You know you are living in a small town when....
1. You live in the country.... but main street is just 5 miles down the road
2. The post office is down on main street... and ALL the postal workers treat you like family every time you go in
3. If you happen to be on main street at 12:00 noon all the churches chime their bells... and during the holidays the bells ring out christmas hymns
4. People actually pull their cars over to listen to the church bells at noon
5. One end of town to the other is only a 10 minute drive... with 30 MPH speed limit
6. No one drives the speed limit.... they drive 5 - 10 miles under the speed limit
7. No one is in a hurry.... so don't think about rushing them
8. Any place of business you visit twice... they not only remember you... but they remember past purchases and food orders
9. People pull over to the side of the road the instant they see a funeral procession and wait until the final car has passed
10. Everyone waves and smiles at everyone... no matter if you are walking or driving
11. When walking down any street, everyone looks you in the eye and greets you as you pass by
12. Everyone starts up a conversation with you whenever you are waiting in any line
13. People not only ask you how you or your family are doing... but they actually listen to the answer and respond
14. Handshakes and hugs are a common occurrence
15. Men tip their hats and hold doors for women
16. People are referred to as 'folks'
17. Parents are referred to as 'my Momma' and/or 'my Daddy'... no matter how old the child... including 70 year olds speaking about their parents
18. There are more pick up trucks per square capita than any other vehicle..... with tractors coming in a close second
19. Crime rate??!! What is that!!??
20. Everyone in town turns out for the local high school football games.... even if you don't have, or never have had a child who attends/attended the school
21. All businesses (other than fast food places) shut down after 9:00pm on Saturday, and are closed on Sunday's and Monday's
As George Bailey said.... "It's A Wonderful Life"!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Breakfast Memories With Grandma
Breakfast literally means.... to break the fast.... as in.... when you sleep you are fasting... when you wake up, you need to refuel the body to break the fast and start your metabolism going. Even tho I myself am not a 'breakfast person'....I have woken up to the wonderful smells of breakfast my whole life.
As a child, and all the years of growing up, I would spend the night with my Grandma or my cousins as many times as my Mom would allow.... and it is hard for me to remember a single weekend that I didn't spend the night with my Grandma or at my cousins or my cousin Debbie spending the night at my house. My Mom, my Aunt, and my Grandma all made breakfast every single morning.... my Aunt even made a HUGE breakfast on Sunday mornings before church, AND would stick something in the oven to be ready for Sunday Supper after church! But it's the breakfasts at my Grandma's house I remember the most... she just made the absolute perfect fried eggs!!! It is very rare that I ever eat a fried egg and when I do... it has to be hard fried for an egg sandwich... but my Grandma made the most beautiful fried eggs that even I wanted to eat them.
When I spent the night at Grandma's house... the smell of fresh coffee and frying sausage would chase all the dreams out of my head and I just had to get up so that I wouldn't miss watching her cook breakfast. She was like a ballerina dancing through breakfast preparations... it was just a wonderful sight to behold! I can still hear the sizzle of the sausage as it fried.... slowly... nothing could be rushed... the sausage was NEVER burnt or overcooked, but had the perfect searing on the outside and juiciness on the inside... it HAD to be "Old Folks" sausage... she never used anything else! If I woke up early enough... I would actually get to watch her slice the sausage into patties from the roll that was wrapped up in cloth casing.... it too had such a distinct sound as she would slice through it.
When the sausage was near perfection... but not quite done... she would then begin frying the eggs and making the toast. She used a small teflon skillet... on low heat... and when the eggs were done... flipped over once... they were the prettiest eggs I have ever seen!!! The whites of her fried eggs were pristine white... never ever any brown or rough edges, and when the yellows were cut with a fork, they would ooze and flow over the whites like syrup over pancakes.... the toast of course was used for sopping every bite of those eggs off the plate! Watching her make breakfast is like being at Waffle House and watching the cook do his dance... except Grandma did everything in slow motion. She would serve breakfast on white corelle dishes... and the sounds of the knife and fork being used made it's own song!
