love.this.quote...

This poem is one that I had in poster form on my wall

as a teen (many decades ago), it was written in the 1920's
which goes to show you the more things change

the more they remain the same.  To this day, I love this

poem, it truly says it all!

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even to the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;

they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter,

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

~ Max Ehrmann~



(photo via here)

smile monday....

This is a photo of my soon to

be 29 year old son. Isn't he cute?

As his t shirt says:

HAVE A SMURFY DAY!

xxoo

smile monday...

" It's never too late to have a happy childhood"

(print via here)

I have a confession to make...

Unlike my parents who would ocassionally

bring us to play in the snow, on their

way to hit the casinos in Lake Tahoe

I am a bad bad mom

My daughter Stephanie

is nearly 19 years old

and this picture of her and

my son, Matt is the closest

she has been to the snow.
see, she's nearly sitting in it... :)

As it is, Matt was about 9 the first
time he saw snow, on his parents
way to hit the casinos in Tahoe
(and at the time, I thought what
a bad bad mom I was.)


You know you're a rotten to the core Mom when
your almost 19 year old daughters New Years resolution
is to actually see and touch snow. I reminded her of the
snow at the shopping mall that she had seen and touched
she CLAIMS that it wasn't REAL snow, I beg to differ....!

I don't even have a great excuse since we live only a few hours

from the snow, if that! See that picture above with the cozy
looking cabin? I bet they have coffee & a fireplace

That is where you will find this rotten to the core mom,

while her poor snow deprived daughter is playing in the

snow with her friends.....I guess I mustn't be that bad,

I am letting her bring friends along after all! :)

P.S. I am just kidding about being a bad mom....:)

my daughter may beg to differ at times....haha..

(photos 1 & 2 - are mine. 3&4 from here)

and the seasons, they go round and round...

"And the seasons they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We're captive on the carousel of time

We can't return we can only look

Behind from where we came

And go round and round and round

In the circle game "


joni mitchell

UPDATE: I just found out yesterday that my best friend since the age of 12 lost her husband of 26 years to cancer, and I was reminded of this song. Hold your loved ones close and enjoy each moment!

My Favorite Childhood Book..

This was my absolute fave book as a child - I read it everywhere, even in the bathtub and I still have the book and rumpled pages to prove it. I always told my mom that when i grew up, I wanted to be a cowboy and live on a ranch (small problem, since I'm a girl...haha...) anyways, I had all the cowboy gear as a kid - hat, boots, chaps, even the now not politically correct guns and holsters. When I was about 10 years old I decided that I wanted to be called Cowboy Sam - so that year for my birthday on my cake - it said HAPPY BIRTHDAY COWBOY SAM. Well, I never became a cowboy or cowgirl for that matter, I never have lived on a ranch, but I have alot of happy memories of my childhood and this book is one of the best!

what was your favorite childhood book?