A brief start to my endless informative discussions. I like to ask questions that make you think, respond, and hopefully learn from others. My questions are often entertaining, thought provoking, and or insightful. The point is I ask because I want to hear your point of view. I also enjoy sharing new discoveries recipes, ideas, and information I have researched or simply my personal view on any given subject. If you have something you would like me to discuss or share please email me! Comment!
Can you truly forgive someone for causing years of pain and deception? Can you recover and continue a life with that person? Is forgiveness possible if you don't remove yourself from the situation? Is it really as easy as making a choice to forgive or not to forgive? Is it easier if you make a new life first then forgive the past life? Do you ever really forgive someones actions or just go with the motions to appear as you have until you suffocate? Do you sacrifice your happiness to give others theirs? Even if deep down you wanted to forgive knowing that harboring ill feelings towards someone does not create a sense of peace within, how do you go about the process of letting go? Ultimately if you don't embrace forgiveness you end up being the one who pays most dearly. We know that by embracing forgiveness, you embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy. We just need to know how to get to that point......
Let's define forgiveness: There is no one great answer to this question. In general, forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentments and thoughts of revenge. Forgiveness is the act of untying yourself from thoughts and feelings that bind you to the offense(s) committed against you.
Does forgiving someone condone what they did or forget the actions? No, not at all. Forgiving isn't the same as forgetting what happened to you. The act that caused you pain may always remain a part of your life. But forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, amazing positive parts of your life. Forgiveness also doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act.
Interestingly enough research has been done to people who have forgiven and those who hold the grudge. The results show the following benefits to forgiveness.
Lower blood pressure
Stress reduction
Less hostility
Better anger management skills
Lower heart rate
Lower risk of alcohol or substance abuse
Fewer depression symptoms
Fewer anxiety symptoms
Reduction in chronic pain
More friendships
Healthier relationships
Greater religious or spiritual well-being
Improved psychological well-being
Also, remember that forgiveness often isn't a one-time thing. It begins with a decision, but because memories or another set of words or actions may trigger old feelings, you may need to recommit to forgiveness over and over again. You make the choice to do this.
If the person who has hurt you is no longer in your daily life sometimes it feels easier to forgive because you are not constantly reminded of things that took place. Often those who hurt us are the people closest to us. It's unfortunate, but true.
If you really think about it, life is too short not to forgive. Why waste what time you do have alive spending your days depressed, bitter, and angry about the past? Let go of those ill feelings and embrace a new you and watch your desires come to life! Refocus your energy on things that make you happy. Start a yoga class, or go biking, take a vacation to clear your head. In some cases leaving the very situation or relationship that is causing you pain is the best option. You can regain clarity and make your own decisions that create the life you want. In other cases working together with the one who has hurt you if this is a possibility can be a wonderful thing.
The process of letting go starts with you. You make a choice to hold onto the grudge or not to. Ask yourself how you are benefiting from these actions? Is how you're feeling helping you? Is this who you want to be? What can you do to open the doors to the forgiving process? Think about these questions and answer them. Start a journal and write your thoughts down. Even if all you do is write about the very things that hurt you, never read it, then destroy the papers you are learning to release those feelings. Talk with someone you trust who can be unbiased as you let go of these feelings. Once you accomplish your goals you will notice a tremendous difference in how you feel, how often you smile, who you are surrounded by and more.
Here is a good question: What if you are the very person who needs to be forgiven? How do you forgive yourself? A good start would be spending some time thinking about the offense(s) you've committed and trying to determine the effect it has had on others. Unless it may cause more harm, consider admitting the wrong you've done to those you've harmed, speaking from the heart of your sincere sorrow or regret, and specifically asking for forgiveness — without making excuses for your actions. Know that you can't force someone to forgive you either. You may need to exercise patience during this process as well.
In any case, we have to be willing to forgive ourselves. Holding on to resentment against yourself can be just as toxic as holding on to resentment against others. Recognize that poor behavior or mistakes don't make you worthless or insignificant. As long as you are able to recognize your actions to have been harmful to another you are moving in the right direction to freeing yourself for a life filled with peace, compassion, and joy!
For our annual trip I took the girls on a two day drive up to PA, NJ, and NY. We ended day one in Fayetteville, NC for the night. The drive was easy and the girls travel well. We were loaded with the essentials from our luggage to snacks and games needed to make the drive more enjoyable. Day two we cruised through by mapquest directions without a GPS and well we added about 2.5 hours to our drive, but eventually we made it to our first destination Allentown, PA. My oldest brother his wife and their 4 daughters live here. We spent 24 hours catching up, watching the cousins play together and taking our traditional stroll through Trexler Park across the street from their house. The day we were to leave we stopped at Wegman's and bought a few groceries and bagels for the family. On the way to the car I spotted a couple dollar bills and told the girls to get them. I looked about 2 feet ahead and spotted a $20. Lucky me! I looked around to be sure I wasn't on hidden camera being watched and lucky for me not a soul was in the parking lot (it was early). Nice start to the trip I thought.....
After leaving PA we were off to our next destination....Stanhope, NJ to visit one of my oldest friends Josh (we go back to our early teen years), his beautiful wife who I adore Lora, her daughter Ava, and their son Luke. They welcomed us into their home with open arms and made us feel so special. The kids had so much fun playing together the entire week! It was truly the most relaxing part of the trip being around good friends.
I have a blast with my girls they love to have fun just like their mommy. Normally this trip is a 4 person family trip, but that was not the case this summer. Jeremy had major things come up he needed to deal with and not to disappoint the girls from this long lived planned trip I took them alone. Having saved their money for 6 months to make a visit to the American Girl Store located in Manhattan, NY to purchase their own special gifts it was a must to get there. How fun it was to take the girls into for the second year in a row a store with girls in mind it was a memorable trip. We also spent another day in the city just tooling around taking photos wherever we could.
The trip was cut shorter than I had wanted it to so visiting my grandmother on Long Island was not an option this time around I'm sad to say. I promised to make it up to her with an extra trip back up in the fall.
