Wednesday’s Word: Arrogance

Political Arrogance is beginning its creep around. It creeps and creeps, then it stands up and then, right before the election it begins shouting exaggerations and subtle mistruths from every direction. It jeers at anyone who thinks differently because it knows it is the source of all knowledge and truth. Gosh, I would like to skip right over the next few weeks . . . you know, I might! I just might turn off the news after the first fifteen minutes. I might not read the newspaper.

Now do not think I am sticking my head in the sand, I will do my research and I will vote according to my values, hopes and dreams for the future, but I will not listen to the endless political spin and the millions of “yes buts.”

Just wondering, would it be possible for Americans to return to a time a time of informed truth, integrity and mutual reverence? Is it possible for you to disagree with someone respectably?

Arrogance and rudeness are training wheels on the bicycle of life -
for weak people who cannot keep their balance without them.
(Laura Teresa Marquez)

—————–

Previous Wednesday’s Words

Desidarata       Priorities       Gratitude        Devotion     Neighbor      Service      

Peace         Rest        Veggies (Twisted Salsa Recipe)      B R E A T H E

My Quest to Find the Perfect Jeans!

As we say good bye to the pool, and the beach and the hot, hot days of summer, it is time to say HELLO to jeans weather. We are not there yet, but we are edging closer and closer. Jeans have gotten a lot better over time and a lot worse. Some jeans are so low, nobody needs to be wearing them, and some jeans are so expensive, you need to sell a kidney just to purchase them!
I have found a couple of pairs that I like, but as time wears on, so do my jeans! The stretchy material is losing its elasticity, like some other parts of my body! I think I am going to have to go out and find some new favorite jeans. Oh, Boy!
So I decided to do some research before I ventured out. I checked several websites and found a great one that gives you different options. I had to scroll through the first 2. If you are tall…nope, if you have skinny legs…don’t think so. But this one also had, if you are pear shaped, hourglass, have short legs, which I felt gave a more realistic view of most women’s life.
Here is the site:

http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2010/07/how-to-find-your-bodys-best-jeans

Let me know what you think. It at least gives me a place to start. I will update you on my jean excursion. If you have had any success with jean hunting, let me know!!! PLEASE!

Wednesday’s word: Desidarata

The word desiderata is Latin and means “things that are yearned for.”  Desidarata is the name of a poem, a friend shared with me; it was her father’s favorite poem. Tucked into this poem I found many nuggets of wisdom and I found some ideas that left me a little confused. 

Nuggets of wisdom I found were:

• remember what peace there may be in silence
• even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story
• take kindly the counsel of the years
• it is still a beautiful world

An idea that left me wandering – be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. This was an odd phrase to me because I cannot imagine that what I conceive God to be has any bearing on who God is. For some I realize God does not exist, for others God is an overwhelming and fearful judge and for some God is the purest definition of love and hope. I suppose it does not really matter who we conceive God to be, but rather who God is. Yet who we conceive God to be will influence our relationship with God. (OK, I have confused myself now!)

Read the poem below for yourself. Are there any phrases that especially stand out as useful wisdom to you? Are there any phrases that make you feel uncomfortable?  People are much divided on this poem, they either enjoy it or they dislike it – what is your take on this poem? 

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Written-1927

Previous Wednesday’s Words

Priorities       Gratitude      Devotion        Neighbor      Service      Peace     

Rest        Veggies (Twisted Salsa Recipe)       Counting Calories       B R E A T H E 

Special thanks: Thank you to Becky Smith for today’s photo.  Please email me if you have photos that I can post.  I am looking for photos that make our spirits say thank you for the beautiful world we live in.

The Kids Are Eating Well, but What About You?

Backpacks..check…new school clothes..check…getting up early…ughh. So the new school year has begun and we are all struggling to get back into a routine. We are making sure our kids are well prepared and ready to start the year off right, but are we as moms taking care of ourselves? I can think of a number of days where I run around doing all sorts of things for everybody but myself. One thing I always seem to skip is lunch and most of the time it is because I want something good for me and something fast. So this year I decided to make sure I am eating well for myself or at least. So here is a list of easy things to make and think of when you are running around crazy like me. After all, moms deserve good lunches, even if we have to make them ourselves!!

