Sunday, February 26, 2012

What's in my Cards ???

   A few of us got together today for a card reading party.  My sister had won it at a fund raiser for the local cat shelter.  We weren't sure what to expect, and we chatted and had munchies until everyone was read.  When we compared notes, we found some pretty interesting coincidences.  Four cousins were all told that we would be invited to a wedding for a dark haired man.  The same four of us were told that we would be travelling, and we have plans to all visit my folks in Florida in March!  We also noticed that I had picked cards that described my husband and son as dark haired, and my sisters had pulled cards that depicted their husbands with light hair. 
  Our reader told us that she does not predict the future, and simply tells the story from the cards that each of us pulled from a large deck.  My cards showed my son taking a class, and my reaching for a goal ( perhaps getting my book published).  I pulled three separate '2' cards, and was told to look for something that we discussed to happen in two days, then two weeks and again intwo months. 
   We all enjoyed it, and felt that it was a positive experience.  We promised to contact the card reader if we ever get invited to that wedding, and we cannot wait to see what other things might materialize in our future.
    As always this was my experience, so take what you like and leave the rest...and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on.....have a good week everyone.....

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Love, Love , Love

    I hope everyone enjoyed Valentine's Day week.  We celebrated it over the weekend, because work gets in the way during the week.  These days we keep it simple, a card and small gift,  and a dinner out.  My husband does nice things all the time,  and so I don't feel like I need any big expressions of love.  Years ago, I told him  to skip the roses unless I'm going to be home to enjoy them, and I'm still OK with that. 
   Let's take time this month to love and care for ourselves.  I read an article a few years ago,  about February being the month of forgiveness, and that we should start by forgiving ourselves.  This week, I'm going to make a conscious effort to forgive myself for mistakes in my past.  Let's stop beating ourselves up for not being perfect, and begin to embrace being "good enough".   This doesn't mean that we stop trying to improve, and we can always apologize for bad behavior.  It just means that we start each day with a clean slate instead of carrying yesterday's baggage with us.  It also helps me to make a conscious decision to be positive.  One of my friends has a policy that when one of her kids says something mean about a sibling, they have to say two things that are kind.  Let's try and do that for ourselves this week.  I bet it gives us an attitude boost.  If I catch myself focusing on a negative, I'll counteract with two positive thoughts. 
   Next week,  try and forgive someone else.  Don't bother to call them, this is purely an excercise for us.   I'm going to look myself in the mirror, and say "I forgive (fill in the blank) because it is healthier for me.  I'm not going to carry this around with me another day."  Forgiveness does not mean that we forget, and I do not recommend restarting unhealthy relationships or bad habits.  It just means moving on to a better emotional place.  Concentrating on the solution, instead of the problem really helps.
   I often tell friends not to beat themselves up when they are agonizing over a situation. Today I am able to take  that same  advice, and  be my own best friend.  I'm not a professional, and I'm just sharing some of my own experiences.  Please take what you like, and leave the rest...and the beat goes on....the beat goes on.....

Sunday, February 12, 2012

California Dreamin'

  We just got back from a week in California.  Well, I can say that my body is back in New England, but my mind is still on vacation!  We looked forward to the trip for weeks, and while it seemed to go by in a flash, it definitely exceeded our expectations.  The weather  was  fantastic, and  we totally forgot about Northeast temperatures.  Winter getaways are the best when you are  able to travel to a warmer climate.   We enjoyed a jam-packed week that stretched from a visit to the San Diego Zoo,  to being part of the audience at the Tonight Show in Burbank.  We walked the beach, and ate at restaurants overlooking the ocean, where we could see whales in the distance.  I can cross seeing Jay Leno, and eating an In and Out burger off my bucket list !!
 The most relaxing part was soaking up the sun while reading my book by the pool, and the most stressful part was the crazy traffic. A drive on the Pacific Coast Highway was a beautiful way to see the ocean and the mansions that overlook the water.
  It was great to see our son and grand-doggy, and nice to see them doing well.  Matt is a generous host and very good tour guide, and it was fun spending time together.  I was extremely grateful that the ground never shook, but we were showered with gifts.  I only teared up a few times, and I was able to say good-bye without crying.  I cannot wait till  our next trip, and have already started my list of things I want to do next time. 
  My gratitude list has to include good times with family, the Samsung Galaxy tablet,  and a week full of blue skies and sunshine.  Have a good week everyone....and the beat goes on....the beat goes on......
 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Super Bowl Sunday

   Congratulations to the New York Giants who just won this year's Championship game against my New England Patriots.  Yikes, it was another nail biter,  and could have been anybody's game till the last five seconds.  It was one of those games that went back and forth, and was a shame that someone was going to have to lose. 
   The Super Bowl game is huge around the world, and it connects families scattered across the country.  I know we were in touch with relatives in four different states as we all prepared to watch the game from our TV rooms.  We enjoyed pizza,  hot wings and lobster mac and cheese, as well as appetizers and desserts. 
   I caught most of the commercials, and my favorites were the Dorito's ads,  the car ads, and the Coca-cola polar bears. 
   Of course, it's much more fun when your team wins, but the two best teams in the league got the chance to compete.  I always like the background stories, and most of the players had to overcome some kind of adversity throughout their careers.  I hope it's an inspiration to young athletes to work hard and focus on their dreams. 
  I want to thank the Patriots for a wonderful season, which gives us something to look forward to each weekend during the winter months.  I wanted you guys to win for your families, the Kraft family, and all your fans.  Keep your heads up, because we'll all be ready to support you next season.....and the beat goes on.....the beat goes on......