Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas Dear Friends!

FOR THOSE BORN 1920-1979

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.And we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies ! or DVD's , no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms....... .
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so 'm u c h' of our lives for our own good .
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
* The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us.... go ahead and delete this.
For the rest of us... pass this ON!

Moving Day Welcome Faithful Readers!

 

If you are reading this then you are in the right spot!

10 Ways to keep your sanity for the New Year

 

1.) You are good enough just the way you are! Don’t let anybody ever tell you any different!

2.) Stop listening to the opinions of others.

3.) Life isn’t about being too big or too small, it is about being healthy.

4.) Take responsibility for yourself and your actions.

5.) If your friends and family don’t care about your genuine well being then let them go gracefully.

6.) Happiness is the only true fountain of youth, drink from it daily.

7.) Be honest with yourself and what you want out of life. Otherwise the only person you cheat is you!

8.) Trust your inner guidance during times of stress and chaos. Does taking this or some other action in your life feel right to you? What does your gut instinct tell you to do?

9.) Appreciate the good in others. Appreciating the kindness and generosity in others helps us to recognize the compassion that we also kindle within ourselves. Don’t just say thank you, give a special and meaningful gift straight from your heart.

10.) When people are rude to you, call you names out of spite, and throw wrenches into your machines, forget them. They are nothing more than sour grapes. Holding on to old resentments, anger, and revengeful thoughts create tumors, even in a healthy body. And nobody wants those.

Now go out there and shake your Figgy Pudding wenches!

2011 in a Nutshell

 

There are two sorts of beauty, one of the mind, the other of the body; that of the mind displays and exhibits itself in intelligence, in modesty, in honorable conduct, in generosity, in good breeding...and when it is this sort of beauty...that is the attraction, love is apt to spring up suddenly and violently. ~Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)

1.)  I became initiated into Maha Yoga.

2.)  My long time hobbies became more important to my sanity.

3.) Started attending daily worship services.

4.) I learned vedic mantras.

5.) Took my dog for lumpectomy.

6.) I lost the man I spent 20 years with.

7.) Some people I knew better than to trust.

8.) I devoted more time to writing in my personal journals.

9.) Made more time for rest.

10.) Became my own guru.

11.) I Learned who my real friends are.

12.) I learned that my family does not have my mother’s best interest at heart.

13.) I realized that I really (really) don’t like the cold-except when playing in the snow. And that is rarely.

14.)  I started making dream boards and lists and I’m sticking to them.

15.) I gave a large portion of my clothing away to people that needed them.

16.) I backed up files and organized my closet, desk, computer hard drive and bookshelves.

17.) I realized that there are things I can’t change but changed the things that I can.

18.) I Made a vow to lower my electric bill by finding new and alternative heating sources. IE: Making Soda can furnace and buying a paper brick maker.

19.)  I faced the sad and harsh reality that even though I protect the local wildlife I cannot save them all.

20.) I Became less worried about the dirty business of love and more devoted to finding long time friends that share the joys that I also love.

I release all of my worries into that great abyss that carries sparkly dandelion fronds on their journey and red-tailed hawks into the wild blue yonder and all of the lovely things that make me swoon upon their wings..

 

You are Loved.

All is well.

Aho Mitakuye’ Oyasin,

So Exhausted!

Dear Diary,

My gosh! I don’t mean to whine but I have to talk about it with someone. As you can tell I haven’t meditated in a week or done yoga so I am literally falling apart at the seams.

I am so exhausted. gah! we switched schools after it had already started and it has been a mean week of playing catch up. I can’t even begin to tell you the amount of patience my daughter has had being a real trooper trying to make it work in the new school. 3 boxes and 57lbs of school books rolled up in the UPS truck to which they stated no writing in the books so we have to copy just about every single page of every book plus doing online assessments and study island every day for 30 minutes. The personal learning coach said it should easily be done within 4-5 hours but it is taking us more like 8. They didn’t tell us about the holiday off so my daughter could have had a break and didn’t get one. She was one of a few students that showed up for virtual homeroom class. She likes it and is making friends easily enough. Plus the school is free. They even send her a computer. The only problem is now everyone we know is pulling their kids back out because it is too complicated.

I have home schooled her since she was old enough to go to regular school. Up to this point I have never doubted doing it. This school makes me not only question them but even doubting myself for the very first time as to what the heck was I thinking transferring her to a new school just because everyone else in our school left and went there too.

I haven’t cried (literally broke down and cried) this hard since the doctors found my tumor in 2006. I am finding out that we both have pretty bad allergies. It causes us to both have sniffles and bags under our eyes. Doc gave us something for it but he said anything over the counter will work just as well. We aren’t getting enough rest and because of the time change we now get up at dawn.

I was supposed to be on more bed rest because of my hurt rib but that just hasn’t happened.

I have completely given up on NANOWRIMO because this is the amount I have written for the whole month. Nothing more.

