HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TODAY IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR!
LET US REJOICE IN A NEW BEGINNING!


"A HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye.
When this new year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend.
Have lived and loved and labored here.
And made of it a happy year."

-----Edgar Guest-----

GOOD BYE 2011

"Finish each day and be done with it.  You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can.. TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY; you shall begin it serenely with too high spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
 --------------------------------Ralph Waldo Emerson------------------------------

It is time to say goodbye to the old year and ring in the new.  It is time to forget past mistakes and look forward to what a new year can bring.
We all make mistakes in our lives, but that is part of learning how to deal with life.  It is now time to move on, learn from the past, but forget it.  The past is over and done with, we have only the future!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvJRmdN9iyU

Ring out the old, Ring in the new
Ring happy bells, accross the snow.
The year is going, Let him go;
Ring out the false, Ring in the true.

-----Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850-----

CHRISTMAS GIFT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay19dSmztP8

"Life's most precious gifts don't come in packages.  They come from the Heart."

Let us remember the true meaning of Christmas!

TRIBUTE TO HOLIDAY CAROLS

One of my favorite carols played at Christmas is The Huron Carol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnxZ-YU4f0A

CHRISTMAS IS COMING.....

This can be such a wonderful season.  People have made it a time of rushing about, scrambling to find gifts and just making it such a busy time.  For most people, life is busy, at best.  Why put pressure on the Christmas season?  It is time to enjoy the holiday season!


"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas."
                                  -----Peg Bracken-----

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x38w02_christmas-is-coming_music

FALL TURNING INTO WINTER

I have just been thinking about the season and how the year is almost over.  It does not seem so long ago since it was January, and now it is November.  It really does show us how things are in retrospect.  Time passes, and we just have to move along with it.  We need to take  the  good with the bad.  When the year is over, it always seems to work out for the best.

Trying to put a good face on all the seasons, the change in weather, the changes in our lives.


NOVERMBER                              -----Elizabeth Coatsworth-----

November comes
November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
and frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfYIMyS_dI

REMEMBRANCE DAY Lest we Forget

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

      By John McCrae


In Flanders Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place and in the sky
The Larks, still bravely singing fly
Scare heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead Short days ago
We lived, felt dawns, saw sunsets glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you from failing hands we throw
The Torch, be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1o1X-s9Tc


"I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country.  This Heritage of Freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all Mankind."

                                                  -----John Diefenbaker-----

CONNECTIONS...Not just a dream

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined."

                                                   -----Henry David Thoreau-----

There are people that come into your life with whom you make an instant connection.

These are special people:  More than just friends.

No matter what happens, or which way fate turns.  These people are forever engraved in your heart.


"It's the simple joys,
The simple pleasures
The heart remembers
And Always treasures."


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSOMSVlkWbc&NR=1

BACK TO THE SIXTIES

THE POPPY FAMILY - Where Evil Grows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNg-GAnUxFQ&playnext=1&list=PL12D5B54E64CCC66C


THE TREMELOES - Silence is Golden


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyj2qL-bQ4E

It may just be my mood this evening, or the fact that our CBC radio station was playing some old sixties music today.  I cannot quite make out which is true....But, reflecting I am....

What actually comes to mind, is a teenage music programe, called MUSIC HOP, (1963--1967) it was on five days a week.  From Vancouver, it was called Let's Go, Winnipeg, Hootenanny,  Montreal, Jeunesse Oblige, Toronto, Music Hop (the original) and Halifax, Frank's Bandstand.  Believe it or not, Alex Trebek was the first host of the Toronto version.
Some other interesting tidbits,  Let's Go was the starting point for the group, The Poppy Family.  Before, Susan, was Susan Jacks, she was Susan Pesklevits.  Great group, too bad Susan and Terry split up!
The Guess Who, were the band, for two years, for the Winnipeg version. 
Halifax, was a great music venue for  all ages,  Don Messers Jubilee, Sing Along Jubilee, as well as Frank's Bandstand, originated there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ry30gRy3O4

So much for a muic history lesson of the CBC!

ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS

I have been trying to list all the good things about November....The Autumn air, the colored falling
leaves, the definite change of season, and the prelude to Christmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kP8jPa1wCg



"And the days dwindle down to a precious few, September, Novemeber - And these few precious days I'd spend with you, These Golden Days I'd spend with you."
                                             -----Maxwell Anderson-----
                                                    American Playwright
                                                            (1888--1959)






Our next big occasion in our town is Remembrance Day.  It is well celebrated, here.  I think it is important as most of the Veterans of WW1 and WW11 have passed away.  What is truly marvelous about our parade and ceremony at the Cenitaph is that our flag barer will be 101  years old this year.  I think that says it all about our Veterans.  Tough spirited men and women that fought in the World  Wars. 

Our very bright spot,  at the end of the month,  is the Festival of Lights.  I believe that it truly gets people into the spirit of the season.  It is a day and evening where members of the community come out to celebrate.  It gives the merchants a chance to show off their wares and people a relaxing opportunity to enjoy them.

Once people get into the Christmas mode;  things become too busy and the meaning of the celebration gets lost.


"Oh, It's a long long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September
When the Autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn't got time for the waiting game"

-----From the Broadway Show, "Knickerbocker Holiday"-----
                  Maxwell Anderson, Kurt Weill


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-ldVj34Sfo

NOVEMBER

It is unbelievable how this year has flown by us.  I believe I may have missed some of it.  Now we are in to November, Christmas will fall right behind!



"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
and the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
and frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next Spring."


-----Elizabeth Coatsworth-----

OCTOBER 31st

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Kmx0_oyh4

All-Hallows'-Eve, All Saints' Eve, Samhain (Gaelic Harvest Festival)

Trust the American to make refinements on a Day celebrated in different ways, All over the world!


"May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, The Foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too Far."
                                                               -----IRISH BLESSINGS-----

FANTASY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQE1QbHKofg&NR=1


I truly believe that I am one of the most realistic people that I know.

Saying that, I also believe, that we are all entitled to our fantasies.!  Whether they are about a person, place or thing, we all need to have them.  It could be something you want to achieve, at work or at play, or just a daydream.
Fantasies are good.  They help us to be motivated, to get on with this business of living.


"Fantasies are more than substitutes for unpleasant reality; they are also dress rehersals, plans.  All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination."
                                                  -----BARBARA GRIZZUTI Harrison-----

APPRECIATION

"It's funny how, in the journey of life, even though we may begin at different times and places, our paths cross with others so that we may share our love, compassion, observations and hope.  This is a design of God that I appreciate and cherish."
                                                 -----STEVE MARBOLI-----

Sometimes we lack the appreciation of our lives.  We forget the good things in our life, like our family, our good friends, and the day to day ability to enjoy life.  We all know that there are others less fortunate than ourselves, but we do not seem to appreciate what WE have in OUR lives.

Just a thought to remember:  all the good things that we do have in our own lives, and not to forget,  those of us that are less fortunate than ourselves.

We can never know when,  we may become the less fortunate.


"People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder.  This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to  look,  including inside ourselves."
                                                  ----S ELMA HAYEK-----


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTcHT4zpAGs

LETTING GO

Just because you have certain feelings, it does not mean that others will share them.
You can only blame yourself.  You can not impose your feelings on anyone else.  There is no point in being angry with another, because they may have (stomped on) hurt your feelings.
  Your feelings, are just that,  your feelings.  You cannot blame another person for how you feel.  We are all entitled to our own feelings.  When we have thoughts and feelings, they are ours.  They may be influenced by others, but, others cannot be blamed for them.
  Take responsibility.    Do not let yourself be angry, when others do not share your feelings.  Step up and accept how you feel.  Deal with it....and let it go....

ACCEPTANCE

"There are things that we do not want to happen but have to accept,  things we don't want to know,  but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go."
                                                              -----AUTHOR UNKNOWN-----

I wonder,  if it just isn't human nature, that we want things to be the way we want them not necessarily accepting the way things really are.
This sounds like a mundane statement, but just think about it, apply it to your own  circumstances in general.
  When I do this, I find, that statement to be true.  We want, what we want, when we want it. 

