A Thankful Poem

I Am Thankful For...

For the teenager who is not doing dishes but is watching TV, because that means he is at home and not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay, because it means that I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking, and that I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in my place of worship when she sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
and finally....

For too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

It's Great to Have a Good Laugh!

Laughter is good for the soul. Laughter is good for the mind, body and spirit too. I love to laugh, even when I don't want to laugh sometimes. We all need a good laugh every now and again. Sometimes we laugh at something that happens, our children, things others do, or even laugh at ourselves as well. And there are sometimes we have to contain our laughter for the sake of others. Like when someone slips and falls on the ice or down the stairs, your initial thought should be to make sure that person is ok. Then the thought immediately following is usually the fact that you want to laugh. We are all human, we have all done it. I know I have had to bite my tongue more than once around my kids. But once they leave the room, I can let the laughter erupt. We have all been there, done that, and laughing is a great thing!

Laughter can be a source of therapy sometimes. We can be having the worst day or nothing seems to be going right, and then something happens to make us laugh. It relaxes our minds, releases tension and stress, and makes us feel better after we've had a good laugh. It has the same effect as a good cry does; we always feel better after we've had a crying spell over something. We can equally feel better after having a laughter spell over something. So the next time you are having a rough time or a hard day, think of something funny! Even if you don't want to laugh, find something to laugh about because it will help ease your day and lighten your mood.

We have all had "oops" moments that we want to run and hide under a rock and hide our faces for eternity. We all make mistakes that result in embarrassing ourselves at some point or another. The best thing to do when this happens is to try and forget about what has happened, laugh about it too, and move on. Don't dwell on it, don't even think about it. As time passes, people will forget and it won't be as funny as the moment when it happened. We may do things that people will always remember, but at least we don't have to walk around red-faced forever. Time passes and so will those little embarrassing moments we all have.

Not only do we ourselves have "oops" moments, but it happens to other people all the time. Funny things happen all the time, jokes are spread like wildfire on the internet. There is always something to laugh about if you think about it. How many times have you thought about something that happened to another person in the past and still laugh about it to this day? Most people can recall at least one funny memory like that. But when it happens to others, it's even funnier because it didn't happen to YOU. Think about that statement. If something really embarrassing happens to someone, you have to laugh about it. But then when you think "I'm glad it was them and not me," it makes the scenario even funnier.

I know for me personally, I find more laughter in things that my kids do and say. My little one sure has that ability, she makes me laugh every single day. Her latest overstated phrase of "I got you a question" was hilarious when I first heard it. Now I find myself telling other people "I got you a question!" I really have to watch what I say because I pick up the 4 year old lingo and it sticks. Ever notice how that works? Your kids will say something so many times and it kind of grows on you after awhile. So just beware if you have little ones, sometimes their childlike language becomes a part of your everyday vocabulary. And then you can make others laugh when you use the words of your children in adult conversation!

Have you ever been slap happy? I love that term! Slap happy just sounds funny in itself. Being slap happy doesn't mean you go around happily slapping everyone (and I know a few who would not to mention any names) but it simply means you are giggly and in a happy mood. Not only do I love the term, but I love being slap happy. This usually happens to people when they are low on sleep and really tired but have a burst of energy right before they are going to crash. Sometimes it takes a little bit of alcohol and people get slap happy. It's like being on a cloud and not focusing on reality for a short time. And everything you do while in slap happy mode is funny to you and you think everyone else should laugh about it too. It could be the silliest or dumbest thing, but it's just hysterical. People don't get slap happy too often, but when they do, stand by and watch because you might just get a few good laughs over it!

Some people are happy go lucky and can laugh all the time. Other people are depressed, sad and mope around all the time. And then there are those in between. We all have good and happy days. But we also all have bad and not so good days. We also all have our moods too ~ up, down, happy, sad, focused, scatterbrained, etc. Our mood will determine how much laughter we will release in a day. So if we can stay in a positive and upbeat mode, we will be able to laugh and have more fun in a day then if we down or depressed about something. Even on a bad day, we all need to see the light and be thankful for all of our blessings, and smile! Smiling is contagious and if you smile, you will feel better =-) !

Let's see, what else comes to mind when I think about laughing? Well, the fact that laughing can make us happier in life. We need to forget about all the bad things in life and focus on the positive. So the time to start is now. Put aside all the bad thoughts in your brain and think about the good ones. Think about the funny thing your child said or did, think about something funny that happened at someone else's expense but was funnier then heck, think about one of those "oops" moments you've had and laugh. Laugh about it! It's healthy to let it out. It's good for the heart and soul to laugh. Ok, back to Gigglytown for me. Now I just have to remember the last funny thing my daughter said to me....

Have a good day and laugh, laugh, and laugh some more!!!

A Lesson on Being Nice

One of my biggest pet peeves is people that cannot be nice. Everyone is perfectly capable of being nice, some people just choose to be jerks or rude and snooty to others. We are all created equal when God places us on this earth. But some people gain the attitude that they are better than others and treat others with little or no respect at all. It really saddens me when I see people being mean to others, or belittling their family or friends, or their own children for that matter. It just isn't right.

Have you ever heard the theory about how we are nice to complete strangers but sometimes not so nice to our own family? There was an example in an e-mail one time about how if we bump into a perfect stranger in the store we will say "I'm sorry" and apologize, but if we bump into someone in our household while passing through the hallway or in a room, we yell at the person to "watch out." Sound familiar? Often times people do this and don't even realize it. I make a habit that if I have had a stressful day at work or am upset about something, NOT to take it out on my family or my daughters. Sometimes we have a bad day at work and we come home in a bad mood and are cranky with our spouse, kids, and family. If this happens, the best thing to do is to literally put all the bad stuff outside on the doorstep before you enter the household. Then once you enter the front door, you do not think about work, you do not worry about what you have to accomplish the next day, you just leave it outside your house and can pick it up in the morning on the way out the door. That way you are not cranky and yelling at family members who have nothing to do with the problems from a job or somewhere else. It's not the kids' fault that you had a bad day, so don't take it out on them. Not everyone is this way and thank God not everyone is like this or this world would be in even more trouble. But seriously, if this scenario describes you, take a step back and think about how it reflects on others. If you are grouchy with them for something they have no control over, it just causes friction and angry feelings between family members. And that does not make for a happy household!

