QUOTE of The Day

"I think it is nothing short of RUDE 

to not acknowledge another's joy."

R.G.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

YEAR OF THE ROOSTER!


Some of my Favorites:

Tiger 1986  Fire : Optimistic and Independent

Dragon 1988 Earth : Smart, Ambitious and Hardworking

Dog 1994 Wood : Sincere, Reliable, Considerate, Understanding and Patient

Rabbit 1999 Earth : Frank, Straightforward, Ambitious, and Hardworking

Goat 1955 Wood : Amicable, Gentle and Compassionate

Horse 1966 Fire : Smart, Charismatic, Lively and overflowing with Enthusiasm

http://farmersalmanac.com/home-garden/2017/01/23/chinese-new-year-2017/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/chinese-new-year-2017-year-rooster-zodiac-animal/

HAPPY

(Sometimes I wonder if what I do, not just the job, but the details and extra time I put in are noticed. Not that I want to be credited for this, but I always hope that my people feel my love.)

It is my habit to welcome my travelers home a couple days after they get settled back into their routine. Yesterday one of my favorite clients stopped into my office, just a day after they arrived back from a family vacation. She brought me a lovely card thanking me for my help. We chatted and she said she would call as soon as they are ready to take the next adventure.

I sent a snap-shot of the card to my man. Here is what he texted to me:

"Do you realize what you do for people?
You give them worry free Happy!"

I am glad my travelers appreciate what I do. But I am so grateful that my man sees it too. I love him!

National Chocolate Cake Day

.....so I had a nice large slice of Carrot Cake!
It's all Good!

NEED

LOVE is the greatest human need.

Let's Go

“You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the one

Who’ll decide where to go…”

~Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

BLUE MONDAY

Today, Monday, January 16, is said to be the most depressing day of the year.
I'm not thinking so. I feel great. My world is good.
My man loves me, I'm hot for him!
As far as I know my kids are good.
I love my life!
Blue Monday is a cool name for the day...but...the Day is Good!
Eek

COLD

When I made my way to work this morning it was 13 degrees. And it felt like 3 degrees.
It's now 3pm and it's 15 degrees that feel like 4... brrrrita!

New Years Day

January 1, 2017
I helped my friends move out of their old place. I think we all agree that moving is awful. But it's done and all the stuff is moved. We went to dinner with friends later. We celebrated the New Year.
We are all different, and we may not see eye to eye. But I love these people. I am glad they are my family!

New Years Revelation

https://magnoliamarket.com/chips-new-years-revelation/

I ❤️❤️❤️ this couple!

God Bless America

Thanks goes to my friend Bob for this piece of musical history!

Frank Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless America" on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two.

        Here are the facts.... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA". But before you watch it, you should also know the story behind the first public showing of the song.

     The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid   we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.
     This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and
American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.

      Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings".
      Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time. Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring. She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would  make Americans  feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.

      This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for
the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In The Army Now." At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald Reagan.
      To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country.  Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry..... and for many generations of Americans to follow.

     Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it.

Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with "God Bless America ....." So here's the entire song as originally sung.....  ENJOY!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0

STEP ONE

The first step to getting anywhere...
Is deciding you are no longer willing to stay where you are.

CHEREE

12.27.05 ~ 12.27.16

BLUE LIGHTS IN MY REARVIEW WINDOW

I was helping my Kentuckianna kids move last night. Jay was in the Tahoe with me, and we were following behind Kim and Elliot's truck. We were driving on the Kentucky side of the Ohio river around 10:30pm, on a two lane highway, in the dark, in below freezing temps. 

An hour or so before, my daughter texted to let me know she was in her first fender bender. She was alright, it was the other drivers fault, and my girl was her delightful self, making sure the other driver was at ease. She is so good! 

My Kentuckianna girls and I were then talking about being pulled over by the police when I made the comment that I wasn't sure were my registration actually was. 

Fast forward to 10:30 on the dark country road.... 

When in my rearview mirror I see blue lights flashing. Yep, they were for me! I pulled over, and then greated the nice young man in the uniform. He asked for my drivers license and registration. (Which, instinctively I knew just where to reach for when the moment presented itself.) As I handed it to him, I asked what he pulled me over for. He looked in the Tahoe and asked "Are you moving?" I said yes, and he said "As I passed you over that hill you swerved." Now I don't recall that but, it was windy, cold, dark and late. He was right I am sure. And "No" to his question; I hadn't been drinking. We chatted for a minute longer and he handed my verification back. No ticket or warning, I thanked him for checking on us, and he wished us a good night. He was nice. We took a short cut back to the kids place, and I was in my bed by midnight. 

Interesting evening!

It's Snowing!

WOOHOO!

30 YEARS

30 years ago today began my career as a mommy.
Happy Birthday to my EMMALY DANE!
The first love of my life!
You still have my heart my beauty, I love you.
Happy Birthday Baby!

HOLIDAY CONCERT

I attended the Holiday Pops Concert at the 
Victory Theater last night. 
There were several orchestras and several choirs. 
It was amazing to see how many instruments 
and people they could get on the stage. 
The choreography in moving everything 
in and out throughout the show was wonderful. 
The Victory Theater is beautiful. The inside is glorious. 
It takes you back to a more amazing era. 
The Christmas decorations were lovely 
and seeing Santa was an extra treat. 
It was a perfect way to spend a 
wintery December night with friends!

VACATION

Vacation: an extended period of recreation, especially one spent away from home or traveling.

I had the opportunity to go on a nine day vacation. I had moments of doubt and worry prior to going. (I am grateful for my man who talked me off the cliff when those moments hit.)

Once I was there, I was so very happy to have returned to my home town to spend my vacation. I saw those I love and adore...and was very grateful for the time and effort they made to see me, spend time with me and make me feel at home. I was blessed to meet my son's lady and love of his life. I fell in love with her too. I was so lucky to be able to spend time with her family as well. I truly adore them and I am tickled to be able to call them family. 

I was able to see friends that have missed. It was so nice catching up with them and I am inspired to keep in closer contact from here forward. 

Phoenix was just the same...but better. So much new mixed in with the old. I saw all the places I love and visited all the have to spots! 

It was fun checking in on FB at each place I went. A traveling road map so to speak. 

I tried to look at Phoenix through the eyes of a tourist, a new prospective. I love it there. I really do. 

I had a great vacation, but part of me couldn't wait to come home. Back to the part of the country I chose...that I love. I was even excited to come back to work. 

Phoenix may be my home town, but this bit of the Midwest I am living in, is my home!

GAME ON

I have had the chance to feel comfortable in my new shoes.
The grounds have been tried and tested.

Today is the starting point!
No limits or boundaries.
Go.....delve, explore and experience.

Game on!

Desert Rain

There are few smells more lovely than rain in the desert.
Snuggled up listening to Arizona rain is wonderful!