• Salads…you can add anything you like to salads. The more the merrier. Meat, cheese, nuts, fruit, and of course veggies! All you really need is lettuce and your imagination.
• Wraps. Get a package of tortilla wraps and add turkey, cheese, lettuce, and your favorite condiments, like sour cream or salsa or guacamole. Wrap them up and go!
• Veggies and dip. I love hummus and guacamole. They are great with carrots, celery, and broccoli. Pico is also a good companion with corn chips.
• Sandwiches. Turkey and Cheese, BLT’s or when all else fails, PB & J can’t be beat. You can make it with banana instead of jelly and try to use whole wheat bread and a pure fruit spread.
• Protein and Granola bars. They are better for you and usually have fewer calories than anything you will find on a value menu! They also fit in your purse!!
Another tip, make your lunch while making your kids and then it will be there waiting for you when you need it!!
So now that I have a list of choices, I don’t have any excuses. And neither do you!! So here’s to good lunches to ALL this school year!

Wednesday’s Word: Priorities

The key is not to prioritize your schedule
but to schedule your priorities.
(Stephen R Covey)

It’s that time of the year, the time when fall schedules are being planned – WARNING, WARNING, WARNING! For many people and especially families, it is a time of the year that you can schedule every moment of every day. So how do you choose what is best for yourself, your family and your household?

It is very difficult for most people to state what their highest priority is for themselves and their household. Many parents have never considered what their highest priority is for their small children. What if spouses could agree on a mutual “highest priority?” We have all said, “Yes” to many good things and have been far too busy to embrace the best.

You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have
the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically,
to say “no” to other things. And the way you do that is
by having a bigger “yes” burning inside.
The enemy of the “best” is often the “good.”
(Stephen R Covey)

What is worthy of being a “highest priority?” How will your actions, planning and schedules reflect your highest priorities this year?

Special thanks: Thank you to Bob Thomson for today’s photo.  Please email me if you have photos that I can post.  I am looking for photos that make our spirits say thank you for the beautiful world we live in.

Previous Wednesday’s Words

Gratitude ( August 18, 2010)

Devotion (August 11, 2010)
Neighbor (August 4, 2010)
Service (July 21, 2010)
Peace (July 21, 2010)
Rest (July 14, 2010)
Veggies – Twisted Salsa Recipe (July 7, 2010)
Counting Calories (June 30, 2010)
B R E A T H E (March 17, 2010)

Who Knew?

I was sitting in the hair salon watching my daughter get her hair cut today and I picked up the O magazine. I didn’t have a lot of time but I found many interesting things in the magazine. I thought I should just buy the magazine. Then I thought, “WHY, you will never read it. You think you will, but too many things will get in the way.” So I let that thought go out of my head and went about my busy day. Later this afternoon, as I was getting on my computer, I decided to look up the O magazine. GUESS WHAT? Most of it is online!!! I found the interesting things I was looking for and I was able to bookmark them. I was so excited to find this shortcut. I found the shirt I saw in the magazine that was oh, so cute and also the tidbit on how to EAT, PRAY, LOVE and not have to travel out of the country to do it!
Now many of you might have already known this, but I thought it was an interesting tidbit of info, so here is the link. I hope you will enjoy it!!

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Eat-Pray-and-Love-at-Home

Another thing I didn’t know…..We have a SEPHORA in JC Penny. Who knew? I purchased some fabulous foundation, blush, lip gloss and lotion for $30.00. What a deal!!
Do you have any shortcuts or secrets to share? Please do!

Ramblin Rose+Team Forsyth Woman=One Fantastic Day

Today was a great day to be a woman in a very tight fitting swim suit, with a swim cap and goggles!  Team Forsyth Woman gathered at the Gateway YWCA for some0their FIRST Ramblin Rose.  This is the only women only triathlon in the Winston Salem area, the only place where I hear, “You look so cute in that outfit,” in the transition area.

Our girls were trained, they’d ridden the bike course several times, we were proud to stand at the pool with them as the first triathlete went into the pool!  The faster swimmers go first, so there were a few of us in the back of the pack as we are pretty pokey swimmers!  Swim cap on, goggles in place these women tucked their ego into their sleeve and attempted something they’d never done before.

The course was hard even for the seasoned triathlete but as you rode your bike or ran the course, there was more encouragement from other women along the way than any other race I’ve competed in.  These women were all on a journey, and as a team they knew that helping others along the way was not only the spirit of the sport but the spirit of the women gathered.

Our team finished strong.  There’s nothing better than being a team captain and watching others cross the finish line, their joy in knowing that something they never thought they could do is done!  Some kicked some serious asphalt and made personal records for themselves and in the race, others did their best knowing that they gave it their all, Team Forsyth woman expected nothing less.   Still a few said at the end, “This is a great experience, I can’t wait to do it again!”