Having a stressful day at work is only one scenario. Sometimes people are just grouchy or cranky in general. Only their close friends or family members know how they REALLY are behind closed doors. So many times people put on a happy face so that everyone else will think their life is perfect and that they have no problems. But we all have issues or problems at some point or another. And if we didn't, then we would not be human! So the best thing to do is when you have a problem, find a way to solve it. Do not let it fester and turn you into some kind of wicked monster that no one can stand to be around.


Why is it that some people can be nice to others' faces and then turn around and stab them in the back two seconds later? These people are called Two Face and that is a term I personally cannot stand. If someone is going to be like that around me, then that person will not be around me for very long. I cannot stand those people who are a "fake nice." They pretend to be your friend, and then use what information they can to run your name through the mud. That is another one of my biggest pet peeves. Usually people like this are huge gossipers and stir up drama as much as they possibly can.

Then there are some people that just cannot be happy no matter what happens in life. And not only are they not happy, but they try to drag others down with them. They can't be nice to other people, and they probably aren't nice to themselves either. The ultimate sad truth is that no matter what you do for the person, around the person, or anything you do in life is not good enough, nor will it ever be good enough. You could be a saint in this world, you could live a perfect life, you could discover oil and become rich, you could do alot of things right and it's still not good enough for that person. And when we have to deal with someone like this, it makes life difficult and it hurts. It physically, mentally, and emotionally hurts a person to the point they can only handle so much. And we all have our limits, some more than others. And usually when pushed to the limit, people will react differently. I personally start walking backwards, keep my distance, and push people like this away. I believe life is too short to fight over stupid petty things and if someone wants to dwell on every little detail of life, I feel sorry for them. I feel genuinely sorry for that person because they are missing out alot on life.

It's sad but sometimes it takes something drastic happening to someone to make them step back and look at how they are treating others, how they are taking life and everything for granted, and how they have turned into a person they don't even like or know anymore. Sometimes it takes someone dying, or a car wreck, or a disease, or a job loss, or a divorce, or a major change for that person to see the light. And even sometimes when something drastic happens, that person still doesn't get it. They don't understand what kind of person they have turned into, or the fact that no one wants to be around them because they feast on pessimistic thoughts all the time. It's almost as if the devil has grabbed a hold of them, and really won them over and refuses to let that person go. Sometimes God uses tragic events or the loss of a person on earth to make people realize what they have taken for granted, or uses those events to make people change their lives for the better. We never want to lose anyone near and dear to us, but people go to Heaven when their time arrives, whether we want them to go or not. Sometimes losing a loved one takes more of a toll on people than others realize. Regardless of the tragic event, sometimes it takes something like that to make people see the light and change into a good person that is hidden somewhere deep inside themselves.

Too often times people let things fester for too long and that is a reason they cannot be nice to others. Families feud, friendships break up, couples break up, marriages break up, and the list goes on and on all because someone could not be nice. If we all do our part and have respect for other people, and keep our nose out of everyone else's business, cut down on the gossip all together, and don't stir drama up, this world would have alot more happier people. Some people get their high off of gossipping or stirring up trouble. And I'm sorry to say, but for those people, it's karma that will come back around and bite them in the butt some day.

Just remember close friends and family are really sometimes all you have. Even if you lose everything, your true friends and true family will always be there for you. But if you want to keep true friends and family, you must be a true friend or family member as well. You must respect others the way you want to be respected. You must treat others the way you want to be treated. It's just common sense and common decency to be a good person if you want others to be good to you. Family is family because they are blood related or adopted. Friends are friends because God has brought people into your life for a purpose.

I just wish everyone could be nice in this world. I wish everyone would think more positively and not be so negative all the time. I wish everyone could give respect to others that they expect in return. I wish people would keep their mouth shut and their opinions to themselves when it's going to hurt other people. I wish people would not make judgements about others and how they live their life. I wish people could all get along with bickering and fighting over petty crap. I wish more people could have my attitude and be nice and positive more often. I wish more people would pray to the Lord for guidance and for Him to show them their purpose in this life. I wish people would leave well enough alone and stop trying to drum up drama out of nothing. I wish people would stop gossiping to others and forming their own conclusions when they don't have all the facts. I wish people would stop telling others how they should be living their life. I wish people would wake up in the morning with a cheerful smile, do something good for someone else each day, and go to bed a happy person. I wish I had a genie that could make all this come true but that is wishful thinking.

If you find yourself being mean to others, being judgemental, being hateful, or being rude, why? Why do you want to live your life that way? Have you ever thought your actions and words hurt others to the point that you could lose them for good one day? Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and say that you do not like the person you have become? If so, it's time to make a change and the time is now. Do not wait until it's too late because tomorrow could be too late. The world could end tonight and you would not be guaranteed a spot in Heaven. Something bad could happen to you right now and you would never be able to apologize for the wrong things you have done in this world. Sometimes we need to be harsh on ourselves to make ourselves a better person. The time to do that is now; for tomorrow may be too late. If you are a mean person for too long, you will grow to be a bitter old person. And I pity people like that. I pray for everyone right now who needs to be a better and nicer person starting here and now. I pray that the Lord gives them the tools they need to be a better person for themselves and for the sake of others. Remember life is short, we only get one life to live so why not make the most of it? Enjoy life's simple little pleasures. Take a fresh breath of air and be grateful for the blessings that God has given you. Make a positive difference in this world. That is only the beginning. You must choose to live a nicer and happier life. May God help anyone who needs to be nicer to others. He is there; you just have to ask for His help. God Bless!

Installing Love Conversation

This is an e-mail I received I thought was worth posting. It's talking about installing love into your life. Enjoy the conversation below:


Installing LoveTech Support: Yes, how can I help you?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are Running?

Tech Support: What programs are running?

Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?

Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should I do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.

Customer: Okay, done.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up ~ Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

Customer: Thank you, God.

Don't Hate Me Because I Am Beautiful

Don't hate me because I am beautiful! I am not referring to myself in this statement saying that you should hate ME because I am beautiful. What I am simply saying is sometimes even the most beautiful people on the outside are not the most beautiful people on the inside. Don't judge a book by it's cover until you read the story inside. In other words, don't make determinations about a person from their looks. There could be so much more to that person if you take the time to get to know them.

We have all been guilty of looking at someone and judging them by their appearance. Now don't get me wrong, sometimes it's obvious that a person is going to be judged by their appearance. For example, if a person wears something they know good and darn well they shouldn't, they are going to get noticed. It might get some positive attention but more than likely it will be negative attention from people pointing and thinking the person should know better. Like the person who knows their clothes are too tight but squeezes in the clothes anyway. Or the person who's midriff is showing and they don't care. Or someone who wears clashing clothes and could care less. So sometimes people ask to be judged from their appearance. But often times people judge others when they don't even know the person.


