Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Smart Goals

Well, I am late getting to my blog tonight. I will leave you with another goal setting example. Since January is almost over, I thought I should get all the last minute resolution and goal setting ideas in that I can…especially for me. Smile

Good night dear friends!

SMART Goals

If you ask most people what is their one major objective in life, they would probably give you a vague answer, such as, "I want to be successful, be happy, make a good living," and that is it. They are all wishes and none of them are clear goals.
Goals must be SMART:
1. S--specific. For example, "I want to lose weight." This is wishful thinking. It becomes a goal when I pin myself down to "I will lose 10 pounds in 90 days."
2. M--must be measurable. If we cannot measure it, we cannot accomplish it. Measurement is a way of monitoring our progress.
3. A--must be achievable. Achievable means that it should be out of reach enough to be challenging but it should not be out of sight, otherwise it becomes disheartening.
4. R--realistic. A person who wants to lose 50 pounds in~30 days is being unrealistic.
5. T--time-bound. There should be a starting date and a finishing date.

http://great-motivational-stories.blogspot.com/

“this is my life. it is my one time to be me. i want to experience every good thing.” ~ Maya Angelou

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.  ~ Maya Angelou

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.  ~ C.S. Lewis

Sunday, January 29, 2012

The Abundant Life

I read an article the other day about living the Abundant Life.

I thought I would share it with you,  this isn’t the complete article but I put the reference at the bottom in case you want to read it.
It was of course, talking about the goals and resolutions we make for the new year. The author offers the ABC’s for the abundant life. It is really good.
Good night dear friends!

A…is for Positive Attitude!

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference.  To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. Charles Swindoll- author, educator, and Christian pastor—said; “Attitude, to me, is more important than the past,…than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”
We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.

B…is for Believe!

It is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles. Be honest with yourself, with others, and with your Heavenly Father. Thomas Fuller, an English churchman and historian who lived in the 17th century, penned this truth; “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.” Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.  You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

C…is for Courage!

Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide  on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes a brave men and women to win them. “  There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming.
Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve. Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. “Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow”.

May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/01/living-the-abundant-life?lang=eng&query=s.+(name%3a"Thomas+S.+Monson")+(publication%3a"Ensign")

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Honesty is the best policy!

I loved this story, honesty is always the best policy. What a great reminder that through making right choices, we can actually change our destiny!

Good night dear friends!

Homeless man's decision to return $3,300 changed his life!

By Douglas Stanglin, USA TODAY

 

 

By David Wallace/The Republic

About a year ago, a homeless man in Arizona found a bag full of cash and made a fateful decision: He returned it.

The Arizona Republic published a feel-good story today that actually feels good about the future of 49-year-old Dave Tally of Tempe.

Tally was in debt, unemployed and had lost his driver's license for DUI violations. Homeless, he was sleeping on a mat in a church-based homeless shelter when he found $3,300 in a backpack at a local light-rail station.

That could have gotten Tally out of his hole, but he decided that was the wrong thing to do. Instead, he tracked down the owner of the cash, a college kid named Bryan Berlanger who had planned to use the money to buy a car to replace one he'd lost in an accident.

"Meeting Belanger and hearing the student thank and praise him for his honesty and kindness made Tally feel good about himself, he says," writes Republic reporter Dianna M. Nanez. "He hadn't had that feeling in awhile."

When word got out that Tally had turned in the cash instead of keeping it, the national media came looking for him.

Donations poured in, and Tally suddenly found himself with $10,000. But he was determined not to fritter it away.

He began paying off his bills, clearing up his driving record, and taking the long road back.

He even moved into a no-frills apartment across from the shelter as "a reminder of where I've been and where I'm not going back again."

One year later, Tally has landed his "dream job," managing a community garden.

Recently, The Republic reports, Tally started overseeing an internship program that allows people who are homeless to volunteer in the garden.

But he doesn't preach to anyone. "I let them know that when they're ready to make changes, it's possible," he says.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/11/life-turns-around-for-homeless-man-who-returned-lost-3300/1

Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.

It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.  ~ Francis Bacon, Sr

Friday, January 27, 2012

How to succeed!

I smiled when Jeff sent me this quote…isn’t it easy to think to succeed that you must accomplish a million things? Well, maybe everyone doesn’t think that way  but I know we Mothers do. I sometimes only look at all the things I didn’t get done, instead of what I accomplished. When I read this sweet list of successful things, I think I totally agree … and better yet, I need to remember it more often.

Still struggling with this terrible cold…I guess it is the season, still I need to get better to teach my class tomorrow. I love teaching! So I will head right to bed. Thank you for your friendship and love. It truly means the WORLD to me! Good night dear friends.


“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Adversity

Yesterday I started coming down with a cold. It so far has stayed at just that. I am so prone to get pneumonia that I always have to be extra careful not to have it go to my lungs. My lungs got compromised after having Radiation Treatments for my cancer.

Having said that though, I really have been soooooooooooooo much healthier this year so…I am not complaining. Well, I guess I am tonight because I feel so awful and my body hurts, I can’t breath cause my head is so congested and …oh there I go again, sorry about that.  Anyway, my point was I had better get to bed early, so I will leave with you this motivational short story about Adversity.

Good night dear friends!

 

Faced with Adversity


Who hasn't faced adversity in their life? We all have stories about facing adversity in our lives. The difference is what we did to overcome it. We all have two choices:
1. to do nothing, and just give up
2. to look at the adversity as an opportunity
For me personally, I could write for days about many different situations where adversity challenged my life. Let me tell you of one experience where I almost let adversity win.
We had a glass studio, which was located 50 feet from our home. A couple of years ago we experienced an awful winter; we had a lot of snow and ice. To make a long story short the weight of the ice and snow collapsed the roof on our studio, taking with it one of our sources of income. Before it did collapse, we got on the roof and tried to remove the snow and ice, but when you have 5 feet of ice and temperatures of minus 20 Celsius, it was pretty difficult to do.
We had a contractor come in to help us try and secure the roof by bracing. In the end, there was nothing that could be done. The roof came down. We had moved a lot of our goods and tools from the studio but we lost a lot also; glass, kilns, workbenches, to name only a few of the items. It was a devastating experience.
Here we were in the middle of winter with our studio collapsed. We couldn't work as we had literally piled all the material in a building we were not using. We could have done one of two things:
1. we could of simply said that we can no longer conduct our glass business, let me tell you that this was certainly a thought that crossed our mind
2. or, we could find a way to get our studio back up and running
We picked option 2. We had a large barn that we were not using. So we renovated the barn, redesigned our working area and today we have a nicer studio than we previously had. If the adversity we faced had not happened, we probably would still be working in the old studio - a studio that was less efficient.

