Memorial Day

Yes. Today is a day that a lot of people post their thoughts and feelings about America and our military.  It is a day to thank the men, women, and families that have sacrificed for the safety of others basic freedoms for so many. To honor the holiday, and those for who we celebrate, here are some interesting facts about the holiday:

After seeing the decimation of both Union and Confederate soldiers Gen. John Logan proclaimed on May 5, 1868 in his General Order No. 11, there be a Decoration Day which was first observed on May 30, 1868. Flowers were placed on the graves Civil War soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Flags on Memorial Day are to be raised in the morning, brought to half-mast until noon, then returned to full mast until sunset.

President Herbert Hoover observed the first National celebration at Arlington on May 30, 1929.

The U.S. 3rd Infantry begins placing flags on the graves in Arlington the Thursday before Memorial Day, then maintains a 24-hour patrol to make sure all of the flags stay standing.

By 1882 the name had gradually changed to Memorial Day and in 1967 Memorial Day became the official name. In 1968 Memorial Day became one of four holidays moved to the nearest Monday for observance to create a "three-day weekend." The first observance of Memorial Day as the last Monday in May was in 1971.

Thank you to those who have and continue to serve. My family, my friends, and people I will never know. Thank you to their families.
God Bless the United States of America.

Looking for some fun Jewelry? Check out Beady Eye Beth!

I have known Beth for 13 years. Maybe 14.  She is one of the most incredibly fun loving and hysterically funny friends I have. Lady Swan, Or BeadyEyeBeth, as she is calling herself now, is a creative soul as well and has been doing beading since 1995. About 5 years ago she started to work with encrusted seed bead embroidery. She also makes resin designs, polymer clay designs and bottle cap pendants.  

Why am I telling you all of this? As a part of my commitment to Pay It Forward in life, I wanted to introduce you all to her and her work. Some of you already know her. I have several of her necklaces and I wear them regularly. If you are in the area of Sumnerville SC, she sells her things in a booth at Tea Farm Cottage. For those not able to visit there, she sells on line in Etsy and through her site Beady Eyed Beth Stop in and have a look and let her know I sent you by.
Below are some more links to her various online presences:

http://www.youtube.com/user/BeadyEyedBeth?feature=mhee 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beady-Eyed-Beth/148226738556450

 

Of Light and Darkness

I've read the book and I am anxiously awaiting the movie. Here is a music video to kick things off. Enjoy and share!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i2IpThPzks

 

Ticketamerica.com has tickets for New York, Las Vegas and Chicago events in and around the city including all concerts sports and theater events and seating charts.

If you are going to be in or near the following places, check out these links for information on tickets to what's going on!

New York Tickets

Chicago Tickets

Las Vegas Tickets

Apologies

Namaste.
Merry Meet!

Apologies...I owe many to you. I have not been keeping up on this like I wanted. Between March 25th and today, there have been several life changing events and issues. I can't delve into all of them right now, but they have included death, sickness, family (not mine) drama and an upcoming relocation. Once I am confident in the outcome of all things I will most definitely be posting about them.

In the meantime, I am going to try to get back to my other observations, and some of my $$ blog posts. Need all the moola I can get now.

Much love to you all. Blessed be. Peace.

Ticket links for Madonna and Drake, and One Direction

Ticketamerica.com has concert tickets for Madonna and Drake for there world tour and One Direction concert tickets.

I have never been trendy, or into a lot of "current" music. I have heard and seen the buzz about Madonna and Drake and the group One Direction. So, I was pleased when I received an offer to advertise links for the upcoming concerts.

Now, most of you know I am not a Madonna fan, but I know many people are. And from what I know Drake and One Direction are two up and coming acts. So, for your benefit here are links to tickets for these upcoming concerts:

madonna tickets
one direction tickets
drake tickets

Check them out and if you decide to attend, have a blast!

