post photos too!

Monday, September 16, 2013

new body = new hair

With 35 pounds lost (man am I proud of myself) it was time for a hairstyle change as well~!  Here is the before & after photo.  What a change!  My hairstylist told me that she only has 1 or 2 clients (me included) that she would be able to cut AND color so dramatically in one sitting - most would be to freaked out...well not me!  I LOVE change (well some change anyway - not like husbands or kids or jobs) but little things, it keeps life interesting!

What do you think?

I've had more compliments than I can count.  "Sassy" is my favorite.  My dear husband called me his little pixie (like Tinkerbell)......


Monday, August 26, 2013

Going grey gracefully? Is that even possible?

I've made a decision.  I'm going to go grey~!

Yes I've colored my hair for longer than I can remember and I think I'm finally ready to go natural.

There are posts all over the internet about how to go grey gracefully, but I'm not convinced that is possible.  So I'll share my journey here for you to see if it is possible.

Right now I'm uber-dark red - wanted a change....so next appointment (September 14) we will go uber blonde to help blend the grey.  I promise to take photos of the entire process to share.

What do you think?

Monday, August 12, 2013

Happy Monday

Monday always tends to come around WAY faster than Friday, not sure how that's possible. 

What a great weekend it was, helping a friend move and clean, getting my hair done, and realizing how important memories and special moments are. A very full and satisfying weekend if I do say so myself.

Sometimes it's not the big moments in life that make you stop and think, but the smallest things.

Tomorrow my daughter is taking her driving permit test, it's very difficult for me to wrap my arms around the fact that I have a 15 year old!  I most definitely do NOT feel that old.....and I hope I never do!  I still want to have fun, laugh and play! 

Well have a great Monday and remember to slow down and enjoy the small moments!

Friday, August 2, 2013

new update to the cube update....

Since I ended up not liking all of my cubicle makeover, I made some changes - I ordered some white picture frames to replace the plain black ones.  And I LOVE them!  I also added a picture of a smiling gnome (as they are my favorite thing) - see the bottom right photo.  As promised here is a picture.




Wednesday, July 31, 2013

What DID we do before we had kids?

Well both kids are off at 4H Camp for the week - A is a counselor and M is a camper (his last year unless he decides to become a counselor). 

Now that we are "single" parents again we are realizing what it is we did before kids - went out A LOT!  Spent a lot more money on going out. 

We're having fun just being together and doing what WE want to do!  Which is a big change from the norm in our house.

My diet is going well - I've lost 30 pounds since I began this journey the end of April - 3 months ago.  That's pretty good, but it could be more if I would just stop "cheating".  It's difficult but I keep asking myself - do I want that food more than I want to lose the weight?  It seems to be working.....

I've decided I want to replace the black picture frames in my cubicle remodel with white ones like my inspiration photo - they arrive on Friday, I'll post a new picture of my cube when it's done.

Now off to lunch....have a great day!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

My new work space!

Using Pintrest as my inspiration (see my last blog), I redecorated and reorganized my work cubicle.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  It's clean, sophisticated and makes me happy to walk into each day.    Here are some photos of the after (I forgot to take before ones).  We spend so much of our time at work, I feel strongly that the environment should be positive, uplifting and relaxing (as well as functional). 

The photos are taken by my husband, sister and cousin (only one is from the internet - the daises) to remind me of the world outside of my cubicle.  Not sure how much I like them, the inspiration photo has them in big white frames which I think I would like better.



Here is the overall new look. New lamp, photos, boxes....



This is my keep calm and carry on reminder (though I think that poster could be a bit bigger).  New new white boxes to hold my desk supplies.  The white magazine holder is great for file folders and is much nicer looking than other options.
My new bulletin board and favorite photo of the kids~!



My zen area - the tray was the hardest to find - love my little Buddha!



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Long time no share....what's new?

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post.  So an update - our family took a much needed vaca to Hawaii - the Big Island.  We stayed at the Aston Kona by the Sea and it was lovely!  Ocean front, 2 bedroom full kitchen, pool, beach.  We BBQ'd dinner a few nights, had coffee on the lanai in the morning and watched the most amazing sunsets!  The helicopter ride over the volcano resulted in T & the kids seeing lava actually flowing into the ocean which was amazing!  Needless to say it was a great 10 days. 

Then back to the grind:  work, soccer practice, color guard practice.....

