Family Reunions and Kangaroo Conservation in Georgia

Family Reunions -

Andy and Nikki - aren't kids so happy and free?

Rick, Jenn, Sandie (Chatty), Kristie (niece)

Rick Jr. and Jenn

Kelly and Rick Sr.

Rick Sr. (notice t-shirt - Alaska) and Andy

Finally - the kangaroo's!

My son and his wife have been here visiting this weekend from Cincinnati. We had a mini family reunion and 34th birthday party for my son on Friday night and went to the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville, GA. on Saturday.

We had lunch in Dahlonega, GA. There is "gold in them thar hills!" You will find out that the first major U.S. gold rush just happened to take place around the Dahlonega area in 1828 some twenty years before California.

We had a good time - the best part was that the kangaroo's had a bunch of joey's and they were so cute. A side note - when people came to Australia and asked what they were called they said kangaroo - so the name stuck - it actually means 'I don't know what you are asking'!
Love,
chatty

Chatty's Lamentations

I'm going to let go and breathe today. The month of December has always been a brutal month with all it's busyness. Add my surgery and a wedding in five months to the mix and you could say I've stressed to the max and then some. I've had no time to de-stress - well, I should have made some time for de-stressing

My daughter is stressed, my husband is stressed, my grandson is stressed. My poor grandson cried 3 hours the day I had surgery - he thought I was going to die. My daughter said you couldn't convince him otherwise that first night. He's finally getting settled and more secure now. I feel really bad about putting him though all that. He was actually a little mad at me at first. Plus his having too move has been rough on him as well. Needless to say we're all stressed.
Plus some one has been here with me 24/7 for the past month (if not two or three people). Now don't get me wrong - I love to be with people, but I need some time to be be alone and think or I start to feel like I'm caught in a spider web and that I can't get out. Does anyone else ever feel that way? Thank goodness everyone is back to their respective places today and I have a little time alone to find myself again - I was feeling kind of lost - weird that I can find myself better when I am alone then when I am with a multitude of people.

When I'm around other people i.e. my family I tend to be the peace maker and the care taker. I hate arguing, criticism, power struggles, and negative attitudes. I had all those negative things around me while I was growing up and I spent many years trying not to be that way myself. I just don't like to be around it anymore - I find it toxic. I want (Lol) peace and harmony around me. I want people to laugh and have fun and at least try to be happy. Is this Utopia in my mind only?

Okay - I'm at a crossroads in my own life this January 2009. I've been in the care taker role now for five and one half decades! And I don't mean just a 'normal' care taker I mean THE CARE TAKER. Now the last few years I've gotten in touch with the fact that I don't particularly like being the care taker and sometimes I don't like to be the peace maker either. At times I feel mad at others - yet I know down deep - that I'm really the one to blame - sort of. It was demanded of me as a child to be the care taker of my 'nuclear family'. When I got married and had children - while still taking care of my nuclear family - I added taking care of my own family. I was a perfectionist at taking care of people at that point.

If only I had the 20/20 hindsight vision to see what I was creating - I wouldn't have gone so overboard in the care taking business. I might not have 'raised' a family who expected to be taken care of and made one where we took care of each other more.

I 'know' the answers for how to change things, but it's not that easy! Trying to change my care taking and peace efforts feels an like overwhelming task task for me at times. I'm kind of counting the days until my daughter gets married. It will be an opportunity for the growth, we both need. I'm finally going to be able to spend some time with myself - maybe I can even find out what I want to do or what I want to be when I grow up!

This may seem so trivial to you - but I can't begin to explain the growth work and the changes for me that lie ahead this year for me.

What I have gone though the past 55 years (seems to me) has been as hard as the pioneers going out west to settle California . . . . I have so struggled so incredibly hard to become the person I am today. Not perfect by any means, but better than I was.

"I gave my life to become the person I am right now. Was it worth it?" Richard Bach

I realize that I am holding the water glass too long without putting it down for a break. So today I am putting the glass down.

Chatty thinking and being extremely honest. . .

Fun Friday - Reading is fundamental

One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap.

Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book.

Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, 'Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?'

'Reading a book,' she replies.

'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her.

'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading.'

'Yes, but you have all the equipment... For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.'

'For reading a book?' she replies.

'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her again.

'If you do that, I'll have to charge you with Sexual assault,' says the woman.

'But I haven't even touched you,' says the game warden.

'That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.'

'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left.


