Hot Flashes!

 

I finally have an idea of what a hot flash will feel like - being heated from the inside out until I explode.  Well, isn't that something to look forward to?!

Sunshine on a Rainy Day!

 

It may be raining outside today but I'm having lunch with my best friend - my Mommy!  Which restaurant will we entertain today?  I can't wait to find out.  Spending time with you makes my world bright,  Mom.  Thank you!  Cheers to best friends everywhere!

Meant To Be

Message in a bottle:  Friends forever.

Fate is a fickle thing, bringing people into your life and removing them, sometimes when you least expect it.  I've had very close friends be there one day and gone the next.  It was gut-wrenching at the time and through the years, I've come to understand what lessons they were put in my life to teach me and why the friendships ended.  I've also come to hold onto my friendships with a little more care, responsibility and understanding.  Not all things are meant to last, but some do.

I think some romantic relationships work the same.  They make for great love stories.  The world works to keep them apart but the love they have for one another grows stronger, no matter the distance between them.  Fate, somehow, brings them together in the end. I know this happens in the real world, not just in stories.  However, for a writer, it makes for juicy content!  If you are in one of these types of relationships, hang in there.  Some day, things will work out the way they're meant to.

Their Fate Hangs in the Balance

I wouldn't normally put something like this on my blog but feel the content worthy of attention.  No matter where you stand on the issue, these words are food for thought.  The following letter was written by David Green, CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.:

When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture frames. Our first retail store wasn’t much bigger than most people’s living rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according to God’s word.

From there, Hobby Lobby has become one of the nation’s largest arts and crafts retailers, with more than 500 locations in 41 states. Our children grew up into fine business leaders, and today we run Hobby Lobby together, as a family.

We’re Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles. I’ve always said that the first two goals of our business are (1) to run our business in harmony with God’s laws, and (2) to focus on people more than money. And that’s what we’ve tried to do.

We close early so our employees can see their families at night. We keep our stores closed on Sundays, one of the week’s biggest shopping days, so that our workers and their families can enjoy a day of rest.

We believe that it is by God’s grace that Hobby Lobby has endured, and he has blessed us and our employees. We’ve not only added jobs in a weak economy, we’ve raised wages for the past four years in a row. Our full-time employees start at 80% above minimum wage.

But now, our government threatens to change all of that.

A new government healthcare mandate says that our family business MUST provide what I believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of our health insurance.

Being Christians, we don’t pay for drugs that might cause abortions, which means that we don’t cover emergency contraception, the morning-after pill or the week-after pill. We believe doing so might end a life after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to our most important beliefs.
It goes against the Biblical principles on which we have run this company since day one.
If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million PER DAY in government fines.

Our government threatens to fine job creators in a bad economy.

Our government threatens to fine a company that’s raised wages four years running.

Our government threatens to fine a family for running its business according to its beliefs. It’s not right. I know people will say we ought to follow the rules; that it’s the same for everybody. But that’s not true.

The government has exempted thousands of companies from this mandate, for reasons of convenience or cost. But it won’t exempt them for reasons of religious belief.

So, Hobby Lobby and my family are forced to make a choice. With great reluctance, we filed a lawsuit today, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asking a federal court to stop this mandate before it hurts our business.

We don’t like to go running into court, but we no longer have a choice. We believe people are more important than the bottom line and that honoring God is more important than turning a profit.
My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but the government is going to make that much more difficult.
The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law. I say that’s a choice no American and no American business should have to make.

The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies but will not except Christian organizations including the Catholic church.

Since you will not see this in the liberal media, please pass this on to all your contacts.
 
Sincerely,
David Green
CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

At This Very Moment...

Talk about an eye-opening read.  In fact, I had to read it twice.  All those things we - I - take for granted when I feel slowed down or inconvenienced.  I never considered what they may be protecting me from on the outside world.  I will now, how about you?

Are You Cold?

When it's cold outside, there is nothing better than curling up in a warm blanket or lounging in front  of the fireplace with a good book!  If it's cold where you are, or even if it's not, I hope that you have a good read to dive into.  Have a great weekend - and stay warm!   

Baked Oatmeal Bars - Gluten Free & Diabetic Friendly

Instead of granola bars – these are cheaper and you know exactly what’s in them!

