BUILDERS.......

I fell in love with this front door and I can imagine it anywhere I choose to be that day....Italy, Spain France.  In my mind this door leads to the little place I have built to spend the rest of my life in. Yesterday I went to see my old travelin' friend in the rest home where I am afraid she will spend the rest of her life.  After 20 minutes of riding up and down the elevator, checking out lunch rooms, her original room, the room they said they moved her to, she was finally spotted in therapy......and I just left......so depressed to see all those "old" sad people.
If we had known we were building "our own" house through the years, the one we end our lives in.....would we have done better?  We probably would have taken better care of our bodies, and saved more money for a better rest home ......with a room for God.
So it is with life, we build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into our building.  Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built the rest of our lives.  I guess if we could do it again we would do it much differently.  But, we cannot go back.  We are the carpenters and every day we pound another nail.  Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Our attitude and the choices we make today, help build the "house" we will live in tomorrow.  Therefore build wisely!
A great attitude becomes a great day......which becomes a great month......which becomes a great year.....which becomes a great life.  Beautiful warm day, maybe spring is just around the corner.

CRINGING AT THE THOUGHT......

Was I really five once?  Here is a picture to prove it with my big bow and Shirley Temple curls and little sister JOAN who was two. As you can see I always loved life and looked happy.  Now many years later and much water under the bridge I look back at pictures of days gone by with love and good memories.
Most of us cringe at the thought of aging....as we set foot on this reluctant passage we can't help but wonder....what will the days ahead bring. Will our children stay in touch, will we start to dress dowdy, are we going to feel aimless.....even useless?  Life does not have to be lonely or aimless we can still fulfill many of our dreams and travel, watch our grandchildren grow up and succeed in life.  Don't think decay, dependence and death but determine to take care of your body, deepen your dependence on God and don't die before your actual date of decease.  I try to feel myself as a more mature, improved model of my younger self.  True the packaging is more wrinkled and lumpy and I move a lot slower.  But I do look ahead to see what God still has in store for me and thank him for each day he gives me.
If it's free, It's advice;.....If you pay for it, It's counseling;......If you can use either one, It's a miracle!

ROYALS......

Queen Elizabeth was released from the hospital today, her fifth visit in her 86 years. I needed to include this picture of the royal family, William and his new wife Kate who are expecting in July, for my posterity to enjoy someday.  The Queen is five years older than I am and seems to have been in my life always.  The big question.....who will be the next king.....Charles or William? Will I still be around?
The Queen has had her share of ups and downs and transitions into old age.  Three of her four children have gone through divorce.....it was huge when Charles cheated on Princess Di for his old girl friend Camilla.....who is a real dog.  But, looking back Charles did not deserve Princess Di.....mother of his two boys. It is just such a sad ending for her being killed in a car wreck.  The Queen's grandchildren have given her a few aha moments.....good and bad.  She never gives up and is every inch a lady.......LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.
I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one! AND
The irony of life is that, by the time you're old enough to know your way around, your too old to go anywhere.
ASPIRE TO INSPIRE BEFORE YOU EXPIRE.........

EMBRACE THE DAY CONTINUED.....

This is Dick Yeomans and Hazel Goff when they were dating....young, tall, slender and gorgeous.....They are my creators , my molders of life and life views.  They always loved each other and set good examples. They  taught me to love God, to be honest and truthful and frugal. To be loyal to family and know the rest of my life can be the best of my life.  I never was mistreated or went hungry.  They never did anything to embarrass me or not be very, very proud of them. They told me they loved me, were proud of me and behind me in whatever I did, even though at times I bet they weren't sure of my decisions.  They let me make my own mistakes and learn and never said "I told you so."  My mother was fun, friendly, out going and could do anything......in fact when my brother was little and she had just made him a sling shot out of an old inter tube and a willow branch......told someone his mother and Jesus could do anything. She felt very honored to be put in the same category as Jesus. I second that thought. On the other hand my father was quiet and reserved and easy going.  I adored them and hope wherever they are they are hearing my thoughts or reading my blog, because I may not have told them thanks enough for my wonderful heritage and life.  THANKS YOU GUYS.

EMBRACE THE DAY...........

Embrace the day......you gotta try your luck at least once a day, because you could be going around lucky all day and not even know it!
I get up every morning and thank God for my family......starting with my wonderful parents.  A persons own family is, without a doubt, the greatest wealth that we will ever possess.  Treasure every moment and take the time to ensure that the story you create is one that you will be proud of and look back on with a huge smile and pride. What would I change about how I lived my life and raised my three girls.....nothing but maybe not having their father walk out on us......they are wonderful people, raising wonderful children and making their mark in the world.  I would love to still have my parents around and sit around our old kitchen table and thank them for all they did to mold my life and teach me how to stay centered and never look back.  Yes, if I died tomorrow, I would know I would be remembered as a good mom, mother-in-law and grandmother.  Also, hopefully a good daughter, sister, aunt and cousin!  AND I was a good wife......
Are you happy? If the answer is yes, then keep doing what your doing.  If the answer is no, ask yourself if you want to be happy.....if the answer is no then keep doing what your doing, BUT if it is yes then change the things your doing.  It is really a very simple formula.

WEEKEND AGAIN.....

This little bird looks like I feel most mornings! I don't know why but weekends seem to be the time you really "let down".  I know for single or old people weekends always seem twice as long now than they use to be when you had a family and tried to cram so much into them. I am working on the coffee and yes have my eyes open.
Every story has an end but in life every ending is just a new beginning.....and can well be a great story. As Katic Couric says, " I'm trying to stay in the game and live a full life.....for me Betty, it is a little slower.......  While I don't love each new wrinkle, I'm not obsessed with them either.  I'm focusing on staying active, continue to learn and expressing gratitude for my health."  I feel very lucky with "Me" hitting 81 next month.  I didn't plan to get old....it just happened! But I am doing great being older.
Sometimes walking away has nothing to do with weakness, and everything to do with strength.  We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we finally realize our own worth.  Look at Pope Benedict.....he walked away from being the pope not because of weakness, but had the strength to determine someone else could carry on better.

YES THERE IS........

Yes there is a skinny woman somewhere in there.  I know because until I was about 60 or so I never had a weight problem......now it is an up hill battle with the pounds.  Today in the paper was this wonderful colorful add for Artic Circle for fish and chip or shrimp and fries with a dollar off coupon.  I made the mistake of putting it up where I can see it very plainly and somehow the Lean Cuisine or Atkins low calorie dinners are not calling as loudly as the thought of those fish and chips!!!! The people that make up the adds really know their stuff.......I will battle this all day and never tell which one won out, but you can probably just look at the outside and know. I know I need to take good care of myself at this age and found some good suggestions.  "If it's wrong, don't do it.....Say exactly what you mean.....Don't be a people pleaser......Trust your instincts......Never speak bad about yourself....never give up on your dreams.....don't be afraid to say "NO".....don't be afraid to say "YES".....be kind to yourself....let go of what you can't control......stay away from drama and negativity as much as possible. Be kind to yourself is in there somewhere and I'm not sure how long the add is good for?