What I've learned in 2014

  The older I get, the more I reflect on the passing of each year. I find myself enjoying the little moments more than I did when my kids were little. Life was so rushed then and I know I failed to stop and enjoy everything like I should have. Now I have a senior in the house and I am soaking up each and every single minute.
   I learned a lot about myself this past year. I've learned how to let go, although I'm still working on letting go of all things. I've checked a few things off the list, so it's progress! I've learned I cannot make people like me. They either do or don't and the reason for not liking me is none of my concern. Heck, I don't like everyone and shouldn't be offended if someone doesn't like me. There are times I don't like myself too much!
   I've learned not to spend too much time stressing over things I cannot change. This one has been very tough. Very, very, very tough. Did I mention tough? I still struggle with it from time to time, but learning this one has really helped me grow into a better person. Closer to the person I want to be. We're all a work in progress, right?
   I've learned friendships take work, no matter how old we get. We all have those friends we just automatically click with and things always seem perfect. We all have those friendships where it's just a bit more difficult, but there's a level of mutual respect that makes it worthwhile. We don't have to enjoy the same things to be friends, we only have to be there. For whatever they need us. I've also learned there are topics you should never discuss if you want the friendship to flourish. It's not about who is right or wrong, it's about respecting differences.
   I've learned hard work actually pays off. Mind you, there were times this year I began to wonder if anyone really noticed what I was doing. One example is my blog. I'd make a post that really resonated deep in my heart and I just knew it was going to make a difference to someone. People would "like" my blog link on Facebook, but I spent time wondering if the words really hit someone like I intended. Right when I felt like giving up my blog, I found a couple of emails from strangers or messages from friends. It's a great feeling knowing your words have touched someone's heart.
   I've learned after 25 years of marriage, it still takes work. I thought somehow 25 would be the magic year when everything suddenly became perfect. After renewing our vows, I just knew we'd never have a disagreement again. Ever. I quickly snapped out of that thought! Marriage takes work and pushing it to the side thinking it doesn't is a big mistake.
   I've learned I'm not as emotionally tough as I once thought. When my daughter started her senior year in the fall, I made it without shedding a single tear. However, over the past two months, I've found myself shedding a tear (or two...or two hundred) when I look at my daughter and realize this girl is about to spread her wings and fly. My tears are more selfish than anything else. I'll miss her, but know it's what is supposed to happen. (When I said I'd learn to let go of things at the beginning of my blog, I wasn't referring to my daughter...my baby girl!)
   I've learned forgiveness is vital to a good life. Bitterness and resentment are poison to the soul. There's a heaviness to your heart when you don't allow yourself to forgive others. Once you forgive, you immediately feel lifted of the burden. Forgiveness doesn't heal broken relationships, but it allows you to close that chapter in your life.
   I've learned being silly is fun, making people laugh makes me happy and being kind has blessed me more than I could ever imagine. I've learned to listen more and talk less. I've learned to stand strong in my faith and I've learned not everyone believes the way I do. While that is very difficult for me to understand, I've learned the best thing to do is love them anyway. I've learned I'm not very lovable at times and am thankful for the people who love me despite those times.
   I've learned I can check things off my bucket list, but it takes effort. I've learned (well, I'm beginning to learn) to love myself a bit more, to stop being so hard on myself and to stop comparing myself with others. I'm who I am for a reason and I'm looking forward to seeing what 2015 has in store for me.
   I wish you all a year full of blessings, happiness and joy beyond imagine.
  God Bless and thanks for reading!

Heart of a champion

   Watching sports, you can always tell the player who has a lot of heart. The player who doesn't know the meaning of the word quit. The player who most of the time isn't the best athlete, but competes like they are. All these are what I see as traits of a champion.
   I have the privilege of knowing a young man with the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. He always has a smile on his face and he has a lot of friends. I had the pleasure of writing a story for our paper about Colby two times. The first time was in March and he talked about his dream of one day going to Vegas and riding bulls. The second time was on Monday of this week after he got home from Vegas. Yep, he made it. In just nine short months, he was making his dreams come true!
   Colby was born with a condition which has caused him physical limitations his entire life, although someone forgot to tell Colby he had limitations. Though he be little, he's one fierce young man. His passion, energy and attitude are so contagious.
   I have a few dreams that are written down in a book. They are things I "hope" to do one day. You know what I've done to make those dreams come true? Write them in a book. That's it. They have stayed in that book and will until I act on them. Writing dreams down will not make them come true.
   Colby should tour the country (when he's not riding bulls) and give inspirational speeches. I promise you, you will not meet another person who makes you believe in yourself. Who makes you believe anything is possible. Who makes you believe in God's plan for our lives.
   My life is richer just by knowing him and seeing him succeed. Colby is not surprised at all by his success, he believed all along he could do anything he wanted to do.
   I am looking forward to seeing what else God has in store for this phenomenal young man. I, for one, know limitations only exist if we allow them to. 
   You can find Colby on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/bullrider259?ref=br_tf 
  

My Christmas Top 5

   I could have made a Christmas Top 100 list, but I thought I would stick with ten! Here are the top five things I love most about Christmas.

1. The meaning. A baby born in a stable who would become the light of the world. A baby who would one day give his life for a world full of sinners. The most amazing gift of all.
2. I could sit in my den and look at our Christmas tree for hours. There is something so peaceful about sitting in a room with nothing but the glowing lights of the Christmas tree.
3. I get to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and no matter how many times I've watched it, I cry every single time Harry Bailey gives the toast, "To my big brother George, the richest man in town." If you want a life lesson in humility, thankfulness and how important you are to someone...it's a must see!
4. Traditions. I am big on traditions and love the ones that come along with Christmas. Hanging lights, stockings, leaving cookies and milk for Santa and reading "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" to little kids. Although I haven't done that one in a while, the memory is embedded in my mind every single year.
5. Music. Oh, how music soothes the soul and Christmas music is one of my all time favorites. The traditional songs take me back to being a little girl. You will never forget the excitement during the Christmas season from when you were a kid. I like to think we are all kids at heart and still have that same excitement.

The World Needs More You

  

For my birthday, one of my closest friends gave me this card with a very sweet letter on the back. I'm not going to lie...her letter made me tear up a bit. I was humbled by her words and my heart felt full.
   As I sat and looked at the front of the card, I began thinking about all the people in my community who the world could use more of. People who make a difference in others lives each and every day. People who do what they do because they have a heart for service. I truly believe every person has a gift to give the world. Can you imagine what would happen if we all decided to use those gifts we've been given?

   Here is my list of people who the world needs more of:

1. Trey and Lea Morgan - Their stronger marriage workshops are changing lives. I've read comments where people wanted to give up on their marriage until they attended one of Trey and Lea's sessions. I enjoy keeping up with what they are doing on Facebook and their advice has helped in my own marriage. Thanks to the both of you for showing others marriage does take work, but the benefits far outweigh the little "bumps" along the road.

