Building onthis postI thought I’d revisit a question I asked at this time last year: What’s saving your life right now?
Literally. Figuratively. Possibly. Maybe?
What’s keeping you going?
So much negativity in the news, way too many rants on Facebook (and not enough puppies, kitties & babies) and it’s the dog days of winter, so I ask you this:
What’s. Saving. Your. Life. Right. Now?
I’ll go first:
Quiet (TV and phone off by 8:30 pm)
Rest (aiming for 8 hours nightly, averaging 7.25 … yazz!)
Faith
Challenges ~ pushing myself to take on scary things like early morning public speaking engagements ~ Try that without copious amounts coffee. Yes, it can be done and it’s exhilarating!
Music. Tunes in the car, while cooking on Sunday afternoons, whenever the mood strikes.
:: Love ::
Repeat
Take me to the river, wash me down …won’t you cleanse my soul, put my feet on the ground …
It’s a random August Friday – humid but with a cooler Fall breeze wafting in. Summer lingers but Autumn is coming, we can feel it.
Here are 5 randoms from my crazy world ~
1 ) Recently hit a milestone – I celebrated 2 years Rat-Free. 2 years! In that time I’ve had 4 different bosses to report to — but, thankfully, none have been rats. Some have been more challenging than others but none have belittled me, stolen my work/ideas or endeavored to make me feel less than. To the contrary. It’s lovely living in a rat-free lane. And once you’ve lived/worked/endured rat behavior – 2 years can pass and your tail still twitches at the thought of the experience.
2 ) Back to school for the littlest ones soon – I am so happy to be past the helping-with-homework stage! Essays, speeches, science, geography and social studies – sure, no problem. Math- ugh, no and where’s Dad??
3) Vacation a few weeks ago was just wonderful. I had the first 3 days largely to myself ~ yes I had big plans to head to the big lake then I remembered a certain festival going on so I skipped the crowd. Instead I went to the backyard ’70s style — a big sheet spread out with my beach chair centered on it, a jug of Iced tea, books, snacks and sunshine. I read and read and relaxed and read some more. Hours in the sunshine, taking breaks to refill my water/tea and then later, after a shower, back out to the patio to read some more. 3 books, 22 magazines, and peace to my soul. When friends ask my take on a given movie, in my head this is what I see:
meh
4 ) Sometimes it seems we’re surrounded by anger and division, chaos and hate. I find myself, more and more, turning off the news and flipping back to simpler times:
5 ) And on a totally random note – this made me laugh out loud! TGIF, peeps!
Happy Friday! I’ve been swamped at work, traveling, and double-booked socially. No time to write, and barely time to think. Here are 5 random thoughts on a mild winter’s day:
1) “Don’t look up, we’re trying to contain the bat.” Welcoming words as I entered a rural City office. Arriving at a meeting I was met by two gals with brooms and determined looks as they shooed a bat down from the room’s cavernous ceilings. Ahh – life in a small town! They looked at me with trepidation and when I assured them I’m a farm girl and that Mr. Bat was simply looking for a warm winter home, they laughed and camaraderie soon followed.
2) Sissy and I talked last night and during our conversation it dawned on me that Christmas is 3 weeks from today. Other than presents purchased, I have nothing ready for Christmas. No decorating. No wrapping. No cards. No baking. Nothing. The countdown is on, even if I don’t yet feel it.
waiting for this feeling to come over me.
3) On Sunday, I’m taking an auntie to see the “Trans Siberian Orchestra.” She’s so excited she can hardly stand it. I know I will be once I get there. My inner lizard is harping that I really should be wrapping, baking and decorating but I remember when we paid for the tickets a few months ago, I thought “you’ll need this by then.” I’m betting I was right.
4) Living in a Nursing Home, Mom doesn’t have room or desire for many “things” so I put together a packet of small treats – snacks, candies, nuts, hand lotion, wet wipes, Chap-stick, Word search books, Sudoku, a pen, and some spending money, etc. When I told her last night that a parcel was on its way, she giggled like a school girl.
5) We don’t have any snow – the weather has been unbelievably mild here in West MI and golf courses are opening again today. The roads are great for travel and people are moving about with ease. I think it’s the lack of the white stuff that’s contributed to my denial of the holiday’s proximity. Because when I was a kid, snow only meant one thing:
Christmas vacation! Whee!!
