My Day Off...

Today was my day off.
I woke up to my kids getting ready. I love spending school morning with them.
I tidied the house and did all the laundry. The fridge in the garage got cleaned and so did my bathroom.
Today is my son and his girlfriend's ' One Month Anniversary', so I took a special lunch to them at school.
I payed the rent and resigned the lease for another year.
As I drove down Camelback road I was amazed at how many things have changed. My grandparents had  lived around 59th Ave. and Camelback Rd. It was a super nice area when they built it. It was still nice when I was a kid. Not so much now, nope nope nope. All the businesses along there are different, run down, sad. Hundreds of memories went through my head. It was nice. There is a Home Depot on the lot where a camel once lived; I remember it spat at our car when I was little. Who knew they could be mean.
The vacant lot at about 30th is still vacant, still has a chain link fence around it. So odd that there was never anything there. I remember being 3 when my mother crashed the car into the fence. It has always seemed spooky to me. The bakery where my father took my brother and me when we were very little (the only good memory I have of him) is no longer there. The car dealership on the corner at 27th Ave is completely gone. My grandfather had made the giant fish aquarium that was in the lobby.
The restaurant near I17 called Sambo's  is still there, but it is vacant now. It was politically incorrect, I suppose. On the walls were pictures of the story of Little Black Sambo. I have never been able to find the art work that was in that cute restaurant, but I loved it.
I remember when I17 was two lane in each direction. I passed the little white chapel on the freeway. You can't see it very well due to the new structures they put up. I passed the street that my great grandparents lived on when I was tiny. I must have been 2.
I remember as a kid watching them build Metro Center Mall. It was HUGE. It was always so awesome to go to, with its ice rink and bazillians of stores. I remember cruising there as a teen. Going to Castles and Coasters to play mini golf on dates! Good stuff! I always got my golf ball on the freeway though. Oh well!
Now I don't go to Metro, it's a bit rough for me thank you.
I picked Jessette up from work, we went to the book store. Got some books I have been wanting; two Nora for steamy reading, Christmas gifts for Jessette, two birthday gifts for friends, and a few self help/fun books as well. I love book stores!!!
Then my girl and I went to lunch at Fudruckers. We had a very nice lunch, always nice to spend some time with each of my kids. I got some mom and me time in with both the younger kids earlier in the week. Happy stuff! I got to text with Emmaly today also, I miss her.
Meg went with her dad tonight. And Mark and Amy are doing dinner at the lake. I had hoped to go watch the high school football game tonight, it's a home game and the weather is great. But no takers.
So....instead, I blogged my day! Now I am going to go move the hose in the back yard, and then get cozy with Vera, Nora and Cheree!!  woohoo.... what a Friday night!

Believe in Pink

Thoughts

If our thoughts could truly be shared, interacted with.....no one would get anything accomplished in real life! 
So perhaps it's best to keep our thoughts to ourselves!

Silly Little Guy

Alligators are mean Grasshoppers.  
By Carter 3 years old

This man is SO WICKEDLY YUMMY

It's all about his voice!!! yum

“When I’m 80 years old and sitting in my rocking chair, I’ll be reading Harry Potter. And my family will say to me, “After all this time?” And I will say, “Always.” - Alan Rickman.

Relationship Advise....

(That I am going to try to live by)
Reversal~Treat YOURSELF as you treat others
Reception~Open your heart to receive as well as to give
Traditions~Family traditions are a sacred practice; they affirm out deepest values.
Surrender~Surrender your need to control, you will be amazed
Creativity~Try creativity, new ways to connect with others
Connection~ Multitask stuff not people, look them in the eye
Home~It isn't a place, it's a state of mind
Community~Take comfort in rootedness, this is where community begins
Sustenance~A close network of friends and family can sustain you in more ways than you know
Forgiveness~Forgiveness is more than a one time choice; it's a whole approach to life

10 Thoughts on Optimism

*Happiness doesn't just happen, it emerges 

*Let yourself make Mistakes, 

Happiness is found in Perfection

*Treat Happiness as a Method,

 not and end in it's self

*Misery may be contagious, but so is Joy

*Take pleasure in others' Happiness,

 it will augment your own

*Optimism isn't just a shift in Perspective, 

its an Act of Bravery

*Don't Believe what you hear, Life is Good

*Keep revisiting you Spiritual Connection, 

let it evolve as you grow

*Respond to Life with Openness and Curiosity 

*Don't wait for your Mood to change, 

take Action despite it

                                                                  whole living body+soul in balance

I want to.....