2. Shelly Preston - This woman has a huge passion for her community. She does not like being in the "limelight" at all, but she is a worker! She (along with countless others) have dedicated themselves to saving our theater. It's a daunting task. I walked in the empty building one day and was overwhelmed at the work to be done, but her vision made me see it differently. Little by little....she's working and not giving up!

3. Marsha Meacham - I believe you have to have a calling to be the principal at a junior high school! It's a tough age. Elementary kids are cute and always loveable. High school kids are more mature and have a lot going on. Junior High is a group that is just in the middle, but Marsha loves each and every one of her kids like they are her own. She is supportive, encouraging and full of pride for her kids and staff. She's a true blessing in the lives of those kids!

4. Nancy Simpson - Words cannot express what an amazing woman, friend, mother and wife Nancy is. I'm blessed to call her my neighbor and friend. She is one of the most prayerful women I've ever known. I've stood in my front yard and listened to her pray for others. Families in need, individuals going through tough situations and everyone in between. She would do anything in the world for you and I've never heard her say a negative word about anyone.

   There are so many more people who the world needs more of! Who comes to your mind?

Finding good role models and it's not the Kardashians!

   Most everyone on the planet has heard of the Kardashian clan. Love 'em or hate 'em...they are a household name.
   All I've been reading the past week is about Kim Kardashian was trying to "break the Internet" when pictures of her were posted on the Internet. Wow...nude celebrity pictures, there's a first.
   To be fair, I've watched "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" a few times. Mainly due to the fact I was curious as to what the buzz was all about with this family. My first impression was they like the f-word and are oftentimes crude in their behavior. To each his own, right? I began looking into how this family became so famous. From sex-tape videos to outlandish behavior, this family is famous because America has made them famous! Their reality show garners millions of viewers each week and there is something about "keeping up" with this family that has Americans wanting more.
   Personally, I don't care how they became famous, I don't care how they earn their money, I don't care about their marriages, divorces, careers, etc. I'm not going to launch a public lynching of Kim for her recent decision to post her pictures because I don't care. I've heard people up in arms about how she is not a role model to young girls. DUH! What person in their right mind would even suggest she is a role model to young girls? She's an entertainer. Pure and simple.
   Instead of throwing a fit she isn't a role model, how about suggesting more appropriate role models for our daughters? I, for one, know of several teachers I would love for my daughter to look up to. I know of several business women in the community who have worked hard to be successful. Women in my church and women in the community would also serve as perfect role models. They might not drive a Rolls Royce, have diamonds on every finger, or be the most beautiful person on the planet, but they exhibit what I want my daughter to emulate.
   We need to stop making young girls feel like outside beauty and "sex appeal" is what makes them valuable. Remember, those things are fleeting. Unless of course you have a world renowned plastic surgeon on speed dial for the rest of your life. We need to start encouraging young girls to do their very best at what makes them happy. From being a doctor to a stay-at-home mom....just be who you are and do what makes you happy! They will never find happiness trying to be like the Kardashians. They will never find their Prince Charming dressing like them or taking their clothes off for a photo shoot. They may find plenty of boys who only want them for sex, but they will never find the one man God put on this earth for them.
   I, as a mom of a teenager, choose NOT to allow her to watch the so-called reality show that is the Kardashians. I don't want her to think cussing like a sailor is classy, cool or appropriate. I don't want her thinking she will have a happy life by being a sex object to men. That's the first step I can take in being the kind of mom I hope she respects, admires and wants to be like one day. 
    
  

Tis the season for pumpkin

   It's no secret I am in love with the Fall season, so I wanted to share one of my favorite Fall recipes with my readers.
  I've had this recipe for quite a while. I don't recall who gave it to me or where it came from, but it is the best one I've ever tried! I made four loaves over the weekend....they make the perfect little gift for friends or neighbors!
  Enjoy

Perfect Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Happy Fall! <3

Note to self: You are...

   Before e-mail and text messaging came into my life, I enjoyed writing letters to people. It has become a lost art, for sure. While thinking about the last time I received a hand written letter, I began thinking about what I would have to say if I sat down and wrote a letter to myself. Sometimes you need a pep talk from the person who knows you best...yourself.

 Note to self:
1. You are way too hard on yourself. Take it easy!
2. You cannot make everyone like you. Sometimes, people just have different personalities. Don't be offended if someone chooses to not be a part of your life. That's on them, not you.
3. The older you get, the more you will learn to let the small things go.
4. The older you get, the more you will realize the importance of forgiveness.
5. Friendships change and you either accept it or make yourself miserable. The choice is yours. Enjoy them while they last, but don't obsess over them once they are done.
6. Snap pictures of sunrises and sunsets. The beauty in them is overwhelming.
7. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. Even when you would rather not offer kindness to someone, be kind.
8. Apologize when you are wrong and never ever gloat when you are right.
9. Do something every day that makes your soul happy. Write, sing, dance, run, meditate, do yoga, read a book...don't let the day end without having done something for you.
10. Practice gratitude every single day. We have many things to be thankful for. They are not hard to find.
11. Call your mom. Call your dad. Call your kids. Call a family member.
12. Laugh. The kind that comes from way down deep. The kind that makes your stomach hurt. Laughter can change our mood in an instant.
13. Look in the mirror and like what you see. You are the only you in the world. If you don't like yourself, nobody else will.
14. Your dreams are not silly. Not going after those dreams because you feel they are unattainable is silly. The only person who can make your dreams come true is you. What are you waiting for?
15. Don't allow people to take advantage of you. Whether it's in the business world, friendships or other relationships. If people think they can take advantage of you and you continue to allow it, they will think it's okay. If someone appreciates you, they will show it. If not, their loss. Walk away from them!

   What are some words of encouragement or advice you'd give to yourself?