MORAL : Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think. *****************************************************
Sick Leave

I urgently needed a few days off work,
But, I knew the Boss would not allow me to take leave.
I thought that maybe if I acted 'Crazy'
Then he would tell me to take a few days off.
So, I hung upside-down on the ceiling and made funny noises!
My co-worker (who's blonde) asked me what I was doing.
I told her that I was pretending to be a light bulb,
So, that the Boss might think I was 'Crazy' and give me a few days off.
A few minutes later the Boss came into the office and asked,
'What in the name of good GOD are you doing ?'
I told him I was a light bulb.
He said, 'You are clearly stressed out.'
Go home and recuperate for a couple of days.'
I jumped down and walked out of the office...
When my co-worker (the blonde) followed me, the Boss asked her,
'...And where do you think you're going?!'
(You're gonna love this....)


She said,
'I'm going home too, I can't work in the dark!!
******************************************************
See Below - warning you might die laughing -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmsr8Sy4K0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un_PjRXV5l8&feature=email

Laughing is inner jogging.

Love,

Chatty


See the You Tube Below too....

Thursday's Thoughts - How To Handle Problems

Walk away from it until you're stronger. All your problems will be there when you get back, but you'll be better able to cope." ~ Lady Bird Johnson

This too, will pass.

Love,

Chatty

Wednesday's Whims (songs) - Feel the Fire by Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley - "Feel the Fire" I like this song about feeling the fire of life - if you stop, really stop, and breathe - then look around you - you can feel the passion and life in other people and things. Feel the vibrations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSZoKKKQ2Qk&feature=email

I have accepted fear as part of life--specifically the fear of change. I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says turn back.- Erica Jong

Well, I've been doing my Blog and I had surgery last Friday. I thought I had two hernias instead it was the largest hernia the doctor eve saw - starting on one place in the stomach muscle and twisting and turning and coming out another whole side! Sore I am. I think I have the worlds largest cut! Anyway, not complaining - I'm been very lucky. I do believe what Clarence Goodbody said in It's A Wonderful Life. (I have to keep remembering that!)

So I haven't been checking Blogs and answering my wonderful Blog friends - but I'm back. I going to the doctor this am, but I'm going to see what you've been up to - tonight.

Thanks for all my comments. Love them.

Chatty

Tuesdays Ramblings - Timing is everything

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

CHATTY

Monday Mullings on challenges

"Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch -- what makes you go beyond the norm."– Cicely Tyson

Chatty

Be Unsettled!

“People wish to be settled: only as far as they are UNSETTLED is there any hope for them.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love,Chatty

http://wandascountryhome.com/whitechristmas/index.html

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas . . .

Everyday is important . . .

There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day.
-Alexander Woollcott

Love,

Chatty

Don't worry, be happy . . .

"Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is." ~ Ernest Hemingway

Baked Beans
One day I met a sweet gentleman and fell in love.
When it became apparent that we would marry, I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans.
Some months later, on my birthday, my car broke down on the way home from work.
Since I lived in the countryside I called my husband and told him that I would be late because I had to walk home.
On my way, I passed by a small diner and the odor of baked beans was more than I could stand.
With miles to walk, I figured that I would walk off any ill effects by the time I reached home, so I stopped at the diner and before I knew it, I had consumed three large orders of baked beans.
All the way home, I made sure that I released all the gas.
Upon my arrival, my husband seemed excited to see me and exclaimed excitedly:
"Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight. "
He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table.
I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang.
He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went to answer the call.
The baked beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming most unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go.
It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a pulpwood mill.
I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously.
Then, shifting to the other cheek, I ripped off three more.
The stink was worse than cooked cabbage.
Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on like this for another few minutes.
The pleasure was indescribable.
When eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself.
My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long.
He asked me if I had peeked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not.
At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table chorused:
"Happy Birthday!"

And a happy Friday to y'all.
Chatty

Look at a romantic sleigh ride - this is sooooooooooooooooooo funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWR957k4vss&feature=email

Hello, Everybody . . .

What if, for an entire month, you greeted everyone in your path?

Readers Digest - December 2008

11 things you can learn from one small change, by Joe Kita

1. It's not as easy as you think.

2. Friendliness is so rare nowadays, it's disarming.

3. It can boost productivity.

4. People you wouldn't acknowledge turn out to be the friendliest.

5. Respect begets respect.

6. Setting influences sociability.

7. Tinted windows should be banned.

8. You need to be careful around kids.

9. Reaching out focuses you.

10. It can save your marriage.

11. It's a form of universal health insurance.

What if we tried it for just one week - do you think it would change anyone - what about our self?
Funny thing is my grandson did this over the Thanksgiving week. He said hello to everyone he saw whenever we went out. At first we felt embarrassed (I think he was showing off a little and it actually backfired on him) and we wanted to stop him, but the people seemed so happy and returned his hello and smile. We then told him to try to give it away, but he couldn't!

