Under the weather

Been ignoring my blog, just haven't felt up to it. I don't do sick well, so hope this is just a short process. When I need help, I go to my angels. My angels have been named for me......some are male and some are female. Angelina, Dominic, Raquel, Jophiel, Chanuel and Arid. Now I don't have to just say, hey you. It is very comforting if you believe in angels. Also my sister promised she would always be there for me after she died of cancer and I was to just watch for the signs. We decided pennies would be the answer. Now, when I find a penny or coin I immediately feel she is close by and helping me navigate through my life. On my 70th birthday, my three daughters and I went to lunch at Trolly Square, it was a cold rainy April day. Right by the front door in a puddle of water were 7 pennies! A coincidence? To an outsider maybe, but to me and the family Jo was with us that day. I find many pennies in strange places and always feel Jo is close by. Even my grandchildren get excited when they find a penny, knowing Aunt Jo left it for them. Our angels are there for us and will help us through anything, we just have to ask!!! Happy Birthday today to my second grandson who turns 17, wow he was a cute baby............and still is.

I Have Piles...........

Yes, I have piles.........not the medical kind, but lots of piles of stuff on the counter, on the table, on my dresser and in the office where I can close the door. How do just a few things your going to get to, turn into a whole pile of stuff your going to get to? I have a pile of magazines I'm going to read soon I hope.......or not. An accumulation of small note books with various notes, I need to pile them on the counter so I don't have to hunt every time I need an answer. I tear pages out of magazines , receipts, pictures of clothes or jewlery, cartoons, household suggestions or just an article I want to read eventually, but don't have the time right now. My monthly bills that I don't want lost, my credit card receipts, memos, coupons. These are things I know what to do with, these are good piles. Then I have an indecision pile. Coupons, I might need, an email that looks interesting, a store add good for a week, etc. If I have a project going I like to have every thing I need handy, I look at that as a good pile. Thing is if I'm having company or bridge at my house I carefully take each pile to the office and it has slowly become a "Junk room". Yes, I'm afraid these piles have crept into some drawers, closets and cupboards........and laundry room.......oh yes, and the garage. They say "organized out.......organized in" Does that mean my mind is disorganized to? Well, yes sometimes I think I am. Is there a cure for piles? I guess I will just start with put away or throw away..........one step at a time, that starts today. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Trying to keep up with the Olympics, Haiti and The Tiger Wood story, all history some day. I am thankful for my sweet little dog lying at my feet.

Window on the Wall

I am turning into an Armchair Traveler.........After traveling the world since I was 21 , starting as (a stewardess), and finally after the 75 year mark of my life, I have really slowed down. I have been around the world and all over the world and feel very lucky. Visiting over 120 countries and six of the seven continents. As I traveled I collected photos of the many places that I visited and loved. Year after year I added these pictures to a wall in my home. "My wall of pictures is like a Window into the World....They are a visual escape. A Chance for my mind to Wander into the magic places I love all over the world......" They help me escape my every day surroundings. I can wander into the wonderful memories of the people, scenery, smells, tastes, languages and sounds of these different cultures. Such an education is beyond belief and has made me a much better and more interesting person. We took our children with us on many trips and they are encouraging their famlies to travel. I have a sign that says "DUNNROVIN" which I will hang out above my door when I fell I am absolutely, positively done rovin! Only a few more days of February left and no plans for traveling anywhere this year in sight. I am enjoying the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada. Had a great Valentine's Weekend. Got to enjoy eight of my nine grandchildren. Tiff is enjoying a college friend from out of town for the weekend. Been working on Spotty Dot so I can get it made into a book on Shutterfly. Got to stay busy........

Witty Knitters

I joined The Prayer Shawel Ministry at the Methodist church. The great group of ladies call themselves "The Witty Knitters".......Some are , some are not witty. They are a very diverse group. Middle age and up, whatever that makes us. Some are alone like me, some still have a mate to rush home and cook dinner for when we leave. Their homes are not the new modern ones sprouting up, but older lived in ones with wonderful treasures and walls covered with family photos, a record of their long and interesting lives. Lucille is a Christmas collector and her little trailer was wall to wall with Santas and Christmas decorations, just looking leaves very little time to concentrate on your knitting. Jackie has a love of native art, the kind I grew up with, and I loved her home with her collections wonderfully displayed. Each month several shawls are turned in and blessed before they are passed on to people needing the extra comfort of one of our treasures. It is a very satisfying volunteer service. These people are very talented in many areas, so interesting and uplifting. The bright colored knitting bags and the colorful yarn of the shawls or balls waiting to be transformed into treasures by one stich at a time bring the rainbow to our room.Of course, there are always great snacks accompanied by your choice of soft drinks, coffee or tea. I look forward each month to sharing my time and talents with these great people. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a "Witty Knitter!"

