A Peanut!

TGIF!!! Yes, that's the right time of my blog today/tonight...Central Standard time...12:27 a.m.! Early morn and still no sleep. Will dread the rest of the day as it drags....especially at work as I have a 2:00 meeting right after lunch and you know what that means.

So, last weekend my niece went on a conference trip with her college to Abilene and so being the good aunt that I am, I gave her some munchies to take on the road. Some good old fashioned GARP trail mix that I used to make in my camping days. The trail mix consists of peanuts, milk chocolate pieces and raisins. The peanuts were from a spicy thai mix and from the good folks at Planters but I forgot to tell my niece there were some spicy ones in the mix. So earlier tonight, I saw she had the half eaten bag on her bed and I asked her how the munchies were? She chuckles and tells me that the peanuts are bad that's why she didn't eat them all. I started laughing and telling her about the mix to which she replied (as she held a peanut in her hand), "I knew there was something different about you"! Hence my blog tonight! Oh well guess you had to be there.

Ok, I really need to get some sleep! Way past my bedtime and I'm working on Saturday too but thankfully no more Sundays! Good news in that they cut back my hours of which I'll miss the extra money but welcome the extra time!

Blonde with a flat tire

For Friday funnies...

Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I ease my car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully, get out of the car and open the trunk. I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so life like you wouldn't believe it! They are in trench coats exposing their nude bodies and private parts to the approaching drivers. To my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at my life like men. And of course, traffic starts backing up. Everybody is tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a state trooper pulls up behind me. He gets out ofhis car and starts walking toward me. I could tell he was not a happy camper! 'What's going on here?''My car has a flat tire', I said calmly. 'Well, what the hell are those obscene cardboard men doing here by the road?' I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told him, 'Hellooooo, those are my emergency flashers!'

One of those days!

0113091900a.jpg
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Ever have one of those days?! I had one of these on Friday. I almost lost it. I was feeling frazzled and harried but thank goodness lunch time came around and I took a quick drive to the park and back to work I went to finish out the day. I worked Saturday but am sooo glad to have the holiday off....I was living for MLK day. Today was a low-key gorgeous day but household chores beckoned as well as watching the playoffs. Go CARDS!

Engraved

Engraved
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

from two years ago!

I still remember as if it were yesterday,

the memories are engraved in my heart and soul.

What a day for our family.

Happy 52nd Anniversary Mom & Dad.

A Better Life

Tips for a Better Life – 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants. Eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime .

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (or email them to death)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

A good paying job!

John Smith started the day early having set his
alarm clock (made in Japan) for 6am.
While his coffeepot
(made in China)
was perking, he shaved with his electric razor
(made in Hong Kong).
He put on a dress shirt
(made in Sri Lanka ),
and designer jeans
(made in Singapore )
and tennis shoes
(made in Korea )
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet
(made in India)
he sat down with his calculator
(made in Mexico)
to see how much he could spend today.

After setting his watch
(made in Taiwan)
to the radio
(made in Canada )
he got in his car
(made in Germany )
filled it with GAS
(from Saudi Arabia )
and continued his search
for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging
and fruitless day checking his computer
(Made In Malaysia ),
John decided to relax for a while.
He put on his sandals
(made in Brazil )
poured himself a glass of wine
(made in France )
and turned on his TV
(made in Indonesia ),
and then wondered
why he can't find
a good paying job
in AMERICA!!!

Red Hill

Tradescantia/Red Hill
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

This Exotic Angel plant called my name yesterday and he was on clearance for $1.00. I happily brought him home to be my chosen plant for 2009. Within the dirt are the cut up pieces of my letter for the new year that lists my dreams, hopes and desires for 2009. More info about plant here. I knew nothing about this plant when I bought it but I love the explanation which fits me to a tee in the description of home decor: eclectic.

Last night I had a ceremonial smudge which celebrates "in with the new and out with the old" that includes a letter in reference to the past year. In the the letter I offer healing and hope to myself and for others and ask for forgiveness to those that I've hurt in the past year. This is my fourth year to do so and I look forward to the quiet time before celebrating the new year.