Friday, December 21, 2007

Great Souls

"Great souls take advantage of every moment and every opportunity to give happiness to others through kindness in their thoughts; such souls are willing to overlook weaknesses and mistakes and have the desire to help everyone reach their potential."

I found this quote today and loved it! I want to be a great soul.

It reminded me of this quote --

Love generously, Praise loudly, Live fully ~~ Elias Porter

Nothing much else really going on. I've been keeping up with things around the house today, just didn't feel like going out. Lots of laundry to keep me busy.

Last night, I watched the movie Waitress. it was that typical story of someone who has it tough, really, and oh wouldn't it be nice if someone just came along and helped them out - some great soul - and they did.

The movie wasn't what I expected it to be at all, but it was a (mostly) happy ending, and I love happy endings.

My caterpillar has passed. This makes me sad. I looked up everything I could find today about it, and there are so many things that could have gone wrong. Some of them could have been my fault, but it is difficult to know for sure. But I will correct those things I know about, you can be sure, before I try this again.


"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind." ~~ Mary Ellen Chase.


So don't be frazzled by the season! ~~ Be dazzled for the Reason!~


Have some hot chocolate and relax!! It's a lovely evening.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

On the 5th day before Christmas....

I can-not be lieve it is almost Christmas! I know I am sure to catching on to things - but, goodness gracious somebody needs to light a ball of fire under me!

I don't have that much to do, really. Some things are last minute no matter what --

talked with an old friend last night. That was cool. She called me at 10:13 PM - so my cell phone said - and that's my birthdate so I think that's cool beans.

Last this afternoon I had to make a run to the dentist with Madam Blueberry, as she had chipped a tooth and didn't have a clue as to how - but they took us and charged us - gosh, it's good to be a dentist - and then we went to Barnes and Noble for some last minute shopping. I still have one more thing to pick up, aside from food and such.

It's raining bullets from the sky and they are not paper -- (see Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing) ...

The presents are wrapped.
The tree is shining brightly.
The house smells like candles -- fragrances like vanilla and sweet treats.
My daughter is reading.
My husband is listening to music.
Our new kitty is sleeping peacefully now, so he will be up all night (grrrr, can't wait till he gets tha feeling that he has conquered everything in the house and finally settles down. Ooops, why? Because then, Madam B will want another kitty, because kitties are so lovable and cats are too settled....)
My caterpillar, Willie, is in sleeping on his Milkweed plant. I bought myself a fish tank for housing caterpillars. I know I'm like a first grader with them, but I really love them! and -- well, they are not mine, they are God's, but I figure I'll just babysit them until they are ready to fly ...

Listening to: Hard Times, by Charles Dickens. What a wit he has with character names -- Mr. M'Choakumchild? Hysterical! The novel is not so.


"So, Mr. M'Choakumchild began in his best manner. He and some one hundred and forty other schoolmasters, had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs. He had been put through an immense variety of paces, and had answered volumes of headbreaking questions. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and leveling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council's Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. He knew all about all the Water Sheds of all the world (whatever they are), and all the histories of all the peoples, and all the names of all the rivers and mountains, and all the productions, manners, and customs of all the countries, and all their boundaries and bearings on the two and thirty points of the compass. Ah, rather overdone, Mr. M'Choakumchild. If he had only leamt a little less, how infinitely better he might have taught much more!"



Yes, indeed ..."how infinitely better he might have taught much more!" - if only he had learnt a little less ....

That's about all for now.

Take care out there ...
Don't be frazzled by the season. Be dazzled for the Reason.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Just another Manic Monday

Part 3:

Just when you thought, oh please, not one more thing - you run out of gas. Stone cold - O.U.T.

I do thank God that I was IN a parking space at the grocery store when I KNEW for sure that I was OUT of GAS! I cannot imagine my horror of that situation had I been with one of my nephews at the time! I would never have out lived that story.

I called Mr. B. who had not even left his job site - it was almost 6:30 - and he was over an hour before getting home, so he started rapid fire asking me, "have you called ??? or ??? or ???" --

"No. Darling. I called you first." I know he loves me and worries about me because he knows I don't do gas cans.

So calmly, I called #2 son.

The conversation was simple:

"Hey Sean, you home?"
"Yes."
"I'm up at Publix, and I'm out of Gas."
"Be right there, Mom."

Now. Who could ask for anything more?

So - how does someone run out of gas in this day and age? Broken gas gauge. Oh well.

