This past weekend my sister Keri stopped by our house quickly to pick up something. When she and Golden pulled into the drive-way we were out porch sitting, waiting for them. She got out of the car on the phone and stepped around the corner of the house to have a quiet conversation. Golden told us she was talking to the Landlord of a house they REALLY wanted to rent and they were talking it over.
This is a darling rambler w/3 bedrooms, a fenced backyard and tons of curb appeal. They have been living in an apartment building on the 4th floor, cramped and inconvenient to come and go. This house would cost about the same amount of money and be much more family friendly. The only problem is there are NO PETS allowed and they have 2 cats and a dog. My brilliant sister wrote a 3 page letter explaining why that home would be so perfect for them...Golden condensed it to 1 page. They were on pins and needles waiting to hear.
My Mom called last night and I was reminded of Keri's face when she came back around the front of the house. It can only be explained as radiant, sun washed w/shiny eyes and a bright white smile. All I needed to say was, "You got it". Accompanied by a big hug of course.
There are so many forms of expression and my family is blessed big with one of them...facial. It always bothers me to see myself on video - too many strange movements in the face, even during normal conversation. I have a hard time hiding any kind of emotion - it is all there for anyone to see. After seeing Keri, though, I thought it can't be that bad to be able to share that kind of joy just by being who you are.
In the end, the landlords couldn't resist that presence either - they caved and are trusting their home to my sister and her family. It was hard for them to give in to the pets. The landlady told Mom, almost in tears, that they couldn't get Keri and Golden out of their minds and they kept popping up even though there were other better fit candidates to consider. I love this and just shake my head - who can resist Keri? They won't regret it.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "A smile is a window on your face to show your heart is at home"
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Day #265 - Compliments
Today I was sitting at my desk doing data entry and the plant lady, who comes by the office once per week, stopped by my cubicle and paid me the nicest compliment. It caught me so off guard. It turned an ok day into a great day.
It is such a good reminder to me how much a kind word can change even the energy in a person. There was nothing wrong with me today, I was just doing my thing and typing away, but after her thoughtful stop, I felt lighter and smiley. It didn't cost her anything to stop, except a few seconds of her time, and it meant so much to me.
Don't forget to notice and if you notice, say something.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "I can live for two months on a good compliment" Mark Twain
It is such a good reminder to me how much a kind word can change even the energy in a person. There was nothing wrong with me today, I was just doing my thing and typing away, but after her thoughtful stop, I felt lighter and smiley. It didn't cost her anything to stop, except a few seconds of her time, and it meant so much to me.
Don't forget to notice and if you notice, say something.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "I can live for two months on a good compliment" Mark Twain
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Day #264 - All the Words
Don't you love it when you hear a song and know EVERY word to it? "Somebody" by Depeche Mode is like that for me. Depeche Mode was my first real concert that I went to and I know most of the words to ALL their songs on the Black Celebration album. It was the first tape I bought also. I would sit and rewind that song over and over until I had it memorized and then again so I could sing it loud and proud.
Then there are those songs that I REALLY want to know every word, like "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie. For some reason I can't get those down, but I really like the song. Travis and I will often just sit out on our deck listening to music and this is one of our favorites lately.
Trav and I both also like Neil Diamond - mostly just the popular songs. Once on a long driving trip we put in the CD and had a competition of who knew the most words to the songs; it was actually pretty fun. Travis also has a secret love of The Carpenters - he can spot a Carpenter song from the first bar and knows even the more obscure songs from heart.
I just spent the better part of 2 hours creating some music discs to listen to at work, so music is on my mind, and it really bought me back w/Tori Amos, Bjork, Cindy Lauper, Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, Bon Jovi, The Cranberries, etc. Thank goodness for the Internet - I'm going to look those words up to "under pressure" and memorize them.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." Peter Marshall
Then there are those songs that I REALLY want to know every word, like "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie. For some reason I can't get those down, but I really like the song. Travis and I will often just sit out on our deck listening to music and this is one of our favorites lately.
Trav and I both also like Neil Diamond - mostly just the popular songs. Once on a long driving trip we put in the CD and had a competition of who knew the most words to the songs; it was actually pretty fun. Travis also has a secret love of The Carpenters - he can spot a Carpenter song from the first bar and knows even the more obscure songs from heart.
I just spent the better part of 2 hours creating some music discs to listen to at work, so music is on my mind, and it really bought me back w/Tori Amos, Bjork, Cindy Lauper, Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, Bon Jovi, The Cranberries, etc. Thank goodness for the Internet - I'm going to look those words up to "under pressure" and memorize them.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." Peter Marshall
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Day #263 - 17 Years
Today is my wedding anniversary...17 years ago today I had just said "I will" and was walking into the sunset with a man I knew was everything I could want or need.
