How Do You Manage Your Time?

Each of us is given 24 hours a day to spend any way we want -- aside from obligations, commitments, jobs, family, promises, or responsibilities.  If we are fortunate enough to have any spare time......we can have some fun!

Recently someone told me that there is 'scientific' research proving that time is moving faster in the past decade.  I have a difficult time wrapping my brain around that.  There are still 60 seconds in a minute.  But, I have to agree, those minutes seem to be racing around the clock.

I thought To-Do lists were supposed to get shorter but mine seems to grow every day.  Anyone else agree?

It seems no matter how hard we work or how much we accomplish, those times with family are the ones that have the greatest rewards -- the ones we remember the longest -- the ones we photograph.

Having my daughter and grandkids visit for a full week (not once but TWICE this summer) gave me incredible memories to reflect on during the busiest times.

I have a deep drawer in my office where I store their toys.  Brie walked in the front door and before saying anything she ran into my office to get the toys.  This is her surprised look when she saw what Gramma bought her.  I was saving it for a rainy day but......

Do You Know What Normal Looks Like?

Do you ever wonder what normal feels like?  For as long as I can remember, my life has not been 'normal.'  I know there are many others who can relate.  But I am happy to report that this past month should be labeled as normal.  

There were no sudden catastrophes, no insane trauma to deal with, no impending 

problems that needed immediate attention -- just normal.

Work, play, work, eat, work, write, work, entertain.  Normal.  Loved it.

Do You Enjoy Doing What You Do?

Who Should Care About Texting and Driving?

If you have ever canned vegetables, I am sure you can appreciate both the hard work and the excitement you feel when you look at the finished product.  You are excited that you actually FINISHED the endless job but elated that you have a year or two worth of homemade salsa.  

In the past I usually had a friend work with me but this year that was not an option and I feared taking on the task by myself.  But I was determined to can both salsa and stewed tomatoes.  After buying 150 pounds of tomatoes, it was a commitment.  I hate the taste of store bought canned food!

But wait -- 

Is It Easy For You to Let Go?

Two men in a big truck took away 50 years of memories today.  Only one tear found its way down my cheek but my heart grieved in a way that was foreign to me.  I had not experienced it before.   A variety of memories were in that truck that will no longer be tangible.  Some had been kept for no reason.  Others were kept hoping it would stop the pain of loss.  But tangible memories often make the pain worse, especially if you look at them every day.

I no longer needed to know what grade I received in third-grade arithmetic.  I suck at math now but got straight A's in Advanced Math in high school.  I noted my D in Health class which made me laugh.  I remember that D.  It was because I forgot my notebook too many times. For the past 35 years, I have been a Certified Health Coach and it is one subject I am passionate about.

I didn't need to keep the hundreds of photographs from umpteen years that I will never look at again.  The ones wanted are in albums, which I kept.

I didn't need the boxes of dishes or small kitchen appliances I never use and someone else might enjoy.

I no longer have a VCR or cassette deck but held onto dozens of tapes.  Why?

As I put each crystal ornament my son had given me into a box I wanted to scream "Stop, bring them back!"  But I bit my tongue and cried silently.  I will never forget the moments when he gave them to me.  He was so proud that he had found the perfect one for each occasion to give his mommy.  I cherished them and always will.  They went into a box labeled "retired" and I hope to bring them out to show his children...... when he returns to us.

After he left us six years ago, I have run through the gamut of emotions a zillion times. I no longer need to see those tangibles to remind me of how much I love him.  How much he once loved us.  

This does not mean that I choose to forget him or that I have given up hope.  Not for one second.  It only means I will not have the stabbing pain in my heart when I see those trinkets in my bathroom or bedroom.


As the men closed the door of the truck and drove away and I pivoted on my heel to go into the house, my heart pivoted as well.  It is a new day.  A new era.  New memories will be made.  I have the pictures my grandbabies recently painted for me.  Those I will hang on the refrigerator and smile every time I see them.  It is a new day.   A new era.  

Gramma Time 

Speaking of the grands...they were here for a couple days this month. Were my kids this much fun?  YES!  What is different is that I don't have to discipline if it is needed.  Mom is there to handle that department and it makes me look like the good guy.  All. The. Time.

Is Moving As Much Fun as They Claim?

We haven't moved in 12 years and as organized as my home is, I was surprised at how much stuff I am disposing of.   I keep my closets and drawers free of clutter and purge regularly.  BUT it is the stuff I have kept forever stored in boxes that I took the time to sort through and toss.  I was able to convert more than a dozen large boxes to two small ones.  What a feeling of accomplishment.

A lot of people pack their breakables in newspapers but I pack them in paper towels which can be reused in my new kitchen.  Then nothing has to be cleaned when I arrive.  

With this move, I have learned not to ask my husband if he wants to keep clothes he has not worn in decades.  His answer is always a resounding "YES" so THIS time, I am not asking!  Will I be sorry?  Maybe.  Am I worried?  What do you think?

One Woman - Fearless

This weekend I am traveling to an award ceremony in another city where I am the recipient of an award I did not even know existed before.  Someone anonymously nominated me for the award which I will treasure forever.  It is the global One Woman - Fearless award given to women who let go of their fears to live their dreams; those who overcame much and never quit.  My daughter will be with me and I am sure it is a day that will be ingrained in my heart forever.  

This is my monthly Fly on the Wall post and I hope you can take time to enjoy the other blogger's posts in this challenge

Baking In A Tornado

Menopausal Mother 

Bookworm in the Kitchen

Spatulas on Parade 

Go Mama O   

                                                                                                     

Is There A Secret to Stop Doing Stupid Things?

