Chapter 7, Page 31, Book 10

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them . . . work, family, health, friends and spirit, and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls . . . family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same

Author Unknown

Today is SUPER Saturday!

There were many days in my life that this was the one day of the week that I tried to get it all done. When I was working it was the day to get the house clean and the laundry done and if you were lucky you also made it out to the grocery store. After I started camping all the Saturday work had to be done during the week so that I could camp on the weekends. Now I still call it a SUPER Saturday because usually it's a day that I get to spend with some of my family because some of them camp along side of me.

I often think how great it would be if all of them were here. We did manage that a few years ago and I loved every minute of it. Family is so important to me. It's not that I don't have a life of my own, but when all is said and done family is what I consider most important.

Faith, Family, Friends and Home are the important things in my life.

I became a mom and my whole life changed and once you are a mom, you remain one, no matter how old your children get to be.

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

Desmond Tutu

Whatever you do today, I do hope it is a SUPER one for you!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 30, Book 10

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful for beauty is God's handwriting

- a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today I'm celebrating another FANTASTIC Friday!

I've enjoyed

so many beautiful days this summer. It's been a joy just to be alive. When I retired in April I was one worn out lady. I

didn't know if I'd ever manage to get all the rest that I needed.

Well I think that finally I am rested and ready to get busy doing a few things. I will still be at my camper as much as possible until the end of October

but there is much I can do while I'm here.

I've brought my paint and brushes along with me so hopefully I'll be

making some things for gifts and just for fun. With my large family that just keeps growing, someone is always having a birthday or anniversary and

I do love to give gifts. I love to paint so I'm not only doing something for someone else, I'm also doing it for me too.

I did say I'd be busy, but it won't be work that I'm doing. With all the beauty of the country side I need to pay attention to all that is around me too. For the next few days we are going to have a break from the high temps we've been experiencing and that alone makes one feel like doing more.

If I manage to actually complete something, I'll take some

pictures to show you. Meanwhile I'll be sharing some photos of the lovely sunsets here. I enjoy sunrises too but the sun comes up behind a hill that is c

overed with trees so getting pictures of that isn't as easy to do. Mayb

e that is something else I should be working on.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness.

John Keats

I do hope your Friday is a Fantastic one and that you'll take a moment to look at the beauty all around you.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 29, Book 10

It's THANKFUL Thursday!

The days and weeks are flying by way too fast for me. Here it is Thursday already and as always I've got a list to share with you all today. I can’t express enough how important it is for me to acknowledge and give thanks for the many, many, blessings in my life.

I'm thankful for a few days of less humidity and heat

I'm thankful for the little sparrows, chickadees, and wood peckers that brighten up my days

I'm thankful for my family and the love they always give freely

I'm thankful for the conveniences I have like the car, my cell phone, my computer, air conditioning, and a fridge with an ice cube maker. It sure has gotten a work out this summer

I'm thankful for always for my health and that of my family too

I'm thankful for ice cream cones, watermelon and tomato sandwiches

I'm thankful for smiles and hugs and kisses

For these and all my many blessings I am so truly THANKFUL.

When you start to say thank you for the little things, bigger things have a way of appearing. It will not happen overnight. But by noticing the little things and giving thanks, you become more open to little steps that lead to bigger things.

Of all the attitudes we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing

Zig Ziglar

I do hope your Thursday is one to be THANKFUL for too!

'On Ya' - ma

Chapter 7, Page 28, Book 10

Pictures today are of what is blooming around my house.

First off, I'd like to say thanks for the comments that were left on the picture of one of my grandson's and his slice of watermelon that was in my post yesterday. I neglected to say that this picture was of our Prince Charming. He is an adorable little boy with or without the watermelon.

It is WONDERFUL Wednesday today. It's a day I always celebrate because for many it means we go Over the Hump of the work week. I remember how glad I always was to get half way through one of those. It's wonderful too as we know that we are on the downhill slide right into the weekend.