Adversity:
You can make excuses, or take action.
You can see adversity as a friend, or as an excuse to give up or give in.
You can have the "poor me" attitude, or you can say something better will come out of this.
You can embrace it, or you can stick your head in the sand and hope it will go away.


My point in sharing our experience with you is this: don't be afraid of adversity. While it is discouraging and it can be draining, look at it as an opportunity. Think of different ways to overcome the adversity. How we respond to adversity will determine our success and our happiness in life. May you find adversity in your life one that will make you stronger, more determined, and allow your creativity to find ways to overcome it for the better. Remember the wisdom of Horace, who once said, "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant. "  Author: Catherine Pulsifer, © 2012

We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way.  ~Author Unknown

“The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.”  ~Harry Golden

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Unity in Parenting

I think that there are some things that you should talk about before getting married. One of them is about having children and how you want to raise them. How you plan to teach and discipline them and how to be respectful of each other’s different opinions. Of course not all of these things are brought up but… they really should be. You should know ahead of time what your husband or wife to be…feels about discipline, about what faith you want to raise them in ( especially if you are of different faiths ). Talking about certain scenarios, I think can be very helpful for you to at least see if you are compatible. Of course nothing can really prepare you for family life but… it helps some! Smile

One thing that Jeff and I talked a lot about before our kids were born, was to be respectful of each other and to not criticize each other …in front of the kids especially. It is hard for kids to see Mom and Dad NOT BE ON THE SAME PAGE! My Grandmother used to always say “If you and your husband aren’t on the same page (united ), then you kids will divide and conquer you!” Man, was she ever right!

Sunday at church one of the speakers spoke on this subject and told this story…it made a great point, so I thought I would share it with you tonight. 

Good night dear friends!

 

 

The Importance of Unity in Teaching Children

When fathers and mothers take time to counsel with one another, they are more likely to be unified in teaching their children, even in the unplanned teaching moments that occur in the ordinary flow of family life. Such unity is important because few things are more confusing to children than conflicting messages from the two people they love and respect most.

One couple shared the following story about an experience with their son:

Six-year-old Mike had worked hard most of the summer doing extra jobs at home and for the neighbors so he could earn money to spend when the family took their summer vacation. It was going to be a long trip, and his mother had said that if he wanted any treats or souvenirs along the way, he would need to buy those things himself. Even though she cautioned him almost daily to put his money in a safe place, Mike liked the feel of having money in his pocket. He carried it around with him constantly. Several times a day he would take it out and count it or show it to his friends.

On the day before the trip, Mike discovered that his money had fallen out of his pocket. Brokenhearted and crying, he went to his mother. She was sympathetic, and she helped Mike look in every place they could think of, but no money was to be found. “I’m so sorry your money is gone,” she said. She resisted mentioning that she had warned him many times, but she also resisted the temptation to make everything all better for her son. After all, she thought, playing with the money every day in spite of her warnings had been his choice.

A forlorn little Mike was sitting on the front steps when his father came home. After hearing the sad story, Mike’s father reached in his pocket, pulled out the exact amount Mike had lost, and gave it to him. When the father saw the look of surprise on his wife’s face, he remarked, “It’s only a little money. What’s the harm?”

As we consider this story, we might ask which parent was right. But that may not be the best question. It might be better to ask how Mike’s parents could have been more unified in the way they handled the situation. They could have counseled together, considering Mike’s needs.

They could have asked themselves, “What do we want to happen in Mike’s life as a result of this situation? Does he need to learn greater responsibility? Does he need to feel more compassion and understanding from his parents? Does he need to learn not to show off in front of his friends? Does he need to learn the importance of following family rules?” This would have helped them determine what to teach their son and how to teach it.

Had Mike’s parents spent time to be united in their approach to this situation, they could have found a good way to either replace Mike’s lost money or not replace it. Instead, they responded in ways that taught conflicting lessons.  http://lds.org/manual/teaching-no-greater-call-a-resource-guide-for-gospel-teaching/lesson-4-parents-teaching-partnership?lang=eng

“A family in harmony will prosper in everything.”    ~CHINESE PROVERB

“Family life was wonderful. The streets were bleak. The playgrounds were bleak. But home was always warm. My mother and father had a great relationship. I always felt 'safe' there.”  ~ Robert Cormier

Monday, January 23, 2012

Shield of Faith!

Now that Jeff and I are alone, there are times we wonder if we have taught our children all they needed to know to succeed in the world… and be close to their Heavenly Father? In church yesterday one of the talks was on that very subject, I won’t give you all my notes but try to summarize a few of the things that were mentioned. One that really hit me was the talk about teaching your children to have Faith. Then they talked about shields and how they protect you … but if you remember the story of David and Goliath, David didn’t want to use the armor given to him, because it didn’t fit. So the point was…it is our responsibility as parents to teach them to have FAITH and how that is to be done in the home. Here are a few other things they mentioned about helping our children with their shield and armor of Faith…

1.That shield of faith is not produced in a factory but at home in a cottage industry.

2.The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.

3.It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done.

4.In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis.

5.The prophets and Apostles know full well that the perilous times Paul prophesied for the last days are now upon us: “Men [are] lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection” (see 2 Tim. 3:1–7).

6.This shield of faith is not manufactured on an assembly line, only handmade in a cottage industry. Therefore our leaders press members to understand that what is most worth doing must be done at home. Some still do not see that too many out-of-home activities, however well intended, leave too little time to make and fit on the shield of faith at home. http://lds.org/ensign/1995/05/the-shield-of-faith?lang=eng

I love the analogy of the shield of faith. It is true, we as parents have a sacred responsibility to teach our kids as well as we can, so each day their armor is more resilient and strong enough,to withstand the temptations of the world. I hope that Jeff and I have done that for our kids? I hope they have enough Faith to endure the things they will have to challenge them? I hope they know that Jeff and I have great faith, but also realize that we have to work on strengthening that faith every day?

