justalittlefluff

Relaxing Reminders

2011-02-10T08:26:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for reminders that it is ok to kick back, roll over and relax for a few minutes. Be loose.

A Penny Saved

2009-12-07T12:47:00.002-06:00

It is true a penny saved is a penny earned. Do you toss pennies? Do you pay any attention to your pennies?It was amazing how many pennies I found scattered around my home this last weekend. There were pennies in drawers and pennies in pockets and pennies in purses and pennies in the wash.

My pennies added up. I started thinking about a newspaper story I read years ago about a man that had saved pennies for years. He had one million pennies.

If we all paid attention to our pennies and saved them and then gave them away to charity it would make a difference.

Just as one person can make a difference, so can your pennies.

Listen To Your Heart

2009-10-19T08:04:00.003-05:00

According to the Awe Manac this is evaluate your life day. The subliminal message is "listen to your heart." The note to myself says: How many times does my intuition have to prove it was right before I start listening to it?

I have a pretty good life. But then there are the days when I feel my life is not in sync with my heart. I was the wife and the mother and the volunteer but now that I am left with the wife what is the rest of me about?

Did I volunteer in areas because it made me feel better about myself. Did I volunteer because I needed validation? Did I volunteer to ignore some situations at home?

I loved being a mother. Is there a void in my life now because I need to reaquaint myself with me? Is there a void because I am missing having a passion in my life? My children were my passion and now they have their lives and their passions.

My heart tells me to follow my passion. My pocketbook tells me to stay at my job. My intuition tells me that I am not following my true purpose. Is my intuition right? Should I be listening? If I did would I become the person I was meant to be?

So many questions. No answers yet. Perhaps it is because I didn't face my fear in my previous post. Do I need to face my fears and will I then be able to follow my intuition? Is this all about trusting me?

Maybe the answers will come tomorrow when I listen to my heart.

My Hero

2009-10-15T08:22:00.002-05:00

I'm inventing a new hero today. That is the Aha Phrodesiac of the day in Awe Manac. I don't have too many heroes in my life. What is a heroe? It is certainly not a sports star. I would probably pick Mother Theresa as my hero. But she is well known.

I know there are many heroes that I encounter every day but because they are silent heroes their deeds are not broadcast. Thank you silent heroes. You know who you are or you probably don't because you don't see yourself as a hero.

My new hero today would be "Razatazzle". Razatazzle dresses in bright colors and old clothes from thrift shops. Razatazzle has long locks colored bright pink. And when Razatazzle is in hero mode she glows.

Razatazzle rescues people from homelessness. Razatazzle may appear strange and weird. She belts out songs on the street and makes people laugh and smile. She is looked at as being a little daft and possibly mentally off balance.

That is what Razatazzle does so she can be unnoticed as a hero. You see Razatazzle seeks out those that do not have a home and she wisks them to a huge pink house on a country farm. She has many pink houses. She wisks the homeless families to these houses and she feeds them on the food she raises. She makes them laugh and helps them feel better about themselves. She nourishes them so they can once more become a productive member of society.

But they must tell no one when they leave for a new start in life with a job and a place to live. They must tell no one how they were wisked off the street and made to feel like life was worth living again. That is Razaltazzles secret. She does it in secret. To the world she is a wacky woman that no one on the streets take seriously.

People judge her pink houses and her garb and her silliness but they know not the lives she saves in those houses. People judge her as being strange and weird but Razzatazzle is a hero in the lives of the people she helps.

Razzletazzle's motto. I will razzle you with my tazzle. And she does.

Day of Courage

2009-10-11T13:55:00.002-05:00

I am in love with Jill Bodonsky's Book " The Awe Manac". It gives you day by day permission to be silly but in that silliness there is a bit of truth. Today October 11 is a day of courage.

Soul Vitamin of the Day tells me I gain strength and confidence by every experience when I stop and look fear in the face.

She knows me well. She knows that I am a fearful person. I try and overcome but it sneaks up inside of me and presents itself like a demon waiting to pounce.
Jill has a journal juju every day. I am going to take the time to journal everyday with Jill's journal juju.

Today I need to write a list of the tiniest steps of courage I could take in the next day, month or year. I am to visualize and feel 5 percent more courage in my body during moments of daydreaming.

My fear to conquer today is driving in the dark. It must be an old lady thing. I never had problems driving in the dark when I was younger. The dark held moments of romance and quietness and peace. So I have been invited to go out into the night tonight and drive a distance. I shall conquer my fear. Be here tomorrow, same time, same place to see if I succeeded.