So - Sean came up with a 5 gallon can and as he poured it in my tank, and any conscientious observer would have been able to tell it was, indeed, Stone Cold Emp-TEE!! Goodness Gracious, I am a lucky woman!! Sitting in a parking space! How lucky is that!

Part 2:

Our house is a haven for some furniture my oldest son has come to possess for a home theater he and Mr. B plan on building together. The furniture was a deal. Couldn't be passed up, so - there are theater seats in my already small living room and our Christmas tree was on the front porch.

I came home this afternoon and Voila!! Madam Blueberry had the furniture rearranged so you can walk around, the tree inside the house, decorated, and the house in now decorated and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! She's been wrapping all the presents and has them under the tree. Oh, she does spoil me.

Part 1:
"What's well begun, is half done." ~ Horace

I must be well begun, because I am always half done!!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

A Color Test

I found this on a message board ~ Try it --

The Color Test


So, are you left brained, right brained ....or do big words bother you, too?



Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering....Winnie the Pooh


The Brain and Music

Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself. ~Henry Ward Beecher

There are some interesting facts on this that I am sure most people have already heard about.

Browsing through the library yesterday, I came across a book - Making a Good Brain Great by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. - and since "I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother Me," this book looked like it might hold some interesting keys for me.

The chapter on music talks about how the brain listens to music. It listens with it's whole self. We hear often about 'left brain' and 'right brain' but rarely 'whole brain' -- unless you mean bread. Oh wait, that's ...something else.

Anyway,
The book states that certain types of music can enhance the function of the brain, the memory, and emotion. While other types of music can help us solve problems.

And because the brain can process music with both of its sides; music is found to be healing and enhancing of any function it needs to make because music does integrate the whole brain.

Singing is supposed to be good for our brain. The book speaks to singing, not singing well. Singing stimulates the parts of the brain involved in memory. Bet you can still sing the "ABC" song, can't you? So did you know, you know Mozart? See just how cool you are?

Thomas Jefferson used music to help him write the Declaration of Independence. He wanted to use just the right wording, and if he should get stuck, he would play his violin. And voila! We are all created equal!

Music also makes you move. If you can feel it, why couldn't you heal with it? Studies say that following surgery, those patients in intensive care where background music was played needed lower doses of medication than those where no music was played at all.

I'm all for it. Music everywhere! Let Music be the Food of the world -- It's good whole brain substance.

So, go listen to your favorite stuff. Take your newfound or rediscovered calmness, happiness and less stressful being out into the world tomorrow and make this a better place! And I will do the same.

Tu Tranquilo,


Miss Roxie

Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.
~Edward George Bulwer-Lytton

Saturday, December 08, 2007

The Heisman Trophy Winner 2007

Congratulations Tim Tebow - This year's winner of the Heisman Trophy. A homeschooled Florida Gator!

On January 7, 2007, Tebow was featured prominently in an ESPN “Outside The Lines” feature on homeschooled athletes seeking equal access to high school athletics in other states. In fact, his popularity inspired "equal access" supporters in Alabama to name their bill in the Alabama Legislature "The Tim Tebow Bill"....

Happy Birthday Nate the Great


And he's thrown the pass that is life ......


Twelve years ago today, Nathan was born and shifted my status up to The Great Aunt Sasha. I loved my new title. He was only about 4 lbs, as he was born a little earlier than expected, but against all odds, and he is still overcoming odds and continuing to conquer the world - he came home to be loved by us all.

We wish you a Very Happy Birthday, Nate the Great! And many, many Happy Returns.


And he scores!!!! Best wishes, Nathan, from Uncle Desi, Aunt Sasha, Bill, Sean, Scarlett, Shadus, Harley and other assorted family members and friends.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Historic Date

December 7, 1941

In rememberance of those who fought for freedom, we say Thank You.

19 Days till Christmas

"Tis the Season to be jolly...." Deck the Halls

Madam Blueberry went shopping with her dad to get a tree last night. They came home empty handed because the trees were a little bit pricey for what you are getting. Madam B is a very sensible girl. More sensible that we had thought, actually. Maybe we will put lights on a pole?

Yesterday was my sister in law's birthday. She is another ageless type person. Her spirit is forever young. Seven of us celebrated at Chili's fine foods restaurant because Shannon has just started to work there as a hostess. Her very first job! So, what we did tonight was make a memory! Making a memory is one of the best gifts you can give someone.

We have all our gifts wrapped up to date (thanks to Madam B - who has really wrapped them twice because as soon as she put them on display, Shadus, the new kitty, 'played' with them....grrrr).

