One of My Favorite Songs

A fellow blogger had this video posted, and I couldn't resist adding it to my own blog. This has been one of my favorite songs for years, and its message is worth remembering. Enjoy!

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

I've been having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and put up the tree the day after. It still doesn't have any decorations and I don't even feel like dragging them out of storage. Part of the reason is related to the cats--they knock everything down as fast as I put it up. Partly I just don't like spending tons of money on stuff.

Our basement is full of things we have outgrown. There are clothes, games, books, and who knows what down there waiting to be sorted and given a new home. Buying more is just dumb. I wish I could get motivated to clean it all out and start downsizing for retirement, but there are so many other things I need and want to do that I don't get around to it all.

Maybe I'll feel more Christmasy once the kids come back from college. Or maybe I'll write some Christmas cards. This year I plan to mail them before Christmas Eve, so I better get started soon.I'm skipping the candy and gingerbread houses this year since I'm supposed to avoid sugar, and I'm afraid to put out my ceramic village, so there isn't much to show the holiday is coming to our house... :(

Thanksgiving Week Thoughts

I've got lots to be thankful for this holiday season. Most of what comes to mind are the important things many other people are grateful for, too, like my family, friends, and faith. In this post I want to dig a little deeper, to remind myself of the little things that help make my life special.

I'm thankful for (in no particular order):

Books that entertain me

Pets that love me unconditionally, or at least tolerate me

Red tea. It's one of the few things I can drink that are good for me that I actually like.

Days with temps in the 50s, and no sun, so I can play outside. Today is one of those days, and I've had a great time doing yard work and taking pictures.

My camera. I love digital cameras even though I can't figure out which setting to use for a particular picture to come out right.

Computers. I love having access to whatever I want to know without having to drive to the library and dig through outdated stuff to find answers.

Birds. I enjoy watching them fly around my house, or perch in my trees. I don't even really mind if they build nests in my garage, though I'd prefer it if they just lived outside.

Sisters and brothers. I know they count as family, but it's just so special having them. I think those who don't have any or don't get along with theirs are missing one of the greatest blessings in life.

I'm sure there are many more blessings I could list, but I'm going to spend the rest of the morning getting ready for one of the best at this time of year: My kids are coming home for Thanksgiving, and I want the house to be clean and welcoming for them.

Not As Easy As It Sounds

Yuck. I have to weigh in the morning, and I'm sure I haven't reached my 2 pound goal. Lunch at the Japanese place in the mall was sooo good, but all that sauce on the Bourbon Chicken probably wrecked my chances of being lighter tomorrow.

I had a good time though. My son and I went shopping, and spent quality time chatting. He's lots of fun, and actually listens when I talk. My other son called me later, too, and I really enjoyed hearing about what he's doing at school. My daughter sent me a long text message. :)

Tomorrow I'm going to start my fall cleaning, and also work on my writing. My blogs have been taking up much of my free time, but there are a couple of articles I want to finish, and a new contest I want to enter. So much to do, and so little energy...

2 Per Week---I Can Do That

My doctor told me I need to lose 20 pounds! Sounds impossible.

My son told me to set a goal of losing 2 pounds each week. I can do THAT!

So, today I started cutting back on the good things I like to eat. I plan to do some walking later today, and work up to half an hour every day. By Christmas I should meet my goal. I'm going to check my status on Wednesdays and try not to over focus on my weight on a daily basis. That fluctuates too much, and I think it will be best to treat this as a lifestyle change instead of a diet.

Wish me luck!

Favorite Way of Starting My Day

This morning I feel so incredibly blessed. I slept in till 7am, fed my cats and then sat down with a steaming cup of blueberry-flavored coffee. Within minutes my favorite cat cuddled on my lap, my second favorite cat curled up by my knees, and my least favorite cat sat on the back of my recliner, slapping me gently with his tail as he watched the droplets of rain running down the window behind us. My 9-year-old puppy laid next to my chair, hoping for a little attention. My son is taking care of the truck stuff I used to have to do, leaving me free to just sit there, enjoying my morning and the adoration of my little furry friends. If I had a laptop, I would be sitting there still.

Bad Habits Hard to Break

I was feeling great for several days, so went back to my old snacking habits. As I fix the lunch for my husband to take to work the next day, I often nibble on the cookies or leftovers I'm putting in his lunchbox. That seemed to be fine, so I progressed to a sandwich for lunch and toaster streudels for breakfast.

Someone please slap my hands if I ever start to put a cookie in my mouth again. And don't let me go near a toaster streudel. I feel wrotten. No, I feel worse than wrotten. That yummy toaster streudel was not worth the nausea and fatigue that has moved in to my body this morning. I think I'll just go back to bed and never get up again.

Diet Tips That Don't Work

One of my friends recently told me she keeps her weight under control by brushing and flossing her teeth right after she eats dinner. That keeps her from snacking before she goes to bed.

I tried it. The only good that came of it is that I brush my teeth a lot more often.

I Love Hoarders

I don't watch much tv, but there's a new show on A & E that I've become addicted to this season. It's called "Hoarders." It's on at 9pm on Mondays, but I never get to watch it until later as my husband controls the tv. It gets recorded automatically, and I watch it whenever he's not around.

