Gratitude

grat·i·tude   [grat-i-tood, -tyood]
noun
the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

Gratitude makes a meal a feast, a house a home, and a stranger a friend.
~author?

What a beautiful sentiment; I could not have said it better, myself. Gratitude can turn your world from ordinary to extraordinary. It's all about your attitude... and gratitude. (This is starting to sound like a show tune. Or Dr. Seuss, perhaps.)

Anyway, the point is... Look around you. You have a lot to be thankful for. Put on your rose colored glasses and turn that meal into a feast, your house into a castle fit for a queen (that would be YOU, Your Highness), and a stranger into a friend (who just might happen to be an angel).

Gratitude. Simple, but powerful.

Sunshine and Smiles

If you are anything like me, you might find yourself at the beginning of a new year, wondering where, oh where, did last year go? If someone were to ask you to name ten events worthy of sharing, could you? You and I both know that life has a gazillion wonderful moments tucked in each passing year, but we are so busy and preoccupied, that we find it hard to recall all of the times that made us smile, giggle, or cry tears of joy.

Here's an idea... What if we kept a notepad handy and jotted down those moments as they happen? We could keep a notepad in our purse, on our desk, in the kitchen because you and I both know that wonderful things happen in a kitchen!, in the car, etc., etc., etc. (Now I feel like the King from The King and I. He really liked that wonderful word, etc. So do I.) Back to the notes. At the end of each day, we can put the notes in a jar, basket, or box. Whichever you fancy. I think I will call mine the Jar of Sunshine and Smiles.

Picture yourself sitting down on New Years Day with a really good cup of java, and reading all of your little notes with the ones you love, or in a room with just you, your really good java, and God. You are smiling, aren't you? Wouldn't that be fun?!

This is perfect for me because believe it or not, I hate journaling. I know. It's a shock. I love writing on this blog, but to sit down and write in a journal just makes me turn up my nose and shake my head.

So, go get some notepads and pens. Let's start a collection of sunshine and smiles. I dare you!

Chef Lisa

Last night was pork roast so tender a baby could eat it... Tonight was Brandied Chicken Breasts. This is what happens when I watch Julie and Julia. I get inspired. And I get chubby. Guess I'll just have to dance more... in the kitchen.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

~Martin Luther King, Jr., hero

YOU MATTER.

Really... You DO!

Dive In!

Speaking of Abraham...

"He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. "

Nose plugs... Check.

Goggles... Check

Wet suit... Check.

Flippers... Check.

I'm gonna plunge into God's promises!

Gotta Chuckle...

So, my little Brynn... The youngest of the family... The one my 17 year-old son predicts will be a Navy Seal because she's the toughest one of them all... Just won a Family SURVIVOR Contest at the County Fair!

And her big brother, Jack? He won a Hawaiian lei for being the only one who knew how to Hula dance. I have no idea where he learned how to do that.

Still laughing...

Ultimate Dog Tease

This is so darn CUTE!

"Proud" Doesn't Even Come Close...

My daughter just graduated from Army Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

My son just passed all of his tests and is officially enlisted in the Air Force.

"PROUD" is a word that doesn't even come close to the emotion that is flooding my heart.

Wise Words From a Refrigerator Magnet...

If you get a chance... take it.

If it changes your life... LET IT.

A Debt I Can Never Repay

Today we remember those who gave all they had for us.

Not for our "government,"

but for "We the People!"

Thank you.

You are not forgotten,

you are not scorned,

and your sacrifice for my freedom

will forever be a debt

I can never

repay.

~Thelma Dade

I Found My Way Back!

Dear Readers,

You have probably thought I was lost, or possibly that I had abandoned ship. No, I am here, and I am well. Actually, you can blame my absence on the Dare Chair. I plopped myself down in it, took on some dares, and have been so busy LIVING, that I've had to let some things go. Writing has been one of those things.

