FAB-RUARY 4th

Another day to link up with Helen at:

iwillbloom.wordpress.com

Excited to be challenged to "find the fab" in my life!

Today, the challenge is to focus on "Rules for happy living"...

A few come to mind:

1. Tell those you love and care about how you feel; don't let time get away from you and not share your feelings with them.
2. Don't go to bed angry with each other; make up before you wake up! (I just thought that last part up!!).
3. Enjoy life - be happy with what you are doing - if you have a job you absolutely HATE, find a new one that you absolutely LOVE!
4. Spend time alone - thinking, reading, playing, crafting...praying.
5. Spend time with others - family and friends - playing, crafting, laughing, talking, sharing, crying...remembering.
6. Make God FIRST in your life - not SIXTH, as in this list of "rules".
7. Live simply - so others may simply live...this is one learned from a former minister and his wife, also a minister.

Basics, perhaps; easy, doubtful...

But, these few "rules" should make for a happy living.

Now, if I could only put them ALL into practice!

FORGIVENESS

It's Tuesday - and that means...


Time for this week's link up with Karen Beth for Tuesday @ Ten where we have a full week to write on the word prompt.



This week's word is:

FORGIVENESS 

Forgiving does not come easy for me.  I am a very giving person and also a very open person.  I have shared a lot of my life, my thoughts, my ideas, my desires, my hurts and fears...with those whom I thought were friends.

BUT...

It has not always turned out for the best - at least not for me!
Many of these "so-called friends" in my past have done things that hurt me deeply; some even messing with my job (or career?!).

Not only have jobs been jeopardized, but it hurt mentally, making me feel as if I were incompetent, no self esteem, no confidence in myself.

I have been mentally and verbally hurt by those closest to me... 

I was physically attacked by a "habitual offender"...

And through all of this, I have known that I needed to (eventually) forgive -

I knew that if I didn't forgive those who hurt me in these various ways...

I would continue to be their "victim";  I would be the one destroyed by their hurtful ways because I continued to harbor it all in my head and my mind and my heart.

God doesn't want this for me - He doesn't want this for any of us.  He wants us to forgive one another because He has forgiven me - and you.

So, I have forgiven - 

I have forgiven those who went behind my back and jeopardized my job(s); I have forgiven those who have hurt me with their words; I have forgiven those who made me feel incompetent and lose my self esteem and self confidence; I have forgiven  the one who physically attacked me...

Because my heart can't take keeping these things alive...

Yes, I do remember the circumstances and instances where I was hurt; but not as clearly as when they first happened.  I know that I cannot continue to have these thoughts in my heart...

So, just as I have been forgiven by God, I know he wants me to forgive others; this is His command to us in Ephesians.  And, I can honestly say...

I have forgiven them.

Patriot Service Dogs - Fund-raising Retreat

When I first met Justice,  he was quietly lying under a table where a group of ladies were scrapbooking - right in the middle of a craft store!  I didn't even know he was there...

Until we all got up to leave for lunch!  And, there he was - joining the ladies for our stroll down the sidewalk to the restaurant where he quietly lay while we enjoyed a delicious lunch.  Yes, he moved around a bit to greet everyone; but if I had not joined them for lunch, I would not have known he was there!

This was the first time I ever heard of Patriot Service Dogs  - and I was excited to learn more!

My friend, who is one of the above-mentioned scrapbookers, co-founded this organization back in 2009.  And, in 2011 she organized the first Craft Weekend Fundraiser I say "craft" because there were also people sewing or quilting or knitting or crocheting, in addition to the scrapbookers!

Since that first "Puppy Crop", I have attended three more scrapbooking events organized to raise funds for PSD.

Me and Justice

So, what is Patriot Service Dogs?  This information is taken from their website, Patriot Service Dogs:

"Patriot Service Dogs, Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping our disabled military community gain a sense of independence through their partnership with a well trained service dog. Patriot Service Dogs was founded in July of 2009 with offices in Jacksonville & Belleview. At the time of our incorporation, we had 7 founding members with an active and dedicated board. Patriot’s has grown to over 100 active volunteers."

As part of their training, the puppies are taken on a number of different outings; these outings or training sessions helped them learn what to expect when accompanying their "owners". 

So, they have been on trolleys in St. Augustine; to Disney World; out to dinner (or lunch) at various restaurants; to the mall and other stores; in places where they had to open doors, or walk up or down steps...you name it, I'm sure they've "been there, done that"!

There is more information about training and various activities of PSD on the website mentioned above.

During the last scrapbooking retreat fund-raiser, I had the opportunity to spend one night with one of the puppy raisers and Jerry:

Me and Jerry

I observed, first-hand, how Jerry was trained to "fetch"...not a ball or what you might think a dog would normally be trained to do!  He was following his command to "bring me a towel" - and he continued to go back for as many as were lying on the floor, until his task was finished.  He also had other commands that he followed while we were getting ready for our day.