This morning the episode I saw was so sad it made me want to cry. Unfortunately that's because I could totally relate to the old couple who had let their love for animals destroy their lives. Other people dumped their cats at this home, and the old lady took them in. When Animal Control came in to clear out their house, they found over 40 living cats and over 30 dead ones. My goodness, it was horrible. The people had no idea they had so many, and didn't realize there were dead ones hidden in their house. It was terrrible.

Several of the live cats were so sick that Animal Control said they'd have to be put down. They didn't even look healthy when they were captured, but I don't understand why they couldn't be saved. It was heartbreaking. And the old couple felt like their family was being taken away from them. So sad. All they wanted was to provide a home for unwanted animals, and yet their good intentions resulted in a situation that was worse for the cats. And it certainly made living conditions for the couple unhealthy.

I guess the moral of the story is that there must be a fine line between doing good and doing harm. That applies to many things in life, and I hope I'm wise enough to see when that line is getting close.

Let the Cleaning Begin!

I'm feeling great today, so I'm making all sorts of plans. Today's plan is to start my Fall Cleaning.

Today I'm prioritizing what needs to be done. Here's my top 5 things to do:

1. Clear out my pantry so I can take the things I'm not supposed to eat to the Food Pantry.

2. Get caught up on the laundry before my kids come home from college and add to what's already there.

3. Sort the clothes in my closet. Get rid of anything I haven't worn in 10 years or more.

4. Sort the shoes in the downstairs closet. I'm tired of being late because I can't find matching shoes.

5. Mop the kitchen, halls, and basement. Clean floors are a sign of a clean house--the rest is just clutter. (right!)

I Have Added a New Blog

Due to the number of prayer requests I receive, I have created a blog where I can keep track of them all on a weekly basis. Anyone with a prayer request or praise is welcome to leave a comment there, and I will add it to my list. Out of respect for everyone's privacy, I will not post last names. Anonymous posting is also allowed, and each poster can include as much or as little about the situation as they want in the comments section.

Anyone who would like to help by praying for the people mentioned on my new blog would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the link:

http://prayerrequestjournal.blogspot.com/

Thanks.

Shout Out for Kraft Foods

I love the Kraft Foods magazine and website for all the wonderful recipes they contain. I've found some easy, tasty recipes, and even some nutritious ones. Since I was recently advised by my doctor to cut out all simple carbohydrates and refined sugars, I'm trying to learn how to cook healthier meals. Kraft lists the ingredients and also the nutritional information so it's no problem to find something I'd like to try. This week I'm making the Easy Pleasing Meatloaf, and the Broccoli and Almond Salad. Yummy looking--we'll see how they taste!

Take a look at the Kraft site here: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Pages/home.aspx

Shout Out for the Spirit Home Website

Just wanted to share a site I found that explains the meaning of many terms used by people seeking spiritual answers to life's problems. It is written by a Christian, and everything is supported with biblical passages.

Visit http://www.spirithome.com/ for a better understanding of prayer, channeling, the Apocalypse, and many other things.

Progress Report

So far the only resolution I've kept since my last post is the one about eating healthier. I'm doing an excellent job, except for the almond cookies I ordered with the chinese food yesterday. Those are just too good.

I haven't worked on my novel at all this month, but I've entered short stories in two contests, so at least I'm working on something. And the basement is getting cleaned up slowly, but it may take forever to finish. I did some yard work today, but mostly I take naps. I'm very good at that... :(

My blog is starting to show neglect, but I hope to come up with some interesting posts soon. Life is just so busy that keeping two blogs going is tough sometimes. But it's fun, too.

Fall Resolutions

Instead of waiting for the new year, I'm making some resolutions for the next few months. Here are my top 5 things to work on this fall:

1. Eat healthier
2. Lose 10 pounds
3. Clear out the basement
4. Organize all my papers
5. Finish my novel

Today I found a great site to help me eat healthier. I want to cut down on refined sugar in my diet, and this site is easy to understand and has helpful lists:
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/sugarbusters/a/sugarbustrlists.htm
I'm going shopping today and will try to buy some of the low-carb veggies and fruits they suggest. I'm also going to buy some vitamin and mineral supplements that help digestion--especially vitamin E and C.

If you know a helpful site or book for nutritious eating, please let me know.

Feeling Lonely

My two youngest headed back to college this weekend, leaving me, my husband, and oldest son home alone. Though they weren't around much, preferring the excitement of going places with their friends to vegging with mom, I'm really going to miss having them "home."

The old saying goes "Home is where your heart is," so I guess my heart is here, and in Terre Haute and Bloomington. Being a mom is a huge blessing, but it also means a lot of stress--especially when the family is spread all over the state. Thank goodness for text messaging...

Cute Kids as Grownups

We attended a wedding in June and my sons were ushers. I'm still waiting for the official wedding pictures, but this one I took with my own camera. Don't my sons look awesome in tuxes? And, as always, my daughter looks beautiful.

Just sharing.

Happy Sunday to You

I'm trying to get caught up on my paperwork for the quarter, so don't have time today for a long post today. Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Sunday and assure you I haven't given up on this blog.

