Blessings For YOU

May You,

and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate

to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled

from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

The Morning After

So...I'm feeling good today. Something happened that took me completely by surprise. Usually I would have been nervous, but last night I just went with the flow. Didn't over think things as I normally would.

Are you curious?

Of course a man is involved. Do you believe in fate? or is it Destiny? According to Wikipedia, Destiny and Fate can be interchangable.

Destiny may be envisaged as fore-ordained by the Divine or by human will. Destiny may be seen as a fixed sequence of events that is inevitable and unchangeable, or that individuals choose their own destiny by choosing different paths throughout their life.
Although the words are used interchangeably in many cases, fate and destiny can be distinguished. Modern usage defines fate as a power or agency that predetermines and orders the course of events. Fate defines events as ordered or "meant to be".

It all started months ago, meeting someone and an instant connection was felt. Feeling like we've known each other already. He told me it felt like being 'home'.

The few times spent together we found many coincidences, had many people in common. The term small world comes to mind. Each time we are together, our world gets smaller and smaller.
For one reason or another, he stepped away from my world, but always keeping in touch. He came back briefly and the feelings were the same. But, as he did earlier, stepped away again. I have tried telling him to let me go, but he won't. He continues to always be there or around. Circumstances always bringing us back towards each other. Both being invited to parties by different people, him playing on a softball league with friends of mine that he didn't even know I knew.

Why does this keep happening? I can't move forward because my feelings are huge for this man. I've gone on dates, but it isn't "him"...then just when I meet someone new or asked on a date...he'll call. It's like he has this sense about me and what I'm doing.

Well, my surprise was spending a lot of time together last night, lasting into the wee hours of the morning. We are supposed to go to a party together today. I guess I will just feel good and enjoy the time we spend together.

What is meant to be... will be....

For All Your Scale Needs

I am watching my weight a little more closely these days, so I wanted to get an accurate, reliable bathroom scale. I never owned a bathroom scale before. I found this site which offers many different kinds of weighing scales.

Can you believe they have a "talking" scale? I guess that would be a good choice since my eyesight isn't what it used to be. And to help with the nutritional value of the foods I am eating, I can purchase this Nutriscale to give me the fat, salt, calories, carbohydrates, cholesterol, and proteins in it.

Believe it or not, I even found a Christmas present for my brother. A digital fish scale. Who knew? He can now weigh his catch of the day.

And for my business I found a digital shipping scale. Since I like to purchase postage on line, I have trouble determining the weight of a large envelope or package,so this scale will solve this problem.

I can't believe at this one site, I accomplished many things. A bathroom scale to monitor my weight, a scale to give me the nutritional value of the foods I am eating, a fish scale for a Christmas present and a shipping scale to solve my postage needs. wow!

Quotes From The Guides

Mary Jo McCabe is a sought after intuitive interpreter. Through her books, she offers insight, self-direction and purpose through her communication with spiritual teachers she refers to as "The Guides". She is the author of many books of which I own three: Cracking the Coconut Code, Learn to See, It All Begins Here: Interpreting Your Dreams

I received an email from Mary Jo's assistant Jeanne, which consisted of Quotes from the Guides. With permission, I am sharing them with you.


QUOTES FROM THE GUIDES

· Life is lived to reveal stories about you.

· Live life gently. If you hurry through your life, you will only create clutter.

· When you embrace who you are, you take the first step in creating a better future!

· Through the experience of life, you learn to listen, absorb, and dream. If you are unable to accomplish this, you limit your life. You won’t bloom into the flower you planned to be.

· Life is turbulent until the calmness of the soul is found.

· When you are distracted by others’ realities, you lose yourself.

· You live many lives to create a strong character. You live many more lives to define your character.

· The experiences and lessons of your past lives fertilize the crop you sow in this life.

· Until there is peace in your heart, there will never be peace in your life!

· As a spiritual being, you have much to offer. By digging slowly into you, you find that offering!

. When you judge another, you lose sight of your Truth.
Find your anger and you find your fear. Find your fear and you find your disease.

· Life offers many lessons, but it is not the lessons that encourage growth. It is the way in which you apply the lessons learned that help you to grow!

· Unconditional love heals, but demanding love destroys.

· It is not the length of the prayer that is important. It is the song of the prayer that makes the difference.

