The Little Things

Sometimes you just have to keep your life in the right kind of perspective.  Remembering what really is important to you and those you love.  There is sort of a double meaning to "the little things."  First let's talk about allowing the little things that annoy you and can take over your day.  You went to work with mismatched socks or even shoes (yes, I did it and I actually know others who have done the same thing).  You realized there was no milk after you poured your cereal in the bowl.  You were late for an appointment, yet you would not make it if you did not take time to stop for gas.  The list goes on and on and on.  It can set you up for having a bad day if you let it.  And yes, you do have a choice.  You may need to stop and take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that it is not something that you need to worry about and let a frown take over your face, much less your whole day.  After all, it takes many more muscles to frown than to smile.  Keep it all in perspective.  And if necessary, think of someone who really does have more than "little things" going through their minds and in their lives. Is your problem(s) so big in the long run?

Let's talk about the other meaning of "the little things."  Truly it is the "little things" that you do for one another that matter.  When all of these good little things are added up together, a big, huge happy picture is placed before you.  For example little notes left around the house and in unsuspecting places to be found and read put smiles on faces.  A special treat in a lunch box or in a brief case can make someone's day very special.  Having someone make your coffee, especially when that person does not even drink coffee.  Telling someone how special they are to you and how much you love them daily and even multiple times in a day. (gasp - do you think this could really happen?) This can be done in person, on the phone, in a note or e mail............ it is just a little reaching out to say what is in your heart through words, a smile, a hug....your choice!  Be creative!

So ask yourself this.....what kind of "little things" are you going to allow to influence your day?

The English Language vs. The English Language

Before I met and married a Brit, I never really thought about the language barrier.  OK....so that might be a bit strong because we both do speak the English language.  However, there are some words that are the same and pronounced so differently, that they become a new language.  And then there also is a totally different vocabulary to learn.  Even after 15 years, every once in a while one of us will say a word or phrase that we never have used before and it is still surprising to us both.

Let me just give you some examples:

At the grocery store, which is what I call a Kroger, a Piggly Wiggly, etc. it would be more of a store like a little corner market that sells bits of this and that and some food.  It is the super market that a Kroger would be in the UK.  On with my story.... when I went to the grocery my husband asked me to pick up some al - u' - min- em.  Pronounced with a long u.   Not seeing it written down on paper, I did not know what he meant until he described foil.  Other items that we have had to learn when shopping at the grocery are:                       mince          -        ground beef

                                                                    biscuits        -        cookies

                                                                    crisps           -        potato chips

                                                                    chips            -        french fries

                                                                    aubergine     -        zucchini

                                                                    bangers        -        sausage

                                                                    rash              -        bacon

                                                                    

We have become used to words such as carpark for parking lot, feeling peckish for feeling a bit lightheaded because you are hungry, turn signals instead of blinker lights and going to the loo instead of going to the bathroom.

When I am working out, I am asked if I have my good trainers on. (sneakers)  If I get hurt, I am asked if I will need a plaster which is a bandaid.  

At a restaurant the waitress always looks confused when she is asked for a serviette (napkin) or if she can bring us some tomato sauce (ketchup.)  Sometimes, I am told that unless we have enough dosh to pay for the meal, then we will be charging it.  (cash)  Some people are totally gobsmacked (shocked) at the differences in the two languages.  

A couple of other words that are spelled the same, yet pronounced differently would be gair'  -  ag   instead of garage, con  - trov'  - e  - sy   instead of controversy.

 More vocabulary differences:    clicker                         -          remote

                                                    wrong                          -          dodgey

                                                    delicious                      -          scrummey

                                                    bachelorette party        -          hen party

                                                    gas                               -          petrol

                                                    eraser                           -          rubber

                                                    resume                         -          CV  (curriculum vitae)

                                                    commercial                  -          advert

                                                    big mistake                   -         cock up (nothing lewd)

Lastly, there are expressions, one that is from the UK, "Bob's your uncle" meaning "You got it!"

And these last two, which I admit are mainly known for in the South, "I am 'fixin' to go to the store." I would even confuse people I lived around in the northern part of the US when I said that.  Then, I had to teach my husband the difference of when you say, "Bless her heart."  It is all in the intonation of how it is said as to if it a truly meaningful bless her heart or if it is more of a sarcastic bless her heart. 

There are numerous other words and phrases...............maybe enough for another blog in the future.  If there is something that you have heard or that I did not mention, please feel free to add a comment for me to take note of and I will be sure to include it for a future blog.  