Everything turned out just as I planned...NOT. You know what they say, "if you want to make God laugh, make plans". I had my whole future planned out when I was 15 years old. I knew exactly how it would all go. On this day 17 years ago, the plan was right on target. Little did I know life doesn't always turn out how you plan it. I also didn't realize that a wedding day is not walking into a sunset, but waking into the sunrise. It is the beginning of a new stage of life, not the end to years of dreaming and scheming.
I also didn't know that I would continue to change. I thought I knew it all, mostly anyway. I thought Travis would never change. I thought I knew all of who he was. Keep in mind I was still a baby - only 20 years old, which seemed ancient enough at the time to be setting up house on the way to happily ever after. And when I map out the last 17 years there are definite landmarks and also some landmines over that time.
Today, I feel that I know my husband better then ever, but I know I don't know it all. I feel I know myself better then ever, but I know, and hope, I will continue to change and grow over the next 17 years. I know I am happy with the way my life has turned out, even though it is not how I planned it to be, and I am so happy to have Travis as a partner in my life. He is the first person I think of talking to about things that bother me and things that excite me; he is charming, funny and sensitive; he makes me laugh and he makes me want to scream; he has taught me more about myself then I ever thought I would want to know; he is my champion when I need it and my cheerleader when I don't.
Travis is the best and brightest spot in my unplanned life and I look forward to many more sunrises and surprises as life marches on.
I Am SO Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." ~Michael Leunig
Look how young we are...
Everything turned out just as I planned...NOT. You know what they say, "if you want to make God laugh, make plans". I had my whole future planned out when I was 15 years old. I knew exactly how it would all go. On this day 17 years ago, the plan was right on target. Little did I know life doesn't always turn out how you plan it. I also didn't realize that a wedding day is not walking into a sunset, but waking into the sunrise. It is the beginning of a new stage of life, not the end to years of dreaming and scheming.
I also didn't know that I would continue to change. I thought I knew it all, mostly anyway. I thought Travis would never change. I thought I knew all of who he was. Keep in mind I was still a baby - only 20 years old, which seemed ancient enough at the time to be setting up house on the way to happily ever after. And when I map out the last 17 years there are definite landmarks and also some landmines over that time.
Today, I feel that I know my husband better then ever, but I know I don't know it all. I feel I know myself better then ever, but I know, and hope, I will continue to change and grow over the next 17 years. I know I am happy with the way my life has turned out, even though it is not how I planned it to be, and I am so happy to have Travis as a partner in my life. He is the first person I think of talking to about things that bother me and things that excite me; he is charming, funny and sensitive; he makes me laugh and he makes me want to scream; he has taught me more about myself then I ever thought I would want to know; he is my champion when I need it and my cheerleader when I don't.
Travis is the best and brightest spot in my unplanned life and I look forward to many more sunrises and surprises as life marches on.
I Am SO Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." ~Michael Leunig
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Day #262 - Choose Easy
I saw my friend tonight who has a daughter that got pregnant and is having a baby within weeks after she turns 20. At least she is out of high school, but it is still awful young and several of her friends already have babies. When I walked in the shop to get my hair cut she was there in tears because she was having trouble with her boyfriend who is also 19. I told her, in my all knowing way (ha ha), that she chose hard and it was going to be hard. I don't say this from a moral standpoint, only a life choice standpoint.
I don't kid myself that I always choose easy and looking at it now, would it be so terrible if I had a 17 year old kid? It is easy to look back and think of all the things I would choose differently, but looking back can be such a disaster...so, no matter what the choices have been there is only one thing to do...look forward; forge ahead and maybe choose easy next time.
Today's quote goes with the post:
"There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them" Denis Waitley
Maybe the easy choice is to move forward through the hard choices...life is such a circle, isn't it?
I Am Grateful,
HB
I don't kid myself that I always choose easy and looking at it now, would it be so terrible if I had a 17 year old kid? It is easy to look back and think of all the things I would choose differently, but looking back can be such a disaster...so, no matter what the choices have been there is only one thing to do...look forward; forge ahead and maybe choose easy next time.
Today's quote goes with the post:
"There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them" Denis Waitley
Maybe the easy choice is to move forward through the hard choices...life is such a circle, isn't it?
I Am Grateful,
HB
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Day #261 - Back Hand
Today I got a back handed compliment...it was so weird. I was at a meeting and I ran into a woman I used to work with all the time. She is a micro-manager type, but friendly enough and I liked working with her.
