Evening

Sitting out in my cute little yard this evening, watching the afternoon turn to night. The birds have stopped singing, but the frogs are taking up the chorus. The sound of the crickets is sweet. (why were they annoying when I lived in Arizona?) The fire flies are back, they call them lightning bugs here. I love them!
The evening is charming!

Word of The Day

ef·fi·ca·cy
ˈefəkəsē/
noun

the ability to produce a desired or intended result

QUOTE

"Anyone who is in love 

is making love the whole time, 

even when they're not. 

When two bodies meet, 

it is just the cup 

overflowing."

Paulo Coelho

Lemons to Lemonade

I am not one of those people that 

get swept up in competition. 

So when my company puts out those 

incentive programs so we all push this or that, 

I tend to not give it any thought. 

I keep doing what I am doing and 

I am happy with that. 

I will be honest, I can't even say I pay much attention to the emails about such things. 

It's just not my thing. 

However, I got to work one morning, and 

on each of the agent's desks 

there was one of these......

We all looked at each other. 

Really....

we wear corporate casual with heals. 

Do we look like a group that would 

love to go shoot some hoops? 

One of my coworkers gave her winnings 

to her son, one gave hers to her granddaughter. 

I wasn't quite sure what to do 

with my fancy treasure. 

So I took my sharpies to it, 

totally personalizing it. 

It now lives under my desk 

as my office ottoman. 

Lemons to Lemonade....

I really wanted something for my feet!

Phrase of The Day

Deja Moo: When you know you've experienced this BS before!

There For Me

I was having a tough day a while back. My man had worked that night before, so I knew he was home sleeping while I was at work. But he sent me this text, making my world so much better:

"I'm holding your hand the rest of the day, 

I love you"

TOXIC

When a toxic person can no longer control you. They will try to control how others see you. The missinformation will feel unfair, but stay above it, trusting that other people will eventually see the truth. 
Just like I did

Quote of The Day

"I've found over and over, time and time again, it's not what happens to us that sets us apart, it's the decisions that we make, it's the choices that we make - the way we decide to lead our lives - that decides what we truly are.... It's what we decide to do after [hardship] that defines who we truly are." 
Elizabeth Smart

GREAT LISTENING

Singing daily 
for at least ten minutes 
reduces stress, 
clears sinuses, 
improves posture and 
can even help you live longer!
So let's crank up the radio:
Here is my latest playlist while driving in Kentucky

Sweet Emotion: Aerosmith

Some Guys Have All The Luck: Rod Stewart

Declaration of Dependence, 

When Love Takes You In, 

See The Glory: Steven Curtis Chapman

I Stand Alone: Steve Perry

You Take My Breath Away: Rex Smith

At This Moment: Billy Vera

When it's Love Van Halen w/Sammy

Head Over Heels: Tears For Fears

Please Don't Go: KC

Bless The Broken Road: Rascal Flatts

What Was I Thinking: Dierks Bentley

Rock Me Amadeus, The Sound of Music, 

The Sound of Musik: Falco

P.B.S.L: Ready for the World

Alex F: Harold Faltermeyer

Fly Away: Lenny Kravitz

Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe: 
Berry White

I Can Only Imagine: MercyMe

I Hate Myself for Loving You: Joan Jett

The Finer Things: Steve Winwood

When Will I See You Again: The Three Degrees

We Will Rock You, I Want it All, Keller Queen: Queen

Ex's & Oh's: Ella King

I'm Ready: Cherie

I Feel for You: Chaka Khan

Come On Eileen: Kevind Rowland

The Boys of Summer: Don Henley

Unbelievable:EMF

Keep Your Hands To Yourself: 

The Georgia Satellites

Twilight Zone: Golden Earring

The Reason: Hoobastank

All I Do, Don't Wanna Fall in Love: Jane Child

What About Me: Moving Pictures

Cum on Feel the Noize: Quiet Riot

C'est la vie: Robbie Nevil

Don't You(Forget About Me): Simple Minds

Love is Like Oxygen: Sweet
No Surprise: Daughtry

Sad But True

A man asked:

"Can someone explain how the two candidates for the presidency have a lower favorable rating among the citizens of the US than Putin...a Ex KGB thug turned Russian Dictator?"

It's so sadly true it made me laugh.

Gardening Any One?

Hoosier National Forest

German Ridge Trail

It started to rain as I finished my hike. LOVE IT!!

The End of a Life Chapter

Today is May 25th, 2016.

Today is my half birthday. 

I have 6 months left of my youth. 

After that... It's a brand new chapter. 

That's when, I do believe, life truly begins!

I have spent the last several years learning about me. Learning who I am, and truly learning to love myself. After all, the only person you spend your entire life with is you! 

The first few decades of my adulthood were spent being the mom (the very best part and my favorite). Since my mid thirties I've been looking forward to turning fifty. Life begins at 50 I do believe.

