Category Archives: Personal

Monday Gets Patriotic

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Today is the observance of Veterans Day.  A day to show honor and respect and appreciation for those who have served in the armed forces protecting our good ole     US of A!!!  Veterans Day also marks the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

We are lucky to live in a country with so many freedoms and so many choices.  On the heels of the presidential election, it seems even more pronounced in its symbolism of freedom.  Some may not be happy with the current presidential candidate…but you did have the freedom to vote and make your own personal choice.

 Monday Gets Patriotic

Happy Veterans Day, Dear Neighbors

There are ways to remind others to be proud of their American homeland.  My little walkway of flags was a small showing of that.  I just wanted to give a subtle reminder for us to stop to think how lucky we are to have a flag that represents such amazing possibilities of what we are able to aspire to be.  Each and every one of us can decide what goals we want to meet and then have a plethora of opportunities to make all those dreams come true.

Sometimes we might feel we have not been given a fair deal (particularly, any Romney voters right now); but also with freedom we must learn compromise and understanding.  We can’t all have our own way at every possible moment.  What doesn’t seem fair to some becomes huge victories and opportunities to do good things for others.  The key is to stay united and find ways to work together for the good of all.  “Division of troops” is not good in the military forces and it’s not good in government….Period!!

I would like to also take a moment to honor the men and women who have given their lives in battle for this country.  I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose a family member while they are fighting on other lands to protect our freedom here.

God Bless America!

The United States seems to make great effort to build tributes to those that have lost their lives in combat; but it is such a small token for the huge price that is paid.

Vietnam Memorial Wall–Washington, D.C.

So today, take the time to thank those that you know that are serving our country now or have served in previous times.

Shake their hand, salute them or maybe just give them a big hug.

 Let them know that you are proud of them and appreciate their dedication and hard work.

Maybe knock on the door of a wife or mother that is struggling to fill the void of the loss of the head of their household while they are in some other country and who has been gone for months now.  Give them a little boost in their day…..they are also “serving” our country by their unselfish support of our troops.

Stand tall…Stand proud.

We are Americans and we are very lucky to live in this country.

Don’t take your freedoms lightly AND don’t abuse them either…..many Americans have

given their lives to keep us safe and free!  Show your honor and respect for them.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America!

You Matter America!

Smiles, Nancy….born in the USA

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Monday Gets Happy

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Did you ever wake up some mornings and just say “Hello World, It’s going to be a great day!”?  It just seems that everything is brighter, all the colors around you look more intense and vibrant and even your sense of smell is acute, and you are overwhelmed with multiple fragrances at every turn.  Well, It has been one of those days for me.

Monday Gets Happy

I’m really not sure why it has turned into such a good day.  I didn’t get much sleep last night and I have to do laundry today (ugh!) AND there’s a big stack of dishes in my sink! (double ugh!)  I think it’s because I recently had to have a good talk with myself about my attitude.  It was one of those “is my cup half full or half empty” type of discussions.  Life is a bit of a struggle for me right now, but I can choose to make things better…..or I can just choose to continue to complain about all the obstacles that seem to be in my way or decisions that are frustrating to me.  The anxiety that comes with struggles of life is some times paralyzing.  We keep spinning our wheels and feel that there is no way out of the current situation.  The truth is that it’s actually easier to do something about it.  But, often, we don’t see the path of least resistance.  We get in our comfort zone and when things change, we just keep resisting to make that change.

I think the people who are most successful and happy in life don’t have any preconceptions about themselves.  They just move forward not thinking that it might be difficult or not on their “life itinerary”.  They are constantly reinventing themselves and are always open to new adventures or new paths to take on their journey.  My grandmother was like that.  You could say to her “Do you want to go with me?”  She ALWAYS answered  “Yes!”  Each time, you could remind her that you didn’t tell her where we were going, but her response was always the same… “It doesn’t really matter!”  And…she was very sincere about that answer…AND she was always smiling and happy.  Her children would sometimes get messages from her that she was in another state…or even several states away.  All because someone had posed that question to her….”Do you want to go?”  She changed her “path”…and away she would go!