YEP YEP YEP

Love my Health Care Providers!

Just thought I would share the love!
I can't tell you how happy I am with my dentist, my ortho, and my doctor!

Desert Sunrise Family Dental
Richard Holley DDS
8249 W Thunderbird Rd
Peoria AZ 85382
623 979-8800

Wright Orthoddontics
8617 W Union Hills Dr
Ste 101
Peoria, AZ 85382
(623) 815-1400

Gregory Bode, DO
19636 North 27th Avenue #308, Phoenix, AZ 85027
jcl.com
(623)780-1999

National Fight Procrastination Day

In order to stop putting things off, take
The Procrastination Self Test:
The answer to that question can help change your behavior. Don't put off taking this self-test.
Do You...
1. Think of all the ways something could go wrong?
2. Imagine how people would view you if you failed?
3. Fear that you will ultimately let someone down?
4. See yourself as inadequate?
5. Say "I can't" when someone asks you to do something?
6. Prefer not to do something at all than to do it imperfectly?
7. Wait until the "right" time to face a challenge?
8. Find that completing almost any task is arduous and slow?
If You Answered Yes to ...
1-3: Fear of Failure Has You Hamstrung.
Try It: Pull the Plug on Catastrophic Thinking. Convinced you'll not just make a mistake but will ruin everything? Challenge that theory: What evidence do you have that this is true? Chances are, the things you imagine to be life-ending would merely present you with new challenges -- and opportunities.
4 or 5: You're Short on Self-Esteem.
Try It: Prove That You Can. Many people who procrastinate believe they are incompetent, even when their performance suggests otherwise. Putting things off prevents you from ever succeeding, reinforcing this negative self-perception. Make yourself attempt one difficult task and see what happens. You may be surprised at what you're capable of!
6-8: Your Perfectionism Is Paralyzing You.
Try It: Be Average (for a Change). Pick a project that you've been avoiding and just do it. Hit a few key points in your presentation instead of making an exhaustive list. Rather than organize the entire kitchen, do one cabinet. You need to accept a little imperfection to realize that it beats getting nothing done at all.


Adapted with permission by New Harbinger Publications, Inc., The Worrier's Guide to Overcoming Procrastination, copyright 2011, Pamela S. Wiegartz and Kevin L. Gyoerkoe.POSTED by Whole Living Action Plan

Shaken Never Stirred

No matter what is hurled at me, no matter what the catastrophe.
No matter who hurt my feelings and made me cry.
Chocolate milk (shaken, never stirred) with a straw, sipped in bed,
always makes things a little bit better.

Enough Said

Sunday Night Blues

I saw this article as I read through a blog posted by Dr. Weil. (He is one of my favorite reads, lots of common sense and voodoo magic I do believe!!) The article touches on a area that I do not have an issue with, but a couple of my children do. It's a good read. If you struggle with this, or if a family member does, it may be helpful.
My kids have had an issue with it since they were young. We would always make sure they were prepped and ready for the school week; homework complete, backpacks ready, school clothes ready, lunches prepped, water bottles filled, breakfast foods at the ready. And we would talk about the schedule for the upcoming week. So there were limited surprises and they were aware of things to look forward to.
They still get apprehensive some weeks. But it is rare to end up in a panic attack any longer. Cookie had a tough Sunday night a week ago. To the point that she called me on her way to school Monday morning and said she wasn't going to make it and needed the day off. We talked, she went, the day was fine. Both my younger children seem to have a tough time on the Sunday night that they come back home from their weekend away. It's like they can't get enough of home; they are almost silly as they, sort of, reacquaint themselves with home.
I see the Sunday night blues in my kids the most on the Sunday nights that we have shared a great weekend together. I asked them why. My son said that they love the feeling of being home and having fun, even if its a clean the house weekend. But that at the end of our weekend (they live with me, but spend every other weekend with their father) not only do they have to go back to school and the real world, but they know that at the end of the school week they don't have our weekend to look forward to. We talked about how they can make their other house more like home. They said it's more a feeling than anything else. (I knew that, I feel it too. We love our home, sharing it together. All the friends love to be at our home too. They all seem very comfortable here, even though our tv is small!)
On the Sunday nights that are the toughest, or on any night that is hard for them, my kids still ask me to sing to them. I know what songs they want to hear. I know it's the need to feel safe and loved and okay. And I hope that through out their lives, as Sunday night blues happen, they always will want that feeling of home.

