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| Stress...how to cope
As a health coach, I regularly see people suffering from various health issues as a result of being under too much stress. Since Battered Hope has been released, one of the questions I get most often is, "How did you endure all the trauma?" After 42 years of marriage and surviving often insurmountable circumstances, (including being arrested) my response is almost always the same, "I learned how to laugh!"
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Saturday, July 12, 2014
How to Handle the Little (Big) Things
Stress Management. How many articles and books have been written on this subject? How many medications are taken daily in hopes of managing the stress we experience? What coping mechanisms can we practice?
Friday, July 11, 2014
Which High School Would You Rather Attend - Then or Now?
We all need a good laugh. Sometimes the things we laugh the hardest about are actually very sad. Recently I have read a few posts recalling childhood memories, such as the one I did here.
When I read the following differences between what high school was like in 1957 versus what it is like today, I had to laugh and cry at the same time. I know many of you will relate and if you have any similar stories to share, I would love to here them.
HIGH SCHOOL 1957 vs. 2013
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.
1957: The Vice Principal comes over to Jack's truck, looks at his shotgun and then goes to his truck and shows Jack his shotgun.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
#AskAwayFriday Another Great Exchange
Friday is here again and in the midst of enjoying family time, cookouts, and fireworks, it is also time to enjoy another amazing week of #AskAwayFriday!
What is #AskAwayFriday? Well...
#AskAwayFriday was created by the amazing Penny from Real Housewife of Caroline County as a way to connect with other bloggers with a great Q & A session of 10 questions and 10 answers, between two bloggers! By offering a wonderful opportunity to get to know others while allowing others to get to know you and of course there is also the added bonus of making great friends along the way which is one of the best parts of this online world!
Now to welcome our wonderful #AskAwayFriday hosts...
Tamara from Tamara Like Camera,
Tiffany from Mrs. Tee Love Life Laughter,
Christy from Uplifting Families,
Stacey from This Momma's Ramblings
and
Amber from Bold Fit Mom
This week we welcome a brand new co-host, for the next two weeks, the amazing...Carol from Battered Hope!
Carol from Battered Hope is an author, public speaker, health coach and so much more. She shares all those sides of herself with you on her site. Carol is always willing to share her story and her encouragement with anyone who may need it because as she says, “If I Can Overcome Tragedies, So Can You." So...grab our button, follow our amazing hosts and co-host, hop through the great link ups and make some amazing new friends!
I am honored to be co-hosting this week's Ask Away Friday. It is one of the best blog ideas I have seen for getting acquainted with your fellow bloggers. I encourage you to check out all the links and give it a try. You can be involved as often or as little as you want to be and I know you will also enjoy being 'interviewed' and sharing your story to other bloggers.
This week I am swapping questions with
mom to six children in what she calls 'Team Haywood.' Their ages range from 19 down to 3. Specifically 19, 17, 15, 7, 5 and 3. Whew! I get tired just thinking about that! She is an active blogger. She is SUPER MOM and SUPER BLOGGER and I hope you check out her site to enjoy her laughter and positive attitude. She has been labeled a blogging ninja.
Here are the questions she posed to me this week:
1. I see that you have a love for dogs. Have you always enjoyed dogs and their company or did it develop later in life?
I can't remember a time I didn't love dogs. I wrote 26 dog posts in April using the 26 letters of the alphabet. These are stories of the dogs I have had and those I have now. They will make you laugh and of course, cry.
2.You love to cook ethnic food. What's your favorite dish to make and why?
We rarely eat 'American' food so it is difficult to pick one as a favorite. My hubby can't get it spicy enough and although I like it a bit more mild, we love East Indian, Mexican, Jamaican, Szechwan Chinese.
3. You say you are the most patient person in the world. Has there ever been a situation where someone wore that patience thin?