Going home was a bit tougher due to the traffic on NJ turnpike at some points I sat still for an hour! Once things got moving we made good time. For our overnight we stopped in Rocky Point, NC. Made it home by dinner time on day two.
Now back and caught up it's time to plan out the fall schedule for school, classes, gymnastics, field trips, and more.....enjoy life it is full of amazing opportunities and learning experiences.
This was sent in an email to me once and I wanted to share it.....
Be a natural motivator.
If someone you care about was having a bad day, you should be there telling them how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Each morning you wake up and say to yourself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or....you can choose to be in a bad mood. You should choose to be in a good mood.
Each time something bad happens, you can choose to be a victim or...You can choose to learn from it. You should choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to you complaining, you can choose to accept their complaining or...You can point out the positive side of life. You should choose the positive side of life.
Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.
You should learn that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
This dish was made at a potluck event by a friend of mine Katie Cooperstein. I have made it many times and always make it slightly different each time. These are some of my favorite flavors! Enjoy:~)
You will need: 1 package Soba Noodles (cooked as directed on package) 1 pound tofu, firm, dried and stir fried
Marinate stir fried tofu in the following: Gingerk to taste 1 clove minced Garlic 1/4 cup Tamari
Peanut Sauce: 1 cup organic peanut butter 2 cloves garlic minced 6 tablespoons Tamari 6 tablespoons Balsamic 2 tablespoons Organic Sugar 1/8 tsp cayenne 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup hot water
Add all the ingredients to a bowl and whisk together. Adjust ingredients as necessary for taste. Pour over noodles.
Optional is have some broccoli to go with or your choice of vegetables.
So if you are any bit holistic or know that traditional deodorant has been linked to cause cancer (especially in the breast) and other major illnesses. Then maybe you are ready for something new that actually works! I have tried several store bought versions Tom's, Jason, Kiss my Face just to name a few....none of which actually did the job properly or had an overpowering fragrance or an essential oil that burned the tender skin.
Let us start by breaking down the ingredients found in traditional deodorants.
Aluminum is one of the most common elements in the environment and the world's most common metal. It is used in cans and aluminum foil, as lightweight sheet metal in airplanes and other machinery, in electrical wiring - and in personal care products such as underarm deodorant and antiperspirant. Aluminum oxide, also present in deodorants, is often used as a coating and is the major compound in rubies and sapphires.
Aluminum Compounds in Deodorant & Antiperspirant locks poisons in. The problem with deodorants and antiperspirants is not only the aluminum, but how it works to reduce sweat and smelly odors. Aluminum compounds or aluminum salts, such as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), are key ingredients in almost every antiperspirant. They are powerful astringents that close pores, stopping sweat and odor from escaping the body. Just Google it and you will find all kinds of info. Pay attention to the source because the companies selling the product will tell you it is all harmless and causes no damage to the body or the environment!
Antiperspirants may leave the outside of the body smelling fresh and clean – but inside, the toxins that would have escaped the body in the sweat have nowhere to go. For this reason, antiperspirants have been linked to problems with the sweat glands and lymph glands in and around the underarms.
The first thing you must do whenever you buy deodorant or any product that goes on your skin or in your body is to read the ingredients. They’re usually in very tiny print on the back of the label. If you have trouble reading small print, carry a magnifying glass around with you so you can read before you buy. This is critical because what you put on your skin can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. And harmful ingredients in your blood can have potentially deadly effects on your body.
Here are 7 ingredients to avoid when choosing your deodorant:
Aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex gly or any aluminum compounds. Aluminum is absorbed through the skin and accumulates in the body. It has been suggested that there is an association between aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease.
Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, benzyl and butyl), are all derived from toluene, a toxic petrochemical derivative. Toluene is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. It is also harmful in contact with the skin. There is some evidence that repeated exposure to toluene may cause reproductive harm. Since 2000, 13 research studies have shown that various types of parabens act like estrogen in animals and in tissue culture. Estrogen is known to drive the growth of cancerous cells.
Triclosan is a skin irritant and may cause contact dermatitis. It may kill healthy bacteria as well as harmful bacteria. It may contain carcinogenic contaminants. It is stored in body fat and is classified as a pesticide by the FDA.
Talc is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer if it contains asbestiform fibers. The quantity of asbestiform fibers in cosmetic grade talc is unregulated. If talc is listed on the label, there is no way of knowing whether or not it contains asbestiform fibers.
Propylene glycol absorbs quickly through the skin and is a penetration enhancers. It may cause delayed allergic reactions. NIOSH says propylene glycol is a neurotoxin and may cause kidney or liver damage. The EPA says it’s not fully investigated for carcinogenic potential.
Silica is a skin irritant. It may be contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is a carcinogen.
Steareth-n (n may be any number like say 100), may be vegetable derived but is reacted with ethylene oxide (ethoxylated), a known human carcinogen.
Instead choose deodorants with ingredients like vegetable glycerin, natural preservatives like bioflavanoids and lichen, herbs or herbal extracts, de-ionized water or distilled water, green tea, aloe vera, baking soda and essential oils.
A word of caution: Plant extracts listed on labels can already contain parabens and propylene glycol. These do not have to be listed on the label. Very few herbs supplied to manufacturers are free of parabens or other synthetic preservatives unless they are extracted in vegetable glycerine. To make sure that the products you buy are healthy and free of these harmful chemicals, call the deodorant manufacturer and ask them for detailed information.
Dr. Christine H. Farlow, D.C. is "The Ingredients Investigator." She has been researching ingredient safety since 1991. To learn more about the safety of ingredients in your deodorant, visit www.DyingToLookGood.com
Now that you have armed yourselves with information on something as small as deodorant that can affect a lot more then how your armpit smells. Here is a recipe discovered online by my friend Heidi Crawford. She tried it and then shared the recipe with me to try. I can tell you I am seriously hooked!