Weekends mean lots more free time to do the things that can't be done when we're working. We have more family time and time to get our projects done at home

.

Whether we work or not, today should be considered a wonderful one anyway...I got up again this morning and for me that is worth celebrating. I do hope you all have a WONDERFUL Wednesday no matter what you do.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 27, Book 10

Years wrinkle the skin. But to lose enthusiasm in life wrinkles the soul.

Anonymous

Needless to say I can boast of more than my share of wrinkles. Laugh lines and squint lines have been there for a while and it seems every day new wrinkles appear. Yet, age hasn't taken away my love of live at all. I seem to be more enthusiastic about each new day than I've ever been.

How can I help but be otherwise. I take the time just to watch the birds or the sunrise. I learn new things every day of my life. The things that delight me the are the simple things. I figure there is so much right around me that deserves some attention that I seldom feel the need to travel any further.

Enthusiastic emotions are contagious.The more passion you have for your life and activities, the more charisma and enthusiasm you will communicate

Learning new things tends to keep our enthusiasm high, perhaps this explains the natural enthusiasm of children. If you paid attention to children you would notice they are naturally enthusiastic and they are naturally happy. The reason adults tend to lose a lot of their enthusiasm for living is that they usually stop learning.

The world is as exciting today as it was when we were children, the trouble lies in the fact that we tend to lose our children's eyes and because of it our enthusiasm for life

Enthusiasm is the fuel that sustains you. It is the fire that lights you up and keeps you moving forward in the face of difficulties. It lifts you up when the situation looks dark, and it energizes you when you are tired.

If we speak positive words, we often gives better results. It is one of the fastest ways to turn a situation around. By speaking out positive words, you can quickly make a dismal situation a brighter one.

Greet the dawn with enthusiasm and you may expect satisfaction at sunset.

unattributed

I hope your Tuesday is a TERRIFIC one and that you too can look at life with the eyes of a child and find all the wonderful exciting things that are there right at your front door.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 26, Book 10

The pictures today are of the woods as the sun was setting Sunday evening. The golden glow made the leaves look like it was autumn instead of summer.

If you can't fly, then run.

If you can't run, then walk.

If you can't walk, then crawl.

But whatever you do, keep moving

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

.

I'm up and moving and it's going to be another Merry Monday here at my house today

We have had a break in the weather and it's been just beautiful since the hot humid stuff moved out of our area on Sunday morning. It is great to feel a little cooler and to be able to do something with out feeling like you are in a sauna.

UPS IN LIFE

1. Wake Up – Decide to have

a good day.

Today is the day the Lord

hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it

Psalms 118:24.

2. Dress Up – The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile

is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart

1 Sam 16:7

3. Shut Up – Say nice things a

nd learn to listen. God gave us two

ears and one mouth so He must have meant for us to do twice as much

listening as talking.

He who guards his lips guards his soul

Proverbs 13:3.

4. Stand Up – For what you believe in. Stand for something or you

will fall for anything.

Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the

proper time, we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up. Therefore, as

we have opportunity, let us do good…

Gal 6:9-10.

5. Look Up – To the Lord.

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength

Philippians 4:13

Be contented with what you have, but

never too contented with what you are.

Laughing helps. It’s like jogging on the inside.

Have a MERRY Monday everyone!

'On Ya' - ma

Chapter 7, Page 25, Book 10

Just some good thoughts this Sunday for a great day of R & R

God has gifted you with another beautiful day to look forward to.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

You have got one more day to achieve your dreams, to spend time with your loved ones and to enjoy life

Smiles are contagious. When you look in the mirror and smile at yourself, you feel more happy and positive. Positive energies vibrate all around you. If you don’t believe it, just give it a try.

Just like laughter, singing not only boosts health, it also reduces stress levels and makes us feel happier.

