Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

How I wonder what you are!

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky!

Oh my, that is all I remember!!!!.......It's been 38 years or so since I have recited that nursery rhyme to my children. LOL

We all know it as a popular English nursery rhyme that we taught to our children when they were young. Along with “Star Light, Star Bright, Wish I May, Wish I might. Wow, I actually found myself star gazing tonight. Something I have not done in many, many years.

I remember when I was young growing up in the city of Boston, we only had the roof tops to either sunbath or star gaze. Being on the roof top of those beautiful old buildings is an experience I will always remember. (my niece emailed me after reading my Journal to remind me we used to call it "Roof Top Pebble Beach") LOL I lived with my large family on the 5th floor of a very old brownstone building. Til this day, I can’t comprehend how my mother took care of all of us. Of course, this never entered my mind until after I became a parent of two. How did she do it with so many children to feed and cloth and take care of?????? God rest her soul. She didn't grow up with the luxuries the young mothers have today, washers, dryers, refrigerators, (we had an ice box) playpens, toys for the children, etc. Gosh, today the young mothers have an Au Pair (live in babysitters) and cleaning ladies!

Tonight, I felt a bit antsy and lonely or whatever it was that I was feeling after I had dinner by myself, I decided to go for a walk…..I live in a condo in sunny South Florida….upon my return home from my walk, I stepped inside the locked gate of the community pool area…(Condo Rules…no one is allowed in the pool area after dusk) So, I was a bad girl and disobeyed the rules tonight. There I sat on a comfortable beach lounge chair and looked up at the beautiful sunset.

Prior to retirement, I didn’t have time to do this cost free pleasure. Who had the time, I had to cook, eat dinner, prepare my clothes for work the next day, iron, do laundry, go to bed………..Ugh! Weekends were filled with errands, grocery shopping, cleaning the house and cooking some meals ahead for the following week. And, all this is after I raised my children.....wow...when they were young and still in school.........triple all that work stated above. When you are younger, you have more energy. I know I couldn't do it again today at my age.

I usually walk during the daylight hours but tonight was different for some reason. I got back in the house in time to see “Dancing with the Stars” and “Boston Legal”. Two of my favorite programs…….

I was a "ballroom dancer" and I love "law" and lived in that legal world for many, many years.

It started to get dark but I was in no hurry to go back in my house. It brought back memories of me and my children in their special weekend retreats to Vermont and Maine gazing at the beautiful stars up above. Did you ever experience a solar eclipse? Did you ever kick back around a bon fire and identify the constellations? Did you ever see a Meteor shower? Oh and making Smores on a stick! Fascinating!

Tonight was an impressive show for Dancing with the Stars. Boston Legal........amongst their normal humor……..they challenged the Supreme Court! Yeah, the writers manage to get their point across one way or another! Kudos!

I didn't need my watch to tell me the time....I knew my programs were due to come on TV so I got back in the house in time to watch them both.

Whatever you do, take the time to appreciate the natural wonders above. That special twinkling light that traveled millions of miles to your very own eyes to view!

Amazing! Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!

P.S. Yes, I made a wish on a star tonight!

100 Things about me

(Since Val (Valpish) made this a challenging topic on her AOL Journal, I’m giving it a try using hers as a guideline, as I don’t know if there were direct questions to be answered regarding this blog.  Here goes……….

 