1/4 Cup Arrowroot Powder 1/4 Cup Baking Soda 2-4 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
Mix it all until it forms a paste. Add less oil for a solid texture add more oil for a runnier texture. I removed a failing natural deodorant from a screw rub on and filled it up with this recipe instead and I love it! I will admit I am not a big sweater and this will not stop the release of sweat (the natural way our bodies remove toxins) what it does is eliminates any odor! No B.O. all day long!
Another alternative is Salt spray. Sold at healthfood stores. Spray on some liquid salt water and that helps eliminate odor....but not as well as the recipe I wrote above.
Live and learn and stay clean because no one wants to smell your B.O. and no one wants to smear aluminum all over their bodies either!
A little history....once upon a time I ate animals not a lot and I was selective on the kind. I could once be found eating chickens, turkey, your assorted sea life, and yes, even steak although it was never my favorite and that ended sometime in 1994. As time went on and I became more in tune with my body and the new choices I wanted to make. Thankfully change is welcomed by me. I adapt easily and love to do unique and often considered *oddball* things. I was never a milk drinker and was not able to digest large quantities of dairy so I remained limited on those items. I didn't envision myself giving up seafood, but when I suddenly suffered severe anaphylactic shock and landed in the ER in 1999 that came to a screeching halt as well. Poor me!
I have always preferred eating healthy over not because it created better benefits within me. More energy, more clarity, more longevity, more quality of life, more motivation....I was not your typical child growing up either. I did not want candy, soda and traditional junkfood items. You would never catch me throwing a tantrum at the checkout line of a grocery store insisting my parent buy the candy for me! Those items never appealed to me because they weren't normal for us in our house. I agree that if a child does not have access to those junkfoods in their home or see them being used as "treats or rewards" (I often hear parents saying) they are less likely to want them or eat them elsewhere. I truly feel these items are highly addictive and are the cause of so much illness. I do believe things in moderation will not damage beyond repair. It's all a choice one makes. Today we have so many alternatives to choose from to make the switch from unhealthy to healthy.
I made a lot of extreme changes with my food choices once I became pregnant with my first child. I did not want anything "bad" entering my body for her sake. From that point on I continued on the educating myself by doing a lot of research something I always enjoy on nutrition.
Diet alters every part of our life inside and out. It’s that simple. Having a good healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean you are untouchable to disease or sickness it just means the life you do lead is higher quality and potentially easier at fighting such obstacles.
Weight gain is not hereditary it is a learned behavior and a lazy quality people possess along with allowing emotional baggage to run your life. You can have two obese parents who feed their child well ultimately they grow up making good food choices for themselves and are slender. You can have extremely fit parents who feed their kids crap all day at home and at school add in no exercise or physical activity and they will become obese. I know people who are super fit and exercise regularly and yet they have fat kids who are now getting diabetes! One of my pet peeves! You care enough about your own health, but won't take control of your child's? That's crazy to me!
In recent years say the last 10 I have altered my husband's diet gradually (he resists change not as much now as he did in the past). Today my husband is vegan all the way! Which means he no longer eats animals, dairy, or any animal by-products. Instead he consumes a plant based diet. He began a 3 week challenge a friend of ours started and he felt so good he continued. It has now been 4 months and he has lost 40+ pounds! His weight was getting out of control. I could feed him well at home with healthy choices and the second he left the house he was hitting the fast food places. He ate late into the night and consumed large portions of sweets. He grew up entirely different then I did. End of story. Now he looks great, feels great, and shares his story with everyone! Our friends are amazed at the transition. I am so proud of him for making this choice and sticking to it and I know all the animals in the world are too! We are lucky enough to have many restaurants to choose from that cater to vegans. Some of our favorites are Ethos , Cafe 118 even restaurants who don't have vegans as their main patron still offer incredible dishes Season's 52 , PF Changs , Loving Hut has many locations all over the US these are just a select few we visit in our area.
People look down on the Vegan lifestyle and that is so silly to me. They say "it costs more to go that route" and I always ask how so? If you eliminate meat, processed foods, soda, and excess junk snacks from your grocery bill do you realize how much money you save? Buying more produce instead is still not spiking up the grocery bill. Purchasing alternative items are readily available and taste good! Your food is fresh and makes you feel great. No more depression, anxiety, sleepless nights, confusion, short tempers....all of these behaviors are a direct reflection of the foods you consume. Go see Food, Inc Surrounding yourself with like minded people is what will set you apart from the rest. Reach out for a support system believe me they are out there!
Eggs and dairy products are not essential for optimum health. They contain saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, and eating them can inhibit the absorption of iron. On a balanced vegan diet there is no risk of calcium, iron or protein deficiency. In fact, consuming dairy products can actually lead to osteoporosis and weak bones. This is because eggs and dairy products are rich in animal protein, which makes the blood more acidic. The body tries to neutralize this by drawing calcium from the bones. Scientific studies show that a plant-based diet is ideal for optimum health and lowers your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes and some cancers, as well as increasing your life expectancy.
Challenge yourself for 3 weeks and see how it goes. Be serious and stay on track and you will be amazed at the difference! Watch this funny interview from The Daily Show Jon Stewart talking to Robert Kenner see below:
Gemini: Gemini’s best quality is versatility. The worst quality is changeableness. A key phrase is “I think.” Being a mutable sign, Gemini is changeable, and this can be the best or worst of qualities. Your versatility allows you to learn a little about just about everything and to develop skills in many areas. This makes for a good executive or manager, as you are able to oversee multiple activities and keep track of many projects at once. Other people can almost see the wheels turning. Gemini appears to be open-minded. Yet a time comes when no more oddball ideas can be wedged into the system. Then Gemini draws upon skillful thought processes to decide what to keep and what to discard.
Gemini is a mental sign, often intellectually driven. The capacity for communication includes both listening and telling, and thus you make wonderful companions and writers. Where Taurus wants physical expression, Gemini seeks out mentally challenging activities. You like the learning process. Gemini is intuitive, able to see into the future and gauge the results of your actions – another worthy executive trait.
