TROPICAL PARADISE

The front porch all cleaned up and ready for summer. In my mind I have this picture of me all curled up reading a good book and relaxing in the chair listening to the fountain. In reality I don't sit on the front porch and it has been years and years since I read a good book, well actually I read one in the hospital in 2005 but that was only because I couldn't do much else.

I miss relaxing and I miss reading. May get time this summer after the relay to do that.

Speaking of relay, this sunday is the yard/bake sale. Hopefully we have a real nice turnout. The radio interview went okay today for the few minutes I was on.

Poverty

I received this via email today and am not sure where it originated or who actually wrote it. However, I felt it was worth sharing here. I hope you enjoy it.


One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son."So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reach es to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them." The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are." Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Pass this on to friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation. "Life is too short and friends are too few."

HALF DAY

I'm only working a half day today. The store won't give us our days off this week because we were closed for the holiday, but they compromised and we are working half days on our normal day off. it's a gorgeous day and I am coming home and digging into this yard sale stuff. I do not have a day off before the sale, so am hoping to get tons of stuff priced and onto tables on the carport today. the sale is Sunday and that is coming quickly. Tomorrow morning I am on the radio for the relay and have no clue what I am supposed to be saying, but guess I will figure it out.

SPARKPEOPLE AGAIN

This, again, is from a sparkpeople email. How very true it is and how hard to put it into practice.

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles.... it empties today of its strength.- Aunt Linda, as quoted by Jennifer Cribbs, SparkPeople community member

The destructive power of worryLegend has it that 90% of what we worry about never comes to pass. Whether that is statistically precise or not, there's probably some truth to it in your life. How much of our lives do we miss because we're agonizing over what might happen down the road? How often do we fail to act--even if it's the right thing to do--because we fear any number of possible consequences? Fretting over the future doesn't solve any impending problems. It only paralyzes your actions of the present. It stresses you out, makes you mentally and physically tired, and saps all the fun out of what could have been another great day. Next time you start to worry about what might happen, think of this: You can prepare, but you cannot predict. So do what you can, and forget what you cannot.

THE KEY TO HAPPINESS

Once in a while you read something somewhere that just hits home, this article from one of my most favorite web sites hit home this morning and I wanted to share it with you. This article on happiness is from sparkpeople.com It is a site I use daily to track health issues and to chat with people with the same interests as myself. I hope you enjoy this article also.


The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.- James Oppenheim, short-story writer, novelist, poet

The key to happinessThe secret to happiness is not to get what you want, but to want what you already have. If you think about it, most discontent grows from want. We want more stuff, more excitement, more pleasure. When we don't get those things, we're resentful and unsatisfied. Take away the want, and you take away the unhappiness. When your quality of life is tied to your desires, fulfillment is a shadow that escapes your view. Like trying to imagine a new color, the harder you look, the harder it is to see. Does this mean you stop setting goals and striving for a healthy lifestyle and better life? No. It means you can appreciate life regardless of the outcome. It means you can relish the pursuit while accepting the possibility of failure. It means you can still enjoy the ride. Happiness is not a destination--it's a way of life.

NOT 26 ANYMORE

Ok, so I'm old, so what? I can still do the things I did at 26, it just takes me about 10 times longer ..and makes me 10 times more sore. I worked out in the flower beds today from about 9 this morning till about 9 tonight. I HURT! I did get most of the flowers planted, then went and bought more. A good thing though that I got them done, they were starting to shrivel up. they needed planted desperately.

Nothing done yet today for the Relay yard sale but I did work on a bit of that last night and will yet this week. Next Sunday it will be all over with. Relay is coming quick too. Am going to have a problem with my new schedule too, I now work Thursday nights and will have to see if i can trade for the meetings. I think we only have 3 more or so scheduled, but I hate to miss them. Will have to see what I can do for that. With this being our first year I really need to be there, there is still so much I don't know.

GARAGE SALE COMING

I'm taking a quick break from working on garage sale stuff. The Garage sale is next Sunday, June 3 from noon to 4. I am trying to get items together and priced while I am off work and would rather do it at night and that way if its nice enough during the day I can be outside instead. A few coworkers have brought me items to sell so they need ready and tonight I spent some time going through clothes in the closet and trying to get that tagged and ready. I really need to get through the basement too, but can't do it all at once.

My schedule has changed this week due to the holiday. WE are closed Monday and being as we are off that day I will not be off on my normal day off, so what doesn't get done Sunday and Monday isn't probably going to be done. thursday I am scheduled to be on the radio early am, and that goofed up that day also. I am now working noon to 8 on thursday so will be gone that day from about 7 am till about 8:30 that night.

Things sure seem to be on a downhill slide here lately, hopefully it turns around quickly.

I'm putting a picture of the rose breasted gros beak here because they are still around, both the male and females. I love them but now am afraid to have much food out because of the bear. I am thinking I will put a bit of food out early in the day for them, and that way most of it should be gone by night time.

