Thoughts for the New Year


I like this poem by Lillian Gray:

Thoughts for the New Year

Let us walk softly, friend;
For strange paths lie before us all untrod:
For New Year, spotless from the hand of God,
Is thine and mine, O friend.

Let us walk straightly, friend;
Forget the crooked paths behind us now.
Press on with steadier purpose on our brow,
To better deeds, O friend.

Let us walk gladly, friend;
Perchance some greater good than we have known
Is waiting for us, or some fair hope flown,
Shall yet return, O friend.

Let us walk humbly, friend;
Slight not the heart's-ease blooming round our feat:
The laurel blossoms are not half so sweet
Or lightly, gathered, friend.

Let us walk kindly, friend;
We cannot tell how long this life shall last,
How soon these precious years, be overpast:
Let Love walk with us, friend.

Let us walk quickly, friend;
Work our mite while lasts our little stay,
And help some halting comrade along the way:
And may God guide us, friend!

Hope your 2010 is filled with family, friends and fun!

Merry Christmas!
I cherish all my Blog Fans and are sending thoughts of gratitude and good cheer to you all. May your holiday be full of love and peace!

Wordless Wednesday


This view on my way to work. Usually it's totally dark on my commute during the winter months. Can you make out the barn and silo?

What Do You Remember?

The following quizzes, and the subsequent paragraph, are attributed to the late Charles Schulz, creator of the comic strip, Peanuts. I'm passing along his thoughts because I think it's important that we realize what is really important in life.


Quiz 1
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.


2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.


3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.


4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.


5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.


6. Name the last decade's World Series winners.


Quiz 2
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.


2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.


3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.


4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.


5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.


"The applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who cared."

- Charles Schulz

Who will remember you? What will they remember you for?

A List of Things to Be Thankful For

Some have attributed this to Mother (Saint) Theresa, which suits me just fine. I'm thankful I found it and have the ability to pass it along.

Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat.

Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends.

Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you're employed.

Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home.

Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.

Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.

Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk.

Be thankful for the lady who sings off key behind you in church, because it means you can hear.

Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning, because it means you are alive.

And finally, here is mine: I'm thankful I am able to post this to my blog. I'm also thankful for all of you who read and respond.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I recently joined the Bloggers Unite group. They ask bloggers to pick something to blog about, only for one day and this is what I have chosen. The Brown Bag Project takes place on November 21, 2009.

This year on 11/21/09, BlogCatalog.com and HalfHourMeals.com are helping fight hunger. They are asking bloggers from around the world to join in. You can use your blog to promote this and to help make people aware of the hunger that is happening right before us. If you don't have a blog you can still help.

Here are a few ways that the Bloggers Unite suggested how we can help out.

1) Donate food or money to a local food bank.

2) Sponsor a food drive.

3) Volunteer at a local food bank or kitchen that helps to feed the hungry.

4) Deliver a meal to a hungry family.

5) Donate to a charity that fights to end hunger.


I'm telling you this early so that you will have time to plan. It could be as easy as donating to your church or asking your local school principal if they know a family who could use a little extra help this year. Thanks for reading! Enjoy your day~

This Veterans Day, we give special thanks to the men & women who protect the health & safety of our nation. We appreciate your dedication!

Change Your Prospective
~ go from winter blahs, to winter Ahhhhhs


It's November and we have switched to daylight savings time. That means it's dark about 5:30 now. By 7:00 it seems like it should be time for bed! Usually the winter doldrums start to set in. The warm sunny days of summer are just a memory.

This year I decided to have a different attitude. I was reading Gina Rafkind's newsletter (www.vedasun.com) and she gave me some inspiration. Gina talked about what she is going to do to enjoy this winter and make it more warm and cozy instead of dreary and blah. It's a conscious choice she made. Here are a few of the ways she is going to beat the winter blues:

*Making more of an effort to stay in touch with those who mean a lot to me
*Making more 'dates' with friends and family so to spend more quality time with them
*Align with positive and grateful thoughts every day
*Listen to my favorite music daily

So are you up for the challenge to change your prospective?
I'd love to hear all about it. Share your comments here. Maybe we can inspire each other to actually enjoy this coming winter!

Wordless Wednesday

Everyone can have a bad hair day!

A Friendship Anniversary

To piggyback on the last post...

