CHAPTER 8, PAGE 31

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own,

and you know what you know.

And you will be the guy who'll

decide where you'll go.

Oh the places you'll go

Dr. Seuss

Good Morning !

Well I’ve got all my supplies, paints and brushes and tape and ladder and rags. Everything I need to do my bathroom painting job today. I went to the store yesterday and picked up the necessities and couldn’t believe I spent almost 100.00 . Paint and brushes are not cheap for sure.

Of course I’ll have left over paint. But then I have several other rooms that need some freshening up, so it will be used. I’ve never been very handy at anything around the house and this is my first painting job in a long long time so I’ll be praying I don’t botch up the whole thing and wish I’d never started.

Like Dr Seuss says in the quote above, I can steer my self in any direction I choose.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If you never did, you should.

These things are fun, and fun is good

Dr. Seuss

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way

Dr. Seuss

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 30

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others.

We are all children of chance and none can say

why some fields will blossom while others lay

brown beneath the August sun.

Care for those around you. Look past your differences.

Their dreams are no less than yours,

their choices no more easily made.

And give, give in any way you can, of whatever you posses.

To give is to love. To withhold is to wither.

Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared

and your life will have meaning

and your heart will have peace.

Ken Nerburn American Author, Artist and Theologian

GOOD MORNING !

I’m not familiar with the Authors in either of the quotes today, but I felt their words were worth sharing. We often forget about what others may be going through when we are having a rough time.

None of us can know what is really in a person’s heart. Being gentle and kind never hurts no matter the situation And as you will read in the Thought for Today - lifting my heart to heaven is something I do everyday.

Today is the end of the work week for me. The piles on the desk will once again be cleared away and order restored in the office. Next week will be another short 4 day week and for that I’m truly thankful.

It is THANKFUL THURSDAY so I will make my list for you all to see and thank our dear Lord for all His many blessings.

I’m thankful that today will be a cooler one.

I’m thankful for the good health of my family and myself

I’m thankful for Holiday weekends

I’m thankful for friends and family to have celebrations with.

I’m thankful for my job

And I’m most thankful for all of you !

Thought For Today

Refuse to fall down.

If you cannot refuse to fall down,

refuse to stay down.

If you cannot refuse to stay down,

 lift your heart toward heaven,

and like a hungry beggar,

ask that it be filled, and it will be filled.

You may be pushed down.

You may be kept from rising.

But no one can keep you from

lifting your heart toward heaven...

Clarissa Pinkola Estés Author ofWomen Who Run With The Wolves

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

P.S. I came back and added the Sub Title that Lori reminded me I forgot today.  Sorry if you got another alert .

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 29

A Story for you today…

A little girl came home late for supper. Her mother made the expected irate parent's demand to know where she had been. The little girl replied that she had stopped to help Janie, whose bicycle was broken in a fall.

"But you don't know anything about fixing bicycles," her mother responded. "I know that," the girl said. "I just stopped to help her cry."

Not many of us know anything about fixing bicycles, either. And when our friends have fallen and broken, not their bicycles but their lives, NONE of us knows how to fix that.

We simply cannot "fix" someone else's life, even though that's what we would like most to do. But like the little girl, we can stop to help them cry. That is the best we can do. And that is a lot!

By Murray Lancaster

GOOD MORNING !

We all have our reasons to cry now and then and I guess that’s one of the main reason’s I try to give you all a SMILE or two each day.

I can’t fix your problems, but I’m here to help you wipe the tears away and perhaps to help chase the blues away with a cheerful word or two.

It’s ‘Over the Hump Day ‘ ! I’m always busy at work on Wednesdays and I am trying to get everything done so I can be off on Friday. That day has been set aside so that I can get my bathroom painted .

I’m going to take before and after pictures so that you all can see it. It is really bad right now. It has wood paneling that has never been painted half way up the walls and I’m painting that white. I can only imagine that the paint will soak in and it may need two coats. I liked the rustic look that it had, but now it’s time for something new.

Then I’ve got a pretty color of blue that was leftover from the kitchen that I’ll paint the walls with. And of course the ceiling needs a new coat of white paint too. The other thing that is going to get painted is the wood around the bathroom mirror. It’s going to be painted black. Then I have a few fake jewel stones that I’m going to hot glue on around the mirror.