It was a great talk and a great reminder for all of us parents, to keep fitting, hammering, polishing and strengthening our children’s shield of faith! So even though we are empty nesters, our work is not done! For that I am grateful, I love being a Mother! 

Good night dear friends!

 

 

“As parents, we should remember that our lives may be the book from the family library which the children most treasure. Are our examples worthy of emulation? Do we live in such a way that a son or a daughter may say, ‘I want to follow my dad,’ or ‘I want to be like my mother’? Unlike the book on the library shelf, the covers of which shield its contents, our lives cannot be closed. Parents, we truly are an open book in the library of learning of our homes.”   ~ Thomas S. Monson

“The family is both the fundamental unit of society as well as the root of culture. It ... is a perpetual source of encouragement, advocacy, assurance, and emotional refueling that empowers a child to venture with confidence into the greater world and to become all that he can be.”  ~Marianne E. Neifert

“It is in the home that we form our attitudes, our deeply held beliefs. It is in the home that hope is fostered or destroyed. Our homes are to be more than sanctuaries; they should also be places where God’s Spirit can dwell, where the storm stops at the door, where love reigns and peace dwells.”   ~ Thomas S. Monson

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Kindness is Contagious

I really do  believe that Kindness is Contagious.  Hope you had a great day!

Good night dear friends!

Kindness is Contagious

My 9-year-old daughter and I were flying from our home in Charlotte,
North Carolina, to spend a week with my husband in Miami, Florida. Mike
had been in Florida for five months working for an Internet start-up
company. We were excited about the trip because we had seen him only five
times in five months, and Kallie missed her dad terribly.
As usual on the Charlotte-to-Miami flight, the plane was totally full.
I had noticed a troop of Boy Scouts at the gate and commented to my
daughter that if anything happened, we would be OK with all those Scouts
on our flight! Little did I know....
Because we did not get our boarding passes until we arrived at the
gate, Kallie and I could not get seats together and were separated by the
aisle. That wasn't such a big deal, except that Kallie was nervous about
the trip and had counted on my reading to her the whole way. Trying to
read across the aisle would be a challenge.
When the two passengers who shared my row boarded the plane, I asked
if they would switch places with Kallie and me, so that we could be
together and so that she could sit next to the window. They refused,
saying they thought they should stay in their assigned seats. Meanwhile,
a mother and her three children were in a panic several rows ahead of us.
There had been a mistake in their boarding passes, the whole family had
been split up.
The passengers in her row also refused to move elsewhere. The mother
could hold her baby, but her 6-year-old son and his older brother had
been scattered around the plane. She was very concerned about the younger
boy sitting with strangers. She was in tears, yet nobody offered to help
her.
Suddenly the Scout leader stood up and said, "Ma'am, I think we can
help you." He then spent five minutes rearranging his group so that
adequate space was available for the family. The boys followed his
directions cheerfully and without complaint, and the mother's relief was
obvious.
Kallie, however, was beginning to panic at the thought of not being
next to a window or her mother. I told her that there wasn't anything I
could do; we would have to sit where we were. Amazingly, the man sitting
next to the Scoutmaster (not a Scout himself), turned around to me and
asked, "Would you and your daughter like our seats?" referring to himself
and the Scoutmaster. He said he was cramped in the window seat and would
really prefer the aisle. We traded seats and continued our trip, very
much relieved to be together and watch the scenery from Kallie's window
seat.
Would that man have offered us his seat if the Scouts hadn't done so
for the mom and her children? I don't know. But I do know that kindness
is contagious, and good deeds beget good deeds!

by Phyllis Yearick

 

“If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble”.  ~Bob Hope

“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.'’  ~Jesse Jackson

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are.”  ~Author Unknown

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Last song

Jeff and I watched this movie the other night, the message was really good and it was pretty darn clean. Those aren’t easy to find any more. I guess what I loved about it the most was, how the daughter and father made up with each other before it was too late. The parents in this story had divorced and it was mostly about how divorce effects everyone in the family…but especially the children. I have to admit, that I am very grateful that I knew my Mom and Dad loved each other, it just seemed normal but now a days… Divorce is the normal. I have met many people throughout my life who are the children from a divorce, it takes quite a toll on them and leaves some really nasty scars.

The movie made you think about how much power a parent has over a child, I don’t mean physical power, but the emotions that are tied into a Mother and child relationship and a Father and child relationship. I think what I liked the most about this movie was the lessons that were learned by the daughter, so maybe she will live her life making different choices, and not repeating the same mistakes. I tell my kids all the time that they should be better husbands, wives, Mothers and Fathers than we are. Although we are truly trying our best, our kids should keep getting better each generation, learning from their parents mistakes.

I was never really close to my Dad, how I wished I would have been. He has passed on, but still I wish we could have figured out how to have a Father –Daughter relationship that was good, uplifting and healthy.  I know he did the best he could but… still I think every girl would like to have a Dad to love, cherish and protect her, I think every girl needs that.

I feel grateful each day for Jeff, he is that type of Father to our kids and they know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that their Dad loves them. What a blessing that is. Our oldest son and his wife are expecting their first baby in March and I can’t wait to see him as a Father, he will be great. He is a righteous man and has such a loving heart, he will be a good Dad …and his children will be well loved!

So if you are looking for  a good tear jerker movie that is pretty clean, this I is a good one for you.
Good night dear friends!

The Last Song Poster

 

"People make mistakes, even the ones we love. We forgive, and keep moving forward."

 

"Love is Fragile and Sometimes were Not The Best Caretakers."

“Sometimes you have to be apart from the people you love, but that doesn't make you love them any less. Sometimes it makes you love them more.”

The love of a family is life's greatest blessing

Friday, January 20, 2012

Need to remember!

Another dear friend of mine who is also an Empty Nester, wrote to me the other day and talked about how hard your heart hurts when; not only are you Empty Nesters but none of your kids or grandkids live near you. She mentioned that you just get up every day and just keep going, even though your heart is hurting. She also mentioned how grateful she is for the couple times a year she does get to see her grandkids and children.

I quickly realized that I need to just keep going, focus on the positive and most of all …count my blessings! Yes, life is tough but never so bad, that you can’t look elsewhere to see someone even worse off. We really do have lots to be grateful for. Thanks for all of you who have rallied around me and told me that I could do this, silly as that may seem…I needed it and it did help!

