Chapter 5, Page 31, Book 11

TERRIFIC 2'S TUESDAY!

The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you’re learning, you’re not old

Rosalyn S.Yalow

I am enjoying the age I am but I thing aging is not as much about the body as it is about the attitude and the outlook towards life. We must have always had a hobby or interest that is used as a stress buster or to unwind and rejuvenate. Of course, at 67 you cannot hope to go mountaineering, especially if you haven’t kept in excellent health with regular exercise. However, you could develop a new interest that could keep you busy and happy. Learning something new will bring back the life that you think you were losing.

If you learn something new each day... you will never grow old. You learn something every day if you pay attention

Ray LeBlond

It's amazing how time flies by, and looking back can leave you feeling old! But just because you've got several decades behind you doesn't mean you have to feel old. Go out with a smile on your face, and enjoy the rest of your life as best as you can.

There are some things in life we have no control over, such as when we were born. Age is no more than a circumstantial detail, like the color of your eyes, or the names of your parents; it does not define who you are. There are other things that do, like those things we do have control over, such as how we think and what we do.

Tuesday resolution: Learn something new today

The sun came up this morning to help guide us through another beautiful day

in our lives, and I hope that you're able to make of this day one of the best

days that you've ever had in your life. After all, it IS up to you what you do with it!

Have a TERRIFIC day everyone!

'On Ya' - ma

Chapter 5, Page 30, Book 11

MEMORIAL DAY

One gift, above all others

God gives to us to treasure

One that knows no time, no place

And one gold cannot measure

The precious, poignant tender gift

Of Memory......that will keep

On dear ones ever in our hearts

Although God gives them sleep

It brings back long remembered things

A song, a word, a smile

And the world's a better place ... because

We had them for awhile!

Author Unknown

With Memorial Day , our thoughts this weekend turn to soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice – and, sadly, those who will do so in the future – so that our cherished freedoms are preserved.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

Monday resolution:

May I never forget that FREEDOM is never free. Instead of simple remembering those we lost in grievances of the past, perhaps we can work to prevent the grievances of the present and future.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 29, Book 11

R and R Sunday!

This whole weekend is one that is filled with lots of rest and relaxation for me. The weather man says we only have small percentages of rain and that makes it all the better here. We do most everything outdoors. Having campers means that we have a good place to sleep and to get in out of the weather if need be, otherwise it is outdoor time for sure.

The nicest part of camping with family is that we were able to incorporate our space and that makes for a good size bit of outdoor space. One area is for our fire pit, another is for our table and cooking area and the 3rd space is for the kids to play. The trouble is that we've had a great deal of problem getting grass to grow here. It's a shady area but there is times of full sun. We can set up a badminton game set or play croquet or pitch horse shoes if we want as there is plenty of room. Corn hole and hillbilly golf are two other games we play often.

We have a round wooden picnic table with benches that seats 8 and then we have another folding metal picnic table that could seat another 8. It makes it very convenient when we have guests in which we do this weekend. DS#5 and #6 and their families are here too which makes for 14 of us plus the friends we have here at the campground that come over to visit.

DS#1 and DSIL are responsible for the improvements made here on our site and they have everything set up conveniently. We spread creek bed stones on the walkways and around the fire pit and the picnic tables so it wouldn't be muddy when it rains too. You all know we've had a lot of rain this Spring and this has been a lifesaver for us many times.

The campfire is always a favorite for all of us. We have 8 chairs that stay here around the fire and add more when needed. The chairs we got are made by the Amish which are all over here where we camp and they are known for good craftsmanship. They are made out of something other than wood which withstands the weather much better and the only maintenance required each year is to simply wash them off. They do get dirty sitting outside all the time.

That's what's going on here in my part of the world this Sunday. I hope you are enjoying this weekend too!

As always you all are in my thoughts and prayers!

'On Ya'-ma

Sunday Resolution: Don’t put a question mark where God put a period

Chapter 5, Page 28, Book 11

SUPER SATURDAY!

If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth.

Anthony de Mello

We have all heard the fact that if we want change, then we need to start with ourselves. I have found my peaceful spot and will be enjoying a long holiday weekend there this weekend. I know where my special place is and try and get there as often as I can.

Things are changing though and time will only tell just how peaceful it will remain there.

I love my front porch too. I have a porch swing and lots of cushions to make it nice and comfy, but it's not very peaceful there. Some days I feel like we live on a main highway rather than a quiet city street.

