Hmmm!!!!

I was described as....SMART  MATURE AND  SASSY!!!

Beautiful

Thought For The Day

Don't try to understand everything, because sometimes it is not to be understood, but to be accepted.

2012 ~ 242

everyday 

PERSONAL GROWTH

Get Ecstatic!

Living what you love most.

Published: March 15, 2012

ECSTASY IS THE HUMAN reset button. It shakes you up, reboots your system, and opens your eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. Ecstasy introduces you to your deepest, most authentic self, while simultaneously offering freedom, intimacy, connection and spiritual awakening.

How can you live a more ecstatic life? Here are a few ways to get started:

Become lovers with your evolving self. In order to step forward, you need to be in a consistent, friendly relationship with your evolving self—theyou who is creating your future. Your evolving self exists in this present moment. Avoiding your evolving self will not save you from your future. It willprevent you from playing a role in the conscious creation of your future. Walking with awareness of the presence of your evolving self will help you recognize the next doors that will open for you.

Radically accept—everything. Radical acceptance is the practice of accepting things as they are with no expectation of change. When we accept things the way they are and are willing to be happy and satisfied with that, almost any situation can be turned into an experience that—if not ecstatic in itself—can lead to a place of peace and no regrets, both of which contribute to an ecstatic life. Radical acceptance provides the opportunity for finding infinitely more creative and ecstatic possibilities, and it paves the way for positive change.

Live what you love. This is hardly a new maxim, but it’s essential to an ecstatic life. Do as much of what you love as you possibly can. Do as little as you must of anything you don’t like. The more you commit to what you love, the easier it is to let the rest be handled by someone else who enjoys it more. Pay attention to your intuitive energy meter. Remember to ask yourself: Do I feel an energy gain or an energy drain in this situation, or around this person? Eliminate or minimize your exposure to anything or anyone that drains your energy. Embrace that which feeds you.

Whatever you’re doing—do it whole-heartedly. Do not hold back. Give yourself over completely. Be bigger than you think you are. Be more than you’ve ever been. Be too much.

Embrace and celebrate your inner teenager. What was your passion at age 13? Or age 16? How did you pursue that passion? What was your most compelling reason for pursuing this passion? How did you behave if people told you that your passion was wrong, silly, or a waste of time? Revisit your most ecstatic, stubborn, passionate, activist years. Take notes. See your inner teenager as a vital part of your authentic adult self.

On a related note, redefine aging. What if as we got older we became more passionate instead of less? What if life were more fun? What if age freed us from the fear of others’ judgments? What if we became more hopeful and less jaded? What might we accomplish—for ourselves and others—if we combined the wisdom of our years with the passion of our youth?

Go to the edge. Fall off. See what’s there. Start a love affair with your own fear. Imagine your fear as your best friend. Throw a fear party. Invite all your friends and all their fears. Dance with all your emotions.

Seize the moment—and stay in it. Slow down! Spend as much time in each present moment as you can. We often complain that we want more time in our lives. Why would the universe give us more time if we can’t appreciate the time we do have? Stretch each present moment to its fullest. See how much ecstasy you can savor in each moment of the day.

Barbara Carrellas is an author, sex/life coach, sex educator, university lecturer, workshop facilitator, motivational speaker and theater artist.

2012 ~ 243

Some of my favorite pins this week!!!

It's okay with me if everyone gets this bumper sticker!!!

2012 ~ 245

You know I love and support you
in your moment of insane courage!

Are you ready for the great part?!!!

I AM!!!

2012 ~246

        The Ohio River

I want to see the locks! Road Trip!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffygdsPz-v4

2012 ~ 247

One of my dearest friends grows a garden each year. He grows things like broccoli, tomatoes, yellow squash and strawberries. He loves the land, he loves the growing process.
He has even been known to plant a field of soy beans just for the wildlife on his land. He amazes and delights me! This year he is growing potatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Way cool!!!! I love his passion! 

2012 ~ 248

One of the guys I work with, who drives the same rout
to work as I do, asked "Angie, did you see that sunrise?"
Another guy on our team leaned over and said
"I took a picture as I was driving!"
So when I commented to a friend as I texted him the
picture I had taken, that we have the greatest
sunrises......Well we do!
The windshield was dirty and the photo is blurry.....But......
The sunrise was SPECTACULAR!

