A Penny For Your Thoughts

As I have mentioned before, I am reviewing a book that is centered on Teens and technology.  As I read, I realize how much my own world has changed and come to depend on technology as well.  I was late to the game on email, social media, surfing the web, online shopping, etc but since going back to work 7 years ago, all that has changed.  I never texted and to be quite honest, I didn't even know how to cut and paste when I first went back to work.  I was so embarrassed to ask anyone, that I went home and asked my then 6th grader to show me the basics.   As my children grew, I realized that I had to get on board or get left behind.  I got a cell phone with a keyboard because that whole scrolling through the number keys was too much for me (patience is not my gift).  I had to rely more on email for work correspondence, and then Facebook came into my world.  I was not even going to check it out but a friend of mine begged me to get online so we ...

Outside my window... Just cloudy and cold.  We missed the bad weather that they forcasted yesterday...yes! I am thankful...That I had a great weekend with my family this week and we went and saw American Sniper which reminded me yet again how thankful I am to be an American and for the men and women who make that freedom possible through their sacrifices of time, family, and safety. I am wearing...My favorite sparkly sweater to brighten up this dreary day. I am creating... I am finishing up one scarf and getting ready to start my pink one. I am going... To Texas in a few days with my man to buy a pool table.  I am super excited since I have never been to Texas. I am wondering... How many times he will let me stop and go to the bathroom before becoming frustrated and us getting into an argument!  Car trips can go either way..... I am reading... Screens and Teens by Dr. Kathy Koch.  It has not been released yet but is a must read when it c...

Yes It's Friday!!!! I haven't linked up and done any Friday favorites posts in a while so I decided it was time.   These are a few of my favorites... Bold and the Beautiful ...I know, I know but I can't help myself.  I have watched this soap for over 20 years.  My whole family is addicted.  Thank goodness it is only about 15 minutes long after the commercials are skipped or it would be a real time drainer.  If you watch it as well you know it is Really Good right now... McDonald's sweet tea/half cut please (because that makes it healthier).... Gardening and flowers in general .... I am not much of a vegetable gardener but I do enjoy planting and watching my flowers grow.  I just can't wait.  The seed packets are already out, the rest of the gardening aisles will be coming along soon.  I love to peruse these aisles!! Fixer Upper ...need I say more?  This show rocks! Valentines Day ... I l...

" Laughter is by definition healthy " ~ Doris Lessing, British Writer Cassie's "Elf" feet...

Do you ever hear a word for the first time and then it seems like you hear it over and over and over?  The word I keep hearing lately is Wonky.  In context it seems to mean a little off kilter or a miss.  Well anyway, I love it.  I am looking for ways to use it.  Hence this post apparently because I haven't found a way as of yet.  How long has this word been around?  Who made it up?  How have I missed out on such a cool word for so long?  Well, those are my "wonky" thoughts for today.  I don't even know if I used it correctly there.  Hmmm.....the things I ponder on :)

January....Resolutions.....Starting Over....Goals....Plans...My Word For The Year Do these phrases sound familiar?  Have you said or done any of them?   I have. Many times. What would happen if we didn't?  Could we just be?  Would we wander aimlessly through our year?  Would we be free from self condemnation?  Let's keep this in perspective.  I like to have my "word" for the year.  I don't see this as either a good or bad thing.  I like linking that word to who I am.  I like striving to get myself to a place where I feel more like "Penny".  Goals and Resolutions however bite me in the backside all the time.  I use them to beat myself up for what I don't or didn't get accomplished.  Let's face it, I pick the hardest thing for myself, my biggest obstacle, and focus on it all year long.  What if I quit giving it that power?   They say your biggest fears lose their power over you when you stop ...

What makes a house a home?  Is it the decor? Is it the location? Is it the curb appeal? While all  of these things are nice,  I feel what makes the house a home is the people within it.  Are we there for our people?  Do we offer love and support to our people as well as help meet each other's basic needs?  Are we their safe place to fall?  Hopefully our answers are yes and the answers from our people would also be a yes. I sometimes struggle with being bogged down by feeling that my "home" is not aesthetically what I want it to be.  I struggle with house envy for sure.  However, when I look within the walls to the people filling my couch and sharing my time, I realize how blessed I am.  We are there for each other. We know each other.  We feel each other's pain and joy.  These things are worth more than what our real estate is worth or our curb appeal.  Most importantly, we enjoy each other.  An example of ...