I can't believe the summer is almost over already. The kids are starting to get ready for their return to college. We need to gather stuff for my daughter's apartment soon, and everyone needs new clothes. Fortunately they do their own shopping, so all I have to do is pay the bills.

I intended to do lots of cleaning and remodelling this summer, but now I'm going to settle for getting new doors. Three need replacing, and we'll probably save on utilities if we give up and buy them--just hate to spend tons of money, and that's what it will cost. Oh, well; I hear you can't take it with you...

Food and Family

I had a terrific weekend. One of my sisters had a big birthday party on Sunday, and I got to spend time with lots of my favorite people. Plus, there was lots of yummy food. The carrot cake was absolutely awesome--thank goodness it's a vegetable rather than a dessert, or I would have gained a lot of weight.

On Saturday I was blessed to have lunch with another birthday girl and family members. We ate at a mexican restaurant that was beautiful and had good food. I tried some enchiladas and papas, and something else I couldn't identify. All good.

Hmmmm, I'm starting to notice a theme of food running through my good times. I wonder if that has something to do with the extra pounds I keep seeing on my bathroom scales?

Having Another Lovely Day

Hope you're having a lovely day. I am. Got very little sleep thanks to my cats, but feel pretty good this morning despite that. It's hard to get mad at the furballs since they keep me awake by cuddling and purring--although the 5-pounder (Kitty) spent much of the night laying on my chest, digging her tiny claws into my neck. THAT I could do without!

I feel so good today that I've decided to do errands and attend a Red Hat luncheon instead of cleaning the basement. I've put that off all week already, so one more day--or 2 or 3--isn't going to matter. :)
EDIT: Wahhh! I am a week early; they're going next Thursday, not today. Guess I'll clean the basement after all. :(

I took lots of pictures of our fawn yesterday but haven't uploaded them yet. If any are good, I'll post one later as a follow-up to the last post. That wasn't MY fawn, but mine is just as cute. He was chilling in the shade for several hours yesterday. At one point we had a stare-down contest; he won. Those guys sure know how to hold still, and I don't think they ever blink.

I had an adventure involving a deer on Saturday night. It convinced me that it is not my time to die...although one of the deer in the group that ran across the highway before and behind me was called to Deer Heaven by a tragic encounter with the guy driving right behind me. I drive a little Jaguar, and the first deer jumped right over the front of my car, staring at me through the windshield as he flew by. If I'd still had my minivan, we would both have been in big trouble. It always makes me sad when I see an animal killed in traffic, but this time I just felt grateful that I wasn't the one who was involved in the accident.

Well, I'm off to the laundry room. With my kids home for the summer, I never have clean towels. I have to wash some so I can get ready to go enjoy my lovely day.

Adorable Video for Animal Lovers

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I could watch this a million times.

Lovely Days

I had a lovely day yesterday. Went out to lunch with my sister. Yummy soup and sandwiches, and blueberry lemonade--the best! We got lucky, winning the "Fifteen Minutes or Free" game, so didn't have to pay for anything. And it was only a couple of minutes longer than the 15 minutes, so we didn't mind waiting for it. We had dessert later: waffle bowl sundaes. Mine had butter pecan ice cream, chocolate syrup, and bananas. What a great way to end a fun day. Oh, yeah. We also visited Kohl's so I could redeem my Bonus Cash for an adorable frog and oven mitts. Lovely, lovely day.

My husband has a 4-day weekend because of the holiday, so I'm looking forward to cleaning the basement, garage, etc. etc. as he doesn't ever take a break from noticing what needs to be done. He might even help me with some of it... :(

My Thoughts on Summer and Retirement

Yes, this is a boring post about the weather. It's officially summer now, and the temperature has skyrocketed into the 80s this week. That means no more fun in the sun for me. I can't stand the feel of the sun on my skin, and my brain starts to fry when I'm out more than a few minutes. The trek to the mailbox wears me out, and I spend about 15 minutes recovering every time I walk outside. Did I mention that I hate summer?

I'll never retire to a hot climate. On the other hand, I can't stand extreme cold, either, so I don't know where I want to move to after the kids are grown and gone. I suppose if I just stay inside all the time it won't really matter. But, I'm looking forward to doing all the fun stuff you see the older people in the commercials doing: hiking, biking, golfing, barbequing, etc., etc. I don't personally know anyone who does those things, but then I don't have a wide circle of older friends. Mostly the ones I'm acquainted with go out for lunch and take in an occasional craft show. They attend Bible study, and church on Sunday. Hmmmm, that sounds a lot like my life; does that mean I'm already old?

About Cameras and Newsletters

My daughter and I looked for cameras on the internet this morning; hers quit working, and we promised her one for her birthday in April. I gave her money to buy one (twice), but of course it's all gone. She has a catering job this weekend and will make enough money to pay for it, so I ordered her a new camera today. She's getting a Kodak EasyShare, in pink. It seems like a good deal, and has 10.2 Megapixels. Her old one had 3.

I have a new Nikon CoolPix, in maroon, and love it. Someday I'm going to take a class on photography so I can learn how to make my own calendars and Christmas newsletters. I know people probably don't like getting newletters because they seem so generic--but I want to make one anyway. :) I'll put a crossword puzzle, pictures, a maze, and other good stuff in it so it will be fun instead of just a "who cares" list of things my family did.

