More Life Lessons

Lessons in Life, By Regina Brett

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I 've ever written.
My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" 27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone, everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

"May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you" Numbers 6:24

Live life to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised!

"People will forget what you said. They will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel" - Maya Angelou

Life lessons

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Choose your words, for they become actions.
Understand your actions, for they become habits.
Study your habits, for they will become your character.
Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.

For all my Sister-Friends!

THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must make one un scheduled and inconvenient visit per child to th e Urgent Care.

He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight,shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name.

Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right To be called Mother!

After you get done laughing,send this to as many females as you think will get a kick out of it and as many men as you think can handle it.

Just don't send it back to me.... I' m going to bed.

Happy Birthday Lukey!!!

Today is Luke's 6th birthday!! He was pretty excited! We had a low key day today since Daddy had to work, but he got to pick all his (and his sisters) meals today and pretty much got to do whatever he wanted and get away with it too!! LOL!! Good thing he's a good boy! :P Worst he did/wanted was cookies and pudding for lunch!! Nana made him cupcakes (Mama's cheesecake for his party on Friday per his request!) and he played outside so much today that his feet were black!! Opened some presents from ol' Mom and Dad when Dad got home and he wanted to know where the rest of them were!! He's so used to our parties with tons of people and therefore tons of things to open!! hehe!

ALSO, Mom, Jess and I did our yard sale this weekend! OY it was more work than it was worth I think!!! LOL. We got rid of some clutter but over half is off to goodwill and the local church. It's cool tho..we got to sit around and BS with each other for 12 hours!! Yay!!

And last but not least, Mom and Dad lost their beloved pomeranian Teddy today. He was fine and frisky this morning when they left for work/my house, but when Daddy got home tonite he had passed away. No idea what happened, but we are mourning his loss. His brother Patches is beside himself as are Mom and Daddy. He was SUCH a good boy and we will miss him terribly.

Mama's Tired!

Well the first full week of school is almost over. I gotta tell ya, getting back into the swing of things is EXHAUSTING!!! Holy Hannah!!! I find myself so tired before 9pm! Crazy since all summer I was a 1-2am girl! Three trips to school a day, three days of extra curricular stuff, breakfast, lunches, laundry, shopping...I need a vacation already and it's only the third week of September!!! I might be in trouble!

The good news is the kids are feeling better, just traces of the runny noses and coughs left now. Saturday is my "chill day" so I'm looking forward to that! And Sunday is CHURCH!!! Yay!! :D

Hope everyone is having a FANTASTIC week!!

Back In the Routine

So after losing a staggering 70 pounds the last couple years I've totally slacked off this summer!!! Now before you start the lecture, let me tell you that after an entire summer of sporatic eating, hardly working out and generally negecting myself; I only gained back THREE pounds!! (Woot for all those work outs that prepped my body for such a slack as this!) Last weekend my girlfriend, Mom and I decided it's time to take our control back! School is back, weather is fading back into fall, no more bbq's...NO MORE EXCUSES!!! Hehe! I took last week to get back into the swing of things (lost those three pounds btw) and am back on it completely today. I'll be down 20 more by the end of the year; so is my oath to myself! Running wasn't nearly as easy as I remember it being a few months ago!! I'm sure gonna be sore and cursing myself tomorrow!

The kids are adjusting to school very well! Allie of course LOVES school and settled back in easily. She's also started her piano lessons and her new teacher thinks she'll progress quickly. It's nice to have found someone so close...no more trips to CG! Yay! Luke is absolutely falling in love with school already! Unfortunately he's in the afternoon class so I have to hear the never ending question of "how much longer, Mom" from the time I get back from TAKING Allie til 11am when I can finally drop him off!! Kind of pestering, but still sweet that he is so excited for it!

The kids did not make it past the first week without getting a cold however. Although after seeing my girlfriend yesterday I'm not entirely convinced it wasn't her son that gave it to them instead of the germ infested school! Ah well, building up those immunities!!! Nana taught little Gracie her Great Grandma's trick of keeping a tissue tucked in the sleeve of her sweater...Gracie thought that was pretty smart!! LOL Wasn't long before I found it wet and crumpled in the middle of the kitchen floor, but best laid plans....

Mark goes back to rotation on October 1st! The dayshift deal didn't last quite as long as we had hoped, but we are enjoying it as much as we can. He's going back at just the right time to NOT have Luke's b-day off! :( Although on the bright side that will make his b-day last an entire week!!

Another one I have to share!!

My aunties are on a roll!!!


Proof reading a dying art...

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter

This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible! They put in a correction the next day.
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Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

No, really? Ya think?
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Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Now that's taking things a bit far!
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Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

What a guy!
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Miners Refuse to Work after Death

Those good-for-nuthin' lazy so-and-so's!
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Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

See if that works any better than a fair trial!
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War Dims Hope for Peace

I can see where it might have that effect!
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If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

Ya think?
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Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Who would have thought?
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Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide

They may be on to something!
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Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges

You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?
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Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge

He probably IS the battery charge!
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New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group

Weren't they fat enough?
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Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

That's what he gets for eating those beans!
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Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

Do they taste like chicken?
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Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

The Chainsaw Massacre all over again!
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Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

Boy, are they tall!
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and the winner is....

