At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
Albert Schweitzer

Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,
We fell them down and turn them into paper,
That we may record our emptiness.

~ Kahlil Gibran

Wordless Wednesday

(unknown photographer & subjects)

Ah, well...

The weekend was fairly restful.

Now it's back to work and back to the daily grind.

:P

Everyone have a great week!!

Here's a smile for today...

Ahhh, yes.... The weekend!!!!

Some days I try to think of what I can write about. There doesn't seem to be any huge problems going on in my life right now. There are no major highs either. I must seem very boring to a lot of you. Maybe that's why people don't come by and visit me as much as they used to visit. Then I think about how little "real life" it must seem that I deal with on a daily basis.

Then I stop and think back and reflect on my life.

I've been through some pretty bad things in my life. Some of you know about some of them. ...most of you don't. But I've been through some good things, too. So have we all.

My life is simpler now. There's a few things I might change, but a lot I wouldn't. How would I know who I am had I not seen all those things? How would I know how strong I am -- or how weak some things make me?

How would I know how lucky I am?

I know this is a genuine saying (and I'm sure I'm butchering the quote), but I read something someone else wrote today about "the quickest way to be unhappy is to always want what you do not have. The quickest way to be happy is gratitude for what you DO have." I believe this is true.

Today I have a job. I have a family who loves me dearly. I have a roof over my head. I have hobbies that make me happy. I have friends who make me happy. I have a husband who loves me more than anything and tries to make me happy daily. I have a son who loves me and says I'm a good mom.

What else could anyone want?!

So for today, I may seem boring. I may seem like I know not of pain or heartache. I may seem like I've had a wonderful life. It isn't necessarily so, but that's quite alright with me.

Today,...

I am here. ...and I am me.

And that's okay.

:)

Goodbye Blizzie...

:'(

Well, Blizzie turned 7 last month. She lived to be 7 years and 1 month old. According to this post about Blizzie, you may understand her better. I thought Spot was easygoing -- and I'm positive he was to a point.

Her injuries elude to the fact that there was a fight. ...a nasty fight. ...and he won. He does seem quite traumatized. He hasn't made a public appearance since (though we've checked him for injuries), but that doesn't change the fact that she's gone. ...and he's lost his best friend, too.

:'(

We'll miss you.

Goodnight, Blizzie...

Just popping in to say "Hey!" and I hope you have a GREAT weekend!!!

A Moment of Silence

This is a questionnaire I've seen on a couple of friends' blogs...

1. Do you like cheese?
- I LOVE cheese. I eat it on and with everything!

2. Have you ever smoked heroin?
- I've had smoked herring. Does that count...? ;D

3. Do you own a gun?
- Do SuperSoakers count?

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
- I normally get nervous during and AFTER doctor appointments! "They need to do what?!!"

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
- I think you should put them in air conditioning...

7. What's your favorite Christmas song?
- Actually, one of my favorites also makes me very sad. "I'll Be Home for Christmas" I haven't been home for Christmas in a very long time... :'(

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
- Coffee or water

9. Can you do push ups?
- Couldn't tell you... Nope, don't ask.

10. Is your bathroom clean?
- Not as much as I'd like... I mean, can a bathroom ever REALLY be "clean enough?" :P

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
- I have several pieces that I wear all the time! I have a diamond anniversary band on my left ring finger. I wear a plain, gold, hand-hammered band on my right ring finger (got it at the Rennaisance Faire years ago).

13. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
- I don't carry weapons -- or fishing equipment.

14. Do you have A.D.D.?
- Sometimes I wonder if.... Oh, look!! A squirrel!

16. Middle Name?
- Lynn - Wow... Lots of us seem to have that middle name!

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
1) I should be working.
2) I'm glad it's Friday
3) I need caffeine

18. Name the last 3 things you have bought?
1) Hubby's birthday present
2) Gasoline
3) A couple of cookbooks

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink:
1) Water
2) Coffee
3) Lemon Water

20. Current worry?
- Nah... Currants don't worry me. I'm bigger than they are! ;)

21. Current hate?
- I don't hate anything or anyone. Well, maybe little miss mental illness... But we won't go there.

22. Favorite place to be?
- In La-La land

23. How did you bring in the New Year?
- Same as always... Aggravating the neighbors with fireworks at midnight!! :D

24. Where would you like to go?
- To a land far, far away....

27. Do you own slippers?
- Several pairs -- Mmm.... Comfy

28. What are you wearing?
- Jeans, and a blue polo, blue sandals, and aforementioned rings

29. Do you burn or tan?
- I SO burn!! Then I peel and burn some more...

30. Favorite color?
- I have several! Red, Blue, Purple...

31. Would you be a pirate?
- Too tough a life for me... I'm a wimp

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
- I don't sing in the shower... I practice my mime skills.

35. What's in your pocket right now?
- my cell phone

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
- Watching Oprah last night when Paula Deen accidentally dropped a bowl into the mixer and ingredients went flying everywhere!!

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
- I don't recall anything cute -- just flowers and such. Guess I don't have any favorites.. I always wanted unicorn sheets to match my unicorn pajamas. Oh, wait... That's right now.

38. Worst injury you've ever had?
- I'm sure it was an emotional injury and not a physical one

40. How many TVs do you have in your house?
- 6 (but that's one in son's old room and one in the 'guest' room)

41. Who is your loudest friend?
- I don't think I have any loud friends... Maybe Debra.

42. Who is your most silent friend?
- Probably Mishelle...

43. Does someone have a crush on you?
- I don't think so. Do you know something I don't?

45. What is your favorite book?
- Right now I'd say the Harry Potter books, but I've read so many, I couldn't pinpoint one... And I'm sure it should probably be something more important...!! ;)

46. What is your favorite candy?
- Sour Skittles!

47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding?
- Hmm.... We had "I Pledge My Love" played at our wedding. That's the one we wanted...

48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
- Don't know.... Hopefully I'll have time to figure that one out... :P

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night?
- Watching television (Ninja Warrior, I think)

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
- I need coffee!


Yeah, yeah, yeah...

I know that isn't 50 questions. I don't know where the others ran off to...

:D

Happy Birthday, Hubby!!!

I love you!!!