One of my biggest pet peeves is people that judge others. I will not say I have never judged someone, but I do not make a habit of it. Judging others is actually a sin and we should not do it. But we are all guilty of it or have been in the past. What amazes me is how someone can create an entire profile of a person just from meeting them or seeing them one time. And some people create that profile without even ever talking to the person. That fact is even more amazing if you ask me. Obviously you are not going to learn everything about a person the first time you meet them, but you can usually get a pretty good idea of what type of person they are by their words, their actions, and how they treat others.


Many people are pretty on the outside, but again, it does not mean they are pretty on the inside. And quite the opposite is true as well ~ a person may not be the most attractive on the outside, but have a heart of gold and are beautiful on the inside. So many people these days are fake or put on an appearance on the outside, aka "a show for others." They will tell you what you want to hear, do what you want them to do, but they may have an ulterior motive or be lying to your face just to win you over. Then once you are reeled in by that person, their true colors come out. I have had people in my life like this before - they are all nice in the beginning and then turn out to be one of the most horrible and ugly people I have ever known. I once knew a girl who was drop dead gorgeous on the outside, thin, blonde hair, very pretty. But she was also very devious and conniving and wanted to cause trouble for anyone she could. All of a sudden I didn't see her as a pretty girl anymore, but instead as a mean heartless witch! People comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes but do not be fooled by the exterior of a pretty face.

Everyone has something that they want to hide from the world. It could be something they have done, a secret that they know, something they were involved in, thoughts they have had, and the list goes on and on. Each person in this world has something they are ashamed of and do not want anyone to know about. It doesn't have to be a monumentally terrible thing. It could be a negative thought you had and knew it was wrong. Just because each person has something they aren't proud of does not mean that they are a bad person. It simply means we are all human and things happen, sometimes beyond our control. Most of the time we can keep those deep dark ugly secrets or things hidden from the world. But sometimes those things come to the surface and then the big bad ugly monster comes out.

Have you ever known someone you thought was just great and they could do no wrong? Well, maybe in the beginning you were fooled and then once you really got to know the person, you realized they were not perfect, nor were they even close to perfect. It just proves the point that we should get to know someone before making conclusions about that person. There are all kinds of people in the word and just because they have a pretty face does not mean they have a pretty soul or are the kindest person in the world.

It is wonderful to be beautiful, it is great if you are blessed to have good looks and are beautiful. I believe everyone is beautiful in their own way, even if they do not have the looks of a supermodel. But just remember beauty is only skin deep. Remember to get to know a person before making a judgement of character based on looks only. You will be very fooled if you judge a book by it's cover often times. And also remember that beautiful people are often times the ones who have more trouble and problems than the average person. So do not hate someone because they are beautiful; sometimes those people are the ones who we need to feel sorry for because they are not beautiful on the inside. For those of you who really get to know a person before deciding what kind of person they are, thank you. Maybe you could teach others to do the same! And for those of you who hate people because they are beautiful ~ well, I don't know what to tell you other than you need to change your thinking and stop making assumptions based on little knowledge. I believe everyone should get a fair chance in the beginning. But the sad truth is there are many shallow people out there who only see outer beauty and don't really get to know a person on the inside. And sometimes that will come back to bite us in the rear end. Again, everything that glitters is not gold and beautiful people aren't always beautiful. Don't judge others because what comes around goes around and it will haunt you someday for making judgements. Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

More Thoughts For the Day

Just thought I would share some thoughts that were passed on to me. Take one or two of them and apply to your life today. You will be glad you did! Enjoy =)

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

Pay off your credit cards every month.

You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

It's OK to let your children see you cry.

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

Over prepare, then go with the flow.

Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?"

Always choose life.

Forgive everyone for everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Time heals almost everything. Give it time. Time.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Believe in miracles.

God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

Your children only get one childhood.

All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

The best is yet to come.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Harvest Time is Here!

Harvest time, harvest time ~ I love this time of year! Fall is my favorite season because of all the pretty colors, the leaves turning, the combines in the fields, the nice cool crisp air, the bonfires at night, the fact we all have to dig out our warm clothes again. I love everything that comes along with fall! My quote I have always loved to say is "I love fall, but not what follows fall." That would be the yucky cold white stuff that falls from the sky, S-N-O-W. Don't get me wrong, I love the first big snowfall, but after that, it could stay gone for the winter and I would be perfectly content with that.

So it's that time of year again ~ fall and harvest season. When I think of harvest, it makes me think of the crops being harvested by the big old monstrous combines, and the tractors driving in the field, and the semis hauling the grain away from the fields. I absolutely love the farming life and all this comes along with it of course. I would rather ride around in the combine on a Saturday night running through the cornfields than go out on the town. I guess that's just the country girl in me, but I love it!

Here's a harvest saying for ya'll to enjoy ~
Take me out to the cornfield honey. I'll kiss ya between the ears.
(I just thought that was the cutest saying ever!) Get it? Lots of ears of corn in the cornfield. Kissing between the ears. Even the blonde in me got that one right off the bat =-)


Here's a couple more cute ones that signify life but refer to harvest season:

Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.
Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.


If you think about it, life is similar to planting and harvesting crops. Farmers plant the seeds in the spring, watch the crops grow in the summer, and then harvest them in the fall. In life, we plant or sow seeds, watch them grow and sprout, and then wait to see what the end result will be. Every single thing that happens in life starts as a seed and grows. So good things start out small and bloom and blossom into wonderful times. And bad things start out as a small seed and then turn into hard or tough times the longer it grows. The cycle of life and all situations ~ starts out small and eventually grows. Then once that cycle is over, a new cycle begins...

So let's all enjoy harvest while it is here this year! And enjoy the fall season too! I believe the peak of the season will be this weekend. With any luck I will get to the pumpkin patch with the girls and they can pick our their pumpkins to carve. And hopefully I will get lots of pretty pictures of the trees and beautiful scenery that is only here once a year. Fall won't be here much longer so take advantage now and enjoy the last of the decent weather before the cold settles in for the winter. And before my blogs turn into "I hate winter" blogs LOL. Just a forewarning that will happen! So get out there, take in the fresh crisp cool air, and make memories in the fall of 2009 before the season fades away!