There was a sweet rhythm to breakfast at Grandma's. Grandpa would be in his white tank tee-shirt and dress pants (skinny belt) and would be sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper, Grandma would be wearing one of her many pretty house robes with matching slippers... Grandpa would be totally silent, absorbed in the newspaper... while Grandma would chatter away to me as she cooked... explaining in great detail the how's and why's of her cooking (because I would be asking a thousand questions and was always under foot mesmorized by her cooking dance)... she always made a pot of lipton tea that she would share with me... adding lots of sugar to my cup... the tea would be served from a dainty tea pot, poured into the white tissue thin corelle cups... which I personally think added to the poshness of it all... and once she had everyone served... including herself... she would then sit down and daintily place her napkin over her lap before she ate and savored her own breakfast and read the paper... cover to cover!
That was a typical everyday breakfast for her and Grandpa... which they HAD to have a real breakfast to start their day off... never just grabbing a muffin or danish... it HAD to be a hot breakfast. On weekends when our entire clan would jaunt down to "The Cabin"at Rough River... then she would bring out the whole shabang breakfast that would include homemade biscuits, gravy, sliced tomatoes, grits/cream of wheat, and bacon to the eggs and sausage.... it was a break-FEAST!!!!
Whether it was the typical everyday breakfast or the weekend breakfeast.... no meals were ever hurried affairs... they were sit down gatherings with lots of conversation and enjoyment of the food prepared. I'm soooo grateful for these memories and all those meals shared with my family. I recently inherited one of my Grandma's small teflon frying pans, and I have made it a personal quest to make her "perfect" fried eggs and sausage. I'm determined to follow in her footsteps and be the BEST Grandma ever... just like she was to us. I think she would be proud of my beautiful eggs I have finally mastered in her teflon pan! MISS YOU SOOOOOO MUCH GRANDMA!!!
As a child, and all the years of growing up, I would spend the night with my Grandma or my cousins as many times as my Mom would allow.... and it is hard for me to remember a single weekend that I didn't spend the night with my Grandma or at my cousins or my cousin Debbie spending the night at my house. My Mom, my Aunt, and my Grandma all made breakfast every single morning.... my Aunt even made a HUGE breakfast on Sunday mornings before church, AND would stick something in the oven to be ready for Sunday Supper after church! But it's the breakfasts at my Grandma's house I remember the most... she just made the absolute perfect fried eggs!!! It is very rare that I ever eat a fried egg and when I do... it has to be hard fried for an egg sandwich... but my Grandma made the most beautiful fried eggs that even I wanted to eat them.
When I spent the night at Grandma's house... the smell of fresh coffee and frying sausage would chase all the dreams out of my head and I just had to get up so that I wouldn't miss watching her cook breakfast. She was like a ballerina dancing through breakfast preparations... it was just a wonderful sight to behold! I can still hear the sizzle of the sausage as it fried.... slowly... nothing could be rushed... the sausage was NEVER burnt or overcooked, but had the perfect searing on the outside and juiciness on the inside... it HAD to be "Old Folks" sausage... she never used anything else! If I woke up early enough... I would actually get to watch her slice the sausage into patties from the roll that was wrapped up in cloth casing.... it too had such a distinct sound as she would slice through it.
When the sausage was near perfection... but not quite done... she would then begin frying the eggs and making the toast. She used a small teflon skillet... on low heat... and when the eggs were done... flipped over once... they were the prettiest eggs I have ever seen!!! The whites of her fried eggs were pristine white... never ever any brown or rough edges, and when the yellows were cut with a fork, they would ooze and flow over the whites like syrup over pancakes.... the toast of course was used for sopping every bite of those eggs off the plate! Watching her make breakfast is like being at Waffle House and watching the cook do his dance... except Grandma did everything in slow motion. She would serve breakfast on white corelle dishes... and the sounds of the knife and fork being used made it's own song!
There was a sweet rhythm to breakfast at Grandma's. Grandpa would be in his white tank tee-shirt and dress pants (skinny belt) and would be sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper, Grandma would be wearing one of her many pretty house robes with matching slippers... Grandpa would be totally silent, absorbed in the newspaper... while Grandma would chatter away to me as she cooked... explaining in great detail the how's and why's of her cooking (because I would be asking a thousand questions and was always under foot mesmorized by her cooking dance)... she always made a pot of lipton tea that she would share with me... adding lots of sugar to my cup... the tea would be served from a dainty tea pot, poured into the white tissue thin corelle cups... which I personally think added to the poshness of it all... and once she had everyone served... including herself... she would then sit down and daintily place her napkin over her lap before she ate and savored her own breakfast and read the paper... cover to cover!