I guess it is a healthy thing to do too.  My grandmother lived to the ‘ripe ole age’ of 96 and lived on her own for most of that time.  I sure hope I have half the ‘spunk’ she did when I reach her matured age.

Life is an adventure and it can be an exciting and rewarding one or it can be filled with lots of struggles…..sometimes self-imposed….sometimes just ones thrown at us that make us take a better look at the whole picture of the journey we might be on.  Today….I am choosing to look at my ‘glass of life’ differently.  I am going to make it a great day…no matter what direction it takes me.  I am saying “Yes” to the question “Do you want to go?”

So, how about you?  Do you need a kick start?

What obstacles seem to be keeping you from moving forward?

Are there really obstacles…or are YOU the obstacle?

Change your attitude, Change your path, Change your day!!

I hope you enjoy your new chosen itinerary.

I hope you find some exciting adventures.

But most of all…I hope your Monday Gets Happy too!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets A Parenthood Degree

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I recently went to a celebration for friends who were celebrating the amazing fact that they are going to be parents soon.  Their baby is due right after the first of 2013 and they had a get-together with friends to commemorate the soon to be happening.  It is so exciting and an amazing event for this couple.  They are two awesome individuals, who I think will, for certain, be super parents.

Hmmmm……What does that mean?  Super Parents.  There is no test or exam for this certification and no one has a manual to hand over to you.  The ‘homework’ takes years to complete and “success” is sometimes questionable.  Rewards are many…but the number of trials and tribulations far out weigh the number of bonus points gained.  You sometimes get thanks for your efforts….and sometimes not.  You find yourself constantly questioning your expertise and struggle to keep your head above water….and often, only one step ahead of a toddler’s IQ or a 13-year-old-going-on-21, who is certain they hold all the wisdom in the world.  And, so why do so many pursue this degree called Parenthood?  Let’s discuss….

 Monday Gets A Parenthood Degree

I still remember all the excitement and enthusiasm leading to the birth of my son.  So many things to do in order to be ready for the big day.  And, for nine months, you are always the star of the moment.   And then….that big day arrives and the reality sets in.  OMG!!  What the heck do I do now??!!  For me, the terror of knowing that I had to care for this tiny little prize….and not break it, consumed my thoughts constantly.  One wrong turn or move and I might harm this precious child.   I tell my son now that he was kind of my “lab guinea pig”.  He always laughs, but somehow I will never be able to convey to him what a novice parent I really was. All I know is that he’s a lucky boy to still be all in one piece!!   I would continuously read everything I possibly could to try to find the magic instructions to be the best parent possible.

Well, long story short……He did survive and so did I.  And, did I pass the test and get my Parenthood Degree?  Yes, I did….but some days it was questionable.  What I did learn along the way was there are really only a few rules to learn.  The only thing that matters is that you love your child with all your heart and tell them that you do every single day.  It’s really getting back to what I tell all of you….You Matter!  That really is all the child needs most of the time outside of the necessities of food, clothing and shelter.  If you truly feel that love in your heart and you are able to convey that to your child, then I really think everything else will fall into place.  For those that have experienced this love for a child, you know that overwhelming gush of starry-eyed elation that I am talking about, right?  For those of you who have not, I truly hope you have the experience one day. It is like none other!!  There are no words to describe the depth of love that I feel for my child.  Being his parent makes me complete and gives me a strength that could move mountains if needed.  It is a love that will not die or fade and it grows stronger every day.

So I am proud of my Parenthood Degree…..more than anything else I have accomplished in my life.  And, for my friends who are about to step into that precious “cap and gown” moment, I feel your joy and excitement.  My happiness for you is bubbling over.  But most of all, I am happy for this yet born child.  He will have two “super” parents who will love him more than he could ever imagine.  He will know from Day One that he is special and that he matters every single day.