Until tomorrow. Life shinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin as printed in Awe Manac October 11.

Pet Peeve Week

2009-10-08T08:30:00.002-05:00

It is National Pet Peeve Week. What are your pet peeves? I have to say one of my pet peeves is having to go to work but oh well, I guess that is normal. I think my biggest pet peeve is those plastic cartons that hold all electronics. You can't get into them, you can't get things out of them and they are very good for cutting your fingers. In this technology age there must be something they can do about that. Maybe they want us to get frustrated and if we can't get it open we would give it up and keep buying something new to replace it.

Silly thought isn't it. Well that is what a fluffy blonde thinks even if her hair is almost gray.

Max needs a home.

2009-09-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

This is Max. Max is so lovable. It is hard when you can't keep a pet anymore. Pets give you unconditional love. They drool with excitement when they see you. They accept your handouts and warm your feet at night. Pets make you smile when you least feel like smiling. Max is an Airedale. He is housetrained, aways energetic and upbeat. His owner can't keep him anymore. Do you have room in your heart and in your home for Max?

Stickiness

2009-09-08T08:26:00.002-05:00

On this day in 1921 Scotch Tape was invented by Richard Drew. Thank you for helping us stick together.

FarmTown and FarmVille

2009-07-23T10:02:00.002-05:00

I am addicted to FarmTown and FarmVille on Facebook. There is something about an imaginary farm that lifts one spirits. You don't have to get your hands dirty. You can visit your farm anytime even in the midst of a busy day and take a small vacation gazing at your apple trees, flowers and listening to your farm animals bleet their greetings. Take a vacation and enjoy the farm witout the aroma.

It's Good News Week

2009-07-06T17:20:00.002-05:00

There are some weeks I just want to pull the covers over my head and not come out. My morning was like this and then it all changed. It is amazing how things can change in a minute. So keep the faith and remember no matter how low you go the next minute might change everything for the better.

Albert Lea Tribune | Seeing the results of the Purpose Workshop

2009-06-15T11:39:00.001-05:00

Albert Lea Tribune | Seeing the results of the Purpose Workshop

Shared via AddThis

A Lucky Break?

2009-06-11T10:34:00.002-05:00

May 21st the date of my last post. I walked out of my house, visited with a friend and stepped into a hole. I dug myself a deep one because I broke my foot. My fluff was gone for a little while.

Breaking your foot and ending up not being able to walk for six weeks changes your life. I knew I was needing a rest. Last time I needed a rest I broke my ankle. Is someone trying to tell me something?

I have a cool cast. It has psychodelic colors and brightens my day when I look at it. Getting around has been challenging. You do not realize the difficulty people have that are handicapped when you have two good legs.

The Blue Zone challenge in Albert Lea, Minnesota is a chance to change our lifestyle to live longer. I found it is more difficult to take of eating healthy and exercising when you can't walk. I will document how all of that goes now that I have gotten over my writers block.

Be fluffy with a broken foot. Get a psycodelic cast so you can smile when you look at life as more colorful even with a broken bone.

"Hara Hachi Bu"

2009-05-21T08:42:00.003-05:00

I am having a hard time with Hara Hachi Bu in the BlueZones Challenge. I can wear my bracelet but if the food is good I have a hard time not going back for seconds.

If I only cook so much I am looking for something to eat a little later. I am still hungry. I don't know how to turn my stomach off. Or get a little more will power.

But I have't been saying those words before I eat. My paper tells me I should do that. I will have to see if that works cause what I am doing isn't.

On the plus side. I have been weighing myself everyday and I have lost 2 pounds so maybe even if I am cheating on the Hara Hachi Bu I am making some progress.

Hara Hachi Bu, Hara Hachi Bu, Hara Hachi Bu.

Stick To It

2009-05-21T08:25:00.003-05:00

My journal descibes my birthsign which is a Gemini as this: Flexible, versatile, restless, a jack-of-all-trades, lively, alert, quick-witted, literary, communicative, a good conversationalist, changeable, sociable, logical. This does describe me to a tee.

I don't usually believe in astrological signs but how can I argue when it hits so close to home.

The bluezones challenge is progressing for me. Because of the challenge coach I actually am making sure that I sit down and spend some time with God. Right now is a time I really need to spend time with God as there are many things going on in the lives of people I love and all I can do is pray. However I think without the spiritually part of the blue zones I probably would not make as conscious of effort. I would probably pray on the fly. I probably would not take the time to meditate even though I know it calms me down.

My life is busy and when it is not busy I am lazy. It isn't hard to carve out moments for my soul to connect with my higher power but if I do not make a conscious effort something else more exciting or more stressful seems to stop me.

Perhaps it is the Gemini in me that keeps me from taking down time and just being. Perhaps it is the Gemini in me that keeps me restless enought to stop me from doing what is good for my body. I must admit the bluezones challenge coach is helping me. I want to add days not subtract so the coach works.

Well, it is time for my vegetables so I must flee.

First Days Working with the BlueZones

2009-05-18T08:10:00.002-05:00

I am very excited about the BlueZones Challenge. Technically I do not live in Albert Lea but apparently I am part of the zip codes approved because of those that work in Albert Lea. Hopefully we qualify because of my column and my husband spends most of his working time in Albert Lea with his business.

Friday I logged on and created my account. I am older than I thought. When I answered the questions I was two years older then I should be. That was a welcome relief. Only two years!!!! I expected ten. I can tell you that some days I feel much older. Hopefully that will change.

Even if someone doesn't qualify to be in this BlueZones Challenge it would be a good way of life to adopt or a good challenge for you to take on your own.

I like the idea of the Vitality Coach. That is a great part of this challenge. AARP seeems to know that without a little nudge it is hard for us to stay on track.

I chose practice a positve outlook for one of my choices. I chose this because I do let life get me down. I look sometimes for the negative instead of the positive especially now because some people I love are facing some serious challenges in their life. I need to have a positive attitude for them. I am not sure how I am going to accomplish this.

I also chose to get in touch with your spiritual side because I am feeling that I have been neglecting that in the fast paced world I live in.

And I chose to eat more vegetables. This is very hard for me. I do not like vegetables. I like donuts. Four servings a day is going to be very hard.

But I do think I chose the easy ones. One of the choices was to be physically active 60 minutes a day. I am not sure my body is ready for that. I do not feel angry so I don't think reducing the anger in my life would have been a good choice.

I've charted my course. The changes should not be hard. Will we see progress?
Will the excitement die down and this fade out? Will I eventually be able to get out of this chair with out creaking?

We're Not In Kansas Anymore

2009-05-15T07:42:00.002-05:00

At Awe Manac we are supposed to name today. I am going to name today a "new day in the life of me". We attended a bluezone kickoff last last night in Albert Lea, Minnesota. If you are wondering what that is, go to http://www.bluezones.com. Dan Buettner wrote a book after researching longevity in many parts of the world. AARP and Dan chose Albert Lea, Minnesota as a test project to see if we could live longer if we adopted some of the premises of the people that live in the BlueZone.

So along with the Awe Manac I am going to journal about my BlueZones journey. So again today is a "new day in the life of me." Changes from the Blue Zones challenge are small and seem easy. They gave us a list to start us off. This is not a weight loss plan it is a life plan for a long journey for your life. I will share more tomorrow but one of the things that they strongly suggest is to weigh yourself every day. So I started easy. I weighed myself today. I have actually lost 2 pounds and didn't know it. I have been trying to eat healthier. I will share more of the journey in a later blog. Blue Zones is fluffy.

Today Jill B. tells us to decide on a place you no longer are literally or metaphorically in your life. She uses big words sometimes. Then decide on a place you no longer want to be.

Can we always be in a place we no longer want to be? Is it a choice? I made a journey a few weeks ago that faced a a fear. I no longer want to let my life be ruled by fear and the fear of the what if's. If you are a fearful person that is a hard place to be because fear paralyzes you.

I am going to wake up every morning and take myself out of the place of fear in my mind. I think working with fear has to be something like working with an addiction. It has to be one day at a time because fear rears its ugly head when you least expect it. Jill used the quote "I'm not in Kansas anymore." to challenge us. My quote will be "I'm not in fear anymore."

I challenge you to face a fear today even if it is small. Does that cute little spider scare you. Face it, walk around it but don't tell me if the spider didn't make it.

What Do I Fear To Lose?

2009-05-14T07:38:00.004-05:00

I love the book the Awe Manac by Jill Badonsky. I have decided that some of my posts will be the journaling that I am following in her book. Inspire yourself and be fluffy. This book may help.

Today Jill's soul vitamin is "Understand life's mysteries as mysteries to be
lived." The quote is by Robert Zemeckis.

For today's journaling Jill uses George Lucas "Train yourself to let go of the things you fear to lose." She challenges us to let go of one or two of them and writing about letting go, how it would make us feel and how would we act differently.

This is a good exercise for me today. What I fear the most is losing those I love.
Sam my faithful pooch has been diagnosed with heart disease and has an enlarged heart. I knew he wasn't feeling good but I had no idea the extent. He is only three years old. There is only one outcome for this. I have another two close relatives that are having health problems and I fear losing them too. It all came at once and yet it was Sambo that I cried over. I cried big overwhelming tears. It all seemed to be too much.

I know my relatives probably will be ok with medical intervention but Sam is surely going to die. And I am going to have to watch this faithful companion of mine go down hill.

Why these things are happening is a mystery. Illness and death are a part of life. I cried over Sam because I know that I need to be strong, supportive and funny and fluffy with my relatives no matter what the outcome. With Sam I can show my emotions.

I can't do anything about any of their outcomes. Only God can determine that but worry and fear seem to take over and when they do that they rule because I want to control.

I have a choice. I can cry and let those I love know how worried I am or I can let God handle my worry and whatever time Sam, and my relatives have left and hopefully for some it is years and years, I can make their life about living.

I fear to lose those I love but the best gift I can give to those I love is to chose to make their life fluffy and happy. I challenge you if you are facing worry and fear to choose what you have control over and how you want to live your life. You can do it. I know you can. Live the mystery.

Working On My Blog

2009-05-12T12:39:00.001-05:00

Ok, I am working on my blog. I am still looking for the right template so I am having fun trying different backgrounds and then I will be doing a new format for posting on my blog so if you are reading this be patient with me. God and this blog are not finished with me yet. I am looking for the right fluffy background.

Monday

2009-05-04T08:26:00.003-05:00

Monday mornings are so hard. Even if you worked hard all weekend or if you lazed for me it is always hard to get out of bed on Mondays.

The sun is shining and I am alive so I am going to savor this day. I will put one foot in front of the other, crawl of of bed, wait I already did that! Crawling out of those cozy covers was an accomplishment in itself. If I can accomplish that on a Monday morning I can accomplish anything and so can you.

Happy Monday.

I Love Dandelions

2009-04-23T08:18:00.004-05:00

I know spring is officially here. I found my first dandelion in my yard yesterday. I know most people think of dandelions as weeds but dandelions remind me that in the midst of weeds there is some beauty if we look for it. At times in our lives we are all weeds. Sometimes we are toxic but other times we bloom and grow and put out beautiful vibes for others. Pick dandelions today. See the beauty in the weeds. See the beauty in yourself. Even otters can show love.

Prioritize Yourself

2009-04-21T08:41:00.002-05:00

Make today about you. I know that sounds a little selfish but sometimes it has to be about you.

I have been feeling a little sluggish lately. There are so many things to do and so little time. I feel my health slipping but I haven't been making it a priority. If I don't make my health a priority who will?

If I am not feeling well I am not able to accomplish the things I need to do such as working, spending time helping my family and helping and being there for friends. If I do not take care of my emoional health I cannot be a support to others.

Take care of yourself today. Eat right, take time to breathe. Take your vitamins, exercise or do some meditation and yoga.

Laugh and boost those happy endorphins in your body. Take care of you and then live your life.

Snap happy.

Blah Blog Video! Color Is In.

2009-04-16T08:45:00.003-05:00

I just took a tutorial on how to create a better blog. The person giving the tutorial specifically instructed us not to use bright colors on your blog. It isn't professional. I immediately changed my blog colors from black to colorful.

Colorful is what fluff is all about. America has gotten grey and I don't mean the hair. Where are the colorful houses? Now they are greying blogs.

How can you have fun without color? I decided blah to the gray and black and changed my blog to the unthinkable color of pink. We are also supposed to keep out text non colorful. I probably will never be blogger of the week but if I can't be blogger of the week I can be colorful.

So put some color in your life. If your house is gray paint a small corner bold and beautiful. Do something colorful today.

Pink rules!

I Made It!

2009-04-11T15:37:00.002-05:00

I do not have a lot of faith in myself when it comes to exercise. I am old and out of shape. However today I said ok to a walk along a river to see the falls at one park and many, many steps. I also said yes to a walk in another park.

I doubted I would make it but I thought it was a good way to start my way back to health. I also wanted to be a good sport.

First we parked in the middle of nowhere. It was a long walk to even get to the steps to descend down to our walk. I shiftily looked from side to side to check out where I might have to run to for a bathroom break or to hide in case I was needing a place to hide so I would not have to walk anymore.

We descended the steps. Going down was easy. We treked along. Did I mention I was also afraid of being on slanted turf high up over a river? I could see myself slipping and rolling and being washed away. However my gentle son-in-law offered his arm and I got over my fear.

