Okaythen......

I go in early--not cuz I wanna, but cuz there's a necessity for me TO go in early.

I work late--not cuz I wanna, but cuz there's a necessity for me TO work late.

I come home and whaddaya think I get to do?

I go grocery shopping--not cuz I wanna, but cuz there's a necessity for me TO go grocery shopping.

I HATE GROCERY SHOPPING.

I'd rather poke my eyes out than go grocery shopping.

WHY do people think that you're interested in carrying on conversations in a grocery store?

I mean, seriously. What makes people think grocery shopping is a social event?!

IT'S FUNCTIONAL, people!!

Barely.

Corned beef was on sale, justsoyaknow.

Did I buy some?
Nope.

Wasn't on the list.

But I did get dried beef!

It was on the list.

Have I forgotten that folks pointed out to me I 'shop like a man' cuz I only buy what's ON the list?!

Hardly.

I just refuse to be assimilated.

Hmmmmmmmmph!!

This is NOT the start to a very putrid weekend.
Cuz I SAY SO.

Hangin' On

TFTD

Almost everyone wants something for nothing.
--Marsha Sinetar

Bargains attract. Finding a good value excites us, and we share the news quickly. Wanting anything for free is human nature perhaps. However, we have had to learn again and again that you get what you pay for. This is true of human interactions too.

Why do we think that others will be there for us if we aren't available for them? Having friends means being a friend, even if it's time-consuming. Although friendship's rewards are indisputable, we still tend to wait, letting the other person make the first move. Getting the other person to commit first reduces our effort, perhaps, but we will still receive according to what we give.

Knowing and utilizing this principle simplifies our lives. Once we master it, we never forget it. And what we bring to our relationships will be given back to us.

Blustery Sunset

Good news for the day

Right!

So--

1. There was a very cool rainbow tonight!
2. I got in the Jeep and raced like heck to see sunset--which was windy but very cool!
3. Studley has not blown away in the wind. He's.....just resting......
4. I got all sorts of work done at the worksite. I'm less behind!
5. There's a box in the livingroom with my name on it. PRETTY sure it's not a puppy.....
6. I got to buy a wrist corsage for one of the kiddos at work who's going to a Homecoming dance! WAY cool!
7. I won't have to rake! I can just suck up all the leaves that are gathering on the patio.
8. There were swirly noodles with chicken saucey stuff and broccoli for dinner--and I didn't haffta make it!
9. I gotta use the Frank cup AND the punkin' cup all in one day! Wooohooo!!!
10. Some of the photos from sunset turned out pretty nifty.
11. It's cool enough to wear Snoopy slippers--which means it'll be cool enough to wear the quacking duckie slippers, too!
12. Not ONE bill arrived in the mailbox today. NOT ONE!!

Now who said 'geeze this day SUCKS'?!

k....mighta been me (ungrateful snot that I can be....LOL)

The Pretty Topper

QOTW

What's something you're 'notorious' for doing?


Bringing toys?

Leaving my shoes laying around?

Popping off with what I think instead of pausing?

Sidewalk chalk and bubbles?

Hauling out an 8' spider for Halloween?

Drinking toxic coffee?

Geeze.....the list goes on and on and on.

Don't make me pick...

Today's Fairy Reading

If you're dog-tired at night, it may be because you growled all day.
--War Cry

Negative attitudes wear us out. Assuming the worst will happen, focusing on just our faults, constant complaining, are attitudes that bring us down. If we stumble on a flight of stairs and feel embarrassed, it's going to feel even worse if we growl and curse. We'll feel much better if we laugh at ourselves and see the humor.

People want to be around those who are cheerful. The good cheer we send out will come back to us from others who are healthy. We can choose these cheerful people as our friends, and our happiness will grow and blossom in this good soil.

Just another stupid moment.......

Last year near this time I was discovering a potential 'move'.

This year--the boss lets me know that he'll be leaving for different places.

What IS it about this time of year?
Or maybe the question is.......what IS it You're trying to tell me that I'm not getting.
Or am I 'getting it' and just ignoring it/twisting it/changing it to suit my selfish little desires?

*sigh*

I don't get it.

I'm apparently going to need a 'back against the wall' moment.....which I so dearly love.......

Do I know what this means?

No.

Can I imagine what this means?

Yes.