Impossible People

Have you ever had a person in your life that is absolutely impossible to please? No matter what you say or do is good enough for them. These people tend to make life difficult and unpleasant at times. Sometimes this person is someone close to us and sometimes they are not. It might be that customer that comes into the office that nobody wants to offer customer service to because they are unpleasant and rude. It might be the next door neighbor who isn't nice or is always complaining about something. It might be a total stranger in a store that accidentally bumps into you and then turns around and yells at you for it. It could be a close friend that you know very well but is sometimes hard to be friends with. It could be a family member who is always hard on you and feels like you do nothing right in life.

Regardless of who it is, those people are out there. And to put it quite literally, they can make life a living hell at times! These people are usually negative, overbearing, and not someone we typically like to be around. It would be nice to shove these people in a closet or simply ignore them, but that's easier said than done most of the time. If we luck out and it's someone we barely know or rarely have to see, we can usually deal with them for the amount of time required and then be done with them. But if the person is close to us or we have to see them on a regular basis, it's not such an easy situation.

Again, it would be nice to shove a rag in that person's mouth and block out their constant nagging or opinions on everything! With that being said, that theory is not very nice, but it is very true. So the reality is we have to deal with them whether we like it or not. There is more than one way we can handle these types of people. Depending on the type of person you are will determine how you handle this situation when it arises. Some people will take the high road and listen to the person and let it fly over their head, or ignore this behavior to the best of their ability. Other people will crawl in a hole or under a rock and just take the behavior and not fight back which means they consistently deal with the nagging or abuse from the other person. Others will fight back and let their opinion be known and not take crap from anyone. And others will listen at first, and then shut that person out of their life completely. There can be a range of actions but those are just some of the basic ones I can think of. And sometimes we will react with a combination of those options.

Let's talk about the people who learn to ignore constant nagging or negative behavior from others. These people are generally optimistic or the "go with the flow" type. They don't let alot bother them and they accept life how it is and don't rock the boat too much. So rather than dealing with confrontation, they take it all in and then let it leave their brains. This is the theory of "in one ear and out the other." You listen with one side of your head, the information travels through the skull and out the other ear. Basically, you process the information, but you do not retain it.

Then there is the crawl under the rock people. Those people tend to be passive and scared about things. They also do not like confrontation and that is one reason they just take whatever comes at them and do not fight back. This type tends to be quiet and like the little mouse in the corner that you never hear. They will not voice their opinion back because they are too afraid. Sometimes these people have low self esteem and do not know how to make their own decisions or let their opinions be heard. Sometimes this type of person has had an overbearing person in their life, or has been controlled by others in their life. It's sad, but this world is made up of these types of people everywhere. You may be one or know of one. With prayer and God's guidance, this type of person can come out of their shell and live a life they have never even known.

Now let's move on to the "fighters." These people stand up for themselves, what they believe in, and will not back down from a fight. This type is usually pretty stubborn and can be bull headed. It's when you get multiple people with this type of personality together that a problem arises. It's like the theory "too many chiefs and not enough Indians." We all lead at sometimes in life, but then others times we follow. And we should do both depending on what the situation is. Sometimes we have to take charge to teach others, and other times we need to let someone else lead so that we can learn.

Not every person is going to fall directly into one of these categories. Many people will exhibit multiple traits of the different types of personalities. It also depends on the type of person you are and what your current mood is as well. Sometimes someone will say something to us that strikes a nerve, and we react in a way we don't normally. The bottom line is everyone reacts in their own way and each person will react differently given the same situation. But when a person puts up with something for so long, the option of pushing that person out of there life or away usually comes into play. We as an individual can only take so much. We all have our limits that we get pushed to, and depending on what type of person you are, your limit is higher or less than others. But when someone reaches their limit, things tend to turn ugly.

If we put up crap for so long from someone, over time we start to develop resentment, anger, hatred, and bitterness towards that person. And if that person keeps it up and keeps pushing, eventually they are going to push that person out of their life completely. It's like a car on the edge of a cliff. A car is hard to move by one person alone. But if a person pushes that car just a little each day, they won't move it very far. But over time, they will move that car enough to where it falls over the edge and is gone. It might take years to move that car far enough to where it will tip and fall and be gone, but if you move that car half of an inch (1/2") every day, the progress will eventually be made and the car will fall off the cliff for eternity.

If you have never had to deal with someone who is overbearing and nothing is ever good enough for, then you are blessed! Praise God for your blessings, please! Unfortunately most of us have had to deal with at least one person or multiple people in our life that are like this. No matter what we do, no matter where we go, no matter who is in our life, no matter what decisions we make, NOTHING is ever good enough for that particular person. We could strike gold, or discover a miraculous cure for a disease, or be the upmost and outstanding citizen, or be the best person we can possibly be, and our notable actions are still not up to the standards of someone else. They are all out there, and sometimes we have to deal with them each and every single day.

If you have this type of person in your life, know that God loves them just the same. Know that they were put on this earth for a reason and maybe they haven't discovered their purpose yet. Know that even though they are annoying or unpleasant, they were a gift from the Lord and there is some purpose they are here on earth. If you have been blessed (yes there is some sarcasm there) to have someone like this in your life, try to find the good in that person and love them anyway. We are supposed to love our friends and enemies both, but sometimes our friend and enemy can be one person at the same time. Sometimes that person is good and we love them unconditionally, and other times they are like a monster and we do not understand how they could act the way they do.

More often times than not, that person hurts us by their words or actions. They expect so much from us and when we think we deliver our best, it still isn't enough for that person. We must realize that when we truly give our all, that is really all we can do. If we be the best person we know we can be, that is all we can do. If we try and succeed, that is wonderful and all we can do. If we try and fail, we must learn from our mistakes, and that is all we can do. See the pattern here? Be the best you can be, live life the best way you know how, be good to others, be kind to others, and try to follow what God would want you to do in life, and that is ALL YOU CAN DO. The Lord will see your actions and be proud of you. Even if that negative person in your life doesn't see the good in you, God does and that is ultimately what matters in the end. Your kindness and goodness will shine through and will hopefully touch others who appreciate the good you do in this world.

