Holy Cow!

Okay, after burning through the Disney reports, I now see it has been a month since I blogged anything.  Now believe me, my brain has had many random thoughts in the last month :-) ... I need to organize some of them and get going again.  But until then, I simply leave you with this piece of advice in the way of a quote that I find myself doing often ... and, ya know - it really helps!

Ignore the Words of the Dull and Ignorant.

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Have a happy Mouse sort of day!

How to Stay Young

I received this in an email, some of it has been around in some form or another - but I liked it anyway, so I'm sharing!
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We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!
1. Try everything twice. On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:  "Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever...Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop. And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6.. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. I love you, my special friend.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance..

And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares? But do share this with someone.

Remember! Lost time can never be found.

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Some Beauty in an Ugly World

An absolute bit of beauty in a rather ugly world, came my way this evening the form of the Russian National Ballet Theatre's Sleeping Beauty.  The photos in this blog are mine and the only ones that turned out half-way decent :-) (lots of light blobs there were) ... it was announced that there should be no flash photography, which - I used no flash ... now I read in the program (which I didn't read before), there should have been no photography -- well, I'm not selling these three, they are only for my personal enjoyment (and I promise never to do it again!) 

"Oh No" it is the Queen and her minions - the minions were so animated and engaged, loved watching them!

Ah - the things I could say about evil and the minions -- but I won't!

About the only time "they" stood still long enough to not be blurry!

Okay, I believe it was long 'bout this photo that I actually hit my girlfriend (actually sis'ta!) in the arm with my arm ... seems like every time "they" raised their arms *points to the Lilac Fairy on the right* my arms/hands wanted to react also .. even though I've not danced ballet in while, seems like I still have the muscle memory :-) my toes and muscles hurt by the end of the ballet!

Ssssshhhhhhhh, she's sleeping!

I found myself right at first over-analyzing the dancers and realized I was watching their feet and noticing the times some missed getting all the way on pointe, some whose pointe shoes were just on the verge of being worthless (I actually liked mine the best just at the point before they broke!)  ... anyway, I had to slap myself back to why I was there .. to WATCH a ballet - so into watching it I went.

AND was sucked in "hook, line and sinker" the dancers were beautiful, the costumes were beautiful, the music (of course) was beautiful, the set was beautiful ... I felt the joy and happiness, I felt the sadness when Aurora fell to the Queen's deception ... and against the joy of Prince Charming's true love to the happy ending.

Not much of anything written here, but I wanted to share Sleeping Beauty's ... well beauty with you -- I have decided I want to live in a fairy tale (OH WAIT 18 days 8 hours and I will be in the ultimate fairy tale, that'll do!)

Blog: One Year Anniversary

Yesterday, April 26, 2010 - I wrote my first bloggie, after having contemplated doing so for quite a bit!  So, Happy Anniversary to Me :-)

Now it is time to reassess and see if I'll continue another year ... well, okay, we know the answer to that one -- I do love to randomly ramble :-)

Weigh in on this one, if you please .... I got into the mood this last month to use music, does that bother you - do you like it - do you wish I'd take it off?  I actually find I don't mind either way, was something fun to play with!

Upcoming ... Blogs by Myrtle from DisneyWorld, of course ... until then - who knows - I'm trying to keep my head above water at the office.

So Buddies, let's start Year 2 and see what else my brain might come up with!

Friends, by Definition

Friend:  A person in whom one knows, likes and trusts.

Trust:  Confidence in the integrity, ability, character and truth of a person or thing - one in which confidence is placed.

It is simply good on occasion to look up definitions of words of which you believe you know the true meaning, simply as a refresher and in assessment of the full extent of the word and how it applies to your life.

.... then when you find imperfections between the definition and what actually exists ....

Because things are what they are, and regardless of how you wish they were -- you really can't change them.

Random enough for ya Buddies? :-)



Trash Walking

Okay, so Neal and I go out for our evening walk and I had noticed - turning our corner earlier (in the car) - that there was a Church's Chicken box in our front yard ... well it seems like not only was the box there BUT also a couple of chicken strips and sauce ... um, I wonder - were they just full and chunked it out the window?  Supper anyone?

