Basic Needs

I was talking with a friend last night, who made me want for a more basic lifestyle.

I love the comforts of home, but I would love to live someplace more basic, more simple. Some place lovely, quiet, slow. Where I could truly see the stars.

So I looked up basic needs. I like what I found. I think I am going to try to ensure all these elements are in what I give to myself, my family and friends. Perhaps that will give me the connection I am searching for and just not finding in the city.

(Although...I didn't see iPhone on the chart. Do you think that was just a typo???)

Need	Being (qualities)	Having (things)	Doing (actions)	Interacting (settings)
subsistence	physical and mental health	food, shelter, work	feed, clothe, rest, work	living environment, social setting
protection	care, adaptability, autonomy	social security, health systems, work	co-operate, plan, take care of, help	social environment, dwelling
affection	respect, sense of humour, generosity, sensuality	friendships, family, relationships with nature	share, take care of, make love, express emotions	privacy, intimate spaces of togetherness
understanding	critical capacity, curiosity, intuition	literature, teachers, policies, educational	analyse, study, meditate, investigate,	schools, families, universities, communities,
participation	receptiveness, dedication, sense of humour	responsibilities, duties, work, rights	cooperate, dissent, express opinions	associations, parties, churches, neighbourhoods
leisure	imagination, tranquillity, spontaneity	games, parties, peace of mind	day-dream, remember, relax, have fun	landscapes, intimate spaces, places to be alone
creation	imagination, boldness, inventiveness, curiosity	abilities, skills, work, techniques	invent, build, design, work, compose, interpret	spaces for expression, workshops, audiences
identity	sense of belonging, self-esteem, consistency	language, religions, work, customs, values, norms	get to know oneself, grow, commit oneself	places one belongs to, everyday settings
freedom	autonomy, passion, self-esteem, open-mindedness	equal rights	dissent, choose, run risks, develop awareness	anywhere

Towel trivia...

Martha Stewart Living, July 2006
Are your towels holding less water than they used to? It may be that your choice of washing detergent contains fabric softener, which has residues that cling to individual fibers, rendering towels less absorbent. The next time you clean a load, add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle; it will remove the residue and restore towels' soaking power. In the future, avoid detergents with fabric softener when washing towels.

Have you ever been on one of those walk ways at the air port. The side walk escalator?
If you walk next to it you are at your own speed. If you stand on it, you move at a fair pace. But if you walk on it, you fast forward. Pick up your pace a bit and you are really moving!

I think I was standing still for many years. I watched life move around me.
When I made changes to my life, it was like literally moving forward. Life started again.
I see that everyone is on thier own private side walk escalator. Some are at a standstill, some are walking and some are running. But we set our pace. Things are added to our pathway, a life obstacle course so to speak! We can stumble and fall, we can stop to evaluate, we can love and learn. But I see now, the trick is to never stop the journey. The obsticals and the pace of life are just ellements of the journey. They help it to form, to take shape, to help propel and sculpt us for... Well... The rest Of the journey!

As obstacles are put in our pathways, we learn that if you step over some of those, you don't have to trudge through the muck. If you start to lose your balance, you may be surprised who comes along to help steady you.
Some obstacles are worth stopping for, but the trick I see, is to not linger too long, keep moving forward.

Here is to the next step on your sidewalk escalator journey! I hope your view is wonderful, your experiences are thrilling and fulfilling. I hope you smile always. And that you keep moving forward!

As for me....I'm off to see a man about a love affair!
Sounds like a good thing to do on a Thursday morning!
Who knows where it may take me!

First Day Of School

Today is the first day of school.
For my son it's the first day of the last year of high school.
He is a senior today! Big man on campus.
For my Cookie, today is the first day if Junior High!
I'm pretty sure that makes her an official Teen!

The lunches are prepped, backpacks are filled, outfits layed out.
Everything is ready.

My son will pick up his friends and his lady, to start the year out on the right foot.
The parking pass, for the privilege to drive to school costs $70.00. What is up with that?
Cookie has afternoon homework sessions planned with her friends, like I believe homework will be the topic of conversation! Right!!

