The family is camping this week at a camp ground down the road from us.  I go out for dinner and spend the night and get up and go home the next morning and go to work.  While it sounds strange, it’s working for me.  I get to leave work and go to a peaceful setting to be with the kiddos and hubster.  I also don’t have to deal with my “somewhat decluttered but not quite” house.   After last week’s garage sale I discovered I need to purge at least that much again.

De Nile ain’t just a river in Egypt.

The last two nights we’ve had a raccoon visit our camp site.  This causes great excitement among the campers.  Last night when he came (no I didn’t really check the gender of the raccoon – it’s just easier to assign it one)  the boys were all excited.  DS#1 wanted it to leave us and our campsite alone.  DS#2 & DS#3 wanted to befriend it and take it home to make it a pet.  The latter was a big no go.  However, we did enjoy watching the raccoon try to take off with our Pringles and finish off DS#3’s cupcake. 

DS#3, “wwwwm, he’s so cute.  I think he’s just a baby.”

Me, “I think he’s more like your age.  I be next year he’ll go to Kindergarten.”

DS#3, “Raccoons don’t go to kindergarten.  They’re raccoons!”

Me, “They go to Raccoon Kindergarten.  How do you think they learn what they need to know?”

DS#3, “Really?”  (said with a look of awe and intrigue)

I just love playing with my kids minds.

Here’s a special little gem from DS#3 from last week.

My mom was talking to the boys about a family reunion we’d recently attended and they inquired about their grandpa not being there.  He’s in heaven.  During the discussion, they wanted to know if their daddy was a grandpa.  I’m happy to report he’s not to my knowledge.  Anyhow, she told them he would be when they got married someday and had children of their own. 

DS#2 “I’m not having kids!”

DS#3, “I’m not having kids either.  They might be evil and hit me on the head.”

Oh yes, we have a most loving and encouraging environment in our home.  We are blessed.

My mother questioned what we do in our house.  I told her  I pray a lot.

You’ll want to pray for us too after this next story. 

Last night I roasted DS#1’s underwear over the camp fire. 

No, there are no typos in the preceding sentence.

I discovered that DS#1 had had an accident and failed to report it to the proper authorities.  The last few weeks he has had an issue with this.  I don’t know if he waits way too long to take care of the situation or if there’s a problem we need to get checked out.  I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s the first one of the two. 

I had taken a change of clothes, but failed to take a change of underwear for the children.  I believed we were past this.  DS#1 certainly should be past this.  I believed incorrectly.

I had him changes clothes and he just had to be free in his shorts.  He didn’t object.   How could he?

I went back into the camper and washed out his underwear.  I wrung them out the best I could and then put them on a stick over the fire to try and help speed up the drying process. 

Once again, there a no typos in the preceding sentences. 

This created much laughter and chatter for the boys and my husband too.  DH simply stated that I’m not right.  I’m sure it will be a fond memory for the boys. 

I like to create warm, fuzzy memories for my family and I’m just sure this will be one of them.   Aren’t you?

Have a great day!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Oh my goodness!  So this week in the entertainment industry we’ve lost Ed, Farrah and Michael.  These are big people and have influenced a lot of others. 

I believe just this last Halloween I posted the Thriller video  because it is a must at Halloween time.  I mean, come on, it’s not completely Halloween without it. 

Then there’s Farrah.  If you weren’t into her for Charlie’s Angels (the one season she was in it) then you had to admire her for her hair.  Her hair was iconic.  I think I would like to have iconic hair someday.  Maybe I would just like to have hair like her someday.  I’d have to grow it and dye it blond, but I can see it now.  I’m walking down the street, the wind blowing in my feathered hair and people stop in their tracks and stare.  They all whisper to each other, “She has hair like Farrah Fawcett!  Wow!” 

Yep, it’s good to have goals. 

Ed.  Well, I can’t say much about Ed because I was not one to stay up and watch Johnny.  I do think he did a bang up job on all those Colonial Penn Life commercials though.  He always seemed so nice and genuine.  I hope he was.