The power of a smart phone

   Oh, the power of a smart phone! It can connect us to anyone, anywhere at anytime. We can watch the news as it unfolds. We can see the weather in another part of the world. We can have a face to face conversation with someone thousands of miles away. All with a small device in the palm of our hands! My smart phone has more memory than my first computer!
  I've thought about how different our world is today from when I was growing up, which doesn't seem that long ago! While I think the technology behind my phone is amazing I do think being connected at anytime can be very destructive.
   Login to Facebook and within a few minutes, you are likely to see someone using the power of their smartphone to rip someone to shreds. You get angry and upset at someone and the first reaction is to get on your phone and tear into them via social media. The heat of the moment can cause us to completely lose our heads. On more than one occasion, I've said something that made me feel about an inch tall. You can delete the post, but the words have already been said and feelings have already been hurt. I've learned to put my phone down when I am upset about something and resist the urge to profess to the social media world how upset I am. If truth be known, most of the people on my friends list probably don't want to hear about it!
   Nobody is immune to being on the receiving end of a social media blast. Teachers, neighbors, coaches, doctors, lawyers, restaurants, supermarkets, retail shops, police, etc. The list is endless. Of course there are always those "vague" posts or pictures meant to tear someone apart without really mentioning their name. Vague statuses are no less damaging than the tirades. Vague statues are a weak attempt to get attention because you don't feel there are consequences. I would be willing to be 90% of people have read a vague status and thought, "They are talking about me!"
   Think back to when you were a kid and you'll find we handled things quite a bit different. When someone upset us, hurt our feelings, or "did us wrong", what did we do? We didn't have cell phones so we couldn't text our friends about the person. We didn't have social media, so we couldn't talk bad about them for the world to see. We had two choices. We could go to the person and talk to them or we could just move on. Pretty simple, don't you think.
   Why not start a change and put the power of the smartphone to good use? Send someone a positive, uplifting text message. Post something on a teachers page praising them for all they've done for your child. Post on a restaurant page about the great service you received. Once one person posts a negative comment, it begins snowballing and before you know it, a hundred people are bashing a restaurant because someone forgot part of their order at the drive-thru window.
   Being connected all the time also has created a generation of people who don't communicate any way other than through their phone. My daughter was talking to me one day when I was so buried in my phone, I completely missed what she said. I knew it hurt her feelings. I have allowed this device to become such a huge part of my life. When I get on the road (as a passenger) to go out of town, I immediately connect to Facebook or Twitter. By the time we arrive at our location, my phone is warm because I haven't put it down. Look at what I'm missing out on by letting this powerful device have so much of my time! I'm missing conversation with my husband and daughter. I'm missing the beautiful scenery. I'm missing out on life, people! I've made a pledge to my family and myself to stop letting my smartphone take up so much of my time. After all, our time is limited and I want to use every single minute like it's my last.
   You are in control of your smartphone....don't let it control you!

How would you treat a friend?

   I've been spending time reading a book on letting go of expectations and embracing your true self. It's been a very eye opening book and has hit me in the gut several times. I've felt like the author used me as a case study for the book.
  The chapter that resonated most with me was the one on cultivating self-compassion. Now, I know I can be a very compassionate person...TO OTHERS. When it comes to myself, I am my own worse enemy. I point out every one of my flaws and am harder on myself that anyone else has ever been. Isn't that the case for the majority of women? I don't know about you, but I'm ready to break free from that cycle of "picking on myself" and becoming the woman God made me to be.
   One of the first things I did when reading the chapter was take a self-compassion quiz. I answered each question as honestly as possible and at times felt shame I truly felt that way about myself. My self-kindness score was very low, but my common humanity score was high. Something has to change! You can take the quiz here http://www.self-compassion.org/test-your-self-compassion-level.html
   After taking the test, I began a exercise on self-compassion and that is when everything came into perspective for me. It was like a ton of bricks dropping on my head. Wow...I truly could see what my lack of self-compassion was doing to me.

   The exercise was simple:
   Step one - think about a time when a friend was feeling really bad about herself or was struggling in some way. Think about what you, as her friend, did to help her in this situation. What did you do to help her see her as the world does?
   Step two - think about a time when you felt bad about yourself or when you were struggling with a situation. How did you respond to yourself?
   Step three - Did you notice a difference in the way you responded to your friend and a way you responded to yourself? If you answer honestly, you'll probably notice you were much more compassionate, giving and thoughtful to your friend that you were to yourself.

   I like the concept of treating ourselves like we would one of our friends. There isn't a time I would not give of myself to help a friend. There isn't a time I wouldn't do all I could do to make my friend see all her amazing qualities. There isn't a single time I would leave my friend without her knowing her worth.
   It's time to start treating ourselves like we do our friends. After all, they love us and are our biggest cheerleaders. Shouldn't we do the same for ourselves?

Age is just a number...

In a few short weeks, I will celebrate my 42nd birthday. I've never minded telling anyone my age, after all, it's just a number. I'm actually glad to have a number, because it means I've been granted one more day on this great earth of ours! This will be a big year for me. In May, my youngest will graduate from high school and I will become an "empty-nester." I'm saving that for another blog...cannot talk about it now without tears!
   So, back to me being 42. I have a couple of things planned for this upcoming year and hopefully I will be blogging about how those things came to fruition. Time shall tell! For now, I'm going to give you 42 random facts about myself.

  1. I was born in New Mexico, but consider myself a true Texan!
  2. I am terrified of mice, rats and snakes.
  3. I gave a boy a Christmas present in the first grade and he smashed it in front of all his friends. Why he didn't like a BeeGee's 8 track is beyond me!
  4. I have never watched or read "Gone With the Wind."
  5. I have never watched the movie "Mary Poppins."
  6. I doodle on everything and focus better if I'm doodling when someone is talking.
  7. I like the smell of dirt in a vacuum cleaner.
  8. I check the back seat numerous times when I'm driving alone at night.
  9. I had a huge crush on Bo from the Dukes of Hazzard.
10. Certain commercials can make me cry.
11. I was 1st runner up in a pageant and sang, "You Light Up My Life." My brothers laughed at me and I never did a pageant again.
12. My brothers coined the nickname "Tumbleweed" after I got a perm in fourth grade. It caught on with the kids at school.
13. I once voted for Ross Perot.
14. I got swats in the 7th grade for not writing 350 sentences because I was talking in Coach Rhodes class.
15. I've never been to another country.
16. I believed in Santa until I was in fifth grade.
17. I tried to convince some of my friends we should form a "Pink Ladies" group one day in the playground when I was in elementary.
18. I have a secret desire to be fit enough to run a marathon one day.
19. My feelings get hurt very easily.
20. I am a numbers freak...I have to check a door that's been locked 3 times....always.
21. When someone tells me their age, I add up the two numbers and keep adding until I get a one digit number and associate them with that number.
22. I do a drumroll on my desk before I write a new post on my blog.
23. I can remember in detail many experiences from elementary, but they fade after that.
24. I have always thought I should have been a teenager in the 50's.
25. I have a secret desire to dye my hair blonde just to see what it would look like.
26. I do not like Taco Bell.
27. I do not like having my picture taken.
28. Closed in places make me panic.
29. I never went to prom.
30. I am intimidated of a few different people in my community.
31. I was baptized when I was pregnant with my daughter and she is a very spiritual person.
32. I will never swim in a lake again. Thank you, Jaws.
33. I've never ate Chick-fil-a.
34. I am not a big fan of jewelry, shoes or purses.
35. I once blacked a boys eye for shooting me with a bb gun.
36. I cannot sleep in a pitch dark house. Night light, please!
37. I have never worn pajamas in public.
38. I am overly trusting of people, no matter how many times they destroy that trust.
39. I can drink coffee before I go to bed and sleep like a baby.
40. I met a US Congressman a few months ago and felt like I'd met a celebrity.
41. I once went to nursing school for a couple of months before I realized it wasn't for me.
42. If I could invite any 5 people (living or dead) to supper it would be Jimmy Fallon, Julia Roberts, Melissa McCarthy, George W. Bush and Jimmy Stewart.
  

It's a Fall giveaway!

