Thursday, November 8, 2012

The Good Stuff - Day Seven

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today.
I can choose which it shall be.
Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet.
I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. 
Groucho Marx
The Essential Groucho: Writings For By And About Groucho Marx
 
There are a lot of disappointed voters out there today.  Things might not have gone according to your plan with yesterday's big hullabaloo, but as one of my favorite bloggers -- Courtney Walsh --- so eloquently put it --- "the results of this election weren't a surprise to God. He has a plan. We have to trust in that.  

Maybe something or someone you voted for didn't pass/win and now you are left feeling unhappy --- uneasy perhaps. Well fret no more my friend.  Just trust that God has your back, because it's true.  He's got you in the palm of His hand and He will take care of you.  That's not some flimsy campaign promise, that's His promise and it comes with an lifetime --- an eternal lifetime --- guarantee if you just believe.  That gets my vote any day!


Today's good stuff?
I gotta cool new tech toy --- my sweetie bought me an ipad!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

The Good Stuff - Day Six

Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.
Napoleon Bonaparte

Today is election day.  Did you get out and vote The Geek and I packed up our brood and headed to the polls earlier this evening.  Can I just say how much I hate "running the gauntlet" of last minute campaigners outside the voting precinct.  I wish I could just go in and do my civic duty without having to avoid eye contact or be forced to graciously accept/deny a cheap nail file or a flyer from some candidate making a last minute desperate plea for my vote. 

I won't share my political views here (I am so not in the mood for a political debate thank. you. very. much.) but I will say I am glad the campaigning is over.  Both sides remind my of my chicklets with their constant bickering and finger pointing.  As far as I'm concerned, they could both benefit from a little time in the ol' time-out chair.   

Anyone else as happy as I am that tonite signals the end of the nonstop campaign and political ads?  Can I get a "woooo hooooo" ?  Those blasted commercials drive me nuts.  I don't know about you, but I shudder to think of how much money was wasted on the stupid things.  Gah!




Today's good stuff?
The return of silly commercials.
 
this one was always one of my favorites

Monday, November 5, 2012

The Good Stuff - Day Five

Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.
German Proverb

I hate going to the doctor.  Always have and I am pretty convinced at this point I always will.  I hate needles and it seems like every time I go they want to draw blood.  Add to that, I fear repeating what happened a few years ago when I had to be taken by ambulance to the ER after a routine check up thanks to extremely high blood pressure.  Irrational?  Perhaps, but still very real for me none the less.

I recently heard that fear can be seen as the acronym F.E.A.R. (feeling emotions appearing real) I don't know if hearing that helped me or not, but I tried telling it to my inner scaredy cat when I went in for my checkup today.  My mantra became, "You can do this Mama Hen --- put on your big girl panties and stop being a big baby!"  I gotta admit, it was very unsettling seeing an ambulance taking someone out of my doctor's office as I arrived, but I tried to tell myself it was going to be okay and in the end it was for the most part.  I almost didn't even mind giving blood --- almost.


Today's good stuff?
My blood pressure was within the normal range. Woo hoo!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

The Good Stuff - Day Four

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.
Joyce Brothers

Today my brood and I were invited to my niece's house to celebrate her birthday.  I cannot believe that little girl turned 36 today --- gah!  that can only mean that this Mama Hen is getting pretty old herself. 
I always enjoy spending time with these peeps.  We never seem to run out of things to laugh about and laughter is something that I really need right now in my life.  The little peeps get along just swell too and that is just the icing on the cake my friends.

 
Today's good stuff?
Spending time with family and laughing about life.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

The Good Stuff - Day Three

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
Angela Schwindt

I spent the day with the Little Prince running errands.  He is a awesome kid, but man that baby boy can talk.  I don't think he stopped yakking the entire time we were out and about. Those who know me, know I do my fair share of jabbering, but this guy turns it into an Olympic sport.  I know all too soon I will be given the silent treatment from him from time to time.  Until then, I'll just keep reminding myself that silence is sometimes overrated.



Today's good stuff?
Listening to this little man's commentary on life.

Friday, November 2, 2012

The Good Stuff - Day Two

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you'll look back and realize they were big things.
Kurt Vonnegut

I've always liked that quote and try to remember it, especially when it comes to my chicklets.  It is so easy --- especially as an older parent --- to forget to savor each stage your little one is going through.  I try to make a conscious effort not to do this and today's "good stuff" captured one of those special moments.  It may not seem like a big deal in the great scheme of things, but it was a real treat being able to witness such pure unadulterated joy in my little man's eyes.  Yeah, this is the good stuff folks!


Today's good stuff?
Watching the Little Prince enjoy his first taste of cotton candy

Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Good Stuff - Day One

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! 
Henry Ward Beecher

A few years ago I adopted what I called an "attitude of gratitude" and posted each day for the month of November about something I was grateful for.  I have decided to do a similar thing once again.  Dealing with the loss of my dad and all it entails takes up most of my days as of late.  It's easy to get bogged down and lose sight of the "good stuff" right before my eyes.  I plan to spend the .next 30 days taking time to find at least one bright spot in each day.  I know they are there --- sometimes I just get so caught up in the craziness of life that I forget to look. 

 
Today's good stuff?
Raiding the chicklets Trick or Treat cache.