What’s interesting is I am a good friend. I am always there when someone needs me. I love helping others and now it is my turn.  Right now I really need a true friend. I know, this sounds like a cry for help. Maybe it is. I just feel like I am drowning in too much stress and stuff to do every day. I haven’t got time for fun and my back is always hurting. I can’t stand longer than it takes to cook dinner without wincing in pain in my lumbar area. I don’t want to be one of those old ladies that is hunched over. The doc says my back really desperately needs surgery but I can’t afford it and don’t have any access to health insurance. They say I still don’t qualify for tenncare. blah!

Something is wrong with the water and it keeps going off when I am in the shower. I thought it might be a leak somewhere but checked and couldn’t find anything that could be causing it.

It is about to be winter here so I am not looking forward to it going off when the pipes freeze.

Pray for me.

You are loved.

Elderberry Sizzurp

Today has been so hectic. Much busy work to do. So tired right now.

Made some Elderberry syrup (sizzurp) for the family and making a batch of home made cat and dog food with meat in it for an extra treat during winter to add to the regular rations of dog and cat food.

Bought some liquid Vitamin C and D3 as well as trying some liquid lysine for the cats added to their water because nobody is getting sicker this year.

Little fawn went down within 2 days of starting NANOWRIMO so I am unable to receive the results that I desire of writing per day since there is a certain amount of word count that must be met per day in order to keep going toward the end result. I just can't do it when she's sick. I can't get a minute to myself. Next year I am going to have a bigger home so I can lock myself away for most of the month while I write. By the time she goes to bed every night I am a zombie.

I just got out of the hospital again. This time I was bending over to get out of the bed and went to put my shoes on and snapped something in my ribs. Took a few shots to get me back in tolerable working order. So glad to be back home. Of course all I want to do is sleep but can't.

A reader left this note to me regarding my past accident and problems that stemmed from it. I would like to share it with you now.

Dear Eva,

When I was 20 years old, without children, the Doctors told me that I needed a hysterectomy due to complications.

I too was hurt and had a difficult time seeing pregnant women and babies also.

Give yourself some time and think about adopting, loving from your heart and not your womb.

Open a day care, find your joy in helping others. Feel your grief and move on, like Oprah says know your "A-ha" moments. 

One of mine is dreaming that I'm pregnant and feeling the baby kick in my stomach and having a brother and sister in law with triplets, three girls after trying for 8 years. One is autistic, difficult for Mom Kelly, but she is strong and a determined person, worker, teacher and mother, the three girls are 6 yrs old beautiful and amazing. 

The babies were premature, 2.02 lbs, 2.09 lbs. & 3lbs. She had to suction for breast milk three times a day with a collapsed lung while her mother or husband would drive the breast milk to the hospital 2-3 times a day, which was an hour drive. Everyone working together, Kelly was a trooper and everyone is seeing the results of love, determination, & faith. 

God bless you, have faith that things will get better. 

Find your purpose.

Thank you dear reader. 

Sea cottage vs Ranch home

Dear Diary,

I have always loved interior decorating. Growing up it was one of my dreams.
I am finding a renewed interest in it these days in all of the things I was forced to give up.

Now I subscribe to more than 20 decorating blogs of every shape and form. That is how committed I am to renewing my interest.. 

I have been redecorating this place for a while now. That and planting mango and avocado seed like there is no tomorrow.

Thoughts of buying a real ranch have popped into my mind. Tossing ideas and figures around in my mind. Writing things down. 

I have looked at cottages by the sea but they are large wonderful spaces inside with tiny and unusable spaces outside. 

Although I would love them, a seaside cottage is totally unpractical for farm animals. And I need something for farm animals because nobody gets left behind on this deal. Either we all go as one unit or we stay here. It really is that simple.

When my settlement money arrives I am going to travel. I may go to California to see a friend that recently moved there. I may stop and look at property for sale the whole way there. I may call a real estate agent in every state along the way and see which I like the best. She is so happy there in Cali.

I know I would be too. There are more of my kind of people there. (Fun, beach loving, flower children) 

I have had a thousand different ideas about where I want to live. 

I love my uncommon slice of suburbia I crave a real working farm. Making larger quantities of cheese, butter, and soap. I make it all the time here but I want a cow and a goat to help me out. And some chickens.

My biggest hurdle when it comes to buying a home is I don't mind working on a fixer upper I just don't want to spend all of my time repairing someones mistakes like faulty wiring or faulty plumbing or shoddy workmanship (like here) with the well problems. 

I can overlook this minor difficulty if it isn't costly. Buying a different home after all this time in this one is like having a second marriage. The next time around there is bound to be some hurt feelings. Like for instance....I have to face the facts, I might not get enough money to buy this place and the landlord will obviously not lower the price. His feelings will be hurt when I move on. Especially if I can't buy it.

I have noticed a lot of changes that have been made recently since I had real estate for sale.