Back in 1974 Gail hosted a picnic get-together for friends at a park on Memorial Day. That tradition has continued on. For years, five couples (and sometimes their children) have been getting together once a year. We started out celebrating Memorial Day and then switched to a date picked by the hosting family. The picnics were moved from a park to individual homes. We've played volleyball, gone golfing, boating, took a limosine ride to a restaurant, picnicked with kids to name a few. This weekend was the 35 th time we have all gotten together! All five couples are still together and still having fun. One of the couples moved to Georgia and then Texas for awhile. Those years our get-togethers were held when they were back here.

This year we had an Oktober Fest theme with a great meal of German food and wine. We enjoyed smart talk and laughter and marveled at how long we had been having our get-togethers. Next year's hosts were already trying to line up a date.

I'm hoping to someday write about our 50 th gathering. If God continues to be good to us--we'll all be there!

Friends are like flowers...
I came across a lovely gift book at a garage sale all about friends.
It has pages to record memories, important dates, and attach photos. I
thought this would be the perfect gift for my best friend,Gail.
Gail and I became fast friends as college roommates. We had similar
backgrounds and were pursuing the same major-- education. Gail was a year
ahead of me so she was a great source of which classes to take and which
instructors to avoid. We roomed together for three years until she
graduated.

Gail is a little taller than I am, 6'0 or as she likes to say 5"12!
I was dating a fellow (who I later married) who was tall and Gail always
asked if he didn't have a brother for her. As it turns out, he had a
tall, good-looking cousin. My husband didn't want to introduce them
though because he didn't think they would be a good match. As luck would
have it, the girls went to a dance and the guys just happened to be there
too. One thing led to another and now Gail is married to my husband's
cousin! We knew we never wanted to lose touch!


We have been friends for almost 30 years. We've been through good
times and not so good times. Gail has always been there for me. I consider
her one of my greatest blessings. I hope we both live long
healthy lives and end up being spunky old ladies together.


Thinking about Gail made me think about my mother. She has had
just the opposite experience. She doesn't have any good friends, much less
a best friend. My mom came from a very large family and for the most part
they were her friends. I feel bad that she has never had anyone her age
to confide in, laugh with or just be herself. She told me once how much
she envied my friendship with Gail.


So think about your best friend(s). When was the last time you let
them know that you truly appreciated them? Don’t lose touch, you’ll lose so much!

Wordless Wednesday If pumpkins could talk..."pick me, pick me!"

Fight Against Fall

I just can't believe that summer is going to be officially over this week. Here are my attempts to fight off Fall!

Cosmos are still blooming prettily in my garden.

It's a dog's life for sure in the summer.

Still warm enough to go for a ride.


Wine, music, sunshine and good company on the patio at Woodland Hill Winery.


A great day to have lunch outdoors.

These are sure signs that summer can't be over...right? Anyone else with me in this fight against Fall?

Wordless Wednesday--The friends I meet everyday on my commute to work.

Wordless Wednesday--"Tsar Tops Dancer"--my brother's race horse before the big race.

Max Lucado’s book Fearless

I have read several books by Max Lucado and have always enjoyed them. The book Fearless was no exception. This book is an easy read filled with practical advice to help us face the fears in our lives. The book has 12 chapters each addressing a different kind of fear.

The three chapters that spoke to me were: Fear of Not Protecting My Kids, Fear of Overwhelming Challenges and Fear of Death. Lucado starts each chapter with a story. Some of the stories are about him and some are about people he has encountered. All of the stories are very entertaining while teaching a lesson or making a point. I enjoyed how Lucado also uses stories of Jesus from the bible but in an updated version.

In the Chapter called “Fear of Not Protecting My Kids”, Lucado gives advice for parents. He tells us that our children are not really “ours”; they really belong to God. He relates the story of Abraham and Jairus to show how much God and Jesus love children. He says that we should give our parenting fears to Christ instead of passing them on to our children. Lucado also says that fear can create permissive parents if we are so afraid that we can’t say no. He reminds us to send our children off each day with a blessing.

“Fear of Overwhelming Challenges” is very pertinent considering today’s economy. We don’t usually expect to see Jesus in the storms of our lives but it’s in storms that he does his best work. Lucado uses the biblical story of Peter and the disciples in the boat during a bad storm. He says that there is much power in Jesus’ words “Take courage. I am here.”