**I'm having a mommy moment!**

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03225/Overcoming-the-Sunday-Night-Blues.html

Perfect Saturday Activity With The Kids....Let's Eat!

Amy Is Teaching US To Make Gnocchi

Working On Our Technique 

The Ladies 

The Boy

MY KIDS

Looking Like We Know What We Are Doing

Perfect Alfredo From Scratch

My Grandma Didn't Make Marinara This Perfect

Yummy Dinner!!! 

Fall Equinox

Today Is The First Day Of Autumn! A very Happy Day! You have to LOVE that!!!

WHYY

Tonight my friend and I talked about
 some spiritual topics. 

Somethings I just don't comprehend. 

I asked him a question on one of our topics. 

Then I asked him "Why?"

He went on to explain; in the Bible, 

while Christ was on the cross he said

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" 

The heavens didn't open,
there was not a lightning show, 

no great understanding was sent down from above. 

There was no answer to why.......

So perhaps we need to stop asking Why. 

Maybe we should change the spelling of the word. 

We could add an additional y, WHYY. 

That way it would be a four letter word,

 and we would try to avoid asking it.

Just food  for thought!!

I'd be Darling at it!

Accepting

"Accepting everything, just as it is, is a beautiful state to get to. What would it be like to accept yourself just as you are, not slimmer or taller or better looking, just as you are right now? What would it be like to accept your life just as it is: job, family, friends, sex life, prospects, the whole bloomin’ lot, just as it is right now? And what would it be like to accept the world—f**ked-up, messy, warming up, war-strewn, greed-littered - just as it is? Relax, let go and get ready to accept everything as it is." John C. Parkin


I am not sure everything is to be accepted in life. If we accept everything I dont think we would strive to improve or move forward. I Don't want to accept all things. I wont. I need to know there is still hope for more, a light at the end of a tunnel, that things are going to change. I will accept some things. But not Everything. amhj

Shakespeare

Figuring out his future!

I am working on trying to get my son inspired in his future. We are talking college. And a career path. I want him to be inspired. I am searching for some sort of career test or talent quiz. But I am coming up with very little. I did find this list, and I thought it was good. So I am sharing! 

1. Think about what you dreamed of become during your childhood. We often get asked about what we want to do when we grow up at an early age. Try to recall what your dream was during that time. You might have told your family, friends or teaches what you want to become. Retrace your past dream. Look back at your interests or hobbies that you enjoyed as a child.

2. Choose a career based on your own values. Figure out what your true values are. It’s important to consider your values when it comes to choosing a career as things such as be your own boss, creativity, freedom, traveling and innovation are crucial factors in determining what you want to do in future.

3. Research your career choices. The internet and the library are some good places to start your exploration. Discover your career path options based on your interests. For instance, careers such as automobile mechanics, chefs, architect and musicians are suitable for people who like to work with their hands. There are a lot of career options that you don’t even know and you just have to explore them.

4. Know your interests and talents. Most of us like to have a career based on what we love to do. Talents and interests such as cooking meals, networking with people, writing essays, work with computers, singing songs and even playing games are all valuable choices to consider for your career. You can determine your career paths by knowing what you enjoy doing the most.

5. Seek help from professionals such as a career advisor. Most often a career advisor will ask you to take a career assessment test to discover where your talents lie. You will get feedback as to which careers are suitable for you based on the results of the test. Perform more tests to see if you get similar results and you might be surprised by some of the recommendations by the tests.