Seriously though, my heart goes out to the families.  It’s painful to lose those you love and I can’t imagine having to share it all with the world.  I can’t help but wonder if they had the peace of Christ in their lives. 

I’m pretty sure Michael didn’t.  He seemed like such a tortured soul.  I think it would be horrible to live that way.  I have no proof of this other than what I’ve seen in the media.  I grew up on Michael, loved his music, but we all knew early on he was searching for something to fill a void and was going about filling that void in an unhealthy manner. 

Regardless, I pray for the families and that they feel the presence of the Father comforting them. 

I will leave you with a Michael video and you all pray for the families too.  Remember there are kids involved and they will need extra praying over. 

Have a great weekend!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Can you discern from the title that there might be a little bit of rambling involved again today? 

I’ll try to keep it to a minimum.

Really.

So I was all fired up yesterday.  I heard cheers coming from you – really.

Then reality hit. 

I went to Zumba last night and even though we live in the midwest, the temperatures we’ve been experiencing are a bit more like the Equator in August.  It totally wiped me out – but in a good way.  However, I was useless and defenseless against the desires of my flesh for the rest of the evening.  I gave into my fleshly desires and became a couch potato. 

I believe this is called brain damage.

Why didn’t I take my own advice and fall to my knees to pray for strength you ask?  (See above reference to brain damage.)  Also, it was like my backside had the world’s strongest magnet attached and it was attracted to the couch cushion.  Very strange.  Has that ever happened to you?

The next time I knock on my kids and what they’ve done that’s not so bright, remind me to humble myself because they have come by it naturally. 

So today is a brand new day.  Thank God for his mercies that are made new each day! 

What does today hold in store for me? 

I’ll have to get back to you on that because I’m not done consulting God in this matter at this time.

What I believe it holds in store is an all nighter to finish purging my house in order that I may a Jim Dandy of a garage sale this weekend.  I’m working for vacation spending money and I’d like to try the less is more theory in my home. 

If you’ve got too much to take care of, then you’ve got too much!  Get rid of it! 

Disclaimer:  this does not apply to children that reside within your home

Let’s start a new movement.  How about “Enough is Enough!” 

Well, that’s pretty unoriginal.

Hmmmmm.  Maybe “You Can Have Too Much of a Good Thing.”

Another Disclaimer:  this does not apply to chocolate

Now, an apology.  Evidently this is not what God has in store for me or I would be coming up with some really clever name for a group that could unite the world by decluttering their lives.  I bet it comes to me tonight around 2am when I’m almost delirious from purging my house and lack of sleep. 

What’s that? You say you don’t think I’ll be up at 2am? 

Oh ye of little faith! 

Of course, maybe I’ll get it done before and be able to sleep. 

Sleep is my second golden calf.  Once you lose out on it, you just can’t get it back.  I find that totally unacceptable.  You would find me totally unacceptable if you were around me after I’d missed out on some prime sleep time. 

It’s true.  I’m not always perky and cute.  Just ask my mom and my husband and my kids.  One of them, I don’t remember which one, lost a hand trying to wake me up for what I deemed unnecessary in the middle of the night.  It’s not as bad as it sounds.  We found it, got it reattached and now you’d never know it hadn’t been there the whole time – but they all know the perils of waking mommy now. 

Well, I gotta go get at it!  Have a lovely day!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Do you think I could win an award for the longest blog title ever?  OK, at least the longest blog title today?

I haven’t been here, but my mind has.  My mind has wondered here through numerous conversations with the kiddos.  Like when DS#2 asked me if I was ever going to not have to go to work before I was old, because old people don’t work you know. 

Then there was DS#3 telling me my stomach was like a soft fluffy pillow to him.  DH laughed.  I reminded him of our wedding vows.  The “til death do us part” part and told him it doesn’t say how death must come about in order for us to part.    I then told DS#3 that he most certainly was not working toward most favored child status and he should really rethink it.