So today I kept sewing, Jeff and I went tubing with the kids (well before  you get to excited…I just watched them go tubing and hung out with Jenny mostly ) and then we came home and had a Date Night, which we actually could do every night now if we wanted to.  After tubing, we went to the store when Jeff saw my face getting sad, as I looked at just a few items in the cart, he said “ Just think of all the money we are saving, by only getting a few groceries! “ It made me smile, however I would much rather be pinching my pennies any day and buying a ton of food for the kids at home, but the point was … just be happy and grateful.

Point taken! Good night dear friends.  

Pinned Image

The girl in this photo must have been a True G.R.I.T.S. ( cause we G.irls R.aised I.n T.he S.outh are way more comfortable going barefoot).

I loved this quote and think it said it all… for tonight’s post!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

True G.R.I.T.S.

 

Well, we have about 6 inches of snow outside and it is still falling. I have hot water in the crockpot which is all ready for Hot Chocolate. I have in the other crock pot Chicken’s and Dumplings. And then a huge pot of Pinto Beans and Ham on the stove simmering. Now you can probably tell by this menu that I am a True G.R.I.T.S. ( Girl raised in the South ). The funny part is, Jeff is looking at me wondering who in the world is going to eat all this food. I know, I keep forgetting it is just us two, oh how I miss my kids! There is just something about a Snow Storm that makes me want to prepare ….just in case the neighborhood needed some help! Smile

I have done that since the kids were little, when the weather gets bad outside…I start cooking. Old habits are hard to break I guess! Oh well, unless a cold and hungry stranger comes knocking at our door to come eat, I guess I will just freeze some of it. I guess being prepared is better than NOT being prepared!

 

Pinned Image

I received an email from a dear friend of mine tonight, and she reiterated what some other Empty Nesters have told me. That having your kids leave is really hard and it really hurts, but only because that meant I really loved my kids. She also reminded me that it will come and go in waves…since two of my kids have already left home earlier and now are married, I understand what she means. Still knowing that they are still only a phone call or an email away helps. How grateful I need to be that we do love each other and miss each other. Many families don’t have that.

So tonight I actually went to my sewing room and created something. It felt good, I need to do more of that. Plus, I need to remember we G.R.I.T.S. ( southern girls ) are tough, I need to toughen up and keep moving, because if you aren’t moving, then you are actually going backwards…so true. Gotta go and put the stuff in the freezer before I go to bed!

Good night dear friends!

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”  ~ Elizabeth Stone

It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself.  ~Joyce Maynard

“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing”

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Suggestions to help make this the best New Year ever!

Well, I am still struggling with this Empty Nest syndrome. I know it’s going to get better, but still my heart just aches if I am by myself at all. I have even lost ( to some degree ) my creativity…that sounds almost impossible, but I have. I just come down to my sewing room and instead of making project after project, I just sit here  and do nothing.  I have got to get on top of this feeling. I know it hasn’t been that long but gee, this has been harder than I imagined. So tonight instead of sharing my half empty thoughts with you, I am going to share with you an article I read about making this the best New Year Ever! Some of the questions I don’t really relate to, I guess every one will relate or need some of them. But they do make you think.

Good night dear friends!

THE 10-STEP LIFE RENEWAL PLAN

First ask yourself these questions to figure out what’s working , reject what’s not, and move toward your best decade yet.

1. Does the way you spend your time reflect what’s important to you?

Make a list of your top 5 priorities—marriage, children, volunteer work, and so on – and track how many hours you devote to each in a week. If any numbers are too low, recalculate your time budget so you can live according to who you want to be.

2. Does your Blackberry get more attention then your family and friends?

Resolve to switch off your gadgets during private moments so you can nourish personal connections with complete focus.

3. Are you nursing a grudge or two?

Let bygones be bygones, and free yourself from the emotions that weigh you down.

4. Who should be in your life?

Phase out any so-called friends who offer only criticism and negative energy. Surround yourself with people who you admire, who believe in you and want you to succeed.

5.Have you typecast yourself?

You may cherish your responsibilities  as a Mother, but “ Mom” is not the whole of who you are. Ask yourself if one role is draining all your energy, leaving other expressions of your authentic self unfulfilled.

6. What battle are you fighting?

Is your husband really the one who’s letting you down, or are you blaming him for the pain of a past relationship? Are  you doing what’s best for your kids, or are you parenting with a chip on your shoulder left over from your own childhood? Remember:  You are not a prisoner of your legacy.

7. How can you live greener?

Can you swap your gas guzzler for public transportation? Trade plastic bottles for a thermos? Go meatless for a week? Pinpoint changes you can make now.

8. What are your goals?

Define specific goals with measurable outcomes and assign yourself a timeline. Passion and will power alone won’t cut it – you need a strategy.

9. Who is standing in your way?

The answer may be you . Reject self-loathing and treat yourself with the kindness and respect you would show your best friend.

10. What one thing can you do for yourself every day?

It could be as simple as finding 20 minutes to take a bath. Every day is a new opportunity to pay attention to your own needs and make choices you feel good about. This decade, claim the right to minister to yourself.

~ Phillip C. McGraw, PhD

 

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”
- Will Rogers

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we took so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us”
- Helen Keller

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
- Dr Wayne Dyer

“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
- Muhammad Ali

We will be best friends forever!

Last night Angie had her Monthly SLEEP OVER AT NANA’S. It has become a real important event, especially since Jenny was born. It seems like they compete about everything, so this is one night and day that Angie and I have alone. It shouldn’t be too long before Jenny gets to come over for her SLEEP OVER WITH NANA. Today was even extra special, because it snowed! We don’t get snow here very often so it has been a real treat for all of us. Usually a sleep over involves a movie and popcorn, making some type of craft, cooking something and just basically hanging out together. Today we decided to watch a Christmas movie. ( oh come on, I know it’s over but…there is snow outside, my Christmas decorations are STILL up and she is only 5 and loves Christmas as much as her Nana does) . Sooooo we watched this one called A GOLDEN CHRISTMAS. I don’t want to ruin the movie for you  ( I know you are going to run out and rent it right away) Smile but I need to share with you one part. It is the part where a 9 year old girl and a 10 year old boy are friends and spend a whole summer together at a camp, before they part to go to their homes, they made a time capsule out of an old lunch box. They put their treasures and memories in there, and then they never saw each other again, until…. oh I don’t want to ruin it for you!

