Ebrace Today!

 

Give yourself a perfect day.

Do what makes you happy.

Look upon what gives you joy.

Speak to those who warm your heart.

Listen to that which lifts your spirit.

Surround yourself with sights and sounds

and people who give you pleasure.

For all the happiness you give to others.

Give yourself a perfect day, I know that is what

I plan on doing today and I want the same
for all of you!

Thow Shalt Not Commit Nincompoopery!

What do you really need? What if some of the things you think you need, you do not need at all?

I was in a store the other day and was putting some items in my cart and before I reached the line at the register, I looked at all the items in my cart and realized, I don’t need any of these items and why am I getting them? I was proud of myself that I decided not make those purchases.

Later in the day, as I was jotting words down for my next post, I was wondering about the word “need”.

I have been taking notice of not only myself but others and what we all think we need.

Do we really need the approval of others? Do we really need to be offended by things that don’t even affect us?

Do we really need that order of fries or that fourth cocktail?

And, as I driving home and sat at a set of lights today watching other drivers………come on…….. Do people really need to speed through the light that has already turned yellow? Then I saw a man switch lanes and go through a red light. What is wrong with people? They are endangering the lives of others including themselves. I wish there was a cop around to see and catch that individual.

Can you imagine being burden free of so much self-imposed and useless need? All these nagging little needs……………………..

I’ve been making it a habit lately to stop and ask myself……..is this really a need, or just a comfortable way to hide from my best possibilities.

Most people lack a great deal of patience. Slow down everyone!



Happy Memorial Day!

So good, So good, So good

So good, So good, So good

I’m home!  My calendar was filled for my two week trip to Boston. This trip became an investment in my emotional health and wellness.

I truly enjoyed this trip without guilt, no ifs, ands or buts.  I gave this time back to myself.

My daughter relieved my mind that was filled with worries, she reminded me to let go of the worries and let in an awareness of the positive possibilities. It was then that I was able to enjoy my wonderful two weeks in Boston with her, my family and dear friends.

Her heart is always open as well as her mind. I learned through her to let in the beauty, let in the joy, let in the richness of life. I guess I did something right raising this beautiful woman!

And what a wonderful Mother's Day trip it was!

• A lovely day in Cape Cod

• A wonderful luncheon with my classmates at DeMaino's and again with my Everett friends.

• Enjoying lunch with Linda and Diane at Linda's home

• Visiting family members, Teresa, Angelo, Maryann, Susie,  Mike, Susan, Adele and their spouses, Dolly and Cindy

• Enjoying dinner with friends at Caputo’s

• Going to my daughter’s intense “Kickboxing” class with her at her gym located in Boston (I only watched due to my knee injury and bad back) I was impressed with the instructor, Julie

• A surprise day at a Red Sox game at Fenway! WOW

• I loved “Eastern Standard” restaurant in Boston and “Umberto’s” in the North End.........Oh those panzerottis were soooooooooooooo good.  I have to try and duplicate that recipe for sure.

• My daughter made every day so special! She even made her first gravy and meatballs under my supervision. It was a fun day of cooking.  We also duplicated the Crudite that we enjoyed so much from the Eastern Standard Restaurant.  That needs to marinate for two weeks before eating.  Hope it came out good.

• My daughter bought me lovely gifts for Mother’s Day but the gift of herself was the most treasured. I know she spent a fortune on me and would not allow me to take my wallet out.

I tried real hard to visit all of my family members but some plans fell through unexpectedly to visit with Margaret and Tina. Hope to see the ones I missed during this trip on my next journey back as my 50th Class Reunion is coming up soon.

We walked all over Boston, the city I was born in and love so much. My legs were giving in to pain but I was able to endure it with the aid of popping some Advils. Boston still amazes me and always will.

So many times we live our lives doing what others want us to do or what we think is expected of us. This may be practical at work, where you need to fulfill your job duties, but your personal life is different.

As a mother raising young children, cleaning the house, paying the bills, preparing all the meals, purchasing adorable clothes for the children to wear to school, rushing to school meetings, shopping for my elderly mother on the weekends and doing her errands, and did I add, holding down two jobs! All not easy when you are a single parent. Always taking care of the needs of others, you end up neglecting your own interests, needs and desires. Over time, your spirit withers and you feel caught in an undertow of survival.