Every day. Right after I say I am the most patient, I say am the most impatient. I am a Type A personality. I want it done NOW and if I expect that of myself than I expect it from everyone else. That is where my impatience shows. But.......my hubby was in a car accident 20 years ago and suffered a brain injury, a stroke and dystonia. He was bed ridden for six years. You learn patience real fast. I learned quickly how important it is not to allow him to see the difficulty I had in dealing with his problems, his disability or his frustration. I had to bite my tongue, wipe away tears and make life appear as normal as possible. Patience is a virtue and although I have learned a lot, I still have a long way to go.
4. How did you discover your love and passion for public speaking?
My father was a minister and it was expected of us kids to be ready to do whatever dad needed us to do -- play the piano, sing a song, share a story, teach a class.....
When I was three my daddy wanted me to sing a song for the Christmas concert. When it was my turn, I marched up on the stage, turned around, bent over, pulled up my dress and said, "LOOK....NEW PANTIES." Maybe it was that first laugh I got from the audience that made me realize this is what I wanted to do with my life.
5. What is your favorite summertime activity?
Hate is a strong word -- but I do not like summer, at all. I love winter, spring and fall. If we didn't need to have summer, that would be fine with me. I have always had an internal temperature higher than most people, maybe due to the crazy pace I keep. Consequently, I don't function well in warm weather and stay indoors as much as possible in the summer. Weird, huh?
6. If you could have a public speaking engagement anywhere and to any audience where and who would they be?
Mmmmmm....... I love all audiences and I can always get them laughing and crying, no matter what the venue. So, I am not sure. The bigger the audience the better (more interaction).
7. Where is your dream vacation destination (cost is not an option)?
My daughter asks me this question a lot. I just don't have an answer. I am a workaholic who doesn't think about vacations (crazy, huh?) But, I would have to answer this by saying ----- Disneyland with my grandson.
8. Use these three letters to describe yourself: L D and T
Interesting choice of letters. L for Leader, D for Determined and T for Tenacious
9. Ice cream, cake or pie: which would you pick for a dessert?
You mean I can't have all three???? Ice cream, ice cream with cake, ice cream with pie. Chocolate, of course.
10. What is your favorite way to cool down on a hot summer day?
Don't leave my AC in my office.
I loved Mrs. Tee's questions because it made me think. She made me realize how much I need a vacation -- maybe I should rethink the whole vacation bit. The problem is, I would always be worried about all the work that would be piling up and waiting for me when I got back home.
Be sure to check out our Facebook page "AskAwayFriday" for a great place to meet up and send out a #BuddyRequest if you need a partner to swap with!
Would you like to join in on the #AskAwayFriday fun as a co-host? Click on the link below and fill out the form!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UhIFHDZT8-hFtNjHU7v5HHqM1N9JWq7eSd_5aO_MOdY/viewform
By adding your email to this link up, you will be added to email correspondence that may be sent by one of our hosts, you may opt out at any time.
Hosts reserve the right to remove any links that do not pertain to the #AskAwayFriday theme.
This week we welcome a brand new co-host, for the next two weeks, the amazing...Carol from Battered Hope!
Carol from Battered Hope is an author, public speaker, health coach and so much more. She shares all those sides of herself with you on her site. Carol is always willing to share her story and her encouragement with anyone who may need it because as she says, “If I Can Overcome Tragedies, So Can You." So...grab our button, follow our amazing hosts and co-host, hop through the great link ups and make some amazing new friends!
I am honored to be co-hosting this week's Ask Away Friday. It is one of the best blog ideas I have seen for getting acquainted with your fellow bloggers. I encourage you to check out all the links and give it a try. You can be involved as often or as little as you want to be and I know you will also enjoy being 'interviewed' and sharing your story to other bloggers.
This week I am swapping questions with
mom to six children in what she calls 'Team Haywood.' Their ages range from 19 down to 3. Specifically 19, 17, 15, 7, 5 and 3. Whew! I get tired just thinking about that! She is an active blogger. She is SUPER MOM and SUPER BLOGGER and I hope you check out her site to enjoy her laughter and positive attitude. She has been labeled a blogging ninja.