I decided I needed a pick-me-up at work.  So I saw this really cool cubicle makeover on Pinterest (yes I am addicted to Pinterest).

It includes new organization items, picture frames, bulletin board - so I went shopping!  Here is the link, of course I'm making it my own version of this one  http://empirella.wordpress.com/2011/05/01/cubicle-makeover/

I promise to post an after photo for you, but it'll be a couple of weeks since I had to order a few things online.  

I'm down 27 pounds (proud I only gained 1 pound on our vacation).  Back on track now so hopefully next week we'll have some more good news.  Just for those of you who need a "happy place" to imagine, here is a photo of the view from our lanai (what they call the patio/deck in Hawaii). 


Monday, June 17, 2013

I'm stuck!

I feel like I'm stuck...in a rutt, in a hole, I'm not sure - I'm just stuck.

Work is plugging along easily (watch, I just jinxed it).  If I'm being completely honest I'm a bit bored right now, I know things are coming down the pipeline that will have me slammin busy in a few weeks, but for now not so much.

Home is okay - just the normal day in day out...

My weight loss seems to be stuck between 20-25 pounds....granted I haven't been the most honest about not cheating.  It's just really hard right now for some reason. 

One day at a time, that's what I keep telling myself. 

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

An Abundant Life - Simple right?

My cousin's daughter-in-law has a blog that I read once in awhile.  She is the busy stay at home mom to 3 boys (not including my cousin who is a handful on his own).  I read her last blog and she mentioned a book she had read that helped her to enjoy each and every moment of her day.  What a concept.  How many times have I let someone else's words, attitude or actions negatively affect me?  WAY too often to count. 

So I ordered the following two books/journals by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  I am hopeful they will help me slow down and "smell the roses" so to speak.  I'll let you know how it goes.....what do you do to slow down and enjoy the simple things?

With the grace of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gift from the Sea and the wisdom of M. Scott Peck's The Road Less Traveled, Simple Abundance is a book of 366 evocative essays-one for every day of your year-written for women who wish to live by their own lights. In the past a woman's spirituality has been separated from her lifestyle. Simple Abundance shows you how your daily life can be an expression of your authentic self ... as you choose the tastiest vegetables from your garden, search for treasures at flea markets, establish a sacred space in your home for meditation, and follow the rhythm of the seasons and the year. Here, for the first time, the mystical alchemy of style and Spirit is celebrated. Every day, your own true path leads you to a happier, more fulfilling and contented way of life-the state of grace known as... Embrace its gentle lessons, savor its sublime common sense, dare to live its passionate truth, and share its extraordinary and exhilarating gift with every woman you encounter: the authentic self is the Soul made visible.

This beautiful companion journal to the national bestseller Simple Abundance provides women with a place to record their daily moments of gratitude while offering them insight via inspirational quotes.


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

When is a friend a friend?

What are your expectations of a friend?  How do you define friendship?  Everyone, I am sure, has differing views and opinions on this.  Let me share mine (which have evolved over time and I am sure will continue to do so).

Expectations - I've learned the hard way that having expectations of your friends will only end in disappointment.  However I continue to have them, I guess I'm a slow learner.  Really I have only one expectation - that when I've spent time with a friend I leave in a better "place" than when I arrived and that I leave refreshed rather than drained.

Defining friendship is a difficult thing to do.  I believe that people are brought into our lives at different times for different reasons.  Sometimes friends come back after being gone for awhile and sometimes they stay forever, and still others are here for a short while then gone forever.  But each of our friends has something to give us, insight to share with us and support to give us.

I try very hard to be the type of friend I would want to have.........do you?

Friday, May 24, 2013

FRIDAY ~ FRIDAY ~ IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!

What a week this one has been, many highs and a few lows.  I have officially been off of my "happy pills" for a couple of weeks now and I think I'm starting to level out.  I do have bad days and times and sad days and times and I do find myself having to talk myself out of  "getting my bitch out" once in awhile but it's getting easier to realize - does it really matter?  and then I laugh at myself.  What a great feeling to be able to really laugh at yourself, you should try it sometime.

I have realized that some people are just entitilistic and egotistical and that I don't have time or space in my life for people like that.  We all have something to contribute to this world and with those egos and attitudes they must miss out on a lot! 

Some of my favorite quotes of this week:
A candle loses nothing when it lights another candle  --Thomas Jefferson  (be the light)
 
In life it's not where you go, it's who you travel with!
 