Road Trips

Road trips can be as exciting or as boring as you want to make them to be. Whether it is yourself traveling alone or as a couple on a romantic adventure or with a whole family, there is a way to make it full of stimulating and astonishing fun for all.

There does have to be a little preparation to set it all up for all who are in the car. The mood can be set and changed with the music chosen.  The technology today is amazing so your iPod can be used or whatever you have on your smart phone such as Pandora, Spotify, or the many other music choices.  And yes, you can have some good choices of CD's to play if this is your technology that is available.  Depending on the radio is not always the best choice, based on where you are traveling.  Once my daughter and husband were traumatized listening to me loudly twanging out every country song that the radio stations played where we were traveling.  And country was the ONLY choice.  I really had no idea that I knew that many country lyrics, but apparently I was wrong.

Road food is the next major preparation to deal with.  When you travel on the highways and interstates, there can be long stretches of no choices of food places and even when there are choices, depending on where you are there is a decision that has to be made based on the cleanliness of the place. On the road is not ever the place where you want to get food poisoning because the next obstacle to overcome is the timing of restroom breaks.  Most all of the interstates have very clean (or as close to clean as you are going to find) restrooms.  Gas stations...........questionable most all of the time, as are some of the fast food restaurants.  So, be prepared to do some wiggling and dancing in the car if you can't go in a dingy and dirty restroom and you want to hold out for a cleaner one or a place on the side of the road where you can pull over and walk off the path to behind trees and bushes.  Don't laugh!  I am pretty sure that I am not the only one who has been "forced" to go this route.

With children in the car, be prepared to help them with games, coloring, writing,  singing, and one of the best inventions in the world for road trips with children is the good old car DVD player and movies.  Entertainment at their fingertips and you will not hear nearly as often the famous question that all kids ask, "Are we there yet?"  Actually, another way that you can slow down how many times you are asked this question is for you to set up two clocks or two watches that show what time it is for real as the minutes tick away and what time you are expected to get to your destination. (Just pull the stem out and let the time stay stuck on the time you should arrive.  That way, when they ask, then they need to explain it to you.

Traveling shorter distances is a little easier than longer, for obvious reasons.  And traveling when it is off season for snow is much easier.  Actually, being on Route 66 in December taking my children and my mother to a ski lodge in Colorado was probably my most challenging road trip. Getting there was just very long and I had to keep coming up with different ideas to entertain everyone.  Naps helped.  And I must admit when it was my turn to choose the music, I would choose soft classical music, of which my children at their ages had not quite 'taken to' yet and it would put them to sleep in minutes.  (My mom, also)

As we drove there, we did not have any snowstorm to hit.  It already had snowed so climbing the mountains which were two lanes, not very wide with no railing was a bit challenging with the snow and the ice.  It made it a little more challenging when my mother woke up and saw what was happening.  Remember that I said you needed to pack for your trip and be prepared for anything. Well, I did.  I brought my mom's favorite wine, pulled the car over when we could and let her sit in the back seat with her grandchildren making sure that her cup stayed full.  No..... never would I get my own mother looped..... just happy!  And this was just for the last hour of the trip.  I was quite nervous enough driving in those conditions without hearing screams of fear that we all were going to die.

Road trips are still one of my favorites.  In fact, I am usually the one driving.  It is invigorating to be at the wheel.  One thing that I must admit that I must have is a handy navigator.  This navigator really should be human, helping to be sure that the GPS system is taking us the shortest, best route possible. There are times they do not and having another pair of eyes to check it out is important.

As you prepare for the upcoming summer trips, enjoy and go prepared to be ON THE ROAD AGAIN .  

Rules of Etiquette

Well, well.......... somehow, all those things that your mother told you as you were growing up actually did sink in your head now and then.  I remember when she talked to me about the etiquette rule of never, ever talking about religion or politics with general company.  It did not matter if it was at a business meeting, school, the dinner table or the beauty/barbershop.  It was a complete no-no. Even within a single family household, there were times that you just let things go and you agreed to disagree.

Little did I know that way back in the 1800's this etiquette rule came to be and then in 1961 in the Peanuts comic strip, Linus made the astute statement that went something like this:  "There are three things that I have learned never to discuss with people; religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin."