Sometimes I do dumb things.  At the time they don't seem so stupid, but hindsight is a great teacher.  I was speaking at a conference for three days last month and was hosted in a beautiful home.  After arriving at my destination, I wanted to wash my hair quickly and assumed the bathtub was the best place to do that.  I knelt on a throw rug and s t r e t c h e d my neck to reach the bathtub faucet.  About an inch shy of the faucet, I stretched some more by "standing" on my tip toes.  There!  I could do this!

BUT.....the rug slipped out from under me and I landed on the metal edge of the shower track on the tub.  I heard the noise and before the pain set in, I said out loud "NO!"  I heard my ribs crack.  My mind raced wondering how I was going to stand in high heels while speaking each day for a few hours let alone carry boxes of my books into the venue.

I managed and no one noticed.  But when I got home and relaxed later that week, the pain intensified.  Funny how that works.

I was excited to be featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul's Newsletter at this event.  I was selling my books as well as the Chicken Soup ones I have written a contribution.

Does one dumb thing lead to another?

How Would You Like To Live In One of the Most Beautiful Places in the World?

Blogging is a wonderful way to journal your life.  One of the blogging challenges I do each month is called Fly on the Wall  and it gives bloggers an opportunity to share what went on in their lives the previous month.

This month my great niece and her friend came for a visit.  I had not seen my niece (my sister's oldest daughter's middle daughter) for a few years.  When she emailed me that she would be in this area with her friend, I was thrilled.  I think they were amazed at how much there was to do and see within a few minutes of our home.  They wanted to go hiking and each day was a new adventure.  It brought an appreciation for the incredible, awesome, marvelous world my husband and I call home.  

Our dear friends, who are away for the winter, were very gracious to allow the girls to use their home for the entire week.  

The weather prediction was for rain every day.  BUT...... it only rained one day and was cloudy a couple more.  Otherwise, bright sunshine -- a blessing for this time of year!  Here is their visit in pictures.

See the rainbow over the harbor?  When I fly to my daughter's place this is the harbor I leave home from -- it is a 12-minute flight which would take six hours to drive.

What Not to Do if Caught in a Dog Fight

I thoroughly enjoy each month's Fly on the Wall posts written by fellow bloggers who share what went on in their lives the past month.

One week, I was house and dog sitting for someone who has five dogs and a cat. Everything went well until the last day.  Two of the large male dogs live outside and around 4:30 one afternoon I heard a slight yelp.  I looked outside and saw them fighting.  It looked vicious.  In no way, was this anticipated nor was I prepared to deal with a fight.  I fully expected them to quit by the time I got outside but that did not happen.

I started screaming, grabbed a heavy plastic shovel in an attempt to separate their mouths.  They were ripping each other's face and ears off -- YES, literally.  I started kicking one of the males in the groin. It never occurred to me that they could turn their anger on me as I only wanted them to stop -- and be friends again.

I knew it would help if there was a hose to turn the water on them but couldn't find it.  I was crying, screaming and absolutely terrified.  One was bigger (Husky/wolf cross) and dominant but the mutt who was on his back actually caused more damage - serious damage.

Grabbing his collar I knew he could turn his attack on me

I was exhausted after 20 minutes and the blood was spurting wildly.  In terror, I called my husband and after I assured him I did everything I could do, he said all I could do was to let one of them kill the other if it went that far.  Then.....it was over.  The damage was extensive.  I called a neighbor who arrived in a few minutes and amazed that either one survived.  He cleaned them up as best he could knowing that the owner would be home that night to make any necessary decisions regarding veterinary care.

I chose not to post any pictures as they are too graphic.  When the owner returned home, she was thankful I was alive and well.  I felt terrible but there was nothing else I could have done.  Both of these dogs are gentle and loving -- who knows what triggered this fight?

I was away from home almost the entire month but had the opportunity to visit with my grandkids for a few days and will share in pictures here.

Ever wonder what a cow kiss felt like?

At what age do kids learn how to whistle?

One evening I kept hearing someone whistling and couldn't figure out where it was coming from as I was alone with the kids and my daughter.  Rochelle started laughing when she told me that Aubrie had been whistling since she was about six months old.

She would walk around the house, whistling a tune and it sounded like an old man.  When I asked Aubrie to whistle she started loud and clear.  I googled 'whistling' to find out what age most kids start and it is between five and seven years old.

When we went out for dinner, Aubrie loved sucking on lemons 

Hard to believe Brie Brie is ONE already

Every party needs dancing!

And then......there's cake

She was spellbound by the fish in the aquarium

If you had been in the middle of that dog fight, what would you have done?

I know you will enjoy these Fly on the Wall bloggers stories from their past month:

Baking In A Tornado

Menopausal Mother

Searching for Sanity

Eileen's Perpetually Busy

Go Mama O

Spatulas on Parade

Bookworm in the Kitchen

When I Grow Up

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Wouldn't You Love To Be A Fly On The Wall?

Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall sometimes?  Just to see what goes on behind closed doors?  Here's your chance.  This is a group challenge sharing what is going on in our homes.

Blackberry or iPhone?

Everyone in my family has an iPhone.  Even my 2.5 year old grandson has an iPad.  So.... what's the problem that I can't decide whether to upgrade to a newer Blackberry or switch to an iPhone?  I did my research, checked with friends, checked on-line and still had not made a decision.  Off to the phone store, I was determined to have them help me decide.