Life is Better

Thank goodness God has a sense of humor and He shared it with us.  Laughter is the feel good medicine we all need.  So, have you had a good laugh today?  If not:  Stop...drop...and laugh!  You'll feel a whole lot better! 

Five Very Important Things

It's nice to be reminded because I know that I often forget.  We are loved beyond anything we've done.  It's hard to believe that a love that big exists, isn't it?  God's Grace is sufficient enough to save us all, you only need to accept it and embrace it.  I love to read and write love stories by this is by far, the greatest love story of all.  May your day be a truly blessed one.

You Only Live Once

 

I would probably still do stupid things.  

However, I would maintain the ability to laugh at myself.  I do that a lot!  

Wisdom + Laugh-ability = Joyful Life 

Are you with me? 

The Perfect Outdoor Space

This is the perfect setting for your yard this fall.  I would certainly invite you over if I had this in my backyard.  We could settle back and watch a movie or even a football game.  However, if we had football on, I would not sit quietly - sorry!  I would yell and scream and jump on the furniture without the worry of breaking it or breaking me!  Okay, let me get all that excited hoopla out of my system... 


............Now I can see the perfect setting for an iced tea, buttered popcorn, and The Notebook on the big screen.  You'd better sit down with me to watch - quickly.  I don't know when that good ole American football fever will strike again!  The tomahawk chop is rearing up, I can feel it!!!

What Really Matters

Does this give you a different outlook for the day?  It makes me stop and think - could I have done a better job with those I came in contact with yesterday?  The answer is yes I could have.  I could have stopped, shut off my brain, and really given my full attention to someone else.  Today, I will strive to make that happen.  People, above all else, matter.  We have to remember that.

Grab a Tissue!

I apologize for leaving you a link instead of coping this story for you to read.  It's a little lengthy and I had trouble with the copying so I opted to post the link instead.  You don't have to be a dog person to appreciate this story, you only need to be human.  Yes, it is a little lengthy but if this is the only thing you read today, it is worth the few minutes of your precious time.  I guarantee it.

http://www.tickld.com/x/tankthedog

Where Did Grammar Go?

Yes, you can say the world of tweeting and texting drives me crazy!  I still can not bring myself to shorten my sentences.  I even have to spell out LAUGH in lieu of LOL!  I see all those letters and short cuts and start having heart palpitations.  I could blame it on my writing skills or my age but I prefer to blame it on laziness of the part of the tweetie or texter.  They are sending the English (or any other) language to hell in a hand basket.  (What does that saying really mean?  I wrote it because it sounds fun to say.  Nevertheless, it is fully written out for you to decipher.)  Okay, now I'm heading down rabbit trails.  Maybe it's time to wish you a great weekend, shut down, and go text my Mother.  (She has the same outlook as I on this topic so she'll help me to feel grounded once again.  Thank you, Mom!  I love you!) 

Holding Back

Yes, our minds are our own worst enemy.  Whenever I worry about something, it never unfolds the way I think it will or as badly as I fear.  If we can just let go of our human control and trust that God will lead us, things would be a lot easier.  Sometimes I can't get out of my own way and feel like I'm a speed bump on a NASCAR track.  When will I learn to let go and truly trust?  I try, I really do.  If I'm here to see the sun rise tomorrow, I'll have another day to work on getting it right.

Danger, Danger Will Robinson...

Oh yes!  And anyone who knows where the captioned quote comes from is a most awesome, spectacular, wonderful, beautiful, slightly warped, I mean, matured individual.  I can picture the robots arms failing wildly...kind of like mine do sometimes.  It's times like that when I really need to take a break and dive into a good book.  So, happy reading to all and to all a great escape!

He's Got the...

Come on, sing with me...

He's got the whole world in his hands he's got the whole wild world in his hands

He's got the whole wild world in his hands he's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the little bitty baby in his hands he's got the little bitty baby in his hands

He's got the little bitty baby in his hands he's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the whole world in his hands...

He's got you and me brother in his hands he's got you and me sister in his hands

He's got you and me brother in his hands he's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the whole world in his hands...

He's got everybody here in his hands he's got everybody here in his hands

He's got everybody here in his hands he's got the whole world in his hands

He's got the whole world in his hands...

He's got you and me brother...

He's got the whole world in his hands... 

Now, don't you feel better?  (Or do you secretly want to throttle me for putting that song in your today?!)  Either way, I hope it makes you feel better!

Hey, I'm Talking to You...

This face (with the exception of it belonging to a chihuahua body) greets me every evening when I get home from work.  Oh, and it's not a ball he brings me but his disemboweled animal toys (from which his brother has conveniently removed and destroyed all squeaker action).  We wrestle, he gives a little, I give a little, and then we play fetch for a good five minutes while his brother jumps all over me for attention.  It is good puppy time and my day would not be complete with it!

A Positive Challenge

Let's take the Positive Challenge and stay positive for one whole day:  Monday.  Climb out of bed with a smile on your face.  Greet the morning with a cheerful attitude.  Wave at the morning commuters.  Hug friends and say "Good Morning!" to your co-workers.  If someone appears to be searching for one of your buttons to push, just smile or wave or say a kind word.  I am going to attempt this and will let you know how I did this evening via a comment to this post.  Good Luck!  I truly hope that you'll join me.

No Green Thumb?

For anyone who has a problem keeping plant alive - check out this project!!  I can't wait find some rocks to paint and a pot to put them in!  I absolutely love this idea and had to share it with you!

The Arrow...

Oh yes!  Dig in and get ready.  Life is about to change in a big way! 

Bring it on!!!!