These things are talked about not only out in public, but where I find it more disturbing is on social medias such as Facebook.  Just some downright ugliness and bitterness going on that does not need to be aired in a public place with friends.  Some friends have stated that they have had friends 'defriend' them because of what they stated about a political candidate or a religion or culture.  Wouldn't the newspaper editorial page be a better sounding board for such banter?

For me, there is a time and a place.  And, I must say that I am thankful that there are others who feel the same way.  If someone feels so strongly about something, then all the talking in the world is not going to change that person.  And do you really want to?  Everyone has the right to believe in what they believe in.  (Let's throw out terrorists and other such people and such events).  Let's just stick to political candidates, which is so prevalent right now due to the election which seems like it has been going on for an eternity and still is months and months away.

JUST LET IT BE!    

Magical Moments

We all want to experience magical moments.  We all inwardly understand that the way to do this is to allow ourselves to appreciate and revel in the magic of each moment.  Yet that's a tricky challenge to rise to when it seems that we are bogged down with too many problems.  The more we focus on those problems, the less magical our moments seem.  So, is the solution really as simple as reaching for inspiration and an enlightened perspective? Do we just need to strive somehow for that?

Actually.....................  YES!

Perspectives of Age

Be truthful...don't you feel wonderful, marvelous and so much more energetic (if only for a short lived moment) when someone says to you that there is no way that you could be a certain age.  You look years younger than that!  I will be the first in line with my hand waving.  It feels so rejuvenating. And yes, I love it.  Secretly hoping that they are 'not just saying that to be complimentary for a hidden reason.'  If it is a salesperson, then I must say, I take it as it is.

While we are on this part of my blog, I must say that there is also a way to age gracefully.  There are times that I cringe when I hear the words that in order to age gracefully, go ahead and accept every gray hair and every wrinkle as a part of your wisdom that you have earned in life.  NOT!  At least that is not the way that I see it.  And I applaud those who love their grayness and wrinkles. (Plus, there are some men and women who have beautifully colored gray hair or salt and pepper) There is a way to have a happy medium.  Too much botox and plastic surgery can make freaky old people.  That is for sure.  On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with a little helpful touch here and there, or a magic cream ......and a wonderful hairdresser!  (Thank you, Shannon!)

With that aside, truly, any adult over a certain age loves to be considered more youthful.  And it does flatter most people.  Ah..... we all need to be a little wary because being young at heart should not necessarily mean young at mind.  There is a huge difference.

If our own perspectives of the world and the people who are in this world have not changed and grown, widened and deepened, then we have wasted very precious years of our lives.  Please don't get me wrong....I adored my younger years; once more, I adore even more so what I have learned from them.  Did I pick up on every lesson put before me?  No!  Did I learn from each failure the first time? Most definitely not!

The very fact that I can, as we all can, look back and gather what we have learned and recognize that our experiences now make up a wiser  person, at the very least, a more informed one. The School of Hard Knocks teaches us every day living lessons that is not taught in high schools nor universities.

Muhammad Ali is credited with saying, "The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life."  Just don't go around repeating that to anyone younger than thirty.  They need time to take life in and learn.            

Inspirations

Today seemed to be a day that I was struggling some with inspiration.  So I looked over our beach pictures because that certainly is one thing that inspires me.  Then I thought that I would make my Friday blog a list of things that inspire me.  The list is quite a list and one that I came up with in less than 5 minutes.  No thinking involved........ just inspirations pouring out from my brain.  What I am trying to tell you is that if I had taken time, the list would probably have 500 more items added on it. In that respect, I know that I am a very lucky person.  Lots of people, places and things inspire me to be the best at being me. Sometimes, I just need a reminder or a swift kick in the rear!

INSPIRATIONS

the Love of my life SGM                     our children and grandchildren                     family

friends                                                  babies                                                             music

roses                                                    daisies                                                             sunflowers

laughing                                               shoes                                                               cooking

reading                                                 Texas                                                              writing

bacon                                                    books                                                              journals

smiles                                                   yeast rolls                                                       Oprah

meditation                                            new notebooks and pens                                humming birds

colored printer paper                           Downton Abbey                                             yoga

people watching                                  sharp pencils                                                   travel

Mexican or Italian cuisine                   the beach                                                        gelato

Sunday Crossword Puzzle                   Google                                                            Sudoku

jewelry                                                 Sephora                                                           coupons

cherry blossoms                                   dogs                                                                shopping

cats                                                       IPhone                                                            cuppa tea

Angel perfume                                     hats                                                                 fairies

luxuriously high thread count cotton sheets                                                               fluffy filled duvet

Here is a list of 50 just off the top of my head.  I could explain them.  Some, I am sure need no explanation, as I am sure some of my list may be on others' inspiring lists, too. Ans those that are not?Well that is what makes the world go round............. we are all different in our own unique ways.  Ain't that grand?  Make the most of your upcoming weekend!  

