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

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

Living Life In Color-Don't Worry - Be Happy

Lesson # 7 DON'T WORRY - BE HAPPY

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting. -Elizabeth Bibesco

I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned...That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned....That the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnvSQuv-H4&feature=email
Love,

Chatty

Living Life In Color . . .Make Sure Our Own WIndows Are Clean

HOW DO WE LIVE LIFE IN COLOR - MAYBE EVEN TECHNICOLOR?

Lesson # 1


A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.

The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young
woman saw her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly.Perhaps she needs better laundry soap"

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash out to dry,the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?"

Husband: "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

* * *

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

LESSON #1 - MAKE SURE OUR OWN WINDOWS ARE CLEAN, BEFORE WE LOOK AT OTHERS LAUNDRY.

Love,
Chatty

"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

Saturday Meditations - YOU'RE A WINNER TOO!

I have such a neat story to tell you.

My daughter has been in Florida for a couple of days now, and my grandson is all mine - to take care of! I'm pooped. I put him to bed at 8pm last night and fell asleep until 8 this morning. I never sleep 12 hours - never!

That's not the exciting part, just had to add that because at times I do wonder if my daughter does much around here (teehee), but my eyes have been opened and daughter, if you ever read this, I'm sorry, you do help out (Lol and love).

Anyway my grandson has been in Taekwondoe for 2 years now. He is 7 1/2. He went through the Tiger Clubs easily (no 'real' testing) and it took a year. Then he gets his white belt. Know that I paid for 20 private lessons to help him because once he got in the real class he panicked - it was like he never had a class at all - he had a year at this point. We stuck with it almost another year and he is up to his yellow belt, with one green stripe. Not very far. I started pestering my daughter 6 months ago about changing places or quitting (yes quitting because I felt it was doing more damage to his self esteem than it was teaching him self esteem).

One of my friends is a black belt in Choi Kwang Do. Similar to Taekwondoe but more modern - a little more like boxing. She mentioned this and I asked my daughter about switching, but timing is everything. God's timing. You will be able to see his hand in this as the story progresses.

Anyway he was really trying. I was dying inside for him. The place seemed like they had given up on him. This particular place was tournament driven. We didn't give a hoot about tournaments - we just want him to have self esteem and be able to protect himself.

The last couple of weeks he came out crying. He felt he was trying and just couldn't move forward. I mentioned it to the head and she sent him out on the floor to another woman to get some extra practice. That woman waved him away, finished training the one she was with for 10 minutes mind you. I went out there to ask someone else and finally they give him 1 minute - doing the whole set of moves each and every time to teach him. Well I couldn't do it either if someone didn't break up the moves for me and showed me the whole thing each and every time I asked for help!

How does that go - if you keep doing things the same way - you'll keep making the same mistakes?

Well I had taken all I could and I couldn't take anymore. Neither could my daughter. So we went to my friends place. Choikwangdo, at this this one anyway - I'm not sure if they all don't, does not compete in 'tournaments'. It is not tournament driven, it is for the person. It is person driven.

What a novel idea!

Okay all this to get to my point -

We talked about my grandson and what had happened and of course they were aghast and said he would do much better there. Now my friend came who had her black belt training there came also (drove all the way here - on Friday - from downtown - in the rain) and talked to the Master she trained under, we all talked to him, and then he took my grandson and taught him step by step some movements. He told him how to hold his hand, what knuckles to use, where to put his feet, why, etc- step by step! I felt he kind of is taking us under his wing thanks to my friend.

Well of course I thought at first they were just saying it would be different - that they just didn't know the situation.

After three lessons - my grandson - tested in front of everyone - alone - and got his first belt. He turned to us in pride with the biggest smile. I knew then things were going to be alright and get better. Master P told my friend, "You did good today." Now I get it - she brought my grandson to the right place, where he will get help and extra attention. His soul was going to heal. They are tough, make you follow the rules, but they also care. My friend helped him. It's like the ripple effect - when you throw the stone in the water - at first you see the ripples, but later on you don't see them, but they are still there. She may never see what she has done for him - but you never know how it will positively effect his life.

It wasn't Taekwondoe vs Choikwando (exactly - but I do like it better - it is more natural movements and is more like boxing) - it was tournament driven vs person driven. His first place did not think my grandson was tournament material and frankly they had given up on him.

I'm not even saying that tournaments are wrong. Some kids thrive in tournaments - just not our kid - but he was still important - worthy of their help. Wish I had listened to my inner voice earlier. But not to be too hard on myself, timing is everything and this was just the time.

Now this is the big gift I got from Master P when I took my grandson there for class yesterday.

(Okay I'm gabby, but I had to set this up and explain it. Actually I am 'chatty'.)

We got talking and I asked him why no tournaments?

And this is the really big thing that I am so excited about (this man kind of thinks like I do - scary I know - or do I think like him?) -

He said, "If their are 10 on a team for the tournament - three win - although all 10 have trained equally, three performed better that day. So 3 were winners and yet seven were losers. Why should 7 feel like losers - just because they did not perform as well this one particular day? Losing gives you a scar (to some degree). Scars never go away until you die." (I believe that too - they get better if you work on them, but you have to learn to live with them and accept them).

The idea is to make everyone a winner in their soul. We get so many scars out in this old world - why add ones that aren't necessary?

My lesson is - don't keep repeating mistakes for two years, listen to your inner voice, don't be afraid of change, don't put yourself in a position to get 'unnecessary' scars - you'll get enough of those automatically from other things - TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF - IT'S OKAY TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

You're worth it.

Chatty (who can get so excited over somethings that seem so small - I know - but this wasn't small in my mind - I really learned a valuable lesson - I was given a gift!)

Listen to my first song - Everything we got, we got the hard way . . . (by work!)