I’m Spoiled and I Love it :0)

smugimals.blogspot.com

We’ve had a really nice day today.

The weather is a bit warm, but I really can’t complain. We used our attic fan last night. I woke up at 5 freezing to death, reached up and turned on my electric blanket and was immediately flooded with warmth. Just before I fell asleep again, I turned it off. Perfect.

We enjoyed our good friends Kay, Linda, and Dee at Lunch Bunch. All of us were well and happy – a really good thing.

When we came home I started some eggs to hard boiling on the stove since we were almost out. When I had them going, I started some low-carb bread in my bread machine. I then cut up stuff for a beef stew and put that in the crock pot. I have many devices to make my life easier, and I love it when I can do a lot in a short period of time.

Since our bellies were full from Lunch Bunch, my husband and I surrendered to the sleepies and each took a nap. When I awoke, Amber and Molly were on the carpet, taking naps with us. Smoke, one of our cats, was sleeping beside my husband in his chair. I sat comfortably, glad we were able to catch up a bit of some missed sleep, thinking how very lucky we are.

We’re all up now. I’m about to take Amber out and figure out where I want to plant some hyacinth and snapdragon bulbs we got recently. In another few days, we’ll finally be finished with summer and I can look forward to getting my greenhouse set up for the first time. I have no clue what I’m doing, but I’m having such a wonderful time dreaming!

I have some ideas about gifts for friends for Christmas, and soon it will be cool enough to work in our shop without the air conditioning.

We’re almost to the point where we think we can mow the lawn for the last time of the season. I particularly enjoy the last time, taking more care with the edging and weed whacking so it’ll look like someone cares about our yard over the winter months. I’m getting ready to do another round of weed killing with the new spray I got. (Thanks, Cathy). It works quietly and well. You THINK it’s not doing anything, and then the weeds turn brown. :0)

This is rambling, I know, but I wanted to share how how happy I feel today, full of gratitude for being spoiled, enjoying all that we have, being thankful I have someone to share my life with, looking forward to a possible visit from our son in February or March.

Could life be better?

Do Not Stop

Confucius via funnyquotesforfacebookfree.blogspot.com

I tend to do all or nothing. I get psyched up and then go for it. Something bars my progress, and I stop. Then I beat myself up over ‘failing,’ and then try to get motivated again.

• My house is either so clean and organized that I’m ready for “House Beautiful” to come and photograph or it looks like a bomb hit it and we call for the bulldozers.
• I either follow my low carb diet – or – if I eat one thing wrong I blow the rest of the day.
• I either exercise my head off or sit in my chair.

I don’t like this about myself, but I find it hard to break a habit built over a lifetime. I tell myself just to do the best I can, but my gut reacts differently than my head or heart.

“It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” ~ Confucius

I need to realize deep down inside that I perfection is not the goal. That no one is going to give me ‘points’ and there is no end to trying to improve. That it’s what I do day after day that’s important. And that any progress I’ve made should be celebrated and used as motivation to continue.

taolife.com

 

Embracing the Day

quotesgram.com

I’m learning to embrace imperfection, aware that although things aren’t perfect, I have a lot for which I am thankful.

• The weather is really nice today – a bit warm to be working outside, but I’ll take it and do what I can. The sun is shining. We had a cool breeze this morning, and we have doors and windows open, bringing the outside in.
• I can see the humor in the fact that Amber tried to eat the catfish I had thawing in a bowl on the kitchen counter. I caught her in the act. I went in to see her standing on her back legs, front feet on the counter, trying to pull the bowl toward her with her teeth. I managed to save the filets, discipline the dog, and laugh about the situation. I do keep wondering who is training whom…
• My back is pain free. This means a LOT – because I lost almost a month trying to break the pain cycle. The fact that I can plan my day around what I’d like to do, rather than gingerly moving to and from my chair so as to avoid a spasm, is truly wonderful.  I’m looking forward to doing some work in the yard this afternoon. I’ll also get on my elliptical trainer and do some careful stretching.
• Our son MAY be coming home from Thailand for a visit in mid February or March! Since my hug bucket is absolutely empty (he’s been gone over two years) I’ll be waiting with open arms whenever he wants to come.
• I’m working on some Christmas presents for my good friends. I love spending time thinking of them as I try to make something they’ll enjoy.

 

Reminder

Your Daily Encouragement via Lisa Bearnes Richey

Every Day

quotesideas.com

Sometimes

Purple Clover via Rebecca Kanner Kelman

This made me laugh out loud.

While I don’t think the answer to everything is money, having a surplus is always welcome.

My son, even though he doesn’t have much surplus at all, is giving all he can to help kids get surgeries they need. I would love to be able to help truly good, honest organizations help others. I would love to give friends and family a boost so they never have to worry. I would love to be able to give encouragement to more people daring to start businesses on their own. I would love to give locally to our community so it can continue doing good things and expand.