I have my rocker on the back patio at home too. I really have spent lots of peaceful days there watching the birds. Now it seems it's not a safe place to be either.

Saturday Resolution: Peace needs to be in my heart rather than in places.

Having a peaceful heart where no intruders can destroy the good feelings and keeping it that way isn't at all easy but for me it's a must if I am to live each day as fully as I want.

Times are changing and we need to change with them in order to protect and preserve our peace. Maybe the change I'm making should have been in place all along. Peace be with you all today and everyday!

Have a SUPER Saturday!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 27, Book11

For Better or Worse, Our Words and Thoughts Matter, Even When We're the Only Ones That Hear Them

FANTASTIC FRIDAY!

Here's a little story from one of my devotionals this week:

A ball-point pen salesman persuaded a small business owner to order five hundred pens. He was writing the order in his sales book when suddenly the business owner exclaimed, Hold on! I'm canceling the order!

With that, the business owner turned to wait on a customer and ignored the salesman. The salesman left the store angry and confused. Later, the business owner's bookkeeper asked, Why did you cancel that pen order? Why? responded the man. Because that salesman talked ball-point pens to me for a half hour, and described the benefits. He showed me how I could use them to expand my business. He had me convinced that I could not get along without those ball-point pens. Then he turned around and wrote my order with a lead pencil. He doesn't even use his own product!

There is nothing in the world that will defeat us in life like saying one thing and doing another

I think my beliefs encompass much more that a set of practices or rules of behavior. When we stop to think about our behavior, we know when we've done something wrong. How do we know? Because our mothers taught us better, or we learned it in Sunday school or we read it in the Bible. Because we know better, we will try to do better next time.

Living our beliefs leads us into faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, joy, love, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and self-control. I try to live each day joyfully and thankfully by taking delight in each day and living to the fullest the life that has been given to me.

Make each moment count double and make each thought count for something

If your self talk is sad, cheer it up.

If your self talk is defeated, build it up.

If your self talk is on repeat, mix it up.

If your self talk makes you cry, shut it up!

There is purpose, joy, and reward by living faithfully in our everyday, unspectacular routines. It doesn't take a lot of money or things. Positive thoughts do make a difference.

It's Fantastic Friday and I do hope your day is a truly FANTASTIC one!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 26, Book 11

Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have

Everyone needs blessings, even the rich, the successful, and those who appear to have everything. What you buy or do for these people is not the real issue; they may not need the gift, but they need the love. We all get weary sometimes and need to be encouraged, edified, complimented, and appreciated.

Remember, God blesses you so you can be a blessing, not only in a few places but everywhere you go

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

This is the day I count my blessings and give thanks for them. Just as we all receive blessings every day of our lives it is well to remember to give them too.

This week I am thankful for the extra hours of daylight. It's light when I get up and stays that way until it's almost my bedtime. I'd love to stay up longer some nights but as I get up early, I go to bed early too.

I'm thankful for the holiday weekend coming up as it will provide an opportunity for many in my family to get together for a few days. Reconnecting with each other is so important to them and I love seeing them together too.

I'm thankful for warmer days too. Being outside in the fresh air is beneficial in more than one way. Our bodies and minds are blessed.

I'm thankful that the violent storms have bypassed us for the most part. Even though the rain has been a little mind boggling at least we are all safe and sound here.

I'm thankful for my health and that of my family and friends too. I've had a few minor sinus issues it seems but nothing to really get me down and out.

I'm thankful for DD and DS#5 for the help they've provided since I don't have use of a car and for other family members that have been a great help too.

For these and all the many blessings I've received I am truly THANKFUL.

'On Ya'-ma

This day and your life ... are God's gift to you,

so give thanks and be joyful always!

Author Unknown

Thursday Resolution: concentrate less on being popular and more on your inner peace

Chapter 5, Page 25, Book 11

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY!

Wanderlust - strong longing for or impulse toward wandering . A strong, innate desire to rove or travel about

I wonder as I wander it seems. I do have a lust for life and that often takes me places I'd never dreamed of going before. No matter what challenges come my way, I will learn to relax into the moment and take life as it comes

Loving life can get the old adrenaline pumping for sure. I can still remember the way our hearts swelled while busting out on open road for the first time, the dedicated collecting of tickets, receipts, maps, and photos documenting everything when we used to travel. How exciting it all was.

That is the way many of my days are. Each one is an adventure. Some times we catch ourselves daydreaming about a destination we’d rather be exploring which can certainly be fun, but knowing I don't have to go any further than my computer to see the world is a relief for me. Reading about other peoples travels and places they see is enough.

I do travel some. I don't always stay at home. I visit my children and I go to the camper but my journey through life is what keeps me full of wonder. Hope life's all good with you with all the ups n downs bends and twists we have. Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday

'On Ya'-ma

Wednesday Resolution: Remember, all good things come from God

Chapter 5, Page 24, Book 11

Terrific 2's Tuesday!

Kitchen Prayer

God bless my little kitchen,

I love its every nook,

And bless me as I do my work,

Wash pots and pans and cook,

And may the meals that I prepare,

Be seasoned from above

With Thy great Blessing

And Thy Grace

But most of all Thy Love.

On the wall above my kitchen sink hangs a plate with a kitchen prayer much like the one above. It was given to me years ago when I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. When you think about the times spent in the kitchen, most of them are good times. Now that I don't cook a lot for just me, most my time spent there is when I'm making something for family gatherings. This coming weekend I'll be making a huge bowl of potato salad to share with the members of my family that will be camping. I love potato salad and would never fix it for just me.

We won't be cooking anything fancy as we plan on having a relaxing weekend so for the most part we'll be dining on hamburgers and hot dogs. I love them done outside on the grill and I thought the potato salad would be the perfect accompaniment.

The kitchen is a place of happy times and where memories are made. I've found that one key to happiness is to make sure you always have something to look forward to, whether it’s Friday night trips to the theater, or lunch with your kids, etc. Make a point of setting up particular events that happen on specific days.

Plan get-togethers and holiday parties. Lining up the menu, practicing new desserts, buying decorations, and generally planning the whole affair will give you plenty of things to look forward to and get excited about. This past weekend we were planning the coming holiday weekend and even what kind of crafts we'd be doing. Grand'ma' always has to have a craft for everyone to do.

We decided to make treasure boxes. We'll be decorating old shoe boxes to put some sort of treasure found at the campsite though out the camping season. It could be a rock, a flower, or a leaf. There are all sorts of treasures to find there.

Then when the campers are closed up for the winter we can look inside our Treasure Boxes and remember all the fun times we had.

That's my two for this Tuesday: A Kitchen Prayer and our Memorial Day Plans

I hope your Tuesday is a TERRIFIC one!

'On Ya'-ma

Tuesday resolution: Take a step toward achieving a long-term goal in your life.

Chapter 5, Page 23, Book 11

MERRY MONDAY!

LESSONS LEARNED FROM A PENCIL

The pencil maker took the pencil aside, just before putting it into the box. There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world, he said. Always remember these five things, and you'll be a great pencil.

One: You are capable of many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil

Three: You have the ability to correct the mistakes you make

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside

And Five: On every surface where you are used, regardless of its condition, you must leave your mark.

The pencil understood and promised to remember.

Author Unknown

Mondays are often days that we need a little reminder like this. Some have jobs to go to others have no place to go and wish they did. Mostly I'm very content not to have to go anywhere anymore. Where I do go is my choice. But even at home I want to say that what I do is the best I can do.

Monday resolution: Forgive yourself for something you've done that you are regretting and having trouble letting go of.

Have a MERRY Monday everyone!

'On Ya' -ma

Chapter 5, Page 22, Book 11

He is richest who is content with the least

Socrates

SUNDAY R and R

Today I've been resting and relaxing enjoying the simple pleasures of nature. I was able to sit on my deck there on the hill and view some of the wonders that only nature can provide. And I did have that good cup of coffee right there in my hand too. To me there is nothing more soothing and relaxing.

Nature has given us two two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue--to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak.

Socrates

I often have the bad habit of putting my foot in my mouth when I speak so I am trying to learn to listen more. I remember how my mom often said she loved listening to the Robins as they seem to say: Cheer up! Cheer Up! Now when I do see one of these little red breasted birds I always think of her.

In the early morning quiet of the woods there is much to see and hear and I was listening to the wise little birds say: Cheer up! Cheer Up!

I hope your Sunday is filled with all the good rest and relaxation we all need to get us off to a good start in the week ahead

'On Ya'-ma

Sunday resolution: Celebrate the wonders all around you.