Chapter 2, Page 28, Book 09

A tour guide was showing a tourist around Washington, D. C.

The guide pointed out the place where George Washington supposedly threw a dollar across the Potomac River.

"That's impossible," said the tourist.

"No one could throw a coin that far!"

"You have to remember," answered the guide.

"A dollar went a lot farther in those days."

Author Unknown

Proportion your expenses to what you have,

not what you expect.
English Proverb


GOOD MORNING!

We all know that things cost a lot more today than they did 10 years ago. My utility bills, my food, and even my coffee cost more than they used to. So I thought I’d join the ranks of the frugle bloggers sharing tips on saving money and share a few of my favorites today.

Avoid spending money on frivolous things or giving in to impulse purchases. Before making that "need to have" purchase, sleep on it overnight. Buy it only if you still want it desperately the next day


Buy only if you have the cash to pay for an item, even if you are using your credit card to make the purchase

Reduce or eliminate your magazine subscriptions. Go to your local public library to catch up on the latest edition of your favorite magazine. It's free

Shop with a list. Don't stray, except to buy seasonal products you can use

Food is the largest expense after housing and transportation. How you shop and cook can make a big difference



I’ve had to watch my budget for many years and watching what I spend money on is nothing new to me. Since my family is all on their own now, things are not as tight as they once were, but everything costs more too.

My motto for now is: If I have the money I can buy it, if I don’t – I won’t.

Starting tomorrow I’ll be sharing more wisdom of a very different kind.
Have a great Saturday everyone!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with ONLY a loaf of bread are three billion to one.

Erma Bombeck

‘On Ya’- ma

Chapter 2, Page 27, Book 09

Today I smiled, and all at once

Things didn't look so bad.

Today I share with someone else,

A bit of hope I had.

Today I sang a little song,

And felt my heart grow light,

And walked a happy little mile,

With not a cloud in sight.

Today I worked with what I had

And longed for nothing more,

And what had seemed like only weeds,

Were flowers at my door.

Today I loved a little more,

Complained a little less,

And in the giving of myself,

Forgot my weariness.

Author Unknown

There are three things I was born with in this world,
and there are three things I will have until the day I die-
hope, determination, and song

Miriam Makeba

GOOD MORNING !

I would say one of the hardest things for me to stop doing is probably stop complaining. I catch myself doing it over and over again. I grumble about the weather, and about being cold. I whine about the prices of things and I criticize the crazy drivers on the road. Every gripe I have makes the world look a little darker and dingier.

If I did the opposite and exclaimed over how amazing life can be, chances are things would look a whole lot brighter and much more positive.

Singing someone’s praises not only makes that person feel better, it makes me feel better too. I’m really going to have to work on the things I say and think twice before I open my mouth and a complaint slips out.

Today is one of those days where rejoicing causes me no effort at all. I am celebrating the end another work week. I’ll sing and be happy and give every one a smile. My favorite day of the week is Friday and I think everyone that knows me knows that too.

Now I just have to work on making Monday thru Thursday just as good as Fridays!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.

Sarah Ban Breathnach

‘On Ya’-ma

Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer

is to small to be made into a burden

Corrie ten Boom

Chapter 2, Page 26, Book 09

CONFUSING PROVERBS

Actions speak louder than words.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

Look before you leap.

He who hesitates is lost.

Many hands make light work.

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

A silent man is a wise one.

A man without words is a man without thoughts.

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Clothes make the man.

Don't judge a book by its cover.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Better safe than sorry.

The bigger, the better.

The best things come in small packages.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Out of sight, out of mind.

What will be, will be.

Life is what you make it.

Cross your bridges when you come to them.

Forewarned is forearmed.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

One man's meat is another man's poison.

With age comes wisdom.

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings come all wise sayings.

The more, the merrier.

Two's company; three's a crowd

Author Unknown

Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

Decisions have consequences. That’s a bit of wisdom we may have heard somewhere along the line. What does your heart say The head may say yes, but until the heart is convinced, we may experience “decision gridlock.”

Some experts tell us we make as many as two hundred conscious decisions every day. Some of these are small, and others are very big and carry profound consequences. Wouldn’t it be great if we could make the right decision all the time

There have been a lot of times in my life that the decisions I made were the spur of the moment ones. I lived to regret some of them and by doing so I’ve become much more cautious when making new ones.

It was great when I had a husband to consult and it was also nice to include my family in my decisions, but those options are open to me now.

It has been said that the greatest room in the world is the room for improvement. For most of us, one area in our lives that can certainly stand some improvement is in the area of making wise judgments

After searching for some guidance here are a few tips I found

Associate with wise people. Read about the lives of great men and women, either in books or through the internet.