Sand Castles

Wow!  My sand castles never look like this.  That's why I collect them and set them on a shelf!  Maybe I should just go to the beach and practice?  No, it doesn't matter how much practice I put into it, I would never have enough patience or sunblock to build this!

Photo of the Day

What a feel good picture.

All I can say is "thank you for your service." 

The Looking Glass

 

We all need to see ourselves this way, to know we have more strength, more integrity, more spirit than we give ourselves credit for.  We truly don't need a mirror to prove our imperfections (more to ourselves than to anyone else), we need only to look inside to know who we are and what we are capable of.  We each have abundant gifts waiting all around us to realize and to tap into.  All we have to do is believe. 

Grateful

Though you may be at rock bottom, there is always a worse situation than yours.  When you have nowhere else to go, look up.  Be grateful and think about what Christ endured to save us all.  There is no great love than that. 

You Are My Sunshine

Now, like me, you're going to be singing this song for the rest of the day!  

You:  "Thanks for the over share."
Me:  "You're welcome!" 

Have a great weekend!

What Do You See?

I was one of the "some" category that saw Good rather than Evil first.  After reading through the bottom, I had to go back to find evil.  I take that as a good sign.  I do happen to look for the good in everyone - even to the point where I gave them a bigger benefit that I should have.  (I have been burned a few times.)  I believe that those instances happened to be growing experiences for me.  Though they may have been painful, I did learn from them.  Even with the learning curve, I will still continue to look for good over evil.  My eyes are wide open as I can spot those who aren't quite so genuine a little quicker now.  Thank goodness!  So, tell me, which did you see first?

God at Work

This is such a great story.  God is definitely at work here.  Look at the dog's face as he guards her.  It is love pure and simple.  Why can't love be that pure and that simple for all of us?  It would certainly change the world.  I, for one, would love to see that happen.  I suppose I'd better start looking for that heavenly power cord and plug into it.  It's the only way to make the impossible possible. Can I get an Amen?

What Makes a Dad

Dad, as I sit here thinking about you, knowing the news you received today was the last thing any of us wanted to hear, I rejoice in your strength, your character, and your faith.  Through God, all things are possible.  I love you with all my heart and will be here for you and mom in any capacity you may need.

I ask my friends to please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers today as we wait for medical updates and form a plan of action.  Thank you and may God bless you.  

Come Sail Away

What an awesome picture.  It makes the mind spark with creative story lines - at least it does for me.  Why is the boat resting on the beach?  Was there a storm?  Were the owners not paying attention?  Where are the owners?  Are they still on the boat?  Are they taking a relaxing stroll on beach?  Are they looking for help?  Were the owners even involved?  The story could be romantic, it could be thrilling, or it could be terrifying - all depending on the words chosen to tell it.  What kind of story would you like it to be?  As for me, I'm still debating, organizing my thoughts, and working out the details.  When I figure it out, I'll let you know.

Life Changes You (Thank Goodness)

So, I watched a recently aired Def Leppard concert performed in Las Vegas titled "Viva Hysteria" on Saturday afternoon.  In my younger years, they were at the top of my favorite rock band list.  I have to say that it was a strange experience.  I remembered all the songs, could even sing the words to most of them, but that crazy euphoric feeling was completely missing.  I can't tell you how many times I saw this band in concert - and still have most of those ticket stubs packed away somewhere.  At one time, I had all of their cds and music videos (on VHS)!

I remember the long hair and swooning lyrics (some of them anyway).  I couldn't sit in my seat - I had to stand up and dance the night away each time I saw them live (or listened to a recording - even in the car).  Though they have aged (haven't we all?), their looks were still decent, though they have slowed their antics down a bit on stage.  I have to say that it just wasn't the same.  I don't know what I was expecting watching them again after many years of not.  At some point in my adult life, I stopped listening and hence, stopped collecting their greatest hits.  Somewhere along the line, I guess I grew up.

When I think back to my attraction, I was going through a difficult period.  I was in a marriage that was stripping my life out from under me.  The concert circuit was my escape.  The live music, the energy from the crowd, the time with my girl friends, it all helped me to escape my reality.  I guess at the time, I needed all of that in order to keep from floating away.  Now that I have a strong grasp of who I am, I can still appreciate that time in my life, even sing along if I hear a particular song or two, but I don't need the medicine they once provided.  I have changed,  I have grown.  My life is God centered now (instead of rocker) and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I do appreciate where I have been as I certainly wouldn't be the person I am today without my past, without the difficulties I've overcome, without making the choices I have made.  God is in charge - one day at a time.  May God continue to bless my life and all those lives that I've come in contact with during my walk on this earth.

One Day Closer...

This is not quite what you were thinking, huh?!  Not everyone is a fan but I'm certainly looking forward to the upcoming season.  Though I don't wrap up in long underwear, bulky coats, scarfs, hats, and gloves any longer, I still enjoy watching those cold, snowy games on the big screen.  Throw in some cheese dip and chicken wings and you've a mini celebration in your living room!  Yes!  Bring it on!!!!

I hope you enjoyed the posts over the past week.  I found them enlightening and wanted to share them.  Have an awesome weekend!  See you on the flip side.

Addicted to Reading: Reasons 27 - 33

27.       “Books are a uniquely portable magic.” —Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

28.       “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” —C.S. Lewis

29.       “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” —John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

30.       “I have consistently loved books that I’ve read when I’ve been sick in bed.” —Tracy Chevalier

31.       “’A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,’ said Jojen. ‘The man who never reads lives only one.’” —George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons

32.       “We read to know that we are not alone.” —William Nicholson, Shadowlands

33.       “Books are for people who wish they were somewhere else.” —Mark Twain