Pushy Navigator

How Fairy

Many days we are tempted to ask Why? Why did this happen to me? Why was I singled out? Why am I not a different person? But the whys lead only to clever explanations and rationalizations of what we do or what we are. The question for us is not Why? but How?

We ask how to learn and how to work to do things differently; the "how" can give us a deeper understanding of the solution. We ask God How? and God provides the strength and guidance needed. "How" will lead to everything needed for personal growth. "Why" is irrelevant.

Churning Up the Weekend

Fairy Reminder

Many people spend their days in anger and aren't aware of it. The conditions of work and life make many of us angry; we feel powerless to change them, and our frustration angers us more.

The Serenity Prayer asks for "...the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." If we examine our lives fearlessly, we may find many things that are in our power to change.

Since we cannot change, or do not choose to change some things, we'd do well to accept them, instead of spinning our wheels in unproductive anger or turning the anger in, against ourselves. And when we summon the courage to change the things we can, our lives will bless us.

Today I'll look at anger as something I've chosen, instead of something inevitable. Is it covering fear? How can I resolve it?

White tag adventure

<-- small tags








I have a box with recipe cards--filled with amazing moments, miracles, gifts of G-d, random acts of kindness.  I was charged with putting them on paper and dating them, once upon a time.  WPIML thought I was 'an ungrateful snot that didn't recognize how graced I was'.  LOL  He mighta had a point.
Whine, carry on, poooooooooor me......  Okayokay......he had a point!

I had the foresight to hang on to those suckers--and on occasion, when I don't want to 'lose' an awesome moment, I scribble on another card and stick it in the box.
I've had that box out over and over and over and over again.
I have this habit of hanging on to stuff I need to let go of and letting go of things I need to hold on to.

So do the people I work with.....go figure they're JUST LIKE ME.
G-d has a funny sense of humour like that.......

So I gave these 'tags' to a gal and suggested, since it worked for me to write 'G-d in action' on recipe cards, maybe she'd wanna try it herself.  MAYBE keeping track of where G-d WAS in her day would help her move from being 'stuck in the muck' and maybe at least diminish some of that whining, carrying on, poooooooor me crap.....LOL  (yes....JUST LIKE ME)

She told me it wasn't working.
She told me she still gets challenged on the poor poor pour me another drink syndrome and that she's tired of doing exercises that don't work, wasting her time and energy on stupid tags that just fill her bedside drawer..
Ummm...sticking 'em in her bedside table and LEAVING them there wasn't 'zackly what I was suggesting.

Yesterday when I met up with her--she was all about whinin' and carrying on and complainin'.....(gee....yup..JUST like me.)

So I have a date with her this weekend.

I have ribbon.
I have pretties!

I'm gonna help her put pretties on her tags and we're gonna HANG 'em from the ribbon..... IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA.

Yeahyeah....I'm sure more whinin', complainin' and carryin' on will happen......
That's okay.
"Full circle" that I get to work with people JUST like me.


.....G-d has a very, very funny sense of humour.....  LOL

Fairy Wisdom for the Day

To be a friend involves risk. Friends confront each other when it's needed, but they do it out of love and with compassion. All of us need a friend who will tell us when we are acting out of line, when we are "not able to see the forest for the trees." Friends are there for us in the struggles – rooting us on, maybe teasing us a bit, helping us get past the difficulties and eventually helping us find the gift embedded in them. Friends risk upsetting us, if it means we may become better people.

We need to be grateful for these people. Theirs is not always an easy job. Many of us have big egos; we don't want to be told that we are wrong. However, friends keep seeing the best in us, even when we aren't acting our best. Theirs will be the faces we see when we look back at our lives, especially at the times of crisis and challenge.

Keep swimmin'......

Fairy Truth

Being in charge of what we dwell on is easier than we might imagine. 

We can practice the art of focusing our minds on the positive. 

Begin by stopping a thought, any thought, in mid-sentence. 

Focus on a blessing that is obvious today. Anytime an unhealthy thought surfaces, drop it, and replace it with a blessing. 

This can become a way of life if we make the choice.  

We have felt enough pain and experienced enough harm. 

Today can be much better. 