   In honor of my absolute favorite season, I am hosting a blog giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the perfect Fall gift!
   The rules are simple! Just leave a comment here (or below my post on Facebook) on what you like the most about Fall. I will select a winner by a random drawing! You have until Friday, October 10 at noon to post your comments!
   Here are just "a few" things I love about Fall.
  1. The crispness in the air.
  2. The leaves as they begin changing colors and falling to the ground. The colors are breathtaking!
  3. The smell in the air!
  4. The sunsets in Fall are spectacular!
  5. Pumpkins, mums and hay bales!
  6. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cookies!
  7. The sound the leaves make as you walk across your yard!
  8. Jumping in a pile of leaves you've just raked!
  9. Wearing scarves!
 10. Cool evenings spent outside around the firepit!

Oh, wait...I think I've left one very important item off my list.... FOOTBALL!

   I'm looking forward to hearing what you love about the Fall! Good luck!

Be a filler....not a dumper!

   "Leave the world a better place." I love the simplicity in this statement. It requires no special skill set and no specific income or education level. All it requires is you.
   I wholeheartedly believe the best way to leave the world a better place is to be a bucket filler, not a bucket dumper. In my mind, a bucket filler is the one who chooses to see the good, instead of always seeing the bad. Someone who encourages others instead of constantly finding fault and someone who makes others feel good about themselves.
   A dumper is quite the opposite. A bucket dumper is someone who spews negativity, spite, jealously and hatred. Someone who is so unhappy in their own lives, they are only happy if they are making others unhappy. Someone who zaps you of every single bit of energy you have. Someone who makes you turn the opposite direction in the store when you see them. You avoid bucket dumpers at all costs. It's not bucket dumpers are bad people, they've just fallen into a rut and need helping getting out of it! We don't always know the battle others are going through in their lives and can always find a way to be a blessing to them.
   Don't get me wrong, I have had times in my life when I was a dumper. Life can be difficult at times and in certain circumstances, it's hard to be positive or see the good. However, I found taking that negative energy and turning it into positive did quite a bit to improve my attitude about my circumstance. It took a good friend bringing my "dumping" to my attention before I stopped to think how I was not leaving the world a better place. I did not want to be known as the dumper everyone avoids!
   One of the greatest pleasures in being a filler is seeing what it does for others. Just think of the chain reaction you will have by filling someone's day with positive and encouraging remarks. In turn, they will do the same for others and before you know it, there is a lot of filling going on and not so much dumping!
   Yesterday, I used the opportunity to fill someone's day by sending them a message on how much I appreciate what they have done to help one of my children. I didn't just give them a blanket message, I was very detailed in what they did, how it impacted my child and how much I truly appreciated them. I could tell by their response it made their day. It made me feel pretty good as well.
   We have a finite time on this earth and each and every single moment we have is a gift. We have the opportunity to leave the world a better place many times throughout the day. At the end of our lives, wouldn't it be great to realize we filled a lot of buckets?



  
  

A day in the life of my brain...

   I posted a comment on Facebook yesterday about learning to keep my thoughts to myself. I received quite a few comments, so I thought I would keep track of my thoughts today. I wanted to see if my thoughts were mostly negative, positive, bizarre, sad or happy. I'm happy to report I don't think I'm insane, however I thought about the Bee Gees several times today and didn't hear a single one of their songs. Not everyone is a serial killer and I need to brush up on my Spanish. Wait, I don't speak Spanish.

   1. While stopping at a convenience store to get coffee before work (it was 5:30 a.m.) - "I wonder if that guy getting gas is a serial killer. Who wears a jacket this time of morning when it's not cold? He probably has a gun...better make this quick."
   2. While paying for my coffee - "Did you seriously just grab the 'liquor store discount card' from your wallet instead of your debit card? This guy is going to think you are a boozer."
   3. While a few blocks from work where the police had someone pulled over and were searching their car, "Those lights are bright...I feel like listening to the Bee Gees."
   4. Checking my email, "Spam, spam and more spam. I really don't need a boost of testosterone, but thanks anyway."
   5. Looking outside at Main Street, "Why are there cats everywhere downtown and why do they always hang out around my car. Hummm....I could probably scare them with a rock, but would probably miss and shatter my windows."
   6. Later during the day, "Is all this noise while roofing a building really necessary?"
   7. A few minutes later, "IS all this noise really necessary? You're killin' me people!"
   8. A few minutes later, "I really wish I could speak Spanish because those guys are laughing so hard and I cannot understand a word they are saying. I wonder if they are talking about me? Nope...not me...I understood that word and I'm pretty sure it's a bad one."
   9. Hours later, "Why is the Internet sooooooooo slow? We put a man on the moon (or so they say), they grew a human ear on a mouse (whoever thought of that one is probably related the serial killer coat wearing guy pumping gas this morning), I've seen faster speeds at the nursing home relay races...hurry...hurry...what...dropped connection....are you kidding me?"
10. After leaving work and stopping for coffee (yeah, I have a problem), "Why is that hitchhiker walking towards me? Directions...sure, I can give you directions. That was easy...I wonder what was in his bag? Where is he walking? Where did he come from? I bet he likes the Bee Gees."

   Of course, I had several others that involved wanting to yank my hair out by the roots and some that may or may not have involved a bad word and I'll just leave it at that!

The day America mourned

   Thirteen years ago today, two thousand, nine hundred ninety-six people woke up not knowing their final hours on earth were in front of them. One of the most heinous attacks in American history was unfolding and they would be caught in the cross hairs. Each one walked out of their homes that day, never to return to their loved ones. Their lives were cut tragically and unfairly short. Their deaths would play out in front of millions of Americans who could only look on with shock and disbelief. America would never be the same. The strongest country in the world was being attacked and all we could do was sit and watch.
  Everyone can recall where they were the morning of that horrific day. As I watched the live news feed and the second plane crashed through the World Trade Center, I got sick to my stomach. I had never experienced that kind of fear in my life. Many thoughts ran through my mind, the most prominent being "Is this the beginning of WWIII?" I thought of my two children and wondered if they would have a future or if this would truly be the beginning of the end.
   Like most Americans that day, I sobbed.  I was scared, angry, and unsure what would happen in the next 24 hours. I prayed numerous times throughout the day. I prayed for the families of those who lost loved ones, I prayed for our military and our leaders. The sensible part of me realized life as we knew it would definitely change. The word terrorist would become a daily part of our vocabulary and we would become a nation "on guard" at all times.
   Watching the news footage for the next couple of weeks became the norm. I was glued to the television, watching story after story of the tragedy. The interviews with grieving families, the stories of the last phone calls, the stories of people who died trying to save lives. It was one of the most emotional experiences I've ever been through, yet couldn't stop watching. I felt like I had lost a loved one, just as the rest of the country did.
   I love my country and take great pride in being an American. When I look back at the past 13 years, I'm reminded how great our country is, no matter the circumstance.  The terrorists set out to destroy us, but they failed. They quickly found out we are a nation of people who come together in times of tragedy. They quickly found out we will protect our citizens. They quickly found out we have a military like no other, with men and women who put their lives on the line to defend the freedoms we enjoy. The lives lost on 9/11 and the lives lost since in the war on terror will never be forgotten. They will live on in the hearts of their families and of what I truly believe still is the greatest nation in the world. We may have political differences, but at the end of the day, we are Americans.
   The cowardly, evil terrorists  who are filled with hate  cannot weaken our resolve. We will stand toe to toe, fight and win the war on terror. We are the United States of America today, tomorrow and for eternity. God bless those who perished on this day. May you look down and see we are keeping your memory alive in the hearts of all for a lifetime. I will never forget.
  

