waiting.....

ughh...is it too much to ask for  to have:

1. a dependable,steady,"predictable (in schedule and pay)"  job?
2. a place of my own. So I can do what I want, when I want.Decorate how I want. Tell people to leave when I want.
3. a kitty.

thats.all. i. ask.


it's like ....  a present I know is under the tree, I've asked and hoped for it for so long,and I've been told that's what the wrapped package is,but when I got to retrieve it, there's a  guard dog,or a cliff,or a canyon...or something blocking me....

Counting *SOME* of my blessings....

List 5 traits, skills, or talents you're happy you have.

How to do it

Maybe you like your hair, eyes, or smile. Perhaps you're a great listener and have endless patience with your children. Do you have one mean green thumb, a showstopping jump shot, or the uncanny ability to make others laugh? Or can you effortlessly navigate new cities, solve tough crosswords, or make a delicious meal? Whatever you like about yourself, write it down. Go for it, and don't hold back!

Why it matters

We often don't take the time to consider what's special about ourselves. And it's far too easy to tear yourself down. But that sense of self-worth is all the stronger when we acknowledge the things we do well and the great qualities we have.

Fun Fact

"I'm OK, You're OK," the classic self-help book that promoted a deeper understanding of one's self as a way to improve personal relationships, was the United States' number-one bestseller in 1969.

1. Love my eyes...pretty and unique!
2. Same for hair...love my natural color!
3. I am caring. Giving of my self comes natural.
4. I love learning,growing,exploring.
5. I can get along with most anyone.

 I'm also doing a Lent "challenge study" through World Vision.Today's challenge was also Introspective.

 

Choose one of the following topics and hand-write (or type ;)  ) a list of how you are privileged in that area. Be as specific as possible and aim for at least 20-40 items. 

 

•    Money
•    Health
•    Disease
•    Faith
•    Freedom
•    Education
  Money is the hardest for me ,living in a tourist town during the off season. So, Let's go! 

1. I have a car.
2. I have a apartment.
3. I have food.
4. I have a computer
5. I have electricity.
6. I have 3 jobs.
7. I have heat.
8. I have a/c
9. I have over abundance of clothes.
10. ...and makeup
11. ...and shoes
12. ...and perfume.
13. I have a KING sized bed.
14. It's warm. and comfy!
15. I have clean water.
16. I have modern convenience of plumbing.   
17. I have not one, but 2 phones...land line and cell.
18. I have ability to go to the gym. (free,but still a blessing!)
19. I have knick-knacks to decorate.
20. I have modern appliances...coffee pot (come on, you didn't know that was going to be FIRST?!) ,washer /dryer...dishwasher, stove, microwave,oven....

Health/Disease....

I can:

1.  walk.
2. talk.
3. see.
4. hear.
5. feel.
6. taste.
7. think,comprehend,decide.
8. smell.
9. I have:  2 legs,ten toes,
10. a mouth,with a tongue,and nice teeth
11. 2 pretty eyes
12. 2 ears.
13. 10 fingers, 2 hands.
14. working taste buds!
15. a mind that works.
16. a nose 
17. a heart that beats.
18. a throat that swallows.
19. a pretty head of hair. 
20. a body that is getting healthier every day.

 

 

Faith 

1. I am a daughter of the King.
2. created in His image
3. for a puropse
4. with a destiny
5. to heal the sick
6. raise the dead
7. set the captives FREE
8. I am loved by my Abba
9. He protects me
10. and guides me
11. He intercedes for me. 
12. All things work out for my good
13. no weapon formed against me shall prosper.
14. but, I shall. 
15. because I am the head,not the tail.
16. and my Father will supply every need according to his riches in glory  
17. He is making a mansion for me in Heaven. 
18. But I'm already seated in the Heavenlys,
19. at the right hand of the Father.
20.  I am  troubled on every side, yet not distressed;  perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

 

There, some lovey Thursday food for thought! :)

 

A Franciscan Blessing. POWERFUL

May God bless you with discomfort. Discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial
relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen
May God bless you with anger. Anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that
you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen
May God bless you with tears. Tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection,
starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain
into joy. Amen
May God bless you with foolishness. Enough foolishness to believe that you can make a
difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen
And the blessing of God, who creates, redeems and sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and
pray for this day, and forever more. Amen
-Jonathan Lo, ACT:S Faith and Justice Fellow

Daily Challenge

Add a fresh lime or lemon to your shopping list.

How to do it

Grab your shopping list and add a fresh lemon or lime to it. The next time you're at the grocery store, head to the produce section and look for ripe lemons and limes that are bright in color, firm, and heavy for their size. The ones with the thinner peels tend to be juicier. Later on, you can cook a meat or vegetable dish with lemon wedges instead of salt. Or add thin slices of lemon or lime to a pitcher of ice water for a refreshing drink. Fresh lemons and limes will keep in the refrigerator crisper for about four weeks, and you can freeze their juices.

Why it matters

Lemons and limes are powerhouses of vitamin C and other antioxidants, which research has shown to be associated with reducing inflammation and preventing heart disease. The tangy flavor of lemons and limes make a great salt substitute for people who are watching their salt intake. And a glass of sparkling water with lemon or lime slices is a delicious, zero-calorie, sugar-free drink.

Fun Fact

Your genes determine how sour you find the taste of a lemon or lime.

i will use already bought "all natural" "pure" lemon juice to make lemon pepper chicken for lunch!! add some rice and mixed veggies...wonderful!

Check out these links for other uses for citrus!( and share others you might know!!)