And it will be if we carefully select our thoughts.  

I am as happy as I truly want to be today. 

No one can steal peacefulness from me if that's what I really want.

Everybody loves a barbie!!!!!

<-- looks good, eh?

<-- could toast marshmallows in 2.5 seconds with that glow goin'





So......I'm smarter today......even if I don't FEEL better......

I haven't been feeling so hot since I got back from staying with the sister.  Granted, I dropped a good 8 pounds while I was out there......stress and running your arse off will do that, I guess.  And face it--not a gluten free household and NOT the time to spend time fretting about what to feed myself--catch as catch can.  So I wasn't too surprised with the weight loss.
And I wasn't too surprised with the 'not feeling on top of the game' once I returned.
The problem was--it persisted.
I figured 'stress'.....and I'd 'deal'.

And then I had all those stupid tests cuz the yearly physical 'stuff' came due.
....And doc told me I wasn't where he wanted me to be even after years of this gluten free 'stuff'....and maybe, given I continued to feel crappy (no pun intended), tired and on the edge of sickly--MAYBE we needed to check me out for other food allergens.

No thanks...I know where I am with the gluten stuff and I figure denial and avoidance are good things on occasion.  LOL  (That's just TRUE!!)
I don't WANT more health stuff to contend with.
I don't WANT more foods on the stupid list of "Mel can't have that......"
I told him I wanted to buy time and let things 'settle' a bit.  I assured him I'd work on gaining back that 8 pounds that got lost....and we'd see if getting back into the 'routine' didn't solve some of the issues.

WHY he listened to me, I'll never know.  LOLOL

EVERYbody loves a barbie--
We're no exception to that rule.
And he-who-loves-to-cook likes to light fires too!
Ain't nothing like a 'hot off the grill kebab' with peppers and onion and mushrooms and tomatoes.....OMG.....YUMMMMMM!!!!!  I don't need meat ('specially since I don't especially LIKE meat....),  I love my veggies!

'Cept MINE have been coming off the grill covered in gluten.
YES, GLUTEN.
Did *I* know that they use wheat fillers to bind charcoal into those pretty briquettes?
Did *I* know that the smoke from those cute little briquettes cover my yummy little kebab's with crap that I can't have?!


NOT A CLUE.

And have we been grilling out on a regular basis since my return from the sisters?
.........uh huh....  Two, maybe three times a week, I'd guess.

Freaking wheat....
......IN CHARCOAL.

I don't know what we'll do with the grill itself now that we've smothered it with wheat ladened charcoal.
I DO know that the charcoal has gone bye-bye.
I suspect he-who-grills will suggest a gas grill even though he doesn't particularly LIKE gas grills (nor do I).
I also know of several NON-WHEAT containing charcoals now.

NOW.

*sigh*

In charcoal.......
IN charcoal.
*%$#**!!!!!!

HappyHAPPYHappy

Things that make me happy....

....old Mason jars filled with buttons.

....finding a heart shaped rock.

....burnt hotdogs.

....hearing the first cicadas song.

....bright yellow daisies.

....resting dragonflies.

....my Thomas the Train whistle!  :-)

Fairy Thought (that I'm gonna think about....)

In order to grow in honesty we first needed to see how we had lied to others and to ourselves. 

This was not as easy as it first appeared. 

Our lies to ourselves kept us so fully in the dark that we did not know we were lying. 

We sometimes told "sincere" lies because we honestly did not distinguish the truth within ourselves. 

For so long we had preferred dishonest rationalizations, and we had come to believe them.  

What we feel, what we see and hear, is what we know. 

When we simplify our lives and base the truth upon our experiences, we slowly cleanse ourselves of the lies we told ourselves. 

With this kind of honesty comes an inner peace with ourselves in which we can say, "I know myself."  

Today, I will accept my experience as a simple message of truth.

Neveradullmoment.....

And THIS is where it all starts to go a bit insane.....

Just when ya think you're finding a bit of respite on the weekends--July happens.
Oy.....

Every weekend for the entire month.
And I mean back to back to back.
How does that happen?  Wellllllll...cuz I say 'yes thank you, I think I'd like to do that'.
And he says 'you're welcome any time'.
And when I actually get around to writing things on the calendar--THEN I note things he-who-plans-everything has written down.

