Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Something Very Special~~~
Sunday morning I checked one of my e-mail accounts and found an e-mail from Nancy Liedel, at The Goat Rodeo , directing me to her blog for a review! I must admit I was very curious but knowing she was a friend of Miss Bee's, I didn't figure she'd be too terribly rough on me!
Wow! What a lovely surprise!!! I want to thank you personally, Nancy, for your kindness. Oh, I offered to take down the music and was threatened, so it stays!
"Sunday, Blog DayJuly 29th, 2007
I seem to be making the rounds of the people who are regulars on Shipshape Gal’s blog (otherwise known as, Empress Bee). That’s because I go down a list on my, “blog’s to be read” list and her buddies are all at the top of the list. I found, Amazing Gracie’s blog, Echoes of Grace, on that list.
Gracie’s posts clearly show the life of a good woman who struggles with ordinary things. Just like we all do.
Her grandson is off to Navy boot camp and Gracie is bursting with pride, and concern. Her love for her grandchild, along with her obvious patriotism and her conflict of worry, all mingle into a genuine outpouring of emotion that tug at your heart. Gracie’s thoughts, at this time, are genuine and beautifully laid out in her carefully tended blog."
Gracie is a surprise at every turn. Just when you think you have her pinned into a neat little corner, she writes something that shows you the depth and complexity of her character and you’re fascinated, all over again.
Music does accompany her blog. Her music is beyond lovely, but it sucks my bandwidth more effectively than a Dyson sucks dog hair. I can’t have any other windows open when I’m looking at her site, or this piece of crap computer will slow to a dead crawl. Worth it, though. Like I said, the music is wonderful and peaceful, just like her Echos of Grace."
Monday, July 30, 2007
Deep Thoughts for Deep Days
This was one of those "rainy day" kind of days; introspective and weepy. The kind of day that will pass and be bright and sunny tomorrow but needs attention today. I found some quotes that were intriguing and pertain to a thought I was given by someone special: "Do Not Ever Let Anyone Steal Your Joy." It's a powerful statement because it contains truth. Once we relinquish our ability to be joyful in the present, we are allowing someone to have power over us. In order to remain in control of our lives we must not allow anyone to take our joy from us.
"We focus on the negatives, losing ourselves in the ‘problem.’ We point to our unhappy circumstances to rationalize our negative feelings. This is the easy way out. It takes, after all, very little effort to feel victimized."
-- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Although we have no control over what happens to us, we ALWAYS have a choice in how we respond. We hold our power when we accept complete responsibility for our thoughts, feelings and actions.
-- Elmer G. Letterman
-- Steven Biko
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Manic Monday - Miss
When "The Hit Parade" came along and we had the Top Forty list, a TV show became very popular in the UK, called "Juke Box Jury," hosted by David Jacobs, but it got it's start here in the US with Peter Potter. I remember hearing the catch phrase, "Will it be a hit or a miss?" as the celebrities would listen to a new single and rate it as a "hit," or "miss." Of course, like any other show, we at home would often disagree with them and that made it fun to watch!
Since I was unable to bring the UTube video over, I have the URL to the very popular theme song that accompanied the UK show, which coincidentally, was produced by Peter Potter (boy, I would've changed my name!). It was extremely popular at the time and reminds me a lot of something by the Ventures. Enjoy the 45's hurtling towards you!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFAbKp4jsPE
The following paragraph is from "I LOVE 1960 TV."
I LOVE 1960 TV
Jukebox Jury - The show in which assorted celebrities rated new single releases a 'hit' or a 'miss' -
Echoed by Amazing Gracie at 11:47 PM 17 Echoes
Labels: Manic Monday - Miss
To Everything There is a Season...
I debated whether or not to post this but I feel in my heart that I must. Our blogs all relate our ups and downs, the good and the bad, the funny and the sad. Most of us pour out our concerns here and find it a safe haven.