The Gemini temperament is volatile in the true meaning of this term. You can vaporize at a relatively low temperature and you seem to be able to fly. Some people see this as the fickleness of a butterfly flitting from one flower to the next. The strength is in the ability to rise above the pettiness of situations to see the larger picture. Your mantra might be, “It just doesn’t matter.” Gemini is dexterous of hand, eye and wit, able to turn a situation or conversation in a new direction at will.
In spite of apparent adaptability, Gemini is sensitive at heart. You are aware of what others are thinking and feeling, and often take a diplomatic path to avoid hurting others. This could be at your own expense, although you don’t let us know it. Tolerance should not be mistaken for a lack of emotional depth. Gemini’s part of the body is the arms and lungs. Monochromatic or bright colors are best.
Only two months ago I became brave enough to attempt to grow tomatoes. We were given the Topsy Turvy to grow a new plant. It was taking longer than I could stand waiting so I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. Although I did my research and followed the rules....one day my daughter's and I were walking through Home Depot yes don't we all love it there! Anyhow, we spotted a hanging basket with tomatoes, bell peppers and assorted herbs. The girls insisted I get it because this one already had veggies growing so I would be quickly rewarded with ripe produce right? My girls know their mommy well! I bought it and hung it on the back of our house and have been caring for it since. It has given me 7 ripe tomatoes in only a few weeks and we have enjoyed eating them. The Parsley has been used regularly and is growing beautifully.
Here are the red bell peppers
In addition to that planter I bought a small Basil plant and have nurtured it too. Lucky for me they require less attention. I have eaten quite a bit of that plant too. It is extremely beneficial to grow your own food! You know what is happening to it, how it is growing, what you are adding to it, the environment it is in etc. You pick it when it is fully developed and ripened for delicious taste. My daughters love flowers which we have too, but I prefer edible plants because they provide us with nourishment. I have more recently expanded my inventory with a banana pepper plant and Japanese eggplant. More to come....
Banana Peppers
Japanese Eggplant
I am currently working on designing a garden box. Something to keep close to the house that I can maintain even better and protect when needed. I will update as we build and complete the project. Very excited!
You will need a food processor, an oven (lol), a square baking dish 9x9 or two loaf pans. I used a glass loaf pan.
4 Bell Peppers color of your choice (I use all but the green) 2 cups Cashew Ricotta (recipe below) 1 10oz package of frozen spinach, thawed 1/2 package soy crumbles Olive Oil for drizzle
Preheat Oven to 425*
Cashew Ricotta recipe: 1/2 cup raw cashews 1/4 cup lemon juice 2 Tbl Olive oil 1 clove fresh garlic 1lb Firm Tofu, drained and crumbled 1 1/2 tsp Dried Basil 1 1/2 tsp Salt
Blend together cashews, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic in food processor until thick creamy paste forms. Add crumbled tofu (either already crumbled or do it now with your hands as you add it). You may need to add small amounts at a time to ensure blended properly. Finally blend in salt and basil.
1 pound firm tofu, drained. (I usually put mine in a strainer with another bowl underneath for at least 1 hour in the fridge first) 1 Celery stalk diced 1 large carrot shredded (I have used baby carrots too & put them in the food processor or magic bullet with a couple quick pulses) 1/4 cup diced onion 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced 1/2 cup Veganaise 1/2 dill pickle minced or 1/8 cup dill pickle relish 1/2 tsp salt 1/8 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp Tumeric 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley 1 1/2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
Place crumbled tofu into mixing bowl. Add the soy mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, turmeric, and pepper, and stir well to thoroughly coat the tofu. Add the carrots, red pepper, celery, onions, dill pickle or relish, and parsley stir well to combine. Cover and chill for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend (if you can wait that long it is sooo good! The color of the eggless egg salad will turn more yellow as it chills.
This is an awesome vegan alternative to traditional dairy ricotta cheese. I promise you will not be disappointed! I have tried this recipe in many dishes and on unsuspecting dairy lovers and no one has known it was NOT cheese! When I tell them they cannot believe it! Taste for yourself:~)
Makes 2 Cups:
Time 15 min
1/2 Cup Raw Cashews (approx 4 oz) 1/4 Cup fresh Lemon Juice 2 Tbls Olive Oil 2 cloves fresh garlic 1 pound firm tofu, drained and crumbled 1 1/2 tsp Dried Basil 1 1/2 tsp Salt Dash of ground black pepper
In a food processor, blend the garlic until minced. Add in cashews, lemon juice and olive oil until thick and creamy paste forms. Add the tofu (crumbled) until everything is mixed well together. Finally add in the basil, salt, and black pepper.
I have eaten this many ways!
Hollow out whole ripe tomatoes and stuff with this filling.
If you could go back to any time period which would you choose and why? Here are the responses I received.....
I'd go back to my drama filled care free teenage years. I didn't have to pay rent or make my own food or buy my own groceries or do my own laundry....
Ditto...
Ditto...
oh and I had a great boyfriend as a teenager! lol
You guys are hysterical. I love how my questions can make people go in a completely different direction then the one I was originally thinking lol! I was referring to an era. Say the 50's because they wore poodle skirts, economy was on the rise, Elvis was alive, Barbie was produced...etc Or the 20's because the fashion was all about flappers and was referred to as The Jazz Age....Or maybe you wanted to live with the dinosaurs lol! ~Me
ok, still take me back to the late 80s, early 90s, when I did not have bills to pay, etc and the music was great!
Not the 80's! That would mean I would still be living with my parents! Oh hells noe!
See personally I want to go back as I am now, but to a different time period to check it all out. Back to the Future was a great flick! I just need a Delorean and some banana peels and I will be on a journey back and forth lol! ~Me
Late 1800's - the wild west
Ok then I would love to live in the 50's!
Definitely the 60's :) Woodstock here I come! However there is something amazing about the simpleness of the pioneer days too.
mid/early 1800's with my own Tara...growing all kinds of organic veggies on it!
I would go back to the days of Jesus so i can meet my Savior and see the miracles He did! :)
Do you return shopping carts to their designated areas or just dump them off wherever? Here is what myself and others had to say....