My dateless Homecoming

   During all my years in school, I never once got asked to Homecoming. Ever.
   When I was in sixth grade, I remember Homecoming being a pretty big deal in junior high. There were a few boys I secretly hoped would ask me. My heart would beat fast and I would get excited every time one of them would talk to me the week before thinking they were going to ask me to be their date. I held out hope I would get asked because this was junior high and everyone who was anyone had a date for Homecoming!
    The day of Homecoming, I held out a small bit of hope I was going to be asked to go, even though I knew it wasn't going to happen. Of course, not going to the game wasn't an option. My brother was playing and we went to every single game.
   I really don't recall the game, who I sat with or talked to. However, I do remember the feeling I had as I walked into the stadium and everywhere you looked there were mums and garters and little couples walking happily to the student section.
   The mums..you know, the ones with real flowers! The ones Texans are known for across the country! Girls where proudly showing them off along with two streamers where the name of you and your date were forever immortalized in sticky, glitter letters, or at least until you got mad at him and ripped them off. This was junior high and a teenage girl scored...well...it could be bad!
   In seventh grade, I held out little hope I would be asked to the big game until I received a letter in my locker. You know the letter, the one folded in just the right pattern. Us kids of the 80's had that down to an art form! As I opened the letter and began reading it, I just knew I was going to be asked. It didn't have a name on the outside, so I began envisioning the boy of my dreams, the one who was going to ask me to Homecoming and buy me the biggest, most gaudy mum in the word with our names on it.
   As I began reading the letter, it said, "Ginger, I'm thinking about asking you to Homecoming. I'll let you know." It was signed by a boy in eighth grade who I would NOT let walk me across the street much less take me to the biggest night in a teenage girls life. He said he was thinking about asking me? I hated to break it to him, but the answer was no. Lucky for me, he never asked. Good thing I didn't have to break his heart. Another Homecoming being in the "without a mum and a date crowd."    
As if I didn't stand out enough with the red hair. A redhead and no mum in a sea of people with them? It did wonders for my self-confidence.
   By the time eighth grade rolled around, I was beginning to wonder what was wrong with me. Was I ugly? Was I not likable? Did I have the dreaded cooties? I was pretty sure I didn't since I had not square danced since elementary and we all know that's where they come from. I thought I might should enter a convent since after all  I was 14 years-old and had never been on a date to Homecoming. In my teenage mind, it was tragic and my feelings were hurt.
   High school was more of the same, yet here I am. I'm a happily married woman who survived never being asked to Homecoming. At the time, I thought it was the end of the world. I wondered why all my friends were asked, but I wasn't. I spent a couple of weeks each year anticipating something that never happened only to be disappointed. Today, I know one thing for sure. There was nothing wrong with me. Maybe there was a boy who wanted to ask me, but he was too shy. Maybe they were afraid of my older brothers! Maybe, just maybe....they liked me as a friend and didn't want anyone to think differently.
   Homecoming is a time of celebration, a time of reflecting and a time to walk down memory lane. I look back on my lack of a date for the big day with a bit of a laugh. It's just one of the many things throughout my life that have made me who I am today. It is part of my story and I wouldn't change it now for anything in the world.
   To all you girls wondering if you will be asked to Homecoming next week, don't put too much time or worry into it. If you do, great. If you don't, go with friends and have the time of your life. Enjoy the game, enjoy the fellowship and walk into the game with your head held high. It's one day in a lifetime of days. You will survive not going with a date. You will survive without a massive mum that will fade over the years. You will survive and remember....you are beautiful and loved!

The gift you cannot see

   One of the things I loved most about Christmas when I was a kid was trying to guess what was in each package under the tree. Like every other kid, I made my list and sent a letter to Santa hoping he would deliver exactly what I wanted.
   The hardest part about waiting until Christmas morning was knowing inside that beautifully wrapped package, was something I yearned for. I had no way of knowing what was inside the package, because I couldn't see it. However, I knew when I opened the gift, it would make me very happy.
   Faith is a lot like a gift under the tree. To have faith is to have complete trust or confidence in someone or something. For rational adults, I can see where faith is hard at times. We are taught to have faith in God, without ever physically seeing Him. How do you express complete faith in someone you've never seen? How do you trust completely they exist? For me, faith can be hard at times; especially when you turn on the news and see such crazy things happening in our world.  I always go back to a scripture in 2nd Corinthians which says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  Absolute, 100%, blind faith…faith as a child.
   Many years ago, I was sitting in my den praying for a loved one who was going through a difficult time. I remember speaking their name out loud and asking God to intervene in their life. After several minutes of praying out loud, I experienced one of the calmest feelings I've ever had in my life. In an instant, I went from being overwhelmed with emotion to one of pure peace. To this day, I know God was standing next to me. Before those of you who don't believe as I do roll your eyes or close the page, hear me out.
   God didn't appear to me and tell me everything was going to be okay, all the problems solved and life was going to be rosy for this person. He didn't speak to me and say He would fix their problems or change their circumstances. He challenged my faith by allowing my mind to be open enough to sense His presence. I didn't have to see Him to know He was there.
   I've had conversations with people and they've asked me if I really believe in God. They've asked if I really believe in a heaven and hell. They've asked why I believe the things I do and "If God really exists" how can you prove He does. People who are agnostic or even atheist feel if they bombard you with questions, it will trip you up somehow. There is one thing I know for sure, I do not have the answers to all the questions concerning the existence of God. What I do have is faith He does. If you've ever looked into a newborn's eyes seconds after they made their way into the world, you know there is a God. If you've ever gazed into a star filled sky and been amazed at how we are just a tiny speck in an enormous galaxy, you know there is a God. It's not something that can be explained, it's something that is felt.
   Having faith doesn't mean we are free from heartache, free from disappointment or free from a world that is sometimes filled with sad situations. Faith means one day, those things won't exist anymore for anyone.
   Ralph Waldo Emerson said it perfect when he said, "All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."

