Calender Companion Quotes for Women...

This Christmas, my Mom got me a desk calender for my office at work. It's a "daily quotes" calender....the kind you rip the pages off everyday. However, the quotes are specifically for women! I've gotta tell ya..some mornings I really laugh out loud at some of them...and other mornings I could easily cry..(but not at work) So, I'm thinking every Wednesday I will post a few of the funny quotes for my blogger friends to enjoy!

What We Do for "Beauty"

Did you know that some women have had their floating ribs removed in order to have smaller waists? They walk among us as we speak.

Volunteering

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." -Anaïs Nin
*We have the courage to make tough decisions. We have the courage to stand up for others.
Do we have the courage to say
"I'm tired"? "I need time off"? "I don't want to do that"?
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"NO" I say it all day long without hesitation- both professionally and personally. It appears to come out with such ease…
No, you can’t go.
No, you have to do your homework first...
No you can't go there after school again...
No, we are not buying that...
...even at work...
No, the documents were not correct...No, the policy reads...blah..blah...
Of course the substance of the questions, ultimately determine whether or not our answer will be yes or no. I apparently have one exception to that rule-Volunteering- my weakest link to the word "No". What in the world is wrong with me?? Volunteering is a completely different story for many of us busy moms and dads.... whether it be a charity, kids school or special ministry. Why do we feel it necessary to take on so much? I've been pondering all of my volunteering as the year came to a close and have decided that I think it is going to be okay to say, "No." I find that when I allow myself to "No," then it creates space for the very real and authentic "yeses." I have more energy when I do things from that place, and not one of obligation or guilt. What about you? Will you say No, this year?

Happy New Year…Resolutions…

A year coming to an end. A time for new beginnings. Certainly a good time for reflecting. Looking back at the "old” year that has just come to an end. A time to take a deep breath and exhale …EXHALE... Letting go....putting to past all that we have seen, learned, loved and lived through…until it becomes a memory. Hopes of keeping some old habits in the past year and of course starting some great new ones!!
Closing a chapter. Time for a new book. A New Year of 365 pages to live.
Of course I have my new wall calender for 2009...however it has yet to be placed on the wall...but it will be soon. Our large calender that really belongs on a desk..but it's nice to have the big blocks to write on..and erase....especially if the girls get the urge to write down their plans...(instead of telling me on the way to school the same day they need to bring a snack for the class...or at 10pm the night before)For the most part the girls are quick to fill in their birthdays only---...I've gotten most of January filled with basketball games and orthodontist appointments.... Emily's braces should be coming off this year...and I'm assuming just in time for Maddy to start the whole agonizing process!!
Emily starts High School in the Fall...I should be so lucky...blessed is more like it...she has many goals...she is very determined and works very hard. In my opinion of course, she is the nicest girl her age, I've ever seen or remember for that matter!...So the New Year will be bitter sweet for my little Emmy Kate...She will be closing a chapter of her youth only to start one of the most unforgettable times in her life. I'll be watching her too closely...
Madeline starts Middle School this Fall...she is most like her Daddy...eager for the year to come to an end...ready for something new...start "fresh" so to speak... On the other hand...she seems to of inherited some of the traits I possessed during my middle school days...so I will be watching her too closely as well..
Have you ever noticed how you can pass on all the advice and experience in the world to your children but...in the end..the only thing that really seems to absorb..is to let them learn from their own experiences? Sure we can talk to them until we're blue in the face...but rarely does that work... Personally, I found that listening is the way for me to truly hear what is going on in their never ending complicated adolescent minds. However, keeping my mouth closed...giving my two cents...is a whole different matter!
Happy New Year!!!

A joke I had to share...

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement. The first patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.

The second sees his family doctor after waiting a week for an appointment, then waits eighteen weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another month and finally has his surgery scheduled for a year from then.
Why the different treatment for the two patients?

The first is a golden retriever.
The second is a senior citizen with an HMO.
_________________________________

It would be funnier, if it wasn't true.

Quote of the day...

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her
Sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you
A home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give
Her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what
Is given to her.
So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.

----sent to me via email today from a dear friend...who is very straight forward, honest...and a devout Catholic....she cracks me up!!

Where Are The Grown Ups?