How about you? Encounter any odd scenes lately? Are you feeling the Christmas spirit yet? Any snow in your neck of the woods? Do you have an inner lizard snarping at you, too?
It’s Friday! It’s Labor Day weekend! Time for 5 randoms from my week ~ here we go…
1) Summer should be issued a speeding ticket. I don’t know about you but our summer took it’s sweet time getting here but seems to be in a hurry to depart. We’ve had a few weeks of “nice,” a few weeks of cool, and this has been the hottest one yet. But … with the end of summer comes the arrival of my favorite season: Fall! Here’s to bright sunny skies, humidity under 400%, leaves turning color, all things pumpkin and the sights and smells only Autumn can bring – yeah!
isn’t Autumn glorious? an Emjayandthem (C) photo
2) Heard this song recently and I smiled and sang along, especially the part about “Summertime in Northern Michigan” – sing it, Kid.
3) Hubbs commented recently, “Do you realize you hardly ever talk about work any more?” My response, “No need. I’m rat-free!” Whee – and – bonus: my shoulders no longer touch my ears!
I do a lot of this!
4) A rainy day off and the house to myself — ooh, ahh. What started as a “100% chance of reading” kind of day quickly morphed into a “100% chance of working” day instead. A number of high priority requests came directly to me and responses are needed long before my Tuesday return. No worries, I cancelled my vacation time, brewed some more coffee, and carried on. I’ll wrap up soon and then the weekend can begin – whoop!
5) We had friends over last night to watch College Football and one dear lady brought her world-famous homemade veggie pizza – some of that was my breakfast today. Non traditional, yes, delicious, absolutely!
photo from Allrecipes.com
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – Allen Saunders
** What song makes you think of summer? Ever had a day off hi-jacked? How did you handle it? How’s your Labor Day forecast looking? **
I missed Random 5 Friday so instead am doing Random 5 for the 4th – here we go!
1. Today is Saturday, July 4th, our nation’s “birthday.” The birds are singing, the weather is hot and hazy, and we are celebrating our nation’s independence by independently deciding to lay low, hang out pool-side, and chill. Ahh.
Summer is here!
2. One month ago I was in our nation’s Capitol on business. Being a new citizenand representing my company in the highest offices of the land thrills me beyond description. Walk 34 miles in heels in 90F heat? No problem. Endure multiple security checkpoints? Sure. Witness a vote from the Senate gallery? Mind-blowingly cool. Sit down with members of the United States Congress over and over again? A-m-a-z-i-n-g.
On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved and adopted the Declaration of Independence. Happy Independence Day! https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
3. Listening to the radio last night something we heard brought us right back to our teens: the hits-from-coast-to-coast! Remember how every summer holiday weekend brought the top 40 countdown? Did you ever sit next to the radio and record the songs played? I remember my cousin and I shushing our brothers because a favorite song was coming up soon and we were determined to “catch it.” I couldn’t tell you what happened to those tapes but I know there were a lot of them!
Shh … Rod Stewart is up next!
4. Speaking of music, we also reminisced about our experiences with the “Columbia Music House” collection and what a deal we thought it was — 11 choices for a $1.00 plus the added requirement to purchase more at ridiculously inflated prices. We were kids, we didn’t know any better. His choices included Ted Nugent, Supertramp and Chicago. Mine included Elvis (duh!), the Oak Ridge Boys and Boston. Funny.
This was me at 15 and I think the worried look can be attributed to an overdue shipment from Columbia records! An Emjayandthem (C) photo
5. Stopped at the Farmer’s Market Thursday and picked up the biggest, tastiest tomato ever. I did that so I could enjoy this for my lunch today:
Toasted Tomato Sandwich ~ ahh, Summer!
I hope that wherever my words find you, whether you’re American or not, you join us in celebrating her birthday today. I hope you take a moment to step outside and look up at the sky – our brilliant shared sky – and I hope that, just like me, you can do so without fear.
** God Bless America! **
What are your plans for the Holiday today? Did you ever tape the top 40 hits off the radio? Had a toasted ‘mater sandwich lately?
It’s Friday and time for 5 random happenings and observations from my world.
1. My Lilacs have come and gone but look who is making their grand debut?
Frankie loved the peonies and his ashes are scattered here. Seeing them bloom makes me smile and long for my silly old dog.