One out of four people in this country is mentally unbalanced.  Think of your 3 closest friends.....if they seem okay then you're the one 

Stop letting people who do so little for you control so much of your mind, feelings and emotions.
 
When you look to yourself and see a blank canvas, don't beat yourself down for being boring.  Be excited that you get to paint whatever you want.  --a VERY wise 17 year old girl 

Today is my official weigh in day (Friday) for my journey on "Fit for Life".  Amazingly I am down another 2 pounds for a total of 17 pounds - that's almost two 10 pound bags of potatoes! 

I had a really difficult week staying on plan. But I guess one bad day won't throw off my whole week!

And how was your week?

Monday, May 20, 2013

Inspiration Corner.....

One month on my "Take Shape for Life" program went by so quickly.  As of last Friday I have lost 15 pounds - WOOHOO.  Don't get me wrong, it's been hard at times, but I supplement with Babybell  light cheese wheel and pickles and sugar-free popcicles! 

Some of the new foods we've tried:
  • cauliflower breadsticks
  • kale chips (not the hubby's favorite - in fact I think he physically gagged upon trying them)
  • fajita's
  • steak, steak & more steak (I'm jonesing for one right now!)


My INSPIRATION should arrive today - a new swimsuit to wear in Hawaii - counting down 37 days....hope I can do it.  It's a size smaller than the one I currently have (maybe 2 sizes) and much much cuter - in fact here's a photo of it!  What do you think?  I LOVE the color!

I started a new board on Pintrest - clothes/outfits I'll wear when I'm skinny....LOVE it.  I have found that setting prizes for certain goals doesn't work for me.  I'm more of an immediate gratification person - if I find something I want it NOW!  Anyone who knows me will laugh at that, because it is so very true!



Monday, April 29, 2013

Day 10......looking good, feeling great~

I'm 10 day's in on the Fit for Life program and 9 pounds down!  WOW! 

Now we all know some of that is water weight, but it's still less weight I'm carrying around, my friends!

The plan is super easy to stick to, more so than I ever thought.  Eating out is easy:

***salad with steak and no dressing @ The Thirst Lion for Administrative Professionals Day

***steak & steamed veggies @ Applebees

FOOD - update
I'm realizing the only food I really like are the bars, cereal, drinks, shakes and the apple cinnamon puffs.  I'll admit to cheating a bit - when visiting my home town I HAD to have my favorite chinese food - but that didn't derail me!  I would recommend ordering only 1 box of things until you try them, though my coach will swap out anything I don't like (cheese pizza puffs & eggs).

Mixing the tropical fruit punch drink with either diet Mt. Dew or diet Sierra Mist is amazing!  But make sure you let it sit and settle for awhile - otherwise it's all fizz.

The lean & green is great - especially using recipes from:
http://www.sandyskitchenadventures.com/p/medifast-recipes-only.html

The spaghetti squash with sauce (I used ground turkey, tomato puree & a few italian seasonings)..was very yummy!


The benefits:  my energy is up, way up and I'm sleeping better.

I could not be more pleased with the program so far.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Let the journey begin.....Day 1

I've started my weight loss journey.  My health coach, Teresa - it's strange to call her that because she's been my friend for about 11 years now - is AMAZING.  Supporting, and the most positive, non-judgmental person I have EVER met! 

I weighed myself this morning and at first it was depressing, but then I turned it around to looking at it as a challenge.  An albeit pretty big challenge, but I am trying very hard to stay positive.  I know that each day will be a new day and I know that I will falter, I am prepared for that, at least I think  (and hope) I am.


I started today with a big glass of water and a peanut butter crunch bar - at first it was delicious, but after a few bites it became rather blechy....but it was so small it was easy to finish.

Teresa warned my husband that in 3 days he may want to not be around me.  The sugar will be cleared out of my system and I'll get grumpy and moody.  Once I get over that hurdle it will be better and I will start to have more energy. 

Here we go...thanks for coming along on this journey with me, it's nice to have company.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

A new beginning.....April 2013

I am starting a new journey.  The frustrating, difficult, time consuming, exhausting journey.....into weight loss.

This is going to be my journal during this journey - the good, the bad and the ugly!  Yes ugly.

I am starting the "Take Shape For Life" program with my long time friend Teresa as my health coach.  She will give me as much or as little support as I need.

