What does for better, for worse mean?

November 24, 1997, was our 25th wedding anniversary.  Anyone who has been married that long usually has questions and reflections about their relationship.  





Over the years, there were moments when I wondered if we would make it another year.  Although our relationship was strong, the circumstances we endured over the course of those years were horrendous.  Our lives were battered, often bruised, and broken more times than I can count.  Yet, we survived.  Yes, we grew stronger.  But as some people have said, "I'd take weakness over all the struggles you had to endure to make you stronger."

When you start your life together as a couple, you concentrate on a bright future.  You talk about all the hopes and dreams you have together and individually.  When trials come, you work through them -- together.  Rarely does anyone anticipate that almost every year would bring a major trauma into your lives.  But, in our case, that is what happened. 

What Would You Like Your Superpower to Be?

In a monthly blogging challenge called Secret Subject Swap, I was asked this question:  "You think your neighbors have secret superpowers.  Do you spy on them?  Bribe them?  Become friends with them?"

This is extremely difficult for me to answer because I have never enjoyed fantasy - of any type.  I don't watch it on TV and I don't read books written in that vein.  You get the picture.  I am a realist by nature and practical in all areas of my life.  So I struggled with this question.

However, as an interviewer on my radio show, I have learned how to ask questions.  Hubby says I can go into a room of 25 strangers and in less than an hour I know each of their life stories.  That's just it -- I love true life stories.  Always have.

But the challenge is that I must answer the question - so here's my best shot.  I can be sneaky.  I worked for a detective agency in my youth and learned a trick or two about finding out the truth.

Do You Need To Speed Up or Slow Down?

Every time I think things will start to slow down, they seem to speed up.  Why is that?  Maybe it is because I have more jobs than I can count on one hand and it is pure craziness.  Someday......I'll slow down but not anytime soon.  When I think of the alternatives, I wouldn't have it any other way!

As of this weekend, we are opening the doors to our new store.  But, in my craziness I forgot to take pictures so will post them next month.  Something really interesting is that people who are walking in/by to say "Hi" are commenting that they had no idea we had such a variety of art.  In our last store, it was displayed on the walls behind the jewelry showcases.  In the new store -- part of the store is set up as a gallery - and all the work is done by local artists.  

 



















A close friend of mine who used to live in our town moved away fifteen years ago and I have not seen her for seven years.  I miss her terribly and she surprised me this month with a quick visit passing through town on her way back from California.  It is wonderful to visit with old friends -- you have history and that cannot be replaced.

Would You Give Up Social Media for Money?

What amount of money would it take to entice you to give up social media for a year?  That question was posed to me and after thinking about it for 30 seconds I couldn't think of any amount of money that would entice me.  I would give it up without any problem.



However, this question did make me think about what I accomplish on social media and why it would be easy to give up.

What Do You Do if a Power Surge Blows Up Your Computer?

What would your response be to this statement?  "I have all my Christmas shopping and wrapping done."  When I told my daughter, she smiled and said, "Of course you do, Mom."

I enjoy buying throughout the year when there is a sale of the item I need.  Even more fun is wrapping everything as soon as I bring it home.  I keep a hidden list so I know what I bought and how much I spent but, then I forget the majority of it.  When the gifts are opened I get excited all over again.  I know, I know, it's a small pleasure but I love it!

Mostly excited about gifts wrapped from the grands

Are You Being Fooled by Your Supplement Company?

Are there days when you feel sick and tired of feeling sick and tired?  Can you imagine waking up every day feeling rested and great?  You can realize optimum health.  It is feasible and within your reach.

I am a registered symptomatologist (one who studies the sets of symptoms relative to a medical condition) and certified health coach who has been steering people towards optimum health for 35 years.  It’s important to boost your immune system in order to heal current disease and prevent future disease. 

 

After curing my own cancer when told I would die over 35 years ago, I have made it my life's mission to help as many people as I can to realize optimum health.  My offer to you is that I will assess your health questionnaire and give my suggestions at no obligation to you.

THOSE WHO HAVE NO TIME FOR THEIR HEALTH TODAY WILL HAVE NO HEALTH FOR THEIR TIME TOMORROW   

Do You Applaud Good Behavior and Ignore the Bad?

The older I get the more I seem to love the sound of children playing.  Sitting in my living room on any given late evening in summer, I delight in the squeals and interactions of children playing outside.  Skipping rope, riding bikes, playing hide and seek in the dusk all bring back memories of when my kids were growing up.

However, please tell me if I am alone in this -- when I hear kids yelling at their parents, swearing at each other and their parents, screaming in rebellion for any number of things, that is a whole different scenario.  I would never have tolerated it as a young parent and I certainly would never tolerate it if my grands did that.

Grandson with his main squeeze

If Only You Had Not Made That Mistake, Then What?

This is a Secret Subject Swap blogging challenge.  Each month a group of bloggers is given a secret challenge to interpret in their own way.  The challenges are just that -- to make you step out of your comfort zone and share your thoughts about that subject in a new way.

My challenge this month gripped my heart.  It would take a book to be able to answer it but then again, that is why I wrote my memoir.  Battered Hope was written about so many traumas in my own life so other people would be able to relate to me on a variety of levels.   

Here is the question posed to me this month and my answer is in the form of other questions:

Has there ever been a time in your life where, in the heat of the moment, you would have literally sold your soul for a different outcome if it was an actual possibility and not just a phrase?