Beyond the Surface

   As I was backing out of my driveway the other day, I caught a glimpse of something in the mirror that made me come to a screeching halt.
   Lines....and more lines....in the corners of my eyes and around my mouth. Where did those come from and why did I not notice them before? Perhaps it was the glaring sun beaming through the sunroof. I immediately closed it thinking they would magically disappear, with no such luck.
   Today, I am 41 years, 9 months, and 28 days old. Lines and wrinkles on your face are not supposed to appear until you are in your 90's...right? Why is it that I just noticed them a few days ago? The mirror I use every morning when I put my make-up on is much kinder than the rear view mirror in my car.
   I began thinking about the wrinkles and what (if anything) I should do to get rid of them. Getting rid of wrinkles and fine lines makes some doctors a whole lot of money. You cannot look in a magazine without ads for products promising to virtually turn the clock back years. The beauty isle at my local grocery store is full of wrinkle reducers, line eliminators, wrinkly line reducers, puffiness reducers, puffy eye reducers, and every product in between. I would need to get a second job to get all the products to fix the 'flaws' I see in the mirror. A little depressing when you think about it.
   I could forgo the massive over the counter products and see a doctor and get a little Botox here and there. Again....shell out more money to get rid of something that is going to come back, eventually. Or, I could embrace the little flaws with open arms. I thought I had embraced the few gray hairs which were invading the top of my head until I broke down and had my hair colored. After three weeks, the gray hairs made their way back making me realize they have way more resilience than I do when it comes to the beauty ritual of coloring my hair every six weeks for the rest of my life. What's a girl to do?
   I've heard people say, just grow old gracefully. I don't know about you, but I'm having a hard time seeing the new wrinkles on my face and gray hair as being graceful. For me, they are like little alarm clocks all over my face screaming, "Hey...you! Yeah, you....time is marching all over your face!" When you are in your teens, it's cool to look older. At my age, I have no desire to look older!
   After much thought, here's what I've realized. Beyond the surface of the creams, "miracle potions" and hair color, I am still the same person. The wrinkles and gray hairs do not define who I am. It's all about feeling good about yourself. It's about how you carry yourself and how your present yourself to others. If you walk in a room with all the confidence in the world, will anyone really notice a wrinkle? Puffy or saggy eyes? Most likely, they won't. On the other hand, if all the beauty rituals make you feel better about yourself and confident, by all means do it! Embrace what it is that makes you feel good about yourself.
   Grow old gracefully or do all you can to reverse the aging process...whatever you chose, just remember it's beyond the surface that matters the most.

Here we go...

   Yesterday, I registered my daughter for her SENIOR year in high school. I can remember a feeling of excitement and anticipation when we registered my son for his senior year. This time, my feelings were a bit different. Seeing how excited she is about the upcoming year makes me happy, but there is a part of me who wishes I was registering her for her first day of school.
   Driving back to work, I began thinking about her first day of school. This little redheaded, round-faced girl jumped out of the car with excitement and a bit of nervousness. She proudly carried her Barbie backpack and lunchbox as we walked beside her and to her classroom. I could see the uneasy feeling on her face as we walked into the room full of other kids and parents. I kept telling myself over and over again to smile and wait until I got to the car to let the tears flow. That's exactly what I did. I sat in my car for what seemed to be 30 minutes with tears streaming down my face. My little girl was about to embark on her school career and I knew exactly how fast it would go.
   Her morning ritual was for me to fix her hair and breakfast and her Dad took her to school. Years later, I found out they would often stop by the lake that is a few blocks from the school to "throw rocks in the water" because she didn't want to go to school. Big tears would well up in her eyes each morning as they arrived at school. He walked her to her locker until she was in third grade after telling her the other kids might start making fun of her because he was walking her in the school. She finally got brave enough to do it by herself. The first time she did, she stopped at the door to wave at her dad and huge tears filled her eyes. Letting go is even tough on kids. I think it was one of the toughest things my husband had to do.
   I've realized having gone through senior year already doesn't make this time any easier. In fact, it's a bit harder because she is my baby. It will be a year full of lasts and just like her first day of school, I am planning on handling them with a smile on my face and will save the tears for when I am by myself. Tears of pride, tears of happiness and maybe just a few tears of sadness for a childhood which has gone entirely too fast for this mom.
   Senior year....here we go.....

How you live

   I was walking into a meeting when my husband called and told me he heard the news of Robin Williams' death. I only knew Williams from his movies, but like most everyone else, I felt a sense of loss. Almost like a friend had passed. The tributes on social media have been touching. He brought a lot of happiness into the lives of millions of people. While he had earthly troubles that were not always public, his life story was full of achievements...three of his biggest achievements were the children he left behind.
   I began thinking about my life and what would be said about me when it's my time to leave this world. Would I be remembered as someone who was kind, generous, sincere and loyal? Would I leave without any unresolved issues in relationships and/or friendships? Would I leave with people knowing how I felt about them and how they felt about me? Would I leave knowing without a doubt I would enter the kingdom of heaven? Would I have truly "lived" and not just gone through the motions of each and every day?
   In my 41 years, I've made a ton of mistakes, but have done my best to learn from them. I've said things I've regretted and I've hurt people who loved me the most. I've struggled, I've cried and I've experienced times of sorrow. On the other side, I've also experienced success, laughed until I cried and experienced times of immense joy. The good has far outweighed the bad and being a work in progress, I look forward to the days I have left.
   It is my hope when I am gone, I will leave a mark on the lives of those who knew me. It is my hope to have left the world a better place. To not have just mindlessly wondered through the day to day, but to have lived. Lived fully and soaked in every little thing along the way; to have helped people along their way and to have left with those I love knowing how much I truly loved them. To stand before God and have him say, "Ging...you did good, girl. You did good."
   If you've never listened to "How You Live" by Point of Grace, take a few minutes to listen to it below. It is a great example of truly living. 
   "It's not what  you knew and it's not what you did, it's how you lived."

   God bless!

 
  

What are you waiting for?

   While planning our vacation, I began thinking about all the places I want to go "one day." As I sighed when I looked at a picture of New York City in the fall, I said, "I'll go there one day."
   This morning, I woke up thinking of how often I use the phrase "one day." It was scary to think of how often I use the phrase. One day I'll lose 50 pounds; one day I'll run a 5K; one day I'll go visit my dear friend who lives in another state; one day I'll clean out the closet (okay...that one really can wait!) and the list went on and on and on. The phrase hit me hard when I realized I only have so many more "one days" left in my life. It could be one or it could be many. One thing is for sure, I will run out of days one day.
   I have a ton of excuses for putting things on the one day list. I'm busy at work and at home. I'm busy with life. Excuses that allow me to justify not doing the things my heart desires. Perhaps fear plays a part in why somethings are in my one day list. Fear of failure, fear of what others think and fear of the unknown. As long as those things just stay on my list, I feel a sense of accomplishment. What have I really done? Made a list? Anyone can make a list. You can put everything in the world on that list, but until you act...until you decide you truly want it...your one day will pass you by.
   I will no longer keep my one day list hidden in my journal for my eyes only. It's time to stop waiting and take some action! I don't want to come to the end of my days and realize I never attempted to do the things I wanted most in life. I want to write a book. Will I find someone to publish it tomorrow? Probably not, but the chances of publishing one that stays written in my journal in my nightstand are zero percent! My "one days" cannot be controlled by fear or negative thinking.
  Proclaim today to begin checking off the "one days" on your list. Begin by writing them down and putting them somewhere you will see them daily. If making amends with someone is on that list, do it today. Don't wait for the right time, the right day or the right circumstances. One day will come around and you'll be heartbroken you never took that first step.
   What "one days" are on your list? Traveling somewhere you've always wanted to go? Losing weight? Going after a new career? Writing a book? Moving? Going back to school? Write them down and own them! You'll never regret it!