I was very impressed, as I am whenever I come across any of these awesome service dogs!

SO...

I am excited to be planning to attend another fund-raiser for PSD in May 2015; and have been invited to "spend the night(s)" with Jerry and his puppy raiser...

I am sitting on the row just behind the dogs, wearing a

black t-shirt, with Jerry near my feet, and his puppy raiser,

Janet, next to me in the red t-shirt.

Since the event is a fund-raiser, I will be asking for sponsor-ships so that I may attend; my spot is already reserved from the first donation!  In addition to seeking donations, I will be "selling" hand-made cards, asking only for donations in whatever amount is desired.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring my attendance, please let me know.  I have a PayPal account, or you can send me a private message or e-mail and I can give additional information.  You can also donate through the PSD site; but if you donate through their website, please be sure to mention my name so the funds go towards my "account".

Thank you for reading this post and for even considering a donation!

FAB-RUARY 3rd

Another day to link up with Helen at:

iwillbloom.wordpress.com

Excited to be challenged to "find the fab" in my life!

Today, the challenge is to find the "things you're excited about..."

It doesn't take much for me to become excited...

REALLY!

So, what is it that excites me?

My youngest grandchild's smile - or is that a pout?

The way the almost 4 year old and almost 7 year old get along - most of the time!

The almost 7 year old on the right is

showing the almost 4 year old

a game on the iphone!

My cat purring in my lap while I am watching TV; or in front of the computer as I am trying to write/type!

My hubby going to the store and buying "me" ice cream because we are out and he knows how I love it!  (He buys the fat free because he knows I want to lose weight - hahaha!!  I'm sure if I cut out my bowl of ice cream at night, the weight would come off quickly!!)

Looking ahead to some FUN weekends in the next few months; that's what also excites me...

• An out-of-town weekend scrapbooking retreat in March;  my "roomie" already has our room reserved;
• An overnight stay and women's meeting the next morning; staying in the home of my friends' friend!
• Another weekend scrapbooking retreat in May; this one is a fund-raiser for Patriot Service Dogs - I am in the process of collecting donations towards my attendance...more about this organization later!!

And then there are the "ordinary" things that excite me...

• Celebrating my grandson's 2nd birthday this weekend;
• Joining other Deacons for a luncheon after Church on Sunday;
• Babysitting 3 of my grandchildren Sunday night;
• The weather warming up so we can go to the zoo or to Tree Hill - a beautiful nature preserve nearby;
• Spending an evening with my former co-worker, and good friend who is "older than I am" by about three months!

But, what excites me the most is...

My cra cra family!!!

My youngest daughter and her family

(she is prego here with #3)

My oldest daughter and her family

My son, the oldest "child" and his family

See...

It doesn't take much to excite me!!

FAB-RUARY 2nd

Another day to link up with Helen at:

iwillbloom.wordpress.com

and excited to be challenged to "find the fab" in my life!

Today, the challenge is to write a "postcard from your ideal life"...

So, here goes:

"Retirement is great!  Leaving today for a cruise and visiting a few of those places on my 'Bucket List'.  Once I return home from this cruise, I have plans to visit friends around the country in a whirl-wind road trip.  Who knows, I may show up at your house in the next few days or weeks!  But, for now, I'm off to cruise away..."

That would be my ideal life!

In retirement, I had wanted to have the money to travel and see places all around the world and the US that I either have never been to, or that I'd love to visit (either for the first time, or a return trip).

But, retiring earlier than expected with a bank account that doesn't allow for a lot of traveling...

That retirement dream is over!

BUT, I am not unhappy with my retirement life!  It is FLEXIBLE, FUN, FULL.  I love the flexibility of just making plans to do something at the last minute; or to do nothing at all, if that is what I want to do.

And, the traveling?

Well, there has been and will be a little traveling; if not only to go to an out of town retreat or to visit family; or maybe go to a few places I'd like to visit...

But, it won't be to the extent I had originally planned!

And that is OK, because I am enjoying this life that I have; and who knows...

 ...only God knows what is in my future because He has HIS PLANS FOR MY LIFE!

Simple Woman's Daybook - February 2, 2015

FOR TODAY

February 2, 2015

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW - The rain is slowly falling; the leaves shimmering in the wet of the day.  But...wait!  I think I see the sun trying to shine through the clouds, promising the remainder of the day to be beautiful - but, what is not beautiful about a rain-filled day!?

(And I have yet to hear the results of Groundhog Day)...

I AM THANKFUL - For loving, caring, sharing, encouraging friends!

