Chapter 5, Page 31, Book 10

Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature a

nd the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and

in God. Think of all the beauty that’s still left in and around you and be happy!

Anne Frank

Memorial Day weekend has long stood as the unofficial start to the summer season. In our area it is officially when the pools and beaches open and when people start taking their vacations. Everyone is traveling more because the weather is so nice.

It is important that we take a few quiet moments today to honor all those who have fought so bravely for the freedoms we enjoy.

This weekend has been just wonderful. Everyone had a grand time and the weather was just beautiful. After all the wet and cold days we have had this month the warmth and sunshine were a very welcome change.

It is very surprising that we call our world of stress and hurry and pressure civilized. And at the same time, we call the forests and natural world that gives us so much peace the wild. For some reason, the logic of this escapes me. . . .

'On Ya' - ma

For fast-acting relief, try slowing down

Lily Tomlin

Chapter 5, Page 30, Book 10

If you never did, you should.

These things are fun, and fun is good.

Dr. Seuss

Life is no picnic...but lately mine sure seems like one.

Picnics are easy entertainment. Simple food and plenty of rest and relaxation.

Pleasant times spent with family are #1 in my agenda. Every time I get the opportunity to enjoy such times I do

My life in the past was pretty hectic yet I always took time out for my good R & R on Sundays. Every one needs a break in order to be able to do the best they can in the week ahead.

Lately all my days seem like Sundays. A constant feeling of restfulness seems to be my new way of life.

Sundays at the campground are very often the day that most have to pack up and return home for the work week but this is a holiday weekend so it will be another day of rest and relaxation here. No one has to go home until tomorrow so that they are ready for a new work week.

I don't go to work any more so I really am only going to return home so I can check the mail , water the plants and do my laundry.

Today I'll be off to church as usual. I visit the little church about 15 minutes down the road from the campground. And as always you all will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I hope your Sunday is filled with lots of that wonderful R&R

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 29, Book 10

This is the grand babes sand box here at the campsite.

They do have hours of fun playing with the sand.

Often, the things we value most become so much a part of us we forget to appreciate them.

It's Super Saturday! And I have to say that it is a very wonderful one here in my part of the world. I've been at the camper now for a couple of days. Most of my family that is coming camping is here except DS#6 and family and they will join us later on today. They will be staying with DD and her hubby in their camper.

The weather has been the nicest that we have seen in a long long while. Everyone is happier just being outside in the sunshine. Last nights campfire was a good sized one as not just my family but most all of our friends that camp nearby gathered around the fire too. The comment was made just how nice it was to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and I do agree.

This is DS#6 and his wife' camper. They just came in for this holiday weekend but are parked right next to DD's camper

I know the babes have all kinds of plans for today. The swimming pool is open, there is canoeing and a golf course nearby and of course there is fishing at the lake here at the campground too. I am just going to be relaxing and taking it easy.

I hope your Saturday is a SUPER one too!

'On Ya' -ma

Chapter 5, Page 28, Book 10

I arrived at the campsite yesterday morning and was busy unloading my car and putting things away most of the afternoon. I did catch this lovely sun set in the evening. The weather was hot and sunny but by evening it cooled off and was just about as perfect as it could be.

DD and her hubby came in yesterday evening but the rest will be coming today and tomorrow. Most of them still ha

ve to work today so they won't arrive till late

I just love this place. It's secluded enough that you feel like you are in the middle of the woods by yourself. After all the babes arrive this evening it will be quite different so today I'm enjoying the calm before the storm so to speak.

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul

John Muir

Have a fantastic Friday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 27, Book 10

When we are thankful for what we have, we want to share it with others

It is Thankful Thursday and as always I really do have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to spend a month caring for our little Lucky guy while his mom and dad were at work.

I'm thankful that I got to attend our Princesses violin concert

I'm thankful that my car (the silver streak) got me safely back and forth

I'm thankful that I have my camper and that part of my family is there to enjoy camping with too

I'm thankful that my health continues to be good and even though I move much slower I am still able to do most anything.

I'm thankful for nice weather for this coming Memorial Day weekend.