Vista Print Task

Hey all. I received a new assignment, this time for Vista Print.  
I have seen the ads on TV, but they only touch the surface of all of the different advertising options Vista Print offers. I was surprised to find out they also do embroidery on hats and shirts as well as several other gift and promotional items. The prices and turnaround time on orders seems competitive. So if you are looking for any kind of print job that needs done, or promotional or gift items that are personalized and distinct, use the Vista Print links here to check them out. You'll help me and help you!

Grieving and Dealing

Namaste.

Grief.

Everyone has to deal with it in their own way. The feelings we have for someone who was a part of our life are all unique, so why would our grief be any different? Each relationship is special and private within your heart. No one else can know how the absence of that someone feels to you. Don't let anyone tell you what is "normal" when grieving.

My mother-in-law has now been gone for two weeks.  I have cried a few times missing her, but also in relief. Not because she is gone. But because she has moved on to her reward, getting to be with Joe gain, no more struggling to breathe or get around. While I miss her smile and greetings, and presence, I know she's not really too far away. She had a generous heart, doing and thinking of others. I know too that she was one of God's children, and although she did not go to church she had a great relationship with her Lord. Her generous nature can now be shared with others as we see the blooming of a flower, catch the unexpected scent of lilacs on the wind or see some little thing that makes us smile.

I was at the grocery store the other day and as I got to the end of an aisle, I saw a display for pudding on sale. My immediate thought was to but some chocolate for her. Then, almost as instantly, I realized what I was thinking, and tears sprang up. It's gonna take some time.

Yesterday, I had another funeral. This one was for a friend and co-worker who had cancer. Some people say that when someone dies from cancer they have lost the battle. I don't see it that way with Gail. She lost nothing, and gained everything. She refused to let it stop her from giving of herself and her time. She continued to work and volunteer, attend church and gatherings. I like to think that towards the end, when she was too ill to do these things anymore, it was simply her time to take time for herself and prepare for her next step. She did not let cancer define her or stop her.

Over the course of three weeks, three special females left my life. (Yes, I am counting my Tayta.) Each one taught me something about what it means to be a female, a woman. We are the comfort givers, we are the warm smile and hug. We should never be afraid to be who we are, to show our faith or love. When the times come around when we just can't handle it all at once, we should not be afraid to back off and regroup. There is nothing wrong in admitting we are crabby or sad, that we are not doing well. No one can sustain everything all the time. Batteries run low and need to recharge. Fuel tanks run shallow and need refilled. We have to remember this and take the time to let our souls heal from the hits in life, and know that God is the only place to do this.

It only takes a few  moments every day to do this, and there is no right or wrong way. The relationship you have with God is just like any other, unique and private. How you speak to Him and He to you is your own business. And in the times when you really need a good pep talk, He is the one to give it to you. You never know how He is going to do it, by putting a friend in your path to help, or allowing you a special viewing or some quiet time with nothing to do.

Accept the gifts when they come and remember no one can do it all all of the time.

Peace.

Attention Coffee Lovers!

Namaste.

If you know me, you know I am a coffee addict. I start and end my day with it. I am a basic coffee snob, though, liking it straight up black with lots of sugar. Greek style, strong and sweet. Occasionally, I'll treat myself with a little flavored creamer.

I have added a new ad to my blog for Roaste.com. Since I know a lot of my family and friends also enjoy good coffee in any variety, I think you may like this site. You can order your coffee through here, get super varieties and have it delivered to you. No more running out of coffee if you forget to get to the store.

Yes, I will get paid if you click on the link and order from them. So, if you check them out, like them and decide to use them, please use my link to order.

Now, I am off for another cuppa to get me ready for my Saturday chores!

Peace.

New banner ad

Namaste.
Many of you will notice the banner ad to the left of the posts. This is my first ad to try to make extra. Fior each person who clicks on it and registers with Zulily through the link I will get paid. It's not much, but it is a start.
I checked out the site myself previously and they have some great deals on some really cute things. So if you have kids or grandkids, nieces nephews godchildren and kids in your life, check it out. You'll find some really great stuph.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you on the flip!
Peace.