 

But the point is this….after the movie Angie REALLY wanted she and I to make a Time Capsule of our own. So that’s what we did for the next little while. We found a tin can, cute but not as big as a lunch box. Then we put things in there that we liked …her favorite couple of rings…because we both like jewelry, a homemade Christmas ornament…because we both love Christmas, a rubber squid….? not sure about that, a decorated box… because it looked like it was a treasure, a heart from Build a Bear…to remind us to always share with Others, a bracelet and a few other precious things. Then we wrapped up the box and buried it in the back yard, we had to be careful where to bury it …because all of our family pet Guinea Pigs are buried out there too! Smile Then we did a pinky promise and next we wrote it on the calendar to dig it up on Christmas this year. That seemed like a LONG time for her. The last thing we did was she whispered in my ear…You will be be my Best Friend Forever! I repeated the same to her.

I love doing this type of things with my kids and now my grandkids! I love that we really do get to stay best friends forever. I am glad to know that Families are Forever! Someone once said to me…you are a great Grandmother! Well, I really should be…I missed soooooo many things like this in my childhood, that I have always strived to give it to my kids and grandkids…actually any kids I meet. I think they should feel like the most important person in the world to someone. I think they need to feel LOVED! I think they need to enjoy their childhood, I miss that I didn’t get one. So I will strive the rest of my life to make sure that every kid I meet has one with lots of wonderful memories,  and knows that they are important to their MOM, NANA, AUNT LYNN, SISTER LYNN or whatever they call me. I really think that can make a difference in their lives…for the better.

So the truth is …I get a lot from all these special moments too! I get new wonderful memories, new friends and family and a LOVE that is FOREVER, I hope I never let Angie or any kid down in this area of my life! It is vital I believe. Yes, childhood is the best …or should be! Thanks to all of you who have shared your family with me! I truly do love all of them! Being a Grandparent… is just ICING ON THE CAKE!!!

Good night dear friends!

“The things which the child loves remain in the domain of the heart until old age. The most beautiful thing in life is that our souls remaining over the places where we once enjoyed ourselves”    ~Kahlil Gibran

“It is never too late to have a happy childhood”     ~ Tom Robbins  

"The soul is healed by being with children."    ~ English Proverb

Monday, January 16, 2012

Service heals others, and yourself!

I was talking to a dear friend today who is struggling. I was trying to give her suggestions on how to help herself heal. My suggestion was service. It is true, if you are sad or depressed, you can help it by losing yourself in the service of others. Usually by doing this, your perspective changes too, that helps life seem better.
Yes service, you can’t do it, without helping yourself too!
I loved this poem about service. Enjoy and Good Night dear friends!
 
'Splendid Grace' by Bianca Van Der Werf
Bird With A Broken Wing

Tracey Brown

One day while walking through the woods
I saw my father looking around
I impatiently asked why we couldn’t go home
‘Cause Mama promised to take me to town.
As he put his finger to his lips
He motioned for me to be still
There’s a bird with a broken wing out there
And if we don’t help it no one will.
No longer can it not soar the skies
But it can no longer sing
And God’s earth would lose some of the beauty
That only this one bird can bring.
He then reached down so gently
And raised the bird to his chest
“Now we’ll take him home
And give him a much needed rest.”
We fed and water this little bird
And watched it grow stronger each day
Until the time finally came
When we proudly watched it fly away.
I fondly remembered that day
When I’d ask Mama where Dad had gone
“One of God’s birds out there with a broken wing”
Dad’s gone to help it restore it’s song.
I knew exactly what she meant
It wasn’t always the feathered kind
For Dad was always helping others
In any way he could find.
Now I’m getting close to the end of my journey
I’ve tried to always follow his lead
Because I promised before he died
I’d always help those in need.
There are times I ask my Heavenly Father
Why am I here, still?
“One of My bird’s out there with a broken wing
And if you don’t help it no one will.”
Tracey Brown

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."     ~ Plato  

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”     ~James Matthew Barrie

“In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy.”     ~Karl Reiland

“He who notes the sparrow’s fall will not be unmindful of such service.”     ~ Thomas S. Monson

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Love of a family

Well, today was my first day without the girls coming over, and to be perfectly honest with you…I didn’t do well. I miss my kids and I have been crying every time I walk by their rooms, or think about them. How will my heart stop hurting? I have been trying to keep busy, and I actually have a lot to do but today…wasn’t too productive.

We have a neighbor who just had a brand new baby girl, we got to see her for just a moment today. Oh I can remember what it felt like the first time we brought Amy home, we were excited, nervous, happy and scared all wrapped up together. What emotions these little ones bring with them.

Still I thought how ironic it was… that here they were trying to adjust to bringing their first little baby into their home, and here I am trying to adjust to not having my kids at home. 29 Years ago, I remember exactly what they are feeling, today I sorta wished I could have traded with them…for at least a moment or two. Lucky for me this little girl will get to know her neighbor ( Aunt Lynn) and be able to fill some of the void. My granddaughters have been the biggest help too! And in just a month or so, we will be having our 3rd Grandbaby, little Kai, so my heart won’t be lonely too long I am sure. But for today, I am struggling. So thank you for being there, and for your words of advice…I know this too will pass!

Found this article on families and thought I would share it with you. Enjoy!

 

Love Comes Full Circle: The Importance of Family Love

The urge to love and be loved is one we are born with. But how we love is something we learn, and how we experience love is shaped by our past experiences and by those we care about. For many, the word “love” brings to mind romantic love, yet our first love is not a romance. Our first experience with love is the love shared between parents and children. The family is the foundation of any individual’s ability to love and accept love. This is not only because it is the first love one experiences as a newborn; parenthood is also an essential part of the human experience.

Family and love are inextricably intertwined. Good parenting is not only about raising intelligent, well adapted children but about raising well loved children. From our own parents, we learn a great deal about family life and family relationships, including love, and that learning shapes us. And the family never stops guiding and perfecting our experience of love. Just as our mother’s love profoundly affected us as children, so too does motherhood affect women and teach them a new facet of love. And of course fatherhood changes men as well. Experiencing parenthood as part of a couple doesn’t just teach us the profound love parents feel for their children, but also expands and deepens the love between parents.