That was a typical everyday breakfast for her and Grandpa... which they HAD to have a real breakfast to start their day off... never just grabbing a muffin or danish... it HAD to be a hot breakfast. On weekends when our entire clan would jaunt down to "The Cabin"at Rough River... then she would bring out the whole shabang breakfast that would include homemade biscuits, gravy, sliced tomatoes, grits/cream of wheat, and bacon to the eggs and sausage.... it was a break-FEAST!!!!
Whether it was the typical everyday breakfast or the weekend breakfeast.... no meals were ever hurried affairs... they were sit down gatherings with lots of conversation and enjoyment of the food prepared. I'm soooo grateful for these memories and all those meals shared with my family. I recently inherited one of my Grandma's small teflon frying pans, and I have made it a personal quest to make her "perfect" fried eggs and sausage. I'm determined to follow in her footsteps and be the BEST Grandma ever... just like she was to us. I think she would be proud of my beautiful eggs I have finally mastered in her teflon pan! MISS YOU SOOOOOO MUCH GRANDMA!!!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Making Your Lists and Checking Them Twice
OMGOODNESS!!!! By all the commercials that have been running non-stop daily... AND... all the store displays... along with all the non-stop music in the air.... you would actually think this is the week of Christmas and not the week of Thanksgiving! NOT... that I have a problem with the spirit of Christmas... NOR am I opposed to seeing and enjoying all the Christmas lights, decorations, and the sounds of Christmas.... it's just that.... my brain is trying to get ready for Thanksgiving and my check list is of all the ingredients I need to make the perfect Thanksgiving meal.... not a checklist of who has been naughty and nice.
December first is when I start getting geared up and thinking about Christmas. One of my favorite things about December 1st is putting out all my advent calendars. I have several advent calendars.... two that require opening a drawer to retrieve a piece of chocolate, and then turning the drawer around and it becomes a piece of a puzzle and the complete picture is revealed after the last drawer is open... two that require opening a door and finding a chocolate behind the door... one that requires adding an ornament to a tree... one that requires moving a stuffed teddy bear around a quilted wall hanging as it looks for Christmas... one that requires I take off a stocking/glove/light bulb from a wooden structure (OK.... those last 3 are my daughters... but up until this year I did participate in the wooden snowman with the stockings)... my point is.... I still look for advent calenders each year to add to my collection... you just can't have enough of those to play with.... heck.... you can't help but to wake up smiling as you wait to discover what prize or treat awaits you behind those doors and drawers or what ornament gets to be hung on the tree. I find it amazing too how quickly the days fly by and all the treats have been discovered and the ornaments are all on the tree and Christmas Day has arrived.
I know that "Black Friday" is the day that many head out at the crack of dawn with their naught and nice list in hand and wait in line to get the best "Door Buster" deals, and prices on the hottest and trendiest gifts for their loved ones on their check list... and I must admit I have participated in the madness of Black Friday myself... but now.... I avoid the crowds and the traffic and do much of my shopping on-line. I get deals as good or better and I don't purchase anything unless it includes free shipping. There is definitely a certain thrill out of participating in the shopping spree of Black Friday and if you are a true shopper... it's the most fun shopping day of the year... however... I have been there, done that, got the tee shirt, and it still fits... so sleeping in, lazing around, and eating leftovers all day on Black Friday suits me much better these days. But to those brave souls who dare to put themselves out there.... GOOD LUCK... and may you find everything on your list and may you get the best of deals!!