"Sooooo.....like....  We're having a PARTY next weekend!  Wooooohooooo!!  Bring on the hotdogs and hamburgers!!"
Pardon?  
"Yup--the more the merrier!  I'll make a gallon of potato salad.  It'll all be good!"
You failed to write something on the calendar.....
"Mighta.......  Woohoooo---we'll have a party!  If some people are good--more is better!!"

He took it fairly well, all things considered.  But what was he gonna do--break a three year old's heart?  (yes, I played that card and I'm not ashamed to admit it!)
It was the weekend FOLLOWING that he got a bit......irritated with.

"Nonono--you go ahead and go to the whozit thingy you had planned.  Lassariona will come another time---maybe in three more years....you know how expensive airfare is.  Of course, she might not have her brother in tow then......"

.......and the weekend following.....

"Oh--and we'll just make a crock pot full of sloppy joes, toss out some chips and call it good.  I'll mark it on the calendar so you'll remember...."

AND the weekend following...

"Ummmm....did I mention we had plans here?  *pointing and tapping the calendar*  This'll never do!  We can't be in two places at once."

His response?
Oh yes--we can be. Would you like me to prove that?



I'da been okay with the proof if it hadn't looked like it was gonna involve his hands around my neck....


:-/

Desktop for the Week

Good 'Nuff Fairy

Letting Go of Old Beliefs  

Try harder. 

Do better. 

Be perfect.  

These messages are tricks that people have played on us. 

No matter how hard we try, we think we have to do better. 

Perfection always eludes us and keeps us unhappy with the good we've done.  

Messages of perfectionism are tricks because we can never achieve their goal. 

We cannot feel good about ourselves or what we have done while these messages are driving us. 

We will never be good enough until we change the messages and tell ourselves we are good enough now.  

We can start approving of and accepting ourselves. 

Who we are is good enough. 

Our best yesterday was good enough; our best today is plenty good too.  

We can be who we are, and do it the way we do it - today. 

That is the essence of avoiding perfection.  

Help me let go of the messages that drive me into the crazies. 

I will give myself permission to be who I am and let that be good enough.

Today's Fairy Reminder

The moment that captures us now is all we have for certain. 

We can dream endlessly about next week and next year but there are no guarantees. 

Thus, it is important to care for ourselves and others in this moment. 

Have we expressed our love to any one of the many special people in our lives today? 

The effort is small and yet paramount in its impact on how the day unfolds for the givers and the receivers of caring words that inspire - words that speak of love.  

Someone close needs our attention today - our encouragement, our inspiration, our recognition. 

And we need the commitment to focus outside ourselves if we are to discover the gifts promised us in each 24-hour segment of life. 

It is not coincidence that we feel pulled toward particular people - that we select certain groups to identify with.   

Contemplative thoughtfulness about our presence in this time and place will assure us we are needed for the loving growth of many. 

The Firstest of the Summer

And then there's His-biscus....

Fairy Wisdom

To err is human; to blame it on the other guy is even more human. --Bob Goddard  

We are on a path that leads us to become better people with greater insight and stronger character. 

A central theme on this path is learning to take responsibility for ourselves, our mistakes, and our choices as we deal with our situations. 

We can make progress on this path by noticing our defensive reactions when we make a mistake or when someone criticizes us. 

Our old ways were aimed at shifting the blame or counterattacking to get someone else off our case. 

Now we are learning how to take on the blame when it honestly belongs to us.  

One of the first things we need to learn in taking responsibility is that there is no shame in making a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. 

But some people don't accept responsibility for them, and others do. 

We have much greater respect for someone who does. 

Admitting when we were wrong doesn't mean speaking in vague generalities, saying that "mistakes were made." 

It doesn't mean saying, "Yes, I did this, but only because you did that." 

It means saying what we did or didn't do and laying the facts out there for us and others to deal with. 

When we can do that, forgiveness almost always follows shortly. 

 Today I will hold back my defensiveness and admit the facts as they are.

Fairy Reminder

We must continuously fine-tune our bearings.