I welcome this new school year, the summer was far too long for this mom. So as they head out to start a new school year, you know I will be doing the Back To School Happy Dance!
Woohoo!!

Life List ..... Good Article

http://www.wholeliving.com/article/life-list-guide

How to Make a Life List

Imagine you had a year to live; write down what you want to do in this time. The exercise helps you prioritize, and makes you feel alive.

The concept is simple: Write down your major life goals and, in the process, motivate yourself to actually achieve them. If, like me, you find the word "goals" too reminiscent of what you do from 9-to-5, then think "dreams," "intentions," "desires." Remember, it's a wish list, not a decades-long to-do list.

Get started: Print out our easy-to-use life-list worksheet
http://images.wholeliving.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2008Q2/bs_0308_lifelist.pdf

MyLifeList
Great post and very timely. You may also want to check out http://www.mylifelist.org for inspiration on what to put on your list. The My Life List 90 is a list of the most significant experiences to put on your Life List. We were recently featured on FOX news announcing our 21-Challenge (Jan 10-31) to help people to achieve their major life goals. A great way to stay focused on your goals is to engage the support of a wider community with the same goals. Bill Starr CEO, MyLifeList.org

Smile and roll with it!

I like to view where the hits on my blog come from.
Some of the hits I know personally, some I think I could tell.
Others I am clueless to.
I get hits from all over the globe.
And I like to think that somewhere out there I am making someone laugh!
But as I was viewing my audience today I saw the above link. I don't know how people are viewing my blog through some of these links, but okay!
This one cracked me up! Feel free to skim over it! It is a very well written paper. I hope someone got a good grade on it!!!

If you ever wonder why I write on the topics I do..... Who the hell knows? It's all just random! Life is chaos....smile and roll with it!!!

My Van

This afternoon Marcus from Progressive called. Letting me know that the van was totaled.

I cleaned out all my belongings on Monday, knowing that it would be deemed irreparable.  

But still it is a bit sad to know it wont be coming home. 

I saw the doctor today, my bruises are healing, and the burn on my arm is doing well. He 

said that the pain when I breath deeply will get better in a few more days. But that I need to

get some sleep. (I dont know how!) 

I need to look around at new cars now. Cookie says 'NO to the VAN'! So we will do some

family auto shopping! 

My cousin called yesterday to tell me of the reservations he was making for the two of us to 

go get our oil changed in both our cars. I let him know of my Freeway Drama. He said that maybe

next time I shouldn't go to such extremes just because I dont want to wait for an oil change!!!

Perhaps!!!!

Today's Trivia

Word of the Day: 
Mellevorous: Honey-Eating
Today in History: 
1846 The Smithsonian Institution is chartered by Congress with James Smithson's donation of $500000.00
1793 The Musee du Louvere opens in Paris
National :
Duran Duran Appriciation Day
S'mores Day

Standing my ground when it counts most

I think we each struggle to hold our ground from time to time.
Today I had to play hard ball with Cookie.

We are having a power struggle, its been building.
And I know if I give too much I will lose all ground I have
worked for. This is not a battle I wont glory over.
But it is a fight, that if I lose, I lose big.

She is nearly 12 going on 30. I love who she is.
I love how strong willed she is. I love how little girl she
is, when no one is watching. I love how she is learning to
to be a junior high girl! I love that she is a leader among friends,
and has no problem following as well.
I love so many things about her.

I know that this power struggle is normal. I have been through it
with her sisters before her. (not the boy.....perfect son you know!)
I would rather my girls were hard headed and sassy, rather than
weak and usable. So I encourage her fight!

But I fear that if I do not enforce boundaries and rules,
curb bad attitudes and stay firm and consistent....
that I will lose the battle to let her grow up at a normal rate.
I don't wont her to miss any part of her childhood, as she
speeds on to be big. I don't want her to grow angry and
unreachable.

So today, after I was told "What Ever" and then hung up on,
I took her phone, the laptop, the iTouch and all other Needed Things.
We have since talked, and she has come to the knowledge that
mom means business.