I made it all the way along the river. It was time for the 110 steps back up. I had to be like the engine. I think I can. I think I can. I repeated it all the way to the top as my lungs were giving out and my breath was coming in short gasps.

But I made it. If you are doubting yourself give yourself a break and know you are stronger then you think. You might surprise yourself. I did.

Running Away

2009-04-09T08:17:00.002-05:00

Do you ever feel like running away? I know we are big, responsible adults and we are not supposed to want to run away from home. But admit it, every once in awhile you want to run away.

It's not that life is so bad it is just that sometimes the responsibilities overwhelm us. Remember when we could hardly wait to be an adult? Yeh, well how is that working for us?

Now there are times we long to be free of our responsibilities and just run for the hills. Many of us have forgotten how to play.

So if you feel like running away, do it. Pack your bag, start down the street, find a park and sit on the slide. Think about what you are going to do, who you have to leave and what you want to leave behind and what you would keep. Then as the little child did when we were kids, decide to walk back home because home is the best place. But leave some of those hurts back in the park and concentrate on what it is that you want to keep and what makes home a home.

Take the time in the park to leave your responsibilities behind for a few moments, a few minutes or a few hours. Running away every once in awhile is good for the soul. You will come back home refreshed and ready once again to be an adult.

A Day In The Life

2009-04-07T12:44:00.002-05:00

My dog Sam has a good life. I need to take time to review the way Sam lives life and adapt it to my own, especially his relaxation tecniques.

Sam knows how to relax. He doesn't get stressed out over too much. He does get excited when he sees his girldog Lola across the fence but he settles right down after they say hello.

Sam never hurries when he has to visit the outdoors. He stretches, meanders to a rug, stretches, lays down and then meaners his way to the door. Sam never hurries.

It is easy for Sam to relax. He can sleep anywhere. Noise doesn't bother him and neither do visitors. He concentrates on his relaxation.

I on the other hand have a hard time relaxing. I always feel there is something that needs doing. I gulp my food and find myself throwing lotion on after a bath because I am in such a hurry. In a hurry to do what I don't know.

I am going to watch Sam and try and adopt a little of his relaxation tecniques. Perhaps I will take the time to enjoy the flowers and my toys. Sam doesn't have a problem leaving his toys lay. He knows that he doesn't have to spend his time looking for them.

I have to remember something that Sam knows. The hurrier I go the farther behind I get. Thanks Sam.

Monday, Monday

2009-04-06T08:08:00.003-05:00

Monday, Monday so good to me, Monday, Monday it was all I hoped it would be. Those were the lyrics by the Mama's and the Popa's. I don't agree with them.

Monday, Monday a working day. Monday, Monday at home I'd like to stay. Mondays are hard for many of us. On Mondays my body wants to sleep in even after a relaxing weekend. On Saturdays my body is up at 6: A.M. wanting to start the day.

I think my angst at getting out of bed on Mondays has something to do with structure. I am not a structured person. On Mondays it is 9:00 to 5:00 and sometimes even longer.

On Saturdays my structure is whatever I make it. It is time for work at home and play and laziness or whatever it is I chose to find time to do. Usually I do the things that feed me and feed my soul.

So what can we do to feed our soul during the week? Today my day started with Yoga. In the midst of structure we can find the adventure.

Sark says " Your Life is An Adventure!" Enjoy a tiny adventurous moment, close to home. It changes your perspective, reminding you that the world is deep and rich and full of color and miracles.

Every moment that we are alive is a miracle. Can you wiggle your toe? That is a miracle. Can you sneeze? That is a miracle. Can you roll your eyes? That is a miracle. So take a moment to enjoy a miracle. Wiggle your toe, sneeze and roll your eyes. That should leave you laughing for awhile if you try and do it fast. Moment by moment we experience miracles. Take the time to see them.

Friday

2009-04-02T08:53:00.002-05:00

Everyday this week I have thought it is Friday. It is so weird. I have never done that before. I always know what day it is. But for some reason everyday has felt like Friday.

I decided that is not a bad thing. It was easier facing the stress of my day if I thought the weekend was the next day. It made life easier.

Why do we wish our life away? There was nothing wrong with Monday, Tuesday, Wedsnesday or Thursday. I just wanted it to be Friday.

If it makes your life easier pretend every day is Friday. It made mine easier this week. I wonder what will happen when I get to Friday. Will I wish it were Monday?

Confused

2009-03-31T08:16:00.003-05:00

I am so confused. I didn't know what day it was today. How can that happen? I thought it was Wednesday. I thought I missed Tuesday. Have you ever missed a day?