"If it's close and the kids are buckled into the car I do. If I'm alone I do. If it's bad weather, bad mood, or just plain too hot I leave it close to my car, but not where someone else will run into it!
So irritating when I see a great parking spot up front and it has a cart sitting in the middle of it! OR how aboutwhen the carts are rolling along the parking lot unattended looking for an unsuspecting vehicle to slam into that's always great! lol I have seen that happen a few times."-Me
Here are some answers from others:
Depends on how far the "cart return" is from my car (if my kids are already in it). If I'm by myself, I usually return it. Except at Publix when they don't at least offer to take it out for me - if they offer and I decline, I will put it in the proper place but if they don't offer, I get irritated for some reason. LOL!
I have my oldest return it to the designated area...
LOL I do the same thing if the publix baggers don't offer. I do try to park near a cart return @ target.
I try...but it's about a 50/50 chance depending on weather, my mood, and the location of my car :)
Do we get points for taking it home?
Always put it back UNLESS I am alone with Mr Toddler and have to carry him back a long way to the car. If it's both me and my husband, one of us always puts it back.
I try to, but it depends upon the weather, how the kids are acting, and how far away the cart return is.
I make a point to always return to the designated cart return. I do always try to park close to one if possible!
I always just park by the cart return at the end of the parking lot so I am close to get one and close to drop them off... It is worth the extra steps to park at the back of the parking lot to be able to just drop the buggy right by my car...Works for me anyways!
I have never thought about it so thoroughly when I am not "in the moment". If I am alone...I return it. If I have the boys then it depends on how close the cart return is. I might just have to try to park close to the cart return on purpose when I have them moving forward. Usually my main concern is parking close to the store, or if at night directly under a light where my driver door is within vision of the store. The most annoying store is Wal-mart in Apopka...they wait forever to return their own carts into the store so than the parking lot gets so full it is a hazard
LOL leave it to me to bring up a topic that is so routine to most of us we have to take a minute to think about it. Of course I thought of this question while in the in the Super Target Parking lot as I just finished returning my cart. I thought hmmm I wonder what my friends do with their empty carts???
Notice aside from one man (the funny comment) all women answered? Guess it's no surprise mainly we handle the grocery shopping. Prior to kids we went as a couple. Now it's just me and the girls and occasionally me alone on a late evening. Ahh shopping alone on a quiet evening. What bliss! lol
Here are my views on the subject: MJ forever changed the pop music industry! He was an incredible musical icon that has touched each of our hearts in one way or another. He was a huge celebrity and as we all know that comes with a price something none of us can even comprehend! As a "regular" person of the world we have hard times in our own lives with work, family, finances, etc add in a constant violation of privacy and have your life dissected on TV, continuous explosive rumors being put on the nightly news and more taking place daily!!! No one wants that!
I don't believe the allegations of the molestation charges for the same reason my friends have mentioned in a previous discussion. Personally you could not pay me enough money to shut up about my child being molested by Joe Shomoe or MJ!!! My life would be dedicated to taking you out for damaging my child!!! Only a parent can truly understand those feelings. Money would never repair the damage done to my child's innocence! Only justice would give us a sense of peace.
We don't know MJ personally we only know what the media tells us and by now you should know the media is there to exploit celebrities lives for our public entertainment. What I do know is his music has left me with fond memories of my childhood dancing to his songs.
Was his every action questioned? Yes, it was. Have a camera filming you and taking pictures of your family every time you moved. Of course mistakes will be made and that is only what we will see on TV! He had a rough childhood being a star at a young age still only a child, but performing for adult entertainment and making his family a fortune.
He died at age 50 too young and full of emotional pain. He was broken and he never recovered. He hid behind plastic surgeries. Everyday people hide all the time whether in their work, drugs, alcohol, etc. The difference is we don't see those lives on TV.
Everyone knows that relationships are hard work. No one has it easy, easier days than others yes, but easy altogether no. We start off finding someone we are drawn to can't get enough of want to spend the rest of our life with......then what? Well we build a life together and lose some sense of ourselves in the process. It’s natural for this to happen when you merge two lives together. Some couples wait to start a family and focus on each other, traveling, working....while others go right into another chapter of growing their family by adding children.
My relationship with my husband started with a look across a crowded room romance. Jeremy worked for the same company as I did. I worked in the Orlando area while he worked in the Gainesville area. We met through a meeting for our specific position back in late 1997. We definitely noticed each other. I met him at the meeting and towards the end everyone had exchanged numbers for future events coming etc. Jeremy & I used those numbers to call about any little thing even if just to say hello and ask about our day. Luckily for me my best friend was attending UF and lived there so I could stay with her and work the Gainesville branch as needed and see Jeremy all in one stop. Our friendship quickly grew the foundation to what was inevitably going to happen. A couple years of a growing friendship and eventually a breathtaking kiss or two some major changes took place.
Jeremy was offered a promotion and relocation to Altamonte Springs (closer to me). He took it without telling me right away. The way I found out was at a going away party for one of the company's top performers. I spotted him there and he shared the news. That changed everything for us! He wanted to be in my life and I wanted to be in his full time. It was that night we became inseparable. It wasn't long before we bought a house, married, and had our first child. Things happen as they should. We create our destiny. I knew Jeremy was my destiny and he knew I was his. Everyone who knew us or just met us would agree seeing us together or hearing us talk about one another, but never would have placed us a couple knowing us separately. Within the company our co-workers, bosses, friends, and clients were drawn to us. We were told daily about how our love had touched them in some way. How visible it was to those around us and how they wished they could find something even remotely like what we had. We finished each others sentences, told the same stories in different rooms, watched each other through the crowd, showed affection, talked on the phone constantly if we weren't together, always knew how to have a good time no matter where we were! Two social butterflies who had no problem entertaining wherever we went.
Those days do still show up every now and then when we can get away without the kids and spend time with our friends. We blossom in social settings and still draw a crowd which is a nice reminder that we still have it. Together we have two daughters who have been the two miracles in our lives. I cannot imagine my life without them! They are my daily fuel.