· There are no paths in life that are blocked from the lack of prayer, but there are many paths that will be opened if only you will pray.

Dreaming of Luxury Skiing Holidays...

Do you dream about luxury skiing holidays to Courchevel or Meribel, France?
How does luxury ski chalets in St Anton, Austria sound to you?

Wouldn't it be wonderful to get away from it all? Arriving at your luxury ski chalet and being pampered by your chalet host. All the food and wine imaginable at your disposable. After a day of skiing, pamper yourself with a fine massage, then head back to your mountain top chalet to enjoy the warmth of your own fireplace or jacuzzi.

Supertravel has over 40 years of travel experience, so you know all your arrangements will be handled by a specialist to ensure a superb holiday. Supertravel allows you to customize your very own winter holiday, provides you with a snow report prior to departure and informs you about everything to expect.

If ski hotels is more to your liking or fits your budget, Supertravel can arrange this for you also. Finding the best ski resorts around the world. So whether you travel to Meribel, France or St Anton, Austria or somewhere in between, you can arrange your skiing holiday with confidence at Supertravel.

Perimenopause Dilemma

Ok, this post is one for women and maybe a few of you can understand what I'm talking about.

So... I am quickly becoming aware of the meaning of perimenopause. I never thought I would be going through such horror..haha.. This is the time many women experience an array of symptoms as their hormones shift during the months or years leading up to menopause.
I experienced my first case of night sweats...oh my...how awful. I scared my dog who sleeps on the edge of my bed. I threw off the covers in such rage that they flew on top of her and she jumped right off the bed!

Then there's...'aunt flo', my 'friend' or whatever pet name you have for your monthly arrival of pain, moods and the blues. Since my friend has a mind of it's own these days, it's arrival is never known and always comes as a surprise.

Let's not forget bloat. Geez...my clothes that once fit me last week, are fitting a little more snugly. Luckily I've gained only a pound, according to the scale, but even so...the clothes fit differently. No more belly shirts for me! haha...just kidding...I never wore them, but I think you understand what I'm saying.

When did this happen? My doctor said I can take the many over the counter medications offered,but after doing some research,these so called "natural" remedies are not natural at all. Some made with horse mare urine. How in the world is that natural for me? for horses maybe, but why would I want to take that?

After reading Suzanne Somers book, The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection: The Secret to Fabulous Sex, Great Health, and Vitality, for Women and Men, I am contemplating natural, bioidentical hormonal replacement. This seems to make more sense to me than other treatments available. I learned how estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone work together and the book provided me with enough information so I can at least have an intellectual conversation with my doctor.

I never before gave any thought to symptoms I would experience in my later years. I never gave thought about the changes my body would go through. Well, those years have arrived I suppose. The Wonderful signs of aging.

There is so much information available giving the pros and cons, but it can make ones head spin. What's the truth? I've read about herbs, vitamins and minerals that can help symptoms, but how do you make an informed decision with so many opinions out there?

I am a little confused on how to handle the hormone dance. Does anyone have any advice or have any tips to help a woman go through this natural part of our aging perimenopause years?

Health Tips for Men

Ladies: Do you have a man in your life that doesn't like to go to the doctors...not even for a check-up or physical?

My son who suffers from Crohn's Disease refuses to go for check ups. At his age, I can't physically drag him there, but I try and encourage him for his own physical well being to go. So far, I haven't been successful and it just drives me crazy. He needs to get tests done (should be on a regular basis) to make sure there isn't damage to his colon or intestines.

Stats say that men are less likely to visit a doctor than women. Men suffer from heart disease and strokes in greater numbers. Prostate cancer checks should be taken seriously.

Like women, men need to know their risk factors for disease, take necessary steps to prevent aliments and seek treatment when required. Men also need to exercise, maintain a healthy weight, make sure vaccinations are up to date and have regular health screenings.

A man should ask their doctor about the tests needed and what age you should have them. You need a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day to reap health benefits. Everyone needs to eat lean meats, grains, fruits and vegetables to get the vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber in their diet. Have your cholesterol checked very five years beginning as early as age 20.

So men... pay attention to your bodies as well !

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have the compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT... THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH

Help Spread the Word

NAFASG received a request for help in spreading the word about a friend who has been looking for her younger sister for many years.