6. Talk to someone who is already in the positions. Meet the person and ask a lot of questions before you choose a career. Moreover, if you are looking for a career in criminal justice, request for an assignment or seek an internship. Even a day trip tagging along with the officers will give you a lot of information or insights into what the day to day routine is for the career.

Because it's Monday, he says!

Cole brought this home for Jessette. 

I love that young man more than I can say.

 Because he loves my daughter so much!

Establishing Personal Values

Becoming Aware: Identify your motives; needs, wants and future.

Serving First: Practice Genuine Kindness; smile, serve, give, ARK.

Finding New Truth: Seek inspiration – Pray, listed, read.

Making a Choice: Determine your higher purpose and live it with passion. Set goals.

Finding Courage: Listen for the still, small voice. Try new things.

Living Courageously: Go Forward with Strength and Purpose, Stand for what you believe.

Have Joy: Be happy; say kind words, smile, think good thoughts, stay busy, be a good example.

A Good 12 Step Program....Some Call it KARMA

THE GREAT LAW -

"As you sow, so shall you reap" also know as Law of Cause and Effect.
Whatever we put out in the Universe is what comes back to us.
If what we want is Happiness, Peace, Love, Friendship...Then we should BE Happy, Peaceful, Loving and a True Friend.
THE LAW OF CREATION -
Life doesn't just HAPPEN, it requires our participation.
We are one with the Universe, both inside and out.
Whatever surrounds us gives us clues to our inner state.
BE yourself, and surround yourself with what you want to have present in your Life.
THE LAW OF HUMILITY -
What you refuse to accept, will continue for you.
If what we see is an enemy, or someone with a character trait that we find to be negative,
then we ourselves are not focused on a higher level of existence.
THE LAW OF GROWTH -
"Wherever you go, there you are".
For us to GROW in Spirit, it is we who must change - and not the people, places or things around us.
The only given we have in our lives is OURSELVES
and that is the only factor we have control over.
When we change who and what we are within our heart
our life follows suit and changes too.
THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY -
Whenever there is something wrong in my life,
there is something wrong in me.
We mirror what surrounds us - and what surrounds us mirrors us; this is a Universal Truth.
We must take responsibility what is in our life.
THE LAW OF CONNECTION -
Even if something we do seems inconsequential,
it is very important that it gets done as everything in the Universe is connected.
Each step leads to the next step, and so forth and so on.
Someone must do the initial work to get a job done.
Neither the first step nor the last are of greater significance,
As they were both needed to accomplish the task.
Past - Present - Future
They are all connected...
THE LAW OF FOCUS - You can not think of two things at the same time.
When our focus is on Spiritual Values, it is impossible for us to have lower thoughts such as greed or anger.
THE LAW OF GIVING AND HOSPITALITY -
If you believe something to be true,
then sometime in your life
you will be called upon to demonstrate that particular truth.
Here is where we put what we CLAIM that we have learned,
into actual PRACTICE.
THE LAW OF HERE AND NOW -
Looking backward to examine what was,
prevents us from being totally in the HERE AND NOW.
Old thoughts, old patterns of behavior, old dreams...
Prevent us from having new ones.
THE LAW OF CHANGE -
History repeats itself until we learn the lessons that we need to change our path.
THE LAW OF PATIENCE AND REWARD - All Rewards require initial toil.
Rewards of lasting value require patient and persistent toil.
True joy follows doing what we're suppose to be doing, and waiting for the reward to come in on it's own time.
THE LAW OF SIGNIFICANCE AND INSPIRATION -
You get back from something whatever YOU have put into it.
The true value of something is a direct result of
the energy and intent that is put into it.
Every personal contribution is also a contribution to the Whole.
Lack luster contributions have no impact on the Whole, nor do they work to diminish it.
Loving contributions bring life to, and inspire, the Whole.

Searching for Friendship Within Myself

It is said that Love is blind but Friendship is clairvoyant.

Clairvoyant: ability to perceive matters beyond the range of ordinary perception.