DON’T’ JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS

Get the all the necessary facts then make a conclusion

The advice of others will give you important insight and guidance to help you arrive at a correct decision

Realize and admit that you don’t know it all.

Coming up in March I’m going to be sharing some Wisdom for us all.
I’ve already been planning some topics to share in the new month ahead and am thinking it is a good thing that February has been a short Month…
ROLL ON SPRING!

ONE THING NEVER TO FORGET

Your presence, is a present to the world.

You're unique and one of a kind.

Your life can be, what you want it to be.

Take the days, just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.

You'll make it through, whatever comes along.

Within you, are so many answers.

Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself.

So many dreams, are waiting to be realized.

Decisions are too important, to leave to chance.

Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy, than worrying.

The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.

Don't take things too seriously.

Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets

.Remember, that a little love goes a long way.

Remember, that a lot of love goes forever.

Remember, that friendship is a wise investment.

Life treasures, are people... together.

Realize, that it's never too late.

Do ordinary things, in a extraordinary way.

Have health, hope and happiness.

Take the time, to wish upon a star.

And don't ever forget....

For even a day....

How very special you are.

Author Unknown

Unless your heart, your soul, and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty, and each action will be meaningless. Truth and confidence are the roots of happiness.

Kathleen Pedersen


'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 2, Page 25, Book 09

ASH WEDESDAY

WHAT TO GIVE UP . . .

Give up complaining. . . . . . . .focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism. . . . . . . . . become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments . . .think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry. . . . . . . . . . . . . trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement. . . . .be full of hope.

Give up bitterness. . . . . . . . . . turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred. . . . . . . . . . . . . return good for evil.

Give up negativism . . . . . . . . .be positive.

Give up anger. . . . . . . . . . . . . .be more patient.

Give up pettiness. . . . . . . . . . .become mature.

Give up gloom. . . . . . . . . . . . . .enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy. . . . . . . . . . . .pray for trust.

Give up gossiping. . . . . . . . . . .control your tongue.

Give up sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . turn to virtue.

Give up giving up. . . . . . . . . . . hang in there!

GOOD MORNING !

For many of us today is Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent.
This list above is a favorite of mine and remains hanging on my refrigerator in the kitchen all year long. It is in a place where I’ll be reminded every day of the year that it is not enough to give up chocolate or candy.

Giving up the gloom and enjoying the beauty around me may get a little easier today. We are supposed to have temps in the 40’s. Anything above freezing is a cause for rejoicing for sure.


THOUGHT FOR TODAY

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn

Harriet Beecher Stowe

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 2, Page 24, Book 09

When faced with too many things, in too short a time, with too little money, and you "only have one nerve left," and "someone is standing on it", it may be a problem of balance

The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.—Euripides

GOOD MORNING !

Whenever I feel myself off kilter and out of sorts, it does me a world of good just to stop what I’m doing and let my mind go blank awhile. Sometimes we just get so full of trying to do things, nothing goes right. I seem to have more of these days now than I used to. More and more I’m in awe at the speed in which the world turns.

Today I put in several quotes about balance and the importance of it. Most of the time I try to just give you one thought for today but I guess I needed all these thoughts. Maybe one or two of them might help you too.

SEVERAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

When you balance one thing with another, you're able to achieve maximum value from both. So balance effort with rest, excitement with serenity, fellowship with solitude, and expression with observation.
When the load is balanced, you can carry it a long way. Keep your life in balance, and you will surely go far.
Ralph Marston

The most pleasant and useful persons are those who leave some of the problems of the universe for God to worry about.

Don Marquis


Every night I turn my worries over to God -

he's going to be up all night anyway.
Mary Crowley

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 2, Page 23, Book 09

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.

About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. "You aren't going to catch many fish that way," said the businessman to the fisherman, "you should be working rather than lying on the beach!"

The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, "And what will my reward be?" "Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the businessman's answer. "And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman, still smiling.

The businessman replied, "You will make money and you'll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!" "And then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again. The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman's questions. "You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!" he said.

"And then what will my reward be?" repeated the fisherman. The businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!"

Once again the fisherman asked, "And then what will my reward be?"

The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, "Don't you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won't have a care in the world!"

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said,

"And what do you think I'm doing right now?"

Contentment is a difficult attitude to learn, but so important. It's easy to get caught in the world's trap of working harder and harder to earn more and more, when we may well already have what can provide us with the greatest possible happiness.
May you know true contentment today

Author unknown

GOOD MORNING!

It’s Monday, the beginning of a new work week for me. Most days even when the weather is getting me down I can deal with bad situations by trying to look at the bright side of things, because if not, I would just be a grumpy soul traveling the streets in anger.