So, do you have a Parenthood Degree?

Take the opportunity today to tell your own son or daughter how much you love them.  Tell them how proud you are to be their parent too.  They need to hear it.

Joining the ranks of Parenthood comes in all forms you know? If you don’t have children of your own, there are many kids of all ages who would love to know that someone cares about them…..to have someone to assure them that they’re going to be all right.  To hear those words “I love you” are priceless.

 So make today special for your child….or some child’s life who really needs to feel that comforting circle of love.

I guarantee you the special feeling that comes back to you will be filled with much joy.

  Oops!  I gotta go….my son just called and he’s on his way over.

I can’t wait to give him a big hug!

Boy!  Do I ever love my Parenthood career!!

You Matter.

Smiles, Nancy

Monday Gets on the Scale

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OK….I have a question.  If you have a driver’s license that lists your weight and height, are they accurate?  If not, are they off by 10%, 20%, Yikes! 30% or more???  If so, join the club.  Supposedly, most women lie about their weight and men lie about their height.  Not all states require the weight part, but I wonder why we have such an important document that we feel the need to avoid the truth?!!  Do you think that when other people look at our license that they check the weight or height and then snicker to themselves?  Obviously, it’s not important to DMV because I’ve never had to “weigh in” for them.  Have you?  Oh the horror, right?!!

What I find interesting about the weight part is that we know we need to lose weight, but feel the need to avoid dealing with it even when it comes to being a responsible and honest, license-carrying citizen.  I wonder if we had to weigh in at the DMV when we renewed our license if we would even avoid renewing it….kind of like we do when we need to go to the doctor.  How many of you have tried to make great effort to lose a pound or more the week or two before your doctor’s appointment?  I’m raising my hand because I’ve sure been there.  I even try to find the very lightest weight clothing sometimes….no heavy jeans or boots are on my body when I step on that scale!!  Let’s get honest…..

Monday Gets on the Scale

I went through years of professing my weight (the one of my choosing) to DMV or anyone else that asked, knowing that it was a huge exaggeration.  I knew I needed to lose weight and get healthy, but I continued to live in the fiction world.  Why did I wait so long to do anything about it??  I still can’t answer that question.   I guess we all have to “hit that wall” that makes us “look in the mirror” to make changes in our lives.  I am very thankful that I found info about the Paleo lifestyle this year.  I can say honestly that I am finally at the weight that I have proclaimed for years and less than I have weighed in at least 15 years or more.  What ‘clicked’ I wonder?  What makes us throw those bad habits out the window?

It is really intriguing to me to see someone seem to change, literally, overnight.  They do all the things that are wrong for them and then suddenly, one day, all the “lessons” they have been given miraculously make sense.  I wonder if it is something cosmic-like…..if all the stars are aligned in a certain manner and we “receive” information…that info suddenly will get absorbed??!!   Any scientist out there that can answer that question?  I have a bunch of other issues to work on too, so maybe I could start planning for that cosmic-alignment moment now.

What would you like to change about yourself?

How close are you to your DMV weight?

And, yes, what do you have on your “list” that you have not ever checked off?

I wonder what is going to have to happen in your life to get you to “look in the mirror” and see the reality.

Are you ready to change?

Well, whatever you would like to happen, be sure to stop saying:  “Oh, I could never give that up”, or “I just don’t have time” or even “I’ll work on that next year.”

How about changing your mantra to “I Matter” or “I care about myself” or even “I love myself”.  It is amazing to me to talk to people who are not able to say this to themselves…..AND they don’t know that others care about them either.

So today…..I’m saying it for you.  I’m going to tell you the truth because I care.

YOU MATTER…..YOU ARE A GOOD PERSON…..YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY BEING THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE!!

Did you hear me???!!