That's a problem--cuz I do have a creative imagination.
I borrow troubles and I start to manipulate to 'get comfortable' again.

Yes. I'm disturbed.
I want to be glad for him--because he's glad....lighter.....knows this was the right choice for him today, even without clarity of the next door that's not opened.

Leap of faith?
Some...... Some is a luxury he's well 'earned'.

Lack of faith on my part?
I'm disturbed.
I don't know what this means.

I'm trying to assume it's 'good'....all things work out for the good.
It just doesn't 'feel' good at this moment so I want some assurance.

Or maybe I want some INsurance.
*sigh*

I WANT the clarity of knowing.

.......ain't happenin'.
Shall I just assume it's ME getting in the way?
Usually IS, huh?

It's all good.
All things work out for the good.

Nope.

Ain't trusting that.
And THAT.......is just where it is.

I'm guessing the only thing that will change that or can change that--is me.
Duh.

Rain Chased

Fairy Reading

Letting Go of Worry
What if we knew for certain that everything we're worried about today will work out fine?

What if . . . we had a guarantee that the problem bothering us would be worked out in the most perfect way, and at the best possible time?

Furthermore, what if we knew that three years from now we'd be grateful for that problem, and its solution?

What if . . . we knew that even our worst fear would work out for the best?

What if . . . we had a guarantee that everything that's happening, and has happened, in our life was meant to be, planned just for us, and in our best interest?

What if . . . we had a guarantee that the people we love are experiencing exactly what they need in order to become who they're intended to become?

Further, what if we had a guarantee that others can be responsible for themselves, and we don't have to control or take responsibility for them?

What if . . . we knew the future was going to be good, and we would have an abundance of resources and guidance to handle whatever comes our way?

What if . . . we knew everything was okay, and we didn't have to worry about a thing?

What would we do then?

We'd be free to let go and enjoy life.

Today, I will know that I don't have to worry about anything. If I do worry, I will do it with the understanding that I am choosing to worry, and it is not necessary.

Things that make me happy...

....rain on the roof--it's such a lovely sound.

....the wind in the leaves.

....crunching leaves.

....bright red berries.

....blinky ghostie lights.

....Eric! LOL

....the surprise boxes of orange lights. :-)

....oh....and a yet to be determined 'what it is' box of prezzies!

Field of Tails

Fairy Reading for Today

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly....

--Antoine de Saint Exupery

If we look at the world through suspicious or angry eyes, we'll find a world that mirrors our expectations - a world where tension will mount, arguments will abound, strife will be present where none need be. However, our experiences in some manner bless us, and we'll recognize that if we'll look upon them with gratitude. Everything in our path is meant for our good and we'll see the good when our hearts act as the eyes for our minds.

When we see with our hearts, our responses to the turmoil around us, the fighting children, the traffic snarls, the angry lovers, will be soft acceptance. When our hearts guide the action we can accept those things we cannot change, and change those we can. And the heart, as the seat of all wisdom, will always know the difference.

A bit of babble

Eric

It's a rough start.

I'm not sure why it's so rough of a start, but it's a rough start.

The wreath is lacking.
I told himself it's boring.
I need more lights.
There's not enough......

I want people to mistakenly come to the wrong door cuz it's lit up and fun!

Yeah, well....that wasn't happenin' for me.

MORE lights methinks..

And then, outta desperation and boredom and frustration--I hung 'Eric'.

That's what himself has dubbed him.

Lemme tell ya--I laughed my rearend off as I helped 'Eric' assume all sorts of lovely poses.
He dances in the wind. *laughing*

I had him twirling around like some ballet dancer, laughin' until my tummy hurt.

And then I went in for coffee.

OMG

You canNOT pose Eric like that!
YOU CANNOT pose Eric like THAT!!!

*laughing*

He posed him like that.
*laughing*

He's still posed like that!

OMG
There goes the neighborhood!!! *laughing hysterically!*

The Rest at the Bottom

TFTD

Positive spontaneity involves freely expressing who we are - in a way that is fun, healthy, doesn't hurt us, and doesn't infringe on the right of others.

We learn to be spontaneous and free as we grow in self-awareness and self esteem. Spontaneity emerges as our confidence and trust in ourselves increase, and we become more secure in our ability to maintain healthy boundaries.