She said "Hi teenage girl" I asked what she meant by that strange greeting and she said it was because of my long hair and bright red shirt that was "blingy". Then later we were talking about not wearing nylon's with sandals and she said "well, young girls can get away with it, but us older ladies should really wear stockings"...I happened to be wearing sandals today...WITHOUT stockings. You think that is enough don't you, but no, there's more...she went on to say that it is ok for me to wear "blingy" clothes and jewelry because I am not working in the same capacity as she is and she has to be professional. Now, by this time I was starting to feel a bit offended...would you?
In the end I had to remember that she really is not a spiteful person and I am sure she didn't mean to make me feel uncomfortable...I think I'm sure. This reminds me of a book I read that explains how we create stories in our heads - she tells how she went into a public bathroom and saw a woman washing her hands and humming a lovely song. She smiled at her and went into one of the stalls and there was pee all over the toilet seat. This woman was appalled and was about to go out and give the humming woman a piece of her mind, but instead cleaned of the seat with TP, shaking her head with disgust the whole time, and then used the facilities. When she was done and the toilet flushed automatically, water came splashing up out of the bowl and soaked the seat again. She had built up a whole story in her mind about this inconsiderate individual who had no idea what was happening.
I have decided that is what I did today. I think she might have been saying she liked my hair...I'll just go with that.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up." ~Jesse Jackson
She said "Hi teenage girl" I asked what she meant by that strange greeting and she said it was because of my long hair and bright red shirt that was "blingy". Then later we were talking about not wearing nylon's with sandals and she said "well, young girls can get away with it, but us older ladies should really wear stockings"...I happened to be wearing sandals today...WITHOUT stockings. You think that is enough don't you, but no, there's more...she went on to say that it is ok for me to wear "blingy" clothes and jewelry because I am not working in the same capacity as she is and she has to be professional. Now, by this time I was starting to feel a bit offended...would you?
In the end I had to remember that she really is not a spiteful person and I am sure she didn't mean to make me feel uncomfortable...I think I'm sure. This reminds me of a book I read that explains how we create stories in our heads - she tells how she went into a public bathroom and saw a woman washing her hands and humming a lovely song. She smiled at her and went into one of the stalls and there was pee all over the toilet seat. This woman was appalled and was about to go out and give the humming woman a piece of her mind, but instead cleaned of the seat with TP, shaking her head with disgust the whole time, and then used the facilities. When she was done and the toilet flushed automatically, water came splashing up out of the bowl and soaked the seat again. She had built up a whole story in her mind about this inconsiderate individual who had no idea what was happening.
I have decided that is what I did today. I think she might have been saying she liked my hair...I'll just go with that.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up." ~Jesse Jackson
Monday, August 22, 2011
Day #260 - Ooops
I was just about to make my way to bed, brushed my teeth (in the main bath), accidentally swallowed some mouth wash while swishing (gross), filled up my water glass and turned away from the sink and somehow smelled, with my plugged up right nostril, gas...I ALMOST dismissed it, but my mind was like, "hey, now...that's not right, just check" and sure enough the gas range was on just the tiniest bit from when we were trying to keep the homemade bbq sauce hot, but not boiling, while the rice finished cooking. I guess the flame went out since it was so low and the gas was on since about 7 p.m. What is that? 3.5 hours.
I turned on the fan for 10 minutes and opened a window and now I sit here typing thinking about all the "what if's". Pretty creepy to think of ALL the things that could have happened. I was just sitting at the kitchen table reading my new Good Housekeeping Magazine to find out why Merideth Viera REALLY left the Today Show and I could have been blown away...just like that.
Let that be a reminder...check the stove, turn off the curling iron, don't leave the iron plugged in, be sure to remove the lint from your dryer, move the grill away from the side of the house and be sure to be grateful for that sniffer, even when it only half works.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "If you ever find happiness by hunting for it, you will find it, as the old woman did her lost spectacles, safe on her own nose all the time." Josh Billings
I turned on the fan for 10 minutes and opened a window and now I sit here typing thinking about all the "what if's". Pretty creepy to think of ALL the things that could have happened. I was just sitting at the kitchen table reading my new Good Housekeeping Magazine to find out why Merideth Viera REALLY left the Today Show and I could have been blown away...just like that.
Let that be a reminder...check the stove, turn off the curling iron, don't leave the iron plugged in, be sure to remove the lint from your dryer, move the grill away from the side of the house and be sure to be grateful for that sniffer, even when it only half works.
I Am Grateful,
HB
Diva Quote: "If you ever find happiness by hunting for it, you will find it, as the old woman did her lost spectacles, safe on her own nose all the time." Josh Billings
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