What do you like to see in a family newsletter? Or do you even bother reading them?

feeling blue

One of the baby skunks died today. It was injured somehow--possibly by my dog when I let him out this morning, possbily by a stray cat or other creature. My daughter and I took care of it as best we could; the vet said she couldn't help us. The Wildlife Center didn't call back until after it already died, but the lady there was nice, and said if anything happens to the others to give them a call.

I know it's the cycle of life: things are born, live a short while, then die. But why do they suffer? Why do animals, and people, die when they haven't even lived long enough to learn how to protect themselves? Why do some people care so much, and others don't seem to care at all?

Some days I have answers to those questions. Some days I don't. Today I don't know anything at all except that I am one of the ones who care, and I feel terrible.

Random Ramblings

I went to church this morning and really had a nice time. Some of my favorite people were there, and speaking to them always cheers me up. And, I looked great for a change. I have a new blouse that makes me look like a classy suburbanite, and a pair of black slacks that are just a wee bit too big. They have an adjustable waist and I forgot to tighten it before I left, so they didn't choke my guts through service. When I walked it felt like they might fall down, but that made me feel skinny...a lovely feeling.

Have you tried the Jolly Rancher drinks? I bought the watermelon flavor today, and it really tastes like the candy. Yummmy!

Some Sights of Summer

We've been inundated with baby critters this week. There's a little skunk that keeps following us around, and hanging out by the house. He is adorable, and though he tries to spray everyone and everything he sees, he's too young to have an odor--yet. I hope he finds another hunting ground before he matures enough to be a problem. (Edit June 7, 2009: There are 3 of the little skunks!)





This may be the same fawn we saw last week by my garden. He was laying in the grass today watching me walk around the driveway. He ran off when my dog joined me, but I wasn't quick enough to take his picture while he was running.




Living in the country is inconvenient, but I sure love the nature scenes.

On Being a Grownup

Today the weather is gorgeous, and my kids decided to lay out on the deck. The cushions for the deck furniture are stored in a porch off the living room, and have been neglected all winter. My son, age 20, 6 ft 2 inches, and my 19-year-old daughter both wanted someone to get the cushions for them because there was a bug on the door.

When I was young I always wanted someone to kill the scary bugs I encountered. And they did. Then, as a young mother, I felt obligated to protect my family from the horrible bugs no matter how much it made me cringe. Now I'm 54, and bugs seem like the smallest of life's problems; I can squish them without fear (though usually I capture them and let them go outside).

As I got the cushions out, I had to smile; my kids will always be my kids, no matter how old or big, and apparently I will always feel the urge to help them and protect them from the scary things--even bugs. I guess that means I'm a grownup.

Gourmet Shower

My niece is getting married next month. Today was her shower, and it was really, really fancy. Take a look at lunch:



There was ice cream and cake for dessert, but I forgot to take a picture. Yummy is hard to get on film anyway.

Rambling About Raccoons

Haven't posted in a while as I've been trying to do yard work and organize some things around the house. Not much interesting happening around here anyway.

I'm trying to keep an optimistic attitude toward life, and with all the gloomy days and pouring rain it's getting harder. I got a chuckle a few days ago, though, when a racoon tried to join us in the living room. No, he didn't make it into the house, just tapped at the window and stared at me like he was waiting for an invitation. He didn't run away even when we all gathered around the window to gawk at him. I took his picture through the window as he was climbing on the ledge outside. I haven't named him as I hope he won't be a frequent visitor. We had a racoon living in our chimney a few years ago, and he kept peeing down into our fireplace. Disgusting creatures--but cute.

Can't Do It Anymore

We have 7 acres of yard, most of it in trees, and there is no way to prevent the leaves from building up in the flowerbeds. I worked all morning yesterday, and most of today, trying to rake and burn all the leaves on the large flowerbed by my deck. A couple of years ago, I intended to mow over it but was talked out of it by a kid who said he would take care of it for me for a reasonable price. It didn't work out. Now I absolutely give up. I'm leaving one small row of bushes, and I've put a few perennials in between them, and the rest are going!

I feel kind of bad about it though. All those little plants that have been struggling to survive, forcing their way through the weeds and leaves to reach the sun...I feel like they deserve to live, but I just can't take care of them. I guess I'll have to start thinking about the little grass seeds that will love the chance to grow big and strong in that spot.

Counting My Blessings

It's easy to get caught up in problems and petty complaints and to forget how much we have to be thankful for. Here's a quick list, in no particular order, certainly not even close to complete, of people and things I am grateful for:

My family, who loves me whether I deserve it or not.
My friends, who like me whether I deserve it or not.
My pets, who love me because I deserve it. ;)
My home, which needs a lot of work but is still nicer than I deserve.
My Savior, who died for me though I don't deserve it, and who has a comfy spot with my name on it reserved in Heaven.

That list sounds like I may have low self-esteem, but that's not the case. I just realize that I have been blessed beyond what so many others in this world receive--the destitute, the lonely, the chronically ill, the emotionally broken, and those who live in places without freedom and safety. My life is easy by comparison, and I am truly grateful for all I have, and the country I live in.

Cats, Cats, Cats

I love all 4 of my cats. They each have a distinct personality, and I like different things about each of them.Smokey isn't in this picture, but Kitty, Maggie, and Tiger are napping on my bed.