Being retired now, I look back at my past and admit to myself that I tried to do my very best. I love my children and family.

It takes a long time to stop holding on to the disappointments of the past. I learned to let the moment be, and let life in.

The time to act is when you have the intention. The time to act is as soon as you feel the urge to make a difference.

If you hesitate, you’ll begin to talk yourself out of it. When you give in to doubt, doubt will seize the momentum.


Life is good!

Getting creative at the beach now that I can bend down again! LOL

We are the authors of our own life. Well, there are some things I wish I didn’t have to write about like five weeks of extreme discomfort due to the Shingles, then dealing with severe Sciatica pain and trips to the Physical Therapist for my injured knee…………then an emergency visit to the dentist! I’m happy to report; I’m now feeling good and back to the gym and my normal routine of everyday things. Whew!

However, I do believe in the “Law of Attraction” in that we literally attract people and circumstances…………we are all on the same energy frequency so it’s like we are living magnets! I was hoping that I would find a great therapist to help get rid of my pain and my prayers were answered. She was truly amazing! We were drawn to each other just like a magnet.

I had never been to physical therapy classes before and I had my doubts but I was being a good patient and following the doctor’s orders but I focused on my thoughts and feelings and the universe acts like a mirror sending back a reflection of the energy that I’m projecting.

After two weeks of physical therapy, I felt like a new person. I told the gal that I wanted to start a fan club in her honor!

We are always attracting something into our lives. Do you realize that your life at this very moment is the result of everything that you have ever thought or felt up until now? I strongly believe in this.

This is not any bull. Now, this is not a process that requires any real effort; a magnet doesn't ''try'' to attract anything-it simple does, and so do you! You are always in the process of attracting something into your life. For the most part, they are good things.

I try to focus on the “happiness-habit” by producing happy, love-filled thoughts every day. Jump right in with both feet and experience the strong energy! It took me a very long time to learn how to meditate and I do it best in front of my monitor with Deepak Chopra!

Concentrate and meditate and see what happens!  I do have to admit, I've been concentrating on a special "happiness" love-filled thoughts and sometimes the energy takes a while.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE

All I need to know

I learned from the Easter Bunny!

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There's no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.

Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket. To show

 your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

May the joy of the season fill your heart.

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Happy Easter!

Trust Your Intuition!

I always trusted my intuition! It never let me down before. It’s like a golden compass that guides me along the way until things become crystal clear.

This mystical wisdom is within all of us; it just needs to be developed and unfolded.

I have been plagued with a serious issue for months now and I do realize that we all face challenges and adversity from time to time causing stress. I try to remind myself that when the struggle gets too hard, I know I’m not the only person faced with problems. At this very moment, there are many baby boomers facing money difficulties, health problems, or conflicts with children, partners or family. It’s all part of life.

It is hard staying strong being a Widow alone but I know that there are millions who do their best to handle challenges every day. I’m certainly not alone struggling along the road of life.

We all experience obstacles, they are a part of life’s journey. They can enrich you or paralyze you. When you see obstacles as milestones, they both measure your progress and increase your strength. We are all reminded that with every challenge passed, you’re a little stronger, a little wiser and a whole lot more experienced. This is true!

I’m blessed with the inner wisdom of intuition. But, too often, my logical mind takes control and I neglect to listen. When I have serious decisions to make, I try to sit quietly, without any distractions and focus on what my intuition is trying to tell me. Meditation helps me accomplish this.

I hope you all try Meditation and experience the serenity and comfort it provides.

Brain Study!

Brain Study

It took me a few seconds, but then I got the hang of it.....

I've seen this with the letters out of order, but this is

the first time I've seen it with numbers.

Good example of a brain study: If you can read this you have a strong mind.

F1gur471v3ly 5p34k1ng?

7H15 M3554G3

53RV35 7O PR0V3

H0W )UR M1ND5 C4N

D0 4M4Z1NG 7H1NG5!

1MPR3551V3 7H1NG5!

