Chapter 9, Page 30, Book 10

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of

our treasures

Thornton Wilder

It's THANKFUL Thursday!

It gives me a great feeling to count my blessings. It's the best way I know to improve my outlook and raise my spirits for sure.

This week I've got the usual things such as family,my good health and that of my family too, my friends, my home, my car, and even my camper, but I also have some not so usual things to be thankful for too

I'm thankful for the warmth of the sunshine on a cold day

The back door

bangs shut!

September gust

Mike Garofalo

I'm thankful for a closet full of clothing to keep the chill off.

I'm thankful for apples, fall colors, and the rain we finally got

I'm thankful for the roses that are still blooming. The friend that gave that little plant to me long ago had no idea then just how big and beautiful that bush would grow.

I'm thankful for starry nights and campfires glowing bright

I'm thankful for for these and all my many many blessings too numerous to count. Thank you Lord!

Thank you too for taking time to read my list today. I do hope your day is one to be THANKFUL for too!

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say thank you?

William A. Ward

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 9, Page 29, Book 10

Most of us would be upset if we were accused of being silly, yet it comes from the old English word seilig and its literal definition is to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous.

Zig Ziglar

On this WONDERFUL Wednesday, I'm taking time out to be silly today. Taking life too seriously tends to get me down at times. The silly things we do does lighten the load. Making someone laugh can definitely brighten their day and put them in a great mood. and giving off feelings of laughter is also contagious.

A friend of mine always looks for silly things in the newspaper and then shares them. I always enjoy those bits and pieces because they are silly and make me SMILE. Laughter is the best medicine they say and I like to get my daily dose.

I can't live a day without having a good laugh. This is one wonderful antidote to a wounded soul. Life is indeed short so why waste my precious time sulking

A keen sense of humor helps us to overlook the unbecoming, understand the unconventional, tolerate the unpleasant, overcome the unexpected, and outlast the unbearable

Billy Graham

Thinking silly is about taking serious stuff and being not so serious with it. Try to find the funnier, lighthearted side of what you're observing and think like a kid.

I'm starting my day with a SMILE or two, I hope you can too.

Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

'On Ya' - ma

Chapter 9, Page 28, Book 10

I'm thinking about keeping warm on today. As the days are getting cooler I try to put off turning the central heating on here at my house and also at the camper when I'm there. Fuel costs are a major drain on my budget and I try to keep them low.

Fall can often seem like the limbo of seasons. It's not quite cold enough for a pea coat, but definitely not warm enough for a sun dress. Many people do not know how to dress for the weather and as a result, they are often uncomfortable. I try to focus on layers and light but cozy fabrics. In addition to keeping you warm, layering makes it easier to avoid becoming overheated.

It's time to pack away my flat leather sandals, any shell jewelry, those formless dog-day dresses...these, for me, only serve to remind me that the beach and the long summer evenings are gone for another year.

As the days get shorter, the difference between day temperature and night temperature gets significantly greater. I wear a light sweater or jacket in the morning that can easily allow me to shed layers as the day goes by and the sun bears down. You can tie the sweater around your neck for a preppy look

Once the weather takes a turn for the worse, I forget being fashionable and focus on keeping comfortable and staying warm and dry. In wet weather, the trick is to stay dry. Wet clothing draws body heat out. There are still a few camping days left this year and a waterproof coat and shoes are always a part of my wardrobe.

Traditional thermal undergarments do well for the first layer. An alternative to traditional thermals is silk. Silk is very warm and feels wonderful. At the advice of a friend I tried out Winter Silks a few years ago and just love them as they are lighter than the traditional thermals.

Layer a knit sweater or sweatshirt over the top of the first layer and then add your coat or jacket as the top layer.Wrap a scarf around your neck and pull it snug. On really cold days you may want to tuck it into your coat for added warmth.

At home you'll often find me with a turtle neck shirt as the second layer covered by a vest or a sweater. I love fleece too and it really keeps you warm. Outdoor enthusiasts have long recognized that multiple layers of clothing keep them warm in winter and from overheating in summer.

The best tip for any season is to dress in clothes that are comfortable and fit you well. This is TERRIFIC Tuesday and although it is wet, cool and raining here I'm going to feel TERRIFIC cause I've got my layers on!