Are you ready to start?  Repeat after me….

I Matter.  I Matter.  I Matter.

Now, take the next step and make changes.  What do you see in the mirror?

Pretend the planets are in alignment and you can

do anything you want to do…..starting today…now!!

You can do it.

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets A Bucket List

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I was recently posting on a fellow blogger’s post Y and Z ~~ or the end of another challenge http://onthehomefrontandbeyond.wordpress.com/   I was congratulating her on her initiative to challenge herself to writing a book.  I made the comment that I have always wanted to do that in my life…..Just one of those casual, off-hand comments that you sometimes make in friendly replies.  Her response:  “why not I ask with all seriousness.”

It kind of sparked something in me that made me realize that unless we continuously challenge ourselves in our lives, we never really grow much.  It IS very important to make that Bucket List, otherwise, we will never push ourselves to new heights and new adventures.  We often fall into a rut that keeps us on the same path and doing things that we not only have become comfortable in our own skins doing, but also in what others have grown accustomed to for us as well.  So today, I’m doing it….

Monday Gets A Bucket List

Should I start big???  I would love to try sky diving….but I did promise my son that I will wait until I am well into my 80s to attempt that…..I’ll put that near the end of my list.  I’ll definitely put the book writing on my list.  I would love to write a screenplay too.  Oh heck!  Why don’t I just plan to write an epic novel that turns into an epic screenplay while I’m at it!!  Think Big Bucket, right?  I think I would like to re-visit the South of France too.  I had a wonderful experience there a few years back and would love to return some day.  I have a really good friend who retired recently and decided she wanted to learn to paint….and she did!  I would love to know that every day of my life was filled with time to do some kind of art…painting, pottery or maybe photography.  The three P’s sound good to me.  And speaking of retiring, I think it would be great to have a little camper/RV type vehicle that would allow me to pack up minimal belongings and take off to travel the good ole USA with my ole dog, Tramp.

Home Sweet Home

Just stopping along the way to visit friends and seeing the beauty of this country. The national and state park services have part time/temporary jobs that you can do at various places.  They provide some housing and meals and give you a decent salary too.  Maybe just work a season and then move on to somewhere else.  I could combine the art with the experience too.  Okay….I’m ready to start packing!

So really, the bucket list is about dreams too.  And, if we believe that dreams come true, then  the next few years are already planned for me.  I’m looking forward to the adventure.

So what’s on your bucket list?  What kind of dream would you like to come true?  I know you’re probably sick of my list suggestions by now, but this is a really important one!

Sit down, close your eyes and dream big!!

Write your bucket list….and then commit to making it happen.

I NEVER thought I would be blogging…..but just a little challenge from others and it happened! And the best part is that I not only did I never envision myself sharing my writing with others, I NEVER thought I would love it so much.  Amazing what happens when we challenge ourselves a bit.

Well, I better get busy….Epics take a bit of work.

Chapter One…..

Smiles, Nancy

Monday Gets Moving

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One of the things I think I hate most in the world is moving and that’s what I have been doing for the past few days and will be doing all day today.  We’re moving out of our current office location.  I will be so glad to get it behind me.  There seems to be so many emotions attached to moving….sadness, excitement, nostalgia, many ‘why in the world have I been holding onto this?’ and “OMG, I’ve been looking for this for months”, a few !%&!!?# (busted fingers or broken nails) and even dizziness as you walk around in circles sometimes trying to decide what to do next.  So…today we’re moving on and…..

Monday Gets Moving

I think what I’m realizing most from all this is that we just hang onto a lot of STUFF!!  Why do we seem to have so much need for material things?!! Do we really need 5,000 pens of various colors and shapes in our desk drawer?  How many post-it notes can you really create in one week?  Are our ‘Organizers’ really organizing us…..or just adding to the clutter?  No wonder our landfills are becoming such a problem.  Downsize, Downsize, Downsize…that’s what we all need to do…quickly!!