I shop for Christmas all year long.... only because I am a GREAT secret keeper and can keep things hidden for months... and I actually not only remember what I bought, but also where I put it! In fact... I have always had a "Gift Box" where I keep extra gifts on hand for those "OH POOH" moments when you need a last minute gift because someone shows up unexpectedly and you don't want them to feel left out... or when someone unexpectedly gives you a gift and you want to return the gesture. I actually started the "Gift Box" (originally called the "Birthday Box") when the girls were young and were invited to several birthday parties a year, and it never failed that they would tell me about the party invite the night before or the afternoon in which the gift was needed. And because money was tight and there was never much to spare, I would stock up on toys I would get on clearance after Christmas, when they were perfectly good toys and I could afford to stock the gift box. I must say that the gift box has saved me several times from embarrassing moments both for Birthday and Christmas gifts. I take the opportunity to buy such gifts now when the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and school children come around selling things for fundraisers for their schools... items such as candles, note cards, and such... things that I myself would enjoy but also make the perfect quick gift.
I also buy stocking stuffers all year long. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE stuffing stockings and you would be amazed at the cool stuff you can find all year long that is perfect for stocking stuffers. I try to find items that are unusual, unique, or just plain silly and fun. You just never know what to expect to find in one of my stuffed stockings. My Aunt and Cousins actually wrap each individual item that they put in stockings.... now that is putting true effort and time into stuffing stockings. I thought this year I would turn this privilege over to my daughters who have all flown the nest and are making their own families.... but.... it was unanimously voted that I remain the "Stuffer of the Stockings"!!
So even tho I too am vigorously making my naughty and nice list and checking it twice... I am looking for the best deals on my gift list... I hope to do most of my shopping on-line... only venturing out to the mall during the week, in the middle of the day while children are still in school and most folks are at work.
Let the shopping begin!!!!
December first is when I start getting geared up and thinking about Christmas. One of my favorite things about December 1st is putting out all my advent calendars. I have several advent calendars.... two that require opening a drawer to retrieve a piece of chocolate, and then turning the drawer around and it becomes a piece of a puzzle and the complete picture is revealed after the last drawer is open... two that require opening a door and finding a chocolate behind the door... one that requires adding an ornament to a tree... one that requires moving a stuffed teddy bear around a quilted wall hanging as it looks for Christmas... one that requires I take off a stocking/glove/light bulb from a wooden structure (OK.... those last 3 are my daughters... but up until this year I did participate in the wooden snowman with the stockings)... my point is.... I still look for advent calenders each year to add to my collection... you just can't have enough of those to play with.... heck.... you can't help but to wake up smiling as you wait to discover what prize or treat awaits you behind those doors and drawers or what ornament gets to be hung on the tree. I find it amazing too how quickly the days fly by and all the treats have been discovered and the ornaments are all on the tree and Christmas Day has arrived.
I know that "Black Friday" is the day that many head out at the crack of dawn with their naught and nice list in hand and wait in line to get the best "Door Buster" deals, and prices on the hottest and trendiest gifts for their loved ones on their check list... and I must admit I have participated in the madness of Black Friday myself... but now.... I avoid the crowds and the traffic and do much of my shopping on-line. I get deals as good or better and I don't purchase anything unless it includes free shipping. There is definitely a certain thrill out of participating in the shopping spree of Black Friday and if you are a true shopper... it's the most fun shopping day of the year... however... I have been there, done that, got the tee shirt, and it still fits... so sleeping in, lazing around, and eating leftovers all day on Black Friday suits me much better these days. But to those brave souls who dare to put themselves out there.... GOOD LUCK... and may you find everything on your list and may you get the best of deals!!
I shop for Christmas all year long.... only because I am a GREAT secret keeper and can keep things hidden for months... and I actually not only remember what I bought, but also where I put it! In fact... I have always had a "Gift Box" where I keep extra gifts on hand for those "OH POOH" moments when you need a last minute gift because someone shows up unexpectedly and you don't want them to feel left out... or when someone unexpectedly gives you a gift and you want to return the gesture. I actually started the "Gift Box" (originally called the "Birthday Box") when the girls were young and were invited to several birthday parties a year, and it never failed that they would tell me about the party invite the night before or the afternoon in which the gift was needed. And because money was tight and there was never much to spare, I would stock up on toys I would get on clearance after Christmas, when they were perfectly good toys and I could afford to stock the gift box. I must say that the gift box has saved me several times from embarrassing moments both for Birthday and Christmas gifts. I take the opportunity to buy such gifts now when the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and school children come around selling things for fundraisers for their schools... items such as candles, note cards, and such... things that I myself would enjoy but also make the perfect quick gift.
