TFTD

There is a divine plan of good at work in my life. I will let go and let it unfold.--Ruth P. Freedman

We are never certain of the full importance or the eventual impact of any single event in our lives.
But of one thing we can be sure: Each experience offers something valuable to our overall development.

We must not discount the experiences that are long gone.
They contributed to all we've achieved at the present.
And wherever today takes us will influence what tomorrow will bring.

Perhaps our greatest difficulty is not trusting that life is a process and one that promises goodness.
That growth and change are guaranteed.
That our lives have design, and we're blessed therein.
Trusting isn't easy.
But we can learn, and we'll discover freedom.
Letting go of the outcome of every experience, focusing instead on our efforts, making them as good as possible, validates our trust in the ultimate goodness of life.
Our frustrations diminish when our efforts, only, are our concern.

How much easier our days go when we do our work and leave the outcome where it belongs.

:-)

All lit up!

Now--names.
Larry, Mo and Curly?
Nahhhhhhh....
*thinking*
(dangerous, I know......but thinking just the same!) ;-)

Hand, fingers, nail, arm, elbow,neck, chin, foot

ON the laptop IN the livingroom where himself is feasting his brain on Shakespeare.
*shrugs*

I love him just the same. LOL
We're a bit more than 'opposite ends of the spectrum' on many, many things. That's what makes it FUN around here, no foolin'!

But geeze........NO POPCORN?!
Seems to me Shakespeare would be WAY more better with popcorn........

I didn't whine (excessively)--honest!!

It's not like I badgered or threw a tantrum or whined excessively...(ummm...excessive by MY definition anyway....).
But..... Our Halloween tree is BROKEN.
After two nights of windy, icky storms himself pronounced it ruined forever.

*sniffle, sob* Ooohhhhhhhhh......
*SNIFFLE*

*checking to see if himself is looking*
Ohhhhhhhhhh........no more Halloween tree with ghosties..... *sniffle sniffle*

"Right. Don't be sad. We'll find something to replace the tree."

:-)



Today we ran across some ghosties.
It's not like I badgered or threw a tantrum or whined excessively! HONEST!!


"Now, see--here's something we could put in the yard."

*frowning*
Kinda expensive......and I'm thinkin' I can fix the tree.

"You won't be able to fix the tree."

I can fix the tree! I just need duct tape and some twine!

"Mel. The tree is toast."

Is not. Is NOT! I can fix it! What aisle is the duct tape in?

"Look. This is kind of cute. And it can go out front with the rest of the ghosties. What do you think?"

I think I can fix the tree! *checking out the merchandise and frowning* The middle guy looks kinda mean. He'll scare the kiddos.

"Oh, come on! It's cute and you like it. I can tell."

Do not, do NOT! And he does too look mean. Point me in direction of the aisle with the duct tape and twine--we'll be good!

"Right." as himself picks up the box. "Three colours of lights--and they fade off and on!"

Duct tape comes in multiple colours.....
Ummmmm........Three different colours of lights? Is one of 'em purple?


Yep. *I* was the practicle one.
And did we come home with ghosties with three different colours of lights inside that fade off and on?
YOU BETCHA! :-)
ONE of 'em's purple! Woooohoooooo!!!!!

Now ask if we came home with duct tape and twine?

Nope.


I know we have some in the basement. LOL

Smile!

When you're smiling
When you're smiling
The whole world smiles with you

When you're laughing
When you're laughing
The sun comes shining through

But when you're crying
You bring on the rain
So stop your sighing
Be happy again

Keep on smiling
Cause when you're smiling
The whole world smiles with you


*smiling*

:-)

RUN!! PLAY!!!

Dunno why himself is irritated by the kiddos outside running and screaming and giggling. I think it's absolutely marvelous.

Yeah, yeah.....He's all for a 'quiet and peaceful neighbourhood'......well, goshdangit, so am I!

But frankly, there's not enough of that from the house across the street.

Dad does some drinking.... and mom and dad do a whole lotta fighting.

Language that's offensive gets tossed out there at any hour of the day/night.

It's a crapshoot as to what we'll be listening to with the windows opened.....

More than once the police have been called.

Domestic disturbances aren't ever a fun thing--for the big people or the little people.

Personally, I don't think the kiddos play enough OR giggle enough........they're being KIDS.

I think it's great!

Kiddos need to be kiddos.

They've got a whole lot of life to take seriously and they're due a good share of joyfulness.