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

2 Cups Applesauce, unsweetened

1 Banana, mashed

½ Cup Honey

5 Cups, Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

¼ Cup Flaxseed Meal

1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

3 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Salt

2¾ Cups Milk

Optional Toppings:  Raisins, Walnuts, Dark Chocolate Chips, Fresh or Frozen Fruit

Instructions:   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix eggs, vanilla, applesauce, banana and honey together in a bowl. Add in oats, flax, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and mix well with wet ingredients. Finally pour in milk and combine.

Spray a 12 and 6 capacity muffin tin with cooking spray or use cupcake liners. Pour mixture evenly into muffin tin cups. If using toppings add them onto the tops of muffins now. If using fresh or frozen fruit, drop it right into the batter. Bake 30 minutes until a toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool and enjoy or freeze them in gallon freezer bags.

Nutrition Info (without toppings):

Servings:  18*

Calories for one: 143*

Fat: 4g*

Cholesterol: 25mg*

Sodium: 161mg*

Fiber: 4g*

Sugars: 4g*

Carbs: 23g* Protein: 6g*

Recipe Source: SugarFreeMom.com

Someone Like You

It comes down to each and every one of us.  Only by stepping up, helping out, going the extra mile, will things change.  It starts with a personal effort in our homes, our schools, our communities and beyond.  Only by opening our hearts and giving of our time and resources to those who truly need it, will this world change.  The world is corrupt.  It's people have become political, greedy, lazy and entitled. We have to get involved if things are to get better.  I pray for guidance every day and hope that by listening and following God's prompts, I can make changes, however big or small they need to be.  Will you join me by caring a whole awful lot?  Together we can make things better, a lot.  

Wine - a Woman's Best Friend

This was too cute not to share!  I have to admit that I've been there.  I've had wine (or alcohol) induced conversations.  Those where the men go one direction and the women go another are particularly entertaining.  It's all just good clean fun - if you don't overdo it.  When that happens, the next morning is not nearly as fun!  (I've done that too!)     

The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen

Yes, The Mephisto Club is the next installment of the Rizzoli and Isles series (book number six). 

The books jacket reads as follows:

 PECCAVI 

The Latin word is scrawled in blood at the scene of a young woman’s brutal murder: I HAVE SINNED. It’s a chilling Christmas greeting for Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli, who swiftly link the victim to controversial celebrity psychiatrist Joyce O’Donnell–Jane’s professional nemesis and member of a sinister cabal called the Mephisto Club.

On top of Beacon Hill, the club’s acolytes devote themselves to the analysis of evil: Can it be explained by science? Does it have a physical presence? Do demons walk the earth? Drawing on a wealth of dark historical data and mysterious religious symbolism, the Mephisto scholars aim to prove a startling theory: that Satan himself exists among us.

With the grisly appearance of a corpse on their doorstep, it’s clear that someone–or something–is indeed prowling the city. The members of the club begin to fear the very subject of their study. Could this maniacal killer be one of their own–or have they inadvertently summoned an evil entity from the darkness?

Delving deep into the most baffling and unusual case of their careers, Maura and Jane embark on a terrifying journey to the very heart of evil, where they encounter a malevolent foe more dangerous than any they have ever faced . . . one whose work is only just beginning.

I am going to say little about this book because honestly, The Mephisto Club was one of the most spine-tingling and sinister books I've read in quite sometime.  With that said, I would have to compare it to the terrifying suspense of Tami Hoag's novel Night Sins.  I sat with the hairs on my arms rising, my limbs shivering, and still had the inability to put it down.  While Jane and Maura remain strong and deliberate yet human characters, the supporting cast includes an array of dysfunction along with quirky players belonging to the Mephisto Foundation, and let's certainly not forget the evil wandering through the pages of this book disguised as a demon in human flesh, or is he?

Pick up a copy and find out the answers for yourself.  As for me, I can't wait to dive into the next Rizzoli and Isles novel. 

With Age Comes Understanding

The older I get, the less important material things have become.  I don't have the biggest, the best, or the newest of anything.  I find I am grateful for the things I do have and thankful for those who are in my life.  I know the things that are important and who matters.  Peace and joy come with that understanding. 

The Veggie Flower

If you are getting ready for a super bowl, birthday, surprise, or anniversary party, here is an easy and healthy idea for a veggie snack tray.  Cute, huh?!  (Now I need to go find an oval cutting board!  Mom - we're going to Pier One!)