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Did I read that right?

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Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread the stupidity.

Had to share this one!!!

Direct from one of the smartest women I know!! Thanks Aunt Dee!! <3


Quote for the day:

"Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply.

If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.

If you give her a house, she'll give you ahome.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give youher heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

So - if you give her crap, you will receive a bucket full of shit."

Love and appreciate all the women in your life.

BELIEVE IT!

The Past

Just thought I'd share a few pics of my brother and me growing up. Weren't we cute??

Inspiration for a Monday morning

This is so beautiful!

John 3:16

A little boy was selling newspapers on thecorner, the people were in and out of the
cold.
The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers.
He walked up to a policeman and said,
'Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poorboy could
find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around thecorner there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place tostay.'
The policeman looked down at the littleboy and said,
'You go down the street to that big white houseand you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in.'
So he did. He walked up the steps andknocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, 'John 3:16.'
The lady said, 'Come on in, Son.'
She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big oldfireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while andthought to himself:
John 3:16...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.
Later she came back and asked him 'Are youhungry ?'
He said, 'Well, just a little. I haven'teaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food,'
The lady took him in the kitchen and sathim down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ateuntil he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16...Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full.
She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought tohimself: John 3:16 ...I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean.
You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as theyflushed it out.
The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16 ...Idon't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested.
The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible.
She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. 'Do you understand John 3:16 ?' she asked gently.
He replied, 'No, Ma'am, I don't. The firsttime I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told meto use it,'
She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought:
John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.

You know, I have to confess I don'tunderstand it either, how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth inhim should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Just thinking...

I really love my life. I mean...I really am HAPPY. I don't know many people these days that can say that and truely mean it with their very soul. I am married to an amazing man who gives me everything I could possibly need. He is an excellent provider; allowing me the flexibility to stay home and raise our babies as they should be, a FABULOUS father who adores his kids and always wants to do best by them, and quite simply my best friend. I have three beautiful, intelligent, well behaved kids who love each other and their parents. We have a HUGE support system as our parents all live close, aunts and uncles here and far away are supportive and loving, and we have made some extraordinary friends in our years together that I cherish. We live in our dream house...at 32 I own my dream house...that's just CRAZY!

A couple months ago I had this pull on my heart to go to church. It was a Saturday afternoon and I called up Mom and said, I'm going back to church tomorrow so if you want to join me let's do it! The kids are THRIVING there! To hear my 3 and 5 year old...Allie too but she's been to church before, talk about 'church school' and Jesus and what they have learned there....is so amazing. They are such sponges at this young delicate age and I can only thank God, not only for pulling me back home, but also that I listened.

I am so lucky.

no....

I am blessed.

And just for some fun....

My Girls love each other!

Gracie wanted me to take a pic of her eating olives...not sure why! But she's cute anyway!!

Allie's first day of school.....

And now him...

And now my baby boy has officially started school! He had his first day yesterday and he freaking LOVED every SECOND!!! Gonna be just like his sister I hope...in love with school and learning! He was so chatty when i picked him up and gave me a full rundown of everything he did! It was wonderful!!

The Coping Diet

THE COPING DIET

Only girlfriends can understand this one.

This is specially formulated diet designed to help women cope with the stress that builds during the day.

Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole wheat toast
1 cup skim milk

Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey's kiss

Afternoon Snack
The rest of the He rshey kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream w ith chocolate chips

Dinner 4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars

Late Night Snack 1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts.

And she's off...

Allie is officially a 4th grader today! And boy did she act OLD this morning! No clue what time she got up...most likely before the sun did, dressed, teeth brushed, bag packed, breakfast cooking, lunch made....all by the time Old Mom got up at 7:12! She's 9 and already doesn't need me!!!

I think she was excited!

Thank you Jessica!!!

Today my girlfriend came over and helped me purge my kids rooms! What a JOB!! We have so much crap now for yard sale (and lots of garbage too but don't tell them!!!) It woulda taken me at least twice as long without her help so I'm thanking God for her today!! (well, every day, but EXTRA today! :P )

Now that all the rooms are cleaned out I suppose it's time to plan the late summer yard sale!! yay!!! Lot's of kids stuff and clothes will make it up this year!

We have drop in day at school tomorrow to meet teachers, take in supplies and get a feel for the school year. Allie will then start on Wednesday and Luke will have sporatic visits for the next couple weeks to get prepared. We're pretty excited to get it started!! We also start piano (for Allie) and Tai Kwan Do (for both kids) this week too!! So much for Mom's lazy afternoons!!! Hope my house can stay clean through all this!!

Also, I will be having a CT scan sometime this week to see if I have another stuck kidney stone. Been having some pain for a little over a week and on antibiotics for four days with no help. Pretty sure a stone is what's going on here so wish me luck that it's not LODGED!! I SO don't have time for surgery!!!