I'm thankful for all the military guys and gals that work so diligently to keep our country safe so that we can enjoy the many freedoms we have

I am so very thankful for these and all the blessings that the good Lord pours out daily. My cup is full and overflowing.

I'm on my way to the camper this morning. The last of my traveling for a little while any way. I'll be taking pictures to share with you all of our family celebration . 4 of my 7 children and their families will be camping together and I'll be praying for safe travels for them and for the safety of all those traveling this holiday weekend.

I hope that this Thursday you too can find lots to be THANKFUL for.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 26, Book 10

Make the Most of Where You Are

By Author Unknown

Wherever you are, be there fully.

For where you are is where you can most effectively act and live.

If you're constantly wishing that you were somewhere else, you diminish the opportunities for where you are now. When your thoughts are in another place or time, your actions lose much of their effectiveness.

It's great to dream, to plan, to aspire, to reach for new and improved circumstances.

And yet the way to successfully do that is by being the best you can be in the place where you now find yourself.

It's great to keep yourself focused on an ambitious goal.

And that focus is the most effective when it is crafted from the perspective of where you are now.

To successfully travel the path from here to there, you must start with being fully here. The more you give your attention and energy to making the most of where you are, the more quickly you'll move along that path.

There is much to be accomplished, much to be lived in every place and in every moment.

Be there fully for all of them, and life will be rich indeed.

My days seem to fly by much faster now that I'm not working. Every moment has been filled with something. Today I leave on a little trip to DS#1's house. I'm going there so I can see our Princess's concert tonight. Tomorrow I'll be heading for my little place in the woods and hopefully have a nice long weekend just to relax.

My plan is to be there as much as possible. Time does really fly when you are having fun and I want to be able to slow down a bit and enjoy it. Bring on the lazy hazy days of summer!

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.

Remember that time waits for no one.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 25, Book 10

This is Mr. Mouth. He is on a tree right in front of my camper deck and he always makes me SMILE. He does have a purpose and that is to hold birdseed in his mouth. He's a bird feeder and the birds that visit always make me smile too.

One of Mother Teresa's frequent newspaper interviewers asked her, Given your ministry, what can we do to live out the good life?

She did not say. Go, sell all you have and work with the poor, like me. But, instead, she said simply and directly, Smile at the people you live with.

The reporter was a bit surprised and he pressed the issue. That's easy for you to say. You don't face family pressures, and the workplace.

Oh, said Mother Teresa, I live with Jesus. Believe me, he's a hard person to live with.

It's not always easy to find a SMILE after a long day at work. I worked and took care of a family for many years and I know what it was like. Too often I brought the woes of the job home with me too. And on those days my family always knew I'd had a bad day at work.

Thankfully, they also knew I loved them even though I said or did a few things that weren't so nice, like slamming a few cupboard doors or burning their toast.

None of us is perfect and none of us can share a SMILE all the time, but I think the important thing is that we keep trying anyway. It's not easy to let go of our troubles and choose to SMILE. Sometimes it feels easier to yell and shout and that is where the hard part comes in.

I choose to SMILE and find a way to enjoy and celebrate every day!

One of life’s great lessons is this: we’re never sure just how things are going to turn out. We’ll live a good life if our attitude is always positive and we are determined to make the best of all situations that come our way.The good Lord gives the gift of life every day and we live, love and laugh in the present.

Have a TERRIFIC Tuesday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 24, Book 10

A view our our campers on Party Hill taken April 2010

HOW TO BE WEALTHY

Friendships are priceless, time is invaluable,

health is wealth, and love is a treasure, so ...

Create a nest egg of beautiful memories that you can
dip into from time to time to ease any sorrows.

Have the kind of remembrances that raise you up with
their worth and keep you there with their wonder.

Always have a secret supply of hopes on hand

to help you plan your tomorrows.

Remember that when you invest in your dreams,
it is impossible to overpay.

Give away smiles and watch them
come back to you a hundred times over.

Stuff your pockets with kindness and optimism;
there is nothing more precious in the world.

