Thursday, May 28, 2009

Law of the Garbage Truck

I received this today and thought it was worth posting. It has some very good points and concepts about life if you think about it. Enjoy!

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, resentments, anger, and frustration, so...

Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it,
and ninety percent how you take it.

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Some Thoughts for the Day

Just thought I would share some more inspirational thoughts for the day. Enjoy!


I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow only if you want it to be.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: weather, respect and lost luggage.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a life.

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. So don't make the same mistakes again, and don't tell everyone about them!

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel, especially your loved ones.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

A Bad Day

Aw yes, a bad day. We have all had them. No one ever asks to have a bad day, it just kind of happens. It seems as if something goes wrong early in the morning, it's usually the start of a bad day. This concept just so happened to me last week. The morning started out with a couple minor things that didn't work in my favor and it just snowballed from there.


Now there is a benefit to having bad days. Those bad days that we all have make us appreciate the good days that we are given. If we went through life happily bouncing along each and everyday, we would take life for granted and not appreciate those little moments when our lives are in perfect harmony. Now these moments are few and far between, but they do happen. They can happen on many occasions such as when someone gets married, the birth of a child, when someone graduates, when someone achieves a goal they have worked hard to reach, when something good happens to you and you were least expecting it, and so on. We have all had those joyous moments we will remember for the rest of our lives. Those little moments make us into the person we are today.

So back to the idea of having a bad day. I also think that each day is what we make of it. If we get out of bed every morning and think to ourselves that we are going to have a bad day, then we probably will. If we choose to look at the bright side of things, at least we will have the positive thinking rolling for when the bad day attacks come at us! Most often times we do not choose to have a bad day, it just kinda happens that way. But if I'm having a bad day, I will find something positive or something good that happened that day and be grateful for that one good thing. It reminds me of something I always tell my daughter "Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining about what you don't have."

Think about that for a moment. "Be grateful for what you have" ~ just as the statement says. We should be thankful for the blessings we do have each and everyday. Often times we take these blessings for granted and have the mindset we need or want more, more, more. Now for the rest of the sentence, "stop complaining about what you don't have." Again, this is very simple, it means exactly what it says. We shouldn't gripe, complain, moan or whine about what we don't have. It wastes perfectly good breath and time to complain about the non-existent things in our lives. Today's society is guilty of living in the second part of that statement. People take so much for granted these days and do not truly appreciate the blessings God from above has poured into our lives.

I have been through enough in life and had enough encounters to make me appreciate the good days and the special moments in life. I have bad days like everyone else, but I choose to find the bright light on a dark day and go with it. Some circumstances are beyond my control; therefore I will not fight against what life throws at me. I choose to roll with it and accept the changes as they are. What is the point in fighting a battle that cannot be won?

So next time you are having a bad day, just remember it could be worse. There are always going to be circumstances or things that happen that we don't want to deal with or we'd prefer to hit the PASS OVER ME button, but that's not an option. So deal with things head on, even if the bad seems to outweigh the good. When a bad day is presented to you, don't let it get you down. Remember a day is 24 hours and it will pass. Here's another thought for the brain ~ the day after a bad day is usually a better day. And you will be grateful for that day because the bad day has passed and a brighter day is ahead. Just know we all have bad days, sometimes more than one together and it's ok. We just have to face life's challenges and tests head on and we will be fine in the end. Keep on going and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel! Good days come and go and so do bad days. It's nice to know that bad days don't last forever and that usually the good days outweigh the bad ones! Now put a smile on your face and have a good day!

Monday, May 11, 2009

People Watching

I have found a new fun hobby to do when I am out somewhere and passing the time. It is called "people watching." I think we all do this and don't even know it sometimes. Are you ever out and about and bored so you start watching other people around you? Or just sit on a bench and watch people walk by? It's actually funny to do, and it makes for great conversation.

Thanks to my boyfriend I am learning to read facial expressions and what is on others' minds at times. He has the natural ability to do that and it's starting to rub off on me. For example, when we were out the other night, there was a variety of people around us. All in the same place ~ some there to have fun, some there to meet others, and some had no clue what they were doing there. But it was interesting to watch the faces of others as they interacted with people or just walked around. Some were dressed for the occasion, some were dressed to get some attention, and there were others, that were well, how do I say it, dressed so they stood out in the crowd. Now that isn't always a good thing.