I think we need to take life for all it's worth because as sad as it is we are not promised tomorrow today. I try to have the kind of spirit, the kind of character that allows me to thrive in the face of adversity

This is tied directly to my faith and the knowledge that God loves us and is at work in our lives. We all have a choice as to how we approach things. We live in a day and age especially in this area, where people desperately need to be able to hope. Statistics show that 3000 jobs have been lost in our area.

I do have a reason to fix my focus on the bright side of things and be hopeful, because I know how much God loves. I know of Gods power to accomplish His unfailing plans and purposes. . We can look at the security found in Gods promises to us, not at the insecurities of our times

Happiness doesn’t come from being rich, or merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. Like the fisherman in the story today, take time today to enjoy life.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Where there is life, there is hope

‘On Ya’- ma

Chapter 2, Page 22, Book 09

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.
John Boswell

GOOD MORNING !

I have to say this weekend has been one for enjoying the idle hours. I’ve not done much at all here at my house. I did get out Saturday afternoon for our camper lunch and you’ll see pictures of that over on the side bar today. It seems easier for me to place them there.

In just two weeks from Saturday my babes will be getting together again for my birthday. We are all going out to lunch again. Seems everybody likes to eat.
Then we are supposed to go back to DD’s house and just hang out and visit for awhile. Like all things that will be weather related too. There have been lots of snow storms happen on or around my birthdays of the past.

I still remember my 16th birthday as I think it was probably the only one where my friends were invited over to help me celebrate. Other birthdays it was just a family celebration. We all had a great time playing our records (this was in the old days) and dancing. It didn’t matter then if you had a partner or not we all danced. When the kids left to go home we found a huge snow on the ground and every one had to shovel themselves out in order to go home.

Anyway that’s enough reminiscing for today. I’m off to church a little later today and as always you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March

Dr. J. R. Stockton


‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 2, Page 21, Book 09

The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
GOOD MORNING !
I’ve probably used the quote above more than once over the years that I’ve been journaling. I have favorite authors and favorite quotes and this is definitely one of them.
These dreary days of winter certainly do teach us lessons about patience. A little winter, a little cuddling by the fire with a good book , and a little snow are not bad things at all…but all things need their balance and this winter has gone a little over board as far as I’m concerned.
I’m a great optimist and I’m always searching for the bright side of things, but you know this winter I’ve almost reached the bottom of the barrel. Today we are still planning on meeting for lunch with camper friends but the weather man is still saying snow so we’ll see…
My new deck furniture was delivered yesterday. DD and her hubby picked up for me and are storing it in their basement til the camping season begins. I decided to get a glider to match the table and chairs too. So thought I’d share a picture of it with you today.
I got the set from Sears and everything was on sale too. Everything that I brought home from the camper is still packed up in my attic so it is already to go back there too. All I’ll have to do when the times comes is get it all back there and open up the camper and enjoy.
Have a great Saturday!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Keep your faith in all beautiful things;

in the sun when it is hidden,

in the Spring when it is gone.
Roy R. Gilson

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 2, Page 20, Book 09

Hope is not a matter of waiting for things outside of us to get better. It is about getting better inside about what is going on outside.

Jack Reimer

GOOD MORNING !

It’s finally the last day of the work week and I’m ready for the weekend!
Tomorrow, weather permiting, my Camping Buddies and I are meeting for lunch to celebrate the fact that winter is almost over and make some plans for what we’ll be doing when the camp ground opens.

I call us the ‘Party Hill’ gang. Half of the people there will be my family but there are others that camp near by that are coming too. It’ll be so good to see every one. Party Hill is the name the campground gave the area where we camp as right in front of us is a large area for weekend tent campers. It seems to me though, that we permanent campers do much more partying than the people in the tent area do.

We’ll have a few new campers around us this year too. They had reserved the sites in the fall but we’ve not met them yet. I hope they are as great as the people we have now. We all get along so well and everyone helps each other out when needed too.

It seems the campground is growing in leaps and bounds as so many people have chosen to camp permanently instead of travel so they can save money. Times are tough and even campers are affected. If you want something that doesn’t cost of lot of money and is very restful, camping will do it for sure.

Have a happy Friday everyone!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 2, Page 19, Book 09

Happiness cannot come from without.

It must come from within.

It is not what we see and touch

or that which others do for us

which makes us happy;

it is that which we think and feel and do,

first for the other person and then for ourselves.

Helen Keller

GOOD MORNING !

Just a few thoughts for you today…
Did you ever hear the song that says If your happy and you know it – clap your hands…
I really have found out that I can clap my hands and my happiness is not dependant on other people. I can be happy because of what I do and what I think and what I want. Living alone really is a lot different.