• http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/cleaning/27-household-uses-for-citrus-fruit-046057
• http://www.ehow.com/list_6363478_benefits-lemons-limes_.html
•  http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/18746/amazing_household_uses_for_lemons_lemon.html

{Regroup} GOOD RIDDANCE FEBRUARY!!!!!!!!!

2 part post : February  Reflections,March Expectations!

• Fruits and veggies....I love em,but don't eat enough...also want more SPIRITUAL fruit! part of the month, I did a Daniel fast, which helped tremendously. Other part, I was lacking fruits.
  
• also don't exercise as much as I should...physically or spiritually....here's to that changing!did really great this month, except for the bit I was sick!
  
• very often neglected...(ME TIME) Limited hours at work= boredom = me time
  
• perhaps expand on my new introduction to bead work? :) got  a refresher course! and learned to make earrings!!

• I'd LOVE to take a pottery class!!!!!need a steady job for $ for extras!
  
• perhaps I can find something to share on Etsy? See above
  

• I LOVE cooking. I want to do at LEAST 2 new recipes a month. (didn't do these two , but did do some other newbies, didn't post tho *sorry*  tried a pizza mac dish that wasn't that great...tasted like spaghettio's,and then made a new recipe up....corn,cream cheese,and red pepper flakes...AMAZING. Just heat and drain corn VERY hot,stir in the cream cheese and pepper till the cream cheese is melted. )

• sports...those that know me well are laughing...hard. I want someone *anyone with the patience* to sit down and explain some of the terms/rules of football and basketball...so i'm not completely clueless...and I'd love to improve my tennis and golf and bowling games....and not through the Wii...hmm....nothing this month for this..except...I've made plans to attend a Super Bowl party....*what HAVE I got my self into?*(didn't go to the party)
• i want to expand my musical horizons... Concert on the 20th! (also,didn't go,but I have listened to and loved a few new musicians...check out my youtube or facebook!)
  
• I love books....2  a month (a goal i saw a friend have,sounds great to me. 1 "personal development" and 1 "for fun"...Think I'm gonna scratch this...permanently ... THE B-I-B-L-E,YES,THAT'S THE BOOK FOR ME!
  
• once a month...out of Branson (and Harrison and Springfield don't count.) hmm...no plans this month,yet!!!! (didn't get out of Harrison/Branson)
  
• staying organized is gonna help this year...WIP have a "system" I'm working on, need a few days to go through and purge/sort papers and closet and stuff.
• Planning my time wisely.WIP...daily. getting better with the help of  http://www.sdiary.com/
• Tithing. more than the 10%....He's worthy of so much more! working on it! getting better!!!

• Fruits and veggies....I love em,but don't eat enough...also want more SPIRITUAL fruit! found some canned fruit that isn't syrupy, and some good fruit juice!
  
• also don't exercise as much as I should...physically or spiritually....here's to that changing!Think I have this under control,possibly adding some free hand weights!
  
• very often neglected...(ME TIME) Limited hours at work= boredom = me time
  
• perhaps expand on my new introduction to bead work? :) ready to learn more!!!!!!

• I'd LOVE to take a pottery class!!!!!need a steady job for $ for extras!
  
• perhaps I can find something to share on Etsy? See above
  
• I LOVE cooking. I want to do at LEAST 2 new recipes a month.  *going to try these 2 again!*

lasagna cups
cheddar and green onion biscuits

• sports...those that know me well are laughing...hard. I want someone *anyone with the patience* to sit down and explain some of the terms/rules of football and basketball...so i'm not completely clueless...and I'd love to improve my tennis and golf and bowling games....and not through the Wii...
  

learning lots from this site.

• i want to expand my musical horizons... facebook and youtube are great! :) referrals are welcome!
  
• once a month...out of Branson (and Harrison and Springfield don't count.) hmm...no plans this month,yet!!!!
  
• staying organized is gonna help this year...GOTTA GET THE PAPERS DONE!!
• Planning my time wisely.Getting better!!!!!
• Tithing. more than the 10%....He's worthy of so much more! working on it!

cool site /many blog post to come alert!!!

I found THIS SITE. It is awesome/challenging. It offers a daily challenge based on a short quiz you take at the free sign-up.The quiz is based on healthy choices you make and happiness with life situations. The challenges are just that...challenges to push you beyond, expand your mind. This is something I love...being pushed,expanded,growing.learning.

I thought about doing it on paper,all  journal like, but I prefer blogging... I'll get more feedback that way (HOPEFULLY!!!!!!!!)  I'd LOVE to see others responses to this!

Day 1:

Write down 5 activities that make you happy.

How to do it

Whether browsing the bookstore's new arrivals or planting your favorite flowers, no activity is too small or too silly to be on your happiness list. Next, make a date with yourself to do a favorite activity this week. You may want to put your list on the fridge or bathroom mirror as a daily reminder.

Why it matters

Research shows that you can learn to be happier and more satisfied with your life, even if you're not someone who usually looks on the bright side. Your genes influence about 50% of your personal happiness (meaning you inherited your tendency to see the glass half-full or half-empty). Life circumstances (like where you live or the size of your bank account) affect another 10%. That means the other 40% is yours to shape!

Fun Fact

The phrase "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" comes from the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

1. Get Primped up...hair,clothes,nails,makeup...   Tuesday!!!
2. cook (preferably something new)  Friday!!!
3. hike/camp/canoe/ other wise enjoy nature
4. board/card games
5. Plan...parties,events,decor for a room,organizing techniques, you name it

So, friends ,what's your "happy list"???