Kitty is my favorite, mainly because I'm her favorite person. She barely tolerates everyone else, but cuddles with me whenever I sit down, and sleeps on my feet at night. I like being special. She's the gray and white cat in the southern part of the picture.

The little white splotchy cat on the left is Maggie. She is extremely shy and nervous. When she was a baby she cuddled with everyone, but now she runs and hides when anyone tries to touch her. However, once in a while she comes looking for me, climbs on my shoulder, and goes to sleep with her head under my chin. She has the most adorable squeaky voice I've ever heard.

Tiger is a pain in the you know what. He whines and gets in the way. He runs in front of me like he has to be first to where ever I'm going, and doesn't care if he has to trip me to do it. He sticks his paws in the toilet, chases all the other cats, plays hockey with the dog's food, and in general is annoying. Yet, his curiosity and playfulness make him irresistible.

Smokey is a huge Russian Blue, with the cutest voice a cat could have. He knocks on the door when he want in, waits his turn patiently at mealtime, usually acts dignified, and always lets the little cats push him around. He used to cuddle with me at bedtime, but since the kittens moved in he prefers to hang out with them instead of me. He adores my son Alex, and puts up with everyone else.

My dog, Buddy, is a sweetheart. He hasn't fully adjusted to having 4 cats in the house, but he endures their presence.

What a Nice Day

I had a lovely time visiting with my mom, 2 sisters, brother, and nephew today. My family doesn't get together as much as I'd like; we're separated by miles and years of being independent adults. But whenever I'm with them, I remember a childhood filled with love and mutual acceptance. No matter our differences, or how seldom we see each other, I am truly grateful and blessed to have such a great family.

Love you!

Promoting a Positive Outlook

Thought for Today:

If you focus on the negative, you'll overlook many positives in your life.

I'm trying to keep a more upbeat outlook on things. With all the worries about the economy, crime, declining morals, etc., this world can appear pretty dismal. However, there is also much to appreciate, and people who are loving, kind, and generous. The good far outways the bad for most of us, and I'm grateful for the blessings in my life.

A Time for Everything

Thought for Today:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. (NIV)

Though the rest of this passage is rather depressing, we can gain comfort from knowing that all things have a purpose. We may never know the whys or whens, but whatever happens, there is a reason. If we acknowledge that, there is nothing that should shake our faith or make us afraid.

I'm Back!

Well, here's what I'm thinking now:

There's no way I can keep all my thoughts focused on writing, so if I don't have someplace to put the other stuff rolling around in my brain my writing blog will turn into a general blog--or I'll end up talking to myself (more than I already do). If you're interested in writing, check out my blog at: http://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/

This blog here is going to fulfill its original pupose, which was to give me a place to say what I think. Most of my thoughts are pretty nonsensical, and the others are kind of boring to anyone but me, but feel free to leave comments and questions. I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you.

Carol

Book Review--His Name is Jesus

The life Jesus led, other than what is mentioned in the Bible, isn’t something I’ve thought much about. I never wondered why he didn’t choose to work as a carpenter and stay in the village where he grew up rather than throwing away the security and comfort of his life there in order to fulfill a greater purpose. Not until I read this book.

The thing I like most about His Name is Jesus is the way it makes me wonder about what Jesus did in the periods of his life that we know very little about. It gave me some ideas as to what daily life was like for him, and stressed that Jesus faced the same challenges and questions that we do. The author frequently asks questions of the reader, making us direct our thoughts to our own lives, and how different everything would be if Jesus had chosen to be an ordinary man instead of our Savior.

The quality of the book makes it a lovely gift, and the way it is written ensures that whoever reads it will gain insight into the life of Jesus. It shares the story of Jesus’ life in easy to understand language, and focuses on the hope that faith in Jesus gives to a believer.

The link to Thomas Nelson’s product page for this book is at:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1404186735

Happy Anniversary to Me

Today is the first day of Spring, and the 27th anniversary of our wedding. Though it was chilly, gray, and splashed with rain, March 20, 1982 was the most beautiful day of my life. I wish everyone could be as happy as I was then.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

I know talking about the weather is pretty boring, but I'm getting pretty bored with all the rain. Today I drove to my mother's, no rain in sight, but the flooding from earlier in the week was so bad the expressway ramp was closed anyway. I ended up detouring through some areas I'd never seen before, and don't want to visit again. But, I ended up at Mom's in time for lunch--homemade vegetable soup, thank you very much for asking--and had a nice visit with her.

Being a creature of habit, I stopped at the grocery store on the way home and stocked up on hamburger patties and buns. My son is coming home for Spring Break tomorrow and I'm planning ahead so I don't have to go shopping next week. My daughter was home this week and the only fun thing she's gotten to do so far is go bowling with me, her dad, brother, and his friend. We had a great time, and went out to eat afterwards. She's catching up on her sleep, though, and wearing out our treadmill when she's awake.

I love it when we do things as a family. Too bad life is so hectic when kids are young that us mom's often don't have the time or energy to appreciate how precious our day-to-day interactions really are. Now that my children are young adults and I have time to spare, the opportunities to be together are limited. But wonderful.