“Fear of Death”. Who hasn’t thought about dying and wondered what it’s going to be like. (I know of one person in particular who is very afraid of dying. I am going to give this chapter to him.) In this chapter Lucado tells about his dream of death. He agrees to go when his time is up if he can just say good-bye first. He says that “death is a passageway, a corner to be turned.” If we have faith, our fear of death is diminished. We believe that Jesus died and experienced resurrection and we will too.

Lucado tells us that 21 times in the bible Christ tells us to not be afraid. “Fear not!” The commandment to love God and our neighbor is only mentioned 8 times. He says that “fear corrodes our confidence in God’s goodness and that it can suck the life out of the soul.” Reading this book made me realize that while fear is a natural emotion, it doesn’t have to get in the way of living. I highly recommend this book!

Letterpress Karma?!?

This past August my husband and I went on an Art Crawl. We met with many wonderfully talented artists. One of the stops was at the shop of a letterpress artist. When I told her my printing story she said our meeting must have been karma!

When I was a high school senior many years ago, I wanted to study printing and graphic arts at our local tech college. My dad and I stopped in at the school and asked to tour their facilties because I was interested in their printing program. I was told in no uncertain terms that "girls were not allowed in the program!" And that was that. No tour, no enrolling in their printing classes.

So now years later, I am thrilled to see a woman running the presses in her own shop. Her name is Mary Bruno and she is the creative force behind Bruno Press. (http://www.mcbpress.com/) She invited me to come and watch her do some printing so today was the day!

I had so much fun visiting with her and watching her print off some really fun cards. She was kind enough to answer my many questions while trying to get some work done. Her shop is filled with paper, type, presses, examples of her work and much more. It was awesome just to be around all that wonderful printing "stuff". I'm really hoping to get back and actually try a little printing by myself! Mary even offered to come speak to my 2nd graders about letterpress printing! (and sent me home with some of those "really fun cards"!)

I'm thankful for whatever brought us together--karma or not. I'm also thankful that times have changed and girls have the opportunities to pursue whatever career they want. While I'm not too sad that my life has taken other twists and turns, it sure was sweet to be in Mary's letterpress shop today!

Wordless Wednesday--"Gathered" at the Beach

Savor Your Success

I got the idea for this post from two sources. One, my six-year-old granddaughter and the other Savor the Success, a network for savvy female entrepreneurs who are making things happen in their lives.

Railey called me the other night breathless with excitement. It turns out she finally figured out how to ride her bike all by herself! After countless tries--and not giving up, (aided by mom, dad, her Aunt Rana) she is now able to balance her bike. She actually went on a two-mile bike ride and didn't fall once! She was quick to tell me so that she could go on to make more calls to share her success.

Savor the Success is a network that I have joined to connect with other female small business owners. I'm hoping they are going to share their success stories. Maybe I can use what they've learned to help my bath and body products business-Gathered From the Garden grow. I see in them Railey's determination and stamina.

I think too often we are very humble and don't shout out our successes. Maybe we are afraid of appearing boastful. But listening to Railey describe her accomplishment I realized that we need to share and savor our successes. This is what keeps us motivated to continue to be successful.

This week I was able to make a delicious (and cute) S'Mores cupcake AND I figured out a way to take a good picture of it to post! Successes for me indeed!

Do you have any successes you'd like to share with us? C'mon, savor your success!

Wordless Wednesday I Wish My Purse Was This Organized!

Simple Woman's Daybook

It seems the simple things in life are best. Each action, each moment, each sound…they all have significance and meaning. So today’s post will be from the Simple Woman’s Daybook: (simplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com)

Outside my window…
Sunshine and a cool breeze. It’s only in the 70’s here today.

I am thinking…
About all of the blessings I have received already this week.!

I am thankful for…
An amazing husband.

From the kitchen…
Lunch was a full of fruit and veggie goodness.

I am wearing…
Comfy shorts and a t-shirt.

I am creating…
A romantic massage oil blend.

I am going…
To travel to Tampa to meet my son’s future in-laws.

I am reading...

Fearless by Max Lucado.

I am praying…
For patience and wisdom in my classroom this fall (and all year).

I am hearing…
A wren papa and mama singing as they bring food to their little ones.