1. I am 63 years old, oh my…where did all the years go?
2. I am a mom to two
3. I miss New England
4. I do not have grandchildren
5. I was born in Massachusetts
6. I currently live in South Florida
7. I absolutely love New England
8. I love wine with my dinner
9. I quit smoking on January 17, 2007  Yippee!
10. I have gained weight after I stopped smoking…..Ugh!
11. I also gained weight before I stopped smoking!  Oh my
12. I miss my single digit size clothes
13. I can sew, knit and do needlepoint and crewel
14. I have high cholesterol and high blood pressure….Ugh!
15. I am now a redhead!
16. I like dogs, I do not like cats.  A cat scratched the top of my first brand new car when I was 18 years old and years later a freaking cat jumped on the top of my baby’s head when I was visiting a friend that owned this cat, I feared it would scratch my baby’s face….so frightening….I dislike cats…then I became allergic to them as well
17. I love the color blue
18. I collect dolls, miniature shoes, perfume bottles and Dept. 56/Christmas in the City houses
19. I have a robot vacuum cleaner (Roomba) I call her “Little Rosie”
20. I love exercising in the pool.
21. I love diamonds and gold, hey they are a girl’s best friend. LOL
22. I seldom get bored
23. I started to wear glasses for reading only at age 50
24. I’m Catholic
25. I was married and divorced a couple of times and still believed in love and marriage to do it again and again, (no one gets married with the intentions of later being divorced but things happen) then I  met a wonderful man and I became a widow in the year of 2001
26. I’m currently not dating by choice.
27. I did try that online dating thing 
28. I prefer the old fashioned way of meeting people 
29. I do not play any musical instrument
30. I like Yoga and Thai Chi
31. I have a broken ugly baby toe
32. I hate Halloween
33. I found very few 4-leaf clovers in my life…hard to find growing up in the city.
34. I had a Granddog.  She was a beautiful Sheltie
35. I graduated from High School and later went on to college after I was divorced
36. I am blessed with many wonderful friends
37. I love ballroom dancing
38. I won a scratch lottery ticket once for $100.
39. I was in the Legal Field for over 30 years then on to theMedical Field
40. My favorite job ever was working with a special attorney 
41. I have kept a diary all my life
42. I am my own best friend
43. I love listening to the world waking up in the morning with all its sounds and distinct noises
44. I love catalog shopping better than walking in the Malls
45. I do not like to drive long distances
46. I love mostly all foods
47. I can not use chopsticks too well, I try then I get fed up and pick up the fork
48. I am learning to incorporate more fish in my diet
49. I prefer cooked foods over raw
50. I love Veal Franchese

To be cont.
 

100 Things About Me (Continued)

 

 

51.  I'm hooked on animations and graphics as you can see.

 

52.  I would be 20 pounds lighter if I didn’t sleepwalk including nocturnal eating.

 

53.  I still like to color with crayons and I can color within the lines! LOL

 

54.  I am a night person.  Definitely not a morning person due to my insomnia.

 

55.  I don’t mind being alone, my computer keeps me company.

 

56.  I have my TV on all day long for noise.

 

57.  I started going gray before age 20….thank goodness for hair color.

 

58.  I retired in 2007.

 

59.  I read to a blind lady once a week in my complex.  I think everyone should  do something nice for someone every day. 

60.  I occasionally do Volunteer Work for the local Police Dept. typing their Crime Watch logs.

61.  I feel comfortable swimming in a pool opposed to the ocean.

62.  I can’t sing for beans!  I sing all my favorite Italian songs especially when I’m making my sauce (we Italians call it gravy) and meatballs on Sunday!  I love Jimmy Rosselli, the famous Italian Singer.

 

63.  I love music with the exception of Heavy Metal and Rap.  I love Sinatra and Etta James and Nancy Wilson is my all time favorite Jazz Lady!

 

64.  I believe in the power of prayer.

 

65.  I used to be an avid reader before the computer age and the Internet!

 

66.  I hate to make business telephone calls and dealing with that exhausting automated system that completely wears me out!

 

67.  Retirement taught me to take the time to stop and smell the roses.

 

68.  I love, love, love shoes!

 

69.  Bella is my favorite word…it means beautiful in Italian.

 

70.  “All My Tomorrows” is my favorite song by Frank Sinatra.

 

71.  I used to do crossword puzzles but now do word games on my computer.

 

72.  I am Italian….I’m sure you figured that out by now. 

 

73.  My parents and two siblings are deceased.

 

74.  I never knew my grandparents.

 

75.  I love to be pampered with a manicure and pedicure.

 

76.  I keep my a/c house temperature on “meat locker” cold. Living in South Florida gets me overheated!  As I said, I miss New England.

 

77.  I prefer to eat my dinner off of a TV tray in the den while watching TV. 

 

78.  I love Orchard plants.

 

79.  I love garden fresh tomatoes, basil and parsley.

 

80.  I’m not an athletic person.

 

81.  I’m not into sports but I’m certainly a Red Sox’s fan!

 

82.  I love beautiful Newscaster white teeth.

 

83.  I love to cook most days.  It’s boring cooking for one.

 

84.  I sleep with at least three pillows, one being a “Chillow Pillow” to keep me cool.

 

85.  I’m on the computer for at least 6 hours per day.

 

86.  I try not to go on the computer late at night as I find it stimulates me more and creates havoc with my already serious insomnia issues.