2. Last night we ran the dishwasher, a routine task done a few times a week. It’s normally filled with plates, silverware and coffee cups. Youngest boy put a large sauce pot in the lower tray upside down. Reading quietly in the next room I heard a sound I couldn’t quite identify and then it hit me: the spray of water hitting the bottom of that pot reminded me of milking cows as a little girl. With 5 kids we always kept one or two milk cows and Dad would let us “help.” More often than not we tilted Bossie’s *ahem* appendages in such a way that the barn cats got both a milk shower and a good drink and we probably spilled more than we didn’t. Dad let us learn anyways. Memories come to us in the most random of ways don’t they?
3. I recently bought a “Fitbit” – a nifty little bracelet that works as a pedometer and tracks your sleep. (You can track other things, too, but those are the ones I was interested in.) The first day I wore it was a Saturday and, between laundry, groceries, and yard work, I clocked 6 miles. I slept well that night – 7 hours with 8 minutes of restlessness. I really wanted it for my D.C. trip next week because we walk so much, up and down stairs in the Capitol office buildings. Did you know that tunnels connect these buildings? They’re clean and well-lit, but old as time. I always feel a bit like Desmond in “L.O.S.T” in there … freaky. Oh and elevators are reserved for Members when Congress is in session. That means I’ll be hoofing it to everything — in heels. And yes, I think I’ll sleep well every night :).
“See you in another life, Brotha.” -L.O.S.T.
4. This week my job took me to the Michigan State Capitol – the day we were there happened to be “Older Michiganians Day” which meant we had a steady stream of older folks touring the building and sometimes stopping to ask us questions. Everything was fine until two ladies came through and brazenly swiped several handfuls of cookies. Right in front of us. With a look in their eyes that said, “whaddyagonnadoboutit?” We looked at each other incredulously and shook our heads. People are fascinating! And that day I clocked 7.8 miles – in heels!
Not this colorfully dressed but with just as much ‘tude
5. Jumping back to the Fitbit I also got it because, when I’m in the office, I’m aware I don’t move much. It was shocking to me that, by noon yesterday, after a morning of conference calls, I hadn’t yet hit 2,000 steps. That served as a powerful motivator to get in a workout! On the treadmill last night, thinking about all I have to do before I fly out Sunday, this song came on and I knew it had to be shared:
Whatever it is you may be going through
I know He’s not gonna let it get the best of you
You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when He reminds You
That you’re an overcomer… You’re an overcomer!
Happy Friday, folks! What sound take you back to your childhood? Tried any neat gadgets lately? Ever witnessed Senior crime? What are you working hard at overcoming?
It’s Friday! It’s time for 5 random thoughts from my ever-swirling mind.
1. I love the smell of Noxzema. Growing up, that’s what we girls used to wash our faces at night – and that menthol clean smell still means clean to me. I’ve bought the expensive tubes and creams and gels and every last bit of it sits – and rots – on my shelf.
Google.Images.com
2. This week I initiated FB friend requests to a few long-time blogging pals. You know who you are. Please know this. My ❤ swelled when you said “yes.” There’s a lot of things I blog about that I don’t post on FB, so for me to take a risk and invite you in, means I trust you. My little writing hobby that started 4 years ago blossomed into friendships with some amazing people whose input I truly value. People I hope to meet one day. My heart grins just thinking about it!
Google.images.com
3. Yesterday morning, around 4:30 a.m., a thunderstorm rolled through. I did a tuck and roll and all was right with my world. Am I the only one who finds a T-storm an invitation to dive deep into slumber-land?
I love this sound! Google.images.com
4. Hubbs and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this week: 23 years. Crazy. Recently, I’d made a favorite meal of his and, although he doesn’t usually do so, he announced he was going to indulge in another favorite: bread and butter on the side. I’d already eaten and the kitchen was cleaned up and things put away. Quietly I took the (supposedly spreadable) butter out and set it on the counter. Because who wants hard chunks of buttery goodness on a roll? No one. A while later, he came upstairs to fix his plate, saw the butter and laughed out loud. And from the kitchen I heard this, “Thanks for the butter take-out! There’s 23 years of loving right there!” It was a good reminder that cards and flowers are great but often all we really need is to know that we matter to someone else.
Love was in the butter. Google.images.com
5. And with that ~ I’m off. Off to a new city to meet new people and do my job. Coffee’s poured, tunes are ready, and I am rousing up some old classics like this one: Ray Price crooning “Night Life” with Willie Nelson accompanying him. Ray’s voice is as rich as his Polyester Fortrel suit and I love it!