Quiet Reminders

A man came to my door today. He was colleting donations for the United States Mission. We chatted for a while. I listened to his story. I watched the way he moved, the look in his eye. I listened to the drawl in his voice. I asked him questions, about his family, his service. He apologized for what he was there for. I asked him not to. I told him I knew a man in North Carolina who is a wonderful man, who was given the opportunity to make changes in his life. And he took the opportunity, and is a great example because of it. I am so grateful for these opportunities, they give good people the chance to find themselves. I made a donation. He gave me a receipt. I think the piece of paper with his name on it is worth so much more than the amount I gave him. As I closed my door, and looked around at my home, again I realized that I am so very blessed. And that the choices I have made in my life have brought me to a place I am happy in. And that each person I welcome into my life is there for a purpose.  Feel free to view my entry from Wednesday July 27th, 2011 "The Healing Place"

Life Lesson 101 with Mr. Biology

I was talking to a friend tonight. We were talking about life and the perspective we have from where we are now. He said "At the end of the day we have to play the hand we are dealt. And I know I have stressed about it at times. But have come to realize, I just need to make the best of the situation at hand."
I do agree with him....to a point. I do although think that if you are knee deep in muck every day, you need to change your surroundings! Eliminate the negative pollutants from your life. Perhaps start all over, from the ground up. Plot a new course.
My friends Father told him, "Just remember to not worry about the little things, and in the long run, most things are little things."  
My dearest cousin always says, about herself, "I am so blessed!" and gosh darn, she is truly the most amazingly blessed person I know.
So, perhaps there is happy to be found everywhere. We just need to live it. If we believe we are happy; with what we have, who we are, what we are dealt, we will be. We can not change all that we have been given, we do need to play the hand we have been dealt. But maybe, by letting go of the worry and stress of the little things, we can focus on the important things in life, the things that really matter. Making every day blessed and happy. (I need to remember this on an every day, every minute, time frame.)

Ten Years

I will never forget any moment of that day.
I hope no one will.

My family ended that day listening to the President's speech on the radio, on our way to the local food bank. It was our regular service night of the month. We had scheduled to join other families we knew there. It was a very somber night, but participating in service with those we loved was so the perfect ending to that horrific day.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3eQmzw6n3k&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDr8pyKPMNc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yVG3nX8MJI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW8puRqE4Sc&feature=related

Self Care

It’s time for a change, and it’s time to make self-care a top priority.
Improve your self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.

~Surround yourself with people who are positive and accepting.
~Pay attention to your physical health.
Fifteen to twenty minutes of exercise at a time, if you can't fit a whole routine in.
Get into the mindset that this is a regular, mandatory activity; like brushing your teeth.
~Take a break from stress, take a mental health day.
~Plan and do fun, stress free, activities with loved ones and friends.
~Write positive thoughts, feelings and goals in a journal.
List all the things that you like about yourself –
include your successes, achievements, positive traits, and qualities.
(Accepting yourself is one of the most important steps you can take.)
~Take the time to clean and tidy your surroundings.
~Listen to upbeat positive music.
~Regularly do random acts of kindness for loved ones friends and strangers.
~Smile!

9-10-11 *12

Today is My Cookies 12th Birthday

Fondue Party

The Birthday Girl

Friends and Fondue....Sweet!!!!

Louisville Kentucky

Louisville Kentucky.....I want to see the Green!

 

 

 

Todays Life Lesson

I often think that my life is very difficult. I whine.
To those who have taken the time to listen, I thank you. I am grateful for you.
Your friendship is so dear to me.

I need to remember that the trials in my life are not 'Mount Everest's' but only 'Camel Back' in size.
Although to me this is huge. In comparison, very small. Perhaps I need to view my life as a class room.
Each experience or trial is a learning event. And not a tragedy. That the life long learning process is complete only with death. These lessons may be leaving sore muscles and making life changes. But they have not, to this point, been devastating. Thus confirming that we are not given more than we can handle.

As of late I have watched friends deal with tragedy. One with a grown child that has mental challenges and the loss of her father. One friend has lost her mother to cancer. Another friend lost his mother within the last six months, now his brother to a senseless happening. And another dear friend who cares for dependent love ones with ailments that would overwhelm even the strongest of us.

Everyone around me deals with things daily that I am thankful are not my trials.
At the moment my trials are so trivial and pail in comparison. Yet I whine. For that I am sorry.

