Week 133, 7/8/2018

Thoughts and Quotes: Bev forwarded this email a few days ago, and I liked it so much, I saved it to share with you.

This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! 

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business

30 Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved

39 Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Time for a Giggle: This ad was in the throwaway paper I get each week, and I actually laughted out loud. Oops! I meant I actually LOL'd.

 Poor presidents! They're probably whirling in their graves. 

Tasting: On the 4th of July Nancy and I went in search of fried chicken. We'd heard about a new chain called Zaxby's, but we'd not been there so thought we'd try it. The menu is limited, but the food is great. If you don't have one, they're slowly creeping toward you.

Great chicken fingers. Check out the menu HERE. 

Tidbits: Since we were driving by, we dropped into Ruby's which has been open for serveral months, but I'd never been there. I'm never making another birthday cake. 

Or if you just want to give yourself a little treat -

It's not just a bakery. They have produce, meats, fish, ready to eat foods both hot and cold, some groceries, and bulk foods. They have an area for eating on the premises, as well as a Starbucks.

Thrifting: And then we hit the sale at two Red Racks (DAV). I found several treasures, of course.

Lots of coasters, which are nice if you're using individual teapots, for $2.

A gold tablecloth for $2.50.

Creamer and sugar bowl for $2.50

Five yellow placemats (like new) for 23 cents each

A bamboo trivet (doesn't it just shout Thanksgiving?) for $1.

Two cardinals for $1 each.

In the spirit of the day - a flag mug to use as a vase. It's Lennox and had a $36 price tag still on it. I paid $1.

My best find - only $2.

A teapot for $2.50.

Teas: I'm going for my wellness check next week and taking the nurse one of my books.  She and her granddaughters have at least one tea every year. They use the Christmas dishes. So I'm taking them a starter kit using the above teapot.

Tissue Box Cards: Speaking of teas, I used tissue boxes to make tea invitations. Joey gave me the little teapot cutting die to celebrate the completion of my tea book. As I told you, I wrote the tea plans in my book as I went along, but didn't test them. On the 25th, I'm testing the June plan. If anything's amiss, I'll just offer to reimbure anyone who has a book. Since I gave them all as gifts, I feel secure with this offer. The tea has been postponed until the 25th. 

Teaching and Learning: I'm sure you're all familiar with the term Wikileaks, but did you know about Wikimedia? It's a great place to get lost for hours (Wikileaks is not affiliated). 

Maybe you already know about www.wikipedia.org, the online encyclopedia, but how about wikivoyage for travel info? Or wikiversity for learning? Or wikibooks, wikiquotes, wikisources, etc. Check it out HERE.

And when you've exhausted wikimedia, take a look at www.images.Google.com/. Just key in a subject and you'll get tons of photos. I might leave my camera at home on my next trip. Just for kicks, search for White House and then on the labels above, click "inside". You can see the interior without a visit to Washington DC. 

Can be confusing, however, because I once checked Taj Mahal, and then "inside". Then I saw a label for "bedroom". Wow! I thought the Taj Mahal was a mausoleum, but here were all these beautiful bedrooms. I was looking at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Dubai. Duh!

Thank yous: To my Special Girls up north for my latest CARE package.

In the back, silver cupcake wraps, Meyer lemon shortbread cookies, mix for white chocolate-raspberry scones, an erasable pick, strawberry-basil iced tea bags; middle row, my card, a kitty mug, cocktail napkins, a tray for making mini ice cubes; underneath, three berry tea towels made from flour sacks (my favorites), a strawberry cleaning cloth; in front, a collapsible colander. Always unique gifts, and always appreciated for days to come.

And thank yous also for my many ecards for 4th of July, my handmade 4th of July card from Jean:

and my handmade Summer cards from Katie on the left, and the one Carrie made to go in CARE package. Talented friends, I have.

The Pepper and Pals report: Not much new here. Pepper and Stormy didn't like the fireworks, but handled them fairly well. The outdoor kitties made themselves scarce because of the heat during the day and the noise at night.

I took this photo through the window of BJ's remaining two kittens on Thursday, July 5. I saw BJ and the grey kitten on the bench on my patio Friday night, but haven't seen them lately. I think the heat has them staying in the shade.

Pepper and Stormy are sleeping a lot. She prefers the guest room, but he likes the floor.

Gotta go. Got my wires crossed and didn't remember I'm having guests tonight. 

STAY COOL

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE