PURA VIDA

 

Pura Vida has a simple English translation
but a far more profound meaning
to the people of Costa Rica
and anyone spending any amount
of time in this majestic country.
Pura vida. Pronounced POO-rah VEE-dah,
in English means, "Pure Life".

The law of the land in Costa Rica.
The expression is used in many forms,
from a greeting,
to a synonym for "excellent."

Text From My Boy

Your Smell!

I knew you had been home while I was away. And I knew you would be gone by the time I returned. But the second I walked through the door I could smell you. I melted!

JUST SAYING

OPTIONAL

Funny & True

The Storm Is Coming

It's all good...

I was cold this morning, sat out on the deck in the sunshine for a tan at lunch, and awaiting a tornado till 8pm, I love where I live!

Mayapple

I see this on the edge of the woods. It looks so pretty.

Mayapple: Podophyllum: Mayapples are woodland plants, typically growing in colonies derived from a single root. The flowers are white, yellow or red. All the parts of the plant, excepting the fruit, are poisonous. Even the fruit, though not dangerously poisonous, can cause unpleasant indigestion. A drug that is made from this is used to treat the plantar warts. They are also grown as ornamental plants for their attractive foliage and flowers.

Though the common name is mayapple, it is the flower that appears in early May, not the "apple". The fruit or "apple" is produced early summer and ripens later in summer.

 

Texts

I love waking up to a late night text from my kids. There is nothing nicer than knowing they were thinking of me. Nothing nicer than seeing “I love you my momma!!!” first thing in the morning!

The Briarpatch

I went to this little treasure of a place with a friend this past winter. He had taken his prom date there many years before. It is charming!

Know Your Worth

A woman that knows her worth

doesn’t measure herself

against another woman,

but stands strong,

calm and self-confident.

Thought of The Day

Sometimes,

you need to step outside,

get some air,

and remind yourself

of who you are

and

who you want to be.

Quote of The Day

"Don't be afraid to start over.
It's a new chance to rebuild
what you really want."

Zig Ziglar

NEST

Two of my daughters are nesters.

They need to have the security of a safe place.

I wish I could give them both this!

Una Vita Senza Rempianti

A life with no regret.

In my life time, I have only one regret. It happened 30 years ago. I plan on rectifying it this year.

Moving forward!

Quote of The Day

“A man's sexual choice is the result and the sum of his fundamental convictions… He will always be attracted to the woman who reflects his deepest vision of himself, the woman whose surrender permits him to experience a sense of self-esteem. The man who is proudly certain of his own value, will want the highest type of woman he can find, the woman he admires, the strongest, the hardest to conquer-because only the possession of the heroine will give him the sense of an achievement.”~Ayn Rand

Hostels

http://www.hostels.com/

Hostels: an establishment that provides inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers.

Die With No Regrets by H.Jackson Brown

Aspire

1. Never give up when you truly believe. The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts - the smartest person in the room seldom beats the one with the most passion.

2. Believe in love at first sight - be open to instant infatuation with respect to both people and business ideas.

3. Never laugh at anyone’s dreams - no one has the right to opine upon someone else’s desired future because no one can attest to the validity of an unrealized dream.

4. Find a job you like and you add five days to every week - I often tell my children), “I never worked at day at my startups because we were having too much fun.” Admittedly, not every day was a carnival, but I certainly enjoyed the majority of my startup workdays.

5. Every so often, let your spirit of adventure triumph over your good sense - good judgment arises from mistakes, mistakes arise from bad judgment. Thus, a bit of occasional bad judgment is good for you.

6. Great love and great achievements involve great risk - nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go venture.

7. Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do - entrepreneurs never calculate probabilities, even if the chances are one in a million, “one” is all you need to win.

8. Never deprive anyone (including yourself) of hope, it might be all they have.

Be Nice

9. Be the first to say, “Hello” - always set a friendly tone with a warm smile, a hearty handshake and a robust greeting.

10. Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yard - and let them keep the change.

11. Be kinder than necessary - there is an infinite supply of kindness, so don’t fear depleting it.

12. Give people a second chance, but not a third - be nice, but not stupid.

13. Be tough minded but tenderhearted - hold people accountable, but consider uncontrollable factors that impact someone’s performance.

14. Every so often, push your luck - push your luck slowly and deliberately, but be ready to quickly pull back, as you often won’t know you have pushed your luck too far, until after the fact.

15. Win without boasting, lose without excuses - internalize your failures and externalize your victories.

16. When lending people money, be sure their character exceeds their collateral - honesty matters, both yours and those with whom you associate.

17. It’s not your job to get people to like you, it’s your job to like people - you can only control your own actions and feelings, don’t try to control those of others.

18. Never resist a generous impulse - if you hesitate, you’ll quickly rationalize a dozen reasons to act charitably… later. Unfortunately, “later” rarely arrives.

19. Fight fairly. Give generously. Laugh loudly. Love deeply.

Lead

20. Become someone’s hero - when someone asks you to be their mentor, smile and say, “I would be honored.”

21. Do your homework and know your facts, but remember it’s passion that persuades - history is filled with passionate leaders, I know of none that were unemotional.

22. Ask someone you’d like to know to list five people they would most like to meet. It will tell you a lot about them - consider using this as an interviewing technique, you might be surprised by your candidates’ responses.

23. The shortest way to get anywhere is to have good company - one of the reasons I enjoyed my startups so much is that I had the pleasure of working with fantastic teams comprised of smart, dedicated and kind people.

24. Share your knowledge and you become immortal - mentoring matters, convey your insights freely to those who seek them.

25. Everyone wears an invisible sign that reads “Notice me. Make me feel important.” - ask people questions about their passions and achievements, almost no one can resist this temptation to talk about themselves.

26. Hire people more for their judgment than for their talents - forget resumes and hire based on attitude and aptitude.

27. When there’s a piano to be moved, don’t reach for the stool - lead by example, never ask someone to do a task you would not do yourself.

28. Once a month, go to lunch with someone who knows more about your business than you do - you are never too old, too smart or too successful to be a protégé.

29. Celebrate even small victories - create a culture of celebration by publically praising achievements that would otherwise not be visible to your team.

30. Plant more flowers than you pick

Succeed

31. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly - everyone experiences several “big breaks” during their careers. Unfortunately, most people fail to recognize them when they occur.

32. Strive for excellence, not perfection - activity beats contemplation seven days a week.

33. Judge your success by the degree you are enjoying your peace, health and love - nurture all three of these treasures to the point of abundance.

34. Judge your success by what you had to give up to get it - as noted above, not even the entire world is ample payment for your soul.

35. Remember that winners do what losers don’t want to do - outwork your competition and you will likely win.

36. Grind it out. Hanging on just one second longer than your competition makes you the winner - outlast your competition, survival is often what separates the winners from the losers.

37. Take care of your reputation. It’s your most valuable asset - honesty is a serial entrepreneurs most potent weapon.

38. Watch for big problems. They disguise big opportunities - great entrepreneurs turn challenges into breakthrough innovations. Embrace problems, never flee from them.

39. Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others

Be Happy

40. Happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect - if you doubt this wisdom, consider all the rich, powerful and famous people who are miserable.

41. After you’ve work hard to get what you want, take the time to enjoy it - in Startup Life, Brad Feld advises entrepreneurs to spend 10% of the proceeds of a financial windfall on something frivolous. What’s the point of accumulating capital if you never derive pleasure from it?

42. Don’t think you can relax yourself to happiness. Happiness comes as a result of doing - as David Pink has noted, most people are motivated by mastery, autonomy and purpose. These needs are heightened with inactivity, which is why most happily retired people have active lives.

43. Be happy with what you have while working for what you want

H. Jackson Brown,

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngreathouse/2014/01/28/die-with-no-regrets-follow-these-43-life-lessons-2/

 

Millennial

Millennial Generation:  born between 1980-2000

All of my kids are in this generation, great group of young adults!

Camels at Sunset

Cut Grass

I love the smell of fresh cut grass.

It's one of favorite things.

My lawn got cut today,

I can't wait to get home!

Dinner on the deck at my house!

I Will!

Thought of The Day

Have you ever been so wildly attracted to someone you can

actually feel it driving you insane...

   I have

Cool Kid Thing

“My mom found this

key on the street.

It opens a special lock

in the Universe

that holds extra

superpowers.”

( I would be willing to go buy spare keys and hand them out to random children just to give them that superpower!!!)

Quote of The Day

Do not wait to strike

till the iron is hot;    

but make it hot

by striking.

WB Yeats

Nearly A Year

As my first year in the Midwest rapidly approaches, I have much to reflect on. I have learned so very much, and even though some of the lessons have been painful...literally, I am grateful for each one. Being a city girl for the first half of my life, I had always dreamed of the beauty outside the “Valley of The Sun.” I think I had dreamed of green meadows, flowering hills and woods as far as the eye can see all my life. I wanted the green! I wanted it, perhaps needed it, and definitely craved it. When I visited my best friend in 2013, I lost my heart. I knew I would love the area, (I had Googled it to death, and traveled it by Google Earth before my plane ever landed) but I was not prepared for the area to be everything and more that my childlike heart had longed for.