I saw a picture in a magazine that had these colors etc in it, so I’m hoping that it all looks half as good when I try to do it. I’ve ordered new bath accessories and have purchased new towels, so when I get done everything will look completely new! I won’t show you the pictures until it’s all done.

Only one more day of my work week left after today and then I’ll really get to work.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience.

St. Francis de Sales

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 28

    

You have got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive

Elim-my-nate the negative.

Latch on to the affirmative.

Do not mess with Mister In-between.

Johnny Mercer

GOOD MORNING !

The positive news is that the sun will be shinning here all the way through Sunday this week. We certainly have had enough rain for awhile. Everything is growing and green here again.

I almost feel guilty when I say our high temp this week will be 88 degrees. My family and friends that live in the near 100 degree heat wave don’t seem to be getting much relief. I pray that it will cool off soon for them.

I really don’t have any negatives to report on…everything seems to be going well and I’m thanking the dear Lord for it.

Four of my babes and their families will be camping this coming weekend and I’ll be going to visit them on Sunday. I haven’t been to the campground since the 4th so I’m really looking forward to it.

Some people wouldn’t think camping such a treat, but I always have. It’s just nice to get away from everything else and relax. A little get a way now and then makes going back to work seem not quite as bad at all.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

If you want a place in the sun, prepare to put up with a few blisters.

Abigail Van Buren

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 27

Cheerful thoughts like sunbeams

Lighten up the darkest fears

For when the heart is happy

There’s just no time for tears.

Helen Steiner Rice

A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 15:13

GOOD MORNING !

It’s Monday already and I really think today will be less work for me than the weekend was. By the time it was over I felt like SUPER WOMAN ! The weekends always fly by and I’m sure that even if I had one more day, there would still be plenty to do.

The good news is that this is a four day work week for me and then I’ll have a glorious 4 day weekend. I’ve got the ***BIG SMILE*** on and will share it with all I meet today !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Whatever you give away today or think, or say, or do

Will multiply about tenfold, and then return to you

It may not come immediately nor from the obvious source

But the LAW applies unfailingly through some invisible force

Whatever you feel about another be it love,or hate, or passion

Will surely bounce right back to you in some clear or secret fashion

If you speak about some person a word of praise or two

Soon tons of other people will speak kind words to you

Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul not secrets of the brain

Kind ones bring us happiness petty ones, untold pain

Giving works as surely as reflections in the mirror

If hate you send, hate you'll get back but loving brings loving nearer

Remember as you start this day and duty crowds your mind

That kindness comes so quickly back to those who first are kind

Let that thought and this one direct you through each day

Never forget that the only things we ever keep are the things we give away

Author Unknown

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

P.S. Once again I'm unable to add any graphics this morning, hopefully it'll work later on...we'll see...

 

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 26

I have learned that if you must leave a place

That you have lived in and loved,

And where all of your yesterdays are buried deep -

Leave it any way except slow;

Leave it the fastest way you can.

Never turn back and believe that an hour you remember

Is a better hour because it is dead.

Past years seem safe ones, vanquished ones,

While the future lives in a cloud,

formidable from a distance.

The cloud clears though, as you enter it.

I have learned this, but like everyone,

I learned it late.

Beryl Markham, 1902-1986 English-born Author, Aviator and Race Horse Trainer

GOOD MORNING !

I've not lived many places that I hated to leave as I lived in my hometown most of my life and all that's familiar and dear is right where I'm at.  But I have a great love of where my grandparents lived in the hills of West Virginia.  The beauty of the country side and the love of my grandparents remains with me in my heart.

This weekend was our family reunion there and as has happened so often in the past I was unable to attend.  My daughter's moving and school starting has prevented me from going.  I won't travel that far alone and had no one to go with as all the babes are either teachers or parents with children going back to school and this weekend was a busy one for them all.

The hills and valleys, the runs and creeks, the rock cliffs and dirt roads have changed over the years, but the they still could take me home to be place where I belong....

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement.

It brings rest to the weary,

Sunshine to those who are frowning,

And hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.