My First Advertising Blog

Namaste.
As I have mentioned before, I will be trying to earn some extra money from time to time accepting writing and advertising assignments for this blog.  This is the first of those items.
In a search, I found Blogadvertisingstore.com and signed up. This is my first assignment for them, and if you have a blog, you should take a look at them to help you earn a little more money as well. TYou don't have to change your blog with them, or what you like to normally blog about. You'll just be asked to dedicate a small amount of time and space to them. I signed up with them as RavensChild, and I am looking forward to exploring the opportunities they have.
Peace.

I Don't Wanna

I don't wanna.
I don't wanna get out of my warm bed this cold morning to face another day of sadness and loss.
I don't wanna accept that one of the sweetest women I have ever had the privilege of knowing is now at rest.
I don't wanna spend another day facing the new dynamics of our home without my Mother-in-law here to make us laugh.
I don't wanna see the silk flowers in my back yard marking the place my Tayta is buried.
I don't wanna cry anymore at odd times in front of my co-workers because something has popped into my head to remind me of those who are gone.
I don't wanna miss the ones I love.
I don't wanna fight to be strong when I really just want to curl up and hide, just for a little while.
I don't wanna be soft and weak, I want to be there for others.
But sometimes it just gets too be too much.
I know that I trust in God and that his plan is not for me to know ahead of time, it is for me to discover each day like the blossoming of a new flower. That to make things grow, the ground must be tilled, mixed and made receptive to the new seeds of change.
The beauty of the past is never forgotten, not the smiles, the heart, the love. All is remembered. Even though we miss what bloomed in the season before, we know more will bloom, and in different and spectacular ways. New joys and love will come to us. It may take time, and often sneaks in before we realize it.
But for today, my heart is heavy and I don't wanna.

New Routines.

Tuesday morning, and I am trying to get used to a little difference in my routine.  It is funny how little things that change can totally rearrange the way you do things, like getting up and ready for work in the morning.

Before, RJ and I had the upstairs as "our" area. Now, the downstairs is open as well. So, instead of staying up in my room with the TV and computer, I am downstairs. Realizing that I can move my make-up, curling iron, etc into the bathroom down here and use them, watch the morning news here and sit with Deuce in the chair and kick back a little, I decided to try it. Now I know that may not sound like anything terribly exciting to some people, but being able to lay on the couch for a little bit and have my coffee and wake up is a new world to me.

It is going to be the little things like this that change our routines. So far, I like it. The animals are the ones who are having a little more trouble adjusting. Roux keeps coming over and looking at me, wondering why I am not in my desk chair. Barney hasn't come down to join us yet. Deuce is happy to have me here and came off of "his" chair to sit on my lap for a while.

So, all in all I think its a good change. The little things in life are what make each life different and happy (or unhappy in some cases) and we need to explore them more and change the boundaries. Reshape the day and make it work for us.

Peace.

Out with the old

First, thank you to the new people who are checking me out. I really appreciate it. You'll see there are some other blogs of mine listed to the side, and some are of an "adult" nature, so enter those at your own risk. You've been warned!

As the title implies, today, as "they" say, is the first day of the rest of my life. There have been some significant changes to my world lately, the last two weeks in particular. Our home lost two members, a week apart, and the absence of them is hard at times. One was my beloved Tayta, a 13 year old Papillion-King Charles Spaniel mix female. We got her when she was 9 months old, and despite some bad habits, we loved her and she was the Queen of the Phur Posse. Her personality was bright and vibrant, fierce and loyal. She was a beautiful girl and I miss her companionship.