I have the important things.

• I’m lucky that I don’t have to choose between whether to eat or take my medicine.
• I have family, pets, and friends.
• I have dreams and things around me that bring me joy.
• I have reasons to laugh every day.

So, money isn’t the answer – but I love the suggestion.

I Like This Tattoo

let things go

Maybe

Nino Chakvetadze via Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

I Don’t Want

Funny Pictures of the Day

Too Bad, So Sad…

Quora

The Powerball drawing came and went last night at one minute before midnight for a prize of over $748 million. Surprisingly, I didn’t buy the winning ticket. There was one grand prize winner – in Massachusetts. Darn.

Now I eagerly await the PCH (Publisher’s Clearing House) drawing August 31st…..

This

Zen to Zany

“We have SUCH a good life.”

My husband and I say this to each other several times a week. Things will never be perfect, and we irritate each other greatly from time to time, but mostly, things are GOOD.

_____________________

I spent a wonderful time typing to our son via a chat program. He’s across the world from us, doing his own thing, with a good friend and his wife, living and working in a way I really have difficulty getting my head around.

He used to be like me, nervous about traveling and all the details associated with it. Now he travels at the drop of a hat, arranges for Uber to take him where he needs to go otherwise, staying in AirBnB’s for one night, two weeks, a month, then picking up and moving elsewhere. He has computer clients in the U.S. and he and his partners work freelance.

He takes both Mandarin and Thai lessons, wanting to be able to speak to people where he is. He’s making good progress, though he always feels he still speaks ‘baby language,’  he can understand and many times respond now in their language. He can also write in the languages. He doesn’t do this for job opportunities. He does this out of respect for the country and its people.

I talked with him this morning about dreaming of winning the lottery. He said, “It would be great to win the lottery. but we’d have to figure out how to help a lot of people with the money so the money didn’t make us sick. Winning the lottery doesn’t tend to make people happy.  ‘Cuz that’s not where happiness comes from.”

 He also said, “I want to make you guys proud helping good people, and live up to my own standards.”

I told him I was starting a list of charities who actually used most of the money collected to help the people. He immediately came up with two – “Watsi” and “Givewell,” – saying he gives $1000/month to Watsi, “a good group.”

________________

I have to tell you I already feel we have won the lottery – OUR SON.  I feel lucky to know him.

Don’t

Journey to Happiness via Cathy Ruggiero

Be Helpful

Begin with Yes

Be the Reason

Begin with Yes

Dancing in the Rain!

Free Spirited via Cathy Ruggiero

Learning Something New

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

Life is Like That

Zen to Zany via Carol Auclair Daly-Art by Anita Opper

Music Magic

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

To my way of thinking, music is magic.

If I’m in the shop working on something and one of our long time favorite songs starts, I’m instantly transported – 14 again and dancing at a party or remembering something I thought I had long forgotten. The years fall off. If the music is slow, I may hum along. If it’s fast, I jump up and shake my parts in time with it, feeling just as I did umpteen years ago, pain gone, creakiness gone, a smile on my face. Isn’t that amazing?

It’s been found that playing favorite music in hospitals makes patients happier and heal more quickly. Music from the big band era played in nursing homes brings smiles, tapping feet, happy memories.

I don’t understand it, but it’s a miracle we should take advantage of whenever possible. Bop to the beat in your heart to get an instant burst of energy!

 

Never Stop

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

Good Thing to Remember

Awakening People via Tim McGraw via Cathy Ruggiero

 

Puddles

Zen to Zany

Do Your Little Bit

Desmond Tutu via Lisa Bearnes Richey

Camera

Chrissie Anderson Peters

Some People Never Get Old – Take 5

Thanks to Marsha Koenig for her email.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some People Never Get Old – Take 4

 

Thanks to Marsha Koenig for her email.

 

 

Some People Never Get Old – Take 3

Thanks to Marsha Koenig for her email.

 

 

 

Some People Never Grow Old – Take 2

Thanks to Marsha Koenig for her email.

 

 

 

It’s Up to YOU

Margarita Bloom via Cathy Ruggiero

Too Often

Life Lessons by AwePost

Waste

Purple Clover via Cathy Ruggiero

I would LIKE to take the above to heart and quit worrying, but it seems to be something I carry deep into my DNA. I TRY to say I’ll stop, but then it rears its ugly head again.

I worry about things about which I have absolutely no control – a sure sign of stupidity – but, KNOWING it’s stupid and ACTING on it are two different things.

So, I post this in the hope that each of us will read it and digest it, hoping that THIS TIME the sense of it will sink in.

You’re Never Too Old

Growing Bolder via Cathy Ruggiero