What about...????

What about..... this file I keep on my computer?  It is a file I have labeled "daily inspirations", it has quotes and sayings that I started keeping way back in 2000.  I was never sure why I kept these but I have decided that I'm gonna share.  I'll post them on days when my creative writing dial doesn't turn up all the way to high.

Some of these will be funny, some insightful, others will be motivating while some will bring tears to your eyes.  I will take them from the file as they are - in no special order.

So with that...........

Next on the list 




I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure — try to please everybody

What about.... "friendship"

On Friday my daughter posted this on facebook

What is a true "friendship" really?????

To which she got a number of responses.....

one that DOES NOT require any work.....this is what I have found :)
One that will hold ur hair when u puke
or share their glasses when you can't see!
How about one that will dry your phone out for you when it gets TOO WET!!!!


Let me tell you about my weekend - I'll make it really short - My dog Winnie ran away and got lost.  Those who know me don't need my explanation, those that don't know me so well - It's like sticking a knife in and turning it, so very, very painful. When I typed the sentence,  My dog Winnie ran away and got lost - I started crying, again.

So, I would like to add to Lindsey's facebook responses....

What is a true "friendship" really?????

True friendship is......

those friends that drop everything during a sewing weekend and in a moment have the boots or sneakers or slippers on and are following me out the door to search for my dog.

those friends that form their own groups and break down the routes to stop door to door handing out flyers.

those friends that stay at your house while you're out searching and cook and feed everyone when they come back - cold, tired and hungry - and did I mention clean up the kitchen, do the dishes.......

those friends that stay and keep you company while you just sit and cry

those friends who hop in the car and hurry to the place she was just seen and spend hours walking and driving back and forth on the road.

Lindsey, our weekend was full or answers to your question.  You know the answer you have seen it in action, this is not the first time our "friends" have come to the rescue  It's not just those that came this weekend but those that continue with you and who you contiue with in your journey.  Each of your friends are brought to you for special reasons, each one will be a different relationship, but they are all a gift.

So, Winnie is home safe and sound - slightly exhausted after two nights partying away from home (you do know she just turned 21), but otherwise unharmed.  

And me, I am very thankful for all the special gifts that continue to hold me up when I feel like I want to fall down - and you know I'm not just talking about this weekend.

I am blessed with many things in life, but the most precious are the gifts I call my friends - I feel like should follow this with an Amen.....or maybe a Hell Ya!  You pick.

What about.....Big Girl Camp

I'm so excited.... I have 10 lovely ladies coming to the house for the weekend to craft and sew!  We even have a chef to cook for us.  I have set  two eight foot tables up in the dining room for sewing machines, a six foot table with cutting boards in the hall and two ironing boards with irons are ready to go too!  Did I mention I am excited!

Some ladies will be staying the night and some are grouping at other homes for restful sleep.  But we will begin early and end late.  Opening ceremony - tonight at 6!  With dinner and a movie and of course, champagne!!  Maybe we'll even sing the Star Spangled Banner but probably the song for the night will be American Pie, it always does seem to ring thru the rafters when we gather!  (Mom, listen careful and you might hear us, we'll sing really LOUD )

Jeff has gone for the weekend!  He wasn't interested in staying for Big Girl Camp.  But before he left, being the ever so thoughtful husband that he is.... his biggest concern was that I know how to run the DVR so I could play the movie.  What a guy!  He wasn't concerned about setting up tables, carrying machines in, etc.

His second biggest concern..... "Hey, Pam  do you have enough wine for the weekend?"  To which I replied, "Have we met?"......  Ya gotta love a man who has his priorities in order, right?

So, I am sooooooo looking forward to "Big Girl Camp" and I'll fill ya in next week.

What about.... Piper

For those of you who don't know, Piper is Jeff's dog - if you knew Piper you'd know why I say Jeff's dog and not our dog.

Piper is, well, Piper.  She is her own dog - with a capital D.  She is energetic (Jeff's word not mine, I call it high-strung), she is vocal (Again, Jeff's words, I call her whinny and noisy) and adventurous ( and I just don't know what to say to that one!).  You see, she likes to chase rodents, chipmunks, squirrels... basically anything that moves.