You can find her web page:  http://makingchanges.tsfl.com/

I'm excited while nervous at the same time.  I've never kept an honest journal/blog about my weight before and it's going to be hard to put it in writing for others to see.  I might not publish all of my entries, but I'll do my best to be honest and hopefully I can encourage someone else with their journey.

We all are on a difficult journey of some kind (personal, emotional, physical, spiritual).....the best way to succeed is to surround yourself with positive and supportive friends and family.  I am extremely blessed to have both!

My journey begins as soon as my order arrives.....I can't wait. 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

~WEDNESDAY WISDOM~

~WEDNESDAY WISDOM~

I decided to write a letter to my 15 year old self, here goes.

Dear 15 year old me,

I know that today is difficult and all you want to do is fit in, be pretty and thin and have fun (oh and that boy to ask you out).  School work seems pointless and Mom & Dad seem totally stupid.  Here is some wisdom gained by your 43 year old self......

Love fearlessly, but honestly.  Don't let anyone put you down, hold you down or make you feel smaller than you are.  You are beautiful.  You are kind.  You are smart.  You are important.  If you don't take care of yourself no one else will!  

Family is the most important support system you will ever have, make it strong, make it a priority and it will never fail you.  Always, always, always treat others the way you would want to be treated.  Never never never judge someone else.  Everyone is fighting their own battles (and most of them you will never see) so be of kind heart. 

 Be open to new experiences but not afraid of them.  Laugh more, love more, dance more.  Not everyone will agree with decisions you make, but if you made them for the right reasons (and only you will know if you did) then stand by them.  If you didn't then it's never to late to change your mind - EVER!

When you become a mom (and you will) everything your parents ever did for you will take on a new meaning and importance.  You will understand why they did everything they did and finally appreciate them and all they did for you!  And that will make you an amazing mom (even though at times you will question this).

I love you -  life will be beautiful if you only stop to smell the flowers, dance in the rain, and laugh often.

Sincerely,
43 year old me

******************************************************************
What would you tell your 15 year old self if given the chance?

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

~WEDNESDAY WISDOM~

 My rambling thoughts for the week.....

~WEDNESDAY WISDOM~

Working mom's are in a tough spot, even in this "advanced"day and age.
We are judged, questioned, guilt ridden (right up there with "Catholic Guilt"), 
unappreciated and/or under-appreciated and the list goes on.   
Don't judge, it hurts us all.  As my mother says "don't judge others 
until you walk a mile in their shoes"!

***************************

There are very few things that we have control over.  
I call it "your circle"....you are the only thing in your circle is YOU. 
Therefore the only thing you can control is YOU; 
your actions, your reactions, your respect for other, 
the caring and compassion you have, and your words.  

***************************

The Dictionary defines respect as:  
"A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something 
elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements."  
I disagree with this definition - to me respect means 
"allowing others their own opinions, values 
and ideals without judgement or degradation"
We need to respect each others differences and opinions, 
we DO NOT have to agree with them, or stand behind them or support them, 
but we do need to allow them.  
The caveat with this is that there are those who use this definition 
for their own evil ideals - 
where is that line drawn and who has the responsibility 
(note I did not say privilege) of drawing it?  
You?  Me?  Government?  God?  

***************************







Monday, March 4, 2013

Sleep WHAT??? et duex

Part two of the sleep drama unfolding in my household.

As you hopefully already read about the observation part of my sleep study I won't bore you with too many details of the testing phase.  The testing phase is where they hook you up to all of the wires (yes AGAIN with the brain waves look) but this time they have you try all different masks and head gear for the CPAP which you get to sleep with while they play with the air pressure all night to find the correct setting/parameters!  

The CPAP is a "continuous positive airway pressure" machine that forces air into your airway so you can sleep without interruption caused by UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome), sleep apnea, snoring etc.....I'll spare you the details and just say that after a LOONNNG night falling asleep around 2-3am I now have a Bi-PAP machine.

I didn't know there was such a machine.  

The air pressure required on the CPAP to stop my UARS was about 11-12 but when I exhaled I would fight the pressure of the air.  At 3am they switched me to a Bi-PAP.  The Bi-PAP has two air pressure settings one for inhalation (higher) and one for exhalation (lower) which worked perfectly.

So I now have a  pink headband that holds a nose pillow (no kidding that's what they call it) on my face, that is connected by a very long tube to my Bi-PAP machine.  I kind of look like a Dr. Seuss character with a long snout. 

We've named the machine Edna, for some reason it seems to fit. 