But, I guess the good thing about Moving is that it makes us look at some of our issues and realize it is time to make changes.  We can be better at everything we do and moving is an opportunity to throw out some of our bad habits…..a fresh start.

So today is Monday a good day to Move On.  Awww! Life is full of irony!

JuststartwithMonday is my mantra for the day.

Big and better things are on the horizon and I need to “clean up my act”

so I can be ready for whatever comes my way.

I hope you’ll join me and find a project for yourself to get you to a better place.  Did you just open the closet and something fell on your head?

Perhaps, you opened a drawer but couldn’t close it again because it is overflowing….how many pens do you have in your desk drawer?!!

Your Fairy Godmother is not going to do a “Poof” here for you as she doesn’t like cleaning and organizing either!!

You know you will feel so much better if you tackle the project head on and get it done now!

So Good Luck.  I hope you will be working right along with me today.

I’ll be cheering you on and we can be weary together by sundown tonight….but Oh!!….we will be feeling so good about what we have accomplished!!

Have a Great Monday.

You Matter!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Bogged Down

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Okay….last week, Monday Got Lazy and now it seems I am ‘bogged down’ in so many things to do that my head is spinning and my List is a mile long.  I guess I should admit, however, there might have been another day or so along the way this week that I felt I needed to pull out my lazy card!!…..Oh the price we pay sometimes for doing things that seem to come so natural and easy!!

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just post our lists on a community bulletin board somewhere and have help in completing the tasks that we are not very good at being able to complete.  Kind of a barter system….you do the laundry and I’ll fold it and put it away.  I’ll do the dishes….if you’ll do the cooking today.  Guess that’s the way it use to be when multiple generations lived together all in the same house.  Of course, I’m sure Woody Allen would be able to create a pretty authentic picture of what the real scene might be when that happens!  Be careful what you ask for, right?  Let’s address the issue….

Monday Gets Bogged Down

I wonder how some people are able to get so much accomplished in a very short time without procrastinating along the way.  I can’t even make a list without running off the edge of the paper and continuing to add to it before I even get a few items checked off AND actually losing the list several times before it’s completed.  I know I’m not considered to be a lazy person and most people think I’m above average in the organizational skill set.  Perhaps, I need to learn to delegate…….Hmmmm. Just asked Tramp to take out the trash and he looked at me and ran to the kitchen.  I was sure he was headed to get the garbage, but instead he just checked his food bowl to see if there were any scraps or extra dog biscuits!!  Guess I need to rethink this delegating thing….Choose your Delegate wisely, right?

I think this happens not only in just daily grind stuff, but just in life in general.  Even the fun stuff gets either over-completed OR gets pushed to the bottom of the list.  Life needs to be a balance, right?  Unfortunately, I think we often struggle to determine where the line gets drawn.  So, how do we get out of the ‘mess’ we’re in right now.  Let’s figure this out, so that perhaps we can work on this phenomenon together.

Are you in this space too?  Too much to do and too little time to do it.  What happened along the way?  For me, I think it is a cross between procrastination and distractions.  I might start cleaning the kitchen, but then take out the garbage and find myself out picking tomatoes off my plants in my garden.  Next thing I know, I am researching a good recipe to make with the tomatoes which leads somehow unexplainable to restaurants that I might want to dine at soon.  By the time I re-enter the kitchen, hours have passed, the kitchen is only half completed AND now I’m hungry (from ooo-ing over the recipes I’ve discovered) and struggle to find a clean spot to make some lunch.

Is anyone relating here??!!!  Please tell me that I’m not alone or unique in this horrible syndrome!!   Do you think there are any research studies going that I can join to find my cause and cure?  Perhaps, there might be a support group that will help me feel there is hope.

 Help!  Help!  Help!