The other loss was RJ's mother, Norbertine Phillips. She was 89 and we had been trying to prepare for her passing. It had been coming, with her health declining over the past few years. Now she has passed and our whole world, routine and home is in flux. Since we lived with her, the most obvious thing is her presence, or lack thereof, if you will. Now there is an adjustment in bills and responsibilities, the hurry up and wait of probate until we find out what is what with the lawyers. For the meantime, we carry on here, waiting to find out the final outcome of all things with the estate. (Such as it is.) We always stayed within the upstairs rooms, but now the whole house is open to us. There is a lot of sorting and cleaning and dispersing to be done over the next few weeks, and you may well see me reminiscing or venting depending on the day and events.

RJ and I have a whole new relationship phase opening up to us now, as we have our own space. Don't get me wrong, the arrangement we had here with Nor was awesome, she was able to stay in her own home and we had a place to live. However, it always felt a little restricted, only because WE didn't want to encroach on her. She never made us feel like guests or boarders or that we were intruding, but, at least for me, there was always that little voice holding some things back in respect to her and her home and wishes.

So what is in store? Well, I will be trying to blog at least once a day, perhaps more if something pokes at my brain. I will be using this space to try to earn some extra money with click through ads and such. If you see some thing like that, please click the link. You don't have to join or buy whatever is there, but for people who actually click on the link, I will get credited. Its one small way to make a little extra. Look for some blog postings in the future about some of the ways I am trying to earn online as well, including games and surveys and the like. I know I won't get rich doing these things, but it is nice to have a little extra to go into the coffers.

Have a great day, and thank you for reading.

Peace.

Catch up

So, I started out with a mention on "The Biggest Loser" contest at work...then promptly never did an update. I am pleased to say I took 3rd place with a loss of 19 pounds in 10 weeks. So far, I have been able to maintain that loss, hovering right around the final weigh in amount. Thanks to everyone who encouraged and supported me.

Trying out a new way to make a little extra money, being paid to advertise and comment on products and services. I figure, I have opinions, I can make a little $$ with them. Be prepared for some of these posts to appear here in the future, mixed among other thoughts and blogs.
Trim it down to size with a light bulb
Don't ask.

New Diet Motivation

Namaste! Merry Meet! Starting this coming Friday, January 13, 2012, I will participate once again in my company's "Biggest Loser" competition. With that in mind, I offer up a classic bit of comedy. If you are on, thinking about, or have ever been on a diet, you'll appreciate this. Blessed Be. Peace.

Fat Man's Prayer

---

Lord, My soul is ripped with riot
incited by my wicked diet.
"We Are What We Eat," said a wise old man!
and, Lord, if that's true, I'm a garbage can. I want to rise on Judgment Day, that's plain!
But at my present weight, I'll need a crane.
So grant me strength, that I may not fall
into the clutches of cholesterol.
May my flesh with carrot-curls be sated,
that my soul may be polyunsaturated
And show me the light, that I may bear witness
to the President's Council on Physical Fitness.
And at oleomargarine I'll never mutter,
for the road to Hell is spread with butter.
And cream is cursed; and cake is awful;
and Satan is hiding in every waffle.
Mephistopheles lurks in provolone;
the Devil is in each slice of baloney,
Beelzebub is a chocolate drop,
and Lucifer is a lollipop.
Give me this day my daily slice
but, cut it thin and toast it twice.
I beg upon my dimpled knees,
deliver me from jujubees.
And when my days of trial are done,
and my war with malted milk is won,
Let me stand with the Saints in Heaven
In a shining robe--size 37.
I can do it Lord, If You'll show to me,
the virtues of lettuce and celery.
If You'll teach me the evil of mayonnaise,
of pasta a la Milannaise
potatoes a la Lyonnaise
and crisp-fried chicken from the South.
Lord, if you love me, shut my mouth.
~ By Victor Buono ~

For 2012

Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me
Let there be Peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brothers, in perfect harmony.
Let Peace begin with me, let this be the moment now
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
and live each moment
In peace, eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin
with me.