I wont cave to the tween arguments, or the weeping, or even to the
threats and wild attempts of control her father keeps emailing.
(Like that will EVER work again!)

But I will stand my ground, because, although the battle is making me
crazy and I am tired of the struggle, I know that the prize for being
a tough love kind of mom, is the happiness of my child.
She is my baby, my Cookie, she has my heart!

Today's Trivia

Today In History:
1944 Smokey the Bear Became an icon
1930 Betty Boop made her cartoon debut
1892 The patent for the two way telegraph was given to Thomas Edison
1854 Thoreau published Walden
1483 The Sistine Chapel is opened
Quote of The Day:
What I cannot love, I overlook.  Anais Nin
Word of the Day:
Trinoctial: lasting three nights

Today's Trivia

Word of the Day
Woolgathering : indulgence in idle daydreaming!
Quote of the Day
Try not to become a man of success, but rather a man of value.
Albert Einstien

Freeway Drama

Today's Trivia

Word of the day...
ENCORCELL : To ENCHANT; To BEWITCH
(oooo!.....This is MY  New FAVORITE Word)
National...
Friendship Day
Sisters Day
Light House Day
Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day
Quote of the day...
"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change"
George Bernard Shaw

Harry.....

I  LOVED IT!!!

Word of the day...

Myrmidon:
A loyal follower

Word of the day....*R rated

Debauchery

1. (n.) Excessive indulgence of the appetites; especially, excessive indulgence of lust; intemperance; sensuality; habitual lewdness.
2. (n.) Corruption of fidelity; seduction from virtue, duty, or allegiance.

 (I liked the way this word sounded...

I didn't know what it meant. 

So I looked it up!....I still like the way it sounds)

Quote of the day.....

"The Superfluous is very necessary."   
Voltaire

 (I had to look superfluous up......)

superfluous [suːˈpɜːflʊəs]

adj

1. exceeding what is sufficient or required

2. not necessary or relevant; uncalled-for

3. Obsolete extravagant in expenditure or oversupplied with possessions

[from Latin superfluus overflowing, from super- + fluere to flow]

superfluously  adv

superfluousness  n

Interview

 My interview with Edward Jones went well. 

Now I wait. 

The woman from EJ headquarters said

that there where quite a few internal apps for the 

position. And to not be discouraged.
 To try another location if I don't get this one. 

That "I have what they are looking for"! 

(funny that statement doesnt make me feel so good)

We have the power!

What would the world be like

 if each person on earth knew that someone loved them, 

if each person felt needed and wanted. 

If each of us had the self confidence to be ourselves. 

What would it be like? 

It starts with us, a smile, an acknowledgement, a listening ear. 

We have the power to make this a much nicer place to live! 

Home Grown Art

This was my son's text to me Saturday morning.
 It says to me not only that the lawn is getting cut,
 that my son values cause and effect/ chore and reward!
But also that my son gets my love of green!!
He gets my abstract view on life around us,
and my need for validation and blogging rights!
My son is perfect! (Even though I know this may not
have happened so painlessly if he was not having people
over that evening.)
I love knowing.....That's my green grass!

Total MAN HOUSE

What A Great Weekend
Having Laura and Diane together is like
visiting some Wild New Country!
I had so mush fun! I loved Steve's house!!
Total Man House! WOOHOO!!!

Celebrate the Singleness

MY SISTERS AND I SHARE OUR EMPOWERMENT thank you Diana and Laura

"I Sing Like I Feel"

The three of us filed for divorce. For a variety of reasons. And we're better for it.

October 2009 - Angie

February 2010 - Laura

April 2011 - Diana

(title quote: Ella Fitzgerald)

Quote of the day....

YOU GET WHAT YOU SETTLE FOR!

*There will be no more settling for less than 

I am WORTHY of or WANTING!

I like what I have found!!! Yummmmy!

SO MUCH

 We had SO MUCH to Celebrate! 

And Partying with THE LADIES is SO MUCH  FUN! 

But getting a Bonus Gift at the table......WOOHOO! 

July 30, 2011

It was A VERY GOOD DAY!!!