So, as we walked I started taking notice of the trash on the streets and my brain started to wonder:

1.  Empties:  Coke bottle, Sprite bottle, Fusion bottle, Gatorade bottle - along with many and various squashed versions .... really, are they walking along and just drop the empty?  Do they just chunk it out the window of their car - really?

2.  Toy truck tires - all four - minus the truck itself ... okay, I mean all four little tires were there together - no toy truck - did the kid only want the truck body?

3.  A squashed - completely flat - magic marker ... how many times did that take for it to be run over ... I mean totally flat!

4.  Various papers - yes we are talking in the road.  I can see maybe one person missing one - but there were many along the route.

5.  A competitor of Church's Chicken ... a Kentucky Fried Chicken (although they don't call it that anymore, isn't it just KFC?) ... regardless, there was yet another food box - sans any type of chicken this time.

6.  The top of a tire gauge -- yes, just the top - I guess they do break.

7.  A small ball - left abandoned on the side of the road - away from any house, just rolling down the road in search of a home.

8.  A hairclip - I guess I can see dropping a hairclip and not missing it.

9.  A shoe lace -- just one, makes me wonder about the other one.

Okay, it is a toss up as to which of the last two is the actual winner, I thought one was ... until I came across the other -- so I'll post in that order!

10. A nose -- yes a nose, you know one of those plastic kinds with the string that goes on your face -- looked to be in perfect working condition :-) just lying in the middle of the road!

11. ..... then just about one block from our house --- a pair of thong panties, all wrinkled up amonst the dirt and leaves along the curb -- I mean, okay - I guess these could have been dropped, but once again they looked in good repair and were pretty - NO, I did not pick them up (I looked from afar) :-)  How do you loose a pair of panties - in front of your house, maybe, and not miss them AND never see them laying in your front yard in the street?

Weird, just weird -- come on people gather up those belongings and keep them out of the road!  Don't force me to walk around them and blog about it!!

I hope your day went well Buddies!!!

Home, Office, Rehearsals AND Boot Camp

Hey Buddies - just a catch up bloggie thing. Been some busy weeks in the past few what with work, home, rehearsals, boot camp and a bit of bronchitis tossed in to boot!

Office: What can I say, I work for a great law firm with the focus on oil and gas and we stay pretty busy ... most of the time and with the price of oil/barrel these days - do we all know the price of oil today? If not, today it is right around $88.00/barrel and on its way up -- good in the aspect of what I do at work; but also impacts me at home in fuel costs -- so I’m always a bit mixed on my level of happiness when oil goes up!

Home: What can I say, it suffers :-) especially when I’m in rehearsals AND especially now that Neal is staying at home (with the five catties) some days when I get home, I’m really glad I am going to rehearsal :-) just say’in! However, my life is a bit easier mixing home with rehearsals - because Neal is at home and has started to offer “to do” ... which I didn’t push right at first because I wanted him to offer “to do” and me not just push it on him. So now, he is making grocery and supply runs. He is also real good at starting supper before I get home -- now I have to leave him explicit instructions, but he’s a good boy and can follow them -- woot!

Rehearsals: We’ve hit the stage and tonight is the first dress rehearsal - always an exciting time to move and dance in costume for the first time. Example: White Christmas in the dance for Blue Skies ... all things had been going well up to that point for me AND then all the sudden I found the skirt of the dress not only wrapped around my arm - holding my hand down - but it was also wrapped around my leg - holding my leg down ... needless to say, screwed up big time! But I learned where not to put my arm on that dance move - “ah dress rehearsals!” We add makeup and hair tomorrow night and then BOOM Weds, Thurs ... Opening! After rehearsing White Christmas for eight weeks (because of the dancing) a shortened rehearsal schedule of five weeks .. I hear everyone (including myself) saying, more or less “Holy Cow - its here!”