One of my favorite things…
Is gathering flowers from my garden to dry.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Babysitting my “grands” tomorrow so mom and dad get some grown-up time alone. Finishing Gathered From The Garden’s newsletter for this week. Putting together some recipes for a bridal shower I’m invited to.

One of my favorites on the list is “I am hearing…”. You can learn alot about someone’s world by finding out what they hear during the day. There is so much that I miss when I’m not mindful of my surroundings. There is beauty in each sound. So…what are you hearing right now?

Wordless Wednesday--"Sisterly Love"

Hey I’m now a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger!

I love reading books, talking about books, looking at books and sharing books. My love for books is also one reason why I am excited to be accepted into the Thomas Nelson Publishers Book Review Blogger program.

The first book I have requested to review is Fearless by Max Lucado.

I plan a review by the end of the month. Stay tuned!

Question: Do you like books as much as I do? If so, maybe you’d be interested in the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger program too. Check it out, and let me know if you apply!

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Me

1. I have five sisters who are all younger than me.

2. I am a certified aromatherapist. I used to be a Master Gardener.

3. I love to create and putz with art/crafts.

4. I think "YUCK" at this "I'm gonna show-my-bra-strap or my fat rolls” craze of dressing...showing my age?

5. I have lots of pieces of black clothing...I’m convinced that black makes me look thinner!

6. I went to Alaska this summer and accomplished one of my life's goals --to see whales up close.

7. I am a lover of chocolate like a lot of women. I especially love Dove dark chocolate.

8. I got my first tattoo at age 40. I’ve gotten three more since then. My youngest daughter is a bad influence on me! (Not really, I do like my tattoos.)

9. I received my first Ipod (Shuffle) for my birthday this summer. Now I can listen to music while I run.

10.And in case you didn't know by now I am not perfect, my family is not perfect and my home is not perfect...well, my home...almost. LOL!

Wordless Wednesday...Beauty in looks and fragrance!

Wordless Wednesday

The "Star of Alaska". A 24-carat yellow diamond worth $1.3 million on an ordinary gal's hand!

Pamper Your Spirit


After getting back from an awesome Alaskan cruise I realized just how much we need to pamper our spirits as well as our bodies. (Although Jerry won a spa treatment worth $195 the first day of our cruise. It was a sea-algae wrap and massage. Talk about being pampered!!!)

Being on a cruise you obviously pamper your body--especially with the incredible food--but on this cruise my spirit was so pampered also.

When you see views like this (Mendenhall Glacier):

Your spirit is just filled with joy and awe. You know there has to be a higher presence and you can't help but send thanks for the opportunity to see this spectacular scenery.


I have a list of life goals that I hope to accomplish. (Jerry has one he calls his "bucket list".) One of the things on my life goals list is to see whales up close. On this trip I was able to do just that. We took a whale watching trip. We saw humpbacks and orcas breach. It was so breath-taking that it actually brought me to tears. We got to see humpbacks "bubble-feeding". Our naturalist told us that most people in the world will never see this! I wondered if my spirit could be filled with any more joy...

Our last stop was Skagway where we took a train ride up into the mountains. This was a little more low-key after seeing the whales and the Margarie Glacier "calve" but still quite impressive. The scenery was beautiful and you had to marvel at the work someone did to be able to put a railroad track up that mountain. (The flowers you see here are called "Fireweed". They were blooming everywhere.)

I have come back refreshed in mind, body and spirit. It was truly a vacation to remember. I hope you all take time to pamper your spirit even if it isn't a life-changing experience for you. Do you have an experience you'd like to share with us? How have you pampered your spirit this summer?

Wordless Wednesday
"Never Too Young To Start A Business!"

Secrets of Healthy Aging

The picture you see is of me right after ran my second 5K ever. I read an article in the April issue of Body and Soul magazine. The article was titled "10 Secrets of Healthy Aging". Since I am always interested in healthy ideas I read on. You guessed it--one of the secrets was to get your sneakers out and stay fit.

My daughter and her husband have been doing quite a bit of running. My daughter ran a half marathon this spring. All of this influence got me to thinking that maybe I could run too. I'm a pretty consistent walker but I wanted to challenge myself and see if this old girl could really run.