 

87.  I don’t play golf.

 

88.  I don’t play tennis either.

 

89.  I do like the Clubhouse to the Country Club for lunch.

 

90.  My favorite smell is gravy and meatballs simmering on the stove.

 

91.  My other favorite smell is the crisp cool winter air in New England.

 

92.  I like to do art and craft projects and creating scrapbooks.

 

93.  I love creating photo albums online and now I’m totally hooked on graphics and animations…..soooooooo time consuming but I love it and I have the time.

 

94.  I love Shalimar Cologne by Guerlain.  I’ve been wearing this fragrance since I was sixteen.

 

95.  I love Happy Hour with the girls.

 

96.  Getting older frightens me.

 

97.  I do believe in God.

 

98.  I love a clean, tidy house.

 

99.  My favorite TV programs are "Dancing with the Stars", "Brothers & Sisters", I miss "Sex and the City".  And, Who does not miss “I Love Lucy”?

 

100.  My online Journal is my way of  leaving my footprints in the sand!

 

Dear Diary!

Hello Everyone!

 

 

I was cleaning out a closet and came across my very first diary.  When I was young, every little girl had a "Dear Diary" with the little lock and key.  All my girlfriends had one too and we all wrote our secret thoughts and most confident information stored in that little Diary that was kept so private!  We were all so anxious to grow up and wear lipstick and high fashion clothes............Oh and the high heels!

When I think back at my first Widow's Meeting seven years ago....to my surprise....we were told that keeping a diary or a journal can be a lifesaver.  For some, writing is an unbearable chore but for me keeping a journal was not new..............just my writings became new.   We were instructed that frequency in writing was not important and literary merit was not important either.  It was just putting your tears on paper and jabbering about so many things and going in so many different directions.  Their theory was, it was cheaper than seeing a shrink!  I now understand the theraputic results from keeping a Journal then and now.

Another woman told me she could not write and did not know how to keep a Journal.  I told her to at least try.....no instructions are necessary.  You can direct your diary/journal to yourself, or the familiar "Dear Diary".  As for me, my personal Journals then were in letter form directed to my deceased husband.  I was writing letters to my dead husband!  My need to talk to him at that time was overwhelming, there was no one else to whom I could expose that part of myself when I was grieving and hurting so badly because it happened so suddenly without any warning.  I was in shock for a very long time.

Then as the days, weeks, months and years went by..........One day I reread my letters I wrote to my husband in my own handwriting and noticing that my hand must have been shaking as I normally have a very neat, meticulous penmanship......I read each page and I cried for the person who wrote it..."Me".  As I read each page, I saw a person healing, it was like watching a clinical progress chart on how I was coping day by day.........wow reading all that anguish and confusion and then more anger and finally..........resolution.

I no longer write to my dead husband and I now keep a Public Journal and these days, I see more comedy than tragedy and more hope than despair.  I was overcoming and surviving.  A lot of years has gone by now.  I have become my own best friend.

I recently had another friend that said she could never do a Public Journal and talk about themselves.  Well, it's not like standing in front of a podium and talking to a large group of people............and yet it is....you just can't see their faces and you don't need a microphone!  I feel like the only person I'm entertaining is myself until I started to receive numerous "comments".  I was pleasantly surprised!

No makeup needed and skip the evening gown and high heels!  Dressed for comfort in front of your own computer just expressing your feelings or sharing a special day with someone else.  Or sharing some special photos of a fabulous vacation....so much to talk about even though it's only you sitting in front of that computer.  Yes, I'm blessed with many friends but I've always loved to write and through this Public Journal, I have made many new friends in the amazing world of cyberspace.

I've learned to become a mechanic, repair a leaky toilet, install a new garbage disposal and all the things my husband would take care of.  Yeah, my biggest complaint about doing these new chores was breaking a nail!  LOL  Oh...and swearing a lot.....LOL

I do have to say, I would be absolutely lost without my computer. 

 

I don't need a pet, I have a robot vacuum cleaner called a Roomba....it feels like you have a pet in the house....I just click on the button and it goes about the entire house vacuuming all the dust bunnies and dirt away and when it comes near my feet while I'm at the computer, I just raise my feet so she can continue on cleaning!  It is a riot....and a lot easier on my sore back pushing a heavy upright.  It cleans very well too!  I call her "Little Rosie"!

Well, time for me to get comfy and finish reading the book "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.  My dear friend, Laurie gave this book to me to read.  I'm loving the author's description of her journey through Italy!

Ciao!