Remember that if you are blessed with one of these people in your life, pray for them. Really, I am dead serious. PRAY FOR THEM! They need it more than you do, so do it. I even pray for people I don't necessarily like because I want the best for them. I always want the best for everyone, even I don't like the person. For those negative birds out there, they won't understand that last statement, but it's true. I never wish any harm or any bad stuff on anyone because that is not a good Christian. I would not want someone else to wish harm or bad on my family or I, so I will not wish bad things on someone else. -> That's the golden rule of life you know! "Do unto others as you wish done unto you." (Or at least that's my version of it!)

I have a theory in life that some people may agree with and some may not. I live my life how I choose to live my life. This means that I make my own decisions whether people agree with them or not. I always make decisions based on what is best for my daughters and myself. If I make a decision that turns out not so great down the road, I learn from it and move on. I do not dwell on the past. In fact, I can't say I have any regrets in life because everything that has happened in my life has made me into the person that I am today. And I am very proud of the progress I have made in my life thus far. It can only get better from this point forward! Don't get me wrong, there will be ups and downs just like we ALL have in this world, but being the optimist I am, I will find good in everything and roll with it day by day.

Life is too short to live unhappy in life. We are only given so much time on earth so make the most of it. If you are always hard on your friends or loved ones, take a step back and look at how you treat others. Would you want to be treated that way? Would you want to deal with negativity and rudeness all the time? Probably not. So treat others how you want to be treated. Instead of finding things to argue about, or petty things to fight about, spend that time telling others how much you appreciate them and how much you love them. Let me ask a couple of questions to my faithful readers: If the world ended tomorrow, would you be happy with the progress you have made thus far in life? Think about it. If you died tomorrow, would you leave a legacy or would you have unfinished business you would regret not taking care of? Would you regret the way you treated others on earth or would you be content in knowing you were good to others? On the flip side, think about this: What if something happened to that person and they were no longer here? Would you care? Would you wonder how things could have been different if you'd been more positive to them? Would you regret the fact you never told them you loved them, but instead told them what they did wrong? Think about it. Those are some heavy questions, but extremely important ones to ask yourself. If you are happy with life and know you are living the way you should and being nice to others as you should be, then congratulations. You are doing all you can do and God is smiling down on you right now. But if not, think about making a change. And not just a temporary change, but a permanent one. Stop being so hard on everyone and start being nice to everyone, even if you do not like the person. Do nice things for others because it weighs on your heart to do them, not because you have to. Love others unconditionally, no matter what accomplishments or mistakes they have made in life. Do not intentionally try to hurt people, or peoples feelings; instead say something positive to them instead of something negative. If you are too mean to people or are negative for so long, you will eventually earn a reputation as being that way. And nobody wants to be known for that. I personally want to be remembered as a good person, a good mom, a good friend, even a good wife (once I get there), a good sister, a good daughter, a good cousin, a good niece, a good worker at my job, a good whatever it is that I do! You get the idea. Start today, don't wait until it's too late. Make the changes you need to make to improve your life for the better, stop dwelling on negative items, and be happy! There is nothing better than being happy and really living life the way God wants us to live. There is no greater feeling, I am living proof! I would love to have feedback or comments on this post if you so desire. We all have someone in our life we wish we could make a more positive or a happier person, so more power to those who need positive energy and prayers from the Lord! Until next time, love much, live happy and laugh often because that is what life is all about! May God bless any person who needs positive spirits and guidance from Above...

Life is Good!

Yes, life is good! Life should be good all the time. Life is what we make of it and how we choose to look at it. We must take the good with the bad because we don't really have a choice. I always say life is a roller coaster ride; there will be hills and there will be valleys. But if you can take the hard punches along the way, it will make the good times even better.

I also like to think of this saying ~ God will never give us more than we can handle. Sometimes we may not always agree with that statement but it's true if you think about it. You have endured hard times in life, but you made it through them. You may have been at the end of your rope, or at your wits end with life, but you survived through whatever it was you had to deal with. You may have felt like your world was going to end, but it didn't! Those are the times in life that make us appreciate the good and happy times even more. We all have our limits that we have been pushed to, or even pushed over at times, but with prayer and God's guidance, we have the ability to handle whatever comes our way. But only if we let Him in and let Him help us with our troubles. And not just help us, but take our troubles away from us. God never wants us to suffer, but the harder times in life do make us stronger. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger, a very true statement if you think about it.

Life is good because I choose to see the best of everyday and choose the positive aspects in everything. I love my life, and wouldn't trade it for anything! God has a plan for my life, and each and every person put here on this earth. There have been hard times in the past and even recently, but I always look for the silver lining in the cloud and roll with it. If I didn't, it would only get me down and that is not what the Lord wants for us in this world. He wants us to know He is always there for us and will be no matter what happens or what mistakes we make in life. Just ask Him for forgiveness and granted that you will be!

Remember to have at least one positive thought every day. Just one positive thought or action can erase all the other negative thoughts or feelings you have. You would be surprised at how different life could be if you choose to be happy and in positive spirits all the time. We all have our down moments and that is ok. Just remember don't fall so far in the rut that you can't pull yourself back out of it. We can always rely on the almighty God to help us, but we also have to rely on ourselves too. We choose our actions and our thoughts in life, so let's make them good experiences and have positive thinking! May God bless you and your family today and each day forward. It is truly life changing if you just accept His word into your life! And not just accept His word, but live it too! Until next time, God bless...

Another RIP Memory Post...

I posted about a week and a half ago about Grandma Becky's sister, Isabelle. Sadly she did not get better and she too passed away on Saturday, October 10 ~ just 12 days after her sister left this earth to be with the Lord. They are both in a much better place now while they dance on the streets of gold no longer in pain.

I believe when it is your time to be called to Heaven, you will be called Above no matter what you are doing at that moment in time. You could be driving a car, walking down the street, sleeping, you could be doing anything. Sometimes we are given a certain amount of time to live, and sometimes we are taken very rapidly from this earth. We just never know what our future holds. So please remember to live each day as though it's your last. Also, please pray for the family as this is a tough loss to lose two family members within 12 days of each other.

I also have a very good friend who is like a mother to me who lost her stepdad this past weekend. And let's add to the list another aunt on the other side of the family passed away this weekend as well. I did not know either of these individuals but please also keep their families and friends in your prayers as you pray at the end of the day. Thank you and may God bless each one of you today and everyday!

Please Don't Share Your Swine H1N1 Flu!

It's that lovely time of year... the time for fall leaves to fall, pretty colors to soon change, the weather becoming colder, and the best part of all ~ everyone sharing their germs and sickness since they are so kind and generous! Aw yes, that lovely time of year when everyone becomes sick, and I do mean EVERYONE.