After finding a training program for running online, I started out on my treadmill. After about three weeks I actually ran my first marathon. (My daughter ran with me pushing a stroller. You can see how fast I was...) Anyway, my goal was to finish and I did. But that just made me want to be able to run faster. So I kept training.

I ran another 5K about a month ago. Surprise, surprise--I came in first in my age group. (Well, there were only three of us but still...)This race was much harder even though I trained longer for it. The weather was VERY humid and I was used to running on my treadmill, not outside. I admit I did have to walk a couple of times. But I did finish and even got a medal.

I am going to continue to run. I've been trying to run more outside but it's easier on the treadmill when I can watch tv or read. (A bonus for me was that my other daughter was here visiting two weeks ago and I could run with her outside.)

I've been thinking about that article and some of the other ideas they listed. Eat more potassium, (I have a banana every day.) reduce red meat (I've been eating veggie burgers and soy sausages) get more Vit. D (I am taking a supplement my daughter the chiropractor suggested. It also has calcium.) do tai chai (I've never done it but I'd be willing to try.),think positively (It's easier to do this during the summer when I'm not teaching!) and more that I will have to really consider.

Do we have any runners out there that have some words of wisdom for those of us who are beginners? Has anyone tried tai chai?

Don't Wish Your Life Away

Since my birthday was yesterday I've been reflecting on getting older. The birthday gifts and greetings were great but now I'm left with writing a bigger number for my age. (Although you won't believe this, I actually got carded at a restaurant on Sat. night!)

I was lamenting the fact that I'm on the downward slide toward another number ending in zero when my husband said "yes, but you are one year closer to retirement..." He's right. I should be looking at my age more positively. However, I shouldn't be wishing my life away.

Looking at how fast my grandchildren are growing up makes me realize time moves too fast. My little grandson is so adorable (two yrs.) I wish I could freeze-frame this time for just a little bit. My flowers are in full bloom, the raspberries are just beginning to ripen and butterflies are starting to visit. Really, could life be much better? The calendar tells me that summer is already more than a third over and I haven't crossed much off my to-do list. But why am I worried about that? I need to stop wishing for another day and really just enjoy today.

A good example of this is a couple that I taught with. They did a lot of traveling before and after they retired. Now 5 years later, Don has Lou Gehrig's disease and their traveling days are over. I can imagine how they would give anything to turn back the clock. I'm also sure they are not wishing their lives away and are making the most of every moment they have together. While we are dealing with the setbacks dealt us, life goes on and good memories can still happen.

So...I want you to pack as much joy and happiness as you can into today. Stop and be grateful for all your blessings. Share your good fortune with others. I'm not going to think about what might be ahead, but enjoy the rest of the afternoon. I've got some ripe raspberries calling to me...

Michael, Farrah, Ed and Billy

Donna Marie at the IndieBusiness Blog wrote a really inspirational article about these four. You definitely need to check it out: http://www.indiebusinessblog.com/2009/06/28/what-i-learned-from-fawcett-jackson-mcmahon-and-mays

You're Just Five Minutes Away From Happiness

I have to piggyback on my last post and write about happiness again!

Is there such a thing as a happiness fix? I think so and I think you can get your "fix" in just a few minutes. Here are some things to try when you need to boost your spirits.

1. Blog. It can give you a place to journal about life, your family, whatever is important to you. You can also get a boost from positive comments that other people leave you.

2. Get outside and soak up the sun. (I know that I get very crabby when it is rainy or cloudy for too long.) Even standing in the sunlight coming in through a window can brighten your spirits. Sunlight also gives us Vitamin D which keeps serotonin levels high. (This is a feel-good hormone.)

3.Exercise. Just being able to move your body and work up a sweat can make you feel better. Sometimes just being done exercising puts me in a good mood. I know I've accomplished something good for my body.

4.Listen to music. Your favorite tunes can make you feel happier right away! Music activates the part of our brain that's hardwired for pleasure.

5. Garden. It's hard to have your fingers in the dirt nurturing something and stay feeling blue. Studies have been done that show being around flowers can relieve stress and increase calmness. It works for me!

6. Be generous. Once in awhile leave a bigger tip or pay for coffee for the person in line behind you. I tried the 29 Days of Giving Challenge where you had to give something away every day for 29 days. It made me feel good every time I gave something away.

7. Volunteer. There are nursing homes, shelters and other charitable organizations always looking for help. Knowing that you're helping others will make you feel good too.

