Month: October 2014

Day 13 – Clouds and Rainbows

Today I am going to give you all a gift.

I always loved Maya Angelou, her wonderful books, poems, quotes.

Here is a video she made on being a blessing to others.

Enjoy!

Be someone’s blessing today if you can, it will bring you such joy!

Love to all.

Day 12 – Praying

Changing my life is work every single day.

Many days are difficult and I slip, but the most important tool for me now is prayer.

When I feel distress, pain, hurt, I pray.

Prayers do not need to be long or complicated, just start by calling His name.

Here is a quote I think of often when my life is so busy.

Meister Eckhart quote about gratitude

If you can do nothing more, thank Him!

We all have so much because of His love and goodness.

Blessings.

Day 11 – Forty-five Years

October 11th, our 45th wedding anniversary.

Me and Jim Wedding

Such a long time for a couple to be together.  Hard to find these days.

This world of ours is so full of things and temptations to make ourselves “be happy”, that sometimes we just throw away what we have, including relationships.

Marriage now days doesn’t carry the importance it should, couples do not try hard enough to keep the commitment made to one another.  Divorce is easy.  Get rid of the one you have and just pick up with another.

Our marriage has been so difficult over the years, neglect, going from having, to being dead broke, and now my husband’s illness.

The love we both have for our only child, our son, played a role, but we never ever through all the horrible and sad times mentioned the word “divorce”.

I love my husband more now than ever, he has always been there for me, even when I surprised and disappointed him with my actions.

We have peace together now, honesty, and joy, I finally realize I can tell him anything, without fearing his rejection.

My husband’s health is deteriorating everyday, but I will be there for him.

If you are fortunate enough to be married, or in a loving relationship, don’t throw it away, work on it, be with the one you love and the one who loves you, you will not regret it.

To have a happy life most of us need that special someone to love and care for!

I am so thankful to God for my husband, of 45 years, Jim.

Blessings to all of you and your love ones.

 

Day 9 – A Lesson From Beth

Years ago the ladies in my neighborhood played a silly dice game once a month, “Bunko”.

It was not about the silly game, but it gave us a reason to just get together for some laughter, food, and drinks.

We all made a big deal when it was our month to be the hostess.  Cleaning, so everything was spotless, deciding on which recipes to make for snacks, and the evening ending dessert.

This could be so stressful, wanting everything to be perfect hoping to get approval and compliments.

Why do women do this to themselves?

A fun time turns into a nightmare!  Instead of looking forward to your turn to be hostess you are just happy when the whole thing is over!

When we arrived at Beth’s home, her turn to be hostess, we all saw a less than perfect home, a little dust, and a little clutter.  Wow!  Not what we were all used to seeing!  Judging eyes looking all around.

To this day I remember what Beth said to all of us, “my baby girl wanted to play all day, she was so happy to spend time with me that I neglected a few things, I know you all understand”.

Did we?

I do now!

jimmy blk and wh eyes

Spending time with your children, those happy faces, those joyful moments, far more important than having a perfectly clean home to impress others.

I am still trying to be more like “Beth”, choosing the important, loving, things in life.

XO

 

Day 8 – Joyful Simplicities

This morning was cold and rainy.

I made a steaming cup of coffee, found a pair of warm socks, and I moved to a comfortable spot in my favorite chair.

Wrapped myself in a warm, soft throw, remembering that it was a gift from my sweet niece last winter, as I placed it across my legs.

Kitty climbed up and joined me, rolling herself in a ball on my lap.

I opened my book and settled in …… just “joyful simplicities”.

These are the things I want my life filled up with …… how about you?

Stay warm, enjoy the simple things.

Day 7 – Forgiving Yourself

Forgiving yourself for past mistakes and the hurt these mistakes have not only caused you,  but those you love so much is not only difficult, but heartbreaking.

When starting these writings, about setting my life on the track to “loving this new simple life” of mine, I knew I needed to share personal feelings, which I have tried to do.

Over the years, I have done so many things I am ashamed of, I can hardly believe that my life was so dysfunctional that they happened.

Many would not have happened if I would have been able to be honest and able to reach out to my husband and those who loved me!