No one can set sail and expect to forget the wind. First you stand in the open air, feel the wind touch your face, and take note of its direction and force. Then you set your sail to carry your boat toward your goal. And you continue to recheck the wind because it is ever changing.

We might wish we could nail down our achievements when we finally reach them, stop the march of time, or keep our loved ones safe where they are. Just when we think we have everything together, something changes. Children grow up, jobs change, new neighbors move in next door. Like a sailor, we must continuously fine-tune our life bearings. Whether a change is welcome or not, we must respond.

Our main choice is not what will change but how we respond. If we hold too tightly to willful thinking, we are not attuned. But if we make peace with change, we grow. We will be transformed into more than we could ever imagine.

Himself's Frower

Fairy Dust

You cannot think your way into right actions.

You have to act your way into right thinking.

Drained Batteries......

Midweek Messes Abound!

How can it only be the middle of the week with so much STUFF that's upsidedown?!

Isn't that suppose to happen at the end of the week so you're running like mad to right it BEFORE the weekend happens?!
I guess it's good it's midweek.....that means I have more time to right it...right?

What it PROBABLY means is that this is just the TIP of the crises and messes and all heck will break loose on Friday morning.  *nodding*



Right.

I love crisis and mess.
I thrive in crises and messes.

*laughing*  I'll just keep telling myself that.  It's a good attitude to have when you're (yet again) walking into another crisis and mess!

I won't be bored?
I sooooooooo don't like being bored, so this is a good thing!

TFTD

I don't do what I do just so people will think kindly of me. I like doing what I do.

--Janice Clark

We're lucky if we like everything that we do. But many of us have to develop a willingness to like many of the activities we're involved in. Is that unusual? Probably not. Nor does it matter. Acting as if we enjoy a menial task or an unusual pursuit offers us a different perspective on it. Just looking at it through more willing eyes changes not just how we see it, but how we feel about it. Often we discover that we can enjoy that which we dreaded before.

Because we wanted to be liked, and it's human nature to want that, we often volunteered for committees, for jobs, for assignments of all kinds that we didn't want to do. There's no shame in that. But at long last, we can dare to be more selective about what we'll do.

We are needed. That's why we're still alive. And while not everybody likes us, those currently in our circle of acquaintances need us and we need them. The work that is yet to be done relies on all of us. Pitching in begins to feel good when we have the right attitude.

I don't have to like everything I need to do today, but I'll feel more open to all the tasks if I remember they need my input.

Side by side...

Things that make me happy....

....the lightening bug show!  (happens on the patio every night at sunset...way cool!)

....the mystery hibiscus plant being a fancy red flowery one.  :-)

....new visitors on the patio just for ME!!  :-D

....the red, white, and blue ribbons tied to the birdies houses and scattered about the yard.

....198 photos and NEVER leaving the patio. LOLOL

....a pretty card fashioned by the sister.

....Bug staring at the sunglasses wreath and saying 'It's beautiful Nana.....' and not touching a one of 'em.  What a cool kid.....

OHOHOH...taking Bug to the secret park!!  That made me wayyyyyyy happy.

Fairy Suggestion

Thought for the week: 

Learn a new skill

It's an esteemable act to have the courage to learn something new.

Affirmations for the week:

I am willing to learn a new skill. This week, I will do something I'm not yet good at.

Esteemable actions for the week

Have you ever avoided doing something because it was too hard or too scary? Have you ever not learned a new skill because you were afraid you'd make a mistake or just look silly? If you're like most of us, you've been there - done that. And like many people, you've missed out on a great deal of fun and opportunity because you were afraid to learn something new.

Think of things you're good at. Now remember the first time you did that activity. I bet you weren't very good. Actually, if you're like me, you had to try, try, and try again before you got into the swing of things. Am I right? Yet it was the conscious, consistent practice of that new skill that ultimately made you proficient and confident that you could do it. Think about how good you felt when you finally got it right.

No question about it, learning a new skill is hard, it's scary, and at times it's embarrassing. In the past each time I tried something new and didn't get it the first time, I wanted to give up. It felt like the end of my world. But I didn't give up. There are even days when I know what I'm doing and still feel like I'm off the beam. And on those days, I just don't give up.