8. Spend time with your kids, grandkids or the neighbor's kids. Experiencing little joys through the eyes of a child will cheer you instantly.

9. Pamper yourself. A new shade of nail polish, a good haircut, a new pair of earrings...little treats for yourself will definitely improve your mood.

10. Look at photos displayed in your home or in your photo albums. You can't help but smile when you look at your favorite people and remember the good times spent with them.

These are just a few ideas to bring about instant happiness. Which of these would work for you? (Can you tell I love looking at photos of and spending time with my granddaughters?) What's your favorite thing to do when you're feeling down?

Happiness is Contagious

I had the privilege of watching my 3 grandchildren this week. We had so much fun! It's great to experience all the little joys through their eyes. Listening to my grandson giggle puts me in an awesome mood. I wish I could bottle that up and pull it out when I need a little lift.

Research from the Harvard Medical School has determined that happiness is indeed contagious. Your good mood can spread to your friends and then to their friends, etc. etc. Think about the times when a stranger has smiled at you and you've smiled back.

What are you happiest about right now? Here's my top 5: (no particular order)

1. Summer is here and I can sleep with the windows open.

2. We can eat on our patio and porch.

3. I have time to take my grandchildren to Storytime at the Library.

4. My son and daughter are coming home to visit.

5. Fresh fruit and veggies in season. Can't wait for fresh strawberry pie!

Do you have a "happiness" story to share with us? How are you spreading happiness? Who has spread it to you?

Big Girls Don't Cry

I was watching the news last night. A story came on about a 95 yr.-old woman who had her necklace stolen right off her neck. Turns out it had been give to her by her husband when he returned home from WWII. The good news is that they caught the thief. But when the police called to tell her about it they told her not to cry.

Why not? Sometimes the most healing, cleansing thing you can do is to have a good cry! Crying releases your emotions, slows your breathing and has a calming effect. I'm sure if this woman had cried, it would have been tears of joy.

What about when your tears are not for joy? Sometimes you cry because you need support. You are letting others know that something hurts. It's good to find a sympathetic ear and unleash some feelings. Talking about what's going on and getting a smile or hug in return can help the healing begin.

I come from a family of women that cry easily. I used to be embarrassed by it but not anymore. I know it is just a part of me. I've cried at my daughters' weddings, my grandchildren's births and in situations where the tears were tears of anger or fear.

However, there are some things we can all do to control our emotions a little better if we want. Before heading into a stressful situation, concentrate on breathing calmly and steadily. Tell yourself you are not going to cry. Reminding yourself that you are a strong person can help you stay calm. Remember that you can let your feelings out later and have that good cry.

When was the last time you had a good cry?

Secrets to Staying Young

Aren't we always looking for the magic product--the Fountain of Youth? In the March 2009 issue of Health Magazine (health.com) scientists studying aging share some of their latest research.
One tip they list is to stop eating so much. Cutting calories and exercising can lead to weight loss and also lowered production of T3, a thyroid hormone that can slow the aging process.
Another tip is to use your brain. We've heard this before; do crossword puzzles or Sudoka. Even taking a new route to work can wake up brain cells.
Drink more wine. You've probably heard this one too. Red wine and grape juice contain resveratrol, a compound that seems to slow aging. Drinking red wine in moderation will benefit your heart.
Lose the belly fat. Scientists tracking people for 30 years have found that having a big belly can raise your risk of dementia.
They also tell us to eat more plants. People living the longest tend to eat less meat and more plant foods.
Get your zzzz's. Seven hours a night will help your body repair damage from stress and sun.
Straighten up. (a hard one for most of us to remember) Rounded, hunched shoulders make you look old. Stand tall!

For more tips and info check out the article in the Health Guide section of Health magazine.

Happiness is a Decision

These words from Micheal J. Fox in the April issue of Good Housekeeping Magazine. You only have to read a few pages to be greatly inspired by his story. It would be easy to understand if he was bitter or depressed or angry but he isn't. He says he has much to be grateful for. He really appreciates the love his wife and family give him. I think he is one incredible guy!

It really makes me want to look around at what I have to be grateful for. In the ordinary daily grind that can get lost. I used to keep a gratitude journal but that kind of went by the wayside. I should blow the dust off and start to use it again. There is too much goodness in my life not to appreciate it and thank God for it.