P.S.  Can you tell I'm hooked on all this graphic stuff???  And, my animations are moving!!!!!  Yippee...Hey, Dan (slapinions)  I never learned how to add music but my animations were more important to me.  But I do appreciate all your help from the day I wrote my first entry....you were somewhere out there in the w.w.w reading it!

 

Dinner For One!

 

Cooking for one for an "Italian" is very difficult.  We love to cook and in abundance.  But cooking just for yourself and creating such a mess of pots and pans to clean up and not to mention all the leftovers that I only end up giving to friends and neighbors.  Of course, some things you can freeze for another day.  I invite the girls over for dinner once in a while and we have a good time and I'm able to share my labor that I spent slaving over the stove for hours with friends.

 

I became a widow in 2001.  You would think that after all these years the empty feeling would go away.  I felt so fortunate to find a wonderful man while I was still in my fifties and after being divorced prior.  Being Divorced and being Widowed are not the same.  (I know that this section should probably go into "All about Me" but too long to place on a side bar) plus my main topic here is really about Widowhood!

 

I recall years ago, a newly divorced air head of a woman said to me, "You're luckier, I was dumped by my husband for a younger woman and given the choice, I would rather see the bastard dead".  Yikes, that was a mouthful..................Despite the lace of malice intended, these comments offered no comfort to me as a  grieving Widow at the time.  I felt I would do anything to have my husband alive.  My husband and I both felt blessed to have found each other later in life, as we both were married before.  Wow, we only had 4 short years together before he passed away. 

 

This world has enough sorrow and for me to add to it would be such a shame.  I occasionally still experience difficult days but I try real hard to balance out the bad that is beyond my control with the goodness that is within my reach.  I’m trying to do my best.

 

I realize that I don’t have to be the one responsible for making everything work.  Believe me.  The big things are already taken care of:  the sun will rise in the morning, the stars will come out at night, and ---if I work it right---my children’s love or a close, dear friend, will share a special smile with me and make everything wrong…right again.

 

Going from widowhood to selfhood is more than coping and overcoming.  I was dragged  unwillingly into this so-called life passage, as always there will be good days and bad days, fears and tears, and all the little inequities that comprise life at any time.  After attending many Widow Group Meetings and reading about "What to do now" I was told that acceptance is the final stage of recovery for widows and sometimes I feel I have reached that stage and sometimes I feel I took 5 steps backwards.  It is so hard to be totally independent again and to make a new life especially when you are older like myself and recently retired.

 

 

I'm originally from Boston, Massachusetts and born right in the "North End" where all the great Italian restaurants are.......(my daughter took this photo of the Boston Public Gardens and the Swan Boat rides) Oh...the memories! 

 

I currently reside in Florida with the sunshine and palm trees, however, I miss my children and family in New England.  I've been living in Florida for nearly 20 years now but I still miss Boston!  I even miss the snow but not shoveling it or skidding on ice driving in a snow storm............Oh my....I remember those days!  I would like to move back some day but the housing market right now is not the right time.

 

My computer has been a form of therapy for me.  I always kept a Journal of some sort....with a legal background....journaling is a must....so I also applied it to my personal life as well.  When I moved to Florida, I composed weekly Newsletters to my family for years and still do.  But, now I do a Journal/Blog which my daughter suggested for me to do.  She knows I love my computer and she thought this would be a good experience for me.

 

I recently was chosen as one of the Guest Editors Picks and was so delighted.  Thank you again, Dan (Slapinions).  I received tons and tons of emails from other Journalers expressing their congrats!  Wow!  I feel like I now have sooooooooo many new computer faceless friends out in cyberspace.  You are all so kind and thoughtful.  Glad you thought my Journal was worth being one of your picks!  That made may day!

 

So, now putting the key into the door doesn't feel so empty anymore............all I have to do is walk over to my computer and check my Journal/Blog as there is always a comment waiting for me.

 

So to Dan, Indigo, Val, Pam and gosh so many others.....I can't remember everyone's name right now.  What an amazing group of people in "Our Magic Smoke".  I'm so excited with all my new animations and mastered inserting them into the text of my Journal with the help of Val and Pam......I was determined to get it right and they had patience to help me along....Thanks everyone!

 

I'm loving my new red hair!  A woman has to make some changes.....dark brown hair was my natural color.

 

I also love my accomplishment of being smoke free since January, 2007!  Yippee!  The prescription Chantix helped me and also the fake cigarettes for the hand to mouth thing....still hold on them to this day....so relieved to be rid of the addiction!