I'm sharing this advice with you today because
YOU are such a valued part of my life.

by Author Unknown

I do love to give good advice to people I care about. So many years of learning lessons over and over have taught me many things. So when I saw the little poem above I knew I had to pass it on.

We all dream about what we would do if we were rich and most of time we are already are rich in what matters and don't even know it. If you don't have the important things in life, then money means absolutely nothing.

On my calendar it says today is MERRY Monday. And I can truthfully say I am going to have a merry one. I'm one of the richest people I know! I've got my pockets stuffed with hopes and dreams and I've got barrels of SMILES to give away too. What could I possible need that would even matter when I look and see nothing but the finer things in life all around.

Got no diamond, got no pearl,

Still I think I'm a lucky girl.

I've got the sun in the morning

And the moon at night.

Got no mansion, got no yacht,

Still I'm happy with what I got.

I've got the sun in the morning

And the moon at night

Sunshine gives me a lovely day,

Moonlight gives me the Milky Way.

Got no checkbooks, got no banks,

Still, I'd like to express my thanks.

I've got the sun in the morning

And the moon at night.

And with the sun in the morning

And the moon in the evening

I'm alright.

Got no butler, got no maid.

Still I think I've been overpaid,

I've got the sun in the morning

And the moon at night.

Got no silver, got no gold,

What you've got can't be bought or sold.

I've got the sun in the morning

And the moon at night.

Sunshine gives me a lovely day,

Moonlight gives me the Milky Way.

Got no heirlooms for my kin,

Made no will but when I cash in

I'll leave the sun in the morning

And the moon at night.

And with the sun in the morning

And the moon in the evening

I'm alright.

CHORUS:

Got no mansion, got no yacht,

Still I'm happy with what I got.

I've got the sun in the morning

And the moon at night.

Sunshine gives me a lovely day,

Moonlight gives me the Milky Way.

Have a Merry Monday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 23, Book 10

Introducing yet another new family member. He was adopted by DS# and his family just yesterday

8 month old Golden Lab mix

CELEBRATING SUNDAY

To celebrate is to observe or honor an event with rituals of respect, festivity, or rejoicing.

Yesterday I celebrated DS#4's birthday. I wasn't able to be with him yet I was celebrating. I so remember the day he was born and how happy I was to have him. I do the same with all my children. I celebrate no matter where they might be.

In fact every day is a day to celebrate to my way of thinking. Each day is a gift. We don't know what the future holds so today is the important thing. I rejoice in each one as it comes.

Traditions and rituals are a part of my life. I always go to church on Sunday. I love the hour spent worshipping and praising with others. I've know a lot of the people there most of my life.

I consider myself renewed and refreshed, rested, relaxed and ready for a new week after Sunday is all done and said. Maybe others have a different way of doing that but for me Sundays remain pretty much the same. It's always been a time for family too and now that camping season has begun I'll be spending a lot of time on Sundays with at least part of my family.

Part of my Sunday ritual is getting ready for church. I can wake up slowly sip my good cup of coffee and then shower and dress. I like dressing up a bit as it's really the only time I get to do so. My lifestyle is so casual that occasionally it makes me feel good to dress up. Of course dressing up is nothing like it used to be in the days of my youth. Styles have changed a great deal

I can remember coming home from church to fix Sunday dinner and donning my apron. Aprons were always worn to protect our clothing from stains. I still have them stashed away somewhere.

Our weather has improved finally and it should be a warmer day here so hopefully I can get outside this afternoon. Puttering about with this and that. Life in the slow lane is wonderful.

I hope that whatever you do, in whatever way pleases you, you will be refreshed and renewed too this Sunday.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 22, Book 10

As I'm now on a new adventure in life I've promised myself to live more gently with myself; to be as kind to myself as I try to be to others. Often we forget ourselves. There are small ways to soothe and nurture yourself that don't involve a lot of money and finally I have the time to do just that.

In my life I’ve pushed my limits to be the perfect mother, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor, employee, volunteer, and more. I wish I hadn't work quite so hard, and that I'd played and laughed more, and even taken naps when I felt like it.