Chatty

The Quality of the Harvest

The Quality of the Harvest

"Gardening, like your life, isn't a project you tend to when it's the right season. It takes planning and readiness all year long," the man told me.

I went to the local hardware store on Saturday looking for some parts I needed to fix a faucet in our kitchen. My wife has much confidence in my ability to figure how to do such things, but also knows it will take much longer than necessary and I'll injure myself. It did and I did.

Don't ask me how it happened, but I didn't injure myself working on the plumbing. I cut myself laying down contact paper under the sink. No, I didn't cut myself on the paper. I have no idea how this happened but it did. And it always does.

Maybe I should call this story "Things you can depend on." Not only because I injured myself but the fact that whenever I head out into the world I can depend on meeting someone with a message I needed to hear. Saturday was no different.

I wandered into the garden shop in search of Spring and signs of life. Spring is life and as I tell you often, life is in the details. Winter's details are brilliant, but I can't wait for Spring.

Although people maybe thinking and longing for Spring here, very few if any, are headed to the garden supply shops. Except for Peter.

Peter was about my age, average height, touches of white around each temple and when it came to gardening very knowledgeable.

"I didn't expect to see anyone in this section so early," I said as I entered the room.

"Why not?" he replied.

"Well Spring hasn't arrived yet. Although I've been carrying it around in my heart for months now." I said smiling.

"Well, my uninformed friend, gardening, like your life, isn't a project you tend to when it's the right season. It takes planning and readiness all year long," Peter told me.

Okay, he had my attention. I know I don't know much about gardening, but life? I pride myself on my life skills.

"But gardening is seasonal. I never saw anyone in their garden with snow up to their knees," I said.

"That's because a good gardener is inside planning, reading and yes growing. There are things we can grow early enough to get a head start on the season. Just like you should in life."

"Go on," I urged him.

"About five years ago, my wife died. One never plans for that. How could you? In life there is a season for that and we hadn't even come near that time. Using the same comparison, our two children were in their growing season. Like in gardening we tended to their needs with nourishment, special care and lots of love. The saddest thing is we never got to the best season of all," he said as he shook his head.

"Harvest time?" I asked.

"Yes, the harvest of our lives. The season after you have worked life's garden, planted for the future, and pulled all the weeds. The time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor never came. At least not together. Our children are growing and they bring much life into my world. I see them blossoming into all that God had created them to be. But I see it alone." he said now lowering his head and turning away from me.

"Let me ask you something. I plant a seed and the flower grows. At the same time my neighbor down the street plants the same flower and it grows. Mine is thin, with few blooms. Hers is full and healthy looking. The same seed, different gardener. I would guess then that the gardener is reflected in the beauty of the flower, right?" I asked.

"Yes, I guess so."

"Then you are not alone, my friend, for the beauty of your wife is reflected in your children. God provided the seeds, you and your wife made them to grow, and when her harvest came early, she left the garden in good hands," I said.

"I never thought of it that way. You are right. The beauty that I see in my world is a reflection of her and I. They are with me always. Then so is she," he said now smiling.

Taking advantage of the moment I replied, "And I have gained a new insight on gardening and my life. You do reap what you sow and the quality of the harvest lies in the gardener. When it seems that the Winter in our lives will never leave, remember that "All the flowers of all our tomorrows are in the seeds of today." Robert H. Schuller"

Just then his children came running through the door.

"Here comes tomorrow's flowers," he said.

"Daddy, could we plant Daisies again this year?" one child asked.

"Yes, of course. They were Mom's favorite," he said.

"Ours, too!" they said in unison.

"That doesn't surprise me," Dad said as he smiled and kissed them.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.

Pretty story to end the week,
Chatty

Happy Thanksgiving

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.

Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly open the door to the freezer, the parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."

John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A game warden was driving down the road when he came upon a young boy carrying a wild turkey under his arm.

He stopped and asked the boy, 'Where did you get that turkey?'

The boy replied, 'What turkey?'

The game warden said, 'That turkey you're carrying under your arm.'

The boy looks down and said, 'Well, lookee here, a turkey done roosted under my arm!'