The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
Author: Dolly Parton

A Tale of Two Blogs

I’ve been struggling to find a theme for my blog, balance posts between things I think might appeal to my friends who write and those who don’t, and make myself appear both professional and interesting. That’s not working for me.

So, I am starting another blog which will be devoted to things related to writing and publishing. You may want to check it out at: http://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/

This one is now MY blog, and it’s about whatever I’m thinking about—that’s why I called it Carol’s Thinking Place (that and the fact the first ten names I picked were already taken). I’m not starting over here; the posts that are here will stay. If any writing friends want to stick around, that’s great. Feel free to join in, otherwise you’ll be listening to me talk to myself. (I’ve had enough experience that I’m pretty good at it.)

The Worst Time of Year

It’s my least favorite time of year—tax season. As I’m responsible for getting the paperwork ready for the accountant, I won’t be blogging for a while. I hope you’ll check back in a couple of weeks.



Thought for the Day: In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on. -- Robert Frost

Book Review--Mommy, I'm Still in Here

Mommy, I’m Still in Here, written by Kate McLaughlin, is a heart-rending book. It’s the true story of a family that goes from the all-American dream to the all-American nightmare.

As the children become teens, two of them, Chloe and Michael, develop bipolar disorder. This mental illness comes disguised as normal teen moodiness, forgetfulness, and rebellion. By the time her parents realize that Chloe is seriously ill, it is almost too late. She suffers from rapid cycling moods, sometimes seriously depressed—even suicidal—other times grandiose and irresponsible. Michael’s illness makes him more inclined to violence, and he self-medicates with drugs and alcohol. Their mother shares the story of this family’s fight to regain control of their lives.

I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. It is a moving story, and also offers information helpful to anyone interested in bipolar disorder.

Fun Facts

I thought I'd share some tidbits of information you might find entertaining. I didn't make these up, but can't guarantee someone else didn't:

The longest one syllable word in the English language is "screeched."

Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks, otherwise it will digest itself.

More than half of women in the United States will not leave their home without makeup on.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

Licking a stamp leads to the consumption of 1/10 of a calorie.

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times.

Armadillos, opossums, and sloth's spend about 80% of their lives sleeping.

The ears of a cricket are located on the front legs, just below the knee.

By raising your legs slowly and laying on your back, you can't sink in quicksand.

Due to gravitational effects, you weigh slightly less when the moon is directly overhead.

The temperature can be determined by counting the number of cricket chirps in fourteen seconds and adding 40.

IF YOU CAN DISPROVE ANY OF THESE FACTS, LET ME KNOW AND I WILL REMOVE THEM FROM MY POST. I WOULDN'T WANT TO PUT OUT FALSE INFORMATION.

Experiencing Joy

About 450 women, including me, attended a special program on Outrageous Joy today. We began the morning with scones and flavored teas, all served on beautiful china. After that we enjoyed a worship session, followed by a presentation by Glenna Salsbury, and a delicious lunch of pot roast, potatoes, and green beans.

The theme of our program was based on Nehemiah 8:10, which states “The joy of the Lord is our Strength.” Glenna did a great job of entertaining us with personal anecdotes while imparting her interpretation of biblical parables. We analyzed some of the parables from Matthew, Chapter 13. My favorite was regarding the pearl, discussed in Matthew 13:45-46. The main point was that pearls are all unique, and formed from the elements irritating the oyster. The pearls that are most valuable are the ones that grow large and polished from the flow of the water and deposits of sand inside the oyster.

Sometimes the irritations, tragedies, and unpleasantness that we face in our lives help us to grow into large, polished pearls. Sometimes they don’t. The people who learn from the experiences and trust that it is all part of God’s plan, shaping them into the kind of people He wants them to be, are the ones who will lead joy-filled lives. Those who focus on the problems, trying to solve them on their own, resenting the difficulties they must deal with instead of seeing them as opportunities to grow stronger in faith and obedience to God, will never be satisfied with their lives. They will miss out on the peace and joy that could be theirs.

If we want true joy we must look inside ourselves, not at outward circumstances. Joy is a choice, an attitude. We can change our attitudes, so it is never too late for us to find true joy in life.

I’m thinking I must be destined to be one huge, shiny pearl…

Book Review--This is Your Brain on Joy

I just finished reading This Is Your Brain On Joy, A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth. It was written by Dr. Earl Henslin, and published by Thomas Nelson.

Dr. Henslin explains how the brain should function in easy to understand terms, and describes the symptoms seen in people whose brains are not working properly. He discusses each section of the brain, and explains which areas are involved in mental health problems--including attention deficit disorders, addictions, obsessive/compulsive thinking, depression, uncontrolled anger, excessive fear, and poor judgement.

This book describes the latest research, offers practical suggestions for improving our brain’s health, and gives insight into treatment possibilities. It includes information about brain scans that can help diagnose problems so the proper treatment or medication can be determined.

My favorite bit of advice is on page 43, where he says to achieve joy in life we need to enrich our outer world (by creating a joyful, brain-stimulating environment), our inner world (by feeding our mind and soul with nourishing thoughts), and our body-mind chemistry (through what we put in our mouths and through exercise).