• Diana's Birthday
• Laura IS HERE
• Time with my therapist Miss Marge
• Cookie and I are finished with the power struggle
• Andrea had a NEW baking project
• EDWARD JONES CALLED !!!!!
• PJ is having a house party
• One on One time with Houston
• Cheesecake Factory....girls gone wild!
• Bonus Gift @ the Table

art

remember

YOU

are

Beautiful

oh so very

LOVED

and

Valued

It's a Surprise!!!

I love birthdays, to celebrate you, for just being you! How great is that!

(In my family we also celebrate half birthdays! Life is short, why not celebrate everything!!!)

This weekend happens to be
Diana's Birthday weekend!! 

So I am sitting in the cell phone parking lot at
Sky Harbor Airport.

I am waiting for Laura's flight to arrive. 

We are going to surprise Diana for her birthday.
She has no idea Laura is coming!

We are planning a Big Birthday Bash Weekend!

I always wanted sisters, they are wonderful!!!

Laura just texted, she is landing....
I love Birthday Surprises !!!!!

Perfect!!!!

Quote of the day.....

Quality is not an act. It is a habit.     Aristotle

The Healing Place

Sometimes we are introduced to new concepts, life paths, a change of heart, or a strength that we may have never really given any thought to. 

I met a man who has lived a life so very different from mine. He has experienced things I will likely never attempt, participate in, or endure. His life could be be called "A self imposed train wreck". 

Yet he has come full circle. Although he will tell you that he will never be able to fully repay what he has been given. 

What we do with what we have been given and what we are, is up to us. We can choose to stay on the path of non-progression or we can ask for help. We can do the things, little and big, easy and hard, that will clear our path way. But as my friend said, "We are no better than the drunk man in the gutter nor the wealthy man in the jet above us." I guess prospective is vital.

 The process of becoming someone you like, can be a very long, hard, lifelong endeavor.  But so worth the effort. Along the way, values are restored, routines set in place. And although all the rules and guidelines may not be liked or something you will ever choose to completely agree with, going through the steps will take us along that path to be  the person we can like. 

Liking ourselves, can give us the opportunity to re-establish relationships with those we love, and start new relationships with others. Giving to others will create a propelling drive with in us, to do more, to be more. 

I have been made aware, that there is more to life than what I am comfortable with in my bubble. I am grateful for this amazing man who has so much to give, who is being such an example. I am in awe of his ability to overcome 'the train wreck' and move forward. Bravo Sir!!

"The Healing Place"

"Homelessness is a complex growing problem today. Estimates are that 1% of the population in the U.S. will become homeless during the course of one year. For the majority of those who become homeless it is a one time event. Typically it is the result of a major event such as an illness, or the loss of a job. The majority will find permanent housing in a matter of months. But for those who suffer from an addiction or have an accompanying mental health problem, an episode of homelessness can end up lasting years.

What we know today is that the majority of those who are homeless and addicted can be rehabilitated. Given the proper tools, a safe environment and sufficient time, most addicts and alcoholics will be able to return to the community as productive citizens.

Founded as a homeless shelter in 1989, The Healing Place has become one of the nation's most effective long-term, social model recovery programs. With 65 percent of our alumni remaining sober after one year, our success rate is five times the national average for recovery facilities.

While our statistics are great, its important to remember that we are talking about people. Today, over 2,700 individuals are leading productive lives and many are reunited with their families because of our unique approach to recovery. Our program relies on the assistance and guidance of its alumni to supplement traditional approaches to recovery."

Super Hero

Angela, Angelic Bounty Hunter
I had no idea I share the same name as a
Super Hero!

Of course her love interest is also
the one she is trying to kill...
His name is Spawn
Go figure!

Thought for the day....