Parent Manual

When I think about having my first child, and yes, I had one and then seventeen months later had number two child, I remember questioning myself, how is this going to be possible to take care of one, much less two?  Not quite twins, as our son and daughter-in-law just had and did not have the luxury (for lack of a better word) of having one very special child as "the child" for coming up four years as our daughter has had because it really doesn't matter the number and the order when they are born.  There is still a fear that creeps in to a mother's psyche of what do I do now?  Where is the parent manual?

My Mom came up to to help with my first born child.  She was there for two weeks.  She helped in the middle of the night and before it was time for her to go back this infant was sleeping through the night from 9 or 10 pm all the way until 7 am.  She taught me how to swaddle, she sang, she rocked and I watched, learned and listened.

Then it was time for her to go back home to her life, one thousand miles away.  And that is when I felt like all hell broke loose.  For real!  True, I know that I can be the drama queen, yet this was my reality because it was my perception.  This sweet precious infant screamed and cried all the time.  I rocked, I swaddled, I sang, I danced with her snuggled in to me.  All I could ask is what was I doing wrong?

Would you (especially, if you are a new parent or know someone who is) like to know the secret?  Infants can truly pick up on what is happening around them.  This baby knew that I was scared to death that I would do something wrong and picked up on my fear.  It took me about two weeks to realize this and to take charge of what was going on.  The key is to KEEP CALM.

There is no parent manual.  Yes, you can get all kinds of books on babies and what to do for this and what to do for that.  During the Stone Ages, my go to book was Dr. Spock.  And even Dr. Spock did not know it all.  You know your baby best of all.

So today, I am going to bullet some interesting little tidbits to remember:

• Know that your baby will teach you more than you ever will teach them
• You know your baby best and always trust your gut feeling
• Share with others going through the same as you are to help you realize you are not alone
• There is always a consistency in having routines
• Celebrate the milestones
• Always remember to take care of yourself
• Be flexible
• Comparing will do more harm than good
• Keep a sense of humor and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself (outloud!)
• There is no such thing as the perfect parent  -  be the parent that loves unconditionally
• See things through your child's eyes, as if for the very first time (it is for them)

There are books and books out there with many more little tidbits that focus in on specific information that you may want or need to know.  These that I listed are just a broad overview to help new parents and parents that are going through the toddler stages all the way through their school years.  After that, there is a whole new phase that at this time, I had really rather not get in to just now.  We shall save that for another time.  Smile  -  laugh  -  love  -  and HAVE FUN!

Taking Turns

On the first day of Kindergarten, and everyday afterward, our teachers instilled in everyone the importance of taking turns. Actually, as I think back to my own Kindergarten days and then the book by Robert Fulghum titled, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, there was an enormous amount of knowledge shared with us.  Things like:
1.  Say you are sorry when you hurt someone
2.  Keep your hands and feet to yourself
3.  Play fair
4.  Put things back where you found them
5.  Flush
6.  Wash your hands
The list goes on and on.  If you missed that book on the first go around, then I highly suggest a good read for now.  (Unless you have time to go and sit in a Kindergarten class again).

The list goes on and on.  All good common sense social rules to get along with others.  However, lately I have been wondering if some people either never learned these rules or just by-passed Kindergarten totally.  

Today, I witnessed three different times, and I probably drove a total of 6 miles, drivers who did not know how to take turns.  
Obviously, they were much more important than the other person, or perhaps it was who they were going to see or what they were going to do that was more important so they simply cut in front of others and did not see any reason to take their place in line and share to take turns.

The good news is that the driver being given the shaft had the good sense to just sit back and let the uneducated driver have the road so as to not cause an accident or even worse  --  road rage!  The way that I tend to handle it is to talk to myself as if I were talking to them.  And no, it does not always involve four letter words.  It just seems to help me to talk calmly, as if that person really cared or could hear me, and say, "Oh, OK Missie or Buddy..... I see that you are much more important than I am so I will give you the right of way and you go for it!"  What is amusing to me is that most of the time they end up one or two cars ahead of me.  So what did they accomplish? Simply that they were more important and have no social skills and obviously do not care.

