Away from Computer

I will be away from a computer for the next four days. Therefore, the blogs will not be updated until I return.

Take care.

Work...

I've come to the conclusion that work can be as entertaining or as boring as you make it. 

 

Take today for instance....no one is safe around me.  I'm yucking it up with everyone, giving them a little grief, and just plain being a smarts**.   And you know what?  Peeps is digging it....errr, at least I *think* they are (they haven't decked me -  yet!) ~L~

 

I Am living up to my "mood" today (check L-hand side of this blog).  ~L~

 

It's gorgeous out there.  Get out an enjoy it!

 

Have a good one folks! 

 

 

 

 

Kindness

Have you ever felt like the sludge of the earth, only to be buoyed by the gift of someones smile or kind word?

Have you ever found yourself short of money in a checkout line and been rescued by the next person in line lending you the needed change or cash?

How did it make you feel....to suddenly "matter" in that moment?

I found myself in the grocery checkout line tonight behind an elderly lady who was checking out with a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk, and a tin of 4 muffins. She was paying cash and didn't have enough money for all of her purchases. She was visibly upset and wasn't quite sure what to do. The cashier asked if there was anything that she didn't want. She hesitated as if deciding.... she was only short $2.50. I stepped forward and gave the cashier the needed money and said to the woman, "If you will allow me, I'd appreciate it very much." She was stunned, then thanked me profusely and went on her way.

But it is me who should be thanking her. The act of doing something good for someone else made me feel like a million dollars.

Why is it that we get so caught up in our lives that we forget about the people standing all around us who might just need a little "extra something" to help brighten their day?

It may be something as small as a smile, holding the door open for them, complimenting them on their haircut or new blouse. Perhaps even just making small talk with them and making them feel important for a while. It doesn't take a lot, and you may end up reaping more of the benefit from that one act of kindness.

I remember my Dad giving someone some money once. When I asked him why, he just said, "he needed it more than I did." Kewl, huh?

Pay it forward people...pay it forward. Step out of your world and in to someone else's,and make them feel as if they matter.

Happy Memorial Weekend

As Memorial Day draws to a close, I hope that all of you took a few moments to remember the men and women of our Armed Forces who are serving in country and those abroad, as well as those who have fallen in the line of duty to protect all that America stands for. Say a silent pray for those injured in the line of duty.

That being said, I hope you also remember those in your families that are no longer with you. I spent time with my brother, sister, and sister-in-law on Wednesday evening taking care of the graves of my mother and father, and to pay respects to my brother-in-law Earl. It is a time of bonding for us siblings. Terry and I have been doing the "cemetary run" every year since Dad passed away and it has only been recently (the last five years?) that Peggy has joined us. We usually have good weather but the last two years has been nothing but wind. We don't let it bother us too much though. This year would have been good if yours truly had remembered gardening tools with which to plant the flowers! Sheesh! Peggy and Terry did NOT let me forget that this was the 2nd year in a row that I'd done this. At least I remembered the flowers! ~L~

I went back down on Saturday and finished planting. I spent a few moments just kneeling graveside and having a private conversation with my parents. I miss them alot some days. They were good people with kind hearts and a love of family. Their health took them from us far too soon, but their memory lives on our hearts.

I then spent the rest of the day at my brothers house helping to varnish the wood for the house (inside to replace the sheetrock lost in the flood) as well as taking down the LAST of the sandbags! Can we have an AMEN here?! It was a lot of work but what a wonderful thing for him not to have to stare at that project anymore. Max (the German exchange student) will probably be the most relieved. Every day after school he would go out and empty sandbags so "I just do not have to look at them anymore." He had I have come full circle with the sandbags; He was standing right beside me when we started filling them on March 24th and standing beside me when we took them down on Saturday. He's such a good kid! I was teasing him that I wanted his address so I could keep in touch with him, but not to worry - I wouldn't be a pest. He didn't even hesitate and said, "yeah sure" in that German accent of his! ~L~ We will miss him when he leaves in just a month.

Today I pretty much didn't do a damn thing. I FINALLY transitioned my closet from winter to spring. About time, wouldn't you think? Geeez! I was still wearing a turtleneck up until 2 weeks ago! This is crazy weather. T hasn't had the greatest of luck with calving and planting. We've lost far too many calves this year and the weather hasn't cooperated with planting crops. Our corn planter bit the dust yesterday and he's trying to frantically fix it today so that we can get our main crop in. We're also keeping our fingers crossed that we have a good hay crop this year as we don't have anything in reserves. No hay or corn makes for not a very happy rancher! Ranching/farming isn't for the faint at heart. I made a joke the other day that we didn't need to take gambling trips to Vegas...farming is enough of a gamble the way it is. Oh well, you have to have a bad year every so often to really appreciate the good years.

I'll be going to the cities next weekend for further training/certification in yoga! I'm excited and apprehensive all at the same time. The excitement comes from seeing yoga friends from across the country and the apprehension is whether my body will hold out! (Don't tell anyone, but I'm not as young as I used to be!) ~L~

Oh well, I'll do what I can, remember to take my pain pills, drink my Geritol and everything should be just fine! If I bite the dust, at least my niece Joan (the doctor in training) will be close by to take care of me! (Right Joan??!)

Namaste'

Farrah's Story

I sat through an hour of Farrah's Story (Farrah Fawcett's journey with cancer) and it both broke my heart and inspired me. Such incredible strength and faith she has.

I cried for her and with her and she gave us a glimpse of her life living with cancer the past 2 1/2 years.

God Bless her and comfort her - and her family.

1000 Hits!!!

Rock on!  I've been informed that this blog has hit 1000 hits.  This is so cool.   I have peeps that follow me! 

 

Hope you all have a great day!!

 

Namaste'

 

Sherry

 

 

Happy Mother's Day

This may be a little late in coming to the blog, but it IS heartfelt.  I wish everyone a Happy Belated Mother's Day and hope that your day was truly spectacular in every way.  

 

I remembered my mother yesterday and cried just a little, wishing that she would have been here to just spend the day with her, hug her and tell her one more time how much I loved and missed her.

 

She was quite a remarkable mom and absolutely lived for her family.  My fondest memories of my mother were in the later years when we (children) would drive her to dialysis every week.  The car rides would give me a chance to catch her up on what was going on in my life and to get her very wise advice.  Sometimes we didn't talk at all as she would be too tired or worried.   She never complained about being on the dialysis machine for hours at a time though.  That's just the way that she was. 

 

In the earlier years of my life, I remember her standing in front of a stove and frying chicken - filling up a huge roaster of fried chicken (to this day, no one makes it like Mom!) for a picnic we were having - usually Dad's birthday in August.  My mother always cooked enough to feed a small starving nation - something she passed on to her daughters (you can never have enough food!).

 

She loved taking care of the grandchildren (21 of them), rocking them to sleep and cuddling them, wiping their tears and comforting their fears.  There was no greater love than the love of my mother for her grandchildren or children.  Family was the center of her life.

 

Her love of "soap operas"   pretty much stopped life on the farm until Young and the Restless and As The World Turns were over and she loved spending time with dad, taking rides on Sundays to "check the crops." 

 

She had the greenest thumb of anyone I knew, and loved to grow flowers, plants and a vegetable garden that was the envy of the township. I spent many hours with her in that garden and learned to appreciate her hard work and dedication to growing vegetables that fed our family all winter long.

 

Her piano playing was unreal.  She played by ear and could play any song she heard.  We had an upright piano and she would make that thing dance while playing the Beer Barrel Polka, or Sweet Georgia Brown.  We often had jam sessions on Saturday nights with Dad playing along in the fiddle and my brother Terry on the drums or harmonica.  

 

I remember her support and love when my first marriage and life was falling apart at the seams.  Her loving, comforting arms and quiet spoken words, "it wasn't meant to be Sherry, God has a different plan for you" brought me through the toughest time of my life thus far. 

 

There are many, many more memories that I can share with you about my mother but time and space prevent me from doing so.   The most important thing I want to share with you is this: Her love was unconditional, her strength was phenomenal.  

 

I love you Mom.

 

Sherry

 

 

 

 

 

Finally Friday

 

Good Morning and TGIF!!!!

 

What a wonderful thing to wake up and realize that Friday has arrived and the weekend follows.  It has been a very productive week at work, and I'm planning on making this weekend productive at home.  I do have tons of things to do but need to be selective of the tasks that I will accomplish.  (I get overwhelmed when I look at the "big picture").  

 

I tend to be a procrastinating perfectionist.  

 

"What is that?" you ask? 

 

Well, since I tend to be a perfectionist, I want everything done right and in my time frame - which is usually "now!". 