The game warden said, 'Now look, you know turkey season is closed, so whatever you do to that turkey, I'm going to do to you. If you break his leg, I'm gonna break your leg. If you break his wing, I'll break your arm. Whatever you do to him, I'll do to you. So, what are you gonna do with him?'

The little boy said, 'I guess I'll just kiss his butt and let him go!'

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Chatty

Do you know why?

Okay, the election is over. We all had our chance to vote. No matter who we voted for - we have to get behind the new president and not let it divide our country. Will it be easy - not really - but we must go forward - that's my core belief in all of life . . .

That being said -

There is a Rascal Flatt's song- in the movie the Notebook by Nicholas Sparks - another tear jerker - that could be a love story or a love story to yourself.

My question is - (while it's true it would be a whole lot easier never having to to go through the pain of changing yourself) - If you have issues/scars/hurts past or present - is it worth the pain then to to go through the pain to change yourself or not?

(You can see that it's not just the past we must reconcile with - things happen all the time that we have to look at and decide to let go of.)

Is it more painful to change who we are/what we believe/what we want or to stay the way we are - accepting what is, is what is?

Why not give up when it gets to hard or why even start to begin with? Is there a time limit or pain limit?

Why do some people say it's worth the pain and others say it's not woth the pain to change?

What makes us so different? There is something in the core of us that is different. What is it?

Do you know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saXYgBRas9Y&feature=email Here by Rascal Flatts

Chatty (thinking)

"We must not allow other people's limited perceptions to define us." ~ Virginia Satir

Remember to vote!

I haven't taken a Bible Study in a long time - not because I haven't wanted too, the timing has been off. I could do it when it wasn't offered and it was offered when I was busy (same thing I guess). This year I was bound and determined to take one.

The only one offered at our church was 'Breaking Free - Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life' by Beth Moore. The only thing I knew was that Beth Moore Bible Studies for woman were supposed to be awesome. I signed up.

Well, no matter how many times I think I have all my 'past' behind me, something comes along to bring up another layer. I mean I really feel like I have gone over this so many times.

"I didn't remember until recently why I felt so uncomfortable on my wedding day some 20 years ago. I remember looking in the mirror with such disappointment. I had hoped to be a beautiful bride and, although Keith assures me with proper partiality that I was, I felt so much the opposite on my special day. My gown was rented, and I would not wear white because I did not feel pure-scars from being a childhood victim of someone else's problems." - Beth Moore

Oh no - Beth Moore was a victim of abuse as a child. She was in captivity from the abuse. She searched for years and years and years how to free herself from the bondage of it - hence the study came out 1999 - Breaking Free. I don't know much else about her story as it doesn't go into it a lot. Apparently she was the victim of abuse (sexual ?) by a relative I think. Her mom kind of had her own problems and was there, but missing in action if you know what I mean. The only way she got out of captivity from the past was through Jesus.

In this Bible study we're supposed to remove the obstacles in our path, tour the ancient ruins of our lives, bind up the brokenhearted part of us, make beauty from ashes - by letting God be the potter and we the clay - by his unfailing love.

Now don't get me wrong - I believe this wholeheartedly. I get it. All of it. I'm wondering about the other woman - do they get it? There are 15 of us. Last week we could discuss our past if we wanted too. Three of them had ministers as fathers. The other eleven had wonderful childhoods too and had wonderful Christian 'daddies'.

Maybe I'm not as over it as I think I am. I was a bit bitter in my heart. Sorry. I was thinking - what in the world do these woman know about pain and suffering? About abuse? What are they doing here in this study and who the heck picked it and why?

And, why did I have to go through that myself? Why couldn't I have had the wonderful Christian 'daddy' and the mother who was there with me, helping me instead of needing help herself? Why did I lose my brother the nearest and dearest person - the person who went though and survived all this with me? (Of course, the answer I always get is - Why not me? I also know that other people have things they are suffering with - even though it's different than mine.)

We talked about how we 'pay' for the sins of our parents. Being the way our parents were - their parents were - what we learned from them and how we can carry it on to our children. Or if we're blessed enough, we learn to let it go - through working hard and changing ourselves from what we learned.

I can't say I exactly relate to these women. I didn't talk - I didn't know quite what to say. Do I tell them I was abused? I mean the abuse is over. I once was a victim, but I no longer feel like a victim. I don't think of myself as a victim. Has it left scars? Yes, but do they need to know that? Do I need to share that?

The biggest issue I have remaining is the lack of feeling self worth - not all of the time - but definitely some of the time. Liking myself - inner acceptance - me loving and really accepting myself unconditionally.

Well I'm more than being honest today. I have a hard time telling people this and about the abuse. Yet here I blab to the whole world (?) - it's safe. It's hard to tell people.

Now did I pass problems down from my parents - through me - to my kids? Yes! Not the abuse part, but the self esteem part - how could they learn self-esteem when they didn't see it modeled for them? I feel that I taught them to be afraid instead of self confident. I was a perfectionist in my younger days. I was critical (I hate to admit it). So to my children I am sorry. I did my best at the time. Too bad I can't re-raise you now! I'm so much better and have so much more to give. Back then I was on survival mode. So pain and struggling does make you better . . .

So yes, I have grown and changed with age - I think for the better (Lol).

So - my advice to you and to the world is to learn to define who you are for yourself - in fact this is what I really feel - don't even define yourself. Why - what good does it do. Just be whoever you are - that 'went though' whatever particular circumstances you went through.

"We must not allow other people's limited perceptions to define us." ~ Virginia Satir (or ourself)

Never allow someone else to hurt you by defining you as bad including yourself. Everyone is good in their own way however they are.

Chatty

Be Yourself!

Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else.

-Judy Garland

You have to be a true person - to others and to yourself. Be honest to yourself ~ face yourself head on. You have wonderful value ~

Chatty

Midlife Friends - We Learned The Hard Way . . .

I was giving some though to midlife and how different it is from the early years. Sometime my past seems, but a dream. Was it really me back then? Did all those things really happen? Who was that girl? Can't say I'd really go back to those years, unless, I could go back as smart as I am now and just have extra years, but that's silly. I'm good with now.

I was thinking about friendships. Friendships in the early year's vs. friendships in middle years. How much more my friends mean to me now (although I will say friends have always been an important part of my life). The kids are grown living their own lives (?), their own friends . . .

I just know so much more now. I know what type people make me feel good and vice-versa. I know nothing lasts forever. That you have to take care of your friends now.

I was thinking about my particular set of friends. Where they've come from and how long I've known them. I still have three friends from my high school years. I have one friend from college. A couple of friends from Chicago. A friend I worked who has since moved away.

Of course I have good friends here in Georgia. I even have a Jewish, male, stay at home dad friend I met at my grandson's preschool - he's a hoot! The only problem is he is addicted to the phone. Do you know anyone like that? He is on the phone I'll bet 8 hours a day. So I know when he calls it will be a long one - like yesterday as a matter of fact. 1 1/2 hours! I don't understand how he does it all the time! But when we talk, we talk. I devout that time to him and I end up always getting something back in return. Funny thing is he will tell me exactly like it is - no holds bared - both good and bad - so you always know where you stand.

A funny side note - My grandson tells me that a girl and a boy can't be 'friends'. They have to be in love each other. He's only 7. Now who told him that? I said well I friends with R. and I don't 'love' him like that and he acted like I shot him (teehee). He said well of course you don't love him. Not sure what all that meant exactly and was afraid to ask (Lol).

I moved and my friends have moved, but the friends I've kept - we're still great friends. Why is that? How is that? When we get together or talk, it's weird, we pick up exactly where we left off. Like there was no time between visits. Of course we do write and keep in touch. Thank goodness for the computer.

I guess the friends who I've kept and have (and who've kept me), I've kept because they are fabulous people! I trust them and believe in them. But how do we keep our friends and why? I think one reason we've kept our friendship alive is because we've all done the work to keep in touch and we've evolved together. We've evolved with life too. Friendship is an effort. There are lots of acquaintances in our lives - but you have to work at being friends - and while it can be work, hopefully it's enjoyable work. I think you have to have common ground and beliefs. There must be trust and understanding. I think to you have to be able to let loose and have fun and laugh with them and at times cry.

"Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string." ~ Pelé With friends you can be enthusiastic.

One man has enthusiasm for 30 minutes, another for 30 days, but it is the man who has it for 30 years who makes a success of his life.-Edward B. Butler

Thank goodness for my special friends.

I don't think you know what's going to happen when you're in your 20's. I think you take them for granted a bit. I've seen a lot of friends come and go. I've also lost a couple of good (or were they good) friends along the ways due to misunderstandings (if you can believe that Lol). I lost a dear friend in death when she was only 46.

When the heart grieves over what it has lost, the spirit rejoices over what it has left.-Sufi Epigram

I think when you get older you know the value of friends. Money can't buy them because they are priceless. You know their value. You know things are fleeting. You treat them with more respect than you did in your 20's. Guess you don't take them for granted.