  Life hands us challenges, accept them or not, we have to deal with them.  We want to control all aspects of our life, our thoughts and even our dreams, even though we know that outside forces, affect each and every aspect of our life. 

GRIEVING

Grieving is a process.  It does not matter the cause of the grief.  We mourn the loss of special people in our lives not only through death, but through divorce and separation.  We mourn the loss of our job or our position in life....It is all the same. 
We all deal with grief in different ways.  It is an individual thing, as, what works for one person does not necessarily work for another.
Embrace the process.  Life will go on....

FAMILIARITY DOES NOT NEED TO BREED CONTEMPT

A lot can be said for Familiarity.   Wether it be with the place you live, the place you work, the job that you do, or the one you love, familiarity makes these all comfortable.  I am all for excitement and newness in my life, but there is just something about sameness, that is very comforting. 


"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."
                                                            -----EPICURUS-----




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvP8u-9QX5s

JOYS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS!

Joys and disappointments are two words that do not appear to go together in a sentence.
Those two words discribe life in a nutshell.  There are so many of both in day to day living.
It is like taking the ups with the downs....Life, here I am...Take me where I need to go.

Can we survive without the computer, today?  It is such a big part of everything we do in
every day life!  When we go to the bank, the grocery store, the library, it all seems to boil
down to computers.  I have met some wonderful friends on the computer.  The computer is
a great way to keep up with friends and family.  But, the big but, does it take the place of
normal human interaction?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsZL10oxPwY

WISDOM OF THE AGES

"The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are:
hardwork, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense."
                              -----Thomas Edison----

This may have worked when (the light bulb lit up) for good old Tom.
I have to agree with the hardwork and the common sense.  But, there
is something to being able to love what you do, that outweighs a lot of
things, and how you approach life in general.

AS TIME GOES BY

"Growing into your future with health and grace and beauty doesn't have to take all your time.  It rather requires a dedication to caring for yourself as if you were rare and precious, which you are, and regarding all life around you as equally so, which it is."
                                                   -----Victoria Moran-----

We have a tendancy to care for everyone else and neglect ourselves.  It is time we kept a
balance where we can do both!

Make each day as important for you, as you do for everyone else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY62QByUYJQ

THANKSGIVING

FOR THIS DAY WE GIVE THANKS AND FOR EVERY OTHER DAY THAT WE HAVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-QX9kQRwoU



"Gratitude is the heart's memory."
                -----French Proverb-----


"Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family and
friends."
                                                -----Courtland Milloy-----


THANKSGIVING FRIENDS  By Joanna Fuchs

Thanksgiving is a time
For reviewing what we treasure,
The people we hold dear,
Who give us so much pleasure.

Without you as my friend,
Life would be a bore;
Having you in my life
Is what I'm thankful for.


We can never be too thankful for those around us.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHs7uwqAxm0

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

Sometime we put off things in our life, only to find that the split second came and went and we missed the opportunity to do something, or say something, or to tell someone, how we felt about them.  And sometimes that moment never comes again.
Life is too short to ignore such moments.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMFwjgJnT0A&feature=related

LIFE IS TOO SHORT.....

We all have the problem, at some point in our life, of not moving on.
  Today is a new day, enjoy it, and go on to the next.........


"REMEMBER THE PAST"
"DREAM ABOUT THE FUTURE"
"LIVE FOR TODAY"

         ----AUTHOR UNKNOWN----

CHANGING YOUR ATTITUDE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWfZ5SZZ4xE


It's about time!!

MORAL SUPPORT

"You see we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other; our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies.  That is to help each other and not hurt each other."
                                                         -----Stevie Ray Vaughan-----

Life is just too short to not live it to its fullest.  We spend so much time on petty things that could
just be forgotten.  We need our "work" (unless we are independently wealthy) to payour expenses in our day to day life.  But sometimes, we let that dependency on the almightly dollar, take over the rest of our existance.  It is time to find some balance in our lives.

The quote above, says a lot about how we interact with the people around us.  We need to concentrate on our own happiness and let go of petty differences with others.....