Boot Camp: Week 2 consisted of doing the same exercises we started out with and raising the repetitions - he also added a couple of new stations for us to accomplish. Week 3 he started mixing up the stations by taking some away and adding more cones or lowering the hurdles that we duck under -- one day we did mostly Yoga stretching and lunges *OUCH* ... sit ups appeared one day (and I was totally surprised to find I could do 15-20 sit ups at a time! AND I can now do 15 push ups, still “girl” style but my behinny is now staying in line with the rest of my body ... and I now can pull my arm up and make a fist and see a small bump starting to appear (and it feels firm too!) As a matter of fact, everything is feeling more firm, I actually am starting to “feel” thin -- then I look in the mirror :-)

I’ve also noticed that my clothing is starting to feel loose on the top -- of course! I say of course, because isn’t that always where it tones up first?! Neal and I have both lost right at 5 pounds in 3 weeks ... which is a good thing, I suspect we are both building muscle that burns more calories, so slowly but surely!

The start of Week 4 this morning, showed more changes using the weight bar, extending the cones and we stopped about half-way and he stretched us out with Yoga (I actually did a plank ... no freak’in way ... but I actually did them - incredible!) We then continued with the circuits - felt so good after being off for two days (well okay, sitting at the theatre and then running on stage -- wasn’t totally off ... no snickers a’cause I know I’m totally off most of the time!)

So, the goal this week is to stay healthy for opening night - always a challenge here in West Texas ... but today’s high is supposed to be 74-75F and tomorrow’s high 23F, with a low of 7-11F .. I just hope we get the moisture with it! BUT the most glorious thing I heard this morning was: “I’ll be here Weds, regardless of the weather.” (instructor’s mouth) ... soooo, you can believe we’ll be there too (I have 4 wheel drive!)

So not so much interesting ramblings this AM - but this too will change I’m sure, as my brain removes itself from rehearsal to performance mode, this weekend AND THEN, I also hope to get my Christmas forest down -- I’m now tired of looking at them!

Have a stellar day Buddies!

Pick Up Sticks

Yes, Pick Up Sticks ... you remember them, yes?  As self-described:  "Pick Up Sticks is a great yet simple game that helps kids learn to count when scoring and improves their manual dexterity. A typical Pick Up Sticks set contains 50 multi-colored sticks made of wood, plastic or metal." OR if you believe Wikipedia Pick Up Sticks is a game of "physical and mental skill" (it is okay, you can laugh right along with me on that one - except, I guess, in some way it is!

Okay, so from what I understand this game is called many things and there are varying versions all over the world ... but, yes, the burning question is: who was originally so bored that they said "Hey, let's get a bunch of sharpened sticks and play with them." ??????!!!!!!!!

Apparently Pick Up Sticks is also called jackstraws, or spillikins (now spillilkins makes sense!), and in the early 18th century sticks were made of ivory or bone; later they were made of wood or plastic.  One source said "our" Native Americans played it with straw (now that would take patience!) and passed it on to the English -- after Googling around, it appears the origins are a little vague.

So, you may be asking yourself -- along about now "why"?  Well, it is just another thought my brain had this evening when I was cooking supper took out a package of spaghetti that I thought was unopened -- totally wrong in that assumption and much to my misfortune was holding the open in towards the floor (Murphy's Law).

Come on ... tell me you don't see the similarity!!

PS.  No photos were harmed (or actually taken by me) internet assisted!  Have a great weekend Buddies!

December 1 - Really?!

Here it is December 1, 30 days to the end of the month ... how did that happen, didn't we just celebrate the New Year turning to 2010?

First thing I think of today is it is World AIDS Day - I think of my friends who are no longer here with us because of this disease and I let them know - I think of you often, not just today.  Even though it has been almost 30 years since AIDS was first recognized and in spite of the advances made in treating the disease and in spite of all the education available to people - do you know they say that there's still 1.1 million people living with HIV -- AND YET one in five people don't know it!

Second, another "blast from past history" ... I believe it was today - in 1955 - that Rosa Parks was arrested for disobeying the Alabama law that black passengers relinquish their seats to white passengers, when the bus was full (and also to sit in the back).  (Yes, just checked this date is correct.)  Her quote from Quiet Strength "I did not get on the bus to get arrested, I got on the bus to go home." 