I no longer care to run in the ratrace, I no longer care to keep up with the Jones's or the Jensen's. I no longer care what others opinions are or what society finds to be socially acceptable. I'm no longer looking to others as role models and life coaches. I no longer feel the need to base right and wrong on others beliefs. 

I may not have it all figured out. I may not have all the answers. But, I have let go of the need to reach unrealistic goals. I no longer want that perfect picture life (it was only just a false impression anyway). And I am happy, with myself, my choices and my life.

I have learned enough along the paths of the first half of journey to know that I have more faith, trust and belief in me than I have ever had in anyone else. I am everything I looked for in becoming me.

As I sit in the middle of one of our great nations forests today, listening to the wind in the trees and the birds enjoying spring, I am celebrating the closing scene of my youth. Much as I took the time, when I was a young mother, to hold my new baby and enjoy the moments, and the months of my last pregnancy, to relish each stage of my babies development. I will be mindful of the next six months, making sure to use them to the fullest and enjoy them completely.

I am so grateful for life changes and new chapters. 

Here is to 49.5! The thought of turning 50 is thrilling! 

(Someone said "50 is the new 30".... I hope not! I'm looking forward to the adventure!!)

Jessette

https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-answer-the-31-most-common-interview-questions

My daughter sent me this link as she headed home from work today. I asked her each question and she answered them. May I just say, my daughter is an amazing young woman.
I like who she is. I like what makes her tick. I am blessed to be her mother, more blessed to be her friend.

Yep

The crescent moon icon on my iPhone means Do Not Disturb. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have a personal Do Not Disturb icon to keep unwanted everything away!

Those Men!!

I think I have had a thing for an amazing male voice since I fell in love with Walter Cronkite. (I was three)
My man can give me goosebumps even when he's talking tractor repair. He has a way of making my bones melt when he speaks. I love to hear him say words like Time and Iron Wire! Silly maybe, but it makes me Crazy Hot! (TMI sorry!)
Sean Connery and Sam Elliot are two men that also make my skin Tingle!! Yum!
But OH MY GOSH....... When Barry White comes on my radio!!!!
WoW....just WoW!!

It's True

In Phoenix they might call it swerving, here in Kentuckiana its just trying to miss the ever eroding pot holes.

Andy Rooney 60 Minutes

Women Over 40.......
In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, this is what Andy Rooney thinks about women over 40:

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.

Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? Here's an update for you................

Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

Andy Rooney is a very intelligent man!

Thought of The Day

People who wonder if the glass is half empty or full miss the point.
The glass is refillable.

Bryan Adams

Heaven
https://youtu.be/Z7b37l_B4vI

Please Forgive Me
https://youtu.be/9EHAo6rEuas

Knob Hill Tavern

http://www.knobhilltavern.com/

Cheree and the Raven

There is a PBS documentary on animals that work in partnership, 
on tv this morning. I was busy writing 
a thank you letter and not paying attention to the program. 
Cheree was snuggling on the sofa next to me. The program showed how Ravens and wolverines work together in the frozen snow to get food. On the program the Raven kept squawking. 
My little Cheree freaked out. She went wild barking at the Raven. She made me let her outside, where she barked and barked and barked at the invisible Raven. It was darling!!!

After The Storms

Here in the Tri State area there has been more rain in the past couple of weeks than I think I have seen in my entire life. The storms have been amazing, and luckily no real damage to loved ones or friends. But I have to say, I have loved it. My puppy and I have a very cozy Harry Potter closet to cuddle in when those sirens start screaming. I love listening to the thunder and rain at night, so it was lovely. But the very best thing about all the storms is definitely the day after.
Today is going to be in the mid 70's and the sky is clear and sunny. The grass is so green, the trees are so full and there are flowers everywhere. I think I live in the most beautiful spot in the world. 

Just saying!

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th
And
A Full Moon!

Mothers Day

I Skyped with my kids today. It's so wonderful to have them right here, even when they are way over there. I love my babies!!

HE Said...

Oh and the Dodge dealer had a new Dodge Challenger Hellcat,
700 horsepower!
It was only 77000 dollars.
I left it there.


I'm so very lucky that he likes fast, loud and exciting!!!

LUMBER JACK

I have several clients that are going to Alaska. I want each group to be aware of everything that they can do and see when they are on their adventure. I always instruct them to individually make a list of the options to do. I instruct:

Take a sheet of paper and fold it in three sections.
On the center section write down the things you Need to see because you are going to Alaska (Glaciers, Wild Life, The Northern Lights)
On the lower section write down the things you Don't Need to see (Alaskan Huskies, Gold Panning)
On the top section write down the things you WILL DIE IF YOU DON'T SEE IN ALASKA....I always tell them that my have to is the Lumber Jacks!!!

My clients that where in today told me they are bringing me home
MY VERY OWN LUMBER JACK!!!
I love them!!!

MAY DAY

May Day is on May 1st. It is an ancient northern hemisphere spring celebration.

I remember having a May Day festival in kindergarten. Our class did the May pole dance.