MOVING ON WITH LIFE

"YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO OLD TO SET ANOTHER GOAL OR TO DREAM A NEW DREAM"
                                                          -----C. S. Lewis-----


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYJzcUvS_NU

Life hands us things  that we think are impossible to overcome.    But, there is always another day!
We do not have to give into the events that present challenges to our day to day existance.   We can just go on until we find a way to make things work for us.  In the meantime, we just have to let things lie the way they are.

CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE CHANGING ATTITUDES

This is the beginning of a new era, so there will be many posts on the subject at hand.
Let us just say, the title tells the story.  When someone picks up your life and shakes it,
You have to be able to turn around  (turn on a dime) and pick up the pieces and reinvent your life.
It will definitely be a work in progress, but work it will be.   This is the start of a new process.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX_qAtwMDFk


I just needed to add a little sweetness and light to this picture!

REMEMBER THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE

"To the world you might be one person but to one person you might be the world."

Don't discount the people around you.  Pay homage to your friends.  Keep your loved ones close.
Never take your life for granted.  Life is just too short.

HOW TIME PASSES!

It  was brought to my attention today, that it is only three months until Christmas!

I think it is a good time to remember the true meaning of  CHRISTmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay19dSmztP8

AMMENDMENT TO POST OF 04/06/2011

This is one of my Favororite songs:  It goes by two titles,  When Eagles Cry(What A Wonderful World Part II) and Up Where We Belong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5h02ZmeB5c&feature=related

I hope you enjoy the change of pace on my blog.

LATEST COMMENTS ON LIFE

I usually keep my quotes somewhat separate from my musings on this blog;  though, I do add
quotes on this blog as well.  From this day forward, this will definitely be the case.  I love quotes
because they often say what I am thinking or what I believe.   

"If you want things to be different perhaps the answer is to become different yourself."
                                           -----NORMAN VINCENT PEALE-----

From now on, I hope to explore the value of change in my life!  (our lives)
I think we can all benefit from changes in our lives.  It does throw a wrench into what we expect  from
our daily living,  but hopefully,  we can explore the reasons for change and the ability to cope  with.
them.

On a lighter note, I am going to add my new motto:  "pick yourself up, brush yourself off, start all
over again"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6MtmkqPbps

THE GOOD THINGS

"Live life and take chances.  Believe that everything happens for a reason and don't regret.  Love to the fullest and you will find true happiness in life.  Realize that things go wrong and people change, but things do go on.  Sometimes things weren't meant to be.  What is supposed to happen will work its way out."
                                                           -----AUTHOR UNKNOWN-----

Life just seems to be a series of cliches.  For example:  "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
Keep your chin up and keep plodding along.  There is more out there....keep looking.

THIS SAYS IT ALL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tth-8wA3PdY&feature=fvsr

It is one of those days!  We do go on no matter what!  I just hope I can be more
positive in the days that come...But meanwhile,  they will have to drag me out
kicking and screaming!
LOL

LOOKING WITHIN

  " Never let a day pass without looking for the good within you, praising, appreciating,
blessing, and being grateful."
                                                          -----THE SECRET-----



....And it certainly doesn't hurt to look around you either!

SUMMERS END

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END.

It is almost the end of summer.  Today is the last day of my holidays!  Back to work tomorrow.
It has been a nice couple of weeks.  It gave me a chance to be my own boss for a change.

We usually have pleasant fall weather here.  It is a nice  change from the intense summer heat.

It is a time to reflect on 2011.  Before we know it, it will be Christmas, signaling the end of this year and new beginnings for next year!

It is up to us to make the most of every day, as the years fly quickly by...

911 UNITED IN COURAGE AND GRIEF

911  IS AN EVENT THAT NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET.

 It may not be remembered in the future, but anyone that was alive during this time will never forget. 

Everyone knows where they were when they heard the news.

The sad part of the event is all the lives lost and the people left behind!


The repercussions of this event will be felt throughout history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V84STSWVp3g


SEPTEMBER 11, 2001--SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

10 YEARS

LEST WE FORGET

A GOOD PHILOSOPHY

I came upon this quote today,  that pretty well sums up my Phylosophy!