A smile is so valuable that it can't be bought,

Begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will.

You have to be willing to give a smile away

Before it can do anyone else any good.

So if someone is too tired or grumpy

to flash you a smile,

Let him have one of yours anyway.

Nobody needs a smile as much

As the person who has none to give.

Dale Carnegie

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 25

I read in a news story today that the ultra rich are now paying 736,000 dollars for watches. As I was shaking my head at the insanity of it I glanced at my own 8 dollar watch. It tells me the time just fine. I guess that would leave me about 735, 992 dollars left over.

With that I could send 18 kids to college for 4 years each with room, board, and books included. With that I could sponsor almost 200 needy children overseas into adulthood. With that I could buy meals for 2 ½ million starving people around the world. With that much left over money I could do so much good, help so many souls, and still know the time whenever I looked down at my wrist.

When did our society become so insane that anyone would think they needed a 736,000 dollar watch? When did people become so shallow that they would believe a one million dollar car is essential?

My first car cost me only 500 dollars and it still got me wherever I needed to go. When did 50 million dollar yachts and 100 million dollar houses become so vital to a person’s happiness?

My tiny home has more joy in it than the biggest mansion in the world and I can walk the shore of the local lake here and delight in its beauty for free.

I pray that at some point our society says "Enough!" and wakes up from this nightmare of materialism. Each of us only has one life. Let’s not waste it on the watches we wear and the cars we drive.

Each of us only has one soul. Let’s not lose it trying to gain the whole world. God put us here to love each other, to help each other, and to make this world a better place together. No house or boat will ever bring us joy like living the way that our Heavenly Father meant for us to.

No amount of material wealth in this world will ever equal the treasures of Heaven. Live your life in love, joy, and oneness with God then. Help others whenever you can.Make this world a better place now.

Life is brief and no watch will buy you an extra second of it.

Joseph J. Mazzella

GOOD MORNING !

It seems my days couldn't possibly get any busier and I'm sure that each second is very precious to me. Anymore it seems the only time I just sit and relax is the little break I take each evening just to sit on the patio outside my back door and watch the birds.  The daylight hours are fast fading and I know it won't be much longer that I won't be doing that either.

As the daylight fades so does my energy and soon I'll be wanting to head for bed about 8:30. That doen't happen , but I will feel like it should. 

Today we are supposed to see a little cool down and some more rain. Most of what I have to do will be indoors so that is a good thing.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

At times I'm so discouraged with problems of the day

I fail to see the joyful things that are along the way

When troubles overwhelm me

It's then my nerves may fray

that's when I need to take the time

To simply sit and pray

Reflecting on God's many gifts

It makes me so aware

Of all the joy in little things around me everywhere!

I must try to remember though problems come my way

 not to miss the joyful things and the beauty of the day.

Author Unknown

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 24

If today were your last would you do what you are doing?

Or would you love more, give more, forgive more?

Then do so !

Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity

Love like there’s no tomorrow

And if tomorrow comes, love again

By Max Lucado , Every Day Deserves a Chance

GOOD MORNING !

It’s finally FRIDAY !

I was thinking as I read the little message above, what would I do?

I always try to do my best each day, but if it were the last, what would I do???

I know I’d want to see my family and I’d probably give away everything I had. And I’d want to see the BEACH and wiggle my toes in the sand..

Meanwhile, I have today for sure and I’ll not get to do any of those things, because I’m off to work once more. So I’ll just be sending my love to you all !

Thought For Today

People who throw kisses are mighty hopelessly lazy.

Bob Hope

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 23

Six humans trapped by happenstance in dark and bitter cold, each possessed a stick of wood, or so the story's told.

Their dying fire in need of logs, the first woman held hers tight, for on one face around the fire was one for who she felt spite.

The next man looking 'cross the way saw one not of his church, and couldn't bring himself to give the fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes; he gave his coat a hitch. Why should his log be put to use, to warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought of the wealth he had in store, and how to keep what he had earned from the lazy, shiftless poor.

The next man's face bespoke his greed, as the fire passed from his sight, for what he saw in his stick of wood he would need the next night.

And the last man of this forlorn group did naught except for gain: giving only to those who gave, was how he played the game.