My third thought for today is ... how did we get to the end of this year to quickly?  I suppose the more "stuff" that happens during the year, the more you ignore time passing ... then "all the sudden" :-) you are at the end of the year and you think -- what?!  Any thoughts on that matter ... comments are welcome! :-)

So I propose that next year we all take time to take the time and enjoy each and every single day ... do something special, with someone special -- or just by yourself!  It may only be to take a few more minutes to sip the drink of your choice and reflect on the beauty of life!

Good Day Buddies ... a bit more random than I started this blog off to be today ... but that is what "came out" !!!  One just never knows with me :-)

Yawning

Okay, when I awoke this morning and looked down at my also awakening cat and she let out a HUGE yawn.  I thought you know how odd that we share the oddity of yawning with animals, I've read that cats, dogs and even fish yawn.  It is said that even 11 week-old fetuses yawn ... now I haven't seen any personally yawn, so I'll take the word of experts.

The chain reaction that is yawning - as I was reading up on the subject, one article said you will probably yawn before the end of this article, I thought "yeah right" ... by the end of the article I yawned ... "WOW"

It is said that even a blind person just hearing yawn will more in likely yawn within the next five minutes - yet what does a yawn do for us - no one really knows - lots of theory:  Yawning is an involuntary action that
causes us to open our mouths wide and breathe in deeply. BUT why the heck does the body do it?

• Physiological Theory -- Our bodies induce yawning to drawn in more oxygen or remove a build-up of carbon dioxide. This theory helps explain why we yawn in groups. Larger groups produce more carbon dioxide, which means our bodies would act to draw in more oxygen and get rid of the excess carbon dioxide.  However, Giving people additional oxygen didn't decrease yawning and decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in a subject's environment also didn't prevent yawning.
• Evolution Theory -- Some think that yawning is something that began with our ancestors, who used yawning to show their teeth and intimidate others
• Boredom Theory -- In the dictionary, yawning is said to be caused by boredom, fatigue or drowsiness. Although we do tend to yawn when bored or tired, this theory doesn't explain why Olympic athletes yawn right before they compete in their event.

Interesting Yawning Facts:

• The average yawn lasts about six seconds.
• Your heart rate can rise as much as 30 percent during a yawn.
• 55 percent of people will yawn within five minutes of seeing someone else yawn.
• Blind people yawn more after hearing an audio tape of people yawning.
• Reading about yawning will make you yawn.
• Olympic athletes often yawn before competition.

So what up with that?!  Not really an original blog, but it was an eye-opening question .. this morning :-) most of my "stuff" isn't original and I looked it up from Discovery Health but what'ev I was in the mood to blog regardless of the two glasses of wine I've had to rest my brain from rehearsals ... so does it make sense or not - I'll go with not ... hopefully you will be amused AND YES, I myself have yawned typing this blog about the wonders of yawning ... so you decide boring blog or contagious yawn??

Great Day to You Buddies!

PS .. not my cat:



Focus Totally Gone Today!

Hey my Buddies, I tell ya my focus factor is null and void today -- so what do you think that is doing to my already Random Brain?  Yeppers, you would be correct if you were thinking -- scrambled!  I'm off in the morning for Austin to participate in the Livestrong Challenge 5K run.

That in itself would cause complete and utter chaos in my brain today anyway ... BUT ... I am also going to see my niece that lives in the area and my sweet little grand niece and nephews (well they are no longer little - growing into quite the beautiful/handsome young people)!  I'm also going to get to meet my niece's "beau" (and he'd better get ready for a big hug from me because he makes her soooooo happy AND I'm a hugger!) and his children ... AND if that wasn't already enough to blow my brain completely "up" might I mention my "next to" Sister that lives in the area also!

A few other items of interest:  Team Shack riders at Mellow Johnny's ... hanging with my sweetnesses... just being at Mellow Johnny's and having a cup-o-Joe at Juan Pelota ... hanging with my sweetnesses ... Livestrong HQ .... hanging with my sweetnesses ... Wimberley in everyway (my family's ancestral town - and just a darn neat place) ... hanging with my sweetnesses ... soccer games (at which my sweetnesses ROCK) and much, much, much more - shopping, eating, staying up late playing games - at which I'm usually no good at, but "hey" someone has to lose!