Einstein said, "There are two ways to live your life - one is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle." Life is filled with miracles, you just have to look for them

Kiss Quotes

 Some quotes on the most important art: Kissing  

Soul meets soul on lovers' lips.  ~Percy Bysshe Shelley, Prometheus Unbound

'Twas not my lips you kissed
But my soul
~Judy Garland

Happiness is like a kiss - it feels best when you give it to someone else.  ~Author Unknown

The soul that can speak through the eyes can also kiss with a gaze.  ~Gustavo Adolfo Becquer

Kissing is like drinking salted water.  You drink, and your thirst increases.  ~Chinese Proverb

Then I did the simplest thing in the world.  I leaned down... and kissed him.  And the world cracked open.  ~Agnes de Mille

A kiss seals two souls for a moment in time.  ~Levende Waters

Each kiss a heart-quake...  ~Lord Byron, Don Juan

A man's kiss is his signature.  ~Mae West

Owners Manual

Life should come with a users guide, an instruction manual,
an owners handbook, a how to pamphlet, a warranty kit.....
Just saying!   

Day 20

Something Orange!

Wisdom for the day

We teach others how to treat us!

It isn't about finding the person you want to go to bed with. It is about finding the one you want to wake up with.
It isn't about finding the one you want to live with. It is about finding the one you can't live without.
In the world you are only somebody. But for somebody you are the whole world.

Day 18

Your Shoes.......Well these are the Right girl shoes. 

Don't all girls Love SHOES!!

BLING for your feet!

Day 17

My Favorite TECHNOLOGY is my iPhone

(Can your iPhone be your best friend? Mine is!)

The Morning After The Concert

Mark and his friends went to see the Greeley Estates concert at
 The Club in Scottsdale last night. 

They got this lovely hand decoration as a Thank You for coming!

 How delightful!!!

Ooh La La!!!

This would be the cherry stem I tied a knot in,

 with my tongue!

Who knew one could feel so accomplished!!

Breakfast In Bed!

My Cookie loves ME!!!

TODAY IS THE DAY

Run with that idea............!
Go

Quote of the day.....

"It's only pretty if it SPARKLES!"

(I don't know if I would apply this to everything....but I will defiantly start adding more SPARKLE to my life!
I just don't think you can ever have too much pretty!!!)

Day 15

March 1989
Disneyland
These are my babies! Emmaly was two and Jessette was 9 months. The trip was short. But I remember so many details; what they wore, what they likes, the reactions they had to every new thing. How wonderful to see this snip-it of time without all the details, it makes it fun to remember.  I so love my Little Ladies!

Hmmmm, something to think about!

  

 Quietly communing with God, is a way of temporarily turning off our ego-mind. Instead of our ego-self thinking, “I can fix this,” we are willing to immerse our perceived problem into our higher self. For those of us who grew up believing life is a “do-it-yourself” project, it can be hard to admit that we need help just to survive.   

 Like a drop of water separated from its source the little mind is unable to create and sustain life. When the drop of water rejoins the ocean it has all the powers of its source. The drop of water separate from its source symbolizes our ego-self when we are separated from our source of omnipotent power.

 With our divine connection we are always in touch with the solutions we are seeking. Problems persist when we fail to recognize, realize, and finally, quietly commune with our own source, power, spirit, God.

 I think of Abraham Lincoln watching his beloved Union crumbling under the energy of hatred that engulfed this country. He wrote, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go.” 

 He is saying, “I surrender to my source and turn this huge problem over to that same power that moves the stars.”  You can do the same thing in times of strife. “Let go and let God,” as they say in the recovery movement.     by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

OBSERVE

Your identity is a detailed concept about yourself that you cart around with you through life. It is a jumble of evaluations, opinions, rules, and perceptions about yourself that serves as a filter through which you view every experience. For example, if your filter contains the thoughts and beliefs that this is an angry world, you will continually see angry people and situations around you.

The problem is that you may not be aware of even a small percentage of the enormous number of beliefs about yourself and the world that you hold. Your beliefs about life and yourself are so ever-present that you often do not even know that they are there. They can be likened to the air that is all around us, but we are rarely aware of it. In other words, the more aware you become of the thoughts, concepts, and perceptions you have about who you are, the more you begin to discern who you really are.

Today, observe your thoughts and the situations around you—become the Observer. Watch your internal dialogue, and observe the language and words that you use. If you discern that your language is filled with disempowering words, consider substituting more empowering ones. You feel different when you use different words.

“I am okay” can become “I am great!”