Here are the questions she posed to me this week:
1. I see that you have a love for dogs. Have you always enjoyed dogs and their company or did it develop later in life?
I can't remember a time I didn't love dogs. I wrote 26 dog posts in April using the 26 letters of the alphabet. These are stories of the dogs I have had and those I have now. They will make you laugh and of course, cry.
2.You love to cook ethnic food. What's your favorite dish to make and why?
We rarely eat 'American' food so it is difficult to pick one as a favorite. My hubby can't get it spicy enough and although I like it a bit more mild, we love East Indian, Mexican, Jamaican, Szechwan Chinese.
3. You say you are the most patient person in the world. Has there ever been a situation where someone wore that patience thin?
Every day. Right after I say I am the most patient, I say am the most impatient. I am a Type A personality. I want it done NOW and if I expect that of myself than I expect it from everyone else. That is where my impatience shows. But.......my hubby was in a car accident 20 years ago and suffered a brain injury, a stroke and dystonia. He was bed ridden for six years. You learn patience real fast. I learned quickly how important it is not to allow him to see the difficulty I had in dealing with his problems, his disability or his frustration. I had to bite my tongue, wipe away tears and make life appear as normal as possible. Patience is a virtue and although I have learned a lot, I still have a long way to go.
4. How did you discover your love and passion for public speaking?
My father was a minister and it was expected of us kids to be ready to do whatever dad needed us to do -- play the piano, sing a song, share a story, teach a class.....
When I was three my daddy wanted me to sing a song for the Christmas concert. When it was my turn, I marched up on the stage, turned around, bent over, pulled up my dress and said, "LOOK....NEW PANTIES." Maybe it was that first laugh I got from the audience that made me realize this is what I wanted to do with my life.
5. What is your favorite summertime activity?
Hate is a strong word -- but I do not like summer, at all. I love winter, spring and fall. If we didn't need to have summer, that would be fine with me. I have always had an internal temperature higher than most people, maybe due to the crazy pace I keep. Consequently, I don't function well in warm weather and stay indoors as much as possible in the summer. Weird, huh?
6. If you could have a public speaking engagement anywhere and to any audience where and who would they be?
Mmmmmm....... I love all audiences and I can always get them laughing and crying, no matter what the venue. So, I am not sure. The bigger the audience the better (more interaction).
7. Where is your dream vacation destination (cost is not an option)?
My daughter asks me this question a lot. I just don't have an answer. I am a workaholic who doesn't think about vacations (crazy, huh?) But, I would have to answer this by saying ----- Disneyland with my grandson.
8. Use these three letters to describe yourself: L D and T
Interesting choice of letters. L for Leader, D for Determined and T for Tenacious
9. Ice cream, cake or pie: which would you pick for a dessert?
You mean I can't have all three???? Ice cream, ice cream with cake, ice cream with pie. Chocolate, of course.
10. What is your favorite way to cool down on a hot summer day?
Don't leave my AC in my office.
I loved Mrs. Tee's questions because it made me think. She made me realize how much I need a vacation -- maybe I should rethink the whole vacation bit. The problem is, I would always be worried about all the work that would be piling up and waiting for me when I got back home.
Be sure to check out our Facebook page "AskAwayFriday" for a great place to meet up and send out a #BuddyRequest if you need a partner to swap with!
How to Fly Through the Air With the Greatest of Ease
It was midnight. The phone rang. Everyone was sleeping, except me.
Last month, I was babysitting my daughter's six dogs, three sheep and her cat. The dogs were my crew to help shepherd my new BFF, Hurley the sheep and his two lady companions. As a thank you for my week of house and animal sitting, daughter Rochelle gave me an incredible full day at a luxurious spa. I shared this story in 'Will a Day at the Spa remove the Smell of Sheep?' A full ninety minute massage took me to a state of relaxation I did not know existed. Add a facial, mani, pedi and a dip in a mineral pool; I turned into spaghetti. Standing up took effort and I wanted to stay this relaxed forever -- or at least a day or two.