This friend is also highlighted under my 'spotlight of wonderful people' (see top left of this blog ~ The Painted Veil)

Please read below from NAFASG:

Please spare some time to read this post that we have written on behalf of a good friend of ours in the blogosphere. By reading this post and spreading the word to the others around you, you could reunite two people who shared an extraordinary relationship. You could be the one to reunite two sisters.

Her name is Jackie Hooper, also known as Shinade. Her biological mother was Maxine Soape, but a couple had adopted her. According to her, besides her mother, she also had a younger sister as a family member. Just like her, her sister, who was born in 1959 or 1960 and is three years younger than her, had also been adopted out to another couple, by her own paternal uncle.

Both were born in the same hometown of East Texas, but are now being adopted by two different couples and have been separated since then. The sister is currently staying with her adopted parents in Pueblo, Colorado.

Jackie has never stood a chance to watch her younger sister grow, and has never even known what her sister’s name is.

As painful as it is to be worlds apart from your friends, it is even more painful to be worlds apart from your own flesh and blood. So readers, we hope that you can show some sense of empathy towards Jackie ‘Shinade’ Hooper who longs to rebuild her life with her younger sister whom she holds very dear in her heart throughout the years.

This is your chance to do something good for someone in our global society who is in need of our helping hands.

If you can provide any information about Jackie’s sister that would be able to assist Jackie in her search, we urge you to keep us in the loop or directly inform Jackie at her blog. Your liberality towards helping out in this search would be greatly appreciated by all of us here, but the one who would be most thankful to you is Jackie herself.

A little kindness goes a long way. Readers, please show your compassion towards someone who wants nothing else but to reunite with her beloved younger sister once again. They share a strong kinship, and they deserve to be together till the end of time.

Please read this special message from our friend, Jackie, and start doing your part in finding her long lost sister.

“My only message would be that I would so like to have the opportunity to get to know her and her family. I know she has children also. And, that I love her even though I don't know who she is or where she is.” – Jackie ‘Shinade’ Hooper

Creating Your Heart's Desire

I recently posted on AC Associates Blog a series regarding Your Heart's Desire. There are 9 principals of spiritual law that when learned, they are the keys to lead you to successfully realizing your dreams.

I reviewed each Principal that will help you create your heart's desire. Once you complete Principal 1, move on to the next and so on.

As the author of Your Heart's Desire, Sonia Choquette states...

"The Universal Laws of creative manifestation are impartial and success is available to anyone who learns how the process works. By coordinating our conscious desires with our subconscious beliefs and accessing our intuition, we tap into the natural power we all possess to create the life we wish for"

Go to each Principal below and learn how you too can create your heart's desire.
Principal 1
Principal 2
Principal 3
Principal 4
Principal 5
Principal 6
Principal 7
Principal 8
Principal 9

Something to Ponder

Just a Thought...

What is the energy in a thinking process or way of life that is not working for you?

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got. If you don't like the results you're getting from doing the things the way you've always done them, shouldn't we just Stop doing them? hmmm...easier said then done?

Are we afraid of change? If we realize the pattern of our thinking and how our behavior and the behavior of others stems from that, can we alter our thinking and behavior?

Are we afraid of trying a new approach? Could it be we're just stuck in old patterns and don't want to rock the boat by trying something new?

Are we afraid to fail? You just don't know unless you try..unless you put yourself out there. Out of failure can come great success. Learning through mistakes.

What do you think? Have you ever wanted to change the way you're doing something, but didn't?

If you did make a change, were you successful?

How Clean Is Your Purse?

Have you ever noticed women who sit their purses on public toilet floors or while eating out, you set your purse on the floor? How about when out at a bar, dance club or dressing room floor?
* I also want to include men who carry briefcases of any kind.

The same purse that was on the floor gets carried home...do you set it on your kitchen table or counter?
Sometimes "what you don't know will hurt you"

It's something just about every woman carries with them.
Do you have any idea what's on the outside of your handbag?

Handbags go everywhere; from the office to public toilets to the floor of the car.

Have you ever stop to think about where your handbag goes during the day?
Most women probably don't even stop to think about what was on the bottom of their handbag.

It turns out handbags are so surprisingly dirty.

Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Labs says nearly all of the handbags
tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria..
Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus aurous can cause
serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli found on the handbags
Could make people very sick.

In one sampling, four of five handbags tested positive for salmonella, and that's not the worst of it.