I also buy stocking stuffers all year long. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE stuffing stockings and you would be amazed at the cool stuff you can find all year long that is perfect for stocking stuffers. I try to find items that are unusual, unique, or just plain silly and fun. You just never know what to expect to find in one of my stuffed stockings. My Aunt and Cousins actually wrap each individual item that they put in stockings.... now that is putting true effort and time into stuffing stockings. I thought this year I would turn this privilege over to my daughters who have all flown the nest and are making their own families.... but.... it was unanimously voted that I remain the "Stuffer of the Stockings"!!
So even tho I too am vigorously making my naughty and nice list and checking it twice... I am looking for the best deals on my gift list... I hope to do most of my shopping on-line... only venturing out to the mall during the week, in the middle of the day while children are still in school and most folks are at work.
Let the shopping begin!!!!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Blessings and Thankfulness
Tis the season to openly share what you are Thankful for.... even though we are all thankful all year long for all our blessings... this is the time of year to share them with everyone else. I have more blessings to be thankful about this year than usual.... so here is my Thankful list.
I'm Thankful For....
1. The blessing of being born, raised and living in the strongest country in the world... and being able to worship in my faith openly because the freedom of religion is what that United States of America was founded on.
2. My ancestry roots that made it possible for me to exist.
3. Having the most AWESOME Grandmother in the world to teach me and guide me and spoil me rotten 52 years of my life.... having said that... I miss her dearly and wish she were still with us "IF" she was still in good health.... but all of us have an expiration date on the shelf life of our lives and hers expired this summer... we were thankful and grateful in the end that she fell asleep and went to the Lord in peace.
4. Loving Parents who raised me with the perfect mix of love, discipline, and expectation for me to always do the best I can do so that I can be the best that I can be.
5. My Husband who is not only the love of my life, but also my true soul mate. He continues to inspire and to encourage me to do my best and be my best while living life as positively as possible... he is truly the best man (person) I've ever met!
6. My 3 beautiful and smart Daughters who have made us proud of who they were from the moment they were born, and continue to do so as wonderful young adult women leading responsible, independent lives and spreading their love and joy to others every single day!
7. The wonderful men who have joined our family to love and cherish our daughters, as they begin a new branch of our family tree.
8. My two yet unborn Grandson's that will join our family late winter and early spring. I can only imagine the joys they will bring to our family through the coming years.
9. All my extended family members... both blood related and marriage related... who are always there with love, support, understanding, and comfort for my family whenever we need.
10. Having the opportunity to live in a wonderful place, in a nice home with warm beds, plenty of food and enough to share with others.
11. All those who believe in and fight to keep our country free.... I keep all you and your families in my heart, thoughts and prayers and give thanks for all you do!
12. Finding the PERFECT church and church family where I can go every week to get renewed spiritual strength so that I may witness to others every chance I get.
13. The many friends I have met along my life's journey, who have added so much flavor and character to my life.
14. For the enormous love and goodwill that is in my heart, and for the positive thoughts that allow me to see the 'other' side of life and make things more pleasant for others every chance I get.
These are but just a few of the many many things I'm thankful for everyday... not just for the Thanksgiving Holiday. My life has been one huge blessing and continues to be so. I've been taught and touched by so many people in my life, and I want to 'pay it forward' any time I have an opportunity to do so. I've been loved, inspired, and encouraged, I've been made accountable for my actions, I've learned many things through school, books, people and life itself.
But most of all..... I'm THANKFUL for having the LORD in my life... all things start with him.
Wishing everyone a Happy, Safe, and Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday... and may the coming year bring you more Blessings to be Thankful for each day!
I'm Thankful For....
1. The blessing of being born, raised and living in the strongest country in the world... and being able to worship in my faith openly because the freedom of religion is what that United States of America was founded on.
2. My ancestry roots that made it possible for me to exist.
3. Having the most AWESOME Grandmother in the world to teach me and guide me and spoil me rotten 52 years of my life.... having said that... I miss her dearly and wish she were still with us "IF" she was still in good health.... but all of us have an expiration date on the shelf life of our lives and hers expired this summer... we were thankful and grateful in the end that she fell asleep and went to the Lord in peace.