What fragrances take you back to your childhood? Made any new friends lately? Are you scared of T-storms or do they make you want to get cozy, too? What simple ways allow you to express your love for someone? What type of music is your favorite to drive to?
This week is proving to be crazy – travel and training yesterday, travel and meetings today, travel and presentations Wednesday, travel and meetings Thursday and Friday? Dentist, Acupuncturist and catching up on what I missed on the other 4 days!
All that and the email machine does-not-stop. The corporate requests. The customer inquiries. The new projects. The. The. The.
I find it therapeutic that I get this much time in my car – time to bust out a few moves and sing a few songs and get my happy on.
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” – Plato
What song makes you wanna crank it up and groove in your front seat? Where are you off to today?
It’s Thursday and it’s Random. Why today and not tomorrow? Because I am off tomorrow – whoop! Here are my 5 random thoughts this week:
1. 30 degree temperature swing from last Saturday to Tuesday. Sunshine all around. Smiles all around. Neighbors coming out of houses, folks chatting at the mailboxes – yes – Spring is in the air. Hallelujah!
:: Pinterest.com::
2. Tried something new this week: Acupuncture! Years ago I was injured in a car accident and I still have pain in my neck where I was hurt. And, when stressed, I tend to clench my teeth. I’ve been stressed, so my neck and jaw have been aching and pain relievers don’t even touch it. Does this work? Not sure. How’d it feel? Like someone was sticking me with needles! 🙂 Truth be told, some points I didn’t feel, others burned and stung (i.e. in the jaw area- d’oh) and, after all pins were in I relaxed. Having to lie still might have been part of that, not something I’m used to doing. That night I felt drained and slept very deeply. Will I go back? Yes, a couple of times at least. The jury’s still out on this one.
That needle in the right thumb hurt like crazy; on the left? not at all. I write and mouse right-handed 🙂 Photo from WebMD.com
3. I took tomorrow off thinking I might try to do something productive around here. Hubbs blessed me with this last night, “Why do you put so much pressure on yourself to always get things done? Take a day off and enjoy it – sleep in- or not – and if you accomplish nothing, who cares? I don’t.” I sure do love my #1 supporter and predict my face will be into my books! 🙂
I get this so much!
4. I work with a narcissist. It took me the longest time to understand just exactly what this is. If you’ve not experienced it, be thankful. Here are a few traits that I’ve witnessed: (a) believes he or she is special and entitled to special privileges (translate: not for you), (b) requires copious amounts of admiration and will get it any way he/she can, (c) will exploit anyone – will step on anybody to meet his/her needs (translate: the bus will back over you many times), (d) has no issues lying or stretching the truth, especially if the new version benefits him or her, (e) lack of empathy for anyone but themselves – example: if they suffer a loss, the world will know. If you do, meh. (f) reverse envy – assumes everyone wants to be him/her. Over the years I have learned how to manage my interactions with this person but doing so has come with a price. See #2 and #3.
Google.images.com
5. Despite our differences, I do try to come at all relationships with this thought: we are all people. We all have something to contribute. We are all everyday people.
How about you? Would you ever try acupuncture or another alternative treatment? Do you feel the need to “work” on your day off? Have you any Narcissists in your life? What do you learn from the most difficult personalities around you? Are you grooving to Sly now? 🙂
It’s Friday! It’s time for 5 random thoughts! Here we go …
1. Meetings with new leadership were held yesterday. I caught myself getting nervous just before the WebEx began but I remembered something Hubbs had said the night prior, “You’ve got this. You know more about what you’re doing than anyone on that call, regardless of title. Act like you belong there … because you do.” Handsome looks and a fun personality are one thing but the stuff that keeps a relationship strong and happy is someone willing to lay down a brick for you– and I have the one who’ll trowel a highway with his bare hands for me. So grateful.
2. There’s been a few awards show on TV lately and it’s occurred to me, as I look up from my books, that I rarely know who any of the actresses or actors are. I also don’t know the shows being heralded or the designers doing the dressings. I’m either getting older or … yep, I’m getting older.