1. Ranches and Country Estates are now considered trendy-even when located on a tiny 0.5 acre corner lot or less.
2. People are pricing their homes for twice as much as they are actually worth on the appraisal or tax documents.
3. People are selling hunting property listing it as wildlife refuges. (they totally forget to remove their baiting and killing apparatuses) yeeks!
4. People are starting to build their home then losing momentum halfway through. The price on the half finished shell of a home is still as high as it would be finished only you are stuck buying the materials and then finishing it yourself; which almost doubles the already high price of the home.
5. Brokers lure innocent home buyers with tempting ads on craigslist that start with something like Own your own home with only $1,000 down. What they really mean is $10,000 down. Shameless marketing tactics.

I am not trying to live as a hermit forever but I like off the beaten path. I like privacy. I like a fenced yard. And I like places where cars don't drive up and down the streets all hours of the night. Especially now that I am older. I need a sense of peace and quiet. At least in my mind.

I found a great new diary software.

The one I use is idailydiary free and it has served my needs for many years now. I blog with a fast quick paced reckless abandon and I like a software that holds up.. Even though windows live writer works well for my blogger and wordpress blogs once it is installed correctly for them.

I found another equally compelling diary software this week that caught my eye called The Journal 5 and it comes with journal, writing, poetry prompts and templates as well as a diet, exercise, activity log and other prompts from well know motivational speakers.

I downloaded a trial and really like it. Were I not already in love with idailydiary I would take The Journal 5 as a tawdry mistress in a New York minute..

I have scolded myself for not blogging more often. I admit, I had forgotten how fun and stress relieving it is for me. After being hassled I just gave up dishing all of my sensitivities out there for the world to see. Some days I even found things to do to keep from writing. I am too busy, have too much housework to do. Too much homeschooling stuff. The list goes on and on. Finally, I ran out of excuses and here I am again. Huzzah!

My Mission Statement

Mission Statement...

I am at my best when I try my hardest to get my tasks completed. Often exceed the expectations of my personal and professional goals, family, and blog readers. 

I will accomplish this by committing to my values and creativity, and by aiming for, and offering to others, the highest levels of creativity, spirituality, and information of which I am capable. I will maintain a focus on the value of my own creative freedom and the expression of that freedom..

I will try to prevent times when others slow down my personal and professional writing or blogging goals and delay my progress with their roadblocks thrown in my way. .

I will enjoy my work by finding freelance writing employment where I can.

I am an accomplished leader that enjoys new challenges when they are presented to me. I can follow directions wisely and own up to the responsibilities that I am in charge of..

I will find enjoyment in my personal life through having fun and being silly.

I love creating new art projects, dream boards, and journals. I love helping others to heal, by teaching them to use relaxation, and good nutrition to overcome many of their health challenges. .

I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as Writing and Newsletter creation. Art and music. Blogging and helping others to discover their hidden talents..

I can do anything I set my mind to. I will If I had unlimited resources I would start a research project on the Luna Moth; which is born without a mouth and because of this defect only lives a few days. Many other species of moths that were born physically challenged and I would find a way to correct this genetic defect in their DNA..

My life's journey is A Journey of love and of Healing. Both for myself and for others. Life isn't always paradise but if we live every day of our life like it is then when the tough times come, we are better able to handle life hardest moments..

I will be a person who makes her own dreams come true.

I would like to spend my 80th Birthday with my Family and with my tribe of blog readers. I would thank them for making me feel happy in so many beautiful ways. They have helped me over the years do a personal inventory and helped me discover what is the most important thing in my life and that is LOVE..

My most important future contribution to others will be I offer my contribution of Love and Healing to those I know and Love because they helped me to see my own inner beauty and helped me to heal after my ordeal with my ovarian carcinoma. I wish this same gift of healing for each them. 

I wish to Publish my book on "Healing on an everyday basis", living a good life that emotionally and spiritually supports you to make yourself feel inner joy and positively beautiful every day in your life. Laughing, playing, and exercise keep us feeling young and fabulous and radiating confidence at any age..

I will stop procrastinating and start working on:

Some people more than others judged me harshly growing up because I have lived a fun filled life and always had that certain sparkle in my eye. some people are turned off by this sparkle. You would be amazed at how many.

I feel it is absolutely necessary to continue to keep this sparkle through every phase of your life. Never lose this inner joy or creative spark because it is vital to humanity. I almost lost it once and I can attest that when your creative spark dims it is sure to bring with it physical illness and dis-ease so never lose your inner joy!

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

Compassion, Creativity, emotional Support
Beauty, Anti Aging, Personal Style
Passion, Joy of life, Great fashion sense

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

Dress well. Your personal style represents you every moment of the day. Whether you know it or not.

Find your Spiritual Teacher or Guru and learn from them sincerely. You will thank yourself later for learning inner mastery.

Improving your physical health daily helps to improve your mental health. Living your inner joy and happiness is the best medicine you can ever take.

Cultivating a fun loving Tribe of friendships that share the same inner harmony and spiritual beliefs that you do is essential for your social growth. Meeting with other blissful co-creators can be a life changing event for both you and them!

Copyright Eva A. Wright 2011