Thankfully the puppy isn't bothered by the machine (it's actually quieter than my floor fan) so he still snuggles with me.  I on the other hand am having a hard time adjusting to sleeping with this mask on....it's been almost a week now and I only woke up 2 or 3 times last night.  I'll keep trying - may need to try a different mask as the pillows seem to move around and then I feel like I'm suffocating and I think that is NOT the point!

So sweet dreams to all and to all a good night.................................




Thursday, February 21, 2013

Sleep WHAT???

My lovely doctor (don't get me wrong I LOVE her) has been pestering me for weeks to get a sleep study done, thinking my snoring could be sleep apnea.  Finally at the urging of my son who said, "mommy if you get the study done maybe they can fix your snoring so you don't wake me up at night" (he sleeps across the house from me).  OKAY OKAY OKAY I get it!

I signed up for the overnight study, with the reassurance from a few people (you KNOW who you are) I know who have taken it that it's not that bad.  I have one word for those "no longer friends" - LIARS!

I arrived at the sleep clinic at 7:30pm and was escorted to my private room - which is a miniature hotel room without the potty (only a sink/mirror, nightstand & bed).   "Each room is quiet, sound-attenuated" - if attenuated means you hear everything then yes their web site is correct  The technician is very nice and you have DISH television to watch, water, tea, etc.  Once you're ready for bed (in your jammies) they come in and "hook you up".  This whole process takes an hour - no joke!
  • There is a sensor on each calf (the wires go down your pant legs).
  • There is a sensor on each side of your chest.
  • There is a strap on your tummy and one on your chest to "guide all the wires".
  • There are about 5-6 sensors on your scalp (yes your scalp, and the icky gooey wax they use to attach them is uber difficult to remove).  My hair looked like a rats nest in the morning!
  • There are sensors on every muscle in your face - no I am NOT exaggerating.
  • There is a sensor in each nostril and one that goes in front of your mouth to gauge your breathing.
  • Then last but not least there is an oxygen sensor on your finger.
 All of these wires are then gathered into a "ponytail" and run behind your head and plugged in.  I so wish I'd taken a photo - I'm sure I looked like someone from a mental institution about to undergo electro shock therapy. 

Then the technician (or the stalker as I've begun to think of him) tells me to lay still, he's going to run diagnostics on the leads and turn on the camera - yes the camera, as if I weren't freaked out enough, now I know they are watching me (this confirms the stalker-ishness of my technician don't you think).  There is a microphone in the room so they hear every cough, sneeze, moan & fart - yes everything we ALL do when we sleep but don't admit in public.   

The stalker then tells me do several movements to establish a baseline.  Roll your eyes, move your toes, fake snore, breathe thru your nose.....then you are free to go to sleep.  oh SURE!

Like it's THAT easy.  You see I LOVE my bed, my house, my puppy curled up next to me.  I do not sleep well in strange places. 

I'm are expected while being hooked up to more leads than a car battery and being video taped and audio taped in a strange bed without my hubby or puppy to go to sleep.  I am convinced that whomever came up with this idea never actually tried it themselves. 

After tossing and turning for what seemed like an eternity, normally I would've gotten up & gotten a drink of water but I didn't want to "speak and be heard" by the voice of God watching over me so I just suffered in silence.  The stalker came in at 1:00am to fix a lead that had come loose, when I asked he said I'd gotten a good hour of sleep.  Obviously his definition of "good" and mine are on two opposite ends of the good/bad spectrum!

After the longest night of my life - truly - the stalker returned at 6am to wake me up.  All I wanted to do was get the leads OFF OF ME and run out the door screaming all the way home (after stopping first to go potty).  But alas, after getting dressed and trying to get the goo off my face and out of my hair I thought I should brush my teeth.  HINT:  do NOT forget your toothbrush for a sleep study...thankfully a washcloth worked just fine.  After about an hour the doctor came in, after reviewing the study results and we talked......

The story does not end here - I have to return to the sleep study hovel and spend another night so they can find the right treatment (machine) and the correct settings. 

I'm sure you're asking yourself WHY IN THE WORLD would I subject myself to another night of torture (I know I am).  The answer is simple.  I am tired of being tired.  I wake up tired, I'm tired all day, I cannot remember the last time I truly felt refreshed upon waking up.

So - in 4 nights I will begin my quest for sound sleep and return to the den of sleeplessness for one more night of impossible sleep.....hopefully my knight in shining armor on his gallant white steed will find me and whisk me away to his castle in the sky...................oh wait that's a totally different story.