Summer break is peeking it's beautiful face around the corner. I am so excited to see a glimpse of it! You see, I am a teacher, therefore, I get to enjoy summer vacation just like the kids. Well, not quite THAT footloose and fancy free, but I do get a bit of breathing in the sunshine time and living in flip flops! I promise that I will fill you in on the dares, challenges, accomplishments, and sometimes painful moments I've experienced. My hope is that my stories will inspire you to turn the television off, get off the couch, and fill your lives with LIFE. The days are passing by quickly, my friends. Grab on and enjoy the ride!

Pray

Words seem so inadequate.

May God hear our cries from the depths of our souls.

Pray.

What an Awesome Idea...

Tsk... Who Am I Kidding?

So... My previous post was my lame attempt

to shed my envious thoughts.

Who am I kidding?

I want to go to Rome.

Home is Where the Heart Is

I have a friend who travels for his job. He travels the globe, and I must admit that I do get envious when I hear of his many destinations. My life, you see, consists of a ten mile radius. On days that I don't work, it's more like a two mile radius. I rarely "get out of Dodge," but thankfully, my Dodge is a pretty nice place to be. However, my eyes do thirst for scenery other than pine trees. Beaches, mountains, prairies, and bustling cities with towering skyscrapers would be a welcome view many days.

Through emails, I learned that within a week's time, my friend had been to Germany, spent the weekend in London, and then flew off to Istanbul. I cannot imagine! It sounds so exotic... so beautiful... so wonderful. So unlike Dodge.

Before I allow myself to get too envious, I must remind myself that the grass that is always greener on the other side can turn out to be... artificial turf. You see, artificial turf is pleasant to only one of the five senses. It may look pretty, but that's about it. And just how does this relate to exotic places? Let me explain.

I had to laugh when I read a letter from this globe trotting friend of mine. After being to the beautiful places I just mentioned, he said he couldn't wait to get back to Duluth. Hmmm... Let's just ponder that for a moment. Germany. London. Istanbul. How many breathtaking images flood your mind? Many, right? Duluth. Just doesn't do the same thing for me. Now, before you Minnesotans get too angry with me, please know that I love Duluth. When I am there, I get a wonderful feeling that I am so far away. Lake Superior and the North Shore are stunning. But as for now, it is the middle of winter, and winter brings bitter cold, and barrenness. Duluth to me, is just not exotic. It just doesn't rank up there with Germany, London, and Istanbul. (Possibly, because I've never been to those places.) Now to my point... When my friend was in the midst of the far away places, he said he couldn't wait to get back to a place that is so common... common in my world. You could insert the name of a place that is common to you. It is probably a place where many like to visit, but it is so close to home that it has become common, therefore not always appreciated. Longing for a common place after experiencing exotic destinations proves that home really is where the heart is. Home is where the green grass is. It fills all of the senses. There is no artificial turf at home. Home is real, it is genuine, it is what we need.

So, I am thankful to be in Dodge. As much as I long for exotic adventures, I will cherish the real grass. I will go barefoot. I will smell the freshly cut grass and remember that everything I need is right here. My suitcase may be empty, but my heart is full.

The Skit Guys...

This is a great skit; please watch!

(Click on, This is a great skit, above.)

Who Would Be In Your Movie?

I watched Eat, Pray, Love last weekend, and it turned out to be a movie that has stuck with me for days. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the movie. The scenery, music, and story were a treat for the senses. The lesson was about finding balance in your life... A lesson I could definitely use.

As I was savoring the movie in my mind one day, I thought of the interesting characters, the wonderful people Elizabeth was blessed to have met. They were in her daily life for a short season, but remained a part of it forever.

Who would be in my movie?, I wondered. Who has come into my life for a moment and made an impact? Who can I truly say the words, "I am so glad I met you," to? Immediately, I thought of Bob. Now, you have heard of Bob before... I wrote about him awhile ago. (See the post, Cheers dated Sunday, July 1, 2007.) He is definitely someone I am glad to know; someone who brought sunshine into my life. I rarely see him anymore, and that is truly a loss, but I am so grateful for moments he brightened my life.