But, on Sunday this is the mess her adventurous side got her into

He tried calling her down the tree.....  after all, that is how she got up there

Tried climbing the tree..........

First he had to break away the branches in the way......

The Queen on her throne - overlooking her Kindgom!

The King!  chasing the Queen

You can tell what's gonna happen, can't you?

Didn't work so well, so back to getting her down the way she went up!

He was trying to get her to go down the tree and she was more interested in whatever was in the hollow tree

"Just go like this Piper"

"One paw here, one paw there.....

Back to plan B.......

Good Girl!  (Jeff's words, mine.....stupid Dog!)

So, what is it about Piper that irritates me, is it her energetic, vocal, adventurous side? The whole time Jeff's on roof he's laughing  and talking to her, I'm the one on the ground  - " Jeff, hang onto her so she doesn't fall off, don't let her jump, she can't walk down that tree it's to steep she'll fall.  He's laughing and my insides are turning!

I love Piper, I really do.  She adds spunk to our life!



What about.... new blog!

If you're interested in following Three ladies and a Shop Hop    Here ya go http://moodyshophop.blogspot.com/


I thought it would be fun to take you along.  Lindsey and I will be sharing our commentaries on the daily events and even some leading up to the big travels - maybe we can get Mom to throw in her thoughts too.


Way to much time on my hands!!

What about.... this weather

Seriously folks, this is not funny!!! - I said pinch Old Man Winter not tick him off!

Clean and pretty white - but not funny!  I had just started reading the gardening books - again......  not funny!

So, why is it just when you think Spring has Sprung, Old Man Winter rewinds the show.  Somebody take that remote away from him!  Unless, you know how to convince him to hit the fast forward button, then you will be a hero!

What about .... Earth Day

This was my horrorscope on Friday.....

You care deeply about the environment. Right now, you might take that care a step further and get involved in some sort of activity or group that does something concrete to protect the earth. Whether you recycle bottles or engage in a movement demanding better public transportation, you’re using your considerable talents to effect change. You and your world will be the better off for it.

Which means it's time to start planning our 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration.  April 22, 2011 - Mark your calendars now!

So, get ready.............  ride your bike, walk, swim  or carpool to  Earth Day Celebration 2011!

What about.... mud

Rick Charett is coming to Jefferson -  He will be performing at the Powderhorn Mud Runs!  You can be serendaded by his original song- I Love Mud (  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbCLHM1QpQ8 ) now thru April 1st.  Tickets are free and towels ( and a swim if you want ) are available at the conclusion of your journey to Jewettville.  This is not a race, there are no prizes, no car wash - simply an enjoyable ride through the country roads of Maine.

Reminder - If you choose to speed through - roll up them windows!

So, I have a few choices in life.  The icy road home or the muddy road - I choose mud.  I put a smile on my face and my foot on the gas.  You should see the looks this old lady gets in a Jeep covered in mud! 

Mud......It's good for the soul - try it!

What about....????

What about..... this file I keep on my computer?  It is a file I have labeled "daily inspirations", it has quotes and sayings that I started keeping way back in 2000.  I was never sure why I kept these but I have decided that I'm gonna share.  I'll post them on days when my creative writing dial doesn't turn up all the way to high.

Some of these will be funny, some insightful, others will be motivating while some will bring tears to your eyes.  I will take them from the file as they are - in no special order.

So with that...........

Next on the list 


Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful

What about....

Okay folks, it's time, time to remove the holiday wreath from the house.  I'll let the lights stay- those are a little more challenging to remove - but the wreaths gotta go!


Spring is on the way - I know it!  But..... Mother Nature has this hang-up about bringing on Spring while the winter holiday wreaths are hanging.  You see,  Old Man Winter, although he's a really great guy, can be a bit lazy and Mother Nature, not wanting to nag, will simply hold back Spring until he takes care of those pesky little winter reminders.


Mother Nature..... she rules!

So, if you happen to meet Old Man Winter along the road today, stop and give me a little pinch in the ..........
and kindly remind him about the wreaths!

What about....???