Have a great weekend!

An App Called "Respect"

This is so true and I am guilty of it at times.  My husband and I went to an appreciation dinner last weekend for the church media team that he serves on.  It was held at a home on Jackson Lake beach here in town.  They had a bonfire, served BBQ and it was actually warm enough to wear shorts and go barefoot in the sand.  A large number of people and their significant others showed up, a good age mix from the younger twenties to the older sixties.  As I sat and chatted with others, I noticed that every one from the younger generation that attended had their cell phones in hand, checking, scrolling, sharing pictures or texting.  Not one of the older generation did.  I didn't even bring my phone (or purse) with me.  I left it behind sitting on the kitchen counter at home.

I got to thinking about this and it bothers me that the younger generation relies so heavily on digital communication.  Yes, I text - sometimes a lot.  But I also pick up the phone and call the people I text.  My mother and I can watch a television show or program together by texting each other as we view it.  My friends back home and I can have a quick conversation via text when we are both too busy for a long phone conversation.  Those things I understand (and maybe champion because I'm doing them).  But it truly does bother me that the younger folks especially are paying more attention to their hand held gadgetry than the person or persons sitting across the table from them.

I know that I can't change the way others do things, only myself.  For me, that means less texting and more talking: one-on-one.  So yes, though I can't load that app for respect, I can adopt it into my daily routine.  I think that I'll get started on that today - right now, actually.  (Now I'm going to have Aretha Franklin singing R-E-S-P-E-C-T in my head for the rest of the day!)  Great.

Wedding Jitters

 This is one of the funniest wedding video's I've ever seen.  I laughed out loud.  Enjoy!


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201908860597602

Strong Women

Woman - fashioned from a man's rib who was made from dust.  We were put on this earth to accompany man and walk with God.  Yes, it was a woman who was tricked into eating the forbidden fruit while her man stood by and watched.  From the Garden of Eden through the present, women's roles have changed as we have struggled to find and know our place.  The bible clearly puts the man in charge.  However, without women, men would not exist.

Women have fought for their rights of equality.  Women can now acquire any job, make the same income, or be the sole earning spouse for the household.  We can our raise children on our own, own our own homes, and rule our own lives despite having a man's presence.  There are many women out there forced to do these things on own their own as the men have simply walked away from their responsibilities as husbands and fathers.

Yes, things have changed since the Garden of Eden.  Women can stand on their own two feet.  But I believe I am at my best when I have a man in my life.  A partner to share things with, to care for and be cared for in return.  That partnership allows me to step back and love beyond all faults, cry behind closed doors, and fight battles nobody knows about.  I'm not saying that you can't do the same while being single, but for me it's easier to do so when I have an earthly partner as well as a heavenly host.  In God all things are possible.  I am both thankful and grateful that I am a women equipped with a heart that bleeds, has the ability to cry tears that cleanse, and has a soul that's hungry to connect with my creator.  It is here that I am at my strongest earthly potential.               

The Boss

My six pound chihuahua has this attitude!  Just a little guy who thinks he's a great big package.  He is fearless and I love that about him.  He tends to rule the house (he only goes out for walks and car rides) with selfish desire, continually demanding love and affection.  My ten pound chihuahua Biscuit tries to topple him but nothing phases little Blu.  Together, they are a silly, wonderful mess!  They bring a smile to my face and love to my heart, even with the attitude.  Isn't that what being a pet parent should mean?  Time to go give my little guys some lap time.  Have a great day!

The Perfect Marriage

I love this.  Each and every one of us should take it to heart.  We are all imperfect.  We all need to be loved and respected for who we are.  Finding someone is easy.  Going the distance without giving up is difficult.  Marriage is a deeply personal journey, one that only the parties involved can maneuver.   

Instead of going on about this topic, I will simply share that I wrote a novel about a couple in the middle of a terrible breakup titled, The Right Thing.  Of the three books I have published, it is my favorite.  The feedback I've received from those who have read it is extremely uplifting.  You can find it online at your favorite book retailer or you can e-mail me to request a signed copy.  Either way, I hope you have the opportunity to read it.       

Run Fred Run!

This was too cute not to share.  

Enjoy your weekend! 