Valentines Day 2010

A beautiful Sunday, sunshine with the snow in the mountains where we love it. Tiff got roses, that she is letting me enjoy. The Cooks gave me a beautiful red velvet box of chocolates, so I am set. Went to see the movie "Valentines Day".......which was very appropriate for the day. Last night my youngest grandson spent the night with me, which is always welcome. He is growing up too fast. Tonight a gourmet dinner at the Panniers. Rob knows how to turn them out. Do I feel bad I don't have a Special Valentine anymore? Not really because now I have many special Valentines. I had a day and a time with all the love and valentines I could handle, so I still have the memories of days and loves gone by. The color red (and pink) are feel good colors. Brain scans show that when the eye sees somthing pink, it triggers the brain to release the feel-good chemical serotonin. So instead of saying my Valentines Day was fine, I will say it was great! "Using more positive, enthusiastic words makes you feel happier and more hopeful , and even strengthens all your relationships." Today I am thankful for a beautiful Valentine Holdiay and my wonderful family that loves me.

Perfect World-----Real World

Well, the winter olympics have rolled around again. I spent the evening watching the Opening Ceremonies and having dinner with the Cooks. One of the luge runners was killed in the morning on a practice run and everyone was so sad. A bright spot , RB got an invite to a dance, the person plastered the front door with a dozen valentines with the question and name of the girl on the back of one of them! Remember those days? I wonder how he will answer?
Today another grey, cloudy and wet winter day. Some thoughts on how to get yourself moving on these days. If my world were perfect, the sun would shine every day and I would spend hours basking in the sun soaking it up doing something fun like gardening, reading a book or day dreaming. Real World: I can open all the curtains to let the light in or turn on all the lights. I read that sunlight increaes your level of serotonin, a hormone that helps elevate your mood. Next: In a my perfect world......I energize myself by having lunch with good friends or family every day. But, in my real world, I resort to chatting with the girls every day or call a good friend to see how their day is going. In my perfect world........I would go to the gym everyday.
In my real world, I try to get my retail therapy and exercise in at the same time by walking up and down the isles at my favorites stores. I know even a little exercise energizes me. In my perfect world.......I would spend more time hugging trees and channel their energy through me. In my real world I look at the trees from inside knowing they are giving off loads of oxygen that makes my life better. In my perfect world........I would go to bed early and sleep soundly for 8 hours, waking rested and ready for another wonderful day in my life. In my Real life, my bladder controls my interrupted sleep pattern! Oh well. In my perfect life........I'd faithfully write in my journal every day which helps sort out my thoughts and relieve energy-draining anxieties. In my Real life, I procrastinate always planning to catch up. Now that I have this little blog I am doing better. I also hope to add just one things each time that I am thankful for. Today I am thankful the many young men who are far away from home fighting for our freedom.

A BOX OF CRAYONS

"When I needed some color in my life, you gave me the whole rainbow!"
We could learn a lot from a box of crayons..........Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull. Some crayons are fat and stubby, some long and slender. Some crayons have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
From the time we are small we cherish our box of crayons and color books. Do we ever stop and think how these colors in their beautiful shades affect our lives. We all pick a favorite color early on in life, and people who study colors and their effects on our lives tell us some interesting things about our favorite colors. Mine is RED.........Red is the highest arc of the rainbow. It is recognized as a stimulant, red is in herently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy preceived, red draws attention! Stop signs are red!
Red is the base or root chakra. This chakra is at the base of the spine and allows us to be grounded and connect to the universal energies. It increases enthusiasm, encourages action and confidence, provides a sense of protection from fear and anxiety. Each color is assigned to a different chakra in your body. I want to explore chakras more. So I say, we all need to try and be more like a box of crayons and just get along in peace and harmony........do not judge your neighbor.
Today I am thankful that the days are getting longer and that spring is just around the corner.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Yes, I have joined the 80,000 Americans watching the super bowl this Sunday evening, February 7, 2010. I do know that I am enjoying all those big guys in "very tight" pants rolling around on top of each other. I am really watching because of the great commercials that are on! I just say, "may the best team win"....... and they will. I don't really know anything about football, but with many of my family dedicated I decided I better change my attitude and get with it......You know change your attitude, change your life. Some of the following might be easier to handle.
We need to engage our brain! Music is great. I play the piano, love to dance and love to listen to REAl music.
Crossworld puzzels, Suduko, or any card game, is good to challenge your brain.
Study a foreign language, these new sounds, words and meanings keep your mind sharp.
Travel, explore new places , see new things, meet new people, use your new language.
Stay informed about what is going on in the country, your state or community. Read the paper and watch the news on TV.
Start a new hobby that challenges you. Learn to knit, sew, cook, garden, learn to play bridge, Pan or Banco. Learn a new skill.
Involve yourself with your surroundings. Join clubs, volunteer, attend lectures, play, festivals and Church groups.
Get creative, test your artistic abilities with painting, drawing, writing, photography, sewing or decorating.
Get involved with your family, especially your grandchildren, you can learn alot from them! What am I thankful for today? That the New Orleans stadium has been rebuilt so they could have the Super Bowl there. Those poor people deserve some goodness.........

