Hello!
7 years ago
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Use your "PRETTIES"
Okay, this is going to be a tough one! Take a big 'ole deep breath! It is going to be alright.
How many of you remember going to a friend's house when you were younger and feeling like someone had just died? You went over to play and the "good" couches were covered with sheets, the lamps were still shrink wrapped in plastic(MAJOR FIRE HAZARD! :) ), the drapes were drawn to save the covered couch??? you had to play in the basement so nothing would get broken...except an arm from slipping on the cement...and about half-way through your play date... in solitary confinement, you mentioned you were a bit hungry...so you went up to the off-limits Kitchen to get a snack and were given a bathroom Dixie cup with KOOL AID and a paper plate with stale chips...okay, not REALLY, but who are you saving your BEST for? Pretty sure none of us are expecting any dignitaries anytime soon...
So,give your best to those around you TODAY. Set the table with a tablecloth and your favorite dishes...that may not have even ever been used...get dressed up when your loved ones come home and smile when they ask you where you are going...blow off the dust on the candles and light them even if you are having leftovers...show them that they are more dear to you than anybody else in the world...treat them like they are Gold...REMEMBER I AM DOING THIS, too.
Last year my mom showed me the sweetest picture. I think it was taken on our first birthday. It was a homemade cake on a beautiful GLASS cake stand that was given to my parents as a wedding gift. She used her "PRETTIES" all of the time. It made us feel even more special in knowing that we were worth it. We learned to appreciate the little things and we also learned that the celebrating happens everyday with those around you.
If the plate does get chipped or the tablecloth gets stained, just think you will always have the memory of your special evening...loving and showing your dear ones that they are well worth the effort...don't forget your bright red lipstick and pearls!
How many of you remember going to a friend's house when you were younger and feeling like someone had just died? You went over to play and the "good" couches were covered with sheets, the lamps were still shrink wrapped in plastic(MAJOR FIRE HAZARD! :) ), the drapes were drawn to save the covered couch??? you had to play in the basement so nothing would get broken...except an arm from slipping on the cement...and about half-way through your play date... in solitary confinement, you mentioned you were a bit hungry...so you went up to the off-limits Kitchen to get a snack and were given a bathroom Dixie cup with KOOL AID and a paper plate with stale chips...okay, not REALLY, but who are you saving your BEST for? Pretty sure none of us are expecting any dignitaries anytime soon...
So,give your best to those around you TODAY. Set the table with a tablecloth and your favorite dishes...that may not have even ever been used...get dressed up when your loved ones come home and smile when they ask you where you are going...blow off the dust on the candles and light them even if you are having leftovers...show them that they are more dear to you than anybody else in the world...treat them like they are Gold...REMEMBER I AM DOING THIS, too.
Last year my mom showed me the sweetest picture. I think it was taken on our first birthday. It was a homemade cake on a beautiful GLASS cake stand that was given to my parents as a wedding gift. She used her "PRETTIES" all of the time. It made us feel even more special in knowing that we were worth it. We learned to appreciate the little things and we also learned that the celebrating happens everyday with those around you.
If the plate does get chipped or the tablecloth gets stained, just think you will always have the memory of your special evening...loving and showing your dear ones that they are well worth the effort...don't forget your bright red lipstick and pearls!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
yellow
I could not resist showing you the bouquet my mom brought over to me last night. It is so full of Spring! Have you ever seen a more yellow daffodilly? If you don't have any yellow out in your home...go find some. It will cheer you for sure and it will make you feel like Spring is already here...I can't wait for 11 more days anyway!
Here are some "yellow" ideas:
Yellow flowers if you have them
Go buy a spool of yellow ribbon...less than $2.00 using a 40% coupon at Michaels or JoAnns...and put it behind pictures or glue gun it to the frame. Tie it around a plant or around the towels in your bathroom!
Paint some wooden clothespins yellow and hang a few favorite pictures on string.
Make a tall...very TALL Italian Banana Cream Soda and stick a YELLOW straw in it.