I hope your Tuesday is a TERRIFIC one too!

'On Ya' - ma

Chapter 9, Page 27, Book 10

IT'S MERRY MONDAY!

Reaching for Happiness

Know that. . . .

You can't be all things to all people.

You can't do all things at once.

You can't do all things equally well.

You can't do all things better than everyone else.

You are human like everyone else.

So. . . .

Find out who you are, and be that.

Decide what comes first, and do that.

Discover your strengths, and use them.

Learn not to compete with others,

because no one else is in the contest of being you.

Then you'll have. . . .

Learned to accept your uniqueness.

Learned to set priorities and make decisions.

Learned to live with your limitations.

Learned to give yourself the respect that is due.

And you'll be a most vital mortal.

Dare To Believe. . . .

You're are a wonderful, unique person.

You're a once-in-all-history event.

That it's more than a right to be who you are.

That life is not a problem to solve,

but a gift to cherish.

And you'll be able to stay one up

on anything that tries to get you down.

Author Unknown

I hope your weekend was a good one and that you are ready for a new week. Fall weather really blew in here and made for some chilly days and nights for us. More and more my days will now be spent indoors doing things at home.

This fall and winter are going to be a new experience for me. It will be the first ones I'll have living in the Land of the Poor but Happy. I'll have lots of time this year to prepare for the holidays which is something I'm looking forward to.

When you are working and trying to get it all done, it seems you're so tired that you can hardly enjoy it all. Of course I do move slower now and it takes longer to get things done, so maybe it'll all be relative.

Today is my day to clean a little and get my laundry done. I enjoy having Monday's at home to do it in. Even doing house work is a pleasure when you have the whole day to do it in.

Maybe your Monday will take you off to work or maybe you are like me at home. Whatever you're doing try to have a MERRY Monday too.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 9, Page 26, Book 10

Celebrating Sunday!

I always take the time to make sure that Sundays are set aside for lots of good R and R. Rest and relaxation. It's a very cool morning here and I'm layered up trying to keep warm as I sit here debating whether or not to turn the heat on in my camper.

It's comfortable as long as you are dressed right. Just two short days ago we had what was probably the last blast of summer heat as our temps were close to 90 degrees. Last night we went down in the 40's here.

My cup of good hot coffee tastes especially good on mornings like this for sure. At 6:30 in the morning it is still very dark here but the sun should be out today and warm us back up into the 60's. That is about normal for us this time of year.

In a little while I'll get ready and go off to church as is my habit for a Sunday morning. It starts my day off just right and also gives me a sense of putting the old week to rest and starting fresh for a new week. It both refreshes and renews.

You are always in my thoughts and prayers and I do pray for each one of you.

I hope your Sunday is filled with some of that good R and R too.

'On Ya'-ma

Chapter 9, Page 25, Book 10

The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible - and achieve it, generation after generation

Pearl S. Buck

There was a short period of time in my life that I went through what is commonly called the empty nest syndrome, a time of depression and loss of purpose that plagues parents, especially mothers, when the kids leave home.

I had a really hard time adjusting to living alone. After all it was the first time in my life that I'd had to do so.

I went from living at home with my parents into my own home when I got married, then we had all my lovely babes so truly I'd never been by myself at all.

There are of course some benefits to having my home to myself. The electric bill and the grocery bill decreased immensely for one thing. The house is always quieter than it used to be and I can go to bed early if I want .

I no longer attend school activities and meetings which used to be a big part of my life.

I found out too that kids who have grown up and left can be a window on the world for parents which can give them a perspective on everything from new technology to new trends.

It has been a blessing to see my grown children making responsible choices and wise decisions. You can breathe a sigh of relief when you see your positive influence being lived out in their lives

The empty nest stirs a range of emotions, from pleased and proud to sad and worried

Now my role as a parent has changed. I cheer for them as they succeed and stand by them in comfort when they fail. My goal was to raise secure and confident kids who were prepared to handle whatever life has for them and I think they do it quite well too.

I'm camping this weekend with a couple of my children and their families too and it makes me one happy mom to be able to share this time with them but I am now also happy to return to my empty quiet nest and enjoy it too.

I hope your Saturday is a SUPER one!

'On Ya'-ma