Last weekend my family from Pennsylvania visited for the holidays....We exchanged gifts and shared dinner at Aunt Mary's in Sulpher Springs...The kids really enjoyed themselves...evidently more than any of us knew! I found these photo's on Emily camera! Unbeknown to me or any other adults that I'm aware of... they were putting on quite a show in the family room...Take a look at these crazy photo's!!! I think we have a movie star in the midst of our little family...Jenna is the blond bombshell singing her head off!!!I'm sorry I missed the show!!!

A quick little note...

...just skimming through some of my most recent posts...I was sounding a bit negative...(which I try to avoid at all times!)....
I'm so blessed...I have healthy children...God in my life...a good job...a roof over our head and wonderful family and friends!

Merry Christmas!

Sick and Tired...

We had some sickness in our house this week...AGAIN...
It appears...lots of families are sick...a stomach flu is going around.....Sunday night Maddy got it! Last night...Emmy...who next? Hopefully not me!! After talking with their Dad...he said that all his kids had it last weekend...(and the girls spent this weekend down there)..Although he insists the girls didn't catch it from them...he says it had been over a week since his kids were sick?!?... duh? I'm not blaming him or anything....why does he always say stupid things like that? Germs can live for a long time...I don't care where they got it...they have it...and we are dealing with it...
This has been a long and trying year...I'm normally the type of person who starts her decorating Thanksgiving Day and finished by Sunday...Not this year...it's been so hectic...we just got our tree last week...we decorated it very quickly...Maddy hardly helped at all...I felt like Emily was in a rush...as for the rest of the decorations? Still in boxes in the family room... My family is coming in from Pa. the end of the week...and I'm not ready!! Whats wrong with me? I'm so tired! Am I the Grinch?

Updates from the Smith Girls...

It's hard to believe its been so long since my last post....work is crazy...as usual this time of year...
I took Molly to her appointment with the Animal Communicator/Psychic and hands on healer of People, Places, and Animals...her name is Marilene.
I really didn't know what to expect when I arrived at her 17-sided round mansion...I was hoping and praying for a miracle....but to no avail...Molly was not cured and we left Marilene's three hours later...in pain.....However, the whole time we were there...Molly was extremely relaxed...flexiable...and NOT crying she was very comfortable....more than I'd seen in weeks!
Marilene gave me so much insight about Molly's thoughts and feelings...as well as her past...not to mention a few extremely personal things related to my family... that nobody could of known...not even me! Everything she told me was right on........it was truly an amazing experience.
Molly was laying down throughout the whole session...and Marilene was right down there with her...at one point toward the end of the session...Molly wrapped her paws around Marilene's wrist's...literally grasping her wrist..as if she was thanking her...
In the end...Marilene thought Molly was out of alignment...which...i suspected...After all she did get hit by a car...Marilene gave me some hands on therapy techniques that I've been doing daily...along with a new treatment the Surgeon prescribed..which is 3weeks long...we are one week in..After Molly finishes that... we are done...and we will move on...with Molly at home or in heaven.

I'll try anything!

I contemplated sharing with you all about my little families broken heart over our beloved "Molly Girl" who was hit by car in front of our new house four weeks ago...
But I need to...Molly had the surgery to repair her broken leg....she was healing very well. So well...you would not of known of her trauma if her leg wasn't shaved... But...two weeks ago...out of blue she starting crying and experiencing pain on the opposite side of her body...near her ribs....Of course we went back to the Surgeon...and he could not find a thing wrong...and commented about how well her leg was healing....the post op x-ray was perfect...but he could not explain the pain!!! Why not? He's suppose to be the best in the state!....maybe a pinched nerve....He raised her pain meds last week and there seems to be a little improvement...meaning she can get up without my help...but she is screaming in agony...The Dr assures me that it's going to take time and to just give her time to heal...for some reason I don't believe him..why is that?
I spoke with my brother...who is a physical therapist and professor of prosthetics and orthopedics at a college...very qualified to help me...he said that it's probably muscle or tissue trauma and to give her some time...So...it's been a week since our conversation...and still...Molly's in pain. I'm at my wits end...crying with Molly as Emily leaves the room b/c her screaming breaks her little heart...when something comes to my mind........A friend at work who had a troubled horse...had a animal communicator come to her barn to work on her horse...My first thought was...'huh, are you kidding me?..' At this point I'm desperate...I do my research...and find a woman here localing that is not only a animal communicator but also a healer and Psychic...Wow...Molly and I have an appointment with her tonight at 6pm...Of course I'm skeptical...I mean...I've always believed in the Holy Spirit....but only when I put it at the end of "In The Name of the Father and of the Son..." I'm desperate for relief for Molly...she can not and WILL NOT continue to live with this pain!