1N 7H3 B3G1NN1NG

17 W45 H4RD BU7

N0W, 0N 7H15 L1N3

Y0UR M1ND 15

R34D1NG 17

4U70M471CALLY

W17H 0U7 3V3N

7H1NK1NG 4B0U7 17,

B3 PR0UD! 0NLY

C3R741N P30PL3 C4N

R34D 7H15.

Ladies, does buying a new pair of shoes make you happy?

They make me so happy! Most of us have an interest in pretty things. Don’t you? Whether it be adorning yourself with a pair of sparkling earrings or a new tube of lipstick or being pampered with a manicure or a pedicure and trying that new nail polish with unusual names like “Jag-U-Are” or “I’m Really Not a Waitress”…..love my shades of red, especially “Valentine Red” which they recently discontinued but “Jag-U-Are” looks just like it!

My first impression with people is I notice their smile and pretty teeth and if their hair is well groomed………then I glance down at their shoes……..man or woman! A man can be wearing an Amani suit and looking handsome as ever but then when you look down at his shoes; they are all scuffed and/or should be black and not brown depending on the color of the suit…he just blew it! LOL

But, in Florida………..men only wear shorts and sandals and they look terrible. Come on men, not on a Saturday night in an upscale lounge or restaurant. Save the shorts and sandals for the beach. That was the first thing I noticed when I moved to Florida from Boston! Every place is air conditioned so no excuses that it is too hot to put on a sports jacket. You can tell I’m a “City Girl”. LOL

I remember years ago in my late twenties, I was sitting in the “Continental” lounge on Rte. 1, Saugus, MA and a gentleman sat beside me and bought me a drink and he said: “I always notice when a woman takes the time to look good is when her long nails are neatly manicured and polished”. Then he took my hand to examine my nails……….yah, o.k. he was hitting on me but he was right, my nails did look fabulous! hehehehhehehehhe

You have to admit, pretty things have therapeutic properties for everyone. Tools can be pretty things to a man and a new pair of shoes with a matching handbag does it for me! My husband used to be a sharp dresser and I was always proud to be standing beside him. He would always ask me what color I was going to wear on a Saturday night out for dinner and dancing so he would not clash with my outfit…….he always managed to find a shirt color to compliment what I was wearing should someone snap our photo!

But, today’s style with a 6 inch pencil heel and platform is getting ridiculous and causing such damage to the feet and not to mention falls. I recall the days I wore the stilettos but even in my hay day the highest heel was 4 inches. I don’t mind the platform part as it makes me look taller and thinner but 6 inch heels is plain stupid!

The Podiatrists will be making a fortune when these young girls of today become seniors or well before that and suffering with surgeries and all sorts of medical issues. What are the designers thinking? Some styles are so gorgeous that I would buy every pair if only they went down to at least a 3” heel. A smart shoe designer should make these gorgeous shoes with three different size heels………..that designer would make a lot of money. The shoes would go flying off the shelves, as it attracts women of all ages.

I recall years back, that it used to be hemlines that tied fashion to finance, stilettos appear to be the new economic indicators. I’ve already spotted in my own neighborhood ladies skipping around in ballet flats. But, I’ve heard doctors say, that complete flat shoes do not give enough arch support. I think that between 2” and 3” heels should be the maximum for happy feet!

It is my understanding that “Jimmy Choo” does customize the size heel for you but who can afford “Jimmy Choo”. I am a proud owner of one pair only because it was given to me as a gift! Thanks, Thommy! The best part is when you slip off that one shoe to try on shoes while out shopping, others notice that “Jimmy Choo” label and wonder why the hell are you shopping in DSW???? hehehehhehehe

These young girls don’t even know how to walk in these shoes. You have to learn how to properly walk in high heels. Stumbling down the street is not a pretty sight and these beautiful and young models falling down on the runways…………not pretty! And, Ouch…..the future pain will follow.



Re-think Courtship!

I was watching the "Real Time with Bill Maher" weekly HBO talk show yesterday afternoon. He cracks me up! One of his guests mentioned the man-gagement ring for men! Bill is a comedian and political satirist! His show includes an opening monologue, then he has a panel of three well educated celebrities, two guests live or via satellite and my favorite at the end of the program is “New Rules”!

