Bounce-ability

I am currently reading a book with that word in it and found it intriguing to think on. Do I have bounce-ability? Do you?

When someone offends/hurts you how long does it take you to bounce back and decide to not let the offense take any more of your time? When it's just been a bad day and "everything that could go wrong, did" do you take it to bed with you and get up with it the next morning? Do you decide instead that it's yesterday's news, it's in the past and unchangeable so today is new and so is my attitude?

I am a big Tigger fan from the Winnie The Pooh stories so I guess it makes sense that I would find the word intriguing, and no, the book I am reading is not a Winnie The Pooh book! :6 The word does just sound fun though!

So I have decided to make this a new word to remember when I find myself getting hurt or angry at something someone has said or done (or not done that I thought they should have). Life is too short and precious to "sweat the small stuff" (an awesome book has that as its title, check it out if you haven't) so I have decided to strengthen my bounce-ability! How about you?

Bouncing Back,
Rhonda

It's In There Somewhere!

I recently had a conversation with a close friend and we were talking about being at our wits end with some tough situations involving a couple of our immediate family members. After sharing some of the things we were going through she made a funny remark (which is only shared between two friends burning off steam) that sent both of us into hysterical laughing. She then apologized and stated that she shouldn't have said that (I repented of laughing and agreed). She said that sometimes she just had to vent that flesh for just a moment and then she can laugh about the situation. I said yeah, it helps us keep our sanity and she remarked, "Yeah, I'm sure it's in there somewhere!"

I am so thankful to have friends in my life that loves me and prays with me. They get angry in defense of me because they love me. They know when to tell me no when I am saying yes out of frustration to doing something that would be detrimental to a good outcome. So, when you are facing some tough situations in your life and it's really getting you down, frustrated, "driving you nuts" as our society likes to say, call a true friend. Someone that will listen in love and then laugh with you, it will help you find your sanity, because it's in there somewhere!

Keep Laughing,
Rhonda

Life's Uncertain Eat Dessert First!

I had a t-shirt many years ago with the Garfield character on it with him sitting in front of a large cake with that saying above his head. I was hooked on Garfield comics for many years and found "his" outlook quite entertaining.
That line came back to my memory over the weekend when my husband and I went to see one of his favorite aunts that suffered a severe stroke just 4 days before Christmas last year.
While we were there even though it appeared that she was answering our questions and acted as if she knew us, it became apparent that all is not as it seems. When my sister-in-law asked her if she knew what her name is, she looked confused and could not answer. My husband's aunt has always been so full of life and we have hilarious quotes in our family that we use all the time that we got from her. It has been so hard to see her in her current state and not knowing to what degree she will recover.
I spoke with her the Saturday before Christmas and she had her stroke the next day, early Sunday morning. Little did I know that would be, at least for now, the last true conversation I would have with her.
I post all of this to say, we do not know what tomorrow holds. Of course we are to conduct ourselves with discipline and some structure but we need to remember that life truly is uncertain and that we do need to "Stop and smell the roses." Through this last visit we had with her it soberly reminded me that because life is uncertain, on occasion, eat dessert first! (Which by the way, she loves!:)

For You Aunt Caroline!

Rhonda

Winter Warm Ups

Back several years ago I had a friend share with me some delicious recipes for hot fruit beverages that are great on these cold winter days. I usually make at least one of them and take to my moms' and mother-in-laws' on Christmas day and they are hits.
So I hope that you will try them and pour yourself a large mug full and bundle up on the couch and enjoy!

Savor The Moment,
Rhonda

Apple Cranberry
1+ quart cranberry juice (to taste)
1 can frozen orange juice
2-4 whole cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
48 ounces apple juice

Blend all ingredients together in a large pot and allow to slowly simmer. The taste is tangy so if you would like add a little extra apple juice to sweeten. This can also be made with sugar free juices if your diet requires.


Cherry
46 ounces of cherry juice blend
2 tablespoons sugar
Juice and peel of one lemon (I like to make long strips of the peel so it stays together better)
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves (or less if you're not a big fan of cloves)
1 whole cinnamon stick
1 lemon thinly sliced for garnish (optional)

Combine ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat and allow to slowly simmer and to stay hot.

How Do You Live Your Dash?

In writing this blog I hope to remind others and myself about the importance of slowing down in the rat race world we live in. Time truly does fly and it's so important to remember that the people in our lives are the most important part of our lives.
Several years ago at a one day conference for women I was given a pamphlet that has the following short story on it. It has been a constant reminder to me of how short life really is and helps me to keep things in balance (at least most of the time :) I hope it will do the same for you.

How Do You Live Your Dash?
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone as being from the beginning..to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth, the beginning, and spoke of the date with tears, then of the second date, sadly the end but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth..and only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own; cars, house, cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think long and hard, are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
Slow down enough to consider what's true and real. Be less quick to anger and love the people in our lives like we've never done before. Treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read, with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?