True friendship touches the soul.

Aristotle defines friendship as 'a single soul dwelling in two bodies," while someone else I've heard, calls it a sacrament in which there is a pure 'transfusion of grace."

Friendships can be less judgemental than many kin relationships!

Friendships say - we're glad you're here.

Keep your friends, treat them good, love them, they are like gold.

Chatty, thanking God for her friends today . . .

Tuesday's Thoughts A New Earth

"A New Earth" by E. Tolle

I bought the CD's - there are 8 of them. I also bought the book at BJ's. It was a hard one for me to get through and finish to be quite honest with you, but I did it and I'm finally done. Can't say it was my cup of tea. There were some good points and I'll share some of the ones I thought were good.

"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. "

The following is all taken from the book -

"Most people’s reality: As soon as something is perceived, it is named, interpreted, compared with something else, like, disliked, or called good or bad by the phantom self, the ego. They are imprisoned in thought forms, in object consciousness. YOU DO NOT AWAKEN SPIRITUALLY UNTIL THE COMPULSIVE AND UNCONSCIOUS NAMING CEASES - OR AT LEAST YOU BECOME AWARE OF IT AND THUS ARE ABLE TO OBSERVE IT AS IT HAPPENS." page 239

"Listen, Breathe – be aware of your breathing
Let go of addictions
Be aware of your inner body

"You Must Lose yourself to find yourself."

A story - page 223 - 226

A time came when the king finally got tired of himself and of life, and he began to seek a way out.
He sent for a wise man who lived in his kingdom and who was reputed to be enlightened. When the wise man came, the king said to him, “I want to be like you. Can you give me something that will bring balance, serenity, and wisdom into my life? I will pay any price you ask.

The wise man said, “I may be able to help you. But the price is so great that your entire kingdom would not be sufficient payment for it. Therefore it will be a gift to you if you will honor it.” The king gave his assurances and the wise men left.

A few weeks later, he returned and handled the king an ornate box carved in jade. So the king opened the box and found a simple gold ring. The inscription read: This, too, will pass.

“What is the meaning of this?’ asked the king. The wise man said, “Wear this ring always. Whatever happens, before you call it good or bad, touch this ring and read the inscription. This way you will always be at peace.”

The words inscribed on the ring are not telling you that you should not enjoy the good in your life, nor are they merely meant to provide some comfort in times of suffering. They have a deeper purpose: to make you aware of the fleetingness of every situation, which is due to the transience of all forms – good or bad.

You attachment to these things becomes less.
You will have less fear and less anxiety.
Brings a detachment and with detachment another dimension comes into your life – inner space.

You can participate in the dance of creation and be active without attachment to outcome and without lacing unreasonable demands upon the world: fulfill me, make me happy, make me safe, tell me who I am. The world cannot give you these things, and when you no longer have such expectations, all self-created suffering comes to an end. (This means you can just live life without judgements).

Laughter is extraordinarily liberating as well as healing.

A meditation that I thought was good too by J. Krishnamurti an Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher –

This is my secret:I don’t mind what happens.

The suchness of the moment

Do not label it good or bad

Unhappiness or negativity is a disease on our planet

Life must be Lived with LOVE and HUMOR...
LOVE to Understand, and HUMOR to Endure. Page 234

The Joy of Being :

If you are not spending all your waking life in discontent, worry, anxiety, depression, despair, or consumed by other negative states; if you are able to enjoy simple things like listening to the sound of the rain or wind; if you can see the beauty of clouds moving across the sky or be alone at times without feeling lonely or needing mental stimulus of entertainment; if you find yourself treating a complete stranger with heartfelt kindness without wanting anything from him or her . . . it means that a space has opened up, no matter how briefly, in the otherwise incessant stream of thinking that is the human mind. When this happens there is a sense of well-being, of alive peace, even though it maybe subtle. The intensity will vary from person to perhaps barely noticeable background sense of contentment to what the ancient sages of India called ananda – the bliss of Being.

To be aware of little, quiet things, however, you need to be quiet inside. Page 236. A high degree of alertness is required. Be still. Look. Listen. Be present. I am.

Just thought a couple of these ideas were good. All the above were quotes taken out of the book.

Chatty

Tuesday's Thoughts - wouldn't it be lovely . . .

I began writing a list over the weekend about what it means to me to be alive - to be in a live relationship with someone whether it be a friend, family member, husband , or other. Every one including myself says 'just live' - 'live life to the fullest'.