RUN!
PLAY!

GIGGLE BUNCHES!!!

*sigh*

Been there, done that.......

RUN!! PLAY!!!!!

Giggle BUNCHES!!!

Ack.....it's STUCK.

Lay down,
Your sweet and weary head.
Night is falling.
You have come to journey’s end.

Sleep now,and dream
Of the ones who came before.
They are calling,
from across a distant shore.

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see.
All of your fears will pass away.
Safe in my arms,
You’re only sleeping.

What can you see,
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.

And all will turn,
To silver glass.
A light on the water.
All souls pass.

Hope fades,
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.

Don’t say,
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling.
You and I will meet again.
And you’ll be here in my arms,
Just sleeping.

What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
A pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
To carry you home.

And all will turn,
To silver glass.
A light on the water.
Grey ships pass
Into the West.

Another save worthy thought

Have you learned lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed the passage with you?--Walt Whitman

Service from the heart

So I won't lose it.

Feel free to take a peek.

TFTD

Life is difficult.

We never reach the point where our path is free of obstacles and hardships.

And regardless of how much we grow, nothing changes the fact that death is still there for us.

As painful and hard as it is, life also is deeply meaningful and worthwhile when we submit to its reality and live in a connected way.

After we stop living in denial and accept the hard facts about life, we see that we need each other.

We need relationships to stay sane.

We need to pull together and support one another the way people do in difficult times.

Rugged individualism isn't always good for real people in the real world.

We need relationships so we can celebrate and make music and encourage one another.

We need relationships so we can laugh and make jokes and tell our personal stories.

And we need to stand together to oppose the destructive forces around us.

Ah!

A four-year-old girl found a penny and showed it proudly to the stranger.

The man scoffed, "That's nice. But what do you expect to buy with a penny?"

The child replied, "I can buy a wonderful wish at a wishing well."

Today's thought.....

If I love with my Spirit, I don't have to think so hard with my head.--Peggy Cahn

The answers we've been searching for become known to us when we concentrate less on our problems and more on the gift of love we can give to the travelers we encounter today.

The solutions to our problems are seldom found in our heads. They burst forth from our hearts. We suddenly seem to know what to do.

We can let our concern today be on the moment and the experience. We can let its power wash over us, and in the wake we'll find the answers we search for.

The card came today.........

Mom,

no matter what I do today,

or where the future takes me tomorrow,

I promise to remember all the things you've taught me

and how very much you love me.

And in case I don't always say it,

and sometimes I forget to show it,

I wanted you to have this

so you know

I love you, too, Mom.

Hope you've had a great birthday, mom.
Sorry you'll probably get this a few days late, being today is the first and all.
It was great seeing you back in May despite the situation.

I hope you can possibly get up here sometime so you can meet your grandchildren and possibly make up for lost time.


The boys are having a first birthday party the second weekend of November and I was kind of hoping we could all get together possibly before then.
The boys, me, you and the girl and the Brit if you would want.
I know it's kind of short notice and everything but I've been wanting to invite you down here for a while, but my life's been pretty hectic lately.


We got a house in August, but I'm sure you've probably already heard it from the girl.
It's really similar to your house.
I'd come down there but it'd be a huge hassle with the boys and all.
Plus, I'd really like you to see our house.


Hope to hear and or see from you soon.








The card came today....the handwriting was familiar, the address was different.





I have a box I keep.
Pictures of ninja turtles, coloured outside the lines.
Scribbled 'I love yous' with stickers of Power Rangers and G.I. Joes.
Photographs of happy birthdays, giggles and hugs captured forever.
Report cards with straight A's.......report cards with all F's.
Hate notes, scribed in black marker with threats underlined for good measure.
Notes never intended to be found.
Unused graduations photos....

Letters from jail.



Fifty-second chances?
Opportunites......
Opening doors.
Closing doors.
Chasing something different?
'Love'. For the 'love' of the innocents?
Out of 'love' for the lost child who's no longer a child?
IN the name of loving, period?


When one door closes, another opens.
And if the one door is still ajar?
Am I the one keeping it open.
The theory has been 'keep a foot in it JUST in case'........

Leap of faith.
All things happen for a reason--in G-d's time, not mine.
His time or HIS time.

The card came today.........

Okay....*checking watch*

PERHAPS I got that signal from You mixed up and You're just wanting me to get off my lazy duff and do something with that ring on the oak 'puter desk?