Micheal J. Fox also goes on to say that even with his Parkinson's, he asks how he can be of service to others. He decided to use his star power to start a foundation to help others with his disease. He has testified at Congressional hearings about Parkinson's being underfunded. Seems like we could all ask, "How can I be of service to others?" and make a difference even in a small way.

Throughout all of this his wife Tracy has been there by his side. He also talks about having faith in a higher power. I think these two are the most important. Having someone to love and share the good and the bad. Knowing that God has a plan for us and he is with us through the good and bad too.

Micheal J. Fox has a tv special coming out on April 23 on ABC . He travels the world talking to people who have overcome great obstacles to live happy lives. It's called "Adventures of an Incurable Optimist". It sounds like a very interesting and hopeful show!

Dream It, Do It

Spend more time focused upon your dream than upon the reality.

The reality gives birth to the dream --

but the dream is where you are wanting to put your attention.

Esther Hicks & Abraham

Words to Live By

ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
What you spend years building, someone may try to destroy overnight. Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Do it anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them, anyway. - Anonymous

This seems like a great list of easy things to do to make life better for all!

Earth Hour
Saturday the 28th of March between 8.30pm and 9.30pm is Earth Hour. This year the goal is set to have 1 billion people turn off their lights for 1 hour. Such an amazing initiative which we definitely support. So for once DO NOT visit us but join this global celebration and light your candles!

You're Never Too Old

As I glanced over the news yesterday at HappyNews.com, I found the sweetest article about giving. June Pearce of Florida was coming up on her 84th birthday and like many elderly, had no need for baubles or trinkets. Having suffered from strokes that robbed her short-term memory (as well as lung cancer), she remembered having a good time riding on the back of a motorcycle during the Depression. She placed an ad on Craigslist asking for someone to "give granny a ride on your hog". A very sweet man, Ron Borowski, had lost his own mother to cancer and decided to fulfill Junes' birthday wish... Click Here to read the full story

This reminded me of my dad and his 80th birthday. We asked him th think of something he really wanted that he had never gotten. At first it was the usual "You don't need to get me anything." But after some persistent questioning he finally admitted that he had always wanted two things: an army ring (he was in the army during WWII) and a ride in the rumble seat of an old car. A cousin of mine suggested calling a local fellow,Roy Bernick, a collector of old cars. Roy very generously brought out the most beautiful red and black Auburn to my sister's house where our family was gathered. My dad had tears when he realized we had arranged for him to get a ride in this car.

So through the generosity of folks like Roy and Ron dreams can come true. It seems a shame that we don't make dreams come true before people are either very old or very sick. I'm going to

make that one of my goals...care to make it one of yours too?

I'm Older Than Barbie!

Barbie turns 50 this year. I can remember wanting that new doll so bad. I had to wait a bit but I did get my Barbie. She looked much different than today's Barbie. She had short, brown hair modeled after Jackie Kennedy.

Today my granddaughters play with their Barbies. These dolls look much different than mine and have a ton of more clothes and accessories. Barbie sure has endured and for being 50 she looks pretty good!

Just for fun here are some trivia facts about Barbie:

*The person responsible for coming up with the "Barbie" idea was Ruth Handler, one of the founders of Mattel.

*Barbie's boyfriend Ken was named after Handler's real-life son. (He hated being compared to Ken.)

*Barbie's last name is Roberts.

*Barbie's best friend is Midge.

*The first Barbie cost $3.00--I don't remember what mine cost...

*A girl after my own heart--Barbie has had more than 1 million pairs of shoes!

*Mattel estimates that 3 Barbies are sold every SECOND!

*I'll share this with my friends at school tomorrow--Teacher Barbie was recalled in 1995 because she wasn't wearing underwear. What was she thinking?

* And if you have a Barbie from 1959 you could sell her for an estimated $27,450!!! (She has to be in mint condition.)

What is it that makes Barbie so popular with little girls? Do you remember your first Barbie?

Do you still have her?

DID YOU KNOW? The first Women's Day was held on the last Sunday in February 1908, initiated by groups of American socialist women for the purpose of demanding the Vote and to call attention to the political and economic status of women. When the Russian Czar abdicated in 1917, the provisional Government granted women the right to vote - this took place on February 23, according to the Julian calendar then used in Russia, but on March 8 according to the Gregorian calendar used by most of the rest of the world.