"There is fecal contamination on the handbags," says Amy.
Leather or vinyl handbags tended to be cleaner than cloth handbags, and lifestyle seemed to play a role.
People with kids tended to have dirtier handbags than those without, with one exception.
The handbag of one single woman who frequented nightclubs had one of the worst contamination's of all.
"Some type of feces, or possibly vomit" says Amy.

So the moral of this story - your handbag won't kill you, but it does have the
potential to make you very sick if you keep it by places where you eat..
Use hooks to hang your handbag at home and in toilets,
And don't put it on your desk, a restaurant table,or on your kitchen countertop.

Experts say you should think of your handbag the same way you would a pair of shoes.
If you think about putting a pair of shoes onto your countertops,
that's the same thing you're doing when you put your handbag on
The countertops - your handbag has gone where individuals before
you have sneezed, coughed, spat, urinated, emptied bowels, etc!
Do you really want to bring that home with you?

The microbiologists at Nelson also said cleaning a handbag will help.
Wash cloth handbags and use leather cleaner to clean the bottom of leather handbags.

LESSONS IN LIFE

By Regina Brett

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

2.) When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

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

5.) Pay off your credit cards every month.

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

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

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

9.) Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10.) When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

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

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

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

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

16.) Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17.) You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18.) A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

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

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

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

22.) Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

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

24.) The most important sex organ is the brain.

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27.) Always choose life.

28.) Forgive everyone.

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

30.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

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

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

33.) Believe in miracles.

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

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

36.) Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37.) Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38.) Read some good books. They cover every human emotion.

39.) Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

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

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

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

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

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

45.) The best is yet to come.

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

47.) Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48.) If you don't ask, you don't get.

49.) Yield.

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

More Honors? How Overwhelming...

In my experiences with the highs and lows of life, I feel this year has been tremendous. I found my faith has deepened. My heart has grown larger and allowed so many people to tattoo themselves within. My understanding of others has increased and wanting to give and help others has reached a new high. I am developing more as a person and I can only thank the good and bad experiences, the wonderful and not so generous people to help shape who I am becoming.

I am grateful that I have become part of the mybloglog community and been allowed the opportunity to share a bit of each person who reside there. I am learning through the eyes of others, feel the generous spirit of people that have chosen to honor me with awards and have come across people that openly share their disabilities, faults, insecurities, hopes, humor, dreams, inspiration, motivation, knowledge and success. I believe we are all successful and have special qualities within us. Sometimes we need to tap into ourselves deeper to realize this, but it is there.

I have found friendship, support and much inspiration and motivation from our community. With each award received I feel (as I steal Zubli's words) much blogging enthusiasm, excitement, and enjoyment.

I have been honored yet again from fabulous people I have met and I thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart.


Outfit Inspirations
Tools to lift your spirits and help focus your future.

She says...Every month I am going to pay tribute to the eight bloggers who inspired me the most.The first list is an impressive one. All of the bloggers below wrote a post in the month of August that really made me sit up and cheer.

And...she included my blog:

A Circle of Women
Andrea’s post, “The Ladies Room” (19th August 2007), focusing on a universal, female experience, made me howl with laughter, just as her post dedicated to her friend Natalie “God Wanted Her More” (26th August 2007) moved me to tears. Entering the world of a “circle of women” is like entering a group hug. Join in.

Another Honor comes from:

In Shinade and Zubli Zainordin's words: we have been reviewing again and this time we review bloggers whose blogs contain vital and valuable information to continuously raising us within the Blog World onto the next level of blogging enthusiasm, excitement, and enjoyment.

We place this award as a responsibility to the following bloggers:
The Zubli and Shinade Silver Award Badge

A Circle Of Women

Congratulations! We have benefited tremendously from your blogs. We invite others to benefit more as you proceed with your blogging at your now Recommended Read blogs.

As all of us go on building our e-Communities, when we discover you-your blog-and-your blogging up to a standard we both strongly agree, then we shall to present you The Zubli and Shinade Silver *Recommended Read* Badge.

Once you have received the badge, please place it at your blog site. Please link with us:

Shinade at The Painted Veil
and Zubli Zainordin in Total Happiness organizes the Book Project blog

Next, you form a Jury of your own, a minimum of two equally excellent bloggers, who are Silver badge recipients, and please proceed to present the badge to those as many as you prefer who rank a deserving *Recommended Read.* Do as we do.