This has been one of my downfalls all of my life.  Being honest with people letting them know that I was in trouble.  Ashamed that they would hate me and turn away.  They did not, they stayed, at least the ones that matter.

Forgiving yourself does not mean that you ever forget, but necessary to move on in life.

God has forgiven me, so now I still work on forgiving myself.

Please forgive those mistakes today that are holding you back from “loving your life”.

Love ya!

 

Day 6 – “That’s right, I love cookies!”

One of the most hurtful things in my life has been words, especially words about my weight.

It wasn’t until after my son was born that I started to gain weight.

Changes in life style, going from working on the outside, to staying home caring for a baby was the beginning of my struggle.  Gaining extra pounds every year from that point.

All of my life it did seem that the only attention I received was because I had dimples, and was cute.

I remember once during a job interview for a part time office job, the owner interviewed me and in my full view he wrote across my application “Cute as Hell”.  Nothing like, well qualified, great experience, no he wrote “Cute as Hell”.

Loved my grandma so very much but one day after not seeing her for a while she said to me “what happened to you”, referring to my weight gain.  I know she did not want to hurt me, but she did.

An uncle, at a family gathering, got me off to the side and told me “try not to gain any more weight”.  What!  Did he get everyone in the family who had gained weight off to the side and say this to them?

My weight is an issue, ups and downs.  Believe me I know that people are treated differently when they are thin, I have been there!

To be happy for the rest of my life I have decided the weight I want to maintain.  Being “Cute as Hell” is not a priority at my age, but instead, having a comfortable weight, being healthy, for a good quality of life is the place I want to be.

Seriously everyone, watch your words!

Hurtful words are carried with people for all of their lives.

Find the place you want to be in all areas of your life and be happy.

I am attaching a song, thanks to Myquillyn, the “31 Days” writing challenge hostess, for introducing this song to me.

Day 5 – Loving Your Home

In my “31 Days” of writings on kinda “remaking of my life”, loving your home or the place that you call home is so important.

Visiting one of my favorite stores last week I struggled with buying a sweet, simple, canvas sign.

Take a deep breath,

your are home now!

I can still remember coming home from school to a clean house with my Mom usually ironing.  Our lives were far from perfect, but I always knew my Mom loved me, and I was safe at home with her.

My dreams over the years of having a larger more expensive house are gone.  The one I have with all its flaws is my “home”.  I have learned to love this simple place filled with cherished things and memories.

I am working on removing unnecessary things, all the clutter here and there.  Simplicity helps us to eliminate excess.

Simplicity doesn’t mean doing without, but I am finding that less, keeping only the special things that you so love, has a way of taking away stress and brings order to life.

Peace, safety, joy, love, and contentment, that is the “home” I want for me and my family.

Oh, I did buy that little sign!  I plan on hanging it near my front door so when we step inside we can take that deep breath, knowing we are “home”.

Blessings.

Love the special place you call “home”.

Fall Gatherings

Our weather is for sure changing!  Fall is here!

Time for gathering up all the wonderful fall things you packed away last year.

IMG_0255[1]I worked on my last year’s wreath, adding a few more leaves and a new ribbon.  Found this green ribbon trimmed with jute thread at Michael’s. 

IMG_0260[1]My wreath was as good as new with just a couple simple additions.  It looks great on my front door welcoming fall into my home.

IMG_0266[1]Picked up some mums, pumpkins, and also a bunch of decorative gourds, squash and such.  Love all the colors and all the crazy shapes and bumps.

IMG_0267[1]Stopped a bit to have one of my family’s favorite snacks.  Apples, with caramel, nuts, or peanut butter.

applesThe Lebanon, Ohio, “Apple Festival” was last weekend, which is an annual event in this small historical town, so we picked up lots of apples.

If you are planning a visit to Ohio, visit this town. Lots to do with shops of all kind, a real train ride around the area, an old fashion ice cream parlor, and of course, home of the Golden Lamb Restaurant.

 

Get out your favorite pumpkin and apple recipes, enjoy the crisp fall weather with all the color.

Oh, time to buy a new sweater too!   I did!

Happy Fall Gatherings to Everyone!

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