I am just about banking our schools have had the highest rate of absence this year in a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if a new record is set for the number of absent children and how often they are absent this year. It seems that swine flu, oh wait let me rephrase that... H1N1 flu is making it's way around the world and so happens to be in my area at the moment. Since people don't like that term "swine" flu, we must not say that now. I personally call it swine flu because that was the term introduced to the world and had everyone in a frenzied panic a few months ago.

It was abundantly awful to come home last Friday to my oldest daughter who had a fever of nearly 103. I felt so incredibly sorry for her. There is absolutely no worst feeling in the world when your child is sick and you can do nothing for your baby. Or, should I rephrase that to when your children are sick and you can do nothing for your babies. Yes, that has been my life these past few days! I knew my oldest would share with my youngest and sure enough within 48 hours I had both babies sick with high fevers. After much ibuprofen, taking temps every couple of hours, lots of gatorade, and many prayers, they are finally fever free. I am sure there is still more sickness to deal with but I hope and pray that the worst is over!

As for me, I have luckily avoided the fever so far but I have the yucky cough and sore throat coming on. And for some reason it comes out like the big bad ugly monster when I'm trying to go to sleep at night! Not fun for me =(. But I will handle it like a big girl because that is all that I can do. Ever heard that phrase that mommies aren't allowed to be sick? Well, I may feeling that before this is all said and done. Let's just hope and pray that doesn't happen (if you are listening oh wonderful Lord)!

Back to the term swine flu, I think it's funny myself. The doctors and rumors around the local town are that they are not confirming that the ugly pig headed virus H1N1 flu is here. Well, I have a big news flash for these people ~ just pick 1 out of every 2 households and go make a visit. Most of the people I know from around here have been sick so that ratio is probably low! I was cracking up last week after a 6 minute phonecall of a message from the head of local health department (or some fancy title like that). Anyway, he called to reassure parents that no known cases of the H1N1 flu are going around and not to fret just yet. After about 2 minutes of listening to this monotone voice, the voice stopped and he started coughing and hacking. Then he would pause, uh.... um.... and repeat himself over and over for 6 minutes. 6 minutes just to get that information out to the public! Wow. Then the jokes that started flying around on Facebook and emails to friends, it was great. So here is a phonecall from someone assuring us parents not to worry when the guy can't even make it through the phonecall without hacking and coughing through half of it himself! Very reassuring, let me tell ya.

On a serious note, if your kids or you have accrued this awful swine flu (and yes I will call it what I wish), please stay at home and indoors until you are better. Most of the doctors don't even want to see people unless they are at high risk because the more people that get out and share their germs, the more this terrible thing is going to stick around. And if your kids have it, keep them home! Some people may have to miss work or school, but it's better to get over it then spread the germs. I hope and pray mine are over the worst of it, and that I don't get any more of a cough then I already have! Remember to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. My daughter carries that stuff around like it's candy; she is great about using it! Ok, I'm off to grab another cough drop now...

A Tough Friday

We must always remember to put our trust and faith in God at all times. Even in the most difficult and hard times, we must trust in the Lord. Sometimes we just need a little reminder to do that. I do trust in the Lord at all times, but sometimes it's not always the easiest thing to do. I just have to remember that what happens in life is out of my hands and I cannot control some things. But if I have faith and trust in the Lord, He will not steer me wrong. It's important we remember this each and every day!

Today was a difficult day. Grandma Becky was laid to rest and I am so grateful she is in Heaven with my baby Mindy (as we still call her) and the rest of the family that has gone one before us. The funeral was a lot tougher than I thought it would be. I have missed seeing all of my old family members from when I was married. They all told me I am still family and I am forever grateful for that. This family certainly is a wonderful bunch of people who have touched my life and changed me in so many ways.

Please pray for Grandma Becky's sister, Isabelle. As Isabelle was stepping into the car to attend her sister's funeral, she lost her footing and fell straight backwards and hit her head. She had a huge bump on the back of her head and was rushed to the hospital. She has a blood clot on her brain and they are waiting to see if surgery is an option. From the little information I have, there would only be a 50% chance of survival if she went through surgery. So what are the chances of that? She is leaving to go to her sister's funeral and takes a fall and now they are waiting to see if she will survive this fall. God works in mysterious ways that we do not understand. So I ask that you please add this family to your prayers as they play the waiting game and see what happens.

I would like to thank the Lord again that Grandma Becky is finally at peace. She was such an amazing lady with a great sense of humor. Her funeral contained much laughter and even some dancing, as she told one grandson she wanted people laughing and dancing at her funeral. She is already missed and will be for a long time. Until we meet again Grandma Becky, take care of my Mindy Grace, we love and miss you from all of us in the family! God Bless...

RIP Grandma Becky

Sadly on Monday, September 28, 2009 we lost a special family member. It was the great grandmother to my daughters on their dad's side of the family. I was a part of that family for many years, so I still considered her like a grandma to me as well. Her health had started to decline over the past couple of years, but let me say she was a tough cookie. She was hanging on even at the very end of her life. I went to visit her in the hospital last week. I never knew a week later I would be attending her funeral. I remember as I left the room, the last thing I said to her was "see you soon." I just did not know how soon, nor did I know she would be at peace the next time I saw her. She had 6 children so that alone explains what a remarkable person she was. As it was recently said to me, she was the rock that held the family together. And she certainly was. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. I am grateful I got to be a part of her life for years. I am glad my girls were a part of her life. I was reading her obituary today and it reads that she was preceded in death by her husband and one great-grandchild. That great-grandchild was the daughter I lost that went to be with God and the angels 6 years ago. I did not know it would appear in the obituary and it brought all of those feelings back as if it was just yesterday. I am sure Mindy Grace was right there to meet Grandma Becky at Heaven's Gates with open arms. Although we miss both of them tremendously, they are watching over us in Heaven and are no longer in pain. They are at peace and flying with angels wings watching over us from Above. May God be with the family and friends of Grandma Becky as we say our final goodbyes this week. She was a remarkable woman and we will all miss her dearly.

Remember to hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight. You just never know when that day is coming so count your blessings, and be grateful for all of God's wonderful gifts you have been given on this day and everyday you are blessed here on earth. Live happy, laugh often and love much because life is certainly too short not to do all of the above!

RIP Grandma Becky. We Love and Miss You!

Thank You Bob & Wagonteamster!