Fast forward almost 10 years now when I really want to smack my husband sometimes during ridiculous arguments! I know you all have been there too don't pretend!
With relationships we start out in the honeymoon phase. Can’t keep your hands off each other, get butterflies in the stomach when you think about them, hear their voice or see them again, want to spend every minute together, want to sleep wrapped up in each other. Then the day comes that it cuddling makes me hot, not separating work from home just for the weekend irritates me and saddens our children, the butterflies died, and he seems to time the calls he makes to me when I am trying to get the children safely through a parking lot in 110* weather to or from any destination, loaded down with groceries, or on a field trip.
The fun phase can last a very long time for some or other cases not so long at all, but you stay in the relationship. Eventually the honeymoon phase disappears. Why? Why can we not keep that phase or revisit it often? Well because once you move in together, get married, have kids, buy a house (maybe not in that order, but you get my point) relationships get sticky! Responsibilities begin to form and finances begin to grow and decisions have to be made. You can’t only think about yourself now you have to think about the other person and their feelings, thoughts, dreams. Relationships can be very messy at times, but they can also teach you so much about yourself if you just open your eyes to see and listen carefully.
When do you decide this is it? Is this where I want to be and who I want to be with? When do you change your mind? How do you regain the intense connection you once had in the beginning? When you look at your relationship what do you see?
Marriage is a full time job. Raising children is a full time job. Life is full of obstacles that either make us or break us. Personally I have made it through some very heavy obstacles. I’m here today standing with a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart knowing that I have done great things and will continue to do them as my life continues. You make compromises for each other some are more difficult, but you make them. I love my husband and he loves me. We have an amazing family together and make whatever sacrifices need to be made in order to remain a unified family working towards the same goal.
Customs, pesos, street peddlers, iguanas, bats OH MY! Not a dull moment on this escapade.
The reason we took this trip was to be a part of a very dear friend of mine’s wedding celebration. I have known Josh since 1993 through high school, failed relationships, the military, new jobs, relocation, and so much more. Several years back I was finally given a chance to introduce him to my husband who quickly became his friend too. As I heard countless stories of his interest in Lora eventually they were given a chance to be together. I was ecstatic to meet the love of his life and honored to be a part of their union as husband and wife. They chose Cancun, Mexico as their destination to share a renewal of their wedding vows in front of close friends and family. A chance to be there with them we did not want to miss……
We walked on the plane with our luggage at 12pm. The flight was not full and we landed 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Our first experience through customs into Mexico and what did we have to do? Press the red easy button (yes, just like the commercial people!) BOOM we were officially allowed into Mexico! This was not the same for the other travelers having their bags cut open and ripped apart. Note to self: Do not vacu-seal your luggage unless you are prepared to have your suitcases cut open. As we stepped outside the natives bombarded us to no end on getting a ride to our destination. This was a bit overwhelming to Jeremy who looked like he was going to punch someone. I was able to diffuse the situation and we managed to get our outrageous 600 pesos so we could be on our way. Off we went to our hotel The Fiesta Americana Condesa. The drive along the beach was gorgeous the clear turquoise waters were lapping in the warm sun as a parasail floated by in the air. The places along the way definitely reminded us of home many American spots just as in Orlando Wet n Wild, Hooters, Starbucks and more.
If you didn’t already know Cancun is Mexico's most visited tourist destination and boasts over twenty-five thousand hotel rooms. There's golf, tennis, lots of shopping areas and a remarkable biodiversity. There are four hundred seventy-five bird species, over a hundred different mammals and twelve hundred plant species. Side by side amazing hotels cover the strip all the way to the downtown area. Our hotel was exquisite with breathtaking views from front to back. We walked to our room with our mouths open in awe of everything we saw. Although the rooms were inside the entire hotel was built around the existing nature outside. When you walked through the corridors to go to your room or lobby you were actually outside with only some enclosed areas to protect certain things. The floors were made of terrazzo, marble and onyx. The plants were lush green and growing vibrantly along the walls and lower levels that were also home to relaxing waterways filled with rocks. No matter what you had on your mind when you took in your surroundings you were filled with a quiet peace. Once to our room to put away our things we quickly changed clothes and took a walk down the beach to the hotel Josh & Lora were staying in the JW Marriott to hopefully surprise them by the pool. It worked out perfectly we did just that! Strolling along as if we lived here Jeremy and I walked along poolside. Josh spotted us across the pool and ran towards us for a giant group hug and drinks immediately following. Catching up with Josh, Lora, the kids and Lora’s family we soon left to prepare for the rest of the evening….let the party begin!
Meeting again only hours later dressed up and ready for dinner and dancing we found some more of the Thursday and before arrival guests. Let the good times roll. Dinner with 12 people the first night had us laughing and posing for pics very easily we were all kid-free and making new friends fast. Following dinner we all made our way to Senor Frogs where we danced, sang, clapped and even used a swing located above the bar a very hot spot indeed. Cathy and I made our way to the stage and danced to many familiar songs. This bar also offered a tube ride for those very drunk people to slide through the club to be dumped out into the river for a chilling experience. Luckily our group refrained from this amenity. Many others did not....very interesting to watch.
The following day we met the sunrise from our balcony. Had an early breakfast and laid out near the ocean by 8am. The sun was warm and energizing along with the calming sounds of the waves crashing along the white sandy shore. Eventually we made our way to the JW hotel this time we decided to walk the front of the hotels along the strip. We walked through another covered area out of our hotel that was again one with nature. As we walked this way we heard new sounds of the bird life in Mexico. Suddenly we were astounded as BATS were flying toward us!!! Screeching and swooping through a very low bearing cover we ran out in opposite directions. Slowly I peered in as I reached for my camera to get some photos (of course). I video tapped the flying frenzy and captured the noises. We did manage to find one bat sleeping upside down that I was able to get a decent photo of. We waited until the coast was clear to make our way through again, but were taken by surprise as they swooped down at us once again. This time there were about 5 of them with a wing span of 12” so I leaped over the side bushes out into the bright green grass to get away from them as Jeremy did the same thing on the other side. The gardeners looked at us as if we were the crazy ones. Apparently having bats at a hotel in Mexico is normal even if it is Cancun.