Last month, I was babysitting my daughter's six dogs, three sheep and her cat. The dogs were my crew to help shepherd my new BFF, Hurley the sheep and his two lady companions. As a thank you for my week of house and animal sitting, daughter Rochelle gave me an incredible full day at a luxurious spa. I shared this story in 'Will a Day at the Spa remove the Smell of Sheep?' A full ninety minute massage took me to a state of relaxation I did not know existed. Add a facial, mani, pedi and a dip in a mineral pool; I turned into spaghetti. Standing up took effort and I wanted to stay this relaxed forever -- or at least a day or two.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
What Can You Possibly Do? The Internet is DOWN.
"I'll have to send a technician out." Words that make you want to cry out "NO, NO, please fix it now."
The internet was down. Immediately my mind was full of 'what ifs'. What if they can't send anyone out for days, or weeks? What if I don't meet my time obligations? What if I get so far behind that I won't be able to catch up? What if someone is trying to contact me and can't get through?
I tried my phone, my tablet, my laptop, three computers in the house and they were ALL DOWN. What am I going to do?
Then the technician on the other end of the phone line said something that made me love him instantly. "The good news is, I can have a technician there before noon tomorrow."
The internet was down. Immediately my mind was full of 'what ifs'. What if they can't send anyone out for days, or weeks? What if I don't meet my time obligations? What if I get so far behind that I won't be able to catch up? What if someone is trying to contact me and can't get through?
I tried my phone, my tablet, my laptop, three computers in the house and they were ALL DOWN. What am I going to do?
Then the technician on the other end of the phone line said something that made me love him instantly. "The good news is, I can have a technician there before noon tomorrow."
Monday, July 7, 2014
Liebster Awards - Pay Them Forward
I have just been nominated for a Liebster Award by Anupam Joseph. She is relatively new to the blogging community with an eagerness to write and share her thoughts. She has shown her appreciation for my blog which I believe is a great honor to be 'found' by someone new to this world of blogging. Thank you Anupam. Please have a look at her blog and give her some support.
Anupam posed some unique questions and here are my answers
1. What does writing mean to you?
I started writing poetry in elementary school as a way to express my pain. As a teenager I wrote as a way to express love. When I wrote my memoir, it was a way to reach out to people who have gone through a lot and may think they are alone. I wanted to show them that no matter what happens to you, with the right attitude, you will not just survive, but thrive. There has always been a great amount of emotion surrounding my writing and that is also my motivation to continue.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
10 Best Excuses Not To Do Something
I'm a workaholic so excuses are not in my vocabulary. When I hear excuses, I have to bite my tongue so that I do not offend someone; most excuses are pretty lame. Here are some of my favorites.
10. I don't have time. Each of us has the same amount of time in any given day. It is up to us to use it wisely or choose to waste it. Here's a secret how to have time to do what you need to do.
10. I don't have time. Each of us has the same amount of time in any given day. It is up to us to use it wisely or choose to waste it. Here's a secret how to have time to do what you need to do.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
It Does Feel Like Home
"It does feel like home, doesn't it?"
"I know what you are trying to do and it won't work!"
"I did the best I could with the little I had!"
"Well, it isn't good enough. This place will never feel like home - NEVER!"
I was hurt. I had tried.
I don't think there was any more that I could have done. No, it wasn't home. My only hope is that someday she would appreciate what I had done.
She missed the old dog house – it smelled like her. Thank God the fire did not take her as well.
This has been a 100 Word Prompt Challenge.
"I know what you are trying to do and it won't work!"
"I did the best I could with the little I had!"
"Well, it isn't good enough. This place will never feel like home - NEVER!"
I was hurt. I had tried.
I don't think there was any more that I could have done. No, it wasn't home. My only hope is that someday she would appreciate what I had done.
She missed the old dog house – it smelled like her. Thank God the fire did not take her as well.
This has been a 100 Word Prompt Challenge.
Linking this post to Write Tribe's 100 Words on Saturday 2014 #17, the Ultimate Blog Challenge July 2014 and NaBloPoMo.
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