2012 ~ 249

My Tahoe has been out of commission for weeks now. 

And I can tell you.....I have been more than a 

little bit CRANKY about it. 

Please let me say right from the start,

I adore my mechanic! 

He is a very good friend, I trust him and I know

he is very good at what he does! 

But not having my vehicle is making me feel like

a grounded teenager!

That is probably the only reason that I can 

tell you that this ugly engine makes me 

SO SO HAPPY!

It is the loveliest thing ever!!!!!

2012 ~ 250

Cookie and I watched Bill Engvall on the laptop
 upside down on the couch. 

We laughed till I thought we would cry.
He has to be the funniest man ever!!!!

2012 ~ 252

Family dinner today. 

Perfect chicken enchiladas and great company!

We played Apples to Apples. 

We caught up on all the happenings. 

I love family dinners!

2012 ~ 253

http://www.freshthemovie.com/

I watched a documentary on Netflix called "Fresh". Awe inspiring and eye opening. I am aware that I am unaware and uneducated to so much around me, but this was truly an awakening moment. I had no idea about mass-production, government subsidies in farming, the natural cycle of farming, or the true spiritual/scientific fundamentals of farming. It was amazing. I was so very impressed and my interest is truly peaked!

 www.takepart.com/foodinc  

2012 ~ 254

Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lungs
in which the alveoli 
(air sacks)
become filled with liquid,
which renders them useless for breathing.
Caused by bacterial or viral infection.

PNEUMONIA SUCKS!

2012 ~ 255

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2edxy-M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfEM6yEO268&feature=youtube_gdata_player

2012 ~ 256

My goal in this lifetime is to become 
spontaneous and free,
awakened, and compassionate 
so I can become the change 
I hope to see in this world.

– Joan Z. Borysenko

Imagination

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”  — Albert Einstein


“The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a Green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all Ridicule and Deformity. . . . and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the Man of Imagination, Nature is Imagination itself.”
 “What is now proved was once only imagin’d.” 
-- William Blake

No i aM NoT LuCKy
YeS i aM BLeSSeD!

2012 ~ 257

"If we listen with love, 
we wont need to wonder what to say. 
It will be given to us."
Jeffery R Holland

2012 ~ 258

I have a little Yorkie. Her name is Cheree! I adore this sweet little puppy! I have had her for about four years now, she was a year when I got her. She is the perfect pet for my family!! Over the last couple of months we have noticed that she is having panic attacks. We have all worried. We thought maybe she is ill, but these attacks are so random. Mark said he really thinks she is scared. I thought that too.
But until today I didn't know "Of What?" Tonight as I was loading the dish washer and I tossed a soap packet in there, she Darted!!! She was out of the kitchen!! I followed her! She ran to Mark's room where he was doing some homework. She jumped right up on the bed. When we all joined her, she was fine. Then Cookie went to bed and so did I. She came to my room, and I did put her on my bed. She is snuggled up right next me. And as the dish washer makes new sounds she shakes and panics. How sad to be afraid of the dishwasher! She can sleep on My bed tonight, poor puppy!
I love my dog but..... I love my dishwasher too!

Land of the Living

I think it is wrong that parents don't get the illness first. So we have more empathy and compassion when our little ones get sick. My kids had this cold thing for two weeks before I got it. Yes I tried to be Nurse Mom as best I could. Cookie kicked it right away. But by Mark's second week I chose to share the fun. I figured it was just a cold. Seven days and it would be gone......nope. The sore throat alone was killing me. But the pressure in my head was driving me up a wall. When a friend said I looked as bad as I felt I figure it wasn't getting better. So I called the Doctor. My son and I both got in Thursday afternoon. Massive sinus and acute throat infections. Between the two of us there where three antibiotics and an inhaler prescribed.
The sore throat is gone!!! But the head congestion and Rubber Cement in my chest caused me to spend today in bed. My sweet son picked up some blue goo for me on his way to work. I took the goo and another hot shower and for the first time in days I can breath with my nose! I don't feel well, but I think I will live.
I am grateful for my son and the blue goo. For the doctor and his wonder drugs, I am also very grateful to my sweet friend who kept me company all day. I just wish tomorrow wasn't Monday.