DD is gone to her dad’s so I have nothing to contribute to her good or bad stockpile.

DS#1 was precious this weekend in helping a friend’s daughter that has a physical disability.  I didn’t catch him being good, but the friend did and told me about it.  A bunch of kids were in a bounce house and he became her protector from the other wild and crazy children around her.  He encouraged her and helped her get through it.  It made my heart go pitty pat and thank God for his tender heart.  Of course, later in the day he made one of his brother’s cry, but I guess that means he’s normal. 

I’ve also been thinking again about my path in life.  At this point, sooner than later, I’ll be 40.  I have a few more days than 20 months until I’ll hit that BIG 4 0.  There is something about that number that says to me I should have “arrived” at my life by then.  I’m having this innate yearning to get up off my behind, quit making excuses and just do what it is that needs to be done. 

What is it that needs to be done?

Well, there are several things, plus a few more.

First and most tangible, I need to get back on the Weight Watchers wagon and get to goal so I can stop paying them a monthly fee.  I’ve stagnated because I like to use food as therapy.  Think of how much thinner I’d be if I just turned to prayer instead.  Yep, it’s my golden calf.

Second of all, I need to quit living, and allowing my family to live, in all the clutter in our house.  I will never have a perfect house, but I can at least have one that’s picked up a bit.  It would allow us to breathe a little easier.  I always know what I want to do to decorate, but live by the “if, then” theory.  If I can get “this” taken care of, “then” I’ll do that.  “If, then” is not working for me.  Dr. Phil would be proud of this conclusion.  This can be accomplished in a month’s time, so I’ll get back to you on the progress.  Would you like to see pictures?

Third, I do have a desire to write and publish.  I don’t do it consistently.  I haven’t submitted anything.  I look and lurk on writing sites, but don’t act. Here I am going to have to refer to the beloved Nike slogan and “Just Do It!”.  I have also come to the conclusion that consistent doesn’t necessarily mean every day for hours.  I do think every day is good, but I can’t immediately make expectations for myself that will set me up to fail.  Do you ever do that?  Go with the all or nothing mentality? 

OK, break time.

Last Thursday I took my mom to have outpatient surgery on her hand.  We had to be there at 5am.  Ugghhh!  It’s a good thing I love her – and she amuses me.  She knows me well and I know her well, so we can pick on each others habits. 

One of my habits, or traits, has been that I’m not generally a morning person.  I am much more so than I used to be, but this was a bit much for me.  She wanted to leave at 4:10am. 

WHAT?  Are you kidding me?

Her reply, “I’m not like you Elizabeth. I like to get to places on time”

Thank you for the dig.  I’ll be sure to return it later.

She was so sure I wouldn’t be ready because it was so early that she threatened me.

She, “What time are you going to get up?”

Me, “Not any before 3:30.”

She, “I want you to call me when you’re up so I know you’re up.”

Me, “OK, fine.  I’ll sleep with the phone so I don’t forget.”

She, “If you don’t call me at 3:30, I’ll be calling your house.  How else will I know you’re up?”

Me, “You cannot call my house that early – remember all those people that live there and will be sleeping?”

She, “I can and I will.  If I were you, I just wouldn’t forget.”

Me, “Then give me until 3:35 because I immediately go to the bathroom when I get up.  I find I can go no place else without placing the flooring in peril.  It happens after 4 kids.”

She, “3:35 – and that’s it!”

Yes, this is the relationship my mother and I have.  Oddly enough, I find it amusing.

I made it,  you’ll be happy to know.  She really was in my driveway at 4:10am.

You know, when you’re up that early, it does something to you.  My mom and I have always found odd things funny and we did that morning too.   Well, she did.

There were many little moments I could share.  I’ll spare you all but one.

We got there on time and of course had to wait.  They called her name and we went back into her room.  An army of personnel started filing in and out.  She had an attending nurse, a surgical nurse, the dr. and the anesthesiologist.  They all came in to make sure she was of sound mind and knew why she was there.  She convinced them she wasn’t crazy, even though there was a minute where they questioned.