Being spontaneous is connected to our ability to play and achieve intimacy. For all those desirable acts, we need to be able to let go of our need to control others and ourselves and fully and freely enter into the present moment.

Let go of your tight rein on yourself. So what if you make a mistake? So what if you're wrong? Relish your imperfections. Let yourself be a little needy, a little vulnerable. Take a risk!

The walk

Let's go 'this' way, I said. It's shorter. We're old people.

UH huh.....yeah well....'this way' turned into 'OHH....let's go THAT way' (yep--another brand of 'oh look a chicken'....). 2.7 miles later--Not the longest walk, but it was a treacherous one with the path through the woods steeper than either of us were prepared for.

I'm lucky my arse wasn't mud covered.
Actually, I'm probably lucky one of us didn't stroke out.

And I'm lucky neither of us were shot.

NOT that it's public hunting season.
I'm sure the guns going off were all on private property and he was just being squirrley. (bad thing to be if that's what was being hunted, come to think of it....)

Neither of us died!
He did spend the evening looking for Solaris and asking me if we owned a copy or if it was just his imagination, groaning as he got on hands and knees to comb through the entertainment center cabinet.
Yes--we own a copy.
Yes--he found the one in Russian. He was looking for the Clooney one.
Do we own that one?

Hell if I know--but it was great fun to insist that we did so I could remain inclined on the couch (a bit smug) as he crawled, groaned and obsessed.

:-/

I'm mean like that. *laughing*

Fairy Reminder

There's no running away from the internal strife. Whatever haunts us must finally be confronted and resolved if we're ever to grow and thus contribute to our world its due. When we keep secrets locked away, the secrets begin to keep us locked away as well.

It is folly, and yet entirely human, to think a new location, a new job, a new lover will cure whatever troubles us. The truth is, however, that whatever trips us up is at the same time trying to edge us forward to new awareness, and thus the next level of growth. Our troubles are tools for a strengthened foundation. Without them, we'd soon crumble.

When we consider the conflicts we encounter as opportunities for further development, they excite us rather than provoke anxiety. Changing our perspective can make the same scene appear quite new.

Fluffed

TFTD

A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most complete prayer.

--Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Thank you is one of the most important things we can say to anyone. Thank you packs a lot of meaning into two little words. Thank you says, "I see you. I see what you have done for me. You have been kind to me. I know it takes work to be kind. I feel special that you did the work of being kind to me. I am grateful."

Sometimes it is hard for us to say thank you because we are too busy feeling shame or sadness or anger. So what? No excuses. Those feelings are our own problems, and we know what to do about them now. No matter what is going on with us, we can always find help. And we can always be kind to others. Saying thank you is an easy way to start.

Sunlit Greens

Bitty Thought

Whom would you rather be around - someone who chronically complains and talks about what a mess everything is, or someone who finds joy and delight in watching the antics of two squirrels in a tree? You are your constant companion. Your own company can be a pleasure or a drag, depending on the thoughts and feelings you permit to linger in your consciousness.

Turnings

Today's Reading

There is a light of love and compassion in every human being. If each of us were to set an intention to be loving and compassionate at all times, our lights would begin to shine. As we learned to see the light in everyone and to be the light to everyone, we would learn to trust the light. Learning to trust your light does not mean that you will never face or experience difficulty. But you can trust your light to reveal even one untrustworthy person, and you can trust that your light will let you know how to handle it.

Waiting on the Rain

TFTD

On a scale of where one is low and ten is high, we want to live as close to ten as possible. We want to give and get the best in our relationships. Whether it is a friendship, love affair or business relationship, we must not allow mediocrity to be the standard. When we have no standards our lives become so crowded with people, demands and unrealized expectations that we run the risk of losing ourselves. An "eight" relationship is one where there is mutual support and respect. We can be who we are and know we are accepted on that basis. There are common goals; even when we disagree on method, we can support the intent. In an "eight" relationship we give for the joy of giving. We share for mutual growth. We give and get complete honesty. We take what we need and do not fail to give back. An "eight" relationship is one that we don't work on. It is one we work with and for, striving for better as a mutual benefit. "One" means you don't have it. "Six" is just making it. An "eight" means you are definitely on the way to the top.

There is no reason I must settle for less.

Another day...