Testing for the 100th time!

I have been trying to insert a moving animation within the Text of my Journal.  And, very unsuccessful even though I had many wonderful people trying to help me....so here goes for another time to see if it works....if so many thanks to Valphish and Pam both!

 

Yippee, it worked!  I'm thrilled............thanks again, Val and Pam.

What Happened to Good Old Fashioned "Customer Service"?

Maybe most of you out there are not old enough to remember when you needed a live Operator to process your telephone call but I do.  So, I thought it was great when we were finally able to just dial the number on our rotary style phone and get to the person you wish to speak to.  For personal calls, that was great!

Then, who ever it was that invented the Automated System..........Ugh....I do believe the intentions were good.  But why has not some brilliant person realized that it does not save time nor does it deliver "Good" Customer Service and did I mention so frustrating!  You have all experienced it.

I understand that a larger business may warrant it and for a smaller business, hiring a receptionist to answer the phones will enhance their image immensely. Customers love to be greeted by a person who can answer their questions or direct them to someone who can without pressing one for this and two for that..........then being outsourced is the worst of all. 

Yes, I do take offense to being Outsourced to a person who cannot speak English ...that is number one..............number two:  poorly trained and number three:  Americans in my country lost their jobs.  Yes, I object to Outsourcing Jobs.  Who has all this time to waste being on the phone trying to take care of business with maybe your telephone company, cell company, computer problems,  a banking issue, insurance questions, etc.  When a 5 minute call turns into a 45 minute waste of time with pressing buttons, being put on hold, getting disconnected.........then starting all over again.

For small companies..........a live person is definitely necessary.  Good Customer Service is the bread and butter of your business.  It's all about bringing your customers back and also sending them away happy........happy enough to pass the positive experience about your business along to others.  But the large corporations don't care...they will keep their annoying automated system.  I do hope some day, a bright young individual will make a fortune inventing a better way and rid us of the annoying automated system.  There has to be a better way.  I think more people should complain about the annoying automated system and these large companies may pay attention.

I recently felt bad about how I was treated in a Customer Service related issue and I told my friends about it and also mentioned it again in a high trafficked, gossipy place like my "Beauty Salon".....that spreads the word around real quick!

If people value their business, they will want their customers to be repeat customers....what is the old saying "word of mouth is the best form of advertising".  So true!

The one thing I have learned is I get back a faster response by emailing instead of calling on the phone.  This recent time that I emailed about a very important issue, I got back three phone calls per my request because my blood pressure could not handle the damn automated system over and over.  So, I'm passing this along to you....always look on the bottom of the page for the words "Contact Us".  Then send in your complaint or your pleasure of Kudos to a certain individual.  Request a phone call back if you are really upset.  Trust me, they will call back.  This is the world of technology and there is always someone sitting on the other end on a computer that is for sure!

How many people do you think I have told this story to? 

P.S.  Oh how I wish I could get my animations to work and move within the text section of this Journal!!!!  They move great within my regular emails and it is still AOL...........?????  Most of these are in Gif form.  On the side bar I was able to place some moving pictures but only by placing the codes in the side bar.  Oh my....all this new stuff I have to learn but I'm having fun.

Are you hating your job?

I'm so thrilled to be recently retired! 

I recall the days of being weary, frustrated, unhappy.  It's not easy out there.  Some co-workers are great and some are back stabbers!  So sad that people go out of their way to make another individual unhappy just for the pleasure of it.  Sickos!

I had the unpleasant experience and interaction with a boss that was a bully, intrusive, controlling, picky and petty and also made sexual advances. 

I recently read an article about a "bad to the bone" boss and it described some of my personal experiences to a tee especially when I was younger.  And on top of it all I had to deal with a less than effective manager that made it worse.  "Bad managers and bad bosses, is a challenge too many employees face." 

HR people work for the company not the employees, that is my personal opinion.  They may make you feel like they want to help you and make you happy but in all honesty.....they are telling management that you are being difficult!  So, don't even bother to tell them your problems with anticipation that they will get that bully in the office out of your face....because it will get worse, they repeat everything you say to management. 

If your values are not the same as boss or manager then you will never be happy in that job.

If a transfer to another department is unavailable then begin your search for a new job. You may want to conduct your job search secretly.

I was not always unhappy in the workforce.....I did have some absolutely pleasant jobs but the last one was unbearable and at a near retirement age........It was pleasant to walk out the door!

