25 Random Thoughts...

1. I love my Mother!
2. I am sooooo lucky to have such a wonderful husband.
3. My dog is a Suzy.
4. My children are unique.
5. Some people just don't have a filter between their brain and their mouths.
6. Midnight shift sucks!
7. The fires of my life have forged a strong woman.
8. Blessings come in all shapes and forms. We just have to recognize them.
9. My step-father is a great man. I am grateful that he loves my Mother.
10. Thank you Mother for teaching me to have "Cooth".
11. Love is something we can never have enough of...and the best part is that it's something that grows infinitively (is that a word?).
12. Without rain, we couldn't have flowers.
13. My cousin's filter is a funny one.
14. You don't always have to like someone to love them.
15. No one can love you if you don't love you first.
16. Teach me, don't do it for me.
17. Being a parent is the hardest thing I'll ever do.
18. The importance of Family is something we should never lose sight of.
19. You should have fun at least once a day.
20. Laughing is just as important as breathing.
21. Snuggling with my husband recharges my batteries.
22. If you're quiet, you can listen to your own heartbeat.
23. The world is never silent.
24. Hugs don't cost a dime but they enrich your life.
25. Perception is the word of the day.

Just Around The Corner...

It's been a long hard Ohio Winter! Every time I think it's over (BAM) it scores another direct hit... in my face!

My favorite time of the year is Spring. I love to see the buds unfurl and that "new" green glowing when the sun shines threw the leaves. My heart skips a beat just thinking of blue skies, fluffy clouds and warm days.

We're half way there today. The sky is a crisp, clear blue, teasing me with its clarity. My senses want to believe that if I walk out the door I will be greeted with a warm gentle breeze, but my brain knows better!

Just a few more weeks, I can hardly wait!

Your actions should reinforce your words...

Actions should reinforce words. This is not always the case.


My darling tells me how much I am loved and appreciated. The next day my darling makes breakfast and doesn't clean up. Now this is partially my responsibility. Why? because I have not taken the time to explain to my darling how this makes me feel.


I took ownership of my mistake yesterday. When I brought this to my darling's attention I was accused of trying to start a fight. I replied that , "No, I wasn't trying to start a fight." I then told my darling that, "You tell me that you love and appreciate me, but your actions negate those words." His anger subsided. He had felt that I was being mean and petty, after all, he'd only left a cup on the counter. He thought he was being nice by bringing it in to the kitchen rather than leaving it lay about the house and I did appreciate that. Unfortunately, the cup came at the end of the second round of cleaning up. The first round took 1 1/2 hours and the second another 30 minutes.

Now I tried to do the FlyLady thing and be thankful that I have a darling to clean up after. I've done this for 10 yrs and my darling still hasn't become Flywashed. I should be used to it, right? NO. FlyLady tells us not to whine. I didn't. I calmly explained why I was upset to my darling and once he understood that I was not trying to fight with him but tell him that my feelings were hurt, he calmed down and thought it through.


To be truthful, I let the kitchen go the night before which made for a bad start to my day. Regardless, being considerate of one another is a very important part of a healthy marriage. I believe that we are blessed to love each other, thankfully, he feels the same.


He is a thoughtful man. I know that our conversation left an impression and next time he will think about how his actions reinforce or negate his words.


I know that I will think about how my actions speak for me.

On Giving...

I've been reading about giving today. How giving brings us closer to our spiritual self. Giving brings happiness and joy.

I am a selfish person. My focus centers upon my family and myself...not necessarily in that order.

I need to think more of others and less of myself. To be happy or come closer to happiness, you must be a giving soul.

This brings me to clutter: Having clutter IS the opposite of giving. Holding on to things stifles the soul. Having less opens up doors to opportunities. If I have less "stuff", I spend less time caring for "stuff"...and more time giving to others.

Decluttering, enables me to give my abundance to someone who has need of it. Giving opens my heart to others, thus bringing joy to me....happiness. Is happiness a selfish pursuit? lol catch 22.

Setting Financial Goals

Ok...this is sad but true. I am 44 yrs old and I finally have managed to have a 200.00 cushion in my checking account for end of year. I've maintained this cushion for over 6 months. I am now a grown up.

So...Now that I've reached grown up statis what is the next step?

Well, I've been brainstorming strategy. After much deliberation, I realized I am in the position to pay all of my bills out of the first paycheck of the month. Hmmmm....What to do with the second paycheck? Once a month grocery shopping and a large chunk will go to savings!! WOOOT WOOOT!! I have a plan! AND it is do-able.

Now, I make a modest income. Take home is approximately 1200.00 a month. I was horrified to see that I was litterly blowing 400.00 a month and for the love of Pete (Puma), I couldn't tell you where it went!

So how to accomplish this amazing thing? There is a wonderous invention called....drumroll please... a CALENDAR!!!! In the words of the ancient Pharoah's...."So it is written...So shall it be done!"

My first paycheck of 2011 is on the 4th. That day will be a day of celebration. I will take the cushion and 100.00 from that check and open a savings account. WOOT WOOT!! I've already set back 1/2 of the bill money so there will be a small surplus and enough to purchase groceries until the second paycheck. During the 2 weeks between I will work on a monthly menu plan.

I am all powerful! Mwahahaha I will call this "The Money Plan". Budget is such an ugly word.

Have a great day!

Losing weight....

In March the employees where I work took up the Biggest Loser challenge. So far I have lost 13 lbs!! Total Company pounds lost=191!! I've been trying to keep it at a steady rate. I am looking at this as a life style change not a diet. I'm feeling stronger and my confidence in myself and abilities is soaring!

It's amazing what you're capable of when you look at things with a "CAN DO" attitude! I've learned from last year that I have to look at the big picture! If not, I will gain all the weight back and add more to what I lost. Last year I lost 16 lbs. I gained that and 5 back.

I joined the YMCA and have been using their "Technogym"...awesome! I can't wait to go! WoooWHooooo!

Meet Petunia

Thursday the dh and I went to a car dealership and purchased an Aveo 5 (Chevy). I am in love! sigh....

It's a small 4 door w/ a hatchback. It looks small from the outside but it doesn't feel small when you're in it. The dh actually gets claustophobic in little tin cans but he was fine in the Aveo. I got a stick cause I love the control it gives you. With a 42 mile round trip 5 days a week, I really need a car that's good on gas and this one gets 35mpg.

We'll see how good she does. I've named her Petunia after my "inner princess". It's her reward for not spending money we needed for the down payment! I guess you could say it's my way of reminding myself that saving money brings good things to us...me and that little child inside that I used to let boss me around. I know that anyone reading this will think I've finally slipped 'round the bend, but hey...if it works who am I to mess with it! ROFLMAO