I'm going to get out in nature more and enjoy the calming effects that it provides. My little place in the woods is going to be seeing a lot more of me

I'm going to stretch, walk, exercise, dance, and hike more

I'm going to do a lot of nothing. Just resting and relaxing because up to this point my life has been pretty hectic. I've always be on the go with work or the needs of my home so just doing a lot of nothing is needed for sure.

We all know how therapeutic a vacation is and now my vacation is beginning. It will be days filled with simple things like antique stores and farmers markets or just taking time to reflect or to watch the clouds or the cars drive by or a butterfly.

At any age it's it's simple things shared with loved ones that bring more happiness. I'll have more time to spend with my family and grand children.

Things on my 'bucket list' include going a whole year without having to set an alarm clock.

I wouldn’t trade my present situation for anything else .

Have a SUPER Saturday everyone!

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 21, Book 10

IT'S FANTASTIC FRIDAY!

While staying with my youngest son and his wife in order to watch their baby for them this past month I sure have relived a lot of memories about when my own children were small. You know you have to do everything for a tiny baby. They depend on us for everything from clean and dry diapers to the nourishment they receive. They count on us to give them lots of love and tender care. They are just innocent sweet little things that learn what we teach them and we want to only teach them things that are good and true. We want to keep them close and shelter them from anything bad in the world.

There are times we wish we could keep them home safe with us for ever. Sometimes we forget that, no matter what our plans are, life happens and the babies grow up and are thrown into a world that is not always kind and loving. The thing is that we can teach them how to cope and thrive no matter what circumstances come their way.

We think sometimes that as long as we are good parents, no harm can come to our children. But I know more than most that bad stuff does happen. It happens to loving parents and it happens to innocent babes too. I've found that the best way to take care of my children and grandchildren is to give God the chance to do what he does best and that is be a Loving Father to our children. We can let go of worry and fear if we know that they are in the best of hands.

This Friday my duties as a baby sitting Grand'ma' come to end, for now anyway. I'll be traveling home alone. But I'll be praying that our dear Lord watches over my son and his family just as I pray for all my children and their families each and every day.

I hope your Friday is a FANTASTIC one and that you too can turn any bothersome worries or cares over to the One who takes care of them so much better than we can ever hope to,

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 5, Page 20, Book 10

It's THANKFUL THURSDAY

I think of the things that make me smile, the things that bring joy to to my life and l am so very thankful for them.

I'm thankful for the 4 weeks I've been able to spend with our Little Lucky guy, they have gone so fast and I'm really going to miss seeing him in the days and weeks to come.

I'm thankful for the family celebration I was able to be a part of for our Little Lad and our Angel too this past Sunday.

I'm thankful that the 'Silver Streak' is running just fine and gets me back and forth to where I need to go.

I'm so thankful for a family that is always there for me. They care about each other too and that makes me very happy.

I'm thankful for some sunshine coming our way today. After too many rainy days the warmth and the light will be appreciated.

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

For these and all my blessings I am truly thankful.

I hope that this Thursday you all will find plenty to be THANKFUL for too.

'On Ya' -ma

Chapter 5, Page 19, Book 10

It's WONDERFUL Wednesday!

And today is May Ray Day, a time to celebrate the beginning of warm outdoor days

Oh how I hope the warmer days are now with us. I've had enough chills and am ready for some warmth and SUNSHINE!

We are supposed to have a sunny day here and I'm so happy! This month has been very rainy and there have been too many dreary dark days.

Spring is such a joyous time. It is a season of birth and renewal. There are so many wonderful things to love about spring. We now have an extra hour of daylight. This makes our evenings more sunny, and every thing is a lot more cheery as we are do things it in the light instead of in the dark

The sun provides us with that wonderful Vitamin D which is mother nature's all natural substance, coming through in the healing properties of the sun's ultraviolet rays. When used intelligently, sunlight exposure provides most people with their entire vitamin D requirements.

Many of us simply take for granted the importance of this free and natural necessary nutrient. Only 20 to 30 minutes three to five times a week of sensible sun exposure is necessary

I'm hoping to get out and soak up some of those WONDERFUL rays today!

and I hope your Wednesday is a WONDERFUL one too!

'On Ya' - ma