It happened with the anesthesiologist.  He came in and said, “Hi.  I’m Chuck the anesthesiologist.”  She immediately started laughing.  He was very big and did not look amused.  I said, “What’s wrong with you?”

She said she got tickled because when he said Chuck the Anesthesiologist she immediately thought of Larry the Cable Guy. 

Yes maam.  She said it to Chuck the Anesthesiologist.

And she didn’t stop there.

I kid you not.

She went on to tell him she bet he had lots of funny stories of what people do as they’re going under anesthetic.  She said she bet he could have a really funny stand up routine.

He was not nearly as tickled as she was.

I, myself, was tickled at this point but decided to refrain until Chuck left because he was such a big boy and seemed to be serious about his job.

He left, we laughed.  I told my mom that I am tickled pink to know that I can continue to cause embarrassing moments for my children well into adulthood. 

Are you lost yet?  Have you run out of bread crumbs?

I’ll try and wrap the rest of this up rather quickly. 

I’ve covered The Weight, The Clutter, The Writing and My Strange Relationship With My Mother (aka She). 

Finally, I just basically want to not quit so easily at the end of the day. I don’t want to just get by in life.  God knows I get run down and tired daily, but He calls me to more.  I want to look different than those around me because He is in my life.  Right now, not so much.  I don’t think you’d see any difference between me and someone who says they’re not Christian. 

No More my friends!  It may seem like I’m having a 40 crisis prematurely, but I sure don’t want to get there and have excuses for why my life doesn’t look different. 

This is going to be a verse I lean on from now until then: “Be diligent in these matters; give yourselves wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Tim 4:15 (NIV)

I really didn’t come around to this end in a smooth writing way, but it’s the gist of it and where I was going.  I’ll fill in the other parts later.

Have a great day brothers & sisters! 

Oh!  And just in case there ever is a Chuck the Anesthesiologist with a stand up routine, you can say you heard about it hear first!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

OK – so go read the post below and then come back to this link to read a devotional of Lysa’s.  I just can’t believe that we’re of the same mind – even though she probably wrote that months ago.  Of course, you may disagree about the same mind thing, but in essence it’s what I’ve been trying to say. She just does a better job. 

See ya!

I often wonder to myself, “Am I as brain damaged as my children are?  Does God view me the way I view them?”  He probably does.  I hope I at least make Him laugh.  Maybe that’s why I’m here – comic relief for God.  Hmmm.

Today is about DS#2.

Many times when we have a pick up time in our home, grumbling begins.  When it’s all said and done, DD, DS#1 and DS#3 do their share.  It’s not always the way I want it, but it’s done. 

DS#2 says, “I don’t want to.  It will take too long.”  He then proceeds to do whatever he wants to do and does not pick up even so much as a piece of lint of off himself. 

No, I do not find this acceptable.

I send him to his room.

This is not working.  He doesn’t seem to mind being in his room.

Last night the kiddos wanted to go out, but they had not picked up in their playroom.  I told them they could go out after they had done what they were asked to do.

DS#1 & DS#3 rose up in chorus to tell me they had done their jobs, but DS#2 had not. 

We had words.

Me, “DS#2, you cannot continue to disobey your dad and me.  When we tell you to do something, we mean it.  It’s not a suggestion, it’s a command.  Nobody really likes to pick up and clean.  Well, except for grandma and we know she has issues that we keep in prayer.  But, anyway, everybody has to help out and everybody means you too.”

DS#2, “Mom, I just wasn’t meant to.  Really mom.”

Me, “What do you mean ‘you just werent’ meant to’?”

DS#2, “It’s not how I am.”

Me, “Honey, that just doesn’t make any sense.”

DS#2, “It’s not how God made me.”

Me, “Excuse me?  God made you to not pick up?  I don’t think God made you that way.  God wants us to work and work together to help each other.”