Take the blonde chick with the shirt that showed her belly off. Now I admit she was cute, but totally fake. She had about 20 different guys on the dance floor with her and she was a little crazy thing. And then there was Virgin Mary. (Ok, so she earned that nickname for the evening). Virgin Mary had a hairstyle from the 1970's, dressed in a long white flowing gown that spun around when she hit the dance floor, and brown boots that totally did not match the hair or the dress. I'm not trying to be superficial, but she definitely had the attention from everyone in the place. What kind of attention? The kind of attention that no one wants to have. The kind of attention that makes you wonder if she'd been stuck in a coma since 1976 and decided to wake up 33 years later and march straight out into 2009 without any kind of transformation. But she was having a great time with the man from the 1980's gentleman who twirled her around the floor all night. But I just couldn't help it, every time she passed me I just wanted to grab her and offer to give her a makeover myself! And I am not an expert at those, but I could have transformed her into a Y2K gal at the least.

Then there was the girl in flip flops that knew all the dances there. She just about fell on her butt a few times but she did not care. She was there to have fun and that's all that mattered. So good for her! At least her black flip flops that she almost fell in matched her black shirt that showed part of her belly when she danced a little too fast.

Oh and we can't forget the sweet little old 67 year old lady from northern Indiana. She was there with a group of friends who were subscribed to an online dating site. The dating site had a party there that evening and the singles couldn't be missed! They had cute little flashy buttons yelling "I am single! I am single!" Now thank God I am no longer available because being single isn't all it's cut up to be. Don't get me wrong, it can be fun. But finding a love worth the wait is definitely above being single and fun loving all the time. So anyway, back to the sweet little old lady. She had 5 kids and 7 grandkids and had only been divorced for 3 years. Wow, that is quite an accomplishment and then to be single at that age kind of blew my mind. She was dancing her little heart out with friends and my cowboy pulled her to the side where we were sitting so we could chat with her. She was having a good ole time with friends and could care less to find her a sweet old man that night. We wanted to tell her when the time is right, she would find her match and to wish her good luck. She tried to pull us out on the dance floor but we just giggled and declined her offer.

And then there is the old man that hoots and hollers at every song. He can't be missed a mile away! And he is there every time I go. Now I don't know about you, but that's the way I want to be. If I'm going to be old and gray someday (even though I will probably always remind a blonde or at least have the brains of one), I want to be fun loving and having a blast when I am of the senior age. He is a hoot to watch and tries to reel in every boy, girl, woman and man that he can get to join him. I think his name might be Keith. He is cute for an old man though!

And then there were the two girls who kept dancing with each other all night. Now I don't have a problem with that, but they were making quite a big scene in such a public place. But at least they aren't ashamed of who they are and were having quite a ball like everyone else that night.

And then take the people who have baggy enough pants that you want to take your belt off and loan it to them just so you don't have to see their tightie whities or blackie boxers underneath! I know that is the style nowadays but I do not care to see someone's undergarments. Just not my taste. I guess I could throw the girl in there that had the thong underneath her dress. Yes, she had a cute dress on with her little boots. But the thong outline was a bit more noticeable than I cared to see. And then there was the girl in the dress whose boobs might have well been exposed for the world to see. She had one of those little strappy dresses on that barely contained her girls. And it just made her night when my cowboy smiled at me but I wasn't watching, and she took that as a smile that was made at her. I was happy to be a part of making someone else happy for a few moments =-).

Now this new habit of mine can be done about anywhere. The grocery store, an amusement park, Wal-Mart (since I never go to that store practically live there some days), a sporting event, or anywhere people go on a daily basis. So next time you are bored or passing the time while out in public, try it. Watch peoples' faces as they stroll along. You will find people smiling, people sad, people crying, and people that are just in a hurry. You will find a little bit of everything really. Then try this - make up your own scenario of what they are thinking or where they are heading. The possibilities are endless, and it gives you something to do! Just remember to be discreet about it so you don't get caught "people watching!"

Friday, May 1, 2009

Strawberries... Yummy or Yucky?

I was recently looking through a catalog of products I could order. I decided I would try something new to mix things up a little bit. Now this was nothing big (or so I thought), but I ordered some new strawberry shower gel for my daughters and I to use. What I quickly realized was that my petty little order of the new shower gel would stir up alot of drama in my house! But then again with all girls, why would anyone expect any less than drama, drama, and even more drama?!?!