Every year, the 8th of March marks a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. It is an important occasion to celebrate the achievements and gains made by women and to focus on the job still to do in working towards equality for women around the world.

IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding. Go to internationalwomensday.com for more info.

Rockin' Robin or the Twitter Bird...

I have been Twittering for awhile now. Starting out I didn't know too much about what or how to Twitter. So if you are new to Twitter like I was, or just want to maximize your Twitter efforts to promote your business, you can find a sea of info on the Internet to help you. It can be a daunting task finding the good stuff so I thought I would share the blogs and info that I particularly like on the subject.

TwiTip: http://www.twitip.com/
Twitter Handbook Blog: http://twitterhandbook.com/blog/
Twitter Handbook: http://twitterhandbook.com/
Blog of Mr. Tweet: http://blog.mrtweet.net/
Several free e-books on using Twitter for business:http://www.ariwriter.com/2008/12/8-free-ebooks-on-twitter/
Have fun!

Audrey Hepburn's Advice

I don’t remember watching Audrey Hepburn movies when I was younger but I have seen snippets of her movies. She always seemed so full of grace and charm. She left behind these Beauty Tips that still work today.

Beauty Tips by Audrey Hepburn:

For attractive lips,
Speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes,
Seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise,
Walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody.
Remember: if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

Great advice for any age. Are you an Audrey Hepburn fan?

The Pink Tree

I came across this site and thought this was a fun idea for any of us that are creative and make things. It's called The Pink Tree. Here is what it is all about:

Welcome to The Pink Tree, product review site. The concept is simple, send your small products in for review, their picture will be taken, a review will be written about you (your company) and the product, and you will have the satisfaction of seeing your product numerous times in the review pictures. Readers will be able to do a back search for the other products shown on the tree.When the tree is full, certain products can be donated to proper charities, in your company's name.It is a simple concept that can bring joy and publicity to your company. http://thepinktreefrommilkandcookeez.blogspot.com/

Any kind of products that women or kids would like are welcome--they don't have to be bath and body products. When the "tree" is filled, the products will be donated to a charity. So you can get some publicity and help someone in need too. What of yours could be put on the Pink Tree?

Spreading the Happiness Virus

Research shows that writing down just five things every day that you are grateful for can lead to a healthier mental state. A website called ButterBeeHappy.com makes this easier than ever. There are tools on the website such as Honeycomb, which looks for postings from people who share happy thoughts similar to yours. It can reinforce your own good feelings. There is also a blog with the latest news in happiness research. It's all free!

This from the Butterbeehappy site:

"Positive emotions and psychology help people thrive. In life there are many factors that can get people down, such as the economy. However, psychological research shows that economic factors are a poor predictor of overall happiness. Can you guess what is a good predictor of happiness? That's right, gratitude. When you jott down your 5 happy thoughts each day you are really practicing being grateful, and are thus appreciating your life to its full extent. "

I have been keeping a gratitude journal for several years now. In the past few months I've gotten kind of lazy about recording my five things. This will inspire me to get back into the habit.

Do any of you keep a gratitude journal?

Celebrate You!

In the January issue of Redbook magazine (redbookmag.com) Anna Davies writes about ways to celebrate yourself. If you watch little children, they do it all the time. They want everyone to notice their specialness and what they can accomplish. We as adults, don't do that often enough.

I once went to confession and the priest I met with said, "you take care of your students, your children, your husband--who is taking care of you?" Those words really made me think. It's easy to wind up putting yourself last. Ms. Davies has some good "Yay,me" ideas...here are just a few of my favorites.

*Write down three favorite traits about yourself to pull out whenever you need a little pick-me-up.

*Keep a wish list of dreams both big and small. You can post it to listography.com.

*Start a weekly ritual of pampering yourself.

*Change your desktop screensaver to a photo of a place you've always wanted to go.

*Read an inspiring blog.

*Look through your closet and ditch five things that don't fit or flatter you. Donate them to Goodwill. You'll gain some more closet space and do something good for others.

*Get a free make-over at one of the make-up counters at the mall.

What are some ways you celebrate yourself? I definitely need to go through my closet! I also like the idea of keeping that wish list. Yay, me!