DS#2, “Mom, he just didn’t make me that way.”

OK, let’s remember that DS#2 is 6 years old.  I am scared that he is trying to use these reasoning tactics on me.  Pray for us all!

Me, “DS#2, God and I are going to discuss this and I assure you that when we’re done, he’ll tell me you misunderstood how you were made.  Now get in there and pick up!  Did you hear me say NOW?”

He gets an E for effort. 

I wonder if that would work for me?

Nope.

Well, to somewhat bring it full circle, I do feel that way sometimes.  I feel that God made me a certain way and other people just have to deal with it.  The fact of the matter is, while God made me the way he did, I’m to lean on Him in my weaknesses.  Those little traits that I feel are so much a part of me are really there to shape me into who He wants me to become.

Holy cow!  There I go with the prepositional phrases again!  I hope Mrs. Mulvaney, my high school English teacher,  doesn’t stop by here today.

Back to the point.  Our “special” things we all have are special because they are meant to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.  You might say they are to be our own personal “change agent”. 

Ooooo!  See how I tied that in with yesterday?  That was sooooo cool!

OK, I could go deeper my sisters, but I’m out of time today.  If you would like me to go deeper, just let me know.  If you want me to keep the fluff coming, just let me know. 

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

When I first moved here 11 years ago, I was in love with the preacher at my church.  He was, and still is, wonderful!  I wasn’t in love with him like I want to marry him in love, but in love with his love for the Word of God.  I remember many things about his sermons.  I could not get enough of studying the Word or hearing him speak about it.  One of the many things he said that sticks with me was, “One thing is always certain, change.”  He was right on.  (He said other things I thought were profound, but this one works with my story today.)

Change is certain.  People like to say death and taxes are certain.  I guess you can’t argue with that either, but change is the most certain thing we encounter every day.  Whatever situation you are in right now, it’s going to change.  I can’t tell you if the change will be good or bad, but I can tell you it will change.

Change is coming in our house.  I can feel it.  I’m not talking about DD departing at the end of the summer.  I’m speaking of the way things go in our house.

I came home from work today to a picked up living room and mostly done dishes and a clean kitchen floor and a visible floor in the boys room.  The visible floor thing is nothing short of a miracle.

That, my sisters and brothers, is change. 

It’s a good change.

I’m thinking of becoming a change agent. 

DS#2 and DS#3 felt change happening to them after bath time. 

DD & DS#1 desperately wanted ice cream as a reward for their change in habit of picking up today.  At first I said no, but then I succumbed to their incessant pleas. 

Yes, they wore me down. 

At this same time, DS#2 & DS#3 were in the tub.  I could hear splashing and warned them to stop.  They did not heed my warning.

I went in to get them out and found a thin layer of water on my bathroom floor and, I kid you not, water on the ceiling.

Clearly, I was being an inattentive parent.

Clearly, they knew better and had punishment coming.

Maybe not so clearly, I denied them ice cream.

Clearly, if you’re a sibling, they each said it was entirely the fault of the other.

I stuck to my guns, and the poor little darlins had no treat.

I hope they remember and change their behavior the next time they’re in the tub.

Clearly, we’ll find out tomorrow.

Here’s to change!

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

I’ve been through lots of emotional ups and downs in the last couple of months since my DD told me she’ll be going to live with her dad next year.  I believe she feels that she’s missed out on something because she doesn’t remember living with him.  I believe she feels it will be more “fair” at her dad’s than it is here and she certainly knows that more attention will come her way since there will be no pesky little brothers to get in her way.  She won’t have to share or wait her turn because she will be the only child in his home.  Finances will flow more freely because of her father’s work position and, yet again I say, there will be no pesky little brothers that have needs with which to contend. 