Now I can't lie, I was excited to use the "new" shower gel. After using the same old boring stuff we buy from Wal-Mart, it was nice to have a change. You know, years ago I used to go to Victoria Secret's and buy all my shower gel there. But why would I pay $10 for a bottle when I could pay $2-3 for stuff that just gets used up anyway? Maybe I haven fallen into the trap of saving money since I have kids! Come to think of it... I used to buy those $10 bottles before I had my babies, so I can blame the kids for no longer buying the expensive kind. Or maybe I am just smarter in my closer to 30 years old age and have learned how to save money over the years. Anyway, so back to the "new" strawberry scented shower gel... I used it and was very impressed by the smell. So I thought WOW the kids are going to love this stuff.

Ok so my little one LOVES to eat strawberries and enjoys anything strawberry scented. So I just knew she would LOVE the new strawberry shower gel so she could smell strawberriliciously clean! And I was right on target with that one. In fact, she was so excited about the new red stuff that she couldn't wait to jump in the bath. She was smelling the top of the bottle before she even used it and decided it was yummy! Then she was in heaven while she got to use the new shower gel. Then the time came for her to get out of the bath and older sis to get in the tub. Only there was one problem... I could not find the strawberry shower gel anywhere when it was time for big sis to wash herself off. Hmmm.... one answer to that problem... it was called the strawberry shower gel thief!

Sure enough, my detective skills were right. I hunted down the little one in another part of the house and yes, the evidence was instantly found! She not only wanted to use the strawberry shower gel in the bath, but she proceeded to carry it around with her the rest of the night. So big sis had to settle for vanilla scented shower gel that night since little sis refused to give up HER new shower gel.

Now the other problem with my little one is that she likes to put things in her mouth that she shouldn't (even though she knows better). I think at one point she was trying to take the cap off to eat the shower gel, but I got that stopped before it even started. I told her that if she ate the shower gel, it would be yucky and she would never be able to use it again. She must have believed me because the rest of the night, she just carried it around and didn't threaten to eat it anymore! So a word of advice... if your child likes a certain flavor or scent, pick up some shower gel with that scent and WALLAH... a new entertainment device! LOL

So we now know that my little one was in love with the strawberry shower gel. Well fast forward a couple nights and I noticed my back was itching and would not stop. I was offered the brilliant suggestion that I had recently changed shower gel, and maybe that was the reason behind my skin being irritated. Hmmm... it's a thought but I honestly don't know if that's what did it or not. All I know was that it was irritating! LOL

So the big night came for big sis to use the new shower gel yesterday evening. She was happy with the vanilla scent from the last bath (you know since the little thief took the strawberry kind). Well not thinking much about it and trying to hurry up and get them to bed so I could crash, I grabbed the first shower gel I saw ~ the famous strawberry kind. My little one actually hadn't confiscated it yet so it was still available for use. So big sis started to use the lovely smelling stuff, then immediately started screaming like a little drama queen as if something was terribly wrong. Then the drama began...

"What is this nasty smelling stuff?" "It's making me stinky." "It smells like a sick dog's diarrhea!" Ok, now I stopped at that one and said WHAT?!?! A sick dog's diarrhea? Where in the world did that come from? And how in the world did she know know what a sick dog's diarrhea smelled like? Now the thought of that is just beyond disgusting! Then the drama saga continued. Even after she was out of the bath, I still had to hear how she was stinky now! Ok, isn't the point of taking a bath to get clean and unstinky? So I still don't get how she was stinky after taking a bath. Just because she did not like the smell of the new strawberry stuff, she concluded she now stunk like the shower gel. Lovely.

After a few minutes of the drama over the new shower gel, I had had quite enough of listening to the mouth. So I gently reminded her to be appreciative she had a mother that took good care of her, and that some day she would thank me. Have you ever told your kids that one day they will grow up and have kids? And have you ever said to your child that you hope their children act just like they did when they were young so they would know how it felt? Not that those words left my mouth or anything. Just a pondering question...

So the final answer is... my little one gets to have the entire bottle of strawberry shower gel to herself. Since it makes mommy itch and big sis thinks it smells like a dog's diarrhea butt, she can have it all. So she is happy and won't have to steal the bottle to keep it to herself anymore! Now I just have to make sure she doesn't eat any of and all will be fine!