Books Aren't Everything

Say it isn't so says the book store gift card that blew a hole my pocket!  I can't believe that I held onto it for two weeks after Christmas!  That is an all-time record for me!

Actually, I do believe that books aren't everything.  However, they help to educate us, to relax us, and bring enjoyment to us from within their covers.  Books help some to stay employed, help others to solve problems, and just plain take us away from the reality of the world for a while.

However, a SMAK from the right person could most certainly change your perspective!  I wish you happy reading unless some good old smaking gets in the way!  To me, it's a win-win situation!        

Don't Go Changing

It took me a long time to realize the truth in this.  I had little to no self-esteem after my divorce in 1996 and surrounded myself with people who seemed interested in me.  I brought myself down to their level instead of insisting they rise to mine.  Building myself back up took some time and effort but when I finally believed that I was worth it, everything changed.  The right people came into my life and loved me just for being me.  I thank each and every one of you for that. 

We all deserve to be loved for who we are at the core.  Believe in yourself , treat yourself with respect, and others will too.

Awesome Picture of St. Joseph Lighthouse

This beautiful picture of the St. Joseph Lighthouse on Lake Michigan was taken yesterday. It is encased in ice as the Midwest was hit with a "polar vortex", causing wind chills to reach -50 degrees (that is a negative 50 degrees).  

I can't imagine how cold that is and truly don't wish to find out!  I thought it was an amazing picture and wanted to share it.  No matter where you live, bundle up and stay warm.  

P.S.  Don't forget about your outdoor pets.  If you're cold, so are they.  (If my house and property were big enough, I'd rescue them all!  It's probably a good thing it's not.) 

The "Uh Oh Bucket" for Moms

A little craft

A small chore

Keeps things tidy

Forever more!

 This is clever - I wish I'd had this when the boys were young.

The Circle by Dave Eggers - A Book Review

The Circle by Dave Egger’s is a novel based in a not-too-distant future.  The Circle is a social network type company like Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook, only on steroids.  It was started by Tyler (Ty) Gospodino, a young wonder boy visionary.  However, being socially awkward, he hires Eamon Bailey and Tom Stenton to be the public face of the privately held company.  Together, they are known as the Three Wise Men.

    

The book begins with Mae Holland, a young 20-something year old woman, arriving for her first day on the job.  Her friend and old college roommate Annie, who is already one of The Circle’s top 40, provided her the opportunity.  A tour of the campus is the first thing on the agenda.  It’s a huge workplace made of glass and steel and stone.  It houses many glass buildings, a huge fountain, a day care center, eateries, several stores, medical facilities, and the grassy outdoor grounds contain an amphitheater, tennis and volleyball courts.  Nightly, well known artists, musicians and performers in all realms flock to entertain the employees as food and drinks flow freely.  With The Circle's heavy social requirements, there are dorm rooms provided to crash in at night or to simply move into if one chooses to live on campus.

After receiving a new company laptop and iPhone, all of the information on Mae's personal devices is transferred to the company equipment with the assurance that her personal information has been stored in the cloud and the appliances are no longer needed and should be should be donated to the company for recycling.  This personal invasion of privacy didn’t set well with me and I knew we were headed down a rabbit hole into a place where I personally, would not want to go.  However, intrigued with the story, I stayed the course and continued reading.

Mae begins her life at The Circle in Customer Experience (a new term for customer service), providing boilerplate answers to client questions and complaints.  She learns that her performance is tabulated after every interaction and her ratings are displayed on a second computer screen for all those employed at The Circle to view.  Soon, a third computer screen arrives, this one showing employee social media, comments and invitations to campus activities, and all things campus related.  This screen too, has performance ratios attached that are computed and listed on the second screen.  A fourth screen is then added to show her social status outside the campus.  As the story builds, the screens and their functions continue to increase.

Thinking through this scenario and the expectations placed on each employee of the firm was exhausting.  We are simply not wired this way.  Mae struggles at first but soon her ego gets in her way and she is moving forward, increasing her numbers and building a high profile reputation at The Circle.  The outside world, including her parents, who live an hours’ drive away, begin to take a back seat.  When she learns that there is a fight ensuing with the health care insurance over her father’s needs in treating his MS, Mae secures insurance through The Circle to help them.  Though the coverage is great, the invasion of privacy is not.  Also outside The Circle's reach is an old boyfriend, Mercer, who lives near and remains friends with her parents.  He does not like the direction Mae is headed and is extremely vocal with his opinions.  With both her parents and Mercer seemingly unappreciative of Mae's new job and her influence therein, she returns to the safety of The Circle and ultimately allows her participation in the outside world to nearly cease.  