I'm all packed and ready to go NOW ... but I will need to focus for a few hours tonight at rehearsals -- then sleep THEN BAM "off I go into the wild blue yonder ... well, won't probably be blue, but gray overcast (hopefully not thunder-nasting ... which I normally love, but not while I'm at 30,000 feet!)

Anywhooooooooooooo .... that's it, that's all -- great blog 'eh?  This is my Random Brain in "explosion mode" it needed to land in a confined space ... like my blog page BECAUSE it would be real ugly on my wall at work!

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY BUDDIES!

A Great Email

As emails that float around goes, there are ones that make you chuckle, make you think, maybe even make you cry ... but this email that I just received is so true to what I always tell myself ... as "bad" as I may think "I" have it, there is always someone else less fortunate.

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A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet.  He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help."  There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat.  He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.  He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up.  A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."

Both signs told people that the boy was blind.  But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear. The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling … And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!

If you appreciate this message, please share. You may touch someone's heart today and forever.

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Have a blessed day my Buddies!

10 Weird Things!

Okay, since a blogger should try to blog regularly (and it has been a week since my poor brain has had a random thought) I scounted around on the internet for some strange stuff.  Here's a bit of what I found:

1.  While sitting at your desk make clockwise circles with your right foot. (Go ahead no one will see you.) While doing this, draw the number “6″ in the air with your right hand.  Your foot will change direction!  Even if you tell your brain "NO" ... it still does it (OR) it messes up the way you drawn the number "6"!

2.   It is said that just thinking about your muscles could make you stronger -- my kind of exercise!

3.  The human heart creates enough pressure while pumping to squirt blood 30 feet!  (Anyone gonna volunteer to test this one?)

4.  After eating too much, your hearing is less sharp.  (I personally think this is because after eating too much - one is usually asleep!)

5.  Tiger shark embryos fight each other in their mother's womb.  The survivor is born.  (Not sure whether to believe this one or not, but it totally MIGHT make sense!)

6.  There are as many chickens on the earth, as there are humans.  (I'm just still laughing about this one, true or not ... I guess we can be glad that chickens aren't of higher intelligence .. and power hungry!)

7.  A "geep" is the offspring of a sheep and a goat.  (Okay really?!  I suppose, Googled it and they say it is true!)

8.  Giraffes can't swim.  (Questionable: Gerald .. they had to be drinking, right?!)

9.  The average person's left hand does more than 50% of the typing.  (Well, heck yeah ... that's where the a, e, d, r, t, c, s ... et al. the important letters are!)

10.  Astronauts are banned from eating beans because passing wind in a spacesuit can damage it.  (Allllrighteeeee then ... I'll leave it on that remark!)

Well that's all for now Buddies, have a wonderful week!

Summer to Autumn

This time of year I’m trying to get in as much “outside” walking/jogging as possible, but since I walk/jog before I go to work, it is a bit difficult - because it is dark-thirty. So it means part time on the treadmill and finishing up outside - when it gets light enough. (I’m not presumptuous enough to think there are not “nay-doers” hiding in the bushes waiting for someone to innocently troddle along.)

Anyway, in mornings past there’s been that ever-so-slight “hint” of coolness in the air - however, as the sun rises - so does the temperature, quickly. This morning, however, stepping off of the treadmill and out of the house into the morning air I was a pleasantly surprised - in lieu of our first “cold front” of the season moving through last evening. (It had also offered up some much needed moisture - not alot - but we’ll take any we can get.) The sweet smell of cool crisp air and a beautiful sunrise - lended itself to remind me, that even though Ma Nature is only toying with us, that Autumn is around the corner.

Hal Borland:
“Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity; but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his world and the meaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon?”

So in paralleling lives and seasons, change is always around the corner and I believe we, as human beings, crave the anticipation of something new and forthcoming, even in light of the certainty of the unknown.