"Life is too short.  Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness.  Laugh when you can, appologize when you should and let go of what you can't change.  Love deeply and forgive quickly.  Take chances.  Give everything and have no regrets.  Life is too short to be unhappy.  You have to take the good with the bad.  Smile when you are sad, Love what you have got, and always remember what you had.  Always forgive but never forget.  Learn from your mistakes but never regret.  People change, and things go wrong but always remember...LIFE GOES ON."

                                                     -----AUTHOR UNKNOWN-----

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND

I have to confess, that I always look forward to the Labour Day Weekend.

  When I had children at home, it meant their return to school.  But now, it means that the tourists will be returning home.  When you live in an area, that depends on the tourists, it is a two sided coin.  People that depend on the tourists for the bulk of their income, are hoping to see an influx of them.   For the rest of us, the charm begins to wear off after awhile.

I also look forward to the Labour Day Weekend, because, if at all possible, I take some of my holidays at this time.  One, the weather is more  friendly and two, there is less traffic on the highways!

I hope for whatever reason, I do not have to eat my own words!

EACH NEW DAY,,,,,,,

Each new day is as important as the last.  Sometimes we do not value the day that we have just had.   We belittle its importance.  How can we go on to a new day,  if we did not celebrate the day that we just had? 

I guess we can go back to the title of this blog.  We must make every day count.  It is the life we are leading and we do not know if it could be our last.  That statement sounds a bit maudlin, but, it is true.   CELEBRATE THE TIME THAT WE HAVE!!!!

"There comes a time in your life when you walk away from the drama and people who create it.  You surround yourself with people who make you laugh.  Forget the bad and focus on the good.  Love the people that treat you right, pray for the ones who don't.  LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE ANYTHING BUT HAPPY.  Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

                                                      -----Author Unknown-----

TRIBUTE TO JACK LAYTON

Jack Layton,  1950--2011--A good NDP Politician.

"My friends,
 Love is better than anger.
  Hope is better than fear.
Optimism is better than dispair.
SO LET US BE LOVING, HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC.

  AND WE"LL CHANGE THE WORLD."

http://www.ndp.ca/letter-to-canadians-from-jack-layton

LESSONS LEARNED

I came across a quote today, from A. A. Milne's character, Winnie The Pooh.  The quote reminds me, why this book and its characters, have always been favorites of my children.

"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together...There is something you must always remember.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, Even if we are apart...I'll always be with you."

                                                          -----Winnie The Pooh-----

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie-the-Pooh

ISN'T LIFE AMAZING?

Isn't life, just amazing!!!!  Sometimes we forget, that there will be things that "rattle your cage", "push your buttons", and "rock your boat".

If it doesn't happen, well then you know that you are either numb, or dead!!!!

GIVING/RECEIVING

"The fastest way to receive is to give, because giving starts the reciprocal action of receiving.  We all receive according to how much we give.  Give the best of you, everywhere you got.  Give a smile, Give thanks, Give kindness, Give love.

Your giving should be a giving without expectation of return--a giving for the sheer joy of it."

                                                                 -----THE SECRET-----

REFLECTING ON FRIENDS

I have just been pondering the signifigance of Friendship, how important friends are, to our day to day life.

"A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of Friends."

                                                  -----George Washington-----

In today's modern speak:  "we talk the talk, but don't walk the walk"

In consideration, we should cherish our friends! 

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."

                               Proverbs 17:17

BEGINNING A NEW MONTH

Today is the start of a new month.  Why not the start of a new day and a new attitude!

"No one is in control of your HAPPINESS but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change."

                                                            -----Barbara deAngelis-----

HOW SIMPLE IS THE TRUTH

We spend so much time in our lives worrying about things that we cannot change.

"Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure."
                                       -----Paulo Coelho-----

There are so many things in this life we can learn, but simple things always tell the story.

"LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE"

LAUGH YOUR WAY TO HEALTH


"HEALTH BENEFITS FROM LAUGHING :  REDUCED STRESS, LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE AND AN ENHANCED IMMUNE SYSTEM."

