Best News of the Day

Hey, folks.

Sister #1 has decided to take Sister #2 up on the offer of renting mom's house!!!!

My heart was so overjoyed @ this news.

This means we don't have to rush to get the remaining weird crap outta the house (we still will - there's just no deadline rush).

This means we don't have to put mom's fancy clothes, hats, etc., in storage until it is decided what it to be done with them.

This means the house with the great patio/backyard will stay in the family and we will continue to celebrate there.

This means the Yellow Maple planted in the backyard honoring my brother's memory will continue to have our eyes adore it.

This means Sister #1 will be a HOMEOWNER (as opposed to a townhouse renter).

This means we will still have a reason to go to that side of town (the North East).

This means Sister #1 will take a lovely home and put her lovely touches to it.

This means.....God is always right on time.

All the time.

Peace.

"The August Break, 2014" (Day 4)

I stumbled upon this idea for writing @ the suggestion of Grace of Red Barn Studios.


Today's (08/04//14) prompt is "orange." Seriously, have you ever NOT been happy when you saw the color orange?

It's a color that DEMANDS joy.

I try to give it all the attention I can. :-) Feel free to join in on the daily challenge if you will. I can't say I'll make it everyday, but it'll def. give some ideas on being in the moment.

My Word

With the shut-down of a few of my favorite writing prompt sites, I've been on the hunt for a challenge/commitment. "Five Things Friday", Carry On Tuesday & "Sunday Scribblings" all called it a day.

I came across "#One Word 365" and decided I will 'declare' my word for 2014. I want it to be a word that has a true meaning for me; something I believe in strongly or something I need to do.

With so much down time for Holidays, I've been very reflective & am courage & strength to free the fears.

Collage by: me :-)

2014

Live your life like no one is watching you. Live beyond expectations. Live like you are totally free to be anything & do anything you choose for yourself. Live from your innocence. Live from a sense of equal satisfaction with who you are & what you have available to you. Let yourself dream like nobody can stop you.

Let yourself sing like nobody is listening. Let yourself dance like nobody is watching. Play dress up! Talk to yourself. Tell yourself something that you would never repeat aloud. Let yourself be exactly who you are & live like it is okay - because it really is.

I will gain more understanding when I realize ... where I am is exactly where I need to to be

Living, learning, light, luminosity, law. Opportunity, oneness, openness. Vastness, versatility, virtue, victory. Enlightenment, eternity, endurance, endeavor

  These quotes are from "Until Today" by Iyanla Vanzant. Sister, S got it for my birthday a few years ago.Good lessons with a side of food for thought.

Randoms

I'll admit that in 2014, I want to fly. If I only had the courage. Let go of the fear.

I don't want to drag any 2013 baggage along

I want to realize what is real in my life, stop allowing emptiness & look at the big picture

Life would be perfect if: Some girls had mute buttons; Some guys had edit buttons; Hard times had fast forward buttons; And Good times had pause buttons.

I continue to be interested in new things that seem old, and old things that seem new.

Listen to Me

Dear Teen-aged Me,

This is you in your 49th year, five months short of your 50th. I am sure that in itself freaks you out since you thought 30 years was "old." I am going to give you some life tips; keep this list close to you at all times. Do not stray from it and you should do okay:

• Accept what you look like & love yourself. Everybody is different for a reason
• Looks are fleeting so don't worry about being "cute" or "pretty". What will make you awesome is your attitude, your sense of humor, your kind heart, and your smile. Looks may get you into the room, but common sense keeps you in there.
• Besides, the girls that you think are 'all that' become 'not so pretty & slim' later in your life. You will smile about that inside :-)
• NEVER try to 'fit in.' If it's not for you the way you are then walk away
• Stay away from gossipers. If they gossip to & with you; they will surely gossip about you
• Don't ever EVEN think of getting the gap in your teeth closed w/braces. You will find out that it is truly part of what makes you you
• Take your schooling as far as you can. Continue to learn as much as you can forever. Always strive to learn something new, daily, even if it's only a new word. Learn!