When I moved here in 2014, my life was going through major changes. Although I was being tested and tried, I knew that I was being taken care of. “When one door closes, another opens.” Oh so true. Even though I felt like my heart was in a million pieces and I knew my world would never be the same, I was given more beauty than I thought possible.

The glorious sound of the wind through the woods, the tinkling of the rushing creek. Not one barn but two on property, and so many more in every direction. Rolling green hills, meadows, fields of wheat, corn, beans and tobacco.  A garden that was so eager to grow and flourish. The song of a bazillion birds, the lullaby of the evening frog chorus.  The green grass that you don’t have to water, and the wild flowers that grow everywhere (even though the locals call many of them weeds).

The weather has been amazing, the views have been breathtaking. The small towns are just as charming as I had dreamed, the architecture is enough to make me melt. My love for old trucks and tractors has increased a million fold. But I have fallen in love with the Midwest people as well, they are, for the most part, calmer and kinder. (not to mention that yummy accent they all have).  

How much I love the lace curtains in my upstairs windows, and the view from every window. The breeze that is always present and makes my deck the perfect place for breakfast and dinner. I love my little country farm house. I have enjoyed the solitude of the country and the feeling of safety. I’ll be honest, I don’t always lock the doors, there is just no need.

Living in the country has filled so many empty and hurt spots in my heart. I am so grateful. I have conquered or survived the first year.

Am I a country girl, maybe not, but as my first year edges closer, I am so happy to be here. I was asked a year ago, if I would move back to Arizona if I found this wasn’t for me, my answer was no then. My answer is no still. My heart is here, I love it here, it’s beautiful, and I am happy.

Excited Puppy

I love how excited my dog gets when I put on tennis shoes or when I ask her if she wants to go for a walk or a drive. She gets so excited for her treats, and pizza and cheese. The best is how excited she gets when I come home. I adore her!

Little

When my children were little I would sing to them. Edelweiss, Dites-Moi, Over in The Meadow, Hymens, and sleepy time songs. Sometimes I would sit just outside their bedroom doors and sing as they would all be falling asleep. I loves singing to my babies. I loved when they asked me to sing, and sing with me. My Meg would even sing to me. She had a beautiful song she created, and at snuggly times she would sing. I loved being the mommy. It's just so sad that children don't stay little.

Lovely Blooms

These grew in front of the little farm house,

they reminded me of my girls.

I am drying the petals

so I can always keep them.

They are just beautiful!

Thought of The Day

My Blog

My blog is my journal

My blog is my photo album

My blog is my scrap book

My blog is my sounding board

My blog is my expression of free speech

My blog is MY BLOG

If your feelings are hurt by what I put here or you don't like what I have to say, please stop reading.

My feelings won't be hurt.

Boxed Memories

I have toted this box around for over 15 years. It was full of school papers from my oldest two daughters. I'm not sure why it has been a struggle for me to go through it, but it has. When I packed my house in Arizona I went through every box I had stored, in closets and in the garage. I reduces my stored crap down to a fraction of what I once had. This one was in the garage, it wasn't packed well and the box was showing signs of unrest. But I could not bring myself to go through it. When I arrived in Kentucky I unpacked some boxes and stored others. This one, I left in my dining room, under the table. And it waited. Then one of the pipes burst and flooded part of my home, including the dining room. My landlord picked the damp box up and put it on my table, where it has sat for four months. This weekend I concurred the box. Jessette told me to just burn it. But I couldn't. She said she doesn't want any of the old school stuff and I shouldn't either. She knows me well, she knew I would save some of the holdings. She said I was only to save the papers with dirty words on them. The box was filled with school work (mostly non-savables from the middle school years... No dirty words!). As I went through each paper I remembered when Jessette or Emmaly had worked on that project or learned that topic. I did save a few things, I think that is a moms right. I am glad to have emptied the box and cleared the spot in the dining room. I am grateful for my children and the memories I have of their childhood.

I love each one of them!

Quote of The Day

"You have to be planted in really good shit to end up beautiful."
JS

I Want To Make This

PROM DRESS PRINCESS

My neighbor Autumn

sent me a picture of her

sparkly teal prom dress today.

The dress is lovely,

the jeans she still has on

make the picture so cute,

but it is the smile on her face

that is BEAUTIFUL!!!

I am thrilled for her! 