YOUR CALENDAR

At the end of my kitchen counter hanging above my phone is my calendar. It hangs there today as it has since I moved into my place 23 years ago. Each year I receive various calendars from advertisers, beautiful pictures of vacation retreats, animals, flowers and a few years my sweet daughter Sherrie made me a calendar with family pictures on each month, I cherished them. Today I have a calendar with thought provoking sayings to great me each day. However, the months and dates line up the same --or not.
Did you realize your calendar tells you what you are spending your time and life doing? It's a moral indicater. The first day of each month I start filling in each date with doctor appointments, grandchildren's events to attend. Monthy bridge dates, knitting group, coffee dates with friends, condo meeting, nail and hair appointments. Play or movie tickets I have. Birthdays of family and friends I need to remember. As the month progresses I add invitations to dinner with family, car service dates, repairman dates or whatever happens in everyday living. On the boarder I pencil in things on my "todo" list like wash the car, change furnace filters and many things I put off if not written down. I just realized how much I depend on that little piece of paper to keep my life organized and moving smoothly along. How about you?
Today I am having lunch at the country club with two dear friends, Pat and Elaine. It is Pat's birthday and we do this every year for each other. Our birthday club started at least 40 years ago with eight, now we are down to three and cherish our friendships. Yes, it is on my calendar and has been for three weeks!

JUST A THOUGHT...........

Are you spending your money on life experiences such as a vacation, a meal out, a play or movie or are you spending it on material things? As we grow older we realize that spending money on things to store in our "Memory Capital" to draw on later gets more important with each year of our life. Also think of the things in life that don't cost anything. A sunset, a baby animal, a good friend etc. I love all my "things" and I am sure they will make a great garage sale when I die and the girls clean out my house, but day by day I find they are not me. I have traveled the world and I have many momentos that triger wonderful memories of far away lands and good times, but I also have all those memories filed away in my mind. As you grow older your needs seem to be less and you appareciate people instead of things. I have many hobbies that keep me busy, I love movies and of course any time I can be with family, that is my priority. I look forward each day to hearing from one or all of my girls, a phone call makes my day! What I am thankful for today is my health. What more can I ask?

Aries, a Hawk on the native Americans totem:

You're here not by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else. You are one of a kind. You lack nothing that his grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill his special purpose for this generation.
We were born on the day that was chosen for us. I am just barely an Aries, April 19. A few more hours and I would have missed it. "Like most cultures, Native Americans developed an astrological system to better understand themselves." Interestingly my animal on the totem is a HAWK..........defined this way: You Are A Leader! Because hawks fly so high, they're seen as having great status, even magical powers", says Durbin. Like you, they display powers of leadership. "You're adventurous, always looking for the next challenge,"says astrologer Maria Shaw, author of Star Gazer. "And just like the bird, you need your freedom!" Yes, yes, thats me! One more day and I would have been a Taurus, that animal on the totem is a Beaver......... which isn't bad.........It says, You're Resilient! Beavers are strategic planners, "capable of completely changing their environment for their own peace and security." says Durbin. "They're among the most sensible and adaptable mammals on earth." Regardless of obstacles, you tend to fulfill your dreams, simply because of your amazing determination! You're a force to be reckoned with in work and in love! Some of this feels right with me also. I have never spent much time on this, but it is interesting in a way.
I am greatful today for having the money to pay my bills and a warm, safe place to live.