Buy a lemon and make homemade lemonade.
Make two loaves of banana bread. Keep one for yourself and have fun giving one away...don't forget to wrap it with a yellow ribbon.
If this sounds too ridiculous, set your yellow butter out on a dish or leave your yellow mustard out on the counter AFTER MAKING the kids sandwiches...I am telling you...you are going to be one HAPPY camper!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Flowers
Can you think of anybody who does not LOVE getting flowers? Even if you are having a great day, getting flowers or a tiny little plant with one bud just makes you feel so alive! So, today, maybe you can think of somebody who needs some encouragement or somebody who you have had on your mind...and take them a little plant, bouquet, herbs...whatever...just to let them know somebody is thinking about them today. It is especially fun to do it without them knowing who it is from...our family calls it "elfing"...and it is not just for Christmas time. Have fun!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Happy Birthday Laur!
Do you think from the moment we were conceived that we "knew" we would be best friends for life? It is an incredible thought! Just think, we have known each other longer than anybody else will ever be able to...not very many people can say that. What a privilege to be brought into the world with an instant best friend.
I think it is AMAZING! I know that God knew that you were exactly what I would need in this life...a twin...and an identical twin at that. How very perfect.
You were my very first birthday gift, Laur, and are one of my most cherished gifts I have ever received.
Whenever I hear your voice, it brings comfort and calm. You are the dearest of friends. You forgive, you have offered hope when I couldn't grasp it, you love me at my worst and best...absolutely unconditionally. You are always happy for me even when you are hurting. You pray with me and show me what it means to have mercy for others.
When we were little, people used to always ask us if we liked being twins. Back then, I never understood what they meant. All these years later, I think I know EXACTLY what they meant. I don't think they could understand how two different people could enjoy getting called the wrong name, getting in trouble for something they didn't do and boy oh boy do we know the list goes on! I still love being your twin and in my book there are NO disadvantages.
Laur, you have always had a cheerful, gentle spirit. It doesn't matter if you are right next to me or if you are on a different continent. If I was reading a letter from you, talking to you on the phone or whispering late into the night with you, your voice is a sweet echo from your heart.
I hold dear our childhood days of baby dolls, puppets, Chinese jump rope for hours on end, roller skating, spring picnics and hikes to our "TABLELAND", camping and biking in Holland, Chinese food, museums, castles, piano lessons, Grandma Metko's hide-a-bed, boyfriends, plane rides, berry picking, and graduation...then
...weddings, babies, toddlers, teenagers...
I have never faced the hardships you have experienced, but the example you have been to me is one of courage and strength. You have taught me that no matter what happens in this life we can not rely on ourselves as much as we think we can... but our trust has to be in God.
Tonight, as I try to squeeze this little birthday letter in, there are so many things I wanted to write and reminisce about, but I guess it all comes down to this, my sweet twin: my heart is bursting with thankfulness that God gave me a very tangible way of understanding His love toward me through you. I love you and am thankful I have had you in my life...from the VERY beginning.
I think it is AMAZING! I know that God knew that you were exactly what I would need in this life...a twin...and an identical twin at that. How very perfect.
You were my very first birthday gift, Laur, and are one of my most cherished gifts I have ever received.
Whenever I hear your voice, it brings comfort and calm. You are the dearest of friends. You forgive, you have offered hope when I couldn't grasp it, you love me at my worst and best...absolutely unconditionally. You are always happy for me even when you are hurting. You pray with me and show me what it means to have mercy for others.
When we were little, people used to always ask us if we liked being twins. Back then, I never understood what they meant. All these years later, I think I know EXACTLY what they meant. I don't think they could understand how two different people could enjoy getting called the wrong name, getting in trouble for something they didn't do and boy oh boy do we know the list goes on! I still love being your twin and in my book there are NO disadvantages.
Laur, you have always had a cheerful, gentle spirit. It doesn't matter if you are right next to me or if you are on a different continent. If I was reading a letter from you, talking to you on the phone or whispering late into the night with you, your voice is a sweet echo from your heart.