Pharmacia’s were on every corner where you could buy just about any Rx drug without a prescription. Hmmm I can only imagine how many Americans try to smuggle that stuff back in??? The day consisted of the girls lying out by the pool and the guys going scuba diving. Although I secretly wished to have gone with the guys to be the photographer because who else would be? Sadly the beautiful day that was turned into a very dark and dreary rain storm that continued on for many hours giving us limited time outdoors. I went to meet up with the guys while the sun was still shinning to see how things were going expecting them to return by the time I showed up. No cell phone use in made it much like the old days when no one had a phone! You walked everywhere and communicated in the slowest way possible hoping to run into someone you knew. Along my journey I came face to face with MANY iguanas which I video tapped as they hung out in the warm sun in large groups. They were all shapes and sizes and shades of brown. If they decided to turn on me I would have been in serious trouble because I’m not sure I could handle 9 giant iguanas coming after me! Unfortunately for the guys the scuba excursion went sour due to bad weather and never took place.
In our down time during the never ending rain on day two we were able to clean up and get ready for cocktail hour hosted by Lora’s parents. The meet and greet with the rest of the weekend attendants. Another important person who was arriving on this day was Adam, Josh’s youngest brother. Adam was just a little boy the last time I saw him so it was a bit surreal to see him all grown up! We had our reunion at the cocktail hour and off to dinner everyone went. We attempted to eat at Makado’s a Japanese steak house where the cooking is preformed in front of you by only the best chef’s. Sadly the service was incredibly slow which forced Rich to take over by pretending to be our chef for a few photo ops and some much needed laughs. Trying to decide if we should stay or go Ian & Leah suggested the outdoor Thai restaurant and we agreed to join them. The four of us enjoyed another perfect locale with soothing music and a mesmerizing ambiance. Ian ordered all kinds of great dishes for us to try since this was our first Thai eating experience something I was excited about doing. As I was leaning in for my first bite of the highly recommended Thai coconut soup my radar went off and I decided to ask the waitress just to double check if any seafood was in the soup. Gratefully so or I could have been hospitalized in Mexico upon the first swallow! Almost every dish they make has some type of seafood related sauce in it. Fish sauce and oyster sauce are the staple sauces used in almost every Thai dish they prepared from scratch at this restaurant. Lucky for me!!! The chef made all of my dishes specifically seafood free for me beginning with my soup. It was all wonderful. The presentation did not fall short either being served on simple but elegant dishes. I was even given a small grill to cook my food on which warmed up our table from the very chilly winds blowing. The rest of the people we separated from were still hanging out at Makado’s. Some came out to see what we were doing and wishing they had chosen the same place. Several did set up tables for their after dinner drinks to relax and take in the calmness of the place just as we were finished with our meal.
Jeremy & I turned in early while some of the group went out for another late night. Something about mechanical bull riding, drinking, and high priced entrance fees is what I heard the following day. Happy we missed all but the mechanical bull riding. I definitely would have enjoyed that part! We woke up early again the next morning for the breakfast buffet offered daily from 6:30-12pm. This wasn’t any normal buffet, but rather a Mexican feast! As long as you weren’t hung over this was a delicious experience. Loaded with Beef stew, Chimichangas, crepes, an omelet station, pancakes, waffles, French toast, a dozen different tropical fruits, lox, bagels and cream cheese, breads, muffins, pastries, and so much more. The most unusual part of the buffet I noticed had to be the Vodka & champagne stocked at 6:30am! Oh and people were enjoying it I hear it helps those with really bad hangovers. No thank you!
After we had filled up on some energizing foods we started out on our downtown shopping experience. This was also my first time on a city bus yeah for me. We stopped off at Starbucks for Jeremy to begin his day with coffee. The bus had locals and tourists alike along for a ride through the city. For 6 pesos it was the best and inexpensive way to travel. To convert for you 14.20 pesos = $1 American. We met some other travelers who had been doing the Mexican vacation for 14 years! They gave us a few tips and off to the market we went still a bit early for the natives as many shops had not opened yet. We walked, took photos, and waited until we were flagged down by the vendors who wanted us to buy from them. “I have good price. Best price in town!” “T-shirts, necklaces, Cuban cigars, Tequilla, weed?” They sold it all everywhere you turned. After getting a few souvenirs requested by the little ones back home and some shirts for Jeremy and a nice cowgirl hat for me we embarked on our journey back to the resort. The bus we happened to catch back was pretty full and included entertaining live musicians trying to make a few pesos on their way through town. They were quite good and made the bus ride far more enjoyable as everyone clapped along, bobbed their heads and even joined in the chorus.
Before long it was time to get ready for the wedding held at a neighboring hotel the Casa Magna with a gazebo overlooking the gorgeous turquoise ocean. The day grew windier and a bit chillier then earlier that day. The ceremony was beautiful nonetheless. Renewing their vows before their dearest friends and family Josh & Lora had a picture perfect ceremony with Ava as the flower girl and Luke as the lil man. Two beautiful people brought together through ballroom dancing. Once upon a time professional competitors they now both teach others to find the passion of dance.
Group photos were taken as we all posed together capturing the memory of the day. Following we were off to cocktail hour before the reception began. Mingling with familiar faces and taking pictures with the bride and groom and our new friends everyone was smiling. The reception hall was ready for us to find our seats and begin our dinner. When you are surrounded by ballroom dancers getting on the floor can be a bit intimidating for some. As Josh said “ballroom dancers do not do first dances.” It didn’t take long to get the DJ to pump up the energy and the floor to fill with extraordinary ballroom dancing skills. One couple heated the room up with a sexy latin dance. Lora despite having to hold her dress up with one hand hit the floor for several fast and sexy dances with her husband, father and friends. It was mesmerizing to watch all of them. Lora’s mom did some freestyle dancing with Jeremy and a few others who wanted to shake it with them did. Before we knew it the time had come to clear the room and bring the reception to an end. Everyone made their way to change and head out for a night on the town our last night to go out in Cancun. We were to head back to a colder than normal winter inFlorida on Superbowl Sunday.
