Insert Specials?

I used to get the newspaper. Heck, I used to work for one. Once I left to explore a different career, I have to admit, I missed the "Deals", the inserts. Well, no more. I found an even BETTER way. Check the link to this website. It is Sunday Savers and they update national inserts every week. You can explore a variety of big box, grocery stores and even print our own coupons. You can still drink your coffee, read it all in your PJ's and get the best deals. Excellent.

Courage

"Courage is the capacity to go ahead in spite of fear." - Scott Peck

These economic times have given new meaning to the word "courage". Some of the people I know have faced a job loss and are meeting life with courage that strikes me with awe. One lady I know quite well is seeking a job and said, "In the meantime, I'm taking classes so I will be ready when the call comes." Another long-time friend works 14-hour days for three days driving all over making deliveries. She said, "I'm not getting rich, but I'm paying the bills." Another opened his own hot dog stand. It had been a life-long dream and he is making it work. I read about a guy who always wanted to be a pro bowler and when he lost his job, he gave it a shot and now, he is living his dream.

Each is daring to face fear, to conquer new challenges and work his/her tail off. Think about people in your life. The ones who are upbeat, focused on the positive. Life takes courage. I'm blessed to know so many who are courageous.

Think back to a time when you danced...really danced... like no one watched, where you worked up a sweat, tossed your hair and just cut loose. There is nothing like cranking up the music and just living the song. It is a quick stress relief but even more, you feel so alive. A few days ago, someone tried to call me on the way to work and said, "I wondered why you did not answer." My response was "I was rocking out." Truth - I simply had the music so loud and was singing to it and did not hear the phone. It was awesome. That is why they created voice mail. So, rock on - lose yourself. Make a little "me" time and just dance.

Also - a quote from a book "No Limits But the Sky"
Don't forget to glance up from your keyboard and see how blue the sky is now and then.
Don't forget to put away your cell phone and spend some time alone with a paintbrush or a pen.
Don't forget to seek the sound of silence and let the daily traffic rush on by.
Remember that the secret of success is how happily you climb and not how high.

Early Planting

Whether it is the sun that has come out or the fact that snow is melting, I decided that we should start some seedlings for the spring. We have never had a garden but I thought it would be fun to be able to stroll into the backyard and pick some fresh veggies when we want.

So, I brought home Ace seedling soil, those brown pots that you plant in and some seeds. I learned a few things in our first trial at this. First, those brown pots tend to tip over when you are pouring in the soil which means dirt on your table...and if you have excited children, add that to dirt on the floor. Second, a 7-year old will try to put SEVERAL seeds into one pot. In this case, I have no idea how radishes grow if a dozen seeds are dumped at once. That being said, the kids are excited. They can't wait to see it grow and hey, if we get a few veggies, that is all that matters. It is the process that makes the memory, not so much the final product.

As they grow, I will try to post pics so you can see if we have a green thumb.

When I bow my head

There is a song by Trace Adkins "All I Ask for Anymore" that has struck a chord. When I was 24, I lost my dad to cancer. Growing up, you never consider that the people you love most may not always be there. Still, I had heard the word "cancer" the first time when I was just 18. A part of me always knew we were living on borrowed time.

So now, I have family of my own. And much like the song, the things I pray for now are simple. Keep family safe. Let everyone stay healthy. The prayers are so simple and yet, when you think of it, such a huge request. Safe and healthy. If you have that, everything else just seems to fall into place.