Sunday Blessings to You!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Friday Feast #153
The one that really stands out is a doll house my dad put together Christmas Eve, after I finally went to bed. While he and my mom were working on it, I woke up and wandered down the hall and caught them at it. My mom whispered to me that I was walking in my sleep and to go back to bed. I must have fallen for it, too!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Our Own Hero...
Another Propaganda Movie Coming Your Way...
"Hollywood is set to release anti-war propaganda in the fall. It's their thank you to our soldiers for putting their life on the line to protect our freedom to even diss the very people who continue to lose their life protecting it. They are about to turn our soldiers into killers without a future:"
To continue reading this very eye-opening film review, please click here:
http://reformedchicksblabbing.blogspot.com/
Thursday Thirteen - Cars
3. I drove this '62 Buick Skylark in high school and to work. It had an aluminum block engine and looked very innocent but it could take just about anything off the line. It had a neat little four speed and was hot to trot! It taught me how to throw a speed shift. It also gave me my first speeding ticket! (I've only had two!)
5. When my mom passed away in 1992, she wanted me to have her '92 Cougar. Looks can be deceptive. It was a speedy little devil! My mom gave me me fondness for fast cars. She could drive circles around a lot of people... 6. The first hot rod hubman and I bought was a '32 five-window coupe. It was one of those garage affairs that wound up being "almost" perfect and made him pretty well decide against a another do-it-yourself job. It sure was gorgeous though...
9. One of hubman's favorites was this '56 Chevy Cameo Pickup. This is one we hated to see go! 10. At the time hubman and I married, I was the proud, yes - I say proud - owner of a Ford Pinto Station Wagon, the stuff jokes are made of! My first husband and I owned it less than six months when some old lady pulled out in front of me and almost totalled it! I had four kids in the car - no seat belts.
Echoed by Amazing Gracie at 1:34 AM 18 Echoes
Labels: Thursday Thirteen - Cars
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sports Rant
Monday, July 23, 2007
Manic Monday - Wind
The wind swirled the leaves gently at her feet, then began spiraling up her legs, tossing her silky skirt upwards towards the sky. Quickly, she smoothed her skirt with both of her hands in the front while the back swished madly. Her hair flew in all directions, circling wildly around her tanned oval face. She made an effort to control her long ebony hair but it was impossible to manage her hair and her wind-tossed skirt at the same time. Her long, curvy legs were on full display and there was nothing she could do except grab at her skirt and hold on!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Friday Feast
Soup
If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick?
"Book of Virtues," edited by William Bennet
Salad
What is your favorite breakfast food?
I have a protein shake every morning but my very favorite is eggs over easy with hashed brown potatoes, fresh biscuits and gravy!
Main Course
Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00.
Buy a book, rent a DVD, buy an ice cream sundae, go to the mall - windowshop - and buy a dessert and coffee! There are still lots of options.
Dessert
How long does it usually take you to fall asleep?
A lot longer in the summer than in the winter! I've always had a difficult time with the sandman.
The Moaning Meme - Sounds Erotic!
Sarge Charlie tagged me with this one - he said I'd be nice! He, he, he... I only show him my good side; he hasn't seen my "dark side." Be prepared, Sarge!
people know what it's all about! Be as honest as possible, This is about letting
people get to know the real you! Try not to insult anyone - unless they really
deserve it or are very, very ugly! Post these rules at the end of every meme.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Wordless Wednesday
The Mo Show !!!
(Katie says "hello" to Jazper!)
What? Me Worry?
Anyone my age knows the Mad Magazine icon, "Alfred E. Neuman," and his "What? Me Worry?" tagline. I have said the words so many times, so nonchalantly, like my buddy Alfred E., but inside my gut was churning. Our minds are so powerful! They control every aspect of who, how, and what we are. To some degree, they can even control certain illnesses and their intensity.
Doctors have proven that a mind full of negativity and worry creates stress, which creates cortisol and damages our bodies. It can bring about depression and other emotional problems.
So why do we worry? A lot of it's based on our basic personalities - do we see the glass as half- full or half-empty? I'm a half-full type of gal mentally, but my body says half-empty! Another aspect is the physical as in someone like myself, who is predisposed to depression.
***I had to stop typing this because of the aura I'm getting due to the onset of a migraine. I've taken my meds and will try to continue but it will probably not go in the direction I wanted...
I used to laugh at my hubman's mom because she worried nonstop about us. If we were going to see my mom, she asked that we call and let her know we arrived safely because the L.A. traffic worried her. Inevitably, we'd forget to call in the hubbub of arriving and she'd be on the phone before we knew it. I always felt bad but down deep, I thought it was a bit much. Well, guess who's doing the worrying now? What goes 'round does indeed, come 'round! My daughter and her sons travel a lot and when I don't hear from her when she's on the road, I really worry! I'm sure my dear MIL is somewhere saying, "See?" And it serves me right!
But my worrying for my daughter's safety isn't going to make her safer. Case in point: My first husband and I were married in 1965 and he stayed just ahead of deferment for the draft. I would lay in bed at night, unable to sleep because I knew he'd be drafted and die in Viet Nam. He did die young, but only a few blocks from our house in a car accident! Unnecessary worry like that takes it toll on you body and your emotions. I have had panic attacks, migraines, IBS, anxiety, lower immunity to disease, etc. I've tried to reverse the damage that I've done but it's a rough road and one involving exercise, my old nemesis. But it's "fixable," for the most part.
Today, I have heard from dear people that I love and care about that are in places in their lives that they'd rather not be. I worry about them. That's okay - that's empathy; that is concern that creates long prayers lists! This gives us an opportunity to at least feel that I'm being productive in some way, whether or not one believes in prayer, as I do. It gives you a focused activity and an outlet for the worry and anger. It's all of the non-productive anger and worry that creates all of those negatives in the darkrooms of our minds.
To all of you special people who are carrying burdens right now, you know I love you and am thinking about you continually. Whether it's money, relationships, illness or strife, please try to find a productive way to deal with it. Do as I say, not as I do!
Things in this life are never simple, but Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow. ~Swedish ProverbSunday, July 15, 2007
Manic Monday - Marble
I am a "hobby" painter and I'll never make it into the Louvre (a craft show, maybe!). I've used many mediums: watercolor, pastel, acrylic and oil. I understand how these mediums work and create art, whether on canvas or wood. I can understand using clay to shape a bowl or a pot. But using marble to create a masterpiece such as The Pieta or Michelangelo's David, is beyond my ken. I do not understand how you can shape stone with tools into such lifelike dimensions. So, when Morgen said "Marble" was the word for today, that was the second thing that leaped into my brain. The first? The most obvious!!! The marbles I have been looking for, since they have obviously escaped from my noggin!!!
The statue was first intended to be displayed in the Cathedral, but was then felt to be of so great merit as to deserve a more important position.
Echoed by Amazing Gracie at 11:42 PM 24 Echoes
Labels: Manic Monday - Marble
Tagged with a Goodie!
LIST FIVE THINGS IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR
1. Diet Pepsi - Strawberries & Cream
*For those of you who do know me, you'll realize that I wouldn't be caught dead with either one of these as I am rather conservative and my current bag is a black leather, east/west profile that I spent way too much on when I was working...
1. My huge wallet that is full of nickles and quarters - about four bucks worth.
2. Starbucks "After Coffee" mints
3. Lipgloss
4. My "migraine kit," containing extra-strength Tylenol and my migraine meds.
5. My Sonitrol card to get into my building that I forgot to turn in. Ooops!
The Great Barrier Reef
British Columbia - Anywhere! I'd love to see Vancouver and Banff.I'd love to see a real mermaid - they are real, aren't they???