I still have more thinking to do as far as what to buy for whom. I did order somethings on line because I really don't care much for shopping. I like browsing. Probably what would work best for me is to buy a lot of things that I think people would like ,during the year, and then shop from my closet. I think people find my standing and thinking in public places annoying. And sometimes I talk to myself. Out loud. But really, today that shouldn't matter to much because people will just think I'm on my cell phone. Hahahaha.

I'm going to head out today and do some think-shopping in public.

I had a good look at my butterfly garden this morning. Gosh, I really love it. I recommend gardening to anyone for just the most beautiful and delightful experience. Boy, I need to get some new photos~~


"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind...." Ephesians 5:23

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

December 4, 2007

What is reality but a concept of our own daily perceptions?
~~Miss Roxie


Now the 5th --

The Christmas Shopping and Planning of Baking and Feasting begins. (Actually, began on December 1, but I didn't get that post posted.)

One Shopping Hand Off --

The Place - Bath and Body.
The Hand Off Strategy

~~~Bath and Body is giving $10.00 coupons with a $30.00 purchase. My daughter went in and made her purchase while I browsed around. After she made her purchase, she gave her $10.00 coupon to me. I made my purchase and my son looked at me and smiled and reached out his hand for the $10.00 coupon, so he could use it for his purchase! All legal and no animals were harmed.

We later met for coffee to discuss who should get the $10.00 coupon that Bill got, and I said it should be me, and he says it should be Madam Blueberry. I guess there's a technical call in there somewhere. It's becomes a philosophical question --

Wrapping -
Madam B jumped right in. We have paper and bows, etc from last year! Hooray! The gifts we have purchased so far are all wrapped! (Of course, you can't walk in this room, the new kitty has destroyed all remaining paper, and will probably get some rare disease from eating the wrapping paper.)

So - We organized a place for the wrapping goods - a large bag from Bath and Body suited that purpose.

Now we are moving things around in our living room to make room for the tree. All the furniture is askew and we abandoned that project and Madam B is outside working on Christmas lights. (We are the original creators of the rash last moment decision to beat the early rush into the realm of holiday insanity. Please be advised we do not promote the state of it, we only suggest that it does exist.)



You, after all, are the one who defines your existence. Be kind to yourself and other people during your time of definition.
~~Miss Roxie

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Since the Monday Tempus fugit

Again. I have eight Save As Draft posts sitting -- to sum up. I have been busy as the bees in my garden. But aren't we all? Or is busy just a philosophy?

I've been attending to my normal everyday things - and rocking and rolling along with everyone else's normal everyday things. But there is always a thing or two to add to the everyday.

My biggest accomplishment? My butterfly garden!! I can't wait until I can get a photo posted. I got it together this week and last and two days ago, I was visited by my first butterfly!! yes! He was just beautiful -- and then today! a yellow one! Pale and lovely. It was such a great feeling!

I have several butterfly plants - When you go to sites on line listing butterfly plants, I couldn't always find those so we have -- Scarlett Milkweed, Verbena, (and some other lovely white and lavender flower), and some others I'll just take photos of.

When I was visited today by a Monarch and a yellow butterfly... It was such a good feeling to have two visitors!...I felt like,* feast your majesty; I'll bring in more color for you tomorrow.*

My husband is thinking because the children are so big and don't need mama in the ways they used to, he says I am enthralled with this because it is taking care of living things - "they need you," he said," you make them better, I'll bet they know you - and you always said you wanted a butterfly garden..." This is so much fun!

So I've got the knack of it. The butterflies are coming. Now, next, I will be finding the necessary plants for my moon garden or night garden as some people call them. This will be fun and exciting.

Good things on the horizon -
1. Madam Blueberry got her driver license!! Oh and wow - she is a good girl, an amazing girl, and she is a good and cautious driver. But still - my prayer closet will have new padding installed today.

2. My only sister is coming sometimes during the holiday time, and my niece and nephew, who are of very fine standing with me (and always fun), are also coming. I think they are coming for New Years - so the band is ready to rock and roll!!

3. Mr. B. is actually getting -vacation time - around Christmas!!

4. I am getting a laptop for Christmas!! I am really exxcciitteedd about that!

5. More later ~~

I hope everyone does not go crazy with holiday shopping. I have a survey to post in a day or two, maybe I will do that --something to think about anyway -

Whatever you are doing today, live for it - Today. The past is like a foreign land. Things there are done differently. Wave goodbye and Live in the Now.

Tu tranquilo,

Miss Roxie