The good news is SO far it's lookin' like a nice enough day to travel.
The bad news is.....it's for a meeting.

I have toys!!

Well, I have toys I can lug with me.

Ought I?

Nah.

Will I?

Ummmm.....duh?

I love meetings.

They make me happy!

Oy geeze, I soooooo lie.....

Nature's Window

Today's Fairy Thought

You cannot choose sides in a round world. You are either in it, a part of it, or you are off. When you have enemies you are a part of the very things you accuse them of. An enemy opposes your interests or positions. An enemy is hostile, unkind or unfriendly. And what are you doing while all of this is going on? If you consider them you enemy how can they approach you to get things clear? You are in the middle of what stands between you and your enemy. It is not what they have done or said, can do or might do, it is you. It is your thoughts, your judgments, your fear, your condemnation, and if you did not feel guilty you could not attack those you call your enemy. You believe the enemy is wrong, not to be trusted, unworthy of love; you prepare yourself for the defense, projecting onto the enemy the very things you do yourself. When you have an enemy, look at your own hatred, understand how the hostility disturbs you and ask yourself, do I really want to attack the very thing I fear?

The only enemies I have are the ones I attack.

Night Visitor

Ahhrrrrr..........220 and 'some'......

Uh huh.......... ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!

I think I made 'em all nutz and I'M GLAD! HA!!

I will note that one got a bit loopy, couldn't come up with a SINGLE pirate word and just laughed every time I told her she wasn't entering the unit until she coughed one up. LAUGHED. (someone suggested it MIGHTA been out of nervousness for never having seen me in this 'capacity' before......pffffffttttt......that was totally UNcalled for.. *grumbling* Probably true, BUT.......)

Another one clapped and announced "OH.....I LOVED Hook! Wait!! I can come up with one....."

I waited.
And waited.

AND waited.

"MATEY!" Oh.My.Gosh. she was so proud.....and I was so...... into smiling that paralyzed smile. LOL Hook?!

I think I still own that on VCR......somewhere in this house.......

But the kiddos-- THEY got it!!

Well, 'cept for the one who said ".....ummm.....mop the boat?....."

She was close!

And we practiced the 'ARRRRHHHHH!!!' and she did improve immensely!

Yeah, yeah........ *sniffle*

Another one gone.

The Jolly Roger is down.
And I've ceased 'ARRRRHHHHH'-ing for the moment.

MOSTLY cuz we got busy finishing up that last 120 treat bags with toys--with a grand total of 220!

Oh....and a few left overs.


*ahem*
LESS now.

I believe I hear that distinct 'wrappery noise' that only candy that's being devoured makes.......

Around on Round

Fairy Reminder

When it comes to my feelings about the past, I might have found comfort in telling myself that I did the best I could at the time. Knowing this probably helped me get through some tough times and deal with my feelings of guilt.

Today, when I find myself feeling guilty about something I've done, I can still remind myself that I'm doing the best I can. With all my knowledge, growth, healing, and willingness, I will still make mistakes. I'm not perfect, nor do I strive to be. I'm doing the best I can do, day by day.

Snow White and Peanut M&M's

<-- Snow White discovering peanut M&M's

<-- Snow White discovering peanut M&M's from Nana's camera bag

<-- Snow White discovering peanut M&M's from Nana's camera bag that Nana keeps stashed for 'special moments'

Snow White discovering peanut M&M's from Nana's camera bag that Nana keeps stashed for 'special moments' which were used as bribery for reasons yet to be divulged.

The important thing--they worked! :-)

What a pushover!
*sigh*

We're talkin' Nana.
Not Snow White.
She got the M&M's didn't she?!

Sunlit Canopy

Today's Fairy Thought

People are not always out to get you, but there are times when they do.

Chances are the person was close to you -- best friend, relative, parent, lover, child or spouse.

There's an even better chance that you deeply loved and trusted the person.

Perhaps they betrayed you.

Abandoned you.

Stole from you.

Or failed to return the emotional commitment you made.

No matter how traumatic the wrongdoing or end of a relationship may be, the good always outweighs the bad.

If you have one bad memory, you have two positive ones.

If you learned one new thing about yourself or another person, you know more than you did when you started.

If you learned in this relationship what not to do in the next, you are better for it.

If you learned patience, faith, trust, humility or what a truly strong and powerful person you are, you have treasures you will never lose.