I decided to write to Bob today and tell him basically what I just told you. I am not sure whose smile was bigger.... His because he was reminded that he is treasured, or mine, because it blessed me to speak words of kindness to another.

Blessings are like boomerangs. Just when you think you are going to bless others, the blessing comes back to you, many times tenfold!

So, who would be in your movie? A name came to mind right away, didn't it? Let that special person know. You will both be blessed. I promise.

VOTE!

To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.
- Louis L'Amour

Windows

In all my gracefulness,

I tripped and lunged forward

right in front of the Assistant Principal's office.

He has windows.

Big windows.

I hope he enjoyed the show.

You're Beautiful

A Daily Dose of Laughter... It's a Good Thing!

Validation

Still Here

Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock and roll or Christianity.
~John Lennon

Hey, I like the Beatles, too, but let's be careful of whom and what we idolize. Christianity is still here, and I am quite certain that Jesus is more popular than the Beatles. Christianity is a word that can be used quite loosely, and therefore, misused. If you have been hurt by so called, Christians, please note that it was their humanness and ignorance that hurt you, NOT Jesus.

Good Day, Picasso!

I need you to close your eyes for a moment. Close your eyes and picture this...

• rainbow striped tights
• purple corduroy skirt with embroidered flower
• pink and green cotton shirt covered with little strawberries
• salmon and turquoise striped sweater
• old tennis shoes

Add these altogether, and put them all on an adorable, little six year-old girl.

Now, had this been my first child, I would never have let her go to school dressed like that. She was, after all, a reflection of my abilities as a mother! What would this say to her teacher? What would people think? They might think she was a poor orphan in the morning with nobody to take care of her! (I know... It's a stretch, but what if?)

This little girl happens to be my fourth child. I have actually acquired some bits of wisdom through the years, thankfully!

My reaction to this colorful concoction?

1. Take her picture before she heads out the door for school.

2. Say with a huge smile on my face, "Have a great day.... Picasso!"

Honestly, she looked like a walking Picasso painting!

Starting Over

Jack: You put your calendar on January?
Brynn: Yeah, I know. I'm starting over. I didn't want to wait so long, so I just put it on January.

Maybe she's onto something... I think I'll put mine BACK to January. I need more time!! :)

Here Comes the Sun...

No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it.

~ Helen Keller

What wonderful words of wisdom from Helen Keller. I can't help but think that of all the people in the world, she would have the right to be crabby... to consume any bit of happiness she could get. Yet, she chose to give happiness to others. What a remarkable woman.

We all can think of someone who consumes happiness, day after day, but rarely produces it. Make a pledge today to never be a consumer, only. Make some happiness, and give it away! Smile at a crabby co-worker. Compliment someone who isn't used to receiving them. Share a smile. Give a hug. Open the door for someone, and greet them kindly. What have you got to lose? Absolutely, nothing! The funny thing is, the more happiness we give , the more we receive. You cannot go wrong with this one!

Go forth and produce happiness today... I dare you!

Dinner Serenade

So, in the middle of dinner, I belted out, "I am, I said," along with Neil Diamond. I really gave it gusto... Used motions and all.

My kids didn't even flinch.

They just kept on eating and talking.

They didn't even acknowledge that it was a bit awkward.

That's kind of funny.

(I guess they're used to their mom making a fool of herself... That's a good thing.)

A Daily Dose

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.

~Zig Ziglar

Mocking Me...

For those of you who have been following my blog, you are fully aware of my love of bubble baths. The ultimate relaxation... a wonderful indulgence.... a treat for a worn out woman. So, you are also aware that I have been without a tub faucet for more than a couple of years. (And yet, my husband still lives.) So, I am thrilled to announce that I have purchased a beautiful faucet, spectacular faucet! Unfortunately, my husband was unable to install it...

And so it sits....

In the box...

Mocking me.