What the heck does that mean exactly? Sometimes I know what It means exactly and other times I tend to lose sight of it. Sometimes I am living and sometimes I did.

Does it mean the same to everyone? (No, I'm sure not). And if anyone has any comments on what it means to be alive - I'd love to hear from you. I love people and what and how they think.

Since everyone would define 'life' differently, I can only define what it means to me to be alive in this world - as seen through my eyes. I've also found that no matter how close you are to some one - you cannot see things out of the same two eyes. Some thing will be different - even if it's just a centimeter different.

And the really wonderful thing is that it's great to see things differently! If everyone saw things like I did - the world might be _____(I'll let you fill in the blank - Lol)! Plus everyone being the same would sure be boring. Variety is the spice of life.

So I want to define 'living' as it means to me. Real living. Being. Being alive starts within the self. It extends to the world.

Do you ever wonder what draws you to some people and while others repel you? What is it that makes you happy to be around certain people and cringe to be around others? Are you pulled toward some people and feel like you want to run away from others? I think it is the pain they carry around in them. It can be literal pain from the body itself or pain they carry around in their soul.

Pain in the body is something I do know about as well as spiritual pain. Physical pain can radiate outward from a person. Everyone around them if they are in tune can sense their pain. You have to be careful if you're a person in pain to not let it damage your soul and make it bitter. Before I had my hip replaced I was in pain for 20 years, the last five to ten were almost unbearable. I believe (and it may not be true if you ask others) even though my body was in pain, that my eyes and soul were clear - meaning that while people could see my pain, my pain never won over me personally and I did not let the pain embitter me. I couldn't do the things I wanted too - but I am a person that for some reason (God) carries eternal hope that things will get better. So while people might have done some suffering with me - I don't think they felt that I was unhappy or depressed. They did not feel guilty because I had accepted it and live my life in spite of it. Same with my soul pain. Now I was not Mrs. Perfect, I don't mean that. However, I was always working on trying to get better and trying to improve myself.

So how do I want to live?

1) Accept what the moment brings. Try not to judge it. If you fail at this, forgive yourself and try again. I make mistakes all the time and the person I tend to get the maddest at is myself! I have to forgive myself and take it easy on me at times. When you can be in just the moment in hand - it is one of those ah-ha moments that feels so good.

2) Listen to what others say about you - and see if there is any truth in it. There usually is some truth in what others say. I get a lot of 'corrective criticism' - sometimes I wonder if they even know me (Lol), but seriously, I do take to heart what they say. I bring it out and look at it, as painful as it is, analyze it, let go of some, and try to change what I can.

3) Realize there is no gain without pain. Accept pain as pain. Pain teaches us. It is there for a reason. Pain makes us stronger.

4) Things are always changing. Be a person who can change on a dime.

5) Try to rest your mind. Be with the moment at hand. A hard one for me as my mind is always on warp speed. That is why mediation is so great for me.

6) Speak the truth - and if you are going to say something 'corrective' breathe first. Be kind.

7) Be as positive as you can - negativity is a disease - that can cause your body to expel pain that others can feel and want to run away from. And if you fail and have moments of negativity that's okay. Try again. Don't be hard on yourself. Forgive yourself - forgive others - try.

8) Keep your promises if you can. Sometimes you can't and you have to accept that too. No one is perfect.

9) Use your senses - taste, touch, feel, smell, and listen - to live.

10) Have fun. Laugh. Find joy.
Now with relationships and how to feel alive -

1) Truth must come from both ways - take some time to think and breathe first. Don't be afraid of telling the truth. Even if the truth is hard - do it anyway. Truth is core.

2) Tell me your opinions even if they are different than mine. Own them. I'm a very open person. I love the opinions of others. If I do something wrong - tell me (nicely with respect).

3) There is a time for closeness and a time not to be close. When your time to be close is at hand - be close. When it is time for other things, let go and don't be demanding. Learn to stand alone when necessary and learn to lean when you need to lean.

4) Be a promise keeper. If you say you're going to do something, do it - even if it is painful to do it. Otherwise know it is okay to say no. Be a person of your word. Your word is your bond. It's core.

5) Be kind to one another. No one is perfect.

6) Let's not talk bad about others. Too negative.

7) Listening is two ways. Sharing. Taking turns.

8) Have a soft and gentle heart.

9) Do new things - learn new things - try new things. Taste - touch - smell - hear - feel.

10) Laugh a lot with each other.

Now if you think this is my actual life - think again. I'm only human too. Know that 'living' isn't for the weak - it's hard work - but what wonderful results.

Nothing feels as good as being alive and close feels.

Love,
Chatty

Wednesday's Whims (songs)

The Secret of Life

Do you know what the secret to life is?

That there is no secret!

You have to work some to come to that understanding, but it's true.

We are such good people. We all start out so fresh and honest and clean. We work so hard to grow up. We start as an infant and we struggle to walk and talk, we struggle in school, with friends, we struggle to find a job, to find love, to buy a house, to save money, and then we struggle to keep up with the Jone's.

Some times we wake up in the middle of our life and panic that there isn't a lot of time left, so we struggle to find what we we lost, to make up for lost time, to find out what really is important.

I think everyone does this, I did it, I still do it some.

The secret is to stay in the present moment as much as possibly. When you don't dwell on the past or worry about the future - you are experiencing all that really is - the here and now. I know what a contradiction that may seem for me to say as I'm always analyzing about the past and future, but if I hadn't analyzed I might not have come to this conclusion. (There are many, many different 'parts' to Chatty).

I may understand this in my head and sometimes I even understand this in my heart/soul, but I also know it's hard to stay in the present sometimes. It's hard not to think of the past or the future. That is being human. Dreams are good to have. We must have our dreams. I will say that.

Analyzing - it's my type of 'puzzle' my brain likes to work on. Okay I was probably born analyzing and then I analyzed more when I was growing up, but I analyze now because I enjoy it. It's like a puzzle to me - how life fits together. Why does one person do this and another person do that? What can I do to improve myself? My friend has started me on Sudoku. Crossword puzzles - great mind expansions. All of these type of things keeps your mind active and strong. Analyzing is like a map that leads you from one place to another. With it comes adventure and voyages to new lands - if you will.

Analyzing is not painful to me. Maybe analyze is the wrong term - (examine, study, investigate, evaluate, consider, question, explore, probe, dissect). In fact I find my that my closest friends are the ones who examine their own life and 'life' as well. It bonds us. Now this type of friend, if you don't have one - look for one - they're awesome to have. The joy and passions you feel when you're with this friend - the freedom you feel - you can share you deepest joys and your saddest sads. You can share your past and you can share your dreams while being present.

Okay, okay I see this blog 'looks' like an oxymoron. Totally confusing and opposite. That's kind of who I am. Let's see if I can pull it together to make sense.

I learned after examining myself, that there is no secret to life, except in living it to the fullest you possibly can, in your own set of circumstances. When others have have learned to do that as well and you hook up as friends - the sharing becomes dynamic. So you're both living life to the fullest. When you go out and do something together the experience is so incredibly awesome because you're both in the here and now and you can experience life - you are living. There is freedom to experience life. There's passion for life. Think - are there some people you just want to be around? You migrate towards them. They're happy, open, funny, yet they can be serious too. You just enjoy being around them.

On the other hand, if someone hasn't opened up, found themselves, released their 'pain bodies' if you will, they start to shrivel up like a prune! They are doing anything, but living in the present because they haven't found the present! They're too busy hiding from living life. They become scared, they can't find the passion in life, they complain, become embittered, and so forth. Have you ever met someone you can't stand to be around. You cringe when you see them coming or calling? You can just sense their unhappiness? You feel or even see a dark cloud over them?

Who do you want to be like?

Let go, be passionate, live in the now, and live and love life as 'best' you can - where you are. Don't worry about being perfect - you will fail as no one is perfect -just let go and try. Don't waste your life hiding from it. Even if you're in a bad situation, you can make good come from it.

Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age". Anais Nin

C Crone

I just received this email and am adding to the Blog - as it explains what I am talking about above:

Reach Out and Touch Someone-
Have you been meaning to schedule a movie night with the girls, or call up your college roommate, or take your favorite aunt out, but haven't made the time? Well, consider this: Researchers say that women who maintain close ties with other women enjoy health perks including lower blood pressure, increased immunity, and even longer life expectancy.
I know that balancing your own needs with the needs of your family and career is tough enough, but the relationships we forge with other women are priceless. In a time of crisis, there's nothing like having an entire network of gal pals ready and willing to offer a shoulder to cry on, a place to stay, or anything else you might need — like a good laugh or shot of self-esteem every now and then. So get in the habit of catching up with all the girls in your life at least once a week. Even a simple phone call will do the trick — haven't you ever had a blah day, only to get a call from a girlfriend that cheered you up?


(You see it's there all around us - all we have to do is look).