Thursday, February 14, 2013

Judging the character of others.....a story

Thank you goes to my mother for this jewel of wisdom:
 



A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a old suit, stepped off the train in  Boston and walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University President's outer office.

The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no business at Harvard & probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge .

'We'd like to see the president,' the man said softly.

‘He'll be busy all day,' the secretary snapped.
 
'We'll wait,' the lady replied.
  
For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away.

They didn't, and the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted.

'Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they'll leave,' she said to him! 

He sighed in exasperation and nodded.

Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them and he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office.  The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.

The lady told him, 'We had a son who attended Harvard for one year.  He loved Harvard. He was happy here.  But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed.  My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus.'

The president wasn't touched.  He was shocked. 'Madam,' he said, gruffly, ‘we can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died.  If we did, this place would look like a cemetery.'

'Oh, no,' the lady explained quickly.  'We don't want to erect a statue.  We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard.'

The president rolled his eyes.  He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, 'A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs?

We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical buildings here at Harvard.'

For a moment the lady was silent.  The president was pleased.  Maybe he could get rid of them now.

The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, 'Is that all it cost to start a university?  Why don't we just start our own?'

Her husband nodded.  The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the university that bears their name,  Stanford University, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.
 
You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Life gets away from me......

This is how life gets away from you...one day you're folding the towels, watching the news and the next thing you know the dog has pooped in the dining room (and for some reason no one in the house but you knows how to clean it up), the soccer uniform needed for the game in 30 minutes is still in the washer, the doorbell is ringing and the daughter is crying that she's sick and has a fever.......

Sound familiar?  This was my weekend.

I can say that having a sick child coupled with the ability to work from home to take care of her provides me with the perk of extra time to clean-up the house and generally get caught up.

HOWEVER, when there are 30+ episodes of Criminal Minds taped to watch, and 4 episodes of American Idol Hollywood week to watch my best intentions are instantly derailed.

As of this morning - the laundry is upstairs - though still in baskets (that's an improvement from it being all over the couch downstairs); the downstairs is vacuumed; the new comforters are washed, dried and on the kids beds; the dishes are clean in the dishwasher (let's not talk about the dirty ones stacked window ledge high in the sink).

Remember to stop and smell the flowers....because sometimes they stink and you wouldn't want to miss it!!!






Friday, February 8, 2013

It was a tremendously long day yesterday, was away from home for over 12 hours!
 
Finally trying to get to the kids ready and in bed, the dog went out to go potty, as usual he started barking.   Our dear son looked out and screamed "there's a possum on the fence".  Of course we thought he was joking, as he tends to do a lot of these days.  Not this time, a possum truly was walking along the top of our backyard fence behind the bamboo, I think the dog wanted to play with it.

We corralled the dog and got the camera, in 12 years of living in our neighborhood we've never seen a possum, let alone this close up.  He became cornered behind the arbor vitae at the corner of the fence and just sat there for a good hour.  What poor ugly creatures with red glowing eyes and freakishly long tails that inspire the heebie jeebies.





Thursday, February 7, 2013

Stay where you are needed....a story

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her, "Who was that man?" he asked.

The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.

"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"

"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed. I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His Son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this Gentleman's Name? "

The nurse with tears in her eyes answered, "Mr. William Grey........."

The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.



~Story from our friends at Operation Ooh-Rah

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Complacency

I've become complacent.  I've become lazy.  I've become boring.

I've been at the same job for 15 years, and when someone says "wow, that's a long time" - they truly have no idea.  My actual job has changed only once in the last 15 years, from an Administrative Assistant to an Executive Assistant.  While not many people will know what that means - it's easier but harder, rather than supporting a lot (75+) people, I only support one.  But at the same time it's a higher level of support as well as having to run interference with our Corporate office and at times play politics. 

So I did a little job searching today.  Not only am I extremely well paid, I decided I really do have a great job.  Flexibility to work from home if my children are sick, or if I am.  The ability to meet the appliance repairman, or cable guy during the day if I need to (NOT the Jim Carey type of Cable Guy either!).

Then I realized we all become complacent in our lives, our jobs, our relationships.  I think it's an inevitable evolution, but I also think once we become aware of it there are things we can do to reverse direction. 

Stop and smell the roses, laugh more, complain less.....try it, I know I'm going to!

CHL...what's that?