Better late then never, right? I have been a bit busy and not taken time to write this blog yet, but it's been coming on for awhile now! About 2 1/2 months ago the girls and I had a really neat experience ~ one of those things we can say we did it at least one time in our lives. My girls and I had the opportunity to ride with Bob Skelding from Wagonteamster. It was a really cool experience that we all three will remember for a very long time!

For anyone who follows my blog, you know that I have followed Wagonteamster for close to a year now. This man from New Hampshire took off with a team of 4 horses and travelled many miles. Trip #1 sadly ended in February when he was struck by a tanker semi in Alabama. Then after a few months of recovery, he got back on the road and took off again with a new team of 2 horses, Bob and Bill (yes, there is a horse with the same name as the driver). I was in quite shock that Bob recovered so quicky and got back on the dangerous road where he had nearly been killed a few months before. I admire his will and ability to keep going because that's what we should all do in life. It's just easier said than done at times for many people.

His travels started in Indiana on Trip #2 in June. He would update his daily travel with the current city and how many miles travelled each day. I followed his blog each day to see where the road took him the previous day. I certainly was excited when I saw he was heading my way again on this trip. I had always wanted to meet Bob Skelding, but never knew if I would have the chance or not. So on one Friday night while trying to make plans for the evening, I got wind that he was camped out in my city for the night. So we all loaded up in the car and headed to that destination. Upon arrival of the destination, to my gleeful eyes I did see were two big brown horses and a white and green wagon parked in its spot. It was Bob from Wagonteamster and I was going to meet him whether he liked it or not after months of following this man on the internet!

There he sat on the wagon just reading a newspaper. We pulled up in the car and I introduced myself to Bob and told him I had been stalking following his blog for awhile now. It was quite an exciting site to see the horses in their temporary electric fence. He flipped the power off on their electric fence and welcomed the girls to pet the horses. How awesome! Not only were we talking to Bob Skelding, but we also got to pet the horses and get to know Bob and Bill a little bit. At this point I was just happy to get pictures of the wagon and the horses with my girls in the same scene! So after petting the horses for a few minutes, my nosy inquisitive little daughter moved on to the next animal ~ the little poodle dog named Clementine.

My daughter made herself at home in Bob's lawnchair and wanted to hold the dog. So she got to do just that ~ she put 18 year old fragile little Clementine in her lap and held her. The dog just laid there without a flinch but you could tell she wasn't totally used to my overactive daughter wanting to love all over her. So after a few minutes of that, Clementine resumed her home in the wagon so she could get some much needed rest.

After a thousand a few questions I had for Bob, I was content with the fact we met him, the horses and had gotten some information about Wagonteamster. Bob was discussing his next day's route and I made the comment that I lived on a road that intersected that main highway he was going to be travelling on. The next thing that came out of Bob's mouth shocked me tremendously! I heard the words "well, if you girls want to ride in the wagon tomorrow, be at the end of your road around 9:00 or so in the morning and you can jump on the wagon for awhile." WOAH, back up, did I just hear that right?!?!?!?! Bob was offering the girls and I a ride in THE wagon called Wagonteamster. After cleaning my ears out and soaking in the information, I tried to control my excitement and calmly said "well that sounds like fun. Sure we can do that." Inside I was screaming OMG I get to ride on this wagon that has covered many miles across the US and has thousands of fans across the United States. No big deal, just another day on earth. Only this would be a moment in history the girls and I would always remember. So it was set ~ we would be passenegers on Wagonteamster the next day!

Now normally I would take advantage of sleeping in on a Saturday. But nope, not that day! I was up at the ass crack of dawn first gleam of sunlight getting ready for the big day. The girls were raring and excited to go as well. Bob called my cell phone (yes he actually called me!) to tell me his whereabouts and approximately what time he would be going by our area. Well I think the impatience wore over me because we all loaded up in the car and travelled down the highway til we found Bob. Then the girls and I bailed out of the car and hopped into the wagon and off we rolled down the highway!

I have to admit I was a bit nervous when we first got in the wagon. After all, this man was hit on a road in the previous wagon and lost two horses out of the tragedy. But as I always tell everyone, we never know when our time to leave this earth is. We cannot stop when that day will come, and if it was my time to go by riding in Wagonteamster, then I had to live with it. I admit it felt a little dangerous, but the longer we were in the wagon on the ride, the more comfortable it felt and the more at ease I became. Then the next thing I know, I was handed the driving reins and Bob told me to take over! Holy crap, I had never driven a horse in a wagon and I had no clue what I was doing but I figured it out real quick. That lasted a few minutes and when I couldn't take any more of that high stress situation, I handed the reins back over and let him take control again. The statistic in my head playing over and over was I didn't want to be responsible for an accident while I was in charge of driving Wagonteamster, nope no way!

I think total time we were on the wagon was probably 3 hours or so. We had to stop every couple of miles and let the horses have a break and rest for a moment. Bob was even generous to offer the girls and I breakfast and lunch. So not only were we getting a free ride in the wagon, he was playing host and trying to feed us as well. Well, my oldest daughter and I kindly declined the offer but my little one who has no fear took him right up on that offer! She ate whatever he gave her and didn't think twice about it. My non shy daughter was happy as a lark getting to ride in the wagon and eat snacks along the way. That was cool stuff now!

The longest break we took was when we stopped for lunch along the road. Bob and Bill got unhitched from the wagon and tied to the side of the wagon to enjoy some oats and a hay snack. Well, the inside of the wagon is not very big and by the time you get 2 kids, 2 adults and a dog on the inside, there isn't much room to move around. The best part about stopping for lunch was the "earthquake" we all felt. Bill would take his head and run it against the side of the wagon and rub it against as if he was going to push it over. It was pretty cool to be standing in the wagon and feel the earthquake shaking it from side to side! Bob would yell at the horse to stop and my girls picked up on that real quick. They were trying to discipline the horse before the day was over!

I thought the wagon ride was awesome and I'm glad I had the opportunity to take that couple hour trip on Wagonteamster. Bob definitely has a different lifestyle than the average person. That wagon is his home; he literally lives in his wagon almost 24/7. He does have kind folks who offer him a meal or place to stay along the way, but he is truly on his own with those two horses. However, after talking to Bob, I learned alot of things. He absolutely loves that lifestyle and wouldn't have it any other way. He loves the freedom to go where he wants, whenever he wants, and often times does not even have a certain destination in mind. In fact my daughter asked him a couple of times "are we there yet?" and his response was "Where are we going?" That was a classic and perfect answer to her question coming from Bob. He has certain places he wants to visit or see, but no timeline to arrive somewhere, and really no agenda when he gets there. He just rolls with life as it comes and lives day to day. That is exactly what I do in my life every single day!