So, in retrospect, the change of seasons is coming upon us and we must allow change not to deter us from our path but allow it to renew our spirit and hope and to drive the heaviness of the long hot and burdensome “summer” out of our beings!

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This photo is from an email I received today “Why Boys Need Parents” -- smile my Buddies and release the burdens of life, as a new season approaches.

Midland County Fair - Part 1: The Losers

Okay, as you may or may not know :-) I entered some photos in the Midland County Fair's County Snap Shooter Contest (1) I figured they might need some entries, being the 1st Fair in Midland County since 1966 (Comeback V2 - some will get that, some will not!), and (2) I'm almost almost always game to lose ... which I most certainly always do -- lots to be said for my perserverance!  So anyway, we ran out to the Fair last night to quickly view things ... and actually, since they were still setting most stuff up ... that's exactly what we did "quickly view things"!  But we are going back in the AM (Saturday), so maybe they'll be more things TO TAKE PHOTOS OF with the prospect of entering them in another contest - somewhere -- AND yes, losing again :-)  

My best loser was in the Simply Midland category -- actually got a 5th place ribbon - WOOT - the 4th place loser!  (I suspect since they gave Champion, Reserve Champion, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in each category ... that there were only 7 entries in this category!)

The Sky's the Limit

(Midland's Motto by-the-way)

Actually, the one I thought would ribbon (entered in the Landscape category) was a photo everyone seems to love - except judges, this photo's second rejection!

  Rain in the Tetons

Loser No. 3 was a quaint little Black and White -- maybe the thought behind it was too quaint or subtle, maybe I should have painted a longhorn on the angel?

May the Force Be With You

Now, for Losers No. 4 and 5 ... I wasn't real pleased with how No. 4 turned out from Walgreens (okay, I mean I had to put these together in like 2 days .. so Walgreen's glossy it was), they overcooked No. 4 ... anyway, I held not great prospects for No. 4 -- it proved to be true!  (Also, I think it needs to be larger than an 8x10 -- the small boy, which is actually supposed to be the focus of the photo .. is too small in an 8x10 ... IMHO)

Getting the Shot

"Oh" No. 4 was in "People" category

Leading to the the last loser, which I totally didn't expect to win anything, but injected it for a bit of humor (too bad they didn't have a humor category) .. it was in the color category:

Flowers and Fred

So, for those that asked, thank you ... for your love and support ... thank you!  I already know what I'm entering next year and its going to have ALOT to do with cows and West Texas landscapes!

PS.  Or I'm entering the artsy craftsy divisions next year .. they had so few entries this year, I believe everyone who entered anything got a 1st place ribbon :-) .... just a passing observation!

Random Samplings

Okay, it is perfectly unacceptable that I have not blogged since 8/7 -- it is not that my brain hasn't had any random thoughts, I actually believe it has had too many and no single random thought actually stuck out in my brain and said "Oh that so needs to be shared!"  So here's a sampling of the past week's randomness (and some future thoughts):

Totally awesomeness happened this past week, in that I called the house to tell my honey something and he didn't answer the phone -- what is extraordinary about that -- you might ask?  I didn't even have the thought of rushing home from the office to check and make sure he wasn't lying in the middle of the floor needing to be hauled off to the emergency room -- TOTALLY AWESOME, I think!

We own five cats -- all rescued, so don't pass out, I mean let's face it - if you make the plunge to own two - what's five .. anyway, it was time for four of them to go to the vet on Saturday .. yeps, don't know how we managed to get them going at the same time .. but it actually is a blessing because we only go to the vet twice a year (well, unless there's the unusual accident).  I will say all my cats are good "vet goers" very docile, very accommodating to being probed and poked ... but I will also say the "loudnesss" in the car ride to the vet, could make you go deaf!