The difference between me and them is I am positive.

Phone Tag and Laptops

Right.

So I'm thinkin'--'Call the girl, make the arrangements--go see the Bug tomorrow.'

I call, she calls, I call, she calls....of course we leave the other a message. It's called phone tag. Great fun!

Eessshhh.

I send a text!

Brilliant thinking considering I hate leaving messages MORE than I hate talking on the phone. I always sound dorky..........or mad.
Or dorky AND mad.

Text.

Done.

Go on with the rest of the evening.

Eventually I get an answer.

"That works!! See ya tomorrow. SOMEone just got sent to bed early for the night--hopefully she'll be better behaved tomorrow...."

UH oh......
Probably a good thing we didn't connect on the phone. LOL

And.... Poor Bug. :-/

I'm not sure what she did.
Certainly can't be that she confused the laptop with the potty chair twice.....

Nah.

*notes to self*
PUT THE LAPTOPS AWAY when Bug comes for a visit.....just in case....

Lunch

TFTD

Wherever you are in your heart and mind at the outset of a relationship is where you will be at the end.

Whatever you bring to the start of a relationship is what you will have to clean up in the end.

You cannot begin a relationship of dishonesty and deceit and hope to experience an honest end.

If you run into a relationship to get away from another, you will run into another one to get away from this one.

If you enter a relationship in fear, anger or grief, you stand a pretty good chance of finding more of the same.

If you enter a relationship in sadness, desperation and pain, guess what?

You will find it again.

If we want to put an end to angry, bitter and ugly separations, we must begin our relationships with the open, loving honesty we say we want.

If we do not know who we are and how we feel at any time, it is best that we stay alone.

The Odd One or Two

The Love Fairy's Wisdom

How do you know when you are really in love?

First of all, you would not have to ask the question.

Love is knowing, it is not a condition or state of mind.

When you are loving, you are not doubting, judging or fearing; you are in a state of acceptance.

You accept yourself first, for who and what you are, and then the person you love, without question.

You do not want to fix him, change him, control him or help him.

You want for the person you love exactly what she wants for herself.

When you are in love, you feel vulnerable and know that it is okay.

You do not hide your feelings, change them to fix what you think the other person wants, and you do not question what you feel.

When you are in love, you give, expecting nothing in return, not even love.

Love is an inner process between you and yourself that you want to share with someone, everyone.

Love is free.

If your quest is to own, control, hold on to, protect, or take care of someone, they cannot be free and you are not in love.

Love is never wrong, seldom right.

It just is.

Things that make me happy....

....bitty orange dots in HUGE fields. (Wooohoooo!! The punkins are turning, the punkins are turning!!)

....the ONE itsy bitsy spider that's going up the water spout. (uh huh......himself says one a week until Halloween.....rigghhhtttt....I give it another week. LOL)

....Indian corn. How could ya not love Indian corn?!

....the 'Reports Due' report NOT having my name on it. :-)

....granting a vacation to someone who actually HAS their work up to date. (I'm such a baddd example right now........*sigh*)

....frost on the wind shield of the neighbors car. (I left him a smiley face that I'm sure made his day!!)

....scattering the Halloween toys around the livingroom floor to take inventory. (yeahyeahyeah....I'll put 'em away at some point.....)

Taprooted

TFTD

We all have things we worry about. But we don't have to give these worries more than passing acknowledgment.

The trickles of worry that run through our minds are okay to have. But to keep them at that size, we need to remember what is important to us at this very moment.
We don't need to let the worries grow.

I have worries just like everyone else. However, I don't have to dwell upon my worries or make them any bigger than what they are.

Uh oh.......here I go!!!!!!

Today I will catch up on the things I need to complete.

Seriously--do you KNOW how far behind I am on stuff?!

I will take notice of the things I've started, and I'll work toward their completion.

Right. I don't think the fairies GET it. I'm so flipping far behind on stuff that I can't even remember WHAT I started in hopes of getting it completed before I needed to start six other somethings that had to be completed and then six more..... Yeah, yeah...take NOTICE of the things I've started?! I'm probably more in need of going in search for discovering what I've left undone! OH that's a very bad plan....very bad.....

If I'm current with things I need to do, I can use this time to rest and do nothing.