“I am all right” can become “I am superb!”

“I am good” can become “I am excellent!”

Become a silent witness for a day. Without judgment or evaluation, watch yourself, your actions, and your reactions. Observe the language you use.

Denise Linn

Day 14

EYES
Some Things Just Make You Happy!!!

Vitamin Drawer

In my Aunt Marlene's fridge, one of the drawers at the bottom is known as the vitamin drawer. 

At my house you will find fruit or wilting broccoli, that I bought because I knew it was good for my kids.....but I let go bad, because not even I think about broccoli often enough! 

But I can tell you all the kids loved Aunt Mar's fridge drawers. 

Her drawers have things in it like vitamin K, and vitamin S and vitamin T. 

Why would you think broccoli when your most beloved Aunt would say "GO GET SOME VITAMINS".

Happily my children would do as told and go chose their daily required overdose of Kitcats, Snickers and Twix.

After all Chocolate is a vitamin just like Pizza is a vegetable...Right?

Day 12

SUNSET
This is a photo a friend texted me one night. We use to watch the sunsets from where ever we were. He sent me this as I was watching it from where I was. I needed a friend at that very minute, and even though we were miles apart he knew I needed him, and he was there. It was beautiful! Thank you Guru!

Food for thought!

Getting out of your groove actually lays down new neural pathways in your brain, which create freshness, newness, optimism and hopefulness. This translates into better physical and mental health.
Sometimes we think its a good idea to hold back or delay change. Yet conformity leaves us merely existing. Sticking with the routine that is negative and non progressive can push you into the deep end. Daring to break out of a situation that is going no where positive can improve your overall quality of life.

WAY COOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZboxMsSz5Aw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Day 11

Something Blue!

I have always had a passion for Cobalt Blue!

This is my Cobalt collection.

I LOVE IT!!!

Christmas In July

Each year I try to get my children to write a letter to Santa. It is very rare that this has ever been done. Yet I do make the request each year.This past Christmas 2010 was no different. Macy's even put up old post boxes to collect the letters that the children wrote. Yet none of my children wrote the letter.
Well, not that I knew of.
Jessette had actually written a letter to Santa. But she had never sent it, I didn't even know about it until tonight when she called me. She had put it in her school bag, then forgot about it. Today she was cleaning out that bag, her next semester at school starts this week, she was prepping. And there was the letter.

As she reread her Christmas Wish list, a holiday miracle happened. My baby girl saw that Santa and maybe God as well, do listen and do give you what your heart truly desires.

My daughter had asked that she would no longer be alone. She wanted to be loved. She wanted a man with specific qualities and characteristics. A man who would care for her, love her for who she is, and fill all the other needs she has.

Let me fill you in on what happened after the letter was written!

Christmas morning she received a text from Cole. She had not heard from him in a year. The last time she had seen him, I am sure they both agree, they thought would be the LAST time.

Yet here he was, Christmas morning.

She said "Mom he fits each thing on my wish list perfectly, every one!" She went on to tell me that she didn't think Santa or God really listened. Yet everything she had asked for, she received. Perhaps this Christmas miracle is two fold. She got just what her heart desired for Christmas in December. And for Christmas in July she got the knowledge that someone above dose listen and love her too.

I took a class...

The class didn't teach me how to make the situations in my life better, 

but it gave me some tools to be a better person as I go through my situations.

The class was designed for the parenting of your children. But I think we all

would benefit from the information. Such as, speak to others kindly, so you 

are not pointing fingers or accusing. Pick your battles, you cant win everyone.

You cant change others. Working together, even if you are not together is good.

When a relationship goes south, deal with the other party as a business partner. 

You still want whats best for that business, even though the partners work 

from different places. Reward behavior with appropriate rewards, not Everything. 

Send people that matter letters, we all like positive mail.

I also again learned the cycle of grief and the cycle of abuse. 

We will go through both. Grief at different times and for various reasons. 

Abuse is one to not create or get sucked into. Have your safety nets in place,

if you suspect you are a victim. Get out, because, it rarely ends well if at all. 

CYCLE OF GRIEF