THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Memorial Day is one of the Holidays which finds me walking down memory lane and grateful for the walk. It brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face simultaneously.

Years ago my grandmother asked if I would go with her and Grandpa on their Memorial Day cemetery route. This amounted to cleaning around the headstones of all of Grandma's relatives, even those she never knew. (I was grateful Grandpa's family was in Arkansas and California or one day would never have been enough.)

On that particular Memorial Day Grandma was showing signs of age and I know she wanted me to pick up the torch and take over for her. Unfortunately Grandpa had the final words with regards to my choice. As we watched Grandma shuffle over to her parents' headstone, he said to me, "You know Carol I have been doing this every Memorial Day for over 50 years. Your Grandma is hoping you will continue the tradition and I am telling you don't. Memorial Day was created for fallen soldiers and it has turned into a florist's payday. When I die don't bother I won't be here, I'll be around but it won't be here."

For the record I don't totally agree with Grandpa, however I haven't been back to their grave site. There are times I feel Grandma is probably a bit disappointed but I know Grandpa is grateful I took his advice. He was correct they are around; they just aren't there.

However yesterday my trek down memory lane was picture laden as I searched for a picture of G & G Corbie wanted. While I rummaged through boxes I came across so many pictures of Grandpa and Corbie together. Absent from the photos was Grandma, the photographer, who always made sure she had plenty of photos of those two.
Now years later as I cry my way through these pictures the only way I can think of thanking Grandma is to at least go clean off their headstone and leave behind a few Irises and Roses her flowers for this day.

Grandpa will probably smile as he tells Grandma, "You know I told her never to do this don't you? So why do you suppose this year she is doing it? I bet she is getting soft in her old age."

Well, Grandpa I may be getting soft, but the truth is it is just a small token of my appreciation for all you both did for me.

Oh, and thanks for all the wonderful memories,

Love Always,
Carol

Change is Coming Hold on to Your Wallet

How can you borrow your way out of debt? How exactly does that work? There must be a glitch in my thinking; I have yet to grasp how you rob Peter, pay Paul and everyone comes out on top. It seems to me that while Paul is feasting on his good luck Peter will then struggle to keep his head above water and the robber/debtor still owes money. Isn't that like a Ponzi Scheme? For some reason I see it more as a pathway to bankruptcy or worse prison. Of course I'm not an accountant or an attorney so I may be ill informed. However if you knowingly spend money you don't have or money that belongs to someone else I think it is considered criminal behavior. Unfortunately I have first hand knowledge of people going to jail for this type of behavior (they may have been my friends). So how could anyone think this type of economics could bring about positive change?

Nevertheless I am willing to give it a try. I would like all of my family, friends and acquaintances to invest their hard earned dollars with me. (Keeping in mind it is just an investment.) I promise to invest it in what I think will bring about the most change (as in coin). When I think your investment has run it's course I will let you know the outcome of change (as in difference) it made.

You can rest assure I will treat your money as if it were my own. I will spend it wisely on what I think is necessary to bring about the change needed (in my life). While you patiently wait for your change (coin) to come. It won't take long before you will see the benefit of your investment. It will make me happy, rich and filled with love and gratitude for all my investors. There will be such a nice change in me how could anyone refuse to invest?

If you are interested in great change, please send me your money immediately. I promise I won't let you down, I'm positive change will come.

Words of Wisdom

The Truth About Hugs

There's no such thing as a bad hug, only good ones and great ones

Hugs are

non-fattening and they don't cause cancer or cavities...

Hugs are

all natural with no preservatives, artificial ingredients or pesticide residue...

Hugs are

cholesterol-free, naturally sweet, 100% wholesome and they are a completely renewable resource...

Hugs are

Easy to care for they don't require batteries, tune-ups, or x-rays...

Hugs are

non-taxable, fully returnable and energy efficient...

Hugs are

safe in all kinds of weather... In fact,

Hugs are

especially good for cold and rainy days and

Hugs are

exceptionally effective in treating problems like bad dreams or Monday blues...

Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today,
because when you give one, you get one right back your way !

BIRTHDAY WEEK

In our family February is for birthdays. It started February 12th, 1998 when Cale was born. Four years later here comes Morgan on Valentine's Day 2002. Another four years and who should show up on February 10th, 2006 but Ryan. By the end of the week everyone is exhausted and Corbie is dead on her feet. But every year she does the impossible; 3 parties in a 5 day period.

I think of this as more of a blessing week. I received three from one, who could ask for anything more? Again I am so blessed!

Happy Birthday Corbie

It was thirty-two years ago today I received my greatest blessing, I became Corbie's mom. How lucky I have been since that one moment in time. As we celebrate Corbie's Birthday I will celebrate with incredible gratitude my 32ND personal Mother's Day and acknowledge, What a Wonderful Life! I AM BLESSED!

One Day at a Time

Recently I spent the day with someone who was celebrating eight years of sobriety. What a milestone! For those who have courageously walked down that road they realize staying sober takes one day at a time, and very often it is one moment at a time. They also know there are no guarantees for many a person has fallen off the wagon after years of being sober. Everyday a person is sober is a great accomplishment and every year it is monumentous.

Hats off to anyone taking one step at a time, and may serenity be yours.