For whatever real or imagined reason, I’m trying very hard not to take it personally.  I’ve shed more tears than I can count and spent hours on my face crying out to Heavenly Father for protection for her, for her eyes to see the truth, for comfort for me, my husband, my boys and my mom and for the grace I need to deal with my DD on a daily basis.  I’ve spent time with the Father begging Him to take away my feelings of anger, despair and pride and fill those places with the Fruits of the Spirit.  These are just a few of the things I’ve done to bend the situation into something I see as acceptable.

Now, let me tell you what God has been doing.  He has put me in a position of complete and total submission to Him.  I am not in control of this situation in any way, shape or form.  (Thank goodness, I’ve found when I’m “in control” that things don’t always go so well.)  He has and is drawing me closer to Him than I have been in a very long time.  He’s shown  me illustrations that apply to my life daily.  He’s shown me day after day, hour after hour and sometimes minute by minute, that His grace is most assuredly sufficient. 

This may all sound a bit dramatic, because, after all, it’s not like I’ll never see my daughter again.  However, I feel with every fiber of my being that there is a spiritual battle waging for my daughter.  I don’t take these feelings lightly. She has accepted Christ, but I see her being lured into believing what the world has to offer is better – more fulfilling.  I battle back with principalities and prayer.  What the other side doesn’t realize is that there are prayer warriors fighting for her and they will win because we know how it all turns out in the end.  I pray.  DH prays. My mom prays.  My church family prays.

Thank you Father God for reminding me of what I already knew.

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth

Do do do doooooo!   (hear the trumpets?)

So this week I’m a little more consistant than the last 6 or so have been.  I’m celebrating with some of my dearest memories and maybe they’re memories for you too.

Do you remember all the dreams you had in High School about who you would be and where you would be?  I do vividly. 

I had two dreams.  1.  I wanted to be the next Connie Chung.   2.  I wanted to be the next Patti LuPone. 

Yes, they were lofty.  Yes, they would have been fun.  No, I wouldn’t trade my children in on them. 

Absolutely I wouldn’t!  What?  And miss this conversation from this morning between myself and DS #3? 

DS#3, “You’re a hot dog!”

Me, “You’re a hot dog!”

DS#3, “You’re a hot dog!”

Me, “You’re a hot dog!”

DS#3, “You’re a hot dog!”

Me, “You’re a hot dog!”

DS#3, “You’re a BUN!”

Me, “You’re pickle relish and you make me pucker!”

Who would want to miss that mind stimulating conversation? 

I digress.

So, I wanted to be a news anchorwoman.  I liked the whole idea – even though I had no idea what the whole idea encompassed.  The idea appealed to me.  I would be prominent, pretty and powerful and living in New York City.  What more could one want?

I also wanted to be on Broadway.  I was realistic enough to know I would never be the lead, but I though I could be a heck of a character actress.  I would be living in New York City and that was good enough for me! 

The Connie Chung thing had better money potiential, but broadway would be more fun.

Sooooo, to come around full circle – or maybe make a figure eight – Susan Boyle has rekindled my love of 80’s broadway musicals.  I was absolutely in love with Les Miserable and thus fell in love with Patti LuPone. 

Ahhhhh.  What a voice!

And then Susan Boyle brought out another of my favorites – Memory from CATS!  You cannot possibly be a child of the 80’s and into musicals and not say that CATS affected you. 

Really. 

If you can say that, then don’t tell me or talk to me about it because I may feel obliged to unleash my passion about the subject upon you.

Without further ado – here’s I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserable with Pattie LuPone.  If this does not float your boat, see the next video of Memory from CATS.  If neither one float your boat, I’m not sure we can be friends anymore.

Just kidding.

Although I will be guarded when I am around you from now on. 

 

I was sent this yesterday by a friend’s mom. Hi JoAnn if you’re reading! I loved it! It touched me and I think it will you all too. There’s lots of truth in the words below. Because I like to write, I thought I’d add a few comments too. This isn’t to make it better – just to give it a slightly different flavor. There’s reference to food again. Hmmm. I need help.

I hope this isn’t considered plagerizing.  Don’t tell on me if it is.  OK? 