Well, this is the point in my Blog post that I usual offer some suggestions or support to get beyond the current issue…..I’ve got nothing!!    Here’s what I thought I would do.  After you read this, post in the comment section at the top of the post, a description of a recent situation of your Bogged Down-itis.  Don’t be shy.  Even life’s problems can make us smile sometimes. Let’s see who could qualify for King/Queen of Bogged Down Monday.

Hopefully, what we’ll find is that we’re really not alone in this world and when we feel we are the ONLY human being dealing with something difficult, that we just need to open our eyes and look around us.

When life seems the most difficult, I’m sure there is always someone dealing with a worst situation.

And maybe too…..that we’ll understand that we need to reach out to others in time of need and get the support we need and offer the same to them.  We really don’t have to carry the whole burden alone.  Sometimes, the opportunity to make a difference is right in front of our face.

Have a Great Monday.

Make it a great day.  Reach out to others.

You Matter!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Confident

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I have been recently evaluating my work related skill level and trying to assess how many things I can attach the word “Proficient” in my Resume.   It is a funny word to me as I think it has many boundaries that are defined personally by each person who uses it.  Defined by Webster, it means well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge.  Synonyms include: accomplished, ace, adept, complete, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, practiced, professed, skilled, versed…..which kind of adds to more confusion of how to determine the measurement of someone’s skills that has included the word.  It seems if I say I am proficient in typing that I could be anywhere from just a good typist to a master typist….pretty big gap I think.

What I realized in trying to determine my own skill level as well as determine its meaning is that when it is used, it is really about someone trying to feel and project confidence about what they do.  Let’s talk about what we can do to feel “Proficient” in all the things we do and also helps others feel the same.

Monday Gets Confident

I think our confidence level rules so many things about us.  Our feelings can be elevated to new heights of accomplishment or we can sink to such pits that we don’t feel we are competent at anything.  Sometimes, it even fluctuates in a matter of moments.  We can be feeling really good about a job we completed at work; and suddenly, a co-worker or manager comes in and points out all the negative points and our confidence goes flying out the window!  Words are powerful tools and can sometimes be harmful.  I guess it is one of those human nature things that we sometimes open our mouths without thinking through what we allow to pour out.  I know that constructive criticism is needed at times, but it is important to give an unbiased judgment by indicating all the good stuff too.  It will go a long way in helping a person feel really great about what they contributed to the task at hand.  It also encourages us to make improvements and increase our level of “Proficiency”.

This not only applies in the workplace, but also in our personal lives as well.  Children need lots of guidance in their lives to do things correctly; but they also need to know that they are not doing everything wrong.  Spouses, friends, even our parents need that little bit of applause from time to time for daily routine tasks that might become mundane and also resented if they are not from time to time given at least a few moments of appreciation.

When was the last time you told your child how beautiful they were or maybe how proud you were of them that they could now make their own breakfast or even that you liked the friends they had chosen?  Does your mate make coffee every morning and you stagger to the kitchen to get your caffeine jolt without even acknowledging how delicious it might taste or that it helps you start each day a lot easier?  What about when you go to the grocery store, do you thank the person who bags your groceries?  Many people every day make our lives a little easier and we just become so accustomed to the tasks being done for us that we forget to even thank them.  Wouldn’t it be nice to boost their confidence level and let them know how “proficient” they are at what they do.  It only takes a moment and so little effort to do that!!

Are you ready to make a difference today?

Here’s what you do.

Each person that you come in contact, take a moment to find something about them that you can bestow some praise on them.

It doesn’t have to be anything profound…..and EVERYONE has a special thing about them that deserves some applause.

You will know that you have completed your mission when you see a smile come to their face.  You might even notice a slight change in their posture as the feeling of confidence straightens their spine.

And Hey! Don’t stop with Monday, do it tomorrow and the next day and every day of the rest of your life.

How better to help people during a time of a struggling economy where we are feeling we have somehow done something horrible to be in such difficult times.  We can blame it on the Republicans or the Democrats….whichever party preference you might lean…..but it doesn’t mean we can’t do something to make some changes.