While no brain operates perfectly, a healthy brain helps people improve their relationships and lead more productive, satisfying lives. This book is full of tips for improving the health of our brains, and therefore improving the quality of our lives. Dr. Henslin approaches the subject from a Christian perspective, but not in a preachy manner.

I enjoyed reading this book, and highly recommend it. It provides insights that make it easier to understand and sympathize with those who suffer from poor mental health.

If you’d like to buy this book, the product page is located at: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=078522873X

Some People

Some people complain about their job, their family, their friends; not you.

Some people expect everything to be handed to them without having to work for it; not you.

Some people take what they can get from life without offering much in return; not you.

Some people act like they know everything even when they don’t know anything; not you.

Some people survive cancer, and live a full, joy-filled life; not you.

Some people leave a hole in our hearts when they pass away; that’s you, dear friend, that’s you.


For Kevin & For Mary

Great Book

I'm reading City of God, which was written by Saint Augustine in 1467. It amazes me how relevant his thoughts are even all these years later (I'm no good at math, but isn't it 542 years?)He explains how the pagan and philosophical beliefs of his time, and earlier, were false, and how Christianity is different. The book is over 1,000 pages long, so I'm probably not going to be done reading it for years, but it's the kind of book I enjoy flipping through for gems of knowledge and points to ponder. His musings on Good and Evil made a big impact on me today, as he says basically what I've been trying to express in the novel I'm working on--only he sounds smarter. I won't go into detail about it since it would take a lot of background explanation, but I will say it has me fired up to finish writing my book. I don't expect mine to have the lasting impact of Saint Augustine's, but that's OK. It will be shorter and easier to read.

Does anyone else have a book to recommend that makes a real impact on their thinking?

Oh,Joy! I Got My Book Today

What incredibly fast shipping from Thomas Nelson Publishers. The book I signed up for on Monday just arrived by UPS. It is in perfect condition, so pristine that I hate to open it and bend the spine. The lovely yellow book has a gorgeous black jacket, with embossed flowers in the oval shape of a brain. Oh, I forgot to mention the title is This is Your Brain on Joy. I flipped through it quickly as I have to do some paperwork today, but there seems to be a lot of helpful information in it. I noticed some quizzes, complete with answers, and recommended books to read for more information on the topic of brain function.

So, I guess I'll be setting aside my current treasure, City of God, by Saint Augustine, until I get this book read and reviewed. I don't want to dilly-dally and miss out on picking one from the next selection of free books.

Free Books!

WooHoo! I just got accepted into the Thomas Nelson book reviewer program. This gives me free books in exchange for agreeing to review them on my blog, and on one review site--like Amazon or some other public site. Here's the link if you are interested in signing up with the program yourself: http://brb.thomasnelson.com/join

I'm awaiting my copy of This is Your Brain on Joy, by Dr. Earl Henslin. I'll tell you all about it after I read it. I alreadly love the cover; it shows a brain full of flowers, and I love flowers. The hardcover book is 240 pages, so it will take me a while to get through it.

I'm hoping to have the book finished before February 21 as I'm attending a women's retreat on Outrageous Joy that day and want to be prepared. We're having a speaker from Arizona, Glenna Salsbury. The day will start with an English Breakfast Tea, followed by praise and worship, a message, luncheon--with dessert bar--and another message. By the end of the day, I should be full of both joy and food.

Trying to Succeed

Well, how many times have I heard, "If at first you don't succeed, try, then try again?" Enough times that it sticks in my head, prodding me to keep writing stories. But, while not exactly discouraged, I'd lost the motivation to keep sending my work anywhere. I've sold some nonfiction, but never a short story. A few days ago I came across a short story contest, and decided to enter--and I just hit the Send button before signing in here. Yeah, me! At least I tried AGAIN. ("Again" is the theme of the contest, so if you knew that, you would see what a clever segue I just made. <grin> )

I haven't been trying very hard to be successful in terms of my writing goals. I didn't succeed, tried, tried again, then quit. So I succeeded in not succeeding, because not submitting anything certainly guarantees I won't have anything published. If I'd made a New Year's resolution, it would have been to submit more of my work to magazines. I'm a bit behind schedule, but I am now resolving to send out at least one story every month.

So, wish me luck on the contest I entered; I will be sure to post here if I win. Maybe I'll even post if I don't...

Soup's On

Every mother should be recognized for what she does really well. As I sit here eating the soup she sent home with me last night, I have to say that my mom’s vegetable soup is the best in the world. It isn’t the only thing, or even the most important thing my mother has done, but the vegetable soup she makes for me is one of life’s treasures.

She shared the recipe with me again last night, and explained how to adapt it to cook in a soup pot instead of a pressure cooker. The ingredients consist of a little of this and that, whatever vegetables are on hand, tomato sauce, spaghetti, and hamburger. You cook the vegetables, put in the hamburger—which is browned and drained first—and, voila, soup’s done. Or something like that.

The actual quantities of each ingredient aren’t measured, and vary somewhat each time she makes it. Last night she apologized for adding more cabbage than usual; the cabbage was about to go bad and she didn’t want to waste it. Personally, I thought it made the soup tastier.