Remember:

Where You're Headed Is More Important Than How Fast You're Going

It's strange to think about, but in five months it will be Christmas! The summer is flying by and we've had more of our normal share of hot, humid and often rainy days here this year. Instead of enjoying our Saturday night campfire we were in our campers with the rain pouring down last night.

After the thunder and lightning passed I was able to use my computer but don't like to when it rains so I read some of a book. That's the sort of thing I'd do in the wintertime, so I hate it when I have to do it in the summer too.

Today we're supposed to be sunny and a bit cooler so that is a blessing. I'll be enjoying the outdoors once more and happy to be doing so.

You are all always in my thoughts and prayers. Try to make this day one that is full of R & R

Rest, relaxation, renewal and refreshment!

'On Ya' -ma

Chapter 7, Page 24, Book 10

Celebrate the glory in every day!

It's SUPER Saturday for me. Here at the campground we are celebrating Christmas in July.

This little celebration in July is all about the fun in decorating and having a good time with my family. Santa arrives in a golf cart sporting a Hawaiin shirt and has treats for all the little ones. It's a day to let your imagination flow.

As it is summer and Santa is resting up for all the work he does at the North Pole, we add a festive theme to the mix with a little Luau slant to the festivities. My Christmas in July tree is a little Palm tree decorated with spiraling white lights.

It is a time to reflect on what makes Christmas time magical and to try to recreate that aspect and then have a good time! Is it just like that warm feeling you get from having a Christmas tree with the lights twinkling .

Every day we live is a priceless gift of God, loaded with possibilities to learn something new, to gain fresh insights into His great truths.

Dale Evans Rogers

I hope your Saturday is a SUPER one!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 23, Book 10

This picture was of the sunset on Thursday evening

It's FANTASTIC Friday!

FANTASTIC: Wonderful or superb; remarkable: extraordinarily good or great

Life takes on new meaning when we invest ourselves in others

Many people find that when they retire they have nothing meaningful to do with their time. I'm one that has so many things to do that I'll never have enough time to do it all. Besides having a large family, I love to do many things. But I do find that those times I spend with my family are often the best ones.

Sometimes the help I give them is only that of helping them to celebrate a special date like a birthday or anniversary, other times I do a little baby sitting or cook something for them. I don't like to be a meddling parent or in law so most of the time I wait for them to let me know how I can help, but there are times in all their lives when I think the most important thing I can do is just to be there for them.

I've learned to be very flexible and often have found my plans changed, but one thing I do have is lots of time so if plans change, I don't ever worry about what I didn't do, but consider it a privilege to be able to go where I'm needed or to do what needs done.

This past April when I watched DS#6's little one while they worked, I found myself busier than I'd been in a long long time, but I loved every moment of it. They thanked me for my help but really it was I who was thankful to them for letting me do that. I've never had that much time with any of my other grand children. I would love to have a month every year with each of them.

This morning I'm alone as I am much of the time, but I'm cooking for some of my family that will be here by dinner time this evening and that makes it a FANTASTIC Friday for me.

I hope it's a FANTASTIC one for you too!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 7, Page 22, Book 10

IT'S THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Gratefulness is a good defense against unhappiness, so it is better to keep your sense of gratefulness alive. Moaning about your life will only attract negative vibes, so be wary.

Sometimes you have to just be thankful you made it through to another day

I’m not one of those people who believes the road forward is always gonna be easy but if I take time to be thankful, the journey always looks a lot brighter

TODAY I'm THANKFUL for:

First and foremost my family

and for my health

for peaceful morning walks

for summer rains to cool us down

for air conditioning in my home, my trailer and my car. I don't know how we ever got along without it.

for friends and fun times filled with laughter

for ice cream cones

fresh peaches

and ice cubes

for the convenience of a cell phone and a computer

for flip flops

For these and all my many blessings I am so truly THANKFUL.

I hope you too are counting your blessings and are grateful for them.

'On Ya'-ma