Challenge

   While waiting at a local restaurant with my daughter for our order, I found myself increasingly agitated. The minutes were ticking by and we had still not received our order. The parking lot was
empty and we were the only customers in the building. After a 30 minute wait, I made my way to the front to see what could have been taking so long. Maybe they had gone on strike...on a smoke break...left the country. Surely there was an explanation for why I had to wait so long to get my order. Didn't they realize I'm a busy woman? As I snapped at the employee, I turned and looked at my daughter. The look on her face told me I was getting bent out of shape for nothing. Parents are supposed to be the ones to teach the lessons, not the kids...right? I gave her a smile and apologized for acting so rude. I could not get that moment out of my head for the rest of the week.
     Before I was unintentionally shamed by my 17 year-old, I wanted to get some justice for having to wait so long. I had my phone and was ready to launch into a social media tirade of the restaurant. After all, isn't that the norm nowadays? When we get less than stellar service, we air our grievances to the Facebook world. We often feel vindicated when we do because our friends chime in with their stories of how the waitress got their order wrong, how they had to wait in line or how horrible the food was. Of course, it feels good at first to vent or as a good friend of mine would say, "verbal vomit." An hour or so later when we come back to our post, we feel like the smallest person on the planet. We can delete the post, but one thing is for sure - the damage is already done.
    Bashing restaurants for their lack of service, complaining about a local business, griping about every single teacher and/or coach your kid has and the other rants we get wrapped up in each day are all toxic. They do absolutely no good and do not change a thing. Trust me,  I'm guilty of engaging in this kind of behavior. I think we all have been guilty at some point of launching into a WWIII Facebook defensive attack. When we do so, phones all over town start buzzing with messages that begin, "Did you see what _______ just posted on Facebook?" Is that really how we want to spend our precious time?
    After giving my behavior quite a bit of thought and seeing post after post after post of people ripping others on Facebook this week, I decided to make a change. First of all, in myself.
     I don't know about you, but when someone pats me on the back for a job well done, it completely changes my day. There's no feeling like knowing someone appreciates you and the job you do. The world is full of negativity, but it doesn't have to be. CHANGE BEGINS WITH US!
   Here is my challenge to you. I'm calling it "Project - Pat on the back" and it is my hope it will flood Facebook! The challenge is simple and the results will be phenomenal!

   The rules are simple:

• For one week, you cannot post a comment complaining about a local business or service. If you get bad food or service, you have to contact the manager. NO talking about it on Facebook!
• Every day for a week, you have to give someone a pat on the back! There are plenty of people to choose from - the young man/woman who carries your groceries out to your car; the carhop at the drive-in; the city workers who work in the sun all day making your town look nice; city leaders; preachers; youth ministers; local law enforcement; postal workers; doctors; nurses; coaches/teachers and the list goes on! Be genuine with your feedback. Be sure and give them a shout out on Facebook as well as in person. Write them a note. Anything! Just let them know they are appreciated! When you give them a shout out on Facebook, be sure and put #projectpatontheback in your comment!
• Share this blog post with your Facebook friends. Encourage them to get in on the challenge as well! 
• At the end of the week, decide to keep going! Make a pledge to keep giving others a pat on the back. I'm quite sure you will find yourself receiving praise as well. Am I out of my mind to think this can start a fire on Facebook? I don't think so! Help "Project - Pat on the back" go viral!

   If you have a great experience from joining in my project, I'd love to hear all about it! Message me on Facebook or send me an email to gingwilson72@gmail.com
    I'm ready for the challenge. Are you? 


    
    

It's a Wonderful Life

   My all time favorite movie is, "It's a Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I know some of you are in shock my favorite movie is NOT a football movie. Don't get me wrong, I have a list of football movies I love, they just don't come anywhere close to having the impact "It's a Wonderful Life" does on me. Beginning on Thanksgiving, I watching this movie about 3-4 times during the holidays. I know every single line by heart, but still tear up several times in the movie. It was produced twenty-six years before I was born, but I have a connection to this movie like no other.
   If you have never seen "It's a Wonderful Life" watch it now! Just make sure you watch the black and white version. It's just not the same in color.
   At some point in our lives, we all have a "pity party" and begin questioning things about our lives. Are we really loved? Do we really have a purpose? Why do things sometimes not go our way? We've all been there and luckily there has always been someone to pull us out of that funk. Life is exactly what we make of it and if we do it just right, we can truly have a wonderful life!

   It's a Wonderful Life has taught me:

And the Oscar goes to....

   Okay, so I have never been nominated for an Oscar. Although, I can be very dramatic if necessary. I'll save that for another post!
   One of the best bloggers I know and a sweet friend nominated my blog for the Liebster Award! Tara Sims and I have a big connection...we are both high school football loving girls! Plus, I am absolutely in love with her precious kids! If you have not had a chance to read her blog, stop what you are doing and read it now! mrscoachsims.blogspot.com  Thank you, Tara for nominating me! It made my heart happy to know my blog is inspiring to others!
   Keep reading for more about the award and my answers to Tara's questions!

What I want you to know

   I've always shared stories about memories when I was younger with my daughter. I want her to know all about what makes me, me. I feel sharing stories with her bonds us together and gives us a relationship that is open, honest and special.
   She will be a senior this year and while I rejoice for the new adventures to come in her life, part of me wants to jump in a time machine and go back to when she was a little girl. When I close my eyes, I can still see her little round face, bright eyes and heart melting smile. Now, I see a little girl who has grown into a beautiful young woman.
   This year will be full of preparing for the future. Selecting a college, applying for scholarships and getting ready to leave home. More than anything, I want to prepare her for what's ahead on the road of life. I know it's a journey she cannot take holding my hand. I know it's a journey where she will experience things I haven't prepared her for and I know it's a journey she will face with independence and confidence.

The Summer I Conquered Fear

   I took a drive through our park the other day and a flood of memories washed over me as I drove past the swimming pool. Many a summer day was spent at the pool enjoying the summer break. As a member of the "fair skinned" club, I suffered quite a few sunburns over the years, but that didn't stop me from wanting to be at the pool every day.
I don't consider myself an Olympic swimmer by any stretch of the imagination. As a kid, I swam well enough to hang out at the deep end of the pool with my friends playing games and watching people do tricks off the diving board. When I was a kid, the city pool had a low dive and a high dive. In my mind, the high dive was hundreds of feet in the air. Just looking up at it made me dizzy. I feared the high dive and swore I would never climb those stairs and jump!

Don't sweat the small stuff!