That is what happens when we don't pay attention to our life. We miss days. Our lives go by in a blur. We reach the end of our life and we wonder where it all went.

We wait for tomorrow because tomorrow has to be better then today. Tomorrow comes and we want yesterday back. We do it over and over again and then we regret not being in the moment.

Today I am going to sit in the moment and feel it. It might not always feel good but it is a moment I don't want to lose.

So if you missed yesterday and you think tomorrow will be better, check out today. It might not be as bad as you think.

Life in The Slow Lane

2009-03-30T08:45:00.002-05:00

It is Monday morning. I am always slow on Mondays. I am like a snail crawling out of bed. That doesn't happen on Saturdays. I am up and at whatever I feel like doing.

Could it be that going to work is the cause of my snailiness? It's not that I dislike my job but I suspect it is the "I can't do what I want factor."

So if the same thing gives you cause to be a snail in the morning be a rebel. Do one thing before you go to work that you want to do. Eat cake, read a book. Meditate. Five minutes of doing something you want to do will do wonders for your outlook.

If you have a hobby, spend five minutes working at it before you go to work. You will have something to anticipate and finish at the end of the day. It will give you the juice you need to get through the day.

Foofidleyfah!

Boggled

2009-03-26T08:13:00.002-05:00

My old mind is boggled by all the new stuff there is to learn. Do I want to twitter? Twitter used to be a small laugh now it is some technology term that I am not sure about yet. Facebook is fun but I am still learning my way around the website. I am liking this blog but I want to add so much more but again this old brain needs to learn more.

So for today my little bit of fluff and advice to you is Twitter away, Make faces and take pictures and make your own facebook. Make up a word and figure out how to turn it into something that you can spin to the tecnology world and be famous.

Love what you do, do what you love. And write something stupid in a blog like I just did.

Creaky Bones

2009-03-24T08:25:00.002-05:00

My bones are always creaky in the morning. The last thing I want to do is to get out of bed. Lately I have been dragging myself off the bed, wanting to crawl across the floor but I have managed to stumble across the floor to my office where my yoga cd awaits me.

It is always a chore to get there but I always feel so much better when I leave. Creaky bones are no more. Creaky attitude is no more.

I am still a beginner when it comes to Yoga. If I can do it, you can do it. Start small and refresh your attitude and your bones. If you have to crawl across the floor. This way you don't have to get up to do your relaxation poses you can just crawl onto the matt.

Daily Dose Soul Vitamin from The Awe Manac by Jill Bodonsky. 'Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do begine it. Action has magic, grace and power in it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Jill's website: http://www.themuseisin.com

Hugs in Walmart

2009-03-23T08:07:00.002-05:00

Shopping can be a dreary task. I love to shop but only when I have the money and only when there is nothing I need. I also have to have the time.

My shopping trips lately have been on a schedule and for only must have things. However one day when shopping in Walmart I got hugs. I was checking out the video game section as I needed a gift and all of a sudden I felt myself caught up in a bear hug. It startled me. But the bear hug was from a friend I had not seen in a long time. There we were in the middle of Walmart hugging for everyone to see.

I left the video game section smiling and smiling. And then it happened again. A young woman I had not seen in a long time ran up to me and gave me a hug. Wow, two hugs in one day in Walmart.

My shopping trip left me smiling. I was even able to smile at the checkout girl after waiting in line for a long time.

We don't hug enough. If we are in public and see someone that we are happy to see we usually stand and chat and are stiff. We don't want to make a scene. Well make a scene, hug someone you are glad to see and you will both have a smile on your face.

Lost

2009-03-20T12:24:00.001-05:00

I got lost today. I was given directions by two different people. Turn right, go west, go straight and you will find your way. I turned right, I went west, I thought I went straight as I didn't turn and I was lost.

Usually I panic when I am lost but this time I decided to be calm and enjoy the countryside. I didn't have a clue where I would end up. So I noticed the snow melting in the fields, I watched the livestock in the farm yards. I relaxed and enjoyed the sunshine.

I never do that. I usually am worried about my driving and then I worry about the other person on the road. I worry about animals running in front of my car. I worry about getting stuck in the snow.

Today the roads were soft from the spring thaw and the wind was blowing hard but I took a breath and took the time to see some things for the first time.

Once I knew where I was and recognized familiar landmarks I really looked at them for the first time. When did they put the name marker on the cemetary. I would be willing to bet it has been there all along but I didn't look. I wondered if the house that I passed on a farmplace had always been that color? I hadn't noticed.