We all will continue to hear of horrors that happen out on the byways and highways, which includes the road rage, as well as the crookedness and corruption of politicians on the take or the doctors or lawyers and even policemen who lie.  This is news because these are the exceptions.  There are more good people out there than bad. The stories that people want to hear about are the ones filled with drama.

If everyone would just go back to what they learned in kindergarten and take their turn, this world would function on a totally different level.  And for those who can't do that, the rest of us need to just be the winner in the game of life and know that what counts is how you play the game.  Cheaters eventually get caught. Just give them the space.   

Two Sides to Every Story

There are always two sides to every story.  Sometimes both sides have truths and then the not so truths mixed in the stories.  And sometimes, there could be some malicious reasoning behind it all, while other times it is simply the perceptions of those telling the stories.

Today I saw a very relevant quote posted on FaceBook with credit given to Mark Twain.  (In fact, I clicked that I liked it and would be sharing it). It really seemed to hit home with me, especially with all of the bantering going on with the elections..."If you don't read the newspapers you are uninformed.  If you do read the newspapers you are misinformed."

This has some very real legitimate truth to it.  Let's start with the obvious of yes, you will be uninformed if you do not read the newspapers.  And in today's age, this could be a real hold in your hand paper or on line with all of the different sources and news agencies available, including turning on the TV and/or radio to have it told to you.  You need to do something to get your information.

Ahhh!  There is where the potential problems not only could, but do have a starting source.  You need to ask yourself if you are using critical reading/listening practices.  Who is responsible for the sources that you are reading/hearing?  Are the sources recent or at the very least updated?  Who would be the intended audience?  What does the writer have to gain? Who did the author interview to get the story?  Is it based on one side?  Remember?  There are two sides to every story.

All of these questions should be filtered through your own processes.before you make a judgment call after gathering your information.  And is there any reason to be quick to jump on a bandwagon until you feel that you have all of the facts?  Absolutely not.  Unless, you want to be a part of spreading incorrect information to those poor uninformed souls who never took the time to read.

EXTRA              EXTRA

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Cooking is Good for the Soul

Yes, cooking is so very good for the soul, that is if the soul is feeling energetic and well.  Normally, both myself and my husband love to create new dishes, as well as embellish on some of the tried and true ones.  However, when one or the other or both are just a bit under the weather, it is hard to get your heart, body and soul to cooperate.

We have even been told that we should open our own restaurant with our signature dishes.  You see, one of us is very Southern while the other one is very British.  So the name that was suggested for our restaurant, should we ever decide to head in that direction should be The Brit and The Belle.

Now I daresay, it would be a major undertaking.  And just by how hard it was to come up with a meal for last night and now tonight?  Not sure that a restaurant business is in our future.  : )  Although, I have been told of a locally owned nearby restaurant where by the owner only opens on days he feels like cooking.  Not so sure how long that will remain open and solvent.

So, for all of you working or not working outside of the home, I know that you have to know the angst that I am going through on what to do for dinner.  Most people have shared with me that they have these feelings quite frequently.  Perhaps, I should consider myself quite lucky because my soulmate and I do not have this problem very often.

Today will just have to be a very short blog due to several reasons.  One is that I have to do a little cookbook research plus check out freezer, fridge and pantry for what dinner could possibly be and then on another end, we are in the middle of a pretty severe thunderstorm and I really do not like being on the computer  by the window during this kind of storm.  So forgive me today.  I will try to make up for it on Friday and be a bit more creative.  Definitely....keeping it simple tonight.

Pure Love

Recently in our lives, we have gone from having the special love of one beautiful granddaughter, who is 3 1/2 years old, to newborn granddaughters.  Now having three granddaughters, I have been reflecting on how that actually feels........and to keep my writing skills moving along, I have kept a journal for feelings of things happening in the our lives with Bailey Grace, granddaughter number 1, so I am continuing this same pattern for Emma James and Hazel Elizabeth.  They are all so very special and maybe one day when they are older, the journal written by me, their 'Lola,' will mean something important to them.  It will at least let them know what I was thinking at the time, with no holds barred and how much they were loved.