Have a great day!

Let me know what your tally of smiles was today.

Here’s one to start you off.

Thank you for reading my Blog.  It puts a smile on my face every time someone leaves a comment or decides to be added to the list of followers.  I truly appreciate your support.  You Matter!…..and I Matter too!!

Smiles, Nancy

Monday Gets Prepared

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Most of my life I lived in Florida and….most of my life around this time, we would all start to get a little edgy that the “big one” may hit us this year….I’m talking the nasty “H” word!  Hurricanes!  Each year we would gather supplies, water, extra gas, check the generator, uncover the hurricane shutters, find copies of insurance policies….the list goes on and on…..as we would “Prepare” for the possibility of being the bulls-eye target for Emma, Katrina, Rachel….or whatever alphabet-given name the fierce winds were given at the time. Most seasons, I just remember a lot of cleanup in the yard of branches that should have been trimmed anyway and major window washing afterwards from all the salt spray that would get brought in, returning tumbled items to neighbor’s yards and playing a lot of board games for entertainment until the power was returned to our area.

The next year, the same ritual would begin….and mostly, it was just a lot of waiting for the infamous Cantore to let us know where he thought (actually it was just a guess because Hurricanes seem to have a mind of their own) the storm would make landfall.  What I remember vividly is how I would push myself to “Be Prepared”.  Even when I tried to convince myself that I was fully stocked,  the uncertainty would creep into my mind and I would find myself rushing out to the local store for more of those non-perishable snack foods, buying one more bag or two of ice and stopping at the gas station on the way home to ‘top off my tank’.  My personal compulsive ritual was to make sure everything was filed and put away in my home office and multiple copies were made of my computer back up disc to be locked away in a water-tight safe.

Funny how things get imbedded in your psyche……last week at work, I was compulsively cleaning off my desk and making sure everything was filed away.  Has L.A. ever had a hurricane?!!   Interesting weather trivia question….anyone know the answer??  Needless to say, there are other disasters that L.A. has experienced.  In fact, I probably should make filing an hourly chore just in case the ground starts to….shhhhush!  I just can’t repeat that nasty ‘E’ word!

What I keep thinking is why don’t we take other things in life more seriously?  Why don’t we “Get Prepared” for good things too?  Why does it always have to be about something disastrous?  So Today, I’m declaring that….

Monday Gets Prepared

That’s right!  We’re going to be prepared for whatever comes our way.  But instead of disasters, we’re going to prepare for something good!  What is it going to be?  Well, that’s your homework!  I know what I’m going to do.  I believe something really exciting is going to happen in my life.  I’m not sure what it is yet, but I believe Life brings us great joy only if we are willing to open our heart to receive the good stuff and to be open to change and opportunities.  Some people actually get lots of good stuff showered on them; but they haven’t opened their heart, so they don’t even know what has arrived at their front door!  It just passes them by without even an acknowledgement.  How sad!

So here’s the ‘how to prepare’ directions that I’m using.   I would love for you to join me in this Preparedness Extravaganza.

  • I’m going to make a list (I know…I know, you’re tired of these….but humor me for now) of things that I would like to accomplish this week, in the next month and then each month after that for the next several months.
  • I’m going to focus on eating good and healthy food and getting more exercise (my good buddy, Tramp, will love that part) and getting plenty of rest.
  • I will NOT let ‘roadblocks’ stop me when I feel I just can’t make the next hurdle.
  • I will do more things that make me happy and make me smile.
  • I will make difficult choices by listening to what my heart tells me is the right thing to do.
  • I will truly understand and appreciate the gifts I have been given and use that feeling of gratefulness to be able to live in the moment instead of pushing life along too quickly.
  • I will continue to do my part to make a difference in this world.   I will become a model for the ‘lead by example’ role.
  • But the most important thing is that I will love and appreciate and be grateful for whatever Life brings me.  My heart will be wide open!