We miss our lives. Moment by moment. Next time you are lost, take the time to look around and notice the pieces you have missed. Breathe deep and enjoy the adventure.

Old Mistakes

2009-03-18T20:28:00.000-05:00

Sara Jane Olson is coming back to Minnesota today. People in Minnesota are upset that she has been released to Minnesota. We were all young once. We all made mistakes. She made some very bad choices in her youth that cost someone their life. She has now paid for her mistakes. We have more dangerous criminals to worry about that are being released. Let this person go back to being a mom and a wife and a member of our community. We should not punish her family for mistakes that she made many years ago.

We all pay for the mistakes of our past. Hopefully we learn by those mistakes and go on to make different ones. We will continually makes new mistakes. Wouldn't a mistake free life be boring?

If you have never made a mistake you have not lived.

Faceless on Facebook

2009-03-17T08:38:00.000-05:00

I am old but I joined Facebook last week. My adult children are coaching me. I am a computer technician but I haven't had time to learn my way around Facebook or the reason why Facebook would enhance my life. My one son refuses to have me as a friend. I wonder what he is afraid of. I do admit because I like computers and I am sociable the site appeals to me. But I wonder why I care if my friend is cooking collard greens but I do. It is nice to know the small and bits and pieces that are happening in my friends lives.

I was also faceless until a couple of days ago. I had this thing about posting a picture of me on Facebook. It is a privacy thing but there is not privacy anymore and I realized I needed to put my picture, no matter awful, out there when my other son wouldn't except me as a friend until he was sure it was me and there was no picture. He accepted me without my picture but convinced me to show the world how old I now look. So I am no longer faceless.

I don't understand how teenagers have the time to go to school between texting, facebook, my space and all the other internet fun that is out there.

We'll see if I have time to do Facebook, manage this blog, write my column, text my kids and still go to work. Wish me luck.

Make Milk Out Of Milkweeds

2008-08-22T08:13:00.000-05:00

Making Milk out of milkweeds is my way of saying we have to find flowers amoung the weeds. It was not a good day yesterday. We all have to pay bills and worry about our jobs. What happens when the bills are more then the paycheck. First you worry, I did. Then you worry some more. I did. And then you don't sleep because you worry some more. I did.

You see, I lost faith in my ability to come up with a plan. I lost faith in my talents. More important I forgot to trust God and to know that He has faith in me and He has always taken care of me.

I have a vivid imagination. I know somewhere out there is my ability to add to my income to catch up with my bills. My health coverage takes up half of my income which doesn't leave a lot left for house payments, car payments and that all important item, food!

I have a choice and so do you. I can sit in the milkweeds and see them as weeds or I can see through those weeds to hope and faith that I have the ability to make that milk.

What will you choose?

Strike

2008-08-21T07:58:00.000-05:00

Today when you walk in the door after work, kick off your shoes, ignore the dog or the kids and pick up a magazine. Don't really ignore the kids, the dog maybe. You can park doggy outside. Park yourself on the couch and sip a glass of wine. How many times are we, the female, the spouse that comes home and handles the details of the household while the male counterpart is golfing or out with his buddies relaxing.

I have decided to relax when I walk in my door each evening. His golf time will be my down time. If he hits the couch after hours on the golf course, so will I. The house can wait and wait and wait. What is more important, clean or sanity? You don't need to strike, just take the same hours off.

Fluff your life. Read a book, watch a movie, cry if you want to. Remember Leslie Gore? Forget the chores. Household cleanup should be a shared position if you are married. A Man's Home is His Castle. Make it your castle too.

Morning Tranquility

2008-08-19T08:16:00.000-05:00

I am not a morning person. I am not an evening person. I don't even think I am a middle of the day person. What does that make me? It is hard to roll out of bed the mornings I have to go to work. The mornings I can stay in bed I am up at dawn and looking forward to the day. I don't hate my job. The mornings I have to work just means I can't do what I want to do during the day. I can't read a book, I can't paint, I can't wallpaper my office with children's drawings. I can't take a leisurely lunch. I can't take the time to exercise.

That is a lot of I can'ts. I used to take time to read a devotion and write in my journal in the mornings. I would write everyday. But of course, I can't do that now.

Those "I can'ts" are all in my head. They are my bad thinking. They are my bad attitude. They are my feeling sorry for myself and have me thinking I cannot control what I do in the morning.