LAUGHTER releases the good ENDORPHINS
...............................................................................................................................................................
DEFINITION:

"naturally occurring substances released by the brain that resemble opiates and are theorized to be the brain chemicals that make you feel happy and content."
................................................................................................................................................................

HENCE:  LAUGHTER

"Laughter is a wellness program everyone can afford."

                        -----George Gilbert-----

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!

Today is the  Summer Solstice, when the sun is at its highest point.
It is also the longest day of the year!
We wait, all year, for summer to appear.
HAPPY JUNE 21st, 2011!


In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer quite the other way
I have to go to bed by day.
      ---Robert Louis Stevenson---

COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WEATHER!

We spend too much precious time, complaining about the weather.  We have had a lot of rain here, lately.  I have got to remind myself, that very soon, I will be complaining that it is too hot, and that I have to spend too much time watering the plants, and worrying about water restrictions!

"and when it rains on your parade, look up, rather than down."
"Without rain, there would be no rainbow."

ORDINARY THINGS

One Child's:  SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

1.  To Touch
2.  To Taste
3.  To See
4.  To Hear
5.  To Feel
6.  To Laugh
7.  And to love
-----Source Unknown-----

"These things we look upon as "simple" and "ordinary" are truly wonders.
Reflecting on the power and beauty of simple things is good for the HEART, the SOUL and for the SPIRIT."

STANLEY CUP FINALS/VANCOUVER

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg2G5gf9GHk

As I live in British Columbia, hockey fever has taken over.  It is the first time the Vancouver Canucks have ever been in finals Stanley Cup.
There does not seem to be any other topic of conversation.
You would think it was a national holiday, with cars going around sporting Vancouver team flags!

NEW VOWS FOR MARRIAGE

Today I came  upon this quote, and thought to myself, this would make very good Marriage Vows.


"Two persons who have chosen each other out of all the species with a design to be each others mutual comfort and entertainment have, in this action, bound themselves to be good-humored, affable, discreet, forgiving, patient and joyful, with respect to each other's frailities and perfections to the end of their lives."
                                        -----Joseph Addison-----     (1672-1719)

Maybe we should look at commitment differently!

GLEN LAKE, Peachland, BC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanandsabina/4791996873/

A beautiful lake, where I spent a lot of time growing up!
Take a look!

THIS IS IN POOR TASTE/BUT READ IT ANYWAY

Our world is a strange  place when people can comment on how things are, but it is freedom of speech that allows us to do this.  It is a sad commentary on our society, when we can poke fun at low wages and the ability for us to feed our families.

http://addictinginfo.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/dumpster-dive1.png

Unfortunately this link to a cartoon says it all.  Please take a look at it!

LIFE

"Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else."
                              -----James  Mathew Barrie-----

"Express your love openly.
Life is nothing but a dream, and if you create your life with love,
Your dream becomes a masterpiece of art."
                              -----Don Miguel Ruiz-----

"Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life."
                              -----Aristotle-----

LIFE'S JOURNEY

"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.
We are spiritual beings on a human journey."
                    -----Stephen Covey-----



"As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed."
                                                  -----Vincent Van Gogh-----

FAITH

"I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, IF YOU HAVE FAITH AS SMALL AS A MUSTARD SEED, YOU CAN SAY TO THIS MOUNTAIN "MOVE FROM HERE TO THERE" AND IT WILL MOVE.
NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU."
                                    -----MATHEW 17:20-----

BEING RICH

"It is the heart that makes a man rich.
He is rich according to what he is, Not according to what he has."
                  -----Henry Ward Beecher-----


"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend."
                  -----Laertius Diogenes."

IMPORTANCE OF ATTITUDE

"Our attitudes control our lives.  Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad.  It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force." 

                                        -----Irving Berlin-----

MAY 1st

MAY
---Sara Teasdale---

"The wind is tossing the lilacs.
 The new leaves laugh in the sun.
And the petals fall on the orchard wall,
But for me, the Spring is done.

Beneath the apple blossoms
I go a wintry way,
For love that smiled in April
Is false to me in May."