I plan to try her recipe someday, and hope it tastes similar to the soup I’ve loved for more than fifty years. I’m worried, though, that I will never get it right, never match the flavor of her soup. You see, the ingredient that makes it so special, no matter how it tastes, is her love; she makes the soup especially for me, because she knows I like it. (My sisters may argue that she makes it for them, too, but I’m pretty sure that when she does, my mom is hoping I will show up to get some.)

So, in summary: YOUR SOUP IS AWESOME, MOM!

Word of the Day

I was disappointed to find out that the Word of the Day gadget on my blog doesn't personalize it for me. The same word and definition appears on each blog I've seen that carries it. Fortunately I haven't found many using this feature, so it's not like I'm just one of the crowd, but I was trying to make my blog different, special. Having my own Word of the Day fit my nerdy personality.

Now, the good news. It has occurred to me that instead of being disappointed, I should be grateful that there are others who love words as much as I do. If there weren't, there wouldn't be a cool feature like that for me to add to my blog. I would have to look up my own words, write my own definition and example, and post them daily.

Also, it's kind of neat to know that other people are reading the same word I am each day, making me part of a group that shares one of my interests. It's sort of like being in an exclusive club with free membership. You don't get much for it, but you don't have to do much either.

So, thank you to whoever makes the "gadgets" for blogspot users, especially the ones I'm using here.

And, just so no one thinks I'm too lazy to come up with my own words, here's one I looked up myself: venireman noun,
one of a group of people from whom a jury will be selected (Webster's New World Dictionary)

I was a venireman last summer, but wasn't assigned to a case.

Furry Friends

Living in the country has been eventful over the years, but last week we had a new experience with one of our furry neighbors. Our dog, Buddy, stood at the patio door, staring outside and growling. He does that often, and it usually means he sees a deer in the yard, or a leaf blowing around. Since I was doing dishes nearby, I went to see what he was protecting us from and was surprised to see a possum sitting on our deck.

The possum looked bedraggled and wet. It was licking its fur with complete disregard for any danger lurking on our side of the door. I grabbed my camera and quickly took the creature's picture, thinking it would soon run off. The flash attracted its attention, but instead of heading for its home it headed for mine. I'm not sure if it was trying to attack us, or just get inside where it was warm. There were four cats, a dog, and three humans watching as that possum repeatedly scraped his claws on the patio door, stretching higher and higher as if testing the glass for an opening. When he gave up on that, Mr. Possum started digging at the bottom of the doorframe, still determined to join us in the kitchen.

Company arrived, and we showed off the possum standing nose to nose with our dog, who had quit growling and was now whimpering for us to let his new pal inside. Of course we were too smart to let it in, but we enjoyed its antics for half an hour before the possum wandered off. The next morning, in the light of day, the evidence of our furry friend's visit remained. The wood slivers mounded in front of the door were easy to sweep away, but the wooden sill will have to be replaced to keep smaller critters from making their way in.

Bowling

My family went bowling yesterday. Well, not all of us. Lisa was skiing with friends in Michigan, but she probably wouldn't have gone with us anyway. For some reason, bowling doesn't interest her. I enjoy it, but have no talent, which I don't understand. My nephew, Kenny Parks, won the 2008 PBA Senior Tour last summer, and is competing again in 2009. You would think there would be a smidgen of talent for bowling somewhere in my body since I'm related to a pro bowler.


Here's a link to an article about Kenny after he won last year: http://www.pba.com/news/feature.asp?ID=791

He should have won the award for Player of the Year, too, but--in my opinion--got cheated out of it. I think his hair might have been too long to please the judges; all the other bowlers had short hair, but he was a better bowler. (I didn't make the last part up; I read in the newpaper that he was the best scoring bowler.) Anyway, this year his hair is short and neatly trimmed, as you can see from his picture at our family Christmas party.

From 4:00 to 6:00, the place we go only charges $1 per game, so it's cheap entertainment as well as good exercise. We only bowled one game yesterday since we planned to go out to eat afterward, and we all like eating more than bowling. My score was 77; I came in last, though not by much. I don't mind losing, especially since it means the others don't end up pouting about being last, but I never purposely try to lose. I like to win, but I don't have much experience at it. I already have my own bowling shoes, and I really believe if I had a custom ball, weighing about 5 pounds and having holes that don't hurt my fingers, I could break 100.

New Year, New Goals

It's been a while since I thought about my blog. I've been busy with Christmas activities and family matters. I hope to post more often than I have in the past, but won't get serious about it until after I get caught up on my paperwork. The beginning of each year is always hectic since I have to organize the year's business records to take to the accountant. This month I am also signing up for a class on Excel, hoping it will make my recordkeeping easier in 2009.

I enjoyed the holidays with my family, but am not sorry the season is over. We had a couple of ice storms and, though they made the scenery gorgeous, we lost power several times and had trouble getting where we wanted to go. The picture is of the road in front of our house, and it was solid ice for several days. Spring is my favorite season, and I'm really looking forward to it this year.

I'm setting some new goals for myself, and one is to finish the novel I've been working on. I completed the first draft, but the middle section desperately needs revising. I changed my mind on the antagonist so many times that some of the scenes no longer make sense. I'm having a great time writing the story, though, so I don't mind working on it. Hopefully it will be completed by June.

It's family time, so I'm off to watch a movie now. I'll be back soon.