The logs held tight in death's stilled hands, were proof of human sin.

They didn't die from the cold without, they died from the cold within.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

Sometimes it is hard to know what to hold on to and what to let go. I’m forever saving something because it might be of some use.

Yesterday I had the new kitchen floor put in and I noticed when I got home from work they had left a big trash bag out side. Well of course I had to lookand see what was in it. There was a nice 4 foot long piece of the vinyl flooring they had put down. Don’t you know I had to save it.

It was just too nice for the trash and some day I might be able to use it for something??? I really don’t value a lot of things, if I can give something away it always makes me happy. I do like my house to look nice, but comfort is the important thing as far as I’m concerned.

Soon September will be here and it will be time to start putting the summer clothing away and get out the fall things. I know there is a bunch that is going to go to the good will. I had several things that I didn’t even wear this summer, so why keep them???

Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY

I’m so very thankful for my family, and their continuing good health

I’m thankful that DD has her new home – they move in next Monday

I’m thankful for my job and the ability to get up and go each day

I’m thankful that I have some dear friends

And I’m thankful for the sunrise each morning

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

It is what we give up, not what we lay up, that adds to our lasting store.

Hosea Ballou

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and lots of sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 22

Canada geese mate for life and often return year after year to the same location to raise their young. They fiercely defend their nest and young against all intruders. Usually a pair of geese will build their nest and hatch the young in one location, then move the goslings on foot to a carefully chosen brood site, where they will stay until the young learn to fly.

In nearly all cases, whether afloat or afoot, one of the parents leads the way and the other brings up the rear, with the young ones safely between.

A pair of Canada geese set up housekeeping on an island in a farm pond in New Jersey. Year after year these two returned to raise their young. One summer, only one of seven eggs hatched, and the hatchling died the next day. The parents moped for days only to be faced with a new problem.

From the woods by the lake another pair of Canada geese emerged with eight brand-new babies. For some reason, this new pair had chosen the farm pond - and woefully, the island itself - as their brood site.

As they arrived on the scene they went straight to the island ready to do battle for the rights to the location. Of course the residents fought hard to keep what they thought was their own territory, but they could not drive the newcomers away.

As night approached, the resident pair still occupied the island - except for a corner where the new pair huddled with their young, having been granted sleeping privileges.

The farmer and his wife went to bed that evening wondering what the outcome of the battle would be the next day. Imagine the farmer's surprise the next morning when he looked out on the lake and saw eight baby geese swimming peacefully with not one but two parents in the lead and two bringing up the rear.

By making peace, the adult geese had not only provided double protection for the goslings but had also provided the resident pair with babies to care for to replace the ones they had lost.

Source: Glimpses of God's Love by James A. Tucker and Priscilla Tucker

  GOOD MORNING !

It is so true that often fights begin over something that can be worked out if only we try. Trying is the hard part, but if we look at what might be beneficial to all, not just our selves, peace can be made and harmony restored.

Here we are OVER THE HUMP DAY . This whole week has been busy busy so far. Tomorrow night after work I finally get my new teeth…I’ve been making do pretty well, but will be delighted to have my new bridge work and not be afraid to bite down on something.

Monday after work was the closing on DD's new house

Tuesday evening was my get together with my dulcimer buddies

Today they are putting down a new floor in my kitchen.  It's been badly needed since I moved in this house so it's long overdue.

Friday evening, I think I'll just collaspe when I get home....

  THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Put your troubles in a pocket that has holes in it.

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 8, PAGE 21

 

It's not just in some of us;

it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people

permission to do the same.

Anonymous

  GOOD MORNING !

Another rainy day is predicted for Northern Ohio today. Sunday and Monday were pretty near non-stop rain day and night. I know that many are looking for some rain, and there are lots that have already had too much. We seem to rarely get it just right. Of course that is our way of thinking, I’m sure the good Lord must have a plan.

With a lot of help from above, I’m working on making my own sunshine today. So I’m sending a ***BIG SMILE*** off to each and everyone of you. Maybe you can do the same !

They say smiling is infectious; maybe we can start an epidemic.

  THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Hope is like a bird that senses the dawn

and carefully starts to sing

while it is still dark.

Anonymous

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

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