Maddy..Emmy...Molly...girl trouble...

Maddy went back to school Monday..(yesterday)...she was most definitely ready. However, the homework has overwhelmed me...maybe it's her lack of interest in catching it up......I'm just thankful she is doing so much better and the pain has stopped.
Emily has a sinus infection...Yup, that's right. She missed school yesterday...we made a trip to the Dr. this am for a zpak..she then went to school.. because she "couldn't" miss Lit class...more like "wouldn't"...no fever...so off she went...I didn't make it to work until after 10am...which is not good considering this is my busiest time of year... Surprisingly, none of the guys gave me a hard time...which was nice...
Molly is another story...and it breaks my heart to start talking about it...so, I'm not going to right now...
The girls are going to Daddy's for Thanksgiving...and when its "his" Thanksgiving... I find myself on this organizational old picture...update baby book...crazy emotional roller coaster...so maybe I'll find some time to post some old pictures...
Emily at Cooks Forest Pa...
sweet face Maddy Brooke...
Moller Poller during happier times...

A Thanksgiving Prayer...

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray
We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, Amen.
Now please pass the dressing
We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold
But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for
For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head
I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know
Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure
That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace
So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited
Amen!
by:Scott Wesemann

Get Well
God of compassion, you care for
the sick and heal the brokenhearted.
We open our hands to welcome
your healing presence.
— The Blessing Candles

We are all creatures
of one family.
We are all
brothers and sisters.
--St. Francis of Assisi

I'm still out here!

Just a quick note to let everyone know I'm still out here in cyberworld...it's been so hectic...I've loved reading all of your posts...and can't wait to post comments too....

....a real quick update since we moved...

Maddy's been really sick...missed a week of school..we spent last Monday night in the Hospital...after many tests she was diagnosed with Mesenteric Adenitis.... swollen, inflamed lymph nodes in the abdomen...it's extremely painful...it's a virus...so we can only treat the symptoms...no antibiotics...Years ago before we had C-Scans...Surgeons would remove healthy appendix b/c the symptoms mimic that of an appendicitis! Please pray for Maddy's recovery.

You know about Molly...she was doing great...until the last week or so...and well...Now..the doctors are not sure whats wrong..pinched nerve..or what....The surgeon's and his team are baffled...b/c her leg is healing perfectly! She's goes back to the Vet tomorrow...and I'm not putting her through anymore pain...I'm praying for a miraculous recovery by morning..I just can't stand her in so much pain...tomorrow is going to be a hard day...enough is enough....Please include our family pet in your prayers...

Emily...is busy as ever...basketball...friends...and books...and all of her help with Maddy and Molly at home! God Bless her! She has been an amazing help to me! I wish I wasnt so hard on her!

This will touch your heart

I love this story.....I find myself pulling this out a few times a year.....This was read to coworkers and I during a pre-work communication meeting...It was read by one of my previous managers from my old job... I had many many managers while employed at that company...but very few that truly left such a positive mark as she did.... One of the most positive people I've ever met...someone who can make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts!....but still respected as the leader....she was always providing us with daily quotes and little antidotes...I've lost touch with her in the years since I left....goodness...why do I do that!
I hope you enjoy this touching story as much as I do! (every time I read it!!)
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A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly without an appointment into the president's outer office at Harvard.
The secretary could see that the people were not from Boston, and probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge. She frowned. "We want to see the president", the man said softly.
"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped. "We'll wait," the lady replied.
For hours, the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally become discouraged and go away.
They didn't. And the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted to do.
"Maybe if they just see you for a few minutes, they'll leave," she told him. And he sighed in exasperation and nodded.
Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to
spend with them, but he detested gingham dresses and Homespun suits cluttering up his outer office.
The president, stern-faced with dignity, strutted toward the couple. The lady told him, "We had a son that attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. And my husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus".
The president wasn't touched he was shocked. "Madam," he said gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery."
"Oh, no," the lady explained quickly, "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard.
The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs?
We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical
plant at Harvard".
For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. He could get rid of them now.
And the lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it costs to start a University? Why don't we just start our own?"
Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.
And Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California where they established the University that bears their name, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.
" The Stanford Story "
This is a true story of the Founders of Stanford University
You can't judge a book by the cover....
Don't look at people with your eyes....
Look at them with your heart...