   Humans....we are quite the interesting character at times. We can get wound up about the smallest of things. In hindsight, most of it is just a tiny dot in our timeline of life. In fact, I would be willing to bet the things we let get under our skin are things that won't even matter in a week, month or year.
   Our booster club held their annual sports banquet the other night. It's a night when we recognize the high school athletes for their accomplishments. We hold it in one of our gyms, everyone dresses up, has a meal and a good time...well...not always so much of a good time. I've spent the last few days asking myself how in the world you would not have a good time at an event that celebrates your kids.
   I've come to one conclusion...we are spoiled...we live in a society where we feel entitled and where "everyone" wins. Humm, that's three conclusions, but you get my point.

Remember When - May 6, 1989

   Twenty-five years ago today, I was a young girl madly in love with a boy who stole my heart. At the age of sixteen, I stood before God, my family and friends and married the love of my life, Jeff.
   When I think about May 6, 1989, I think of the first line in Alan Jackson's song, "Remember When". The words ring so true and sum up how I felt that Saturday afternoon.
    "Remember when I was young and so were you and time stood still and love was all we knew."
   At that very moment, I realized sixteen was too young to be married in most people's eyes. All that mattered to me was the love Jeff and I shared. I believed we could overcome any odds stacked against us because of our age. We were both scared, nervous and unsure of the future. Today, we celebrate twenty-five years of marriage.

Selfie - Vanity or Fad?

   The first time I watched film slide out of my Dad's Polaroid camera, I was intrigued. In only five "short" minutes, our image would appear! No more trips to have the film developed! We had arrived!
   Thanks to the incredible advancements in technology, we can take our picture and see it all in an instant. After all, who has five minutes to sit around and wait for an image to appear on an archaic piece of film? The digital revolution has turned everyone with access to a digital camera or smart phone into a photographer who is an expert in the art of "the selfie". No more wasting film trying for that perfect shot. Out of 50 pictures you take with your smart phone, you might just find one you like. Of course, then comes the editing, adding filters and such. We have to look good, right?

The Odd World of Dreams

   The dictionary defines a dream as, "a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep." Dreams can be both fascinating and frightening. They can be so vivid and real, when you wake up you have to convince yourself it was only a dream.
   There are thousands of websites devoted to interpreting the meaning of dreams. Google dream meanings and you can spend hours upon hours trying to make sense of your thoughts and actions in a dream. Some explanations are quite comical while others are written by fear-mongers who want you to believe you are crazy! Google with caution!
   For the past month, I have had some of the most vivid, bizarre, funny and sad dreams. I wake up a few times during the night and can remember them in immense detail for about 10 minutes. After that, it becomes a bit of a blur.  A friend suggested I begin writing my dreams down in a journal as soon as I had the opportunity. I took her advice and what I found is very interesting.
   Tornadoes have appeared in my dreams lately, which isn't unusual due to the season and what is on the news all the time. The dream meaning dictionary suggests dreaming you are in a tornado means, "that you are feeling overwhelmed and out of control." I can think of areas in my life where I feel overwhelmed and being the control freak I am, not being in control of somethings in my life drives me crazy!

The Bucket List - Top Ten

   I recently had a discussion with a friend about making a "Bucket List". I think everyone has a bucket list stored somewhere, either in a journal or in their mind. It's great to have a list of things you would like to do, accomplish, go or see before you leave this earth.
   I like the idea of actually writing my list down on paper. Somewhere I can see it everyday as a reminder of what I want to do. If it's out of sight, it's virtually out of mind. The whole, "I'll do it later" concept can sneak up on you and before you know it, you are out of laters.
   I condensed my list to ten things and thought I'd share them with you. You can hold me accountable! So, here goes!

Dancing Disaster

   I have a really good friend who has "gently" encouraged me to give a dance/workout class a try. "Hip Hop Hustle" is quite the craze and although I have declined going to the class, I have watched several videos on YouTube. It looks like a really great workout that will melt the fat right off your body. Thinking I would give something a try before I actually performed dancing like this in public, I decided to purchase "Dance off the Inches - Red Hot Dance Party".
   I closed all the blinds in the den, made my family leave the room and popped one of the discs into the DVD player. While the DVD was getting started, I looked at the girl on the front of the box. She looked like she was having the time of her life. She was skinny, wore cute clothes and even had several snazzy bracelets on. If I could look like her at the end of the series, it was well worth the $18.99!
   The workout began with a warm-up geared towards learning the moves. Piece of cake! I didn't even break a sweat and felt like I was a natural born dancer. I thought to myself I should have never asked my family to leave, they might have enjoyed watching such skill and grace. I knew right away this was the workout for me! Where had this been all my life???

It's a GIVEAWAY!

   I've been overwhelmed by the response to my blog, so I thought I would have a blog giveaway! My readers are what keeps my blog going, so now it's time to give back to you!
One lucky person will win a very cool prize!
   The rules are simple: 1. Answer the following question by leaving a comment on Facebook link, or by leaving a comment on my blog. 2. One random winner will be drawn on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (CST).
   Question: How would you live your life if you had a week to live? 
   I'm looking forward to seeing your responses! Remember, make sure you comment by 7 p.m. on Wednesday to be entered to win!

Forever in my heart

In 1955, a vibrant, full of life red-headed woman walked into the Perry Brothers store in downtown Childress to have her picture taken. Twenty years later, she took the photo off her wall and penned a message on the back which read:

   "I was the eldest of 14 children. This picture was taken when I was 33 years of age. I was so    beautiful...I felt beautiful in my heart." She continued saying, "This is to be given to Ginger Ranae Ticer upon and after my death." 

   I was only three at the time when she decided this picture would go to me. Our bond was special from the moment I was born.

The Blessing Jar

   Years ago, I received a unique Christmas gift from a dear friend of mine. I still have the tag that came along with the gift, which reads: "You said one time you were a 'jar person'. Well, here's your jar! I want it to be your blessing jar. Each struggle overcome, each mountain climbed, each destination reached, write it down and place it in the jar!"
   The jar sits on a shelf with items I've collected over the years and each day I see it, I am reminded of the friend who gave it to me. Over the years, I've added strips of paper to the jar. Today, I decided to take the jar off the shelf and read the strips which have been placed inside.  It has been a while since I've screwed the metal lid off the beautiful glass jar. Although I have not added as many strips as I intended, the ones I have were great reminders of my blessings, where I have been and where I am going.

Sticks and Stones

     For thirty-two years, I have held on to bitterness from a  young man who made my fourth grade year a living hell. I cringe when I think of being in the fourth grade. I cringe when I remember my teacher. Seeing the look on my face from my fourth grade school picture brings back a flood of memories I would rather forget. The best way to forget is to forgive, which I have failed to do. So, this is my letter to you.

80's Movies Life Lessons

     If you know anything about 80's movies, you know one thing; John Hughes was a genius. His films are still as relevant today as they were when first released. I have shared my love (i.e. obsession) of his classics with my daughter and she is hooked. Have I ever fantasized about being the star in a Hughes film? Absolutely! Hasn't everyone?  His cult classics taught me a lot about life, love and people.