Do you think this blue goo would help my Tahoe?

NOTHING better than an old PINK TRUCK in the middle of all that GREEN!!!! I want to go there!!!

2012 ~ 259

I WANT IT

2012 ~ 260

Take your pleasure seriously.
~Charles Eames

2012 ~ 261

Years ago I joined a fitness group. I firmly agree with the program. But lack of motivation or follow through... I am not sure just what, but I didn't stick with it. Today I broke out my little slide Point calculator and my handy little Fat & Fiber book. And then I added iTrackBites app for my phone. It lets me keep track of every point I use up each day. And since I have my phone with me ALL the time I will always be reminded to be aware! I think this will be successful!!!

2012 ~ 262

Today is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

No that's not what we had!

2012 ~ 263

We had some of our winter visitors drop by this afternoon!

They just came for dinner!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Who You Are......

I am so very glad you are the man you are. Who you are delights me. 
Morals and ethics, empathy and passion. 
You are so smart, and when more knowledge is needed you search for it. 
You love the old traditions and are willing to take that step into the new. 
You  love God and family, you love your fellow man, 
and you even care for those who would spite you. 
You love children and respect your peers and elders. 
You work with your hands, and are always willing to help. 
Your heart is the hugest thing about you. 
Your passion for life is the most intoxicating. 
Who you are draws me in, and pulls me to you. 
I hunger for and crave everything about you. 

2012 ~ 264

Google Earth

This piece of technology is truly magic!
It has taken me to places I have only dreamed of going.
It has shown me where my home is and the path to it!

A great date activity!!

2012 ~ 265

I do not have a green thumb.
I own one house plant. And I have had a love hate relationship with this poor plant from the beginning. I neglect it until it is on the verge of death, then I love it back to life. Then I fall into the same pattern.
My mother grew heirloom pear tomatoes and fairy tale eggplant. My foster mom grew the most amazing zucchini! I grew strawberries one year when my girls where teeny tiny. Other than that.....I grow grass pretty well. I also have the lemon and fig trees.
They are both doing better than ever this year!

I have tried my hand at herbs and some vine fruit. But I again have no green thumb! I have a friend who grows peppers. Another friend who just put in a raised bed to grow tomatoes. I have a friend who lives in gardening heaven, and puts in things like, broccoli and oh...50 strawberry plants. He is experimenting with growing potatoes in 5 gallon buckets. He just got a green house, I can't wait to see it!
All these great gardeners have inspired me. Although the whole gardening thing scares me, I figured I would give it another try. So I replanted the lovely flowers I bought, and the Valentines flowers that Amy gave me. I think they may just all pull through. If so...maybe I will try something edible!

2012 ~ 266

Easter was different at my home this year. No one to hide eggs for, my youngest is no longer a little kid! Treasures came from me, no Easter rabbit required. No plastic eggs even came out of their hiding spot. I liked celebrating Easter this new, more mature way. 

And I didn't even mind celebrating a day early so Cookie could spend this year with her dad.

But as I lay in bed at 9am, basking in the odd feeling of sleeping in on Easter Morning, I am listening to neighbors having an Easter Egg Hunt in their backyard. There are lots of little children and lots of grown ones too. The excited sounds of finding hidden eggs and treats is so delightful! I love to hear the thrill and joy in those little voices, and the laughter and love in the grown ups! 

Yesterday was wonderful....but I long to play Grandma for Easter. To have the next batch of little ones to share the wonder with!

2012 ~ 267

PROM
APRIL 7, 2012

Wake up Prince Charming

Wave to the world!

Fresh and Clean

Getting the car ready!

Flowers in Hand

Off  To Get His Lady For Photosa

Cutest Couple

Amy's Dress Laces Up The Back...Lovely!

Great Kids

Love that look!

He can always make her laugh!

Best Friends!

Two Great Couples!

Love for the Mom!

Little Bite Of Italy!!
Dinner done right!

Helping her into the Car   or   helping her with her Lipstick!

Kiss for the road!

Going Going Gone!