She is delightful!

Potato Salad

I get random texts from my son telling me he misses my cooking. His girlfriend is an excellent cook, and she is keeping him well fed (makes my mommy heart so happy). But it's awfully nice to know my baby boy misses his momma!

Potato Salad

Diced Potatoes Boiled (pealed optional)

Mayo (enough to make it the right consistency)

Celery (thinly sliced)

Green Onions (sliced)

Dill Pickle Relish (lots)

Pickle Juice (adjust to taste)

Salt and Pepper

 

(My boy will eat it warm, but I think

it’s way better after chilling for 24 hours)

Thought of The Day

The best things in life are the people we love,

the places we've seen,

and the memories we've made along the way.

Trivia

Did you know that in Frontier Land in Dysneyland, they release the aroma of Cherry Pipe Tabaco into the air. Walt Disney smoked the stuff, and this is an effort to help us believe he is still there!
(Do you think Walt was related to Santa Clause? I bet they were!!!)

TAMMY & GINA

I have chatted with two of my very best girlfriends this week. We haven't spoken in months. It was nice to catch up, to hear and share about family, life and love. I am blessed to have wonderful female friends in my life. I love them both so much.

Trivia

Walt Disney World is larger in area than 17 countries worldwide.

Favorites

I was asked who my favorite Disney character is. I had to stop and think. I think I have many, two are "Lady" from "Lady and the Tramp", and "Robin Hood".
Who are yours?

1955

Excellent year!
The hottest man was born and McDonalds and Disney Land both opened.
Thank heavens for them all, that man makes me crazy happy , the Chocolate Chip Frappes is yummy and who doesn't LOVE Disney!

SWEEP IT ALL OUT

Great Examples

When Mark was a little guy, six I think, he invited some friends to his birthday. To the rest of the world the special guests that birthday may have been just friends of his older sisters. But to that little boy the two tall guests were super heroes. Mark had a case of "Idol Worship". Jed and Paytn were teenagers at the time. (They had been to our house before; parties that his sisters had given and church activities.) As the mom, I couldn't have asked for better examples for my young son. Those young men were so great to my boy. And the example they set helped my son grow into a great man as well.  

Parking Patrol

Patrol this morning in the parking lot.

He just kept chatting as he walked.

Wild Flowers

There are fields of purple flowers everywhere right now, and every so often there is a splash of yellow flowers mixed in.

It is so pretty.

(It makes me think of my friend Lynn’s wedding. Her wedding colors where yellow and purple. Who knew I would wear a yellow dress…ever! Everything was beautiful.)

(The locals say these purple and yellow lovelies are weeds…I say wild flowers!)

The One

Some people lie and manipulate others to win over their attention and affection. Distorting and destroying other people, in order to look good to the one they want to win. This will isolate and alienate the one until they have no one but the one they are listening to. The manipulator is ensuring that one will always be his, always need him. But that one, that sweet, misguided one, will truly lose everything and everyone.

My heart breaks.

(Thank you JS, for your wisdome and insight, I couldn't wrap my head or heart around it. I needed to see it through your eyes.)

155 Anniversary of The Pony Express

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl

Play the game....Its Cute!!!!

Monday Night

I drove through the rain, and crossed the little blue bridge, I was glad there was still day light, it was difficult to see and that country road is narrow. I was heading to the library. There were lots of people there. I spent about an hour. Sitting in the Kentucky Room. There are windows that look out over the garden area.
I am always so delighted to see how charming everything is here. Spring is the most delightful time of year. I enjoyed summer and fall, and although winter was very difficult, it was beautiful too. But spring is beautiful!!! There are so many shades of green! I have a thing for green! The trees are all starting to leaf and most of them are covered in flowers. It is Amazing!
When I was finished at the library I walked to my car..
through all the puddles. My jeans were soaked to my knees.
I chatted with Jessette as we both drove home. We talked about damage control and then about next steps.
She always gives wisdome beyond her years. She amazes me!
I had talked to her brother just an hour earlier. Jessette and I shared information and love for him, and I was humbled and proud.
She loves her brother so fiercely, she is so protective of him.
I took a sleeping pill when I finally made it home.
As I listened to the rain, and thought of the day,
I fell asleep feeling loved.
Even though my feet never did get warm after the puddle incident.

Forward

Next Step Forward ....TAKEN!
Scary....Exciting....WOOHOO!!!!

Charisma...Or Something

Charismatic - Someone who exhibits compelling charm, that inspires devotion in others.

 

Charismantic - Someone who exhibits an overwhelming abundance of devotion, to a freakish level.