Bear

The darn bear scared the daylights out of me last night. I had gotten home from work late, and took a coffee and went up to the pond to feed the fish. Heard a noise in the woods, but thought it was the kids down at the pavilion for the church. Thankfully, I soon remembered and thought about the bear we had seen around the neighborhood and realised I had maybe better look around. As I started down towards the house I looked around and saw him..sitting under the tree and watching me..got to the house and called the neighbors, grabbed the camera and got some pictures. You can bet I will be paying attention when I am outside from now on. Margie from next door called later that it was in her yard and she got some good video of it, then later on another neighbor, Peggy, emailed that it was at her house..He is making the rounds and all of us hope he gets tired and moves on soon.

CONGRATULATIONS SHELL AND BO!

Michelle and Bo got moved into the new house yesterday! How awesome is that! I am just so darn proud of these kids. And very glad that my son and daughter are both living in the same city where they have each other.

Good news here, the store has decided that during the summer months until Sept 1 we can work 9 to 5 and noon to 8 on Saturday's. No more long 9 to 8 days every other week for us.! That is awesome too. today, there is even a chance that I may get out early. they had told us last week if its quiet we can leave at 2 today. YIPPEE!

I want to plant flowers, but we had frost last night, so it may just be ones under the carport that get done. i would also have time to tan if I get out early. Double yippee!

NEW HOUSE

My daughter and her husband sign the papers for their new house today. I cannot believe that she is old enough to be doing this..it seems only yesterday she was in kindergarten. How proud I am of these kids, my daughter, her husband and my son . What great kids they have all turned out to be. Kids no longer actually, but they always will be to me. Wish I would have planned to be there for her today, and this week to help them move. I will be anxious to get out there this fall and see their home. They seem so young to be buying a house.

Just got back from flower shopping and have tons of flowers now to plant one day soon. Not going to be today though.

RAINY DAY OFF

A rainy day off today, darn it. It really may be a good thing though, I need some time to get the yard sale stuff together. Made up flyers this morning and learned that they can be put in the post office on the area bulletin boards. I stopped for stamps this morning while out and about. I am going to make more copies and go get them on the 3 post offices all right here around me. I do think the pharmacy also has a community bulletin board so will stop there also. I just got back from tanning, my second day of it. The bed was a lot hotter today. I think because it had been in use right before I got there. I brought home some of the stickers to use next few times to see the difference before and after. I really do enjoy that 10 minutes of peace and quiet. the stickers are just little dolphins and you put them in an inconspicuous spot, the same spot every time and it will show how much you have tanned eventually. I wanted to use them today, but was already on the bed before I remembered them, I brought home 4 and can just apply them with the lotion before I go next time, which will be tomorrow night if I get out of work on time.

TANNING AND TRAMPOLINES

I went tanning today. 53 years old and the first time for this. I have heard the girls at work all talk about it, and the other day when out for a walk, I learned there is a fitness, tanning and nail place within walking distance, just minutes away. I went for the first time today. I bought a package for the next 30 days. I scheduled a time for the next few days and am looking forward to it. What fun to strip down, slather on the lotion and crawl into a nice sunny, warm place. Like laying on a beach. I don't relax well though and even there for only 10 minutes I had a hard time being still. Actually got out for a few seconds because I had forgotten to put lotion on my face, so got out and did that and crawled back in. going again tomorrow morning. A day off and supposed to rain! Figures. Boy, did Rissy and I have fun on the trampoline Sunday at her birthday party. My legs are finally feeling okay, have to say though that Sunday night and monday those old knees were hurting pretty good.

BEARS AND POND

Yesterday the digger guy was here and our pond is now much enlarged. John will be working on it today while I am at work. funny, we never thought about what we wanted to do with the dirt. The guy ended up calling Bob across the road to see if he wanted it and yep, he did..

this morning we had a bear here. John opened the shutters around 6 to see it here in the backyard. Fun, wow! Hope he stays away. Won't be feeding the birds for a while I guess.

YARDSALE AND RADIO

At last nights relay meeting the publicity chairman announced that he had created morning spots for the relay at 8 am on thursday morning and then he volunteered some of us captains with the time frame and date. I was one he volunteered, recruited or commanded may be more like it. On the morning of May 31 I will be live on the radio to talk about relay and what we have going on. this coincided perfectly with our Park Bench Raffle and yardsale on June 3. Actually he had me down for the 24 of May but I asked to switch to the 31 for this reason. Should be interesting and I need some time to get my thoughts in order. Have a great day everyone. OOps, wanted to mention that the digger guy comes today to enlarge our ponds but I won't be here to see it, I have to work...wahh. John is supposed to get us pictures.

Wooden bench and garage sale

My brother in law Jeff, made and donated one of these wooden love seat park benches to the relay. The drawing will be on June 11. We are having the yard sale here on June 3, so will have the bench here and will be selling raffles at the sale.

