The Mommy Test

I was out walking with my 3 year old daughter. She picked up
something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the
item away from her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter
asked.
"Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's
dirty and probably has germs" I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and
asked,
"Mommy, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart."
I was thinking quickly. "All Moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy
Test.
You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy."
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering
this new information.

"OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have
to
be the Daddy."
"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face.

Thank you, Suzee for the great story! ~Lisa

There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, "Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams." Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it, and yep, they're still there.

~Erma Bombeck

Take out those little boxes ladies, open them, and live your dreams!!! What are you waiting for?

To Catch a Butterfly

Ahh... summertime. Living in the North Woods means having a deep appreciation for summer. I believe many would agree that the season is much too short.

I had the privilege of witnessing a sweet sight today. My three and four year-old children were running through the sprinkler. Along came a beautiful butterfly. It seemed to be playing with the kids; they danced with glee. My two little ones truly thought they could catch that beautiful butterfly. They tried again, and again.

They were an inspiration to me. They saw no limitations. They both had their eyes on that butterfly, and were determined that they would catch it no matter how long it took.

I need that kind of determination. My kids never seemed to get frustrated; they chased the butterfly with huge smiles across their faces, giggling the whole time. Let's giggle and dance as we chase our dreams, and reach for our goals. Pack up your bags of frustration, your boxes of self-doubt, and smile and giggle until your tummy hurts. You will be so beautiful!

Care to Take a Dare?

Hey, all of you friends that have uncomfortably sat down in the swanky Dare Chair...

How are you doing? Have you conquered any mountains lately? I'm just checking in on you; I'm ready and willing to give you a little nudge, or push. Those goals you've written... GO FOR IT! That dream you've dreamt... dust it off and LIVE IT!

Those of you who know me, know that I have an incredibly large sweet tooth. I love sugar, and it loves my hips, thighs, and derriere. Well, I knew I had to do something, so I made my husband DARE me to go without refined sugar until our vacation. (total of almost 8 weeks) Now, my husband is a wise man; he knew he was on shaky ground. But, I told him he MUST dare me, because I know myself well enough... if someone dares me, I HAVE TO DO IT! I am happy to say, the dare worked, and I haven't had any treats/refined sugar for about 5 weeks. I feel so much better. (Although, it is a funny thing... once I cut sugar out, I started craving salty foods. I'm working on that now, too. It's a cruel thing!)

So, what is the bad habit you are trying to kick? You may want to have someone DARE you out loud. You must take the dare seriously for it to work. No bad habit? How about a DARE to take a class, write a book, or sign up for a marathon?

I think dares are great... they keep us young, and alive!

Let Freedom Ring...

The clash of ideas is the sound of freedom.

~Lady Bird Johnson

1912-2007

Ahhh.... music!

Isn't it funny how a song will play that you haven't heard for years, and you still find yourself singing along, remembering most of the lyrics? That never ceases to amaze me. I have many play lists on my Yahoo Jukebox. Right now I am listening to my "Idaho Days" play list. The songs bring me back to 1990 in Idaho. Most of the memories attached to the songs contain my friend, Deb. Each and every song brings back a moment, a great memory, and a smile.

I'm not sure Deb ever knew just how important she was, and still is in my life. She was my lifeline in Idaho. I moved out there fresh out of college... didn't know a soul. We met shortly after I arrived, and were inseparable. We went to country music concerts, (wish she could fill you in on Idaho's largest State Fair cattle shows... Clint Black's crew was amazed, I am sure!) dancing, and hung out at my apartment. Our friendship has lasted for 17 years, and spans half way across the United States. Still, I'll pick up the phone, and we'll continue our friendship as if I lived next door.

Girlfriends and music are priceless. They are constant links to joy, comfort, and sanity.

Liberty is to the collective body, what health is to every individual body. Without health no pleasure can be tasted by man; without liberty, no happiness can be enjoyed by society.

~Thomas Jefferson

Cheers

Do you remember the show, Cheers? The place where everybody knows your name...

I am a server at a swanky place in the town where I live. I love it... it is a "play with adults time" for me. I love my kids dearly, but it is my little break in the week. We have regulars that come in just like "Norm" on Cheers. After living in a small town for quite some time now, I can relate to Norm. It's nice to have people know your name when you walk into a room.

Let me tell you, it is equally as nice being on the other end... the end that is calling your name. My "Norm" happens to be Bob. About once a month or so, I get to cheerfully call out, "BOB!" when he walks into the room. Bob has an infectious smile, a great bear hug, and a sincere heart. He cuts straight to the chase and really, truly wants to know how I am doing. I am a server. Just that. I bring great wine, excellent food, and try my best to make my customers enjoy their experience. Bob makes me feel like a queen.

May God bless Bob and all of the good people like him in this world. They have a true gift... the gift of making people feel cherished.