Despite this, bearing children seems to have become less of a priority for modern families. Home buying, degree finishing, career advancing, social climbing… these things seem almost to have eclipsed parenting altogether. Couples are choosing to have children later in their lives, or often not at all, and the birth rate is dropping. Overlooking the importance of family and children when measuring success can be a mistake. Paychecks and social status are not the essential ingredients of success. The true measure of success is happiness, which depends so much upon love. And family and love go hand in hand. Children represent love coming full circle: the love we learned from our parents, transformed into the romantic love between partners, and reaching its full potential in creating our own families.

When researching parenting advice, love is only given superficial treatment. Of course, a new baby brings many changes to daily life—disrupted sleep schedules, diaper changing—but the most important change is the transforming power of love. When we become parents, we first experience the unconditional love only a parent can feel. We shoulder the responsibility of teaching a brand new human being the critical importance of love. And we meet our partner in a new role, as mother or father.

By becoming parents, a couple takes on the most important task they will ever face. Raising children completes a family. This isn’t only a matter of numbers or definitions, but the fact that experiencing parenthood completes our understanding of love and our lives as individuals. There is no worldly success that is as important or satisfying as the success of sharing a happy family life with those we love most.

Other things may change us, but we start and end with family”  Anthony Brandt

  “The love of a family is life's greatest blessing

There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained”  ~ Winston Churchill

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Quilts connect you with people!

I just read this article about stories of people, and their quilts. I loved it and have to agree, quilts do connect people.
Today was my first day back teaching at the Quilt Shop, since Dec 9th. That is well over a month, but it was important for me to take that time off and away. There was Christmas to prepare for and enjoy with my family, we had our last two kids to help get packed up and sent off to college and a trip to see family and friends. It was a great break and well needed but…I really missed the shop, my class and QUILTING!

As I saw my class fill up today, I realized this class has become so much more to me than just a few ladies coming every month to do a quilt project, these women have become my friends…good friends and I felt so blessed to be able to feel that way. Each one is different and unique. Each one has there own story to tell about life and how and why they started quilting. Each one has their own battles that they are fighting but some how, I think the connection they we all  have with each other, helps in some way. And not in just some little way… but in a very big way!  At least I know it has in my life.

How fun and important these classes have become to me, I feel blessed to be there. So thank you for each one of you, that takes the time out of your busy day, to come to my Demo classes. I hope they mean as much to you, as they do to me? It has been wonderful, and to think… just about 10 years ago, I thought there is no way I would ever be able to really quilt.  Oh what I would have been missing, or I should say WHO I would have been missing? Smile

Good night dear friends!

doll bed

The Story of Quilts

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2007/the-story-of-quilts/

As a history buff, my initial attraction to the craft of quilting was its history. Quilts have a rich past that has embedded itself into American history. As I learned more about it, the more I realized how deeply quilts have also embedded themselves into our personal histories as well.

For women in America, quilting began at least as early as 1750 as an opportunity for them to channel their creativity. Quilting was considered an important skill for women. Young girls were given quilting projects to help teach them to sew, such as creating small quilts for their dolls. The American Girl’s Book from 1831 recommended quilt making for girls, noting that "little girls often find amusement in making patchwork quilts for the beds of their dolls."

Quilting is a unique craft that can allow many people to work on a quilt at the same time, and many women found companionship in quilting with friends and relatives. These social Quilting Bees were opportunities for women to discuss everything from recipes, to child-rearing, to politics.

The quilts themselves became significant symbols. Quilters in the 19th century regularly created quilts as political statements, using them as raffle prizes to support various causes such as abolition, temperance and during the Civil War. Quilts were one way that women of the 19th century were given a voice in their contemporary world.

And, of course, quilts became precious family heirlooms. Quilts were traditionally made and used to mark life’s most significant experiences. Baby quilts were given to new mothers and larger quilts were given to couples when they were married, often with symbolic block patterns like a Lover’s Knot or Double Wedding Ring.

When a family relocated to a new home, friends and family members would often make a quilt as a parting gift. These friendship or album quilts, made by a group for a departing friend, were especially popular during the 1840s when there was a great surge of population moving to the western United States. The recipient of these quilts could leave with a symbolic, tangible reminder of the loved ones left behind…loved ones they probably never saw again. Margaret Seebold of Pennsylvania said, "Quilts make you think a little of the person who made it or whose dresses were in there. Maybe you don’t think of them any other time except when you see that quilt."

“Friendships are sewn...one stitch at a time.”

“Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.”

“Friends are like fabric - you can never have enough!”

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

It’s what’s in between that counts!

When you read this title tonight you might have thought I was talking about an Oreo cookies or something like that, but I was actually talking about LIFE! I found this quote today and thought how true that is…

"Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living."   ~Sandra Bullock in “Hope Floats”

Tonight I went to the grocery store, remember I told you how bare the cupboards were. Well, I have to admit it made me sad to only pick up a few things that Jeff and I would need. I never come out of there without my grocery cart spilling over but tonight was different. Then I started to pick out some bananas and realized we only needed a couple…how could that be? I thought…who buys just a few or two bananas? Then before I could feel too sorry for myself I saw one of our neighbors. She is a widow and an amazing person, but still she only had a can or two in her cart. It really doesn’t take long to realize that life isn’t as bad as it seems. As my neighbor and I spoke, I mentioned we were Empty Nesters now. Her first response was “ just got out and do something for someone else, stay active and busy”. That was great advice from someone who knows …because she has been there. So it is true, the beginnings are sorta scary…we have never been Empty Nesters before; plus the endings are sad…I miss my kids!  Still it is all the stuff in between, like the phone calls, Skypes, face book messages, packages, visits and everything else that makes life worth it! So I will try to remember that every time I am feeling sorry for myself. Plus, I need not complain too much because I have my two cute red heads near me…that is really the GOOD STUFF IN BETWEEN.

I start teaching again tomorrow…excited to be back!  Need to go get a few things ready for that so…good night dear friends!

Nana and her girls

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
Dr. Seuss

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”
Robert Frost

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
Oscar Wilde

When do children become your friends?