What about..... this file I keep on my computer?  It is a file I have labeled "daily inspirations", it has quotes and sayings that I started keeping way back in 2000.  I was never sure why I kept these but I have decided that I'm gonna share.  I'll post them on days when my creative writing dial doesn't turn up all the way to high.

Some of these will be funny, some insightful, others will be motivating while some will bring tears to your eyes.  I will take them from the file as they are - in no special order.

So with that...........

Next on the list 


Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway

What about....washing machines

My 6 year old washing machine has gone kurplunko!!!  I'll be right back.... Webster's is calling asking permission to add this one to the dictionary.  They want me to write a definition.  Oh, could I have fun with this one.

Kurplunko - 1. left the building 2.  on vacation, never to return.  3. too tired to function 4. to stubborn to co-operate  5.  getting ready for a trip to the bottom of the pond!

Anyway, No need for a new one, I'm building up muscles cutting a hole thru the ice and scrubbing my clothes clean on the rocks!

Okay, it's not that bad - pack up the laundry and take it to the office, down the stairs, wash, dry, fold, pack, carry home and then put away.

We simply can't decide on a washer.  Front load - Top load, stack 'em or put them side-by-side....... Maytag, Whirpool, Kenmore......

I just want clean clothes and someone to wash, dry, fold and put them away, okay...... just clean clothes would be fine.

So, why is it such a simple thing like washing clothes can turn into weeks of contemplation?  Why can't we just buy a basic washing machine.  Walk into a store and have a choice of two -  one that plugs into the wall and one that works with a crank.  Wouldn't that be much easier than the 300 different choices (and tomorrow I'll probably post something about loving all the choices I have in life - to figure!)

What about....???

What about..... this file I keep on my computer?  It is a file I have labeled "daily inspirations", it has quotes and sayings that I started keeping way back in 2000.  I was never sure why I kept these but I have decided that I'm gonna share.  I'll post them on days when my creative writing dial doesn't turn up all the way to high.

Some of these will be funny, some insightful, others will be motivating while some will bring tears to your eyes.  I will take them from the file as they are - in no special order.

So with that...........

Next on the list 

If you want to see the sun shine, you have to weather the storm.

I swear - I opened the file just now and this was next on the list!

What about....the seasons

Once upon a time there was ....... warmer weather!! (my horrorscope today said to be creative in my writing and start my next email, memo etc...with -  Once upon a time......)

Okay, so I really love winter, I do. 

A stop along the trails........

I'm tellin' ya, it is Mt. Rushmore......  See it! ( Okay, it wasn't quiet that clear, but it was spectacular!)

I love snow - I get to snowmobile, I even enjoy snowshoeing.  I love ice on the pond - I get to ice fish, (and swim, but that's a whole other story!) I would really love to ice skate but it's been a few years since we've had good ice for that.  I love cold weather - I get to (have Jeff ) start a fire in the fireplace,I love the smell of wood burning, then he heads to the bathroom lights the candles and turns the water on in the tub.  He pours me a glass of wine...... did I mention I am very lucky!  He then runs back to the fireplace to "close it up" (whateve that means) cause that lovely smell of wood burning has now turned into smoke - oh wait they are the same thing aren't they?    Anyway.......

I've had enough.  Enough of the icy drive into my house, enough grabbing the door handle and my hand sticking to it, enough letting the dogs out in the morning when it so cold they barely leave the door step to "use the facilities" (if you come to our house - wear your boots, the walkway or "facilities" haven't been clean out, talk about yellow snow), enough lugging wood in, sweeping up the wood chips, wiping the snow off the floor from the boots - cause we gotta lug wood in, asking  Jeff to put a hat on, reminding everyone the road is icy, asking Jeff if we have enough sand for the road, crunching in the snow when I walk ( just reminds that I should loose weight ), walking so carefully on the ice that I look like I'm 90, coming home from work- eating dinner - watching tv and going to bed.  Did I mention I've had enough.

ENOUGH!

Spring is around the corner, I know it, I'm sure of it!  But then the mud....... but there's also flowers poking up thru the dirt, bud's on the trees, which all leads to summer...........

Jeff!!  put down that...... phone - did you think I was gonna say beer!  What were you thinking?