PRELUDE TO MAY

IN THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY

"In the merry month of may
When green leaves begin to spring,
Little lambs do skip like fairies
Birds do couple, build and sing."

TIME TO REMEMBER

THIRTY DAYS HATH SEPTEMBER    Poem

Thirty days hath September,
APRIL, June and November;
February has twenty eight alone
And all the rest have thiry one
Except in leap year,
That's the time
When February's days are twenty nine.

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION II

I am a great believer in the Law of Attraction.  We get, what we believe in.  Life is short so we need to make the best of every day that is allotted to us.


"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."
                                                                     -----Maria Robinson-----

BELIEVE

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

I came accross this quote the other day, it says a lot....

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
                 From: The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost

I think that says a lot about life...We can follow "the herd" or go off on our own and have our own adventure.

THINKING OUT LOUD

"If money is your hope for idepedence you will never have it.  The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability."
                                                     -----Henry Ford-----

Even Henry Ford could not have forseen the disaster of the Edsel.

PROMOTING ANOTHER BLOG

http://ribbongirls.blogspot.com/

In Honor of the Royal Wedding, the above blog:  The Ribbon Girl is having a special giveaway.
Please check out their blog, and enjoy!

When The Eagles Cry( what a wonderful world Part II)

BRINGING, ONLY THE BEST, INTO YOUR LIFE!

Like attracts like.  Think good thoughts and good thoughts will come back to you.  Life is too short wasting your time, not enjoying it. 
Keep the good thoughts at the surface of your mind.
Look around you, see what is good.
There is so much out there that is good, just waiting to be appreciated.


"Then give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you."
                                                            -----Madeline Bridges----

"Failure is never final and success is never ending.  Success is a journey, not a destination."

"We live by admiration, hope and love."
                      -----William Wordsworth----

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvQuSsaKlUM

IS JESUS DEAD?

The other day, I was watching a movie.  The two characters, were driving in a car, one said to the other,
"Have you found Jesus?"  The other replied, "Is he lost?"   The first person replyed, "Here, we do not joke about Jesus."
I think this is a sad comentary on how people today, view Christianity.   People can just be too flip about Religion.   
Just a thought.....

"Judge not, that ye be not judged."  "For what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:  and with what measure you mete, It shall be measured to you again."
                                                    -----Mathew 7:1-2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvIORzoLzrY

APRIL FOOLS DAY

This is not a day that I usually follow, but we all need a sense of humor.

The first of april, some do say is set apart for all fools day.
But why the people call it so, Nor I, nor they themselves, do know,
But on this day are people sent on purpose for pure merriment.
                                          -----Anonymous-----

"Fool me once, shame on you,
Fool me twice, shame on me!"
            -----Chinese proverb-----

"you can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you
cannot fool all the people all the time."
                          -----Abraham Lincoln-----

Just a thought.....

TAKING A LITTLE TIME

It really pays to take some time, just the look at your life and what is going on around you.
Sometimes,  we feel like our life is not what we want it to be.  Can we actually turn our lives around and
make it more like what we have in mind for ourselves?
I was looking at the pictures of the sunami and the earthquake in Japan.  What a tragedy.  Then, to top it all
off, they have leaks in their nucular energy plants.  It does  make me wonder, what will happen next.
When we consider, where we live,  and then compare it to some of the events happening in the rest of the world, things cannot be all that bad.
I live in an area where we get aftershocks from bigger earthquakes, mostly in California.  Some of them are
very strong,  so it makes me wonder what a real earthquake would be like.

Before we complain about our lot in life, we should first,take the time, to look at the rest of the world and what they have to deal with......

"Yesterday is History.   Tomorrow is a Mystery.  And Today?  Today is a Gift.  That's why we call it the Present."
                                    -----B. Olatunji-----

BRINGING THE BEST INTO YOUR LIFE!

We all wish, sometimes, that our life was different.  We complain about our circumstances and become
depressed because we are not getting what we feel that we need.
Looking at the positive aspects of life is the way to get ahead.  Concentrate on all the good things, and let the
bad things fade into the background.
Always think in a positive manner.  Think of the ways you want your life to be, and do the little things that will
get you on that path.