On her way up the ladder, Mae has a couple of romantic encounters – one with an employee, Francis, who's damaged childhood has him working on the development of a new computer chip to be used in keeping all children safe.  The other, Kalden, is a man that knows too much about the inner-workings on campus with who she has a brief encounter and then finds that he can't be located on the company's website.  Does he belong here or is he an outsider trying to bring harm to The Circle and all it stands for?  Confiding her concerns to Annie, they both become determined to find out.

The deeper Mae is moves into The Circle’s core, the more she stands behind the company's demands for transparency in all things.  That anonymity should be banished.  That everyone’s past should be revealed and left open for all to see.  That millions of tiny cameras should be placed anywhere in the world, leaving anyone to be broadcast on live video and audio feeds at any given time.  That nothing recorded would ever be erased.  As the The Circles growing list of accomplishments continues to strive toward a totalitarian nightmare, there is way to stop it - or is there?   

Needless to say, this novel went against the moral and privacy rights of each of us as human begins.  I did not share Mae’s outlook nor did I agree with a lot of her choices.  However, this was a fast-paced novel, one I could not put down.  I had to know, as Mae did, the outcome.  Certain thoughts would race through my head but were quickly consumed as the story continued to build to climax.  I won’t tell you how the story ends as I don’t want to spoil the fun.  If you read the book, you already know.

If you did read it, let me know your thoughts.  Was the premise of this book as frightening to you as it was to me?  Did you consider how much of the technology in this book is already in some form or another in play in the world today?  How did you feel about Mae's character?  Did you agree with her choices?  Would you read another novel by Dave Eggers? 

I Wish You Enough

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter's departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said:"I love you and I wish you enough." The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?" "I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said. "When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory. "I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye." She then began to cry and walked away. 

They say it takes a minute to find a special person. An hour to appreciate them. A day to love them. And an entire life to forget. 

The author of this story is unknown, I borrowed both it and the picture from Facebook.  It was important enough for me to share with you.  I truly do wish you enough.

Newly Formed Book Club

The informational meeting held last night was successful and we have officially started a book club in Sebring, Florida.  It's a small but great group of people!  We are bound to have some great group discussions about literature in and of itself.  If you missed it and are still interested, please drop a comment through this blog and I will supply you with the information.  We would love to have you join us! 

We plan to meet the second Tuesday of the month so after Monday, the 6th, I will be moving my book club posts to the second Wednesday of each month.  For February, we will be reading "Like Dandelion Dust" by Karen Kingsbury.

Synopsis:

Jack and Molly Campbell are right where they want to be, enjoying an idyllic life with their four-year-old son Joey, and the close family and friends who live in their small hometown just outside Atlanta. Then the phone call comes from the social worker the Campbells never expected to hear from again. Three states away in Ohio, Joey's biological father has just been released from prison. He is ready to start life over, but not without his son.

A judge's quick decision deals a devastating blow to the Campbell family: Joey must be returned to his biological parents. The day after the ruling, in the silent haze of grief and utter disbelief, they watch their son pick a dandelion and blow the feathery seeds into the wind.
In the days that follow the ruling, Jack Campbell has a desperate and dangerous thought. What if they can devise a way out? Then they could take Joey and simply disappear . . . LIKE DANDELION DUST.

I hope you can join us either Tuesday, February 11th in person or Wednesday, February 12th, here on the blog for a book discussion.  Thanks and have a great day!  

A Good Life

Amen Sisters and Brothers!  We all have so much to be thankful for.  We woke up this morning still breathing - that means God's not through with us yet!  Each day is a gift.  Get up.  Smile.  Tackle each moment like it could be your last.  Make positive changes if you need to.  Treat people with respect.  Do more of what you love.  Attack the non-favored tasks with fervor.   Lift your face toward the sky with arms open wide.  Love your life - it's the only one you've got!   

Happy New Year!

May 2014 be your best year yet.

Blessings of peace and love to you and yours.

Happy New Year!