*sigh*
OBVIOUSLY shopping this evening was NOT in the plan--surprise visit from a parent kept me past the hours I anticipated. Ah well, the best laid plans are rarely mine, eh? Service to G-d and others apparently come before a 'puter desk and chair for MEMEME?
Drat. LOL And I was hopin' for different results.
Maybe there's a better deal on a desk You'd like me to take advantage of? :-D

Yeah, yeah......

*going to look for furniture cover-up*

Elbow grease, perhaps?
And a coaster.
OH WAIT!
I COULD just locate a coaster and use THAT as a cover-up!
*hanging head*

Yeah, yeah......I'm GOING!

:-/

I think G-d wants me to get a new 'puter desk......and possibly a new chair.

(raised eyebrows happened on that one) "And you know this because...."

Cuz He made arrangements for me to get THIS(pointing at the white ring on the oak desktop).

"I see. And G-d made you put your coffee cup on the desk instead of on the coaster."

*frowning and nodding* I think He's thinking a smaller, corner style desk would be better so I'm not straining my eyes when the sun hits the screen--and a new chair so it's better for my back.

"Riiiiiiggggggghhhhhhtttt."

Geeze. How come himself finds it incredible to believe that G-d's looking after me so well?!
Silly Brit.

I'm goin' to the furniture store after work.
Who am I to defy G-d's will for me?

Don't answer that.

Al's theory

"I have reached an age when, if someone tells me to wear socks, I don't have to." --Albert Einstein

Of all the days to stumble across Al's theory on the privilege of 'earning your stripes'--yesterday was it.
I'm sure I sounded profound when I slipped that one out and lifted my slacks to show I wasn't wearing any. LOL

And yep.
That was deliberate.

Somethings I really DO do with malice and forethought. :-)
And today..........stripey and heart socks.
Or......maybe spiders and ghosts?
OR maybe witches and bats!
One on each foot, of course. LOL

It's a BEAUTIFUL day for messin' with people! LOLOL

*snickering*

"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is like expecting a lion not to eat you because you are a vegetarian."

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!

La la, lalala, la la, lalala.....Happy Birfday, Happy Happy Birfday!

Happy Birfday, Happy Birfday!

Happy Birfday, Happy Happy Happy Happy Birfffffdayyyyyyy!

Happy Happy Happy Happy HAPPY Birffffffday!!

YIPPEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Uh huh......we started our morning with prezzies and we've ended our day with MORE prezzies!
AND there were prezzies inbetween, even! ...wow.....
AND we had candies and goodies and coffee and lotsa GOOD stuff inbetween the inbetweens!
AND I got dined.
AND I got pretty cards!
AND my sister sang to me!!

Another day older and deeper in debt.
Oh wait.......that wasn't the song she sang. LOL

It's a good thing to have a birthday when no one's counting.
AND himself didn't even grumble when I woked him up this morning.
Nope, not one grumble.
AND he let me shake 'em before I ripped 'em open.

:-)

Whadda guy, huh?!

Happy happy birfdayyyyyyy! :-D

You GO, Reading Fairy!!

We're learning a new behavior.

It's called Be Who You Are.

For some of us, this can be frightening.

What would happen if we felt what we felt, said what we wanted, became firm about our beliefs, and valued what we needed?
What would happen if we let go of our camouflage of adaptation?
What would happen if we owned our power to be ourselves?

Would people still like us?
Would they go away?
Would they become angry?

There comes a time when we become willing and ready to take that risk.
To continue growing, and living with ourselves, we realize we must liberate ourselves.

It becomes time to stop allowing ourselves to be so controlled by others and their expectations and be true to ourselves - regardless of the reaction of others.
Before long, we begin to understand.
Some people may go away, but the relationship would have ended anyway.
Some people stay and love and respect us more for taking the risk of being whom we are.

We begin to achieve intimacy, and relationships that work.
We discover that who we are has always been good enough.

I got a prezzie!!!!

*doing happy dance*

I got a prezzie! I got a prezzie
I got a PREZZIE!!!

AND I did a computery thingy to show OFF my prezzie!

Yes, indeed folks, MIRACLES do exist.

k.......so I didn't do it perfectly.
It's still an awesomely cool, WAY pretty prezzie!

Thank you, thank you, thank YOU,you creative lady, you!
It's wayyyyyyyyyyyy lovely and ALL ME!

:-)