I guess this new trend is bringing view to a very old tradition -- the ol' going down to one knee in an Italian restaurant and asking somebody to marry you isn't just for guys anymore!

The rings are inexpensive, masculine and increasing in popularity. The Jewelers are loving this big time like they did a few years back when single women were buying their own rings! I think they called them the AH Ring...A is for available and H is for happy.

Women are now earning more and marrying later, so they have more disposable income to spend on themselves.

Getting back to the man-gagement ring; Men wearing a ring on his left hand, most would assume he's married, but just letting the other gals know that your man is off the market!

Yup, you read it correctly, "man-gagement ring." Nope, it's not a company ring he was given for his promotion to the management by climbing the ladder to success; it's a ring he was given by his girlfriend. It's actually an engagement ring for guys!

Whoa! What the hell? Is this some gimmick by the jewelry industry to get you to spend more money? Is it something for insecure women who weren't satisfied he changed his Facebook status to "engaged" and want to alert the entire world their man is taken?

I say, let people do as they please. If it pleases women to have an AH ring then go for it. If it pleases women to buy their man a man-gagement ring………hell, go for it too! Life is too short. Make the jewelers rich in a poor economy! LOL

Bill Maher also touched the subject on New Rules (that part of his show, I love the best) He said that people roll their eyes when they bring up the state of Massachusetts and call it Taxachusetts but he added that Massachusetts Number 1 in Education, Number 1 in health care, Number 1 for the best hospitals, the best history and as a matter of fact, history began in Massachusetts!

I’m proud to say that I was born and raised in Massachusetts!

A Gift of Love to a Friend On Valentine's Day!

I've nothing else to offer,

So, to you, it's love I'll send

it's nothing that I borrowed,

And it's nothing that I'd lend.

It has no dollar value,

And it can't be overused;

It isn't fragile, so it can't break,

Though, often it's abused.

I've given it to others

But each time it's unique,

Its meaning's always different;

It depends on what you seek.

It's something you can store away

To feel when you're in need

But never is it on display;

Its beauty can't be seen.

I'm giving it "no strings attached,"

No costly warranty;

This love that I am sending

Has a lifetime guarantee.

~Author Unknown~

I feel pressured by Life!

There are times when I feel pressured by life and I’m sure we all do, well, I know we all do. But more so now that I’m getting older and quite afraid I might add. Losing another Sibling is so difficult to deal with.

Bills and deadlines are looming, household appliances suddenly break, I’m constantly sleep deprived and sometimes people put unexpected pressures on me. I feel temporarily overwhelmed. I think the loneliness sets in and the oneness is a battle to confront daily. The “To Do” list gets so long and it was much easier to handle when you have a partner in life.

It’s time for a mental break! Most times, my mind is racing, or close to tears with tiredness and frustration and that is when I reach for my meditation DVD to calm me down. I love Deepak Chopra!

I have to learn to leave the housework behind, walk away from the computer and its huge list of emails and go outdoors and go for a brisk walk or do some water aerobics in the pool. It is a must for me to leave my inner chaos behind and experience the magic of nature.

Ever notice that it's easy to view other people's problems and difficulties as their issue. It has nothing to do with us and we would never be in their situation. Who can really tell? No human being can ever know what the future has in store. Scary, isn't it? It is possible that you will never be in the same situation as this person.

I’ve learned a great deal since I became a Widow 11 years ago; I pay attention to my challenges, while keeping in mind that those challenges do not have to consume me. There is always plenty of goodness flowing. I just need to grab a hold of it. Not always an easy thing to do.

I realized that today was a beautiful day, most all days in Florida are beautiful days filled with value and possibilities. I should have taken the opportunity to build upon life’s goodness but it ran away from me as I didn’t grab it fast enough but I learned from it.

I have learned to find peace in simple things, because those are the ones that will always be there. I’ve been thinking back and remembering the good times and try real hard to forget the sorrow and pain, for the good times reminds me of how special life is.

My spirit was lifted by my beautiful daughter who is making it possible for me to spend Mother's Day with her this year and in the city I love.  Looking forward to seeing my large family and other siblings that are failing in health. 

Life is good again!