IN THE KITCHEN - Chicken, macaroni salad, Hawaiian rolls, carrot cake, a last piece of coffee cake...all left from the weekend!

I AM WEARING - Crocs on barefeet; jeans; pj top...very comfy for a "stay at home" kind of day!

I AM CREATING - Creative juices flowed over the weekend at the scrapbooking retreat - 

1) Made a handful of Valentine's Day cards for a "special" group...

2) Made a card from a design "map" and was one of two that won the card challenge!

3) Created a shadow box with dice, dominoes, a couple of cards, and some stickers and "shredded money"!  Called it "We're in the money" because I put two little gingerbread-looking button characters on the top with a sticker that says "Winners"!

3)  Also put together a few pages for my grandkids' pictures; and a couple for a Disney album we will be auctioning off at an event in May (more about that in an upcoming post, "Patriot Service Dogs").

Somebody took pictures of the second two items, and I will post as soon as they share them!

I AM GOING - No place - at least not today or tomorrow!  Later in the week and month, things will get busy again...but for now...

I AM WONDERING - why my tummy hurts?!

I AM READING - "In the Shadow of the Cypress", a novel by Thomas Steinbeck, author of "Down to a Soundless Sea." 

Information on the front flap of the book cover states: "Thomas Steinbeck has been praised by Publishers Weekly for his stylistic brilliance and 'accomplished voice'.  Now, his enthralling novel blends history and suspense with literary mastery and brings vivid realism to California's rich heritage."  So far, it has me intrigued with that history!

I AM HOPING - to get my stuff organized this week, and by that I mean...moved from the living room/dining room into my craft room where I can get it ready for another retreat in March!!

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO - a visit with my daughters on Wednesday, which is a half-day at school for my Kindergartner grandson; he will be excited when he gets out and sees his aunt and his cousin!!

I AM LEARNING - to accept the "gifts" others continually want to bestow on me:  paying for my meals; paying for my retreat fee; giving me items they no longer need; giving me items they know I need...and none of them know the others have done this for me.

I need to learn to just say, "Thank you so much!" and not protest or "Oh, you don't have to do that"...it is their gift to me for being me!

And, I need to do the same in return to others...pay it forward!!

I AM HEARING - the news on TV, talking about Isis, etc.  I want to tune it out!  I know it's important world news; but do they have to keep talking about it?!

AROUND THE HOUSE - all of my "stuff"...as I said above!

I AM PONDERING - what to write for Fab-ruary 2nd on a "postcard from your ideal life"...hmmmmm?!

A FAVE QUOTE FOR TODAY - a quote from one of our fellow bloggers!  Thank you, Asheritah!!

A FEW THINGS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK - 

Monday and Tuesday - rest, relax, laundry, put stuff away, write, read...all at home!

Wednesday - visit with my two daughters and the grandkids!

Thursday - nothing planned yet!

Friday - maybe go scrapbooking just for the afternoon because I didn't finish everything over the weekend!

Saturday - celebrate grandson's 2nd birthday.

Sunday - Church, luncheon for the Deacons and babysit for daughter so she and hubby can go to a show.

A PEEK INTO MY DAY - on and off the computer where I am writing a few blog posts; washing, drying and folding laundry; reading others' posts and making comments (comments are so encouraging to all bloggers, right?!)  Tonight we will eat leftovers that I brought home from the retreat...and find something on TV to watch with the hubby!

ADD A PICTURE (or two):

The room is ready for a large group of scrapbookers to arrive for the weekend!

And, too soon it was OVER!

None of the other pictures have been posted yet...but the difference from before, during and after is quite interesting to see!

Linking up with Melanie at

Simple Woman's Daybook

FAB-RUARY 1st

Linking up for a new prompted challenge for the month of...

what else, FAB-RUARY with iwillbloom.wordpress.com.

Excited to write using these prompts and "find the fab" in my life!

So, here is the quote that I would say is a fave:

Found on Pinterest

from blog.livingourdreamlife.com

It's hard to say when I first read or saw this quote (I've searched for the author of it, but so far haven't found anything to indicate who said this.)

And...

It's also hard to say why I like it.

Recently, I wrote a post on the word "wait" for the Five Minute Friday word prompt (read that post here).  My thoughts on "wait" were to not wait to do those things you want to do; or to use those "special" things like your good dishes or your good clothes; or to visit those places you never had the opportunity to see.

Why wait?

It seems this quote is saying to me that whatever it is I want to do, or use, or see...

Or...BE -

NOT to wait until the storm has passed;

or the job begins...

or you retire...

or you get your bonus (or tax refund!).

NOT to let the opportunities get away from you by waiting...

Instead, go ahead and take that trip; use those special dishes (and that fancy dress!); see the world -

AND DANCE IN THE RAIN!!