Somehow the plans went from going to CoCo Bongos to pulling up to a night club named Basic. This club resembled a domed circus tent. We took our 16 people in and made our way through pretty much owning the place. They had stages throughout some even equipped with poles for those less modest people to dance on. Knowing that this was not a ballroom dancing facility I personally had no problem choosing a stage along with my girlfriends and having a great time dancing all night. A couple people fell off the stages which did not look fun, but due to the large amounts of alcohol they had consumed their falls did not keep them down for long. We even got on the bar at one point, but the low bearing ceilings did prove to be challenging to enjoy so the stage was a better option unless you were 5’ feet short. It was a great night everyone was laughing, dancing and many were drinking it was a great end to our fantastic trip.
Sunday morning was a somber one knowing we had to pack and say good-bye and head back home. The sun was warm and shining brightly not a cloud in sight. The wind was whipping around and the ocean continued its glorious sounds of waves crashing as the water continued to sparkle. We wanted just a few moments more in this paradise so we ate breakfast and chose our chairs for a couple hours in the Mexican sun……with new friendships formed and old friendships stronger this trip will never be forgotten.
It wasn’t long before we made friends with two Jetblue pilots waiting in front of the hotel after we checked out. We shared a ride to the airport with them saving us 600 pesos. The airport in Cancun is quite disgusting in comparison to OIA. Dirty people, screaming children, poor quality food choices, but enough Tequilla to last several generations in your family! I was grateful to get on our plane one step closer to getting home. The plane consisted many of the same people we flew over with only days ago. We shared stories of our adventurous weekend and looked forward to getting home to our own beds and sleeping instead of watching the super bowl. A short flight and we were back in the states and it really felt good! I watched as a drug sniffing dog roamed around the airport on a leash with his officer inspecting suitcases as they passed. It was a beagle, small, tired looking and maybe a bit too friendly. Not the traditional German Shepard you see in the movies. Getting through customs was easy for me not so much for Jeremy as they do random checks he was one of the chosen citizens. We stood in the inspection line where we waited a long time as officers dug through another couples luggage and had the dog sniff unusual packages. Eventually Jeremy was called up for a few questions. Being a military brat doesn’t always work in your favor as we have noticed. His birth country is Germany. A few moments later we were met with a smile and nod and off to scan our luggage and proceed home.
Once home we were greeted by two very excited little girls who were so happy to have us back! It was a good feeling and helped us all sleep soundly that night.....
What we learned in Mexico:
·Pesos can get you very confused if you don’t have a calculator
·If you stop long enough to look Iguanas are everywhere
·Don Julio Tequilla is WAY better then Jose Quervo
·Bats pee in mid flight
·Beef stew at a breakfast buffet is not what you want to smell after a late night of drinking
·Taking a photo in front of the turquoise ocean makes everyone look beautiful
·When shopping in the market name your price and bargain for what you want
·If you don’t know how to say no to drugs don’t go
·If you can’t pronounce it don’t eat it
·Anything goes in Mexico
·When eating Thai food make sure you tell them you are allergic to seafood!
·Order Bonofont bottled water as opposed to Evian to save $8
·Walking a mile on what’s left of the beaches will give you a weeks worth of exercise
·Mexicans LOVE Americans
·It can take two weeks to receive a postcard mailed from your hotel
. 3 days away from my baby girls was very hard for them as well as me
Is it fun or exhausting to be involved in so many online social networking groups? Depends on the day I guess. Some are great for staying up to date and in contact with your family and friends. Others are beneficial for growing your business. In any event their is something out there for everyone if you just take a moment to search.....I did this myself tonight and was shocked at just how many there were! From making friends, dating, family, gay, business, athletic, there are more than I can count. The most popular sites I found in order of registered users are favorites all around the world. Myspace. Facebook. Windows Live Spaces. Habbo. Friendster. Just to name the top five.
My personal favorites are Facebook and Twitter. Although I have signed up for a few additional just always seem to go back to those two for now. Working on LinkedIn as another source of business connections.
In the commercial sense these are grand marketing tools for networking with other companies, continued exposure, and page rank. From the SEO (search engine optimization) standpoint the more back links you have from higher page ranks the higher page rank you yourself will receive. Google looks at links to your website as votes for your URL.
Socially speaking staying in contact with friends I lost touch with that I truly wanted to continuing knowing has been the most fun to reunite with again years later. Keeping us up to date with family who may not live close. Being able to share pictures and stories. All are benefits of these social sites. Let's face it the online world makes it easier for us. Does that mean we lack the personal touch most of us had prior or does this allow us to be more personal in a different way? I see it as a way to be however you desire on any given day.
Are some people annoyed about online networking asking the questions: Where are face to face conversations or calling someone on the phone? How about snail mail? Just saying "snail mail" sounds so ancient! In today's world we walk around with mini computers that can literally carry our most personal items PDA's, Blackberry's, and the wonderful how-did-we-live-without-it iPhone. Ahhh yes, the iPhone perfect to hold everything you have on your home computer and small enough to fit in your pocket. Don't drop it or lose it because that would be devastating!
Basically the internet gives us endless opportunities to be as *social* as we want, network as much as we can, and gather information from various ports all over the world.
I am a sincere, loving, exciting, holistic, mostly vegan (once in a while I dabble in some cheese), planet lover, homeschooling mom of two. I am a warm person who is dedicated to my family. I am also a health nut! I am always educating people who want to learn about nutrition, health, and wellness as I continue to educate myself. I enjoy life and everything it has to offer! I spend my days as a mother homeschooling my two amazing little girls who bring joy into my heart everyday! I also love to try new things and meet new people. I can talk about any subject! So here I am! Now your life will forever be changed lol!!!