Enjoy!

Regina Brett’s 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

by Regina Brett

Sunday May 28, 2006, 10:13 AM

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:  (The email says she’s turning 90, but her website assures us she’s not.    I’ll leave my additions in italics and feel free to add your own in the comments.)

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.   And Amen!

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.  Even if the step feels not so little.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.  Amen again sister! 

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.  As if I needed a reminder.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.   Sound advice.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.  My Mama says the agree to disagree part.  It only took me 36 years to realize she’s smart.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.  Regina, can I meet you?

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.  Thank you God for letting me throw unwarranted tantrums!

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.  Well, I tried.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.  Regina, We MUST meet!  I know we’re kindred spirits!

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.  Deep and very true.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.  That’s good, because they have.

13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.  You’d think we would be too busy to compare, but we’re human do this sort of silly stuff. 

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.  Ahem!  I sooooo like this woman I did not know before today.  Hey!  This reminds me that my Mama also says, “Secrets are lies.”  Yep, she was a real kill joy growing up. LOL

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.  Thanks again God!  You are Great and Mighty and worthy of my humble, inadequate worship and praise.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.  It’s a shame most of us miss this until something “big and bad” happens within our lives.  Makes me think of Garth Brooks song The Dance. 

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.  Oh my gosh!  Another Mama thought.  She says, “Don’t borrow trouble.”  Hey, if you see her, don’t tell her I’m going on and on about her because I just hate having to tell her she’s right.  You understand, right?

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.  I’m writing!  I’m writing!

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.  Yep!  You can only be responsible for you!

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.  Easier said than done, but so worth it!

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.  OK Regina.  We may part ways here because if use the nice sheets and fancy lingerie, it just creates more laundry.  How about use the nice sheets and skip the lingerie because I believe you’ll get the same end result.  Anyone want to input?

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.  This would mean I must quit procrastinating.  I guess I’m old enough to stop that now.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.  I believe I am a bit thank you!

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.  Hello.  (knock, knock, knock)  Men, are you listening?

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.  Covered this in #19.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”  Love This!  I must adopt it!  I know a few of my friends that may want to as well.  I’m just sayin’.

27. Always choose life.  Amen and Amen!

28. Forgive everyone everything.  Tall order, but great therapy.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.  Can I get this engraved in stone?  One of you can for me for Christmas!  There’s plenty of time for you all to plan.  I’m thoughtful that way.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.  So true.  Just remember that time is His, not ours when you think otherwise of this phrase.

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

32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.  Don’t I know this!

33. Believe in miracles.  How boring would life be if we didn’t?

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.  Thank you God for loving me despite me.

35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.  Yep. Yep. Yep.  Pleeeeaaaase Regina!  Can I meet you?

36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.  Young is a relative term when you think of those close to you that have gone on.  However, I pray God grants me old age surrounded by my kiddos and their kiddos. 

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.  No pressure.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.  Psalms melt like butter over my tongue to penetrate my soul.  (Regina – I may have to stock you.  Just kidding.  Really.  The hubby and 4 kiddos and full time job outside of the house keep me from committing that kind of time to you.)

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.  Even if it’s 40 below?

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.  Uh-huh!  I’ve seen and I’m more comfortable with mine.

41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.  I admit I go on autopilot too often after work and dinner

42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.  I’m working on having a garage sale in a couple of weeks.  Does this count?

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.  Sometimes it’s the love at the very end of the day that matters most. 

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.  Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees.

45. The best is yet to come.  Can’t wait!

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.  It just makes you feel better!  Doesn’t it?

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.  Maybe I should do this more often.  Then I might not get so frustrated with my little darlins’.

48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.  Guess what?  My Mama says, “It never hurts to ask.”  Wow! 

49. Yield.  Don’t know what to make of this one.  Anyone?  Anyone?

50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.  Once again, thank you God for being you and giving more than I/we deserve.

You can check out some more of Regina here.

Blessings & Hugs, Elizabeth