Thinking on the characteristics of what so many grandparents may feel, I would like to share some of my feelings.  It is sheer pleasure together for my husband and I to be around our grandchildren.  After the visits we think, who else can make us do such foolish things and we love it.  It is a moment that I am given permission to be the "Crazy Lady and my husband can be the "Magic Man!"  You live in the moment, as the children do.  It is all about the here and now.  Joy is simple.  It is discovering the joy of life through their eyes.

As a grandparent you get to be a role model in a different way from the parents.  It is an opportunity shared only with grandparents. Children think of grandparents totally different than their parents.  I know what is important and can let go easier than I could as a parent  -  things that don't matter down the road are pushed aside  -  what matters most is if each grandchild is happy, healthy and is becoming productive in their own way.  Helping them to let their own creativity out.  It is much easier to do this as a grandparent than as a parent.

The freedom of no longer being "in charge" actually frees me of making the mundane day to day decisions and being there more for the fun, fun, fun.  No, don't get me wrong, if my opinion is asked about something, then I will certainly do my best to give up to date information that my children may choose to use or may choose to go with something else, which is totally their prerogative. This is the part that many grandparents miss.  I encourage you to allow yourself to no longer be the one in charge.  Let your children make those decisions and only if you are asked do you need to become involved.
 
You are able to come and go and make everyone happy.  You have your own limitations to watch for. Keep your eyes open and always ready to learn from your grandchildren.  They know so much more than we give them credit for.  Listen, watch and learn.  Most of all  -  LOVE!

Pet Peeves

Ok, now I know that we all have some pet peeves.  Some are stronger than others, and sometimes it just depends on where and how it whops you upside the head, so to speak.  Well, today in the grocery store one of my pet peeves came to life and truly, I had to use all of my emotional intelligence to get through my list, pay and get out of that store.

It all started when I parked, got out of my car and two people were walking near me.  One in front and one in back.  Both were talking,  Were they talking to me, to each other?  I looked at one and then the other.  I had not a clue and they were in their own little world, also clueless that everyone around them was hearing their conversations that were in fact, rather dull and boring.  They must have had some kind of hidden blue tooth and were chatting away, obviously not to me nor to one another.

No sooner had I gone through the doors, got my grocery cart and entered the land of produce as two more cell phone chatters were carrying on conversations, in their own world and now they were in my way of getting a bag to put bananas in and a chance to pick out the asparagus and spring onions that I wanted.  The thing of it was, I could hear, as could everyone else, what they were saying.  Is there something written somewhere that if you want to seem even more unsocial and ignorant than others, then be sure to talk on your cell phone very loudly so that all can hear, usually, about the boring life that you live.  (I don't care if Aunt Jane, bless her heart, does not know how to make decent potato salad nor that Grandpa does not want a birthday party).

The trip through the grocery aisles pretty much continued on this same path.  I must have missed the memo that said to be sure to go to this grocery and talk loudly on your cell phone Friday at 1 p.m. But wait!  There is more.  I had to get in line to pick up our Powerball ticket for the week.  As I was waiting, there was a lady behind me having a conversation (since I only heard her side, obviously on the cell phone) concerning a friend of hers and the person that she was talking to.  She repeated loudly over and over that this friend had the audacity to argue with her about a verse in the Bible. This conversation went on not only about the verse but into the interpretation.  By hearing this lady say to the other one, "Yes, you know that is right.  Yes, she is all wrong and we will have to sit her down and show her where her beliefs have gone wrong. She needs to be with us on this matter."

She then added that the two of them need to take her some article about Disney World starting a war with the Christians.  This would show her just how wrong she was when she saw what Apple, Disney and other major corporations were doing.  Somehow, I missed the news on this upcoming war.

Now, I can tell you, and my close friends can attest to the fact, that I do not get involved in political or religious beliefs. Please go ahead and believe what you believe and leave what I believe out of it and I will be just as courteous and do the same.  Debating over such strongly held issues and beliefs goes nowhere fast because people talk past each other and then label it as conversation. So it was at this stage that I really wanted to ask if it would help if you all sat down, held hands and just sang, "Kum Ba Yah?"

Instead, it was finally my turn to get my Powerball ticket.  I am now feeling LUCKY!  Why? Because I walked out of that store with a smile on my face and held my emotional intelligence together and did not whop anyone up side the head.  As I was loading my groceries into my car, my faith in the human race was also restored because a precious, cute, feisty little old lady parked beside me and talked about her days of driving her Z3.  So I decided to end my exciting grocery store trip with a little treat of a low-fat coffee frappuccino to go.