Our daughter Lauren just had another birthday, how in the world did she grow up so fast? I always wonder when it happens, that our kids become our friends? It is somewhere between the teenage years and young adulthood I imagine. Where you start sharing things and the conversations sound more like friends, than talking like a parent and child. It is a wonderful thing though to realize that these kids that you have loved and served their whole life, now become dear friends. What a neat compensation for those younger years.

I wish I had photos of Lauren when she was younger to show you, she was quite the character. She was always using her imagination to take her somewhere else, or help turn her into someone or something else…usually some type of animal. She really didn’t play lots with dolls, her stuffed animals were her daily friends. When Lee was born, she couldn’t wait till he crawled and could learn how to bark, so she could have her very own puppy! Bad news was, she always wanted a lease on her puppy and so to say that Lee is lucky to be here, is an under statement! :) Now she is still using her imagination and usually through it’s through her photos, which is fun. She has also always liked super heros. So here is a photo of our Lauren ready to go back to school and start yet, another ADVENTURE! Good luck Lauren, you will be GREAT!!!

  Of course if you like your kids, if you love them from the moment they begin, you yourself begin all over again, in them, with them, and so there is something more to the world again.”   William Saroyan quotes

“While we try to teach our children all about life ,our children teach us what life is all about.”   ~Angela Schwindt

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

True Strength

I am always amazed at how we sometimes handle things that we thought we never could. I think there is a lot to be said for worrying about something that you can’t change. It’s almost like you set yourself up for failure or heartache if you aren’t careful. I feel like I did that a bit about Jeff and I becoming Empty Nesters. It has been 29 years that I have been a full time MOM, that is a lot of years of service; and yet we came home to an Empty House for the first time in that 29 years yesterday. It was a weird and sad feeling, I miss my kids…I never do well when I even have to say Good Bye to them for just a short time. Yet, there were happy thoughts too, happy that they are in a wonderful college, and happy that they have this opportunity to learn and grow. Happy that they are good kids, with good hearts… we know they will make a difference ( for good ) in the world. Isn’t that what we all hope to be doing ?

So I kept myself busy today, lots of laundry, cleaning, more laundry, pulling out all the ( old food ) science projects from the fridge, going to the store and of course lucky for me….I got to have both of the girls over at different times today to visit. They missed Nana, and I surely missed them. So today was good, keeping busy I think will help a lot. I just pray on the tough days that I will remember that I have more strength than I think I do.

Thanks to all of you experienced Empty Nesters, I appreciate you advice and example!

Good night dear friends!

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have”  ~ Unknown

“Look well into thyself;
there is a source of strength which will always spring up
if thou wilt always look there.”
-Marcus Antoninus

“Strength does not come from physical capacity.
It comes from an indomitable will. “
-Mahatma Gandhi

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Just stay POSITIVE!!!

Cliff HangerToday we are still in Utah and will be flying out tonight. It is always hard to leave family. It will be nice though to get home and get to see Amy, John and kids, plus our neighbors and friends! But no matter what, I am still a bit concerned about coming home to an empty house ( even worse a dirty empty house). I had great intentions on getting it cleaned before I left, but I was more worried about getting all our Christmas presents made for our family and friends here. So at least I will have something I need to do, as soon as I get there, that should help…I hope!

My niece and nephew asked me to speak today to their Sunday School Class ( of 15  year olds  ) about adversity and trying to have a positive attitude. I only had 10 minutes so I had to think of a way to make it to their level, and yet interesting. So these are the 7 things that I try to do, when I see that I am getting too discouraged or sad…

1. I first try to remember what type of people I like to be around. Obviously it is the Half full, happy, positive and kind people, verses Half Empty, sad, negative and discouraged people. So I try to see which type of  person I am being at the time.

2. Then I try to distinguish my thoughts and where they come from. It really is true that Satan is alive and well, and will definitely place bad and sad thoughts in  your mind. It is very important to control thoughts and remember that our thoughts control our actions.

3. Next I try to remember to do the Basics, I know it is the old Sunday School answers… but it is true for me. If I remember to say my prayers, read my scriptures and stay closer to my Heavenly Father, life really is better.

4.I try hard to listen to that still small voice inside. We all have it, but some times it is easy to ignore. That still small voice it is right every time. And the more I listen to it, the more I hear it. I believe that is truly how my Heavenly Father helps me and guides me.

5. Gratitude is next. When I stop… and count my blessings, I realize that I should be happy for all that I have been given. Gratitude really helps you feel more positive.

6. Service of course helps anyone, no matter how down they are. As you stop to look around at others, you realize that there are lots of people whose life is much worse or harder than yours. Service changes your heart for the better. Plus, as your help someone else…you are really helping yourself feel better.

7. Hold on to my faith! I love the quote that “ Faith has a short shelf life” you really have to work on it daily to strengthen your faith in God, and in His purpose for you .

So that is what I try to do to change my cup from Half Empty to Half Full.

Of course, I will have more bad days, and will have to go back and remind myself by reading this post again!

Well, need to head to the airport. Take care dear friends!

“The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself.”     ~Author unknown, commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”  ~Winston Churchill

“If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. “   ~Mary Engelbreit

Friday, January 6, 2012

Half Empty vs Half Full

When my daughter sent me these photos I had to laugh, isn’t that just how we feel some days? Half Empty like the ‘Go On Without Me ‘ picture. Not only do we feel half empty, but we make sure that others around us know it. I am glad this one doesn’t happen very often, but some time I feel just like that…’don’t worry about me, go on and have fun without me, I will just stay here all by myself’. I try to notice when I am feeling or acting like that and immediately try to change…but it happens to the best of us I believe!

Go on without me!

Then there are those Half Full days, where everything makes you happy. You are grateful for the smallest things…even a stick! Smile

I do think that it is an easier way to live, being happy and noticing all the little blessing in our lives. I love when I have my head on straight and my heart in the right place, j because I truly do get excited about even the smallest things (ok, it’s usually not a stick ),just noticing the little things and the joy that they add in your life is important… and definitely falls under the Half Full category! 

I love this stick

So I hope we will try to look for the brighter side of life, keep our glass half full and just be… Oh My Gosh HAPPY!

 

“Sometimes, the things we can’t change, end up changing us”

  “Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours”  ~ Swedish Proverb

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”   ~ Winston Churchill

What a gift!

