Emotional Baggage Check

As I was applying for 50+ jobs I came upon this fantastic website:

Emotional Baggage Check

If you're feeling low and need some help you can check your baggage.

If you're feeling happy and want to lighten someone's weight you can take their baggage.

I highly recommend that everyone do this at least once.

Love

Falling in love is the easy part.

It's staying that way that takes some work.

So instead of saying...

"This relationship stuff. It gives me

a headache just to think about it."

Try to change your attitude a bit.

"Okay, I'm taking notes!"

Tip #1
Make a list.When you find yourself feeling critical
of your beloved, sit down and make a list of
"All The Things I Still Love About My Mate."
This will remind you of why you first fell in love.

"Hmmm... Something I love about him?"

Pretty soon, you'll find yourself thinking...

"Say, he's not so bad after all!"

And making that list goes for both of you
—to help you both remember the good.

"That's what we do.
And it really works to
remind us of our love."

Tip #2
Start spreading the news.At least once a day, compliment each other.
Because everyone loves to hear good news.

"Thank you, Mary, for taking such good care of me."

"And thank you for scrubbing out the roasting pan!"

Tip #3
Learn what to say.
(And how to listen.)When it comes to communication,
men and women have different needs.
Men need to hear they've done a good job.

"Honey, I fixed that leak under the sink!"

So remember to compliment him for things he does.
(Even if he doesn't do them that well.)

"Who knew plumbing could be so rewarding?
I'll have to help out more around the house!"

Women need to feel their man is listening.
Men can help by learning the "Mantra for Men"
and practicing it often, saying to themselves,
again and again...

Just listen, don't give advice.
Just listen, don't give advice.
Just listen, don't give advice.

The results can be amazing.

"Wow, he really listened to me!"

Tip #4
Learn to soothe frayed nervesWhen your partner is having trouble coping
—either with the world or with you—
don't shout, don't pout, don't run away.
Just turn to your mate and lovingly say...

"Honey, what do you need from me...
right now?"

So instead of wondering what to say or do...

Should I say X? Do Y? Not do Z?
What does that woman want from me?

Just remember those nine magic words:
"Honey, what do you need from me... right now?"
No more wondering, no more guess work.

"Who knew life could be so easy!?"

Tip #5
Give a little more.Instead of trying to get your way,
try to give a little,
then give a little more.
So instead of...

"Listen up, lover boy!"

or

"This is the way it's going to be."

Learn to think more "We" than "Me."
You'll have a lot less...

"Gosh honey. I don't know what I was thinking."

And a lot more...

"I know what you're thinking!"

I got this from: this

Girls

Girls are like
apples on trees. The best
ones are at the top of the tree.
The boys don't want to reach for
the good ones because they are afraid
of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they
just get the rotten apples from the ground
that aren't as good, but easy. So the apples
at the top think something is wrong with
them, when in reality, they're amazing.
They just have to wait for the right
boy to come along, the one
who's brave enough to climb
all the way
to the top
of the tree.

Deep fried Oreos

The other night Harrison decided we should make deep fried Oreos. I thought, "yeah why not? They'll probably clog my arteries, I'm trying to lose weight, I'll probably sweat grease ... but yeah let's do it!" This is how they turned out. Yummmers. Also I seem to be a "foodie" as of late ... so much for losing weight.

 Allen asked me while engulfing his hot dog, "how many hot dog's have you eaten with mashed potatoes on them?" Me "None" His had mashed potatoes on it.

 Mine did NOT have mashed potatoes ... :(

 Mint brownies I'm kind of obsessed with them

Peanut Butter bars I made ... mmmmm.


Hungry yet?

Don't hope ... decide!!!

This is totally worth reading ... in my humble opinion. 

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life changing experiences that you hear other people talk about, the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly.

This one occurred a mere two feet away from me. Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family. 

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other's face, I heard the father say, "It's so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!" His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, "Me, too, Dad!" 

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son's face in his hands said, "You're already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!" They too hugged a most loving, tender hug. 

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother's arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, "Hi, baby girl!" as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment. 

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, "I've saved the best for last," and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed, "I love you so much!" They stared at each other's eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't possibly be. 

I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm's length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, "Wow! How long have you two been married?" 

"Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those," he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face. 

"Well, then, how long have you been away?" I asked. 

The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. 

"Two whole days!" 

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he'd been gone for at least several weeks, if not months. I know my expression betrayed me, I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), "I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!" 

The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, "Don't hope, friend...decide!" 

Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, "God bless!" With that, he and his family turned and strode away together. I was still watching that exceptional man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, "What'cha looking at?" 

Without hesitating, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!"

 -  Michael D. Hargrove

The Most Beautiful People

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

— Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Sunday Wilds

This is what Harry and I do together late on Sunday nights ...

This one has no music ... sad ... turn on any song and watch Harry dance to it !

Bootaaaaaaay 

Hamboning

Shark week's got nothing on Lili

Here's a chill Dubstep song for you guys (it's definitely worth listening to) : Country Roads