I can roll out of bed and look forward to the day. I can take a few minutes to read something inspirational in a book. I can take a few minutes to do a little meditation. I do have five minutes. I can write in my journal. I can put one piece of a drawing on my wall. I can go out for a leisurely lunch. I have a choice. I can choose to follow my "I can'ts" or I can choose to look at my day differently and take the time for some of the things I can enjoy. It takes time to say "I can't". It takes the same amount of time to say "I can".

I can walk out of my house and shout to the world. I can!!!!!! Try it and you will be laughing. Walk out your door and shout I can! And then throw your hat in the air like Mary Tyler Moore. We can choose our "I can's" or we can choose "I can't". Which will make you happier?

Bad Blogger

2008-08-18T08:20:00.001-05:00

I'm not very good at this blog thing. Maybe I am just too old. I used to write in a diary every night but no one saw that. It seems we are sharing everything with the world. We have no privacy and it is our own fault. No one reads this blog. No one knows it exists because no one has found it so I suppose I could write anything.

This blog is supposed to make people feel better. It is supposed to be fluffy. But there are some days it is hard to fluff it up. It is Monday. It is hard to go to work. People in my household are sick and our income keeps falling. Our health insurance rates are high. It is hard to keep going some mornings.

So what is the good news? The good news is that I am still here to write this blog. I can read, I can write and I can talk. There are some days that we need to recognize that if we can wiggle our finger then we are lucky. Wiggle your fingers at everyone today. It might make them smile. Just be careful which finger you wiggle!!!

Singin The Workday Blues

2008-06-24T08:04:00.000-05:00

I had a bad day yesterday. Actually there were good things in my bad day but I seemed to only be able to focus on my bad day. My bad day was caused by another person. And this time I can't blame it on my husband. One of my favorite bad day tricks. I had an issue with someone in charge. This person happens to be in charge of me when I am in certain places. I won't mention where or when but look at the title it might give you a hint. This person is a good person but when they are having a bad day all the rest of us have a bad day because of the snideness of the comments or conversation when we are being addressed. We should not take it personally but we do. Or should I say I do. I let it ruin my day.

Good things happened such as receiving a phone call to appear in a tv commercial. Wow, I haven't done that in 8 years and out of the blue I receive a call. I received an email from people that like my column. Is it Karma or is it strange that my column today focused on the workplace and supervisors? And my lovely dog kissed me when I got home. Again I did not focus on any of those things because I let one person steal my day.

So I am going to challenge all of you. Take back your day! Imagine flinging the person that is being rude to you out into the air as they are talking to you. The key word is imagine. I do not want to hear from any of you that you have been arrested for flinging! Think pink. Have a pink attitude. If the pressure is too much for you say Foofidleyfah and walk away. As a friend told me last night, life is too short to let someone ruin your day. It is up to you.

Eat Cake for Breakfast

2008-05-26T14:00:00.000-05:00

Eat a piece of cake for breakfast, I did. I decided that today is memorial day. Not only is it a day to honor our veterans it is a day to kick back and enjoy some quiet and some comfort. I have been eating healthy the last few weeks. I feel better when I eat healthy but I love the not-so-healthy stuff.

Yesterday it was windy and stormy. The weather can mimic our lives. So today I decided to take advantage of the good weather, the beautiful day and of course the cake sitting on my counter. I turned off the news that comes with the alarm and usually gives me the murders, the deaths, the accidents. I took my piece of cake, sat on my porch and savored the taste of cake for breakfast.

I grabbed my book "You Can Heal Your Life" by Lousie Hay and settled myself outside in a corner of my porch. I talked, yes talked to the bird that was divebombing my cute pooch. This bird needed to know that my faithful mutt was not going to harm it's babies and it needed to not harm my pooch. I savored the smell of the lilacs. I felt peace in a body that normally has a hard time sitting still.

I thought I would have to chain myself to a chair outside because of all the unfinished projects that needed to be done on the day that I didn't have to go into work. But there was something about eating that piece of cake that gave me permission to let go and nourish my soul.

I closed my eyes and imagined I was in the gardens of a beautiful bed and breakfast. I opened my eyes and my porch had become my bed and breakfast.

And it all started with a piece of cake for breakfast.

I Am An Old Woman Creating A Blog

2008-05-23T08:26:00.000-05:00

I am an old woman creating a blog, I am an old woman that has a dog.

I don't know how to do this, I hope it'll turn out right

I want it to be fluffy, creative and bright

We have enough bad news, it's time for a break

Take time out and find laughter for your own sake

Be patient, I'll learn as I go

The mistakes you'll see, you'll know

A poet I'm not so I won't rhyme again

But I hope you'll stick around and become a fan.