I still admire Bob for his accomplishments and lifestyle he has chosen. I thought the first couple hours were neat on the wagon, but I personally could not live off of a wagon all the time. It wouldn't hold all the necessary things I would need to survive! He is on a trip of a lifetime and Lord only knows where he will end up. Do I think he is a very interesting person? Yes. Do I think he is a little crazy for travelling on the road after his accident? Yes, but that is his passion. And I commend him for living his dream and going after what makes him happy. Not many people have enough guts to fully pursue their dreams, but Bob Skelding is living proof that it can happen, even regardless of the setbacks he has had along the journey. He had some hard times along the first trip, (gee, he was almost killed, that would be enough for me!), but he got right back up, dusted himself off, and took off doing what he loves to do. I think it's awesome he had the courage to do that. I do hope and pray he has a safe journey while he travels on the road.

The latest update on Bob is he went to Michigan, and then back to his home base. He is writing a couple of books and plans on having them published within the next few weeks. Then he will be back in the wagon and headed south again. I pray for his safe journey when he sets out on the road again. He is pretty gutsy enduring some of the dangers along the way that he does; but that is the life he loves. Thank you Bob for the ride in Wagonteamster and for the excellent conversation! It was well worth the time the girls and I got to spend on the wagon getting to know Bob and the horses as well. Please keep Bob in your prayers when he ventures back on the road. For God only knows I never want to have to write another Wagonteamster tragedy story. Good luck to Bob and Bob and Bill ~ and remember "Hoss Make Tracks" as he always tells his horses those very words to make them move forward. May God watch over you all and keep you safe in your journey on the road of life!

The girls getting to meet the horses

My little one trying to climb in the wagon

Bob & Bill during lunch break

Me & the girls riding in the wagon



The view from the wagon on the road

At the Backing Down Point

"Backing down doesn’t always mean that you’re giving up but you know when enough is enough."

This quote was e-mailed to me today. The sender is referring to a certain situation that has been going on long enough. A situation that has created so much drama and gossip and hard feelings that so many people are ready to throw their hands up and just walk away from the situation. There are so many good people involved, so many smart people who if they would just put their heads together instead of work against each other would gain so much ground and solve the problems that have grown over a period of time. I do believe there it a solution to the problem, but all involved must be willing to look ahead and forgive others for past mistakes and let the hurt feelings go. Basically, everyone would have to focus on the future, leave the past in the past, and work together to create a better solution then the current one.

I love the blog I wrote a few weeks ago about how we are the only ones that know when enough is enough. That blog was not written about one particular thing, but the point is only you, I, and every individual person in this world can make the decision that enough is enough. It could be about anything in life ~ relationships, a job, a friendship, a marriage, anything material we are not happy with, problems we have, issues we don't want to deal with, anything really.

Sometimes we deal with something so long, or we are so caught up in a certain situation or a certain person that it begins to consume our every thought. We do not want it to, but it happens if we allow it to. We have two different options when this happens: 1) we sit back and do nothing and allow the problem or situation to grow into a bigger monster or 2) we take control of the situation and figure out a solution to the problem or thing we cannot get off our mind.

Often times people are so wrapped up in the situation they want to win, win, win. Too many people in today's world think they are right and won't accept the fact that not everyone else agrees with their opinion. When you get a group of people like this together, it's not usually a pretty picture. Too many strong headed people trying to do things their own way will eventually come to a crash landing. There must be compromise when working with other people to get the best end result. This is also true in relationships with other people; it is a give and take situation. You may not always agree with everyone else, but remember this ~ they may not agree with you either. That is when you put your ideas together and come up with one big happy medium that everyone can live with. This is obviously much easier said than done, but it is obtainable.

It is obtainable if you want it to be. This involves people getting off their high horse and coming down off their pedestals they believe they should be perched highly on. It involves caving just a little bit to obtain a reasonable solution. This in no way giving up what you believe in or sacrificing your beliefs and morals. But if you stand your ground like a concrete statue, you will be the one that loses out in the long run. People like this eventually lose close friends, lose acquaintances, and genuinely make themselves look like a standing idiot after so much time passes. Once the damage has been done, there is no going back and trying to undo the damage. There is only looking ahead and making the best of the situation and trying to find some kind of repair and solution to the problem.

So if you have a situation in life that you would like resolved, you have to decide what actions you are willing to take to make it better. And maybe you aren't willing to compromise and work towards a solution. And if you are at that point, then that is when enough is enough, and it's time to walk away from it. Sometimes we beat a dead horse on trying to solve a problem or come up with some kind of a solution. But the same old stubborn people won't compromise or some people say one thing while doing another which obviously complicates the situation more. This happens entirely too much in this world. This is why relationships break apart, people lose friends, and people grow to hate one another.

Life is too short for drama, fighting, and having hate for another person or people. If something is not worth the trouble it causes in your life, then maybe it's time to throw in the towel and walk away. Or maybe it's time to stand up and fight for what you believe is right. If you know that the something or someone you have issues with is worth fighting for, then do it. But if you decide that enough is enough and you are tired of the drama, then get rid of the bad stuff in your life. Often times if people work together, they can come up with a solution and a compromise of some kind to benefit all involved. But then other times, people cannot back down from their pride enough to find the answers. I do not have all the answers all the time; I'll be the first to admit it. But I do know right from wrong, and when something isn't in perfect harmony. There have been some things worth saving in my life, and others things I have had to let go. And some things I have let go of were hard to release from my grasp, but it was for the best. As I always say, life is what we make of it. We can sit back and watch it roll by or we can jump on and enjoy the ride. Regardless, make the most of everyday! Don't let other people run your life, but don't be so stubborn you miss out on life either. Life is about compromise and without that, we cannot live life to the fullest.

So remember don't lose sight of lessons in life, but also don't let things run your life into the ground. Know when enough is enough and stand your ground for the sake of yourself and others. You will be much happier when you know you have done all you can, and that you have done the right thing. And if you have tried backing down and compromising to no avail, maybe it's time to walk away. Know when enough is enough, and how much you are willing to tolerate. Then take action one way or another. Good luck in all tough situations on your journey of life; they sure come too often in the world today!