I've decided today that i want a giraffe. Not real sure what thats about but have been thinking about giraffes for the past few days now. I don't have a clue why. One day I looked out the window and just in my mind saw a giraffe, he would love it here.. LOL

NEED A HELMET

I have often wondered if I should have a helmet for riding the bike. Never once did I think that I should have one for walking, even walking fast, power walking or walk/jog intervals..it just never entered my head. Until today..now I'm thinking maybe knee pads wouldn't be such a bad idea! Yep, I fell..flat on my knee right in front of the bank..got up and kept going too, got in two miles some of it uphill. Felt great, except for the ffall and heading outside to work in the flower beds. Have a great day everyone.

(You want to) Make a Memory

This has got to be my most favorite song in quite a while, by Bon Jovi and just new out. I took it from Itunes today and have it on my ipod. Listened to it three times while out working in the flower beds. I've been out there working all day long and with the ipod its wonderful. Then of course, you get to thinking..I remember record players...bet most kids today don't know what that is..what about 8 track tapes?? Then of course it went to cassettes. then dvd's and now I have an IPOD. I have 8 hours of music on it, can change it in a matter of minutes to a totally different 8 hours of music..how cool is that?? this ipod is about the size of a quarter maybe. I love it! I am glad however that the neighbors here are aways away...am sure they would have gotten a good laugh out of both my singing out loud and my choice in music.! there is a little bit of everything on this ipod that is for sure. I've even got a full disney album on it right now, its good aerobic music!

SLEPT GREAT

Sun is shining, laundry is going and I am heading downstairs to work out with a new dvd. Want to get this in and be outside once it warms up a bit. figure one load of clothes for the dryer, two for outside and looks to be a gorgeous day. Enjoy it everyone! I've got hummers and bluebirds already this morning. What a great start to the morning!

SO EXCITED!

I am off tomorrow, finally a day off and I can just be home. I have got thousands of plans, from working out, to raking the yard, a bike ride, a walk, working in the flower gardens, want them ready for planting. Also, I just got in four more exercise tapes and want time to work out a bit. This isn't even to mention the housework that needs done. Although, I actually did two loads of laundry tonight so i didn't have to stay in and do it tomorrow...grin. I want outside!! I want time to sit on my bench and watch the birds and bees, and fish in the pond. Time to relax and unwind, its been a heck of a week. Worked the last Two SAturdays in a row from open to close, last Sunday at the mall for the relay and Wed when i was off was spent running from town to town. I really plan on not going anywhere unless its a walk or bike ride. Hope it works out that way. While I'm hoping, I also hope to be up early. Gives me longer to enjoy being off! Sure do love this smiley central. All these cute little critters that work on the blog. Darn funny looking hummingbird though.

LATE POSTING

I'm late posting this but the winner of the 50/50 raffle was a man from Brockway, first name of Peter. I don't want to give his full name here without his permission. He won $104 and funny thing is he didn't actually buy a ticket or know anything about it. I work with his sister in law, Susan, who is on the team and she had bought tickets for her entire family. they knew nothing about it and I didn't either. Susan was off the day I called to let Peter know he had won and ended up telling his wife, Peter was outside cutting the grass. they ended up calling Susan at home to see if it was legit being as they had not bought a ticket and wondered what was going on!! Anyways, they are the happy winners of $104.00

Next drawing will be starting soon and will be raffling off an outdoor rocking chair made by my brother in law, Jeff. I need to get the tickets done and out. We will have this on display here during the garage sale at my house on June 3 and will be selling tickets that day also. At least that is the plan as of this minute.

Enjoy the day everyone!

Rosebreasted Grosbeaks

We had two of these beautiful rose breasted grosbeaks here a few days ago. I really wish they would have stuck around, but unfortunately they were only here long enough to let me get a picture or two and then they were gone again. they were here last year also, but only for a day or two that time too. Think I'm going to do some research on them and see what they like to eat and what we may be able to do to keep them in our area if anything. I am still seriously considering getting our yard registered as a backyard habitat, just need to take the time to do that.

We are waiting for the guy with the little back hoe to come give us an estimate on enlarging our little ponds..which right now are just holes in the ground. I'll have to get a few pics for on here. the big pond is doing great and last night we watched the king fisher sitting in the tree, watching the fish and squawking for quite a while. I am sure that net is not coming off there for quite a while if ever. He was really quite mad that he could not get to them, and I do think they are laying eggs again. I sure do love those fish and do have my favorites. It's funny because I love the birds too, and would love to have that king fisher stick around if he would not carry off my fish.

HUUMMINGBIRDS, GROSBEAKS AND BLUE TOOTH

A day off, much needed I may add and a very nice one. I filled the hummingbird feeders today and had a female here within minutes of putting them out. Also two rose breasted gros beaks, sure do wish they'd stick around but they don't usually seem to. John and I went to the Verizon store this morning to check out phones, our plan was due to expire and my phone hasn't been holding a charge, so we both got new phones and I got the blue tooth with mine..pretty neat, and I even figured out how to program and work it Bo! My dear son in law doubted my capabilities with it so that last remark was for him! Got the tens unit for my neck too so hopefully that will be back to normal soon.