I got to spend another whole day with my sister in law Shirley, and then an added bonus was being with yet another sister in law, then to go have dinner out with a friend tonight. I love the quote I heard the other day that said “we should gather friends like flowers” I sooooooo believe that, I love making at least one friend a day. So it was a great day, the chance to be around my sweet nieces and their cute babies, then with the rest of my family has been a big gift and wonderful for my aching heart  ( missing my own kids and grandkids ).

It is late, but I wanted to say thanks to all of you who have been such wonderful friends to me and my family. I sure love and appreciate you …your friendship to me is a gift!

 

A Priceless Gift

Friendship is a priceless gift
that cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is far greater
than a mountain made of gold.

For gold is cold and lifeless,
it can neither see nor hear
And in the time of trouble
it is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen
nor heart to understand,
It cannot bring you comfort
or reach out a helping hand.

So when you ask God for a gift
Be thankful if He sends
Not diamonds, pearls, or riches
But the love of real true friends.

- Helen Steiner Rice

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
- Abraham Lincoln,

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Courage

I was talking to a talented young lady the other day and right after I complimented her on her work…she responded “ But there are so many out there better than me!” I wondered how she could be so talented and yet not see that. Still I think many of us have the same  problem. Usually when someone gives me a compliment I can hardly accept it. I usually end up making an excuse or something like that, so I guess I can understand. Still I think it really takes courage to just really appreciate your talents, and realize what you have to give the world. I guess that is why I like this quote so much.  Enjoy and good night dear friends.

 
 
“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. “  Henry Van Dyke

 

 

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me.”  ~ Erma Bombeck

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Birds of a feather!

My Grandmother used to always say “Birds of a feather, flock together”, well I am sure that could mean more than one thing, but in this photo of my granddaughters it means…whatever one of them has, the other wants one! It’s their age I guess? For Christmas Angie really loves dress up and especially to dress up like any kind of an animal, so I decided to make bird wings for her. As soon as I started designing and making them, I thought what I was going to make for Jenny ( her sister ) could wait till later. I knew that if I was going to make one set of wings, I probably should make two. Here is the photo of the girls on Christmas day, with their Christmas dresses still on and with their bird wings, I think it was a smart decision for me to keep these birds flocking and flying together! They really did turn out fun and they really loved them!

feathers  

In many ways we are try to encourage their differences….each one fun and unique and yet, one always wants to have, do or  say what the other one does. So for now I will just make 2 of each, it’s a lot more peaceful that way!

Today, I got to go see the model home of a new house one of my relatives is building…it was beautiful! At first I thought, I would love to have this big of downstairs, or this incredible kitchen and on and on. Then I realized I need to just remember my cute home which I love, and not want everything someone else has. So even at my age that is easy to want what someone else has?  Still, I am so happy for them and I really am grateful for my incredible home that we have been blessed with.

Seems like even at my age…I am continuing to learn.  I guess that is the pattern of life…live and learn!

Good night my dear friends!

“Birds have wings; they're free; they can fly where they want when they want. They have the kind of mobility many people envy.”   ~ Roger Tory Peterson 

”Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them?”  ~ Rose Kennedy

Monday, January 2, 2012

Saying Goodbye and keeping my perspective!

Well, sorry I didn’t write last night, I was trying to spend every last minute with my kids and family. Jeff, Lee and Lauren just headed out a minute a go for Idaho. I tried not to cry but it certainly didn’t work! I know it is such a great opportunity for them to get to go to school and get a great education but…wow, how did they grow up that fast? My heart is aching, I guess that is pretty normal huh? I am sure they will be ok, and I am so grateful that they will have each other there. So it was time to say Good bye and let them head off on this journey and adventure… that we call LIFE!

Yesterday in church, one of the lessons was about perspective on life and appreciation for the scriptures. The teacher did a great job, he first showed us a  couple of puzzles that he and his family had put together. Each one was a painting from a famous artist. He spoke of the first one which was called The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. He mentioned when they first laid out the pieces it just looked basically like a bunch of blue and yellow pieces, and thought how hard or near impossible it might be to put together. Then he talked about our lives and how sometimes if we just look at things on the surface and for face value, that we might not think our life is worth much. But then (like the puzzle), the more you work at it, the more you see  and the easier it becomes. Such is life, we need to really work at it, take time to search for scriptures that will tell us where we came from, why we are here and where will we go after this life? All those questions…if  you have the answers to them, surely give your life much more meaning and purpose. Isn’t that what we all need to know…our purpose? I believe when you finally get answers to your questions and know your purpose here…life truly gets better!

So much like the puzzle, the more we work on our life and our purpose, the easier it will be to see the outcome or finished product. The teacher mentioned the fact that when you keep working on the puzzle and you get more and more pieces together, then you are more able to see the finished picture. That is an exciting time! So it is in life… we need to search, ponder, pray and study the scriptures…all those things combined in the proper order and time, will give you the ability to see the future and help you have a goal to work for. Do you know how many people in the world don’t even have that? So I am going to rededicate all my efforts on staying focused on my purpose. When I lose that and start to just see myself for face value, I get discouraged, all I can see is my faults and weaknesses. Then from there I get more discouraged, my feelings get hurt easily and I sorta do the whole victim role again.

But in reality, I am a survivor of many things in life, I have lots to be thankful for and lots to look forward too. That Sunday School lesson was perfect for me yesterday, because for the past few days I have really been struggling with my self worth and self esteem. I need to remember to keep working on my PUZZLE ( so to speak), keep praying for strength and help. I need to look at my accomplishments more instead of my failures, yes….I need to stay dedicated at working on my puzzle, and doing all that I can to stay close to the Lord. It is so easy to stop working on things and slide backwards…guess that is human nature in us? But at least for now, I am going to try to keep moving forward, and stay focused on the big picture because when I do…I realize how good life is, and will be in the future if I just do my best and never give up! Plus, it is vital for me to remember to take it one day at a time, just like the puzzle you accomplish it …one piece at a time!

Hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season and realize how grateful I am to have you in my life, I am truly blessed. Have a great day dear friends!

“A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way.”     ~ Allen Klein


“People who look through keyholes are apt to get the idea that most things are keyhole shaped.”     ~Author Unknown

“I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year.”    ~Henry Moore