I have some friends that still agonize going to their jobs in the morning and my heart breaks for them.  It is so important to be stress free, yah it may require that you take a cut in pay with a new job but I bet you will be smiling in the morning instead of dreading walking in that awful workplace!

Make yourself happy...........you deserve it!  I understand the whole thing....it is a comfort zone to stay where you are....you don't know where or what you are getting into in a new place......the benefits.....yatta, yatta.  Trust me...........being happy and being stress free is more important....so learn to live on a bit less money!

So, give your resume a makeover and let it shine addressing it to that new potential boss! That resume has to stand out among the rest, so work at it.  Forget about that sentence "seeking a challenging opportunity to utilize my skills". (Everyone uses that phrase) but that is what we were taught years ago, we were given generic resumes to use and the same sentence was there.  Not so these days.  I know that sentence was on my resume for a long, long time until I learned to update and customize and don't forget that "cover letter".  Very important and don't use a generic cover letter for each potential job......customize.  I learned this because I was sent to classes after a lay off........this is what the corporate world does these days.  They pay a fortune to send a large group of layoffs to classes and learn how to update your resume.  Personally, I would have preferred the $$$ instead of these classes.  The only thing that changed was not to use that darn phrase!

Here is a sample of what a new resume looks like because it was my last one  I created and I was taught how to update and revise the old resume and what to put under the category of "Summary" for my personal skills:

Executive Assistant with comprehensive administrative support experience serving various C-Level executives in a variety of industries.  Superior organization, communications (verbal/written) and interpersonal skills.  Self-motivated individual able to anticipate and solve problems without supervision.  Recognized for ability to work independently or as a team member.  Proficient in Widows 2000, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, AS400, Act, Helpstar, Word Perfect, PrintMaster, Picasa and several other photo programs.  CPR Certified.  Notary, extensive legal background in Family Law and Real Estate.

Then you can list your "Career Accomplishments", "Employment History" and "Education".

The key is to make it easy for the resume reviewer to see that you are qualified for the position. You want your resume in the "yes" pile awaiting an interview or phone call.

Good Luck!  I'm praying for all of you to get the courage to search for a better job where you will be happy!

Tags: http://humanresources.about.com/od/badmanagerboss/a/bad_boss.htm

Going Green

My new H20 Steam Mop finally arrived and I couldn't wait to put it together fast enough to start sanitizing my tiled floors and rugs.  I'm going totally green in my house.....no more harsh chemicals for me.  Fortunately, the new steam mop only involved two screws and I had it up and running within minutes.  All my tiled floors were sanitized and dried within seconds using only tap water!  Cool!

I kept watching the infomercial on this product for months.  Well, with my insomnia, I'm up late at night watching TV.  I was debating between the Shark Steam Mop and this H20Mop.  I did some comparison shopping and also did a Poll and I was leaning towards the H20 because of the rug glider attachment and the shape of the bottom of this mop is triangle which gets into the corners very easily.  I'm very pleased with my new purchase.

I was using the Swiffer WetJet, so now no more refill cleaning pads, no more refill cleaning solution.  The Swiffer, however, certainly was better than a bucket of water and solution and a mop that you have to ring out!  Those were back-breaking torture and messy days.

I also purchased the Dura Fiber Cloths from QVC and I now no longer buy Windex or Paper towels to clean my mirrors, glass, etc. Those were $19. for 40 re-washable cloths.  They work really good on mirrors!  Just dampen the cloth....and wipe away the dirt and smudges.

We all remember the three Rs.....reading, 'riting and 'rithmatic.  But there are three more Rs you should know to help you become a Green Consumer:  Refuse, Reuse and Recycle.

Refuse to buy things that are excessively packaged, that are made of plastics or other materials that are not fully recyclable, that are wasteful in other ways or that you don't really need.

Reuse whatever you can and buy products made of or packaged in reused (recycled) material.

Recycle as much as you can.  This allows us to get the most use out of our precious resources.

If skyrocketing oil prices, and the threat of global warming hadn't already grabbed people's attention, and just recently...........power demand and air-quality warnings certainly serves as a reminder that the world faces concerning questions about our climate and energy use.

While "doing something for the environment" once meant tossing a newspaper in a recycling bin or buying organic vegetables but  now concern nearly every aspect of daily life -- from the toilets we flush to the flowers that decorate our homes-- is being radically thought over and over again.   Scientists are working to transform industry so that it functions more like nature, lessening pollution and inefficiency while propelling the economy forward. We can all do something to make the world a greener place.  We love our country and should all help an any small way possible.

Our ancestors had it right and didn't know it.  We polluted our air and waters and now we have to live more like our ancestors did to help clean it up! 

When I was young and newly married, I remember my older brother, Michael telling me to buy things in glass bottles instead of the new plastic that was starting to be used in the 60s-70s.  In those days, olive/vegetable oils, sodas, etc. were packaged in glass bottles but later they all started to use plastic which was not a good thing environmentally and certainly not safer for your health.

Plastic is one of the most useful materials, but also one of the most environmentally problematic. Most plastics are produced using petroleum and toxic chemicals. When burned, as some garbage is, more toxic compounds are released. 

So, as it turns out, my brother was totally right and he told me that over 40 years ago and I never forgot it.  My brother is brilliant!  He is a retired Chemist.

Tags: Going Green

The Power of Prayer

I have a dear friend that is unfortunately going through Chemo.  I received a lovely email from her the other day and in her own words she said to me:

"I am trying to be positive but some days I get very sad.  Your newsletter recently talked about being around positive people and I can appreciate that.  Please do not take me off your list of emails as I really look forward to hearing what you think."

I was not aware that my Newsletters and/or Journal/Blogs was helpful to others.  It made me feel real good to receive that email from my friend that is going through difficult times right now.

I also compose Weekly Newsletters and email them to my family and close friends.  My Newsletters are not an open Public Journal such as this.  I basically write about what is going on in my life during the week and share the experiences with them on a more personal level.  My family lives out of state, therefore, I feel closer to them conversely through my Newsletters.  I don't want them to forget all about me living in another state!!!!! LOL 

So, I guess I sort of had this Journal/Blog style thing going for many years before the computer age and didn't even know it.  LOL  I used to type my Newsletters on an IBM Selectric typewriter in those days.  Then made many copies and mailed them via snail mail.  Wow....now I'm saving all that postage!  I was trying to cut down on my long distance calls and I was missing my family and friends and still do.

I recall well over 20 years ago, a friend made copies of tapes from the author, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale which I was so impressed with his profound method of mastering the problem of everyday living.  He explains how to elimate self-doubt, free yourself from worry and stress and how to climb above problems to visualize solutions and to reinforce the habit of happiness.

After receiving this email from my dear friend.........Sigh!  I searched for those tapes and found them again.  I recall when they were given to me years ago, I would listen to them while driving to work in the morning and also again at night while relaxing in a nice hot bath.  I remember those tapes made me feel very confident and good about myself especially during certain obstacles in my life.

Norman Vincent Peal was the son of a British preacher.  Peale became a doctor.  He wrote many, many books, telling stories about friends and about clients who have changed drastically because of religion.  He says that prayer is a powerful force. Every time he’s prayed for a troubled person, almost immediately, that person felt a change come over them, as if something was lifting up their spirit and easing their burden. I think it’s about belief.  If you believe that God is listening, then you feel uplifted, peaceful and calm, just like you would if you knew you had a friend right there beside you to listen to whatever you had to say.

So, to my dear friend...........I have been praying for you daily and you must be feeling my prayers for you.  I will never take you off my list of emailing my weekly Newsletters!

I encourage everyone to read any of Peale's books.  Peale's writing style is simple and easy to understand, yet deep. I love this passage, “To learn to believe is of primary importance.  It is the basic factor of succeeding in any undertaking. When you expect the best, you release a magnetic force in your mind which by a law of attraction tends to bring the best to you." 

Years and years later, I constantly hear those words over and over again "Law of Attraction".  I read the book "The Secret" and again the words are mentioned about the law of attraction. 

I'm asking all of you that are reading my Journal right now to say a prayer for my dear friend, her name is Shirley.  Thanks.

I have several friends named Shirley.....this is for Shirley C. with affection.eveals the most powerful law in the universe. The knowledge of this law has run like a ggh the lives and the teachings of all the ps, sae world's history, and through the lives of all truly great men and women.t powerful law in the universe. The knowledge of this law has run like a golden thread throthe most powerful law in the universe. The knowledge of this law has run like a golden thread through the lives and the teachings of all the prophets, seers, sages and saviors in the world's history, and through the lives of all truly grat men and women.ugh the lives and the teachings of all the prophets, seers, sages and saviors in the world's history, and trough the lives of all truly great men and women.