So, how about you?  Want to be a good girl/boy scout and attest to your motto.

I wonder what’s around the corner for you?

I hope you will ‘stock up on supplies’ so you will “Be Prepared”.

But, more importantly, I hope you will have an open heart so you can feel the joy that is bestowed on you.

I hope Monday is the beginning of something exciting in YOUR life.

Be ready for the ‘gifts’ that arrive on your doorstep!

You Matter!

Smiles,

Nancy

Monday Gets Healthy

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I have been taking some medical tests in the last month or so to get caught up on some preventative healthcare that I had been putting off.  It has not been a pleasant experience some times and it is very time-consuming.  I am sick of being questioned and stuck and poked and well….you know the usual routine.  I have always hoped that they would some day come up with a process where you could just go through a walk thru or even better a drive thru type set up.  All your tests, scans, etc., could be taken care of in less than five minutes and your diagnosis and results would be printed out at an ATM kind of machine.   I just really don’t see why that is not a possibility??!!  Of course, mentioning to doctors about thoughts like this sets their hair on end….probably thinking of the multiple thousands of dollars they would lose if this ever happen.  George Jetson World where are you?

Despite the annoyance and my consumed time, all my test results came back within a pretty normal range and the end of the story is basically that I am pretty healthy.  With that knowledge, I am very relieved and thankful for such a good report.  I would like to offer some encouragement to others that might be putting off scheduling their routine checkups like I have been doing.  So, today……..

Monday Gets Healthy

In such a fast-paced world, we need to do everything we can to counteract some of the stresses that are all around us that are just impossible to avoid…..traffic, financial strains, national news and despair, kids….sometimes I even reach a point of over-abundance of stress that dealing with junk mail is even an annoyance for me.  If we moved to a deserted island, we could eliminate the majority of our daily stresses, but that’s not on my option possibilities right now.  I am envious if it might be on yours.  For those of us who must ‘keep marching on’, I would like to offer some encouraging words for you to take note of your current lifestyle and access what changes you might need to make to be a bit more healthy and balance your daily stresses.

First, I would definitely encourage you to take advantage of any insurance-covered preventative care that might be available to you.  Often, catching something in its early stages can make a world of difference for the end results.  It’s not the most appealing thing to do; but it is the smartest thing to do for yourself and your family too.  If you don’t have healthcare, there are still affordable options out there if you do a little digging that you can take advantage of for yourself and your family.

Next, and I think probably the most important, is to assess your general lifestyle choices.  Do you get enough rest and sleep?  Do you eat a proper diet?  Do you have habits like smoking or over-indulging in alcohol that could be changed or at least reduced?  Do you get enough exercise?  All of these questions or a personal thing and can only be answered by you……truthfully that is!!  You can tell your doctor anything that you would like them to hear; but you need to be accountable for the truth for yourself.

Are you now….Overwhelmed?!!  Depressed?!!  Frustrated?!!  Okay, it’s time for another one of those infamous lists.  Make a list starting with what you think is the most important thing to change.  For me, it is diet.  I have been trying to lose a few pounds and also eat healthier.  It’s not easy to change just that little bit; but if you keep making little changes slowly, you will start to see the positive results of your efforts.  It feels good too.  I have set very small goals for myself and when I meet that goal, I pat myself on the back and then I set another one.

So…..today is a wonderful day to start your new life.

Let me hear it…..what day is it?…..It’s Monday Gets Healthy!!

All you have to do is JUST START WITH MONDAY.

The rest of the week, you just repeat Monday’s efforts.

So….don’t you want to be healthy?  Don’t you want to feel better?

And most importantly, don’t you owe that to yourself?

You’re special!  You’re important!  You Matter!

Many hopes sent your way that you will believe this and realize that it is worth all the effort that you put forth.

Have a great day.

Smiles,

Nancy