Point each of them to this post

Add your name to this growing list:
* Shinade
* Zubli Zainordin
* Andrea

Then, please inform us, whom you have given The Zubli and Shinade Silver *Recommended Read* Badge to.

There are so many people who have blogs that I believe are Recommended Reads.
I will add to this list as time goes by.

Having said that:

I would like to pass on the Recommended Read award to:

1. Acquire Wisdom and Live With Passion

You will gain wisdom, learn how to use knowledge and find out how to live your life better

2. My Life Starts at Forty-two

A truly strong women who has found her way after the many struggles she has faced in her life. She is an inspiration. Starting over at 42 is certainly hard, as is any age, but this honest and revealing woman shows you it is definitely worth it.

Back When I Was Engaged...

I remember the difficult time finding the right wedding invitations, thank you cards and the perfect favors. I had to get in the car and travel from store to store to compare prices and find my favorite invite. This was so time consuming and I couldn't make the decision without my then finance. Getting him to go with me to one store was hard enough, but several was a struggle. He just didn't understand why I needed to go to every store to seek out the perfect invitation or favor.

My how things have changed ! Enter advanced technology and the internet. My younger cousin is planning her wedding. She's got everything under control and showed me how easily she accompished this. She visited one site on the internet. One! Wedding Needs boasts about having all your weddings needs in one place. They aren't kidding.

My cousin not only picked out her wedding invitations, but her thank you cards were free. She also picked out her favors and the bridal party gifts.

What amazed me was she didn't have to travel back to a store to review and approve her wedding invitations. She was able to do that online. She'll receive her order in about 48 hours. I remember waiting about two weeks.

I think her finance is lucky. He didn't get dragged around from store to store for the various items needed to plan his wedding.

What are some of your memories when you planned your wedding? Did your finance mind the time it took to make all the decisions, select the invites, the gifts etc...?

Sponsor Me With a Donation to Alzheimer's Research

I am determined to make a difference! By participating in the 2007 Memory Walk, I have committed myself to raise money for Alzheimer research and to care for people with the disease.

Currently over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. Unless we find a way to change the course, 16 million Americans could have Alzheimer’s by 2050.

I want to fight this devastating disease, but I can't do it without the help of others.

On October 7th, I will be walking along with my Mom and a few of my friends in Princeton, New Jersey at the Alzheimer's Memory Walk. This is in memory of my Grandmother, who suffered a great deal from this disease.

If you care to sponsor me, even if only $1, we can support this cause. I have received $195.00 so far. Thank you to my friends, co-workers and the partners of the firm.

You can donate online by going HERE.
I started by donating $10 using this online method.

Thank you in advance for your help and sponsorship. I will acknowledge anyone who contributes and keep you updated on the final tally.

Honored Again !! Twice...

When receiving a gift it makes one feel special. You feel that warm feeling inside knowing this person was thinking of you.

When a gift is given from the heart, truly from the heart, you know thought went into this gift and was especially for you...it makes it even more special.

When the presenter is giving without expecting something in return, it brings on a new meaning. Have you ever noticed the person who gives the most are usually the happiest?

People who give unconditionaly, open their heart.

Santa at Santa's Community Blog said, "This award is for who you are. It is given from me... to you from my heart. I can't be any more personal than that"

I know this award was given from the heart and I thank you.



Another award received was from a wonderful person at My Life Starts at Forty-two
I simply love reading her blog. She is very open, honest and is a strong women.

I am so honored you thought of me. I thank you so much



Meeting such wonderful people in this blogging world has provided friendship, support and unknown to some...has been an inspiration and motivator in my personal life. You have touched me in a great way my new friends.

I'd like to pass on this award to other females who rock:

Wonderland or Not

Marriage and Living in Relationships

Work at Home Mom Revolution

Feel Happy

Zephyr1 ~ Climate of Our Future

Christy's Coffee Break

Do You Get Dissappointed Often?

While visiting the site Attitude, The Ultimate Power…, I was reading a post about reactions to being dissappointed by others.

I think people can disappoint us almost everyday if we allow them too. And, I also believe most of us don’t handle every situation the best that we could. But then looking back over each disappointment, we could see a better way of handling it or what we could have said or done. Hindsight…hmmm… A learning experience.