 

Cruiseamatic - Someone who comes in with a seemingly exuberant devotion and then like a whirl wind, whips everyone into a frenzy, leaving chaos in their wake as they depart.

Investments

Four years ago I had my braces put on. I have had them off for nearly a year now. Braces were one of the best investments I made in me.

Mary Says

I know a lady named Mary.

She is delightful.

 Everything she says is a gem. 

When her children

 where young she would say:

 

"You'll do it because you love me

or because you fear me.

 The reason you do it is irrelevant.

You just need to do what I say."

 

Her grown son said the same thing

to his children the other day.

Proud parenting moment!!!

Be All That

don't be...

All Hat and No Cattle

Thought of The Day

Why do we Park on a Drive Way
and Drive on a Park Way?
Why?

PEOPLE

I have always said...

people come into your life

 to either teach or learn a lesson.

 

But my friend Mary says,

 that people that come into your life

are either a blessing or an affliction.

 

There you go!

Word of The Day

 

SNARKY

adjective

North Americaninformal

adjective: snarky; comparative adjective: snarkier; superlative adjective: snarkiest

(of a person, words, or a mood) sharply critical; cutting; snide.


"SARCASTIC"

 

 

 

Life

Your life isn't a result of your circumstances
But the result of the choices You make.

#%+*!

TRIVIA

The final four college basketball teams all stayed in Indianapolis for the final games. However, they were staying at lodgings that where equal to their ranking. The low team on the totem pole stayed just out of town at a low dollar hotel. While the UK team stayed at a 5 diamond hotel.

 

************************************************

U.S. mail is still delivered by mule. Only in Havasupai, Arizona. Havasupai is at the base of the Grand Canyon. Well worth the hike for mule delivered mail or for a swim at the Havasupai Falls!

Quote of The Day

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; 
they are the charming gardeners 
who make our souls blossom." 
Marcel Proust

Thought of The Day

Do Something Today
That Your Future Self
Will Thank You For

TRUE STORY...

A radio marketing
for a local hardwear store 

put out an invite to all ladies
21 years and up.

The promotion is to

"Come Sample Wine and Power Tools"

 

I understand the desire to encourage

female shoppers and I think that

offering in store projects is

a wonderful idea.

However, this is Kentuckyana!

The girls here can put away

just as much hooch as the boys.

I hope they have plenty of

supervision and
emergency medical help
on location!

(I will not be attending this local gathering)

Thought of The Day

When you get cocky,
That's when Karma
knocks you on your Ass.
~Brandon K

His Favorite Things

"Muscle Cars, Drag Racing,

Anything Loud & Fast"

These are a few of

His Favorite Things…

He is All that

and more to Her!!

Just Pointing It Out

When my kids where little, I use to make sure they never missed a thing as we drove in the car.

I would point out things on our way, "A Firetruck" "That's cotton growing in the field" "That big building is the power plant." I wanted to make sure they were aware of their surroundings. I wish they were here with me now. There is so much beauty to see and so many new things to learn about. Every day as I drive these Kentuckyana roads I find myself wanting to share. I still point things out, I guess to myself. My favorites are the barns and the Fat Happy Cows, and all this GREEN!

Quote of The Day

Be careful what you set your heart on, for it will surely be yours.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

TuLLiPS

Quote of The Day

I was writing my ToDoList the other day, and I flipped the page to find this quote on the back. My Emmaly had put together the notebook I was using, years ago.
I miss her, love her. The quote is a good one.

I love my age...

Old enough to know better

Young enough not to care

Experienced enough to

Do It Right!

3 Types of People in Your Life

1.        Who helped you in a difficult time

2.        Who left you in a difficult time

3.         Who put you in a difficult time

Sunday Drive

Went for a Sunday drive today. Saw little towns I hadn't ventured into before. Two states and lots of miles. I am loving that spring is blooming. I love the flowers and all the green. I drove on some of my favorite roads, past my favorite barns (a few times). I drove into towns just off the beaten path, and crossed the river twice. I am pretty sure I found "Mayberry", it is charming!
I love where I live. It is so beautiful!

Way Cool

http://www.volvolifepaint.com

EASTER

Today

It must mean it's time to go shoe shopping!

Quote Of The Day

Thunder Storms

We had the most amazing thunder storms all night long. The lightning was incredible, the thunder was deafening and the amount of rain was unbelievable. I loved it!!
However, it caused a shortage of sleep. I'm very tired this morning.

Things I Like...

Early Morning Drives
(Tour of the neighborhood!)