So our team is scheduled to meet at Ten O One for darts at 7p on Thursday for a Ramblin Rose Rapup party, come out and celebrate the women, the race and all the TRIATHLETES!  Congratulations Team Forsyth Woman on a strong showing and a strong finish!

Here’s a secret about the heat!

Shhh, I’ll let you in on a little secret!  I hate the heat!  I’m approaching that over 40 something phase where I’m in perpetual heat so add the summer heat and I’m not a happy person.  I was sitting outside feeling sweat run down my back and wondered, what’s so great about this?  So I asked the Forsyth Woman/Forsyth Family bloggers to give me reasons to enjoy the heat.  Boy, they did.  I have a new appreciation from our blogger sand our fans about the heat.

I wouldn’t have the colorful dishes filled with fresh vegetables on my table without the heat.  I learned about the cooling rains that follow a hot and muggy day.  I learned to appreciate the seasons and accept and feel gratitude for each change.  Then I left and went to the mountains.  You see, while I read about the heat, it’s a blistering 72 degrees here and everyone on the mountain is complaining about the heat.  It’s all in how you look at it isn’t it?  I’m relishing in the cooler temps others are complaining about just like others are relishing in the heat at home most are complaining about.

I guess the bottom line is you can find beautiful and gratitude in any temperature if you just check your attitude, maybe you can see the heat for what it is, a chance to slow down without any excuses.  Now wipe that sweat off your brow and get out there!

Wednesday’s Word: Gratitude

Help me! Am I grateful for the heat and humidity? Kelly at Forsyth Woman Magazine issued a special assignment – “Write about what you are thankful for, regarding the high temperatures.” Is she kidding me? Am I grateful for frizzy hair, dry and dying grass, wilted plants, high electric bills, sun damaged skin and so much more? I’ll be honest, summer is not my favorite time of the year, but I can rise to the challenge.

Gratitude is a like a cool breeze – once you notice it, you begin to feel it. What am I grateful for this summer? What are you grateful for this summer? Perhaps you could pause for three minutes and begin writing everything you are thankful for — Just Do It!

Then… share your list! Gratitude has a way of cooling everyone off — even on warm summer days. Below is my list (you don’t have to use an acronym; maybe you could use the entire alphabet!).

You can never appreciate the shade of a tree unless you sweat in the sun.
(Author Unknown)

S     Sunsets after a storm, Sunscreen, Swings, Sitting in the Shade
U    Umbrellas (for shade)
M   Mother’s cancer free biopsy results
M   Meta & Miriam (I have wonderful sisters!)
E    Electricity (so I can stay inside and watch a movie)
R    Rain (summer rain is much better than winter rain – unless it is frozen!)

H    Hair Products (especially those for frizzy hair)
E    Elastic hair bands
A    Air Conditioning
T    Tomatoes

&    & let’s not forget fans!

H    Heat & Humidity – I’m trying!
U    Under the shade trees
M   Mountains with Meandering streams
I      Ice Cream, Ice, Iced-Tea
D    Dawn (the coolness, the sound, the beauty)
I     Impatiens (the flower)
T    Toe showing shoes
Y    Your list!

Previous Wednesday’s Words

Devotion (August 11, 2010)
Neighbor (August 4, 2010)
Service (July 21, 2010)
Peace (July 21, 2010)
Rest (July 14, 2010)
Veggies – Twisted Salsa Recipe (July 7, 2010)
Counting Calories (June 30, 2010)
B R E A T H E (March 17, 2010)

Color Me Happy!

So I always seem to be behind when it comes to the latest fashions, but this year, I have decided to follow that Home Improvement commercial and put this year’s colors on the wall, this year. And by wall, I mean me! I decided to look into what colors are “IT” for fall and then give you the info, so we can all be on the cusp of fashion this fall!
These are what I have found to be the new color trends by the Pantone fashion Color Report.
1. Purple Orchid
2. Chocolate truffle
3. Woodbine, earthy green
4. Oyster Gray
5. Lagoon, turquoise
6. Rose Dust, a beige with pink undertones
7. Lipstick Red
8. Golden Glow, muted yellow with a little glint of metal
9. Living Coral
10. Endive, a yellow green
To find these exact colors you can go to the Pantone Color Report for Fall and click on full report.

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20710&ca=4

So know that we know what colors to be wearing, this fall, I hope to see all of you out there flashing your fashion sense!