However, I think if we realize that everyone’s perception is different and communicate to eachother; it might make the disappointed one at least feel better. We always seem to take things personal, as an attack against us. What one person may find disappointing, another may not.

Disappointments can occur when your co-worker slouches off and gives you more of a workload, the person who steals your parking space, the stranger who doesn't reciprocate your smile, a friend who hasn’t called you back, when a mate doesn't give you their full attention or as in Attitude, The Ultimate Power's post…being taken advantage of.

Within our circle of friends, family, aassociates and acquaintances, we may assume we are all alike and/or just like you (me) (us). You may have great qualities and character…. Doing what’s right, being kind, considerate, accepting etc…but your friend or associate may not hold those same qualities in every situation of life, therefore, when they say or do something that doesn’t live up to our expectations, disappointment occurs. Maybe its best we don't have any serious expectations as to how others should be or what we expect. See them as they are, but voice our feelings when someone does disappoint or take advantage of us. If it happens once,should we must speak up, so it doesn’t happen again and again. Regardless, I am not going to change. I treat people as I would like to be treated.

I recently asked a co-worker to bring me back an item from his trip down south. If purchased here, it would cost much more. He told me the cost was $29 when he gave me the item. The next day he came to collect his money, but then changed the cost to $35 Hmmm…I was very disappointed that he was doing this to me. I know I wouldn’t do that to him, but what were my options? Not take the item, yell and get angry or simply give him the extra $6? I chose to give him the extra money and thought if he needed to take advantage of the situation, fine…it brought out his character. Did he think he was a good businessman? I didn't think so. Rather than get angry and keep negative energy, I voiced my opinion and now I know I will not ask him again.

What are your thoughts when someone disappoints you?

The Scent of Clean Laundry

When you were a young child, did your mother hang the wash outside on a clothesline to dry?

Mine did and I remember when she pulled in the clothes. They were stiff from the sun, but they smelled soooo good. Must be why I love the smell of clean linen candles and air freshners. Memories of being a kid in the house I grew up. When Mom changed the sheets on the bed, I remember smelling them and somehow that made me feel good.

I have a 120lb Black Lab/Shepherd. She's my baby and when it's time for me to go to bed, she hops up on the edge of the bed and goes to sleep. I have put a blanket over my bedspread, so it doesn't get ruined.

Of course I wash that blanket quite often, but I've noticed something. Every time I wash her blanket and put it back...my dog smells it, rolls over and buries her head in it. Could it be she likes the smell of clean laundry too?

I laugh every time she does this and it reminds me of being a kid and doing the very same thing.

If I was given a choice of a 'special power', it wouldn't be wanting to fly, be invisible or read people's minds...it would be to communicate with animals. I would love to know what my dog is thinking as she's enjoying the smell of her clean blanket!

Blogging Star Award

I have overlooked sending out my appreciation and thanks to a new friend in my circle of blog friends. I have received from Attitude, The Ultimate Power the Blogging Star Award.


This award is said to be for bloggers who shine their light throughout the Blogoshere. Some do it with humor, others with creativity, and others with their kind and thoughtful natures.

I'd like to pass this award on to some people that have touched me with their friendship,kindness,talent and great posts that inspire and help others.

MyLifeStartsatFortytwo

A Writer's woolgatherings

Revellian

Book Project

A Week in the Life of a Redhead

Acquire Wisdom & Live with Passion

Jackal

Laketrees

Work at Home Mom Revolution

Proudly display the award on your blog along with a link to who gave it to you.
Mention that it originated at Skittles' Place so Barb can follow it's journey.

Pass it on to any blogger(s) you think should have it.

Tag: Learn More About Me

Lara tagged me with the 5 things you probably don’t know about me meme.
This is a fun one and a great way to get to know each other a little better.

5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Me:

1. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I 'grew up'

2. I worked as a bouncer and threw out underage drinkers at a club for about a year.

3. I have a tendency to put others before myself.

4. I go to the beach to ponder life. This is my calm place.

5. I'm having a hard time accepting my 'number age'...haha...still feel much younger. that's a good thing!

OK, so I'd like to Learn more about...

and I am tagging…

Zubli Zainordin

Wonderland or Not

Lili-Feel Happy

Daizie-Looking Beyond The Cracked Window

Acquire Wisdom and Live With Passion