• Try to keep the self-esteem your family instilled in you. Without it, you will miss out, misuse, mistake, & make bad judgments
• DO. NOT fall into the "guy trap" of being with every guy just because he wants to be with you. Choose for yourself & be very selective & careful. You are much more precious than that
• If you feel pressured to have sex. Don't. You'll thank yourself later.
• DO. NOT confuse sex with love. They are the polar opposites of each other. You may feel extremely special at that time, but you may get your heart broken beyond repair
• No matter what type of employment you have, do it like you love it, and be the best at it. You will be working for God, not man
• Always be able to take care of yourself financially.
• Always have a goal and work toward it, constantly
• Always have a hobby and enjoy it, constantly
• Always believe the best is yet to come
• If you're not happy about something, change it, especially in your relationship(s)
• Don't EVER stay with a guy who hits you, even once. EVER!
• If you're going to have children, marry their father FIRST
• If you're going to marry, talk to your pastor to make sure you guys are on the same page



• Keep God first and foremost @ the helm of your life. Remember how you loved Sunday school? Keep loving it
• Always think and speak positive thoughts & words
• Always remember how beautiful & perfectly made you are
• Stay close to your family; they're really all you have
• That gut feeling in your belly & that little voice in your head? Listen to them. It will make all the difference in the "whats/who's & where's in your life
• Take chances & risks for good things no matter how nervous it might make you; ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships were made for
• Lastly, listen to your mother with the fierceness. She really DOES know everything. She wasn't born your mother; she was a teenager just like you.

Namaste.

Thanksgiving daily

A dear friend, Sharon @ Chaos Ranch introduced a great idea for giving a day of thanks for the entire month of November. I have pledged to follow suit & have been posting in her comment section. I'll share them here, then post @ her place as I try to recognize my daily blessings:

Day One:

Classic Ohio - near my office

Grateful for:
Even though 1 of our 2 cars died, I still have transportation
Even though things @ the law firm don’t seem solid, I still have a job
Warm clothing, since the temperatures are holding steady in the 40′s
The joy I get from getting into the quiet & doing Bible study
My family (even though we haven’t been together in ages)
The time I give myself to sit down & hand make cards. So therapeutic
The joy I get when the recipients of those cards let me know how right on time the cards are
Good books that touch my soul. Most recently, “The Healing” by Johnathan ODell
Books by “T. Davis Bunn”; I finished “The Quilt” and am starting on “The Messenger”
Grateful EVERYDAY that my dear friend, Cassie, who is terminally ill, was able to walk her THIRD Lymphoma Cancer walk. She is my daily inspiration.

Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.  ~Madeleine L'Engle

I am writing with thoughts of my dear Cassie. I've spoke of her here before - she's terminal with cancer, yet she is the strongest person I know. She has had so many setbacks with her health, yet she still shines through. Her faith in God is unwavering! She is now at another cross road  health wise and admits she battles huge bouts of fear, yet God keeps her steady. She is preparing to participate in another marathon for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Please take a look at her donation page & hear a little of her story. And if you feel so inclined, please donate a little. It means so much to her, me and all the others battling and/or survived the nasty cancer. 

Peace, love & comfort to all of you. But especially to my Cassie. :-)

Picture by: me. I chose this picture to show no matter where you're planted, you can still always bloom. Just like Cass.

The Rest of the Story

My skin feels tight
I feel boxed in
I'm a bloom digging her way through the earth
Growing toward the sunlight and fresh air
and new growth in a new season

My breath feels short
Tight inside my chest
It is fighting to get out
To inhale, then exhale
All the fresh air it's been missing

My thoughts feel trapped
They feel restricted
From conforming to what others
think they should be

But my resolve is strong
It is tired, pissed & it is determined,
To regain that patch of sunshine
Where I will sit & enjoy the company
of myself

And I will live The Rest of the Story...