 

Therefore, if I cannot do it correctly and finish it "now" - I tend procrastinate on doing anything until "the time is right."   I'm not one to have projects spread out for weeks, nor can I allow for interruptions (like having to leave a task because of an appointment).   I get in, do it, and finish it.  ~LOL~   So....THAT is my definition of a procrastinating perfectionist.   

 

I know, I'm pretty quirky.  But, I'm finding that this particular trait seems to be common amongst Virgos.   Go figure!

 

 

 

 

TODAYS Joke!

oh my gosh! This is too funny!

---

 
COWBOY IN A GAY BAR
 
A cowboy walks into a bar and two steps in, he realizes it's a gay bar.
 
But what the heck, he says to himself, "I can really use a drink."
 
When the gay waiter approaches, he says to the cowboy, "What's the name of your wee-wee?"
 
The cowboy says, "Look, I'm not into any of that, all I want is a drink."
 
The gay waiters says, "I'm sorry but I can't serve you until you tell me the name of your wee-wee.  Mine for instance is called "Nike," for the slogan, "Just Do It," and that guy down at the end of the bar calls his, "Snickers," because if really "Satisfies."
 
The cowboy looks dumbfounded so the bartender tells him he will give him a second or so to think it over.
 
So the cowboy asks the man sitting to his left, who is sipping on a beer, "Hey bud, what's the name of yours?"  The man looks back and says with a smile, "Timex," and the thirsty cowboy asks, "Why Timex?"  The fella proudly replies, "Cause it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin!"
 
A little shaken, the cowboy turns to two fellas on his right, who happen to be sharing a fruity Margarita and says, "So, what do you guys call yours?"
 
The first man turns to him and proudly exclaims, "FORD, because Quality is Job One."  Then he adds, "Have you driven a Ford lately?"
 
The guy next to him then says, "I call mine "CHEVY, Like a Rock" and gives him a wink.
 
Even more shaken the Cowboy has to think for a moment before he comes up with a name.  He exclaims, "The name of my wee-wee is 'SECRET', now give me a dang beer."
 
The bartender begins to pour the cowboy a beer, but with a puzzled look asks, "Why Secret?"
 
The cowboy says:  "Because it's STRONG ENOUGH FOR A MAN, BUT MADE FOR A WOMAN!" 
 



 

A new man in my life...

Yes, there is a new man in my life.  I've committed to him for a year  - at least once a month.  He promises to take my body to new heights and make me drip with sweat! 

 

His name is Levi, and he's my personal trainer. 

 

Ok - you can all start breathing again!  Geeez!!!  (LOL)

 

He is a trainer at the new gym that I've joined.  I met with him recently to discuss the fact that I'm in this hormonal state and seem to want to gain 10lbs when I even look at food.  

 

I was also lucky enough to also meet his father, Brad, who has been a Master Certified Trainer for the last 25 years. Between the two of them, they gave me a lot of ideas about a workout program and what I can expect from Levi (and what he expects from me).  Although I "was" in fairly good shape (before the winter from hell!), I expect there is a lot more that I can be doing to improve my health. 

 

I'm really excited about this and hope to be a lean, mean, yoga machine! ~LOL~

 

Have a great day everyone!

 

 

 

Techno Stuff

Ok - so like I finally decided that I have this blogging thing down pretty good. Now I should spread my wings. Facebook? MySpace? Twitter?

Twitter. (Points to the side bar).

You can all now follow me when I get a drink, fold laundry, or anything else that I deem absolutely necessary for my fan base to know! (I won't let you know when I go to the little girls room though - I DO have my limits!) ~L~

I'm going to give it a shot for a little while and see how it goes. If I absolutely can't live without twitter, I'll keep it.

Take care and see ya around!

Judge Not

I received this in an email this morning and thought it worth sharing.  Happy May Day everyone!

---

BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED

I was shocked, confused, bewildered 
As I entered Heaven's door, 
Not by the beauty of it all, 
Nor the lights or its decor.. 

But it was the folks in Heaven 
Who made me sputter and gasp-- 
The thieves, the liars, the sinners, 
The alcoholics and the trash.. 

There stood the kid from seventh grade 
Who swiped my lunch money twice. 
Next to him was my old neighbor 
Who never said anything nice. 

Herb, who I always thought 
Was rotting away in hell, 
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, 
Looking incredibly well. 

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal? 
I would love to hear Your take. 
How'd all these sinners get up here? 
God must've made a mistake. 

'And why's everyone so quiet, 
So somber - give me a clue.' 
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock. 
No one thought they'd be seeing you.' 


JUDGE NOT.