Today I went in for my concealed handgun license appointment at the County Sheriff's office.

Yes I am getting a license to conceal/carry a handgun.  I do not plan on being a gun toting Annie Oakley, but if I want to carry my handgun (my Smith & Wesson 38) then legally I can.
I will not apologize for this decision nor do feel I have to explain or justify this decision to anyone.  

What people need to remember is:

~ just because you can doesn't mean you should~


This little gem can be applied to a lot of areas of our lives and if we all were to just take a moment to think before we act or say something - the world would be a lot nicer place to live.

So back to my story - I went to the Sheriff's office expecting to have to go through security - like when I had jury duty at the Courthouse - or even the airport.  NOPE!  nothing - I walked right by the "information officer" and into the building.  I need to point out here that it is a beautiful new building with marble stairs and a nice tribute to fallen officers.  I went straight to the cashier's office, paid my fee ($65 for those who are curious) and headed upstairs to the Concealed Handgun License office.  Once there they pulled my application, confirmed my passport, ID and certificate of CHL class (which is a whole other story), I was photographed, fingerprinted electronically (no more messy ink pad) and sent on my way.  My license should arrive in the mail in 3-4 weeks, as long as I pass the background check, which is a bit strange - what if I don't pass?  Will they tell me why?

Now the "whole other story".  We (the hubby and I) attended the required CHL class offered at a gun show a few Saturday's ago.  The class was totally packed (this was after the NewTown school shooting) with about 50 people.  Honestly it was not what I expected at all.  We paid $35/pp to take the class and were supposed to learn:

  1. Basic Handgun Safety
  2. Oregon laws on weapons and deadly force
  3. Self-defense principles and defensive mindset
  4. Concealed carry equipment and techniques
Basic Handgun Safety - well that my friends is NOT what we got.  Going to the range and shooting with my Dad gave me WAY more safety information and instruction.  Really they just talked about common sense things that if you didn't already know well then you SHOULD NOT have access to a gun (in my opinion)!

In fact there were a few people (based on the questions they asked) that DEFINITELY do not need a concealed handgun permit!  They don't even need to own a gun!

Be safe out there my friends~~




Monday, February 4, 2013

Hypocrite

It will never cease to amaze me how becoming a mother can change even the most outspoken person into a hypocrite. 

It's very difficult to remain positive and supportive when those who wholly criticized my work schedules after both my babies were born are now taking even more liberties with their work schedule and expecting positive support from me.

I really do want to be as supportive of them as I wished they had been for me....but it sure is difficult. 

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Monday...again

I can't believe tomorrow is Monday again already. Another day to make a positive difference in my life and others.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Bathroom.....tree or sayings......or both

I've decided to paint my bathroom.  Right now it's a pretty light purple, almost lavender color.  I was going to paint a tree in the room...with branches & flowers.  But now I think I might put all different sayings all over the walls.  Like graffiti but with class.  What do you think?

Sayings like:

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else:  you are the one who gets burned"  ~Buddha

"You are an unfinished work in progress.  One of the good things about life's challenges, you get to find out that you're capable of being far more than you ever thought possible"  ~Karen Salmanshon

"you is Kind, you is Smart, you is Important"  ~Abileen Clark "The Help"

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway."  ~Elanor Roosevelt

Live in such a way that if someone should speak badly of you no one would believe it.

And then my soul saw you and it kind of went "Oh there you are.  I've been looking for you".

In French you don't really say "I miss you"  you say "tu me manques" which means "you are missing from me".....

One of the simplest ways to stay happy is...letting go of the things that make you sad.

Friends pick us up when we fall down, and if they can't pick us up, they lie down and listen for awhile.

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment"  ~Buddha

"Never be afraid to fall apart because it is an opportunity to rebuild yourself the way you wish you had been all along" ~Rae Smith

It is a wise mother who gives her child roots and wings.

I love you to the moon and back.






Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Lucky

How many times do we have to take our lives and each other for granted until we ultimately realize how lucky we are?  Each and every moment together could be our last...do you really want it to "end" like this?  If you love someone show them, if you dislike someone (well you really can't show them but you can not waste your time on them)......spend time with those that lift you up and make you feel energized and uplifted - don't waste time on those that are "soul suckers"...you know who I'm talking about.  We all have them in our lives, it's hard to get rid of them but for your own inner peace and health you have to.....they will never change, nor should they.  Just like you are who you are, they are as well.