"The people who get on in this world are the people that get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them."
                                                -----George Bernard Shaw----

PRELUDE TO SPRING

Ecclesiastes  3: 1-..............

"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven"

"A time to be born and a time to die, and a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted"

"A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up:"

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"

"A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together; and a time to refrain from embracing;......"

THE GARDEN OF LIFE

"A GARDEN HAS ITS FLOWERS.........

      I have my friends to add color and beauty to my life."


"Today is my special time for warm wishes, loving thanks and special thoughts of those I love.

In the garden of life,
 Good friends are the lovliest flowers."

"HAPPINESS IS BORN OF TRUTH AND LOVE "
                                            Mary Baker Eddy

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

"May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're dead"

"Top of the mornin to ye"

It is surprising for someone with a good old English name has some Irish Ancestors.....

Celebrating the green....Happy St. Patrick's Day!

PEACE AND HARMONY

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, It does not boast.  It is not Proud.  It does not dishonour
others.  It is not self-seeking,  It is not easily angered,  It keeps no records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil.  But rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,always hopes, always perserveres."

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Don't forget to ;put your clock ahead one hour when you retire for the night.

(in my oppinion, I wish they would just leave it alone, one way or the other!)

We can be allowed our own thoughts on this, but in order to survive, we need to go along with the majority!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

T.G.I.F.

A familiar abreviation for a lot of workers.  (Thank God It's Friday)
In today's work world, work seems to encompass all seven days of the week.  There are a lot of people that do not get the traditional Saturday and Sunday weekend.
Just one more little comment on the way our world works.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

Appreciate your life:  Validate your family and friends, take a look at your accomplishments, in other words,
                                  COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

How often do we complain about a pain here or an ache there?  Is it a big part of our life or is it just one of life's little annoyances?  Do we think about people who live with pain 24/7 or have a disability that they have had every day of their lives?

How often do we complain about our work and what happens there, but in the same breath, if we did not have our work we would be compaining about that as well.

Just something to think about!

The World According to Pia: happy fat tuesday on women's day#links

The World According to Pia: happy fat tuesday on women's day#links

MARDI GRAS

Wow!  Today seems to be a day of all things. 
Mardi Gras or "fat tuesday"  Shrove Tuesday, the days to celebrate before Lent.
Also, Today is growth and prosperity day.

"The number 3 in Chinese rhymes with the chinese word for "growth" and the number 8 rhymes with the
Chinese word for "prosperity"  Thus, the eighth day of the third month is an auspicious time for beginning new
projects destined for growth and prosperity."

CELEBRATE THE POWER OF WOMEN

Tuesday, March 8th is the 100th Anniversary of  INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.

We are celbrating the economic, political and social achievements of women, past, present and future.

STRONGER WOMEN               STRONGER NATIONS

"and on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made..."Gen.2:2

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,
and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
                                                                           Colossians  3:16

ALWAYS BE YOURSELF

"LET THE WORLD KNOW YOU AS YOU ARE, NOT AS YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE,
BECAUSE SOONER OR LATER, IF YOU ARE POSING, YOU WILL FORGET THE POSE,
AND THEN WHERE ARE YOU?"
                                                        -------------Fanny Brice-------------

"LAW OF ATTRACTION"

APPRECIATE all the good things in your day!  APPRECIATE your health, your home, your family and your friends.  APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF EACH DAY.
All the good thoughts are what attract good to your life.

LIVE FOR TODAY

"REMEMBER THE PAST"      "DREAM ABOUT THE FUTURE"    "LIVE FOR TODAY"

Check out:  www.helium.com/knowledge/140490-poetry-live-for-today

"LIFE LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS"

I am sure you will recognize the quote from Thomas Jefferson, in THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
Let us live our life, with that thought in mind.

Starting a new Month

We all want to begin at the beginning.  When we start a new month, we feel like we are getting a fresh start.
We all want to make our lives complicated.  We focus on the past, or worry about the future, when we should be enjoying the day we are living.
Today, is such a day.  We will start, as we mean to go on.