Today I know whatever I'm experiencing is part of my learning process, whether it's using my computer or speaking in front of an audience. My job is to remain teachable.

Epic Fail!!

<-- Tried this

<-- Broke off a piece and had HE-WHO-ENCOURAGED-EATING-IT taste test it with me




<-- spat it out SECOND.....

I got a conciliatory cuppa coffee outta the deal.  (thank G-d.....something had to get rid of that experience....spitting and rinsing was NOT enough......)

AND I got a promise from he-who-encouraged-eating-it that he'd never make me try Nana's ANYTHING again.

Geeze......you'd think with a name like NANA'S.........  Ummm...... NOT so much......*gakkkkk!!!*

Never, ever again........ever.

E.V.E.R.

Bejeweled

Today's Thought

By surrendering to powerlessness, I gain the presence of mind to stop wasting my time and energy trying to change and control that which I cannot change and control. It gives me permission to stop trying to do the impossible and focus on what is possible: being who I am, loving myself, feeling what I feel, and doing what I want to do with my life.

We learn to stop fighting lions, simply because we cannot win. We also learn that the more we are focused on controlling and changing others, the more unmanageable our life becomes. The more we focus on living our own life, the more we have a life to live, and the more manageable our life will become.

Today, I will accept powerlessness where I have no power to change things, and I'll allow my life to become manageable.

Shady Company

*sigh*

Nothing.

That's what I did all weekend.
Oh, that's not true--even though it's mostly true.

I trimmed.
I mowed.
I repotted.
I weeded.
I got laundry done.
I put laundry away.
I decorated for the 4th of July.......

I putzed around the yard and house.
And I feel better for it.
Honestly.....I feel better for not racing off and DOING.
Cuz instead I was mostly BEING.

This is a good thing.
Well, that and I harped on the sister who's lost weight and can't afford to.
She did a bit of crazy making with me over the feeding deal......par for the course--part of the frantic deal, I know.  It's enough that we're all concerned about the cancer--we should add this worry to it?  She's wrapped her head around doing it differently--so we'll see how that lands.


And then there was the 1am text that said she was dealing with an upset tummy ..... and that her hair was falling out-- I woke up in a hurry.
I remember that one well.  Figured she could use a bit of company while she panicked.....Mine happened in the middle of the morning as I tried to comb my hair....and felt it popping out of my head.....
Oh....and that frantic 'spray varnish!!  That'll keep it from falling out!'.....and meaning it.....

She couldn't figure out how come it was bothering her so much...after all, she knew it was going to happen.

Yeah, well, you KNOW if you stick your hand on a hot burner, you're gonna get burned.
Now--DO it and tell me the difference.......

Oh yeah.....BEING was a good thing.
And the gardens are weeded for the 4th.
IF they stay weeded.......
I can hope!  :-/

Wrapped in Hope

............Mine...........................................Sis'..............

Some people do the kindest, most thoughtful things.

I told her a tale of how these came to my mailbox.
It made her cry........but I think that's a good cry when you discover, once again, how others care for you, how others are rooting for you.....and how others have you wrapped in love and healing.

Geeze.....that's enough to get even ME weepy.

So when I say that I've ONLY crossed paths with loving, gracious and kindly folks via this medium, I really, really, REALLY mean it.

I'm just so inadequate in expressing my heart some moments.
This would be one of them.....

((((((((((((((((((( Barb ))))))))))))))))))

TFTD

We need to be attentive to our judgments of others, be they verbalized in gossip or only savored in silence. These judgments act as barometers of our own self-image. Our security in knowing we belong, that we are one, relieves us of the need to judge others unfairly.

Loneliness pushes me to behavior that even compounds the loneliness. Real closeness will come when I talk about myself rather than someone else.

Another 'G-d Keeps His Promises' Moment

No worries Toby....I'll save you!!!!!

<-- Toby the Toad

<-- previously hiding in the grass

<-- pictured in rescue bucket



Yeah, well.....I coulda amputated a leg or two while I was trimming!!!  OMG!!!  What WAS he thinking.....

No worries--I spotted him before damage was done, scooped him up and put him safely IN the bucket.
And THEN I mowed.

And then I FREED THE TOAD!!!