Pictures by: me ;-}
Sunday Scribblings word prompt: "the rest of the story"

Randoms

First off, I want to introduce to you Miss Tuesday Imani Wilson! She's my youngest brother, Alfonzo, and his beautiful wife, Karen's new baby girl born on THURSDAY, Feb. 2nd. Tuesday is totally loved, welcomed, blessed and has a HOARD of family just itching to get their hands on her! Unfortunately for us, they live in L.A., so hands on isn't possible right this second. But I'm thankfully basking in the glow of her arrival and thank God for the joy she's bringing to her parents. They've been waiting so long for her. Snuggle in & enjoy her, guys. She's beautiful.


I want to give the highest of shout-outs to my sweet friend, Cassie. Even with all the trials she's going through health wise, she's still going on with her life. She had her first day of training to be a sitting Judge. She wore fire engine red heels which were a huge hit. I'm so thankful that she has the strength and drive to get on with every day life in spite of how she feels. She's such a shining example for all of us on how to keep on truckin'. She puts me to shame!

Prayers of comfort the the family of "Yoli", a dear friend of Cassie's that I, too, prayed for constantly, especially in her final days of transitioning. You are free now, Yoli - free from all pain and tears. Rest in God's arms, sweet angel. Yoli had written a book of her trials during her illness with all proceeds to go to her 10-month old grandson, Puda. It's a beautiful book; once I can find the link, I will share.


Still basking in the glow of love I felt when spending time with Mom this past Tuesday. While she was putting the tabs on the books of my bible for me, I was like a little girl. Mom was patiently doing that while I was all over the kitchen, bouncing around, asking questions, just like when I was a little girl. That feeling never goes away, thank God.

Prayers to God to watch out over me job-wise. I'm not getting a good vibe about the security & stability of my employer, so I've been slowly putting the resume out. Been getting good feedback, but nothing to make me leave where I am right now. While the walls of Jericho might be trembling & shaking, I hold tight to my faith & trust that God will put me right where I need to be,when He knows it's time. Amen.

I'm super glad that we're having such a mild winter so far. Temps have been hanging in the 40's, so even if snow comes, it melts quickly, thank God. It snowed today - these pictures are from yesterday. Go figure.

In the meanwhile, it's taking a toll on my sinuses.

Can I really spend $300+ for a zoom lens? Contemplating...

Palms clasped in thanks for the compliments I get on my pictures. I am so grateful that people appreciate what I see and I love sharing.

My goal for 2012 is to take my eyeballs and camera about the country and see new places and things. I am so deserving! :-)

But in the meanwhile, I'll continue to just 'be' where I am now.

And appreciate each moment :-)

Pictures by: me & Baby Tuesday's parents

Randoms

Ahh.. the day after the Holiday and I'm feeling very reflective. It could be that the office is closed and I'm home alone and free to think without interruption. It's an unusually beautiful, sunny day for December; I don't know if I want to walk the dogs or for Son & I to go for a walk. When I have down time from the craziness of the work week, I find I try to do everything @ once. Exhale.

• I really need to give more attention my health and weight. It's just stupid that I don't make more effort to attend the gym. The first 2012 goal is to get back on schedule & take advantage of the personal trainer that is available.
• It sounds funny to me that I'll be 49 this June. I still feel so "young." Lol! I think back over different stage of my life and either laugh or shake my head in shame. Youth is truly wasted on the young, isn't it?
  

• Second 2012 goal is to move about the country. I am tired of making excuses why I don't travel. My brother and his wife have been inviting me to their beautiful home in L.A. year after year. Sigh... It's been a such long, long time.
• Third 2012 goal is to re-examine my relationship w/"D". Sometimes I feel comfortable and content, other times I feel like I could scream out loud. But that's in every relationship, isn't it? I often find my soul is crying out for a more fulfilling personal relationship.
• Third 2012 goal is to be more aggressive in taking action in areas of my life that need work. My job, for starters. I would truly love to do work that gives me satisfaction. This one doesn't and hasn't in years. But it pays the bills.
  
• Fourth 2012 goal is to stop wishing for big things to happen and make them happen.
• Fifth 2012 goal is to forge and nurture better my friendships. I'm such a loner that I never think anything about trying to make and keep friendships. But I don't want to be like folks who let these important relationships go, and then up alone & friendless when they really are in need of one. I cannot tell you the last time I've met a friend for lunch or dinner after work.

• The Sixth 2012 goal is to stay on my journey of not drinking alcohol. It's been a year this past July, but I have to admit that I have had a beer here or there. I don't want to return to that part of me.
• The Seventh 2012 goal is to be more faithful to attending church regularly. The feeling of gathering with others is so good for my soul. I don't know why I don't give it more attention.

And that's all the musings I have for now. Thanks for stopping by. See ya back here next time. :-)

My Story

Ahh... hand writing. By hand. With those strange, unfamiliar instruments called "pen and/or pencil." Using your hands - not a keyboard. Remember the art of that? :-)

I'm diving head on into this handwritten project. For my birthday, my sister, Paulette, gifted me with a fabulous purple journal along with a year long project.

The project is "My Life Story... One Day At Time!" Inside the jar are 365 strips of motivation. Pull a slip from the jar and expand on it in the journal.
By the end of next year, I should have quite a story to share or to keep all to myself.

Thank you, sister. I love your thoughtfulness. This is genius. It forces me to think, be creative, dig into my memory bank, and actually spend time writing about each subject. I am excited to get started - especially with the first slip I pulled you see. That made me laugh at my teenage self and whatever kinda crazy thoughts I was having back then.

Here's to my life story!!!














Pictures by: me :0) The sight of a blank, lined page brings me lots 'o joy!!!

Today I Will...

Happy Friday, all, and happy July 1st!

I am a huge Max Lucado fan! His writings are so soothing to my soul. In honor of Mr. Lucado, I'm gonna share his "Friday Story" to me from my daily "Insight of the Day:"

Today I Will Make A Difference

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble...I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference.

Max Lucado ~ From "On The Anvil"

pictures by: me :-)

25 Randoms & Windows

'

1. special olympic sports never end & they pretty much dominate all of your Saturdays. Every season.
   
2. we have shirts that say "Mom, aka 'Roadie.'" (lol!) cute & true.
3. all in love with my new camera & iPod. they both soothe the savage beast-ette.
4. congratulations to the people in Egypt for their joy.
5. i need a vacation - STAT.
6. i hyperventilate every time i think of my new garden on the empty lot
7. i can't believe i followed thru & actually hand made simple Valentine's Day cards
8. and mailed them out to everyone!
9. it's funny how after temperatures in the teens, 35 degrees almost feels balmy
10. i need to go someplace different to take new pictures of fresh things
11. i would like to see the faces of the folks @ the nursing homes when they get my random cards
12. i'm pissed that PBS & NPR's funds are in jeopardy
13. iPod + podcasts = Happy Tracey
14. my photog friend told me it's best to shoot pix in "raw." it's a good thing.
15. why do i check out more library books than I could ever possibly read in two weeks?
    
16. sending random cards is perfect opportunity to feed my latest 'thing'; rubber stamp designs. Yay!
17. discovery: curly spinach beats flat-leaf, hands down
18. this would be a pretty cool garden, no? seats among the harvest (lol). Swoon
    
19. why is my stylist @ JCPenney suddenly 'booked solid' constantly? Damn!
20. sadness is seeing a book @ Border's for $23
21. happiness is seeing the same book @ the library book sale for $1
    
22. a friend randomly sends me little packages of handmade treasures. its always a perfect end to a day
23. when i held the door for an elderly woman, she told me she liked my smile the best. blessings
24. Ahh.. Thich Nhat Hanh 'gets' my need/craving for spells of silence
25. i love how i'm blessed to be able to see a picture in all things :-)

Pictures by: me :->