Pending randomness -- Midland County is having a county fair -- after more years that I can remember (and I've lived here for quite a long time)!  It should be exciting (or at least minimal entertainment for the weekend) and I hope it does well, because it would simply be nice to have a county fair "again" ... we have a couple of other "big" celebrations throughout the year, but they've gotten "such the same 'ole artsy crafty stuff (that is beyond what I want to pay for any more 'stuff')" that mostly, I don't bother going (I know, I know -- bad girl).  So maybe some critter contests, pie baking, canning and other different activities will be just the ticket!  We'll see, I'm sure it will be blogged about!

Also counting the days to vaca ... we are on the short side of the list now and I'm into counting in halves ... 2 and 1/2 weeks :-)

Also just got reminded (thanks to the radio) that the Crossroads Marathon is coming October 2 .. um, no - they have a 5K run :-)  I had originally thought I may use this as a warm up to the Austin Livestrong Challenge ... but do I really want to pay $33.99 to drive 20 miles to Odessa, so I can run 5K ... when I can run 5K for free out my front door?  We'll see!

Okay, can ya stand it ... so much randomness, so little time!  Have a great day buddies AND REMEMBER:

Henry James, writer (1843-1916):  Three things in human life are important:  The first is to be kind.  The second is to be kind.  And the third is to be kind.

..... oops, see, I just had a random Big Bend thought :-) enjoy!

Woman's World Magazine - 7 Days of Inspiration

Taking time to sit for a few this glorious Saturday - not too hot yet, the morning was beautiful for walking outdoors, chores to the store done and time for a quick breakie before doing the next "to do."  The only "woman's" magazine that I will occasionally pick up while in the check out line is Woman's World - a little magazine I fondly refer to as a "rag mag" ... but thing is, I really enjoy it - so why not share this fact?!

1.  A refreshing thing about this little magazine is - it is not 99% advertisements, a quick count of its 63 pages, I see 10 full page ads -- not bad!

2.  Articles are are brightly colored, short and easy to read through yet full of information - it has the obligatory hair, makeup, clothing tips; the diet tips; always pages of recipes (this edition contains "Pasta Presto"; tips on where to go online for different things every week; a travel pick of the week (I see this week is "Fall in Love With California's North Coast" ... just two quick pages with fabulous photos and tips of "must sees" Bodega Bay; Russian River; Mendocino; Point Reyes National Seashore; Fort Bragg; Healdsburg and Fort Ross Historic Park); the obligatory horoscope and crossword puzzle; cute cartoons and photos of cute babies/animals.

3.  A very uplifting and fun magazine to cruise through and all for $1.79 - pretty cheap for the happiness the little "rag mag" offers (of course if you buy one every week .... but still a great purchase)!

4.  It always contains shorts stories of miracles and guardian angels, a dose of Chicken Soup for the Soul and always 7 Days of Inspiration which is the destination of this blog.

So, I just suggest that if you see one while hanging out in the checkout line -- check it out!  The following is this week's 7 Days of Inspiration - they just particularly suited my brain this day and my brain said "Hey, sit down and share this with your buddies!"

Take one a day ... and feel great all week!

Day 1:  One voice can make a difference.

Day 2:  You deserve all good things.

Day 3:  A dream is hope with wings.

Day 4:  There's someone you've been overlooking: You!

Day 5:  You can do it!

Day 6:  Wonderful things flow into out lives when we let them.

Day 7:  Tell yourself the truth:  You are amazing!

..... and No. 7, my buddies, is exactly what I think of all of you --- You are Amazing!!! 

Have a blessed weekend.

A Few Favorite Quotes

I have all sorts of random rumblings in my brain today, but none have come forth to solidly form a blog - so, I'm "putting to pen" some of my favorite quotes - I have many - enjoy buddies!

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Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.  Plato

Myth: Old people get nasty and senile." Bruce Davis PhD: “That's not true. Nasty and senile people get old. They learn to do it better with practice.”