3. Youngest boy has a tender heart. He’s a “fixer” and often, the nurturer in relationships. That’s all good, because being kind and sweet beats snarky and rude any day, but I suggested he stop finding what I call “wounded birds.” I.E. sometimes another’s problems are too much for someone else to solve. And then I gave him the gift of my Mother’s advice to me:
4. I also shared with him my cousin’s often-used line, “More in the store.” He laughed and heartily agreed.
5. Speaking of store, I saw this witty sign online recently and thought somewhere a bored and creative deli employee had a lot of fun one day. And now I am singing that famous Eurythmics song from the 80s:
Google.images.com
Here’s the MTV cult classic:
And how was your week? Do you recognize anyone on Awards shows? Any relationship advice to share?
It’s Friday! It’s time for 5 Random thoughts from my little corner of the world:
1. Recently I dreamed I was pregnant. I woke up in the dream-conversation with Hubbs as we talked about raising a kid into our 7os. GAH – no thanks! Thankfully I learned later that dreams about pregnancy represent a new beginning or new creation in life – it’s generally very positive and indicates growth – yay! For details on analyzing your dreams check out “The Dream Book” by Betty Bethards.
2. Speaking of growth, I know where this is coming from: I’ve just come through several of years of learning how to say no to what’s not good for me. Saying no has made room for more yes’s – and, consequently, I’ve pushed myself to accept speaking engagements and assignments that challenge me. And it’s really getting fun. 🙂
Yes! Google.images.com
3. Talking with one of our boys the other day I offered the following advice/life lesson which was: “Learn how to manage your manager.” I.E. if your boss is unorganized it helps greatly if you are. Or if your boss has high anxiety about the progress of projects, you’re well served to proactively give updates on a regular basis. It’s not 100% perfect as some managers are unmanageable – but in just talking about it, I realized I’ve been doing this for years and with some pretty good results.
4. Another pot-luck at work this week. My colleagues are happy to eat anything – especially items that contain the 4 essential pot-luck ingredients: a) cheese, 2) chocolate, 3) BBQ sauce and 4) cool-whip. On a whim, I signed up to bring “Sloppy Joe’s.” Then I realized I didn’t have a recipe because the last time I made them was in Home Ec while sporting wedge heels and Fonzie tee-shirt. Digging through my cookbooks, I found the recipe below.
Easy Home-made Sloppy Joe’s
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped green pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp yellow mustard (like French’s)
¾ cup Ketchup
3 tsp brown sugar
salt & pepper to taste
Note I made this recipe x 4
Directions:
Brown the beef, onion & peppers, drain off liquids
Stir in seasonings: garlic powder, salt & pepper (I added Mrs. Dash regular, too)
In a separate bowl mix together ketchup, mustard & brown sugar then stir that into the meat mixture.
Reduce heat and simmer for 30 min.
Made the day ahead this easily warmed up in the Crock Pot on low ~ by Noon it was mostly gone.
Stock photo: There’s no evidence we ever had Sloppy Joe’s in our office!
5. Heading home from meetings, a three-hour drive turned into four because of the weather BUT one positive was the various radio stations I had to pick from as I left one market and entered another. Example – this new-to-me Bob Dylan song. “Things have changed” – and it was just the kind of acoustic-guitar groove sound I love to drive to … have a listen … I used to care .. but things have changed. 🙂
So how was your week? Had any weird dreams lately? What have you said yes to? Were “Sloppy Joe’s” something you made in the 70s, like Chef-Boyardi-Pizza? Does the phrase, “I used to care but things have changed” resonate with you?
Are you like me and have 22 coffee cups in the cupboard but always end up using the same 3?
my favorite!
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and wonder what – or who – woke you up?
google.images.com
Found a picture from – gulp – 20 years ago. Size 6 and thought I was fat. What an idiot. Note the ’90s hair scrunchy.
Employee picnic, 1995. Me & youngest boy who was distressed by the ‘love bugs’ – An Emjayandthem(C) photo
Went back to work this week and had the best week! It was nice to be missed, accomplish some tasks, catch up with colleagues and feel the excitement at what’s coming up this year. Plus, we had a visit from a 6 week old Border Collie. Now how could anyone resist this wee face?
aww .. She fell asleep in my co-workers arms.
Caught a new song that snagged my ear so hard I just had to Google it and play it over and over … and who knew the video was so cool?
How about you? Do you have a favorite cup you use? How many others in the cupboard? Tripped over any old pics lately? Met any new friends? What song’s grabbed your attention of late?