Outside my window it is an icy, snowy, slush.  We did not get the ice storm that was expected but it is still dreary and nasty out there. Not enough to not go to work...darn. I am thinking that a warm cup of soup sounds good for lunch and we have a grocery store in the town  I work that makes amazing soup. I am thankful for a wonderful weekend with some Christian friends that just make my heart sing with delight when I see them.   I am wearing dress pants, a nice blouse, and the most amazing sweater I bought off the clearance rack at Maurices for 5 dollars!  It is warm and fashionable and I could just wear it every day I think :) I am creating a scarf that I am almost done with.  It is for myself but my girl's keep asking if it is for them, so keeping it to myself may become a problem.... I am reading Own Your Own Life by Sally Clarkson.  I just started it but I think it is going to be a good one.  She is favorite Christian a...

  I haven't done one of these posts in a while and thought it would be fun.  So here goes...it may get a little snarky around here:     It's OK that...   I love Pintrest but often wonder...Why would I want to make that item  homemade when I can buy it at the store?...ex. Graham crackers, toothpaste, shampoo, fabric softener sheets, etc.  Now, I totally get the safety issues with some of these.  But others, the time factor really makes me stop and think, am I saving THAT much money? and how important is my time versus the savings? Really...   I hand deliver almost all of my holiday cards and quite a few after the holiday.  I love to make my Christmas photo cards but hate the addressing, stamps, mailing, etc.  So, I just make them, write Merry Christmas on the envelopes and stick them in my bag.  When I see someone I would like to give one to, I do.  That is just how I roll and everyone who gets one i...

Well not our taste in men or our homes (her palace doesn't even compare to mine, lol) ...but I have recently learned we do/did  think alike. I have also  been known to copy her hair styles and clothing styles back in the day.  I really miss the class and spunk she brought to the royal family.  She had such a wonderful heart. Now that I have your undivided attention.... this is what the post is really about...  I took the 16 Personalities  test.  The free one.  OH MY WOW!  Stop what you are doing and go take it.  It was amazing.  It identified me to a T.  I was VERY impressed, as you may already be able to tell.     I am an INFP personality.  Yeah, we're kind of rare. Only 4-5% of the population are classified as this.  I am in the company of Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn (I may finally impress Cassidy with my awesomeness) , and Julia Roberts to name a few (yes, I am name dropp...

Today I am joining up with The Simple Woman to give you a peek into my daybook for this week...   Outside my window.... There is a light dusting of snow.  Nothing too intimidating...yet.   I am thinking... That a salad for lunch sounds good today.  I do not usually like salad so this is a little  weird. I am thankful... That I was able to spend quality time with my people the past week and a half.  I am wearing.... Work attire :( no more sweats until whenever I have to leave the house.   I am creating... I just purchased some new yarn over the weekend.  So I am getting ready to start a new scarf and some boot cuffs.   I am going... To Walmart on lunch.  Yep, back to normal this week.  I am wondering.... How many days until the next holiday :)  I am reading.... Just my devotional this week.  I am doing Jesus Calling again this year and maybe the Women of the Bible devotional as ...

  Last year I picked Focus ....   I think I learned to remind myself to focus. To start exploring who I am, what I want, and where I want to be in order to focus.  I stopped with some of the fluff, added some other fluff, but thought things through more.    It wasn't easy.  Digging deeper into yourself can open doors but open old wounds as well.  It was a year of ripping off the band aid in many ways.  One way I got through it was journaling.  I tried counseling, but journaling for me was a safer way of dealing with my stuff without having to share my stuff with others.  That will be a lesson to be learned at another time.   When thinking about this year's word, I contemplated: Boundaries Contentment Overcome   But my word for this year will be Acceptance .    Accepting who I am and what I am.  Knowing my place, loving my place, reflecting myself in my place. Regardless of where that ...