You know when you’re married it seems that two do really become one. Every thing you do depends on what the other person also likes and wants to do.

I ‘ve had to face the fact that if I was to find some happiness in my life it was going to be up to me. I love to do many different things so my time was always filled with one thing or another. I took up hobbies that I’d never done before too.

I’d never say I learned this lesson easily for sure. I had lots of help from the good Lord, and from family and friends that gave loving support too. The thing is we should never depend on someone else to make us happy. Loving and living with someone doesn’t make or break our happiness.

Being in circumstances that are out of our control should not take away the ability we have to live a life of joy and completeness. Don’t make someone else the cause of your happiness,

It is an unfair burden to place anyone.

Just like the little puppy happiness is within each and every one of us.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

There is no paycheck that can equal the feeling

of contentment that comes from being

the person you are meant to be.

Oprah Winfrey

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 2, Page 18, Book 09

Practicing relaxation techniques can help calm our days when they get too stressful. It's easy to miss out on enjoying a day in our life if our minds are filled with worrisome thoughts and our bodies are tense with stress. A day lived is not coming back and we should not lose it in this way


There is however, a true music of nature - the song of the birds, the whisper of leaves, the ripple of waters upon a sandy shore, the wail of wind or sea.

John Lubbock (1834-1913)

GOOD MORNING !

If you are stressed and unhappy that is time stolen from you and your loved ones. Minutes add up to hours, and hours add up to days. Don’t let those precious minutes slip away.

Even if we have to take extra steps every day to make it so, it is worth it.

When we spend time outside with a little sun on our heads this causes a chain reaction of healing to happen in our bodies. It’s also been proven that sunlight helps to lift depression and mellow out anxiety. Maybe this is why I love camping so much. I’m cooped in an office way too much and love the outdoors.

I listened to an interview on the radio on my way home from work yesterday. A man was telling about how he had totally burnt himself out with his busy life style.

He said when we are young we have so much energy it is easy just to keep on doing and not taking time for rest. Your body has lots to give, but it is also borrowing energy that you might need in the future too.

Take time to rest, and destress and enjoy life. Time does go by too fast .


THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The Nylons - This Island Earth

If you’re lookin’ for a miracle open your eyes

There was one this morning just about sunrise

Dawn came breakin’ like a wave on the sea

And it’s there for you and me

Look for the miracles around you.

Take time to really look at the beauty and power of a sunrise.
Take joy in the brilliant colors that are painted across the sky

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 2, Page 17, Book 09

A funny story tells about an old lady who was living in the village.

She had never owned nor even been in a car before. One day, she was returning home from the market carrying a big heavy basket on her head, when a rich man riding his car passed by. Kindly, he offered to drive the lady to her home. She thanked him and got into the car with her basket.

On the way, the man glanced at the lady in the mirror, still holding her basket over her head. Astonished, he asked her to lay the basket down in the car and rest. The old lady naively replied, "Oh my son, your car is carrying me; this is enough, I should not burden it carrying my basket too!" What an innocently funny response!

We sometimes do the same with God. Everyday, God carries us during the day. Still, we insist on carrying our heavy baskets of worries and fear of the future, for family, kids, spouses, money, jobs, etc... We are carried by Almighty Hands, watched over by Sleepless Eyes and God plans our future. Let us then relax and lay down everything in God's Hands. The old lady, if she agreed to lay down the basket, would have to carry it again when she returned home. But the beautiful thing about God is that once we cast our heavy basket in His Hands we do not need to think about it anymore

GOOD MORNING !

I’m still learning to let all those burdens go and relax and not worry, but I am getting better at it. It seems life goes by so fast. If I had any regrets in my life it would be that I regret the many hours I spent worrying. They were a waste of time for sure. It is much better to let the Lord take care of things. He does a much better job than I could ever do.

It is Terrific Tuesday today. They keep telling me this is the best day of the week. I’ve yet to find out what is so special about it. Every day is really a terrific day if we make it one.

So have a Super TERRIFIC Day everyone!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I'VE DREAMED MANY DREAMS

Author Unknown

I've dreamed many dreams that never came true

I've seen them vanish at dawn

But I've realized enough of my dreams, thank god,

To make me want to dream on

I've prayed many prayers when no answer came

Though I waited patient and long

But answers have come to enough of my prayers

To make me want to keep praying on

I've trusted many a friend that failed

And left me to weep alone

But I've found enough of my friends true blue

To make me keep trusting on

I've sown many seed that fell by the way

For the birds to feed upon

But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hands

To make me keep sowing on

I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain

And gone many days without song

But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life

To make me want to live on

‘On Ya’-ma

What you achieve through the journey of life

is not as important as who you become

Author Unknown