Life Lessons

I recently came across this, and thought it was worth passing on...

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland ,
Ohio:
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
family will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God
never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood... But the second one is
up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for
an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't
save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will
this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did
or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd
grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Amazing

If you are watching So You Think You Can Dance this season, you saw this last night. If you do not, you have to watch it now.. it is simply amazing. (Turn the volume up on your computer!)

This is the write up from YouTube:
This piece was choreographed for these two dancers by Tyce Diorio and debuted on So You Think You Can Dance Tuesday, July 22, 2009. This is a powerful piece. It touches on the fight against cancer. The choreography was marvelous. I agree with Nigel Lithgoe when he says he wouldn't be surprised if Tyce wins an Emmy for this piece. It's a must see!

It's Time for Some FOOTBALL!!!

Well, friends...it is that time of year again. Time for B's football to begin. We picked up his equipment yesterday, and today was the first day of mini camp. Mini camp is alledgedly optional, but just about everyone shows up.

My little (he's not that little, he's an 88 lb third grader, and 4'8" tall) athlete has moved up to the featherweight division this year, which is very exciting because almost all of his team from last year moved up as well. He came off the field tonite announcing "THAT was AWESOME". This year will be interesting. B's first year, they went 10-2. Last year, we had a great season and were in the championship game, but lost (that is another whole story...). Keep your fingers crossed that we have another stellar year!

I wasn't always a football fan. Up until 2001, I wanted nothing to do with it. However, that year, 3 things happened:

1. I was the mother of an almost 1 yr old boy. I figured the odds of him liking football were good.

2. The Bears were in the playoffs that year. It's very easy to jump on the bandwagon when your home team is winning.

3. Brian Urlacher. 'Nuff said...

There began my obsession with football. Since then, I've become one the THEM. You know the type, the fan who watches tv all day Sunday, screaming at the refs when things don't go her way - factor in that I'm a complete control freak, and it's not a pretty picture. If you would have told Dave 13 years ago that I'd be spewing football stats, he would have never believed it. It's true...

So, it begins again. Football practice 5 nights a week until school begins, then down to 3; socializing with the parents; NFL training camp updates on the news; half the weekend spent at games, the other half spent in front of the television; college ball and eventually, screaming my head off at B's games or at the television... ahhhhh...it is a beautiful thing!

Hello Friends!

Yep, it's been a week. A busy week, you know, hanging at the pool. But, not to fear, Friday Fill-Ins is here...

1. ROASTED RED PEPPER HUMMUS and WHOLE WHEAT PITAS make a quick and easy dinner.

2. DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY is the book I'm reading right now.

3. July brings back memories of SUMMER AS A KID (ALTHOUGH, WITH TODAYS WEATHER, YOU'D NEVER KNOW IT WAS SUMMER)

4. #3 was obvious.

5. They say if you tell your dreams THEY WON'T COME TRUE.

6. I'D LIKE to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to BLOGGING, WATCHING WHAT NOT TO WEAR, tomorrow my plans include ????? and Sunday, I have to TAKE B TO FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT PICKUP!

I'm Baaaaackk....

Sorry for the delay, folks. We were in Ludington, Michigan for vacation. After the whole Marshall situation, it was time to get the hell outta Dodge.

Ludington was very nice. It's a small beach town on the east coast of Lake Michigan. My goal was to lay on the beach and enhance the savage tan I have going this summer. And that is exactly what I did, so yahoo for me!

Two of the days were on the cool side, so on one, we did the sand dunes ride, which was alot of fun. The second, went to the beach, left the beach, played mini golf and go-karts, and went back to the beach. You'll see how that turned out in the pics below.

So, my dear blogging friends, I'm back. More to come, but in the meantime, enjoy some pictures from the getaway...


This would be cooler day #2. You're diggin' the getup, aren't you? I was asking Brian for the 8000th time to give me the camera...


The sun on Lake Michigan


Sand Dunes in Silver Lake, Michigan


It's really a shame he's so shy and reserved....


Us

RIP, Marshall....

Last night, we had to put our sweet dog to sleep. Marshall was almost 13 years old, and had a fantastic life. Last fall, he was diagnosed with kidney failure, but was doing okay. He also had hip issues, and had a difficult time getting up the stairs. He suffered a seizure last night, and couldn't come out of it. He had one other seizure back in 2005, but recovered just fine from that.

During the seizure last night, his eyes were rapidly moving back and forth and his breathing was shallow and rapid. Those symptoms scared me, because he didn't experience that the first time. We took him to the emergency vet around 10:30 pm. The vet said based on his age, and eye movement, he likely had a brain lesion or tumor. They could keep him, run some tests and try to treat him with medication. However, in a 13 year old dog who already had kidney failure, it was really a quality of life issue. We agreed.

It was sad and horrible, we cried, but it was the best decision for him. It was much easier to make the decision in that situation, versus having to make the decision just because he was old. Even during sedation, his eyes hadn't stopped their rapid movement, and his breathing remained labored.

The staff at the emergency vet was amazing. He was on a blanket, his head on a little pillow. It was peaceful, yet incredibly sad.

So, to Marshall...you've brought such joy to our lives. You were funny, crazy at times, ate things you shouldn't at times and had your own unique personality. You ruined my carpet, but it got me the hardwood floor I wanted. You tolerated your younger and more active cousins, and they loved you too. You tolerated an infant who grew into an active 8 year old who also loved you. Rest in peace, baby. We will miss you, my wonderful, sweet puppy...


Me and Marshall, 1996, a few weeks after we brought him home. We were both babies!



Marshall hanging out in the chair



Brian and Marshall sleeping



Marshall, April 2009