Yeah.........well......now I know why there's this 'spot' in the middle of my succulents that doesn't seem to 'grow'.

:-/

It's the doorway to Toby's home in the rock garden.
The little booger....

The Very Tall Display Rack

Today's Fairy Reminder

You don’t have to be famous to be important. You don’t have to be a celebrity to be successful.

You don’t have to live in opulent luxury to be rich. You don’t have to be irresponsible to be free.

You don’t have to be outrageous to be creative. You don’t have to be abusive to be impressive.

You can be quietly humble and still be amazingly effective. You can be kind and considerate and still have great influence.

Just because people don’t fall at your feet and worship you, doesn’t mean you are a failure. Quiet success is just as sweet as loud, flamboyant success, and usually much more real.

Success is what you choose for it to be, not what everyone else says it must be.

Proof *sigh*

Inner workings

• people are dumb.....let's throw rocks at 'em
• it's Friday.....and I don't WANNA be responsible.
• I don't WANNA go to the stupid meeting, or the other stupid meeting....or the other stupid meeting after the first two stupid meetings.....
• OTHER people wear raggedy t-shirts and holey jeans and flip floppy sandals and don't care...I don't haffta care either.....
• I'm gonna have side conversations during the stupid meetings--
• AND I'm gonna show up LATE.
• And I'm not gonna help put away the tables/chairs from the meeting--I'm gonna stand around and watch OTHER people do the work while I laugh and joke and carry on with people...
• AND.....
• 
  
• 
  
  *sigh*

Darn inner voice.......  Stupid fairies......

Fine.

FINE!!!!

<-- now going to find heels to go with the skirt set

Today's Reading

Each of us has a little voice inside us that tells us what is good and what is bad. For instance, if our friends are making fun of someone who is different than we are, how do we feel if we join in the laughter? Do we feel more comfortable if we refuse to join in, or if we tell them their jokes are not funny?

As we grow, we learn more and more to trust the inner voice. Sometimes, in times of dark confusion, we have to listen very hard, but it is there to guide us. It is a beacon showing us the way out of the darkness of uncertainty. It is our guide to goodness.

Will I have the courage to listen to my inner voice today?

Refueling

Fairy Dust

To be alive means to experience difficulties, conflicts, challenges from many directions. What we do with adverse conditions both determines and is determined by who we are. Resistance, most of us have learned, heightens the adversity. Acceptance of the condition, trusting all the while the lesson it offers us is for our benefit, ensures that we'll "come out on top."

....can I just say I'm sick?

I'm sickly.

PRETTY sure it's the flour I partook in yesterday......without meaning to.
I mean, if I MEANT to, I'da picked fresh baked crusty bread....or REAL fettuccine!
But four lousy pretzels?!

..oh yeah.....guess I shouldn't forget the cheese dip stuff with unidentified maltodextrin added....could be from corn, could NOT be from corn........

Guess that answers if I could tolerate 'some' flour after all this time, huh?

*sigh*

Yup.....slowin' down some, but sickly nonetheless.......

Millipedia

Fairy Thought

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. --George Bernard Shaw  

It's easy to let circumstances determine how we think and behave. While it's true that some events seem devastating, our relationship with a Higher Power can help us accept and even grow from experiences that seem impossible to cope with.  

We all have known men and women who've handled grave upsets far more easily than we have. How did they do it? They have no magic. Rather, they may be more comfortable letting their Higher Power help them accept and understand unfortunate circumstances. 

Once we accept our anger or disappointment, we're free to move on to better feelings. We begin to realize we have choices in how we look at problems.  We are never given more than we can handle. We can develop acceptance of any circumstances, but our success in doing so comes mainly through our reliance on God to show us the way.  God will help me handle the uncontrollable events of today. 

Through acceptance, I can change my feelings at any moment - even right now.

Things that make me notsomuch happy...

....the fire alarm being set off at the worksite...twice.....

....the stupid water drainpipe that's leaking....somewhere....

....the cut in the brand new countertop at work that's NOT SUPPOSE TO BE THERE.

....the neighbor mowing AGAIN....I swear he's mowing every other day cuz he's bored.....