Hahahahahahaha!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I have shingles FOR A REASON!

Have I been procrastinating?Have I been putting something off until later that I can do now?

Do mouse turds roll? HELLO?! Does it overwhelm me to even start?
Again--do mouse turds roll?
I HAVE SHINGLES FOR A REASON.
Duh.

I will look at my list of responsibilities or suggested activities, and today I will begin - or complete - those things I said I would do later.

See above.
YES I KNOW THAT ACCOMPLISHES NOTHING.
I also know I have 12 NEW things looking at me that have to be done NOW...yesterday even.....

Today is about completion.

*scratching*

Uh huh.... Today is about completion.
Yes thank you--I'll go do those 12 things that are now needing to be done before I can go back to do what I'm behind on doing so I don't get behinder than the behind that I already am?

*scratching*

Today is about scratching and scrambling......again.........still......yet........

Sinking

Today's Thought

Today I will catch up on the things I need to complete.

I will take notice of the things I've started, and I'll work toward their completion.

If I'm current with things I need to do, I can use this time to rest and do nothing.

Have I been procrastinating?

Have I been putting something off until later that I can do now?

I will look at my list of responsibilities or suggested activities, and today I will begin - or complete - those things I said I would do later.

Today is about completion.

Lemme see.....

• 100 spider rings


• 100 stretchy bats


• 100 stretchy mouses


• 200 erasers


• 90 pretty bitty pens


• 200 stickers


• 60 tattoos


• 30 ooky spooky Frisbee rings


• 285 candy bags


• 200 bitty ziplock treat bags (too small, I tell ya.......toys will NOT fit!!)

Nah......need more!

More bags.
More toys!

And for sure....LOADS of candy!
Got none of that......yet........

*happily humming*

I think I'll inventory blow up yard ornaments now.

Lemme see......

• One HUGELY cute Studley the 8 foot spider
  

I'll start there.....one must FREE 'em from the box in order to count 'em dontchaknow.

:-D

Behind the wheel

Over seven blocks, up eight more.

That's the extent of my driving for the past weeks.
I've kinda liked it.
PLEASE excuse Mel from having to go to stupid meetings OVER THERE--she's stupid.

I think this could be the last time I get to play that card.
I'm only sorta stupid--mostly not.

I liked not having to go OVER THERE.

*sigh*

Maybe today I'll drive to the park.

That's over three blocks, down three blocks.

:-/

Yeahyeah....first over seven, up eight.

Where's the fun in that?!

Leaf on Leaf

Fairy Reminder

Live big! --Brady Michaels

Sometimes, that's the best advice we can hear.

Win or lose succeed or fail, go for it, and go all the way.

As my flight instructor told me on the first day of flying lessons, "Keep one hand on the throttle and one hand on the yoke."

"Aahhhhh!" I would say during my early lessons as the plane lifted into the air, but I kept the throttle pushed all the way in.

There are times when it's wise to be cautious.

And there are times when the best thing we can do - the only thing we can do - is go for it by living big.

Ask her out.

Request the raise.

Say no - and mean it.

Learn to drive a racecar or climb a tall hill.

Learn to snorkel or surf.

Dreams remain dreams until you act upon them.

Then they become real life.

Will you throw a few coins into the beggar's cup, or will you bring him a hamburger and fries from the local fast-food place?

Will you do an average job at work, or will you look for ways to go big - really give it your best - in the everyday areas of your job?

Will you put your all - your heart and emotions - into the relationship with the people you love?

Will you wait for another, more convenient time to pray, or will you start genuinely trusting God?

You don't have to get a life.

You've already got one.

Live it, and live big.

Pretty in Pink

Today's Fairy Thought

We have a responsibility to use time wisely - other people's time as well as our own. Many people who believe they are moral and upright are so careless about keeping appointments and dates that they force others to wait. This is essentially stealing another's time.

Being prompt and managing all of our time well is part of mature living. It's part of being a responsible, grown-up, caring person. If we've been guilty of poor management of our own time, we've probably been wasting other people's time as well.

I'll be careful and prompt in all appointments today. I'll not waste others' time by being late.

...and on a lighter note.....

Uh huh.

It's a dot. And it's ORANGE! Woooohoooooo!!!

:-)

<-- HAPPY!!!!!!

Amazing Grace