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. Benjamin Franklin

The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible. Arthur C. Clarke

It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, "Always do what you are afraid to do." Ralph Waldo Emerson

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams 

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly. Langston Hughes

Insist on yourself. Never imitate. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

Ask yourself this question: "Will this matter a year from now?" Richard Carlson writing in Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Never part without loving words to think of during your absence. It may be that you will not meet again in this life. Jean Paul Richter

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So in parting my buddies, I cherish each of you and the part you hold of my heart.  "Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye.  Remember me once in a while, please promise me, you'll try." Phantom of the Opera

Random Acts of Kindness

The other day as I was driving home, down my very own street, in my very own neighborhood, minding my own business, a boy (12’ish) standing on the side of the road - with a friend - flipped me off. Yes, he did - for no apparent reason except the fact that he could. I well imagine them having a good laugh about it and feeling like “grown ups.” This, of course, got me thinking about the state of our world today and the parents raising this young man to think that something to that affect was okay. I would normally defend the parents saying it wasn’t their fault BUT -- have you observed how rude our world has become in - at least - the last decade?

I could get carried away at this point with how people think it is okay to cut loose on someone “oh say” on Twitter, Facebook and forums. I suppose being anonymous lends itself to more than freedom of speech -- but okay, this isn’t what this blog is about -- but this, along with the child flipping me off -- started my brain thinking!

I truly wish everyone would deploy doing a random act of kindness at least once a day. Not to “toot” my own horn, but I try to practice this (sometimes it doesn’t happen - daily, but when it does you can see it on the recipient’s face -- and I get a warm and fuzzy feeling!) It doesn’t have to be anything more than some small unexpected thing (which is also sad, because some of these small unexpected things ... used to be ... the normal):

• Open the door for someone with a smile on your face and in your eyes. 
• Say Good morning, good evening or simply have a great day. 
• Offer someone your seat (and not just an elderly person). 
• Leave a larger tip every once in a while. 
• Compliment a fellow person on the shirt/blouse/shoes they have on. 
• Have bunches of stuff in a store line - let someone go in front of you. 
• Have not a bunches of stuff in a store line - let someone go in front of you.

I think you get the drift, the “act” doesn’t have to be big, just nice! One day, here in dry West Texas, I wound up with two umbrellas at the office -- fodder for another blog -- as we all dove out the door at 5:00, I was by a young lady (I didn’t know) and we hit the overhang and it had started pouring down rain. She said: “Nooooo, I left my umbrella in my car at lunch.” So, actually without thinking, I handed her my extra umbrella. She asked if I was sure, as I pulled the second umbrella out and I said “Yeppers, see.” She asked me where I worked so she could return it and I told her not to worry about it .. as umbrellas go, it wasn’t an expensive one. She thanked me and we both dove into the rain.

  

A random act of kindness done for “us” - a week after Neal came home from the hospital, the yard was going out-of-control and my girlfriend gave me the name of a friend :-) that did yard work and I arranged for the yard to be done. I think this was our first “yard” act of kindness because I swear if that is all he charges that - really - for yard work -- he will go broke! So, anyway the really random act was about 1 month later, as I was just fixing to call this fellow again (because Neal and I had just spoken about the yard needing to be done again) and Neal called me from the house and asked “Did you call that fella about the yard.” ummmm “Not yet” *pause* “Well there is someone doing our yard.” Come to find out our neighbor had hired his guy not only to do his yard, but ours too! He did this one other time and then Neal got to feeling up to doing a bit himself (it still takes him like a week to do the front and back .. but he’s coming along!)

I say we need to all practice our “PSR” (Personal Social Responsibility) or simply put: be kind to your fellow man and maybe more 12’ish year old children won’t think it is okay to flip someone off that is simply driving down the street.

Change/Serenity

Another of my favorite entries in the book Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much by Anne Wilson Schaef:

Change/Serenity

"People change and forget to tell each other."  Lillian Hellman

How tenaciously we cling to the illusion that we will get our lives in order and they will stay that way!  How resistant we are to the normal process of change!  We often feel personally attacked if someone near and dear to us changes without clearing those changes with us first.  We have somehow come to believe that security and stasis are synonymous.

Change is the manifestation of our ability to grow and become.  When it occurs in those nearest and dearest to us it is an opportunity for celebration.  When it happens in ourselves, it allows us to share ourselves on a new level.  When we try to protect others from the awareness of our changes, we are being dishonest.  No one can care for who we are unless they know who we are.

The only constant is change.