Hey, Right back at ya!

If only I could have been in on that discussion- do you suppose it was about world peace, the environment? 

 

So, what is it about the change of seasons that we love.  I can't wait for spring but after two weeks I'm done with that and can't wait for summer, after 8 weeks of that I'm done, can't wait for fall after 4 weeks of that I'm done, can't wait for snowfall and the cycle continues.  I love winter I really do.  But I can't wait to , watch the sunset from the dock - you know it - wine in hand!, fish from the boat (would it be wrong if I said wine in hand......), put on the swimsuit and (omg, PUT ON THAT SWIMSUIT!!!!) jump off the dock into the water, lay in the hammock - again, you know it, wine in hand. 

Oh, wait.......... swat at the mesquitos, work outside with swarms of black flies following you, rubbing aloe all over that sunburn...... still............... I can't wait!

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh..............................

What about...."the birthday party"

You may want to grab the tissues now.  Sorry, but I think I should share this...........

So, today's post on fb reads:

Jason's Birthday

Again we will have some of his favorite foods and drinks and would love to have everyone together to remind us of the 24 years we had with him. Bring your Jason stories and share some good memories with us. This is an open invitation, so please share this with anyone you know that would like to come.


Exactly how does one "celebrate" the birthday of a child that is no longer with us?  Then I remembered an email that I sent once to a special person who was dealing with this in her way and worried about me and my pain.  I think I will share this with you, it will help everyone understand the birthday party.

First off, no one can ever cause me more pain – my bag of pain is completely full and most of the time runs over.   I’ve read and learned a lot about how to handle things and one thing I know is that one life touches many others and in different ways – therefore, I am not the only one in so much pain.  That was kinda the purpose of the birthday party!  I want to get to the point where I can celebrate the fact that I was blessed with him for 24 years – but this is difficult too because right now it is difficult to find any blessings in this situation.   Everything seems to be difficult, but most of the time I want to hear people talk about him – but then it hits me like a wall – he's not coming back.   You see, it feels like we’re still waiting for him to return from some sort of vacation and then WHAM! We realize the difference.  I always thought that I was given the task of “Chasin’ Jason” for a reason and that everything we went through with him would make sense someday, that somehow it would positively affect someone’s life and that it would all make sense – I thought that he would probably make a wonderful father because he had been on the rock bottom of life.  So now….none of it makes much sense. 

I am very good at suppressing my emotions (most of the time) until I can get away from people, but not always, sometimes it’s in stores, at the office or at school.  So my thoughts are to keep busy (right or wrong) it works most of the time.  It’s the time when we’re home alone that’s the hardest.  We talk and cry and talk and cry and a little bit of that goes a long ways, you see I have permanent “crusties” on the outside corners of my eyes and it hurts!  The back of my neck is raw from the psoriasis and I can’t get my hair colored because  my scalp is all inflamed.

So…..  I get up every morning and move forward I was put on this earth for a reason and I know it was not just to endure this pain.  There simply has to be more and I need to find it and hold on to it.  I look at sunsets differently now, birds don’t scare me quite as much as they used to, I don’t worry about denting my car, I don’t worry about mud on floor, dogs on the bed and I will use my good dishes everyday and put my mother’s quilts on my bed if I want to.   Priorities in my life have been changed and set!

I don’t want to ever forget Jason and I want to make sure no one else forgets him either.  I want to know that other people think of him and remember things about him, it’s painful and sad but it will hurt more if people forget him and the things he did (okay, there probably are  a few things he did that we could forget, but even those things now make me laugh)

Okay, so I am my biggest cheer-up leader, it works sometimes so I keep trying.  Don’t think  I have a complete handle on things – I don’t – I just take one day (and a cheer) at a time.

I don’t know if any of this will help but it should help you see where I am in dealing with everything.

Chin up! Chin down gives us turkey necks!

I promise much lighter blogs in the future, but sometimes you just gotta "put things out there".

So, this is usually the point where I wrap up the blog in relationship to what was written.  With that -  Hug your children and tell them how much you love them! - Oh hell, hug everyone, it makes ya feel better!