Do I smile along the path? Do I lift those around me? Am I a good friend?

I will work harder on this life lesson. Perhaps amid the hiccups I endure, I must forget my own stumbling blocks and cheer on those around me. They are my strength, my encouragement, my life mentors. Yet up to this point I have not done my best to be that for them.

I pledge, from here forward, I will be that friend I want to have. I will be that strength for someone else, the way I want it to be there for me. I will be a support and a cheer leader, I will be thoughtful and giving.
I will be the friend each of us is in need of.

My Brush With The Law

Cookie is truly going through a hard stage. I am struggling with how to help her through this.
She has treated her dad very poorly for some time. But I chalked it up to his poor parenting skills.
Now I am the enemy as well. We have been having issues for months, and I am not seeing the
light at the end of the tunnel. I wish I had someone to help but I don't. Her dad is no help at all. He
blames me for everything. My bad parenting and allowing them to have this out of control behavior.
So Cookie and I have been going to counseling together. I like her counselor. She is good at what she is doing, but Cookie is only harmonious at the office. She is rather hard to live with all the rest of the time.

Anyway, one day was particularly bad. I decided to impose the consequences for her behavior. 
She lost the privilege of the laptop and her cell phone. When I calmly took the phone, she went wild. As I pushed her on the bed she continued to be aggressive. So I smacked her. On her thigh. I took the phone and left the room.
When I went to bed that evening I asked her brother to let her use his phone so she could call her dad. I fell asleep listening to him playing his guitar. He woke me about an hour later, telling me that he talked to his dad after Cookie had. And the dad had called the police and reported me for child abuse. The police where on their way! I told my son, who was freaking out, that everything would be fine. I had nothing to worry about, what was done was done. Cookie would not come out of her room, and was screaming at her dad to make him retract the call. But I told her it was okay. I explained that if she was going to tattle on me to dad then that was my consequence. And I take full responsibly. I went back to bed.

With in the next hour my door bell rang. Both the kids came to the living room as I opened the door and welcomed in the officer. He asked if I knew he was coming, I told him yes, since the dad wanted to take full credit for this act of justice. He came in and asked if everything was okay, I said yes. He asked Cookie is was okay and what happened. She said she was and that the two of us are having issues. He looked at my son, who gave a reassuring nod. I added that during our afternoon I had smacked her. I figured I had nothing to hide, give a full disclosure.
He asked Cookie again if she was okay, and she said yes.
The officer then proceeded to inform my Cookie that I am her mother. I am the custodial parent. Meaning I am in charge of her. She is a child and can not make choices for herself on her own yet. And until age 18, I am in charge and responsible for making the decisions for her. He went on to add that if I feel that spanking her is justified to control her behavior, that is okay, I am the mother. We all just stared at him. He continued to go on saying that she had wasted my time, her dad's time, her own time and most importantly his time. And that he had better never be called out to our house again for this kind of childishness.
I just gave him a little smile. Wanting to full on kiss this man on the lips! My son all but laughed out loud.
The officer asked me again if everything was okay, I said yes. He looked at my son and said there was no follow up report to give the dad, but asked that my son let him know the request was filled and there will be no further action taken, and to fill dad in on what had been said. I shook his hand and locked the door behind him. I followed the kids down the hall to their rooms. I hugged my boy, who at that totally laughed out loud. I kissed him good night and he went to call his dad. I went into Cookies room, told her I loved her and tried to hug her. She wanted no part of me. I kissed her cheek and told her it was time for bed and shut off her light. Then I went back to bed.

There you go , my brush with the law! No report was written, I never even got his name. I wish I had, I would have liked to send a thank you note. But lesson learned by all that night.

Is there any question that I would ever get back with the dad.....NOPE!!!!

Because He Loves Her So Much

Mr. Darcy

Vital

There are vital elements in life. That you can not live without.

Air, water and love are a few. These elements are shared.

No matter the distance.

The rain that touches my face has also touched yours.

The air that touches your skin, touches mine as well.

The love I feel in my heart is the same love in your heart.

You are a vital element in my life.

amhj

Yep

DIVINE CHAOS