....junk in the garage--that just got straightened two weekends ago.... and YES IT WAS ME THAT DROPPED THE JUNK THERE....

....the return of the dumb beetle that likes to eat my plants.....RAWRRR!!!

....having enough of a day at the office that I while I was talking I picked up four pretzels, dipped 'em in the cheese sauce and carried on until it suddenly dawned on me...OMG, I JUST CONSUMED FLOUR....

I.CONSUMED.FLOUR.

k....that really, REALLY makes me notsomuch happy....

Patio Art

Things that make me happy....

....sidewalk chalk drawings.

....the NEW bubble gun!  You can see the guts move and everything!!

....brightly coloured wrapping paper.

....fresh cantaloupe.

....herds of lightening bugs showing up at sunset.

....the return of the backyard critters.  *note to self....MUST BUY MORE CORN

....Bug's new noisy horn that she's still showing off to the grateful parents.  *snickering!!*

TFTD

Becoming grateful is the strongest, safest means of feeling good. Not only does it readily alter our mood, but it changes our perspective on every detail of our lives. To be thankful rather than "thankless" is a small price to pay for unqualified happiness coupled with serenity.  We've all known people who radiate a singing spirit. They love life, themselves, and others. We seek out their company. We can be like those people for the travelers sharing our journey. Let's do it! 

 I will practice gratitude today and be a blessing in everyone's life.

The Return of Mr. Bunny.....

Reading for Today

Our most important focus during times of stress is taking care of ourselves. 

We are better able to cope with the most irregular circumstances; we are better able to be there for others if we're caring for ourselves. 

We can ask ourselves regularly: What do we need to do to take care of ourselves? What might help us feel better or more comfortable?  

Self-care may not come as easily during times of stress. Self-neglect may feel more comfortable. But taking care of us always works. 

 Today, I will remember that there is no situation that can't be benefited by taking care of myself.

Silence is.....*sigh*

It's tough when the house goes silent.
It's GOOD when the house goes silent......I think it was the 3am awakening from little hands holding my face and the "Nana.....there's a monster with big teeth and he's trying to eat me......"

k....  One small person tucked in next to ya doesn't equate to a good finish to the night's sleep you were attempting to get.
The night prior wasn't much better.  No--there weren't monsters.  There was however, a trip to the bathroom at 3am WITH a tired adult (that'd be ME!!) cuz she needed 'help', dontchaknow.....  YES thank you, I think I'd like to do that!  What is it with the 3am deal?

Ah well.....matters not.  The house is suddenly too quiet.
But I have pretties on the patio!
A sailing ship and rainbows and a whale and rainbows and a clown and airplanes and more rainbows and fishies and more rainbows (yeahyeah.......she's a fan of rainbows apparently......)
AND I have a purple monkey on the fridge!
And a quiet house.....

k....

We'll be fine.
Tomorrow we'll FEEL as old as we are...LOL.......but we'll be fine!

"...She ate rocks?"

It's a pretty BIG play area (about 1/3rd fit in the photo).......way cool for the kiddos.
It's not that high tech 'rock/web climbing' plastic and metal stuff--and it's been around a while.  It's pretty with its weathered wood. And it's a well hidden secret....cuz if you ain't FROM here, you don't know it's here.
And sometimes if you ARE from here.....you still don't know.

Personally I like the very simple rules:

No skateboards/bikes/other equipment.
No running/tag playing.
No pets.
No food/drink.
No naughty language.
Pick up after yourself.
No sassing back to supervising adults.

:-)

The Bug went nuts!  LOL  I had to bribe her with ice cream to gain cooperation in leaving......she was red-faced hot after nearly two hours of trotting along (no running allowed, dontchaknow), crawling, sliding and swinging.

The grandad wanted to know why we hadn't taken the Bug here before.  He was really kinda bugged (pun intended!!) that he didn't know about the hidden playground.  LOL
Really, not a conspiracy to leave he-who-thinks-he-know in the dark!  Pretty simple!

I intend to play at playgrounds.
And I had no intention of spending playtime prying fingers open and telling Bug 'no!'.
I'm a YES person.


"Cuz.........She ate rocks?"

Seemed like a place to avoid, to me.....There's two city blocks of eating material there.....LOL