I hold dear our childhood days of baby dolls, puppets, Chinese jump rope for hours on end, roller skating, spring picnics and hikes to our "TABLELAND", camping and biking in Holland, Chinese food, museums, castles, piano lessons, Grandma Metko's hide-a-bed, boyfriends, plane rides, berry picking, and graduation...then
...weddings, babies, toddlers, teenagers...
I have never faced the hardships you have experienced, but the example you have been to me is one of courage and strength. You have taught me that no matter what happens in this life we can not rely on ourselves as much as we think we can... but our trust has to be in God.
Tonight, as I try to squeeze this little birthday letter in, there are so many things I wanted to write and reminisce about, but I guess it all comes down to this, my sweet twin: my heart is bursting with thankfulness that God gave me a very tangible way of understanding His love toward me through you. I love you and am thankful I have had you in my life...from the VERY beginning.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Snail Mail
This is NOT going to kill you. Trust me. Support your local Post Office and go buy A STAMP...or two. Okay, no cheating. Write a note...use the back of a receipt if you have to...and let somebody know you are thinking about them. Facebook, a text and an e-mail do not count.
There is just something exciting about getting a handwritten note in YOUR mailbox. It feels so good to write a sweet message to somebody and it is a huge sense of accomplishment that will take minutes. Not including the trip to the Post Office.
Don't you just feel better just thinking about doing something special for somebody else?
"Everytime I think of you, I give thanks to my God..." Philippians 1:3
Monday, March 1, 2010
OH HAPPY MONTH
We all get into little ruts at times. You know EXACTLY what I am talking about. The same routine day in and day out. The mundane.
Well, if you are happy in that camp and are a creature of habit...I am very jealous...but you wont want to come back and visit until next month.
I decided with spring peeking its little face around the corner, it was time for something new and exciting.{ I am bored with my blog and have to do something different...did I ever tell you I have ADHD???} :}
Sometimes, life can become overwhelming and exhausting. So over the next month I thought I would give you some ideas that have been passed on to me or I have just tried in desperation to add a little SPRING to your step as you go along with your daily routine. Just simple things to add some fun to your life and things that will bring joy to those around you.
I will be doing this along with you. I thought we could "compare" notes as we go along if you would like...unless you want to remain anonymous! :)
Let's start!
DAY 1:
Here is the most refreshing water EVER:
Make a pitcher of SASSY WATER...adapted from Cynthia Sass
Fill glass pitcher with cold filtered water
Add 1 thinly sliced lemon
Add 1 inch of peeled, sliced ginger root...buy it fresh!
Add 10 mint leaves that have been cut a bit...it releases the essence of mint.
Let chill in the fridge and sip away! You will feel so refreshed.
Make new batch every couple of days to keep it fresh.
Well, if you are happy in that camp and are a creature of habit...I am very jealous...but you wont want to come back and visit until next month.
I decided with spring peeking its little face around the corner, it was time for something new and exciting.{ I am bored with my blog and have to do something different...did I ever tell you I have ADHD???} :}
Sometimes, life can become overwhelming and exhausting. So over the next month I thought I would give you some ideas that have been passed on to me or I have just tried in desperation to add a little SPRING to your step as you go along with your daily routine. Just simple things to add some fun to your life and things that will bring joy to those around you.
I will be doing this along with you. I thought we could "compare" notes as we go along if you would like...unless you want to remain anonymous! :)
Let's start!
DAY 1:
Here is the most refreshing water EVER:
Make a pitcher of SASSY WATER...adapted from Cynthia Sass
Fill glass pitcher with cold filtered water
Add 1 thinly sliced lemon
Add 1 inch of peeled, sliced ginger root...buy it fresh!
Add 10 mint leaves that have been cut a bit...it releases the essence of mint.
Let chill in the fridge and sip away! You will feel so refreshed.
Make new batch every couple of days to keep it fresh.
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