4. Loving Parents who raised me with the perfect mix of love, discipline, and expectation for me to always do the best I can do so that I can be the best that I can be.
5. My Husband who is not only the love of my life, but also my true soul mate. He continues to inspire and to encourage me to do my best and be my best while living life as positively as possible... he is truly the best man (person) I've ever met!
6. My 3 beautiful and smart Daughters who have made us proud of who they were from the moment they were born, and continue to do so as wonderful young adult women leading responsible, independent lives and spreading their love and joy to others every single day!
7. The wonderful men who have joined our family to love and cherish our daughters, as they begin a new branch of our family tree.
8. My two yet unborn Grandson's that will join our family late winter and early spring. I can only imagine the joys they will bring to our family through the coming years.
9. All my extended family members... both blood related and marriage related... who are always there with love, support, understanding, and comfort for my family whenever we need.
10. Having the opportunity to live in a wonderful place, in a nice home with warm beds, plenty of food and enough to share with others.
11. All those who believe in and fight to keep our country free.... I keep all you and your families in my heart, thoughts and prayers and give thanks for all you do!
12. Finding the PERFECT church and church family where I can go every week to get renewed spiritual strength so that I may witness to others every chance I get.
13. The many friends I have met along my life's journey, who have added so much flavor and character to my life.
14. For the enormous love and goodwill that is in my heart, and for the positive thoughts that allow me to see the 'other' side of life and make things more pleasant for others every chance I get.
These are but just a few of the many many things I'm thankful for everyday... not just for the Thanksgiving Holiday. My life has been one huge blessing and continues to be so. I've been taught and touched by so many people in my life, and I want to 'pay it forward' any time I have an opportunity to do so. I've been loved, inspired, and encouraged, I've been made accountable for my actions, I've learned many things through school, books, people and life itself.
But most of all..... I'm THANKFUL for having the LORD in my life... all things start with him.
Wishing everyone a Happy, Safe, and Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday... and may the coming year bring you more Blessings to be Thankful for each day!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tis the Season..... for BOOTS!
Even tho boots can be worn all year long..... especially in LA where celebrities think UGGS go with everything and everywhere..... boots typically tend to be worn more in the fall and winter months. There are ankle boots, knee boots, over the knee boots, snow boots, riding boots, dressy boots, suede boots, leather boots, rain boots.... boots, boots, boots.... ultra comfy, very stylish, and very utilitarian as well.
Just like in the summer time with my sandals, I have several pairs of boots in the same style but in different colors. Most of my boots are of the VERY inexpensive (aka CHEAP) kind, and come from the Children's department of Payless Shoes or Target... although I do have 2 pair of expensive boots I ordered online because I needed/wanted stylish dressy boots and I'm just unable to find "Big Girl" boots in my teeny foot size in stores. My girls love to tease me about finding an item I like... whether it be clothing or shoes... and buying several items of the same style in different colors.... but hey!..... if it fits, looks nice and feels good, I want to have options for any outfit!
My current favorite boots are a pair of riding boots I bought from Payless Shoes a couple months ago. Every time I wear these boots I get stopped by total strangers telling me they love my boots and they always ask me... "where did you get them"?. I then enjoy seeing the total shock that crosses their faces when I say Payless Shoes... and then... they always say... "REALLY"!!! ??? Cracks me up every time! In fact this happened to me twice yesterday in the mall! I have a similar pair that I purchased last year from Target and wore them all fall/winter long to the point they were looking rather shabby and worn out... which made me go in search of another pair for this year because they are soooo comfy, and soooo cute I needed a new pair. I always got the same reaction when I wore those boots last year too.
One night this past August when I was home alone and bored, I went online and started my quest for replacing my old riding boots from last year... I ended up ordering several pairs of boots (but in my defense it was "Buy one, get one 1/2 price").... I bought 5 pair to be exact.... brown, black, over the knee, riding boots, rain boots... and of course they arrived the one weekend when my husband was home!.... GO FIGURE!!...isn't that always the way it goes!!! His immediate response was.... "Vickie WHY do you need all these boots?"... and I replied... "Because I do"! LOL He of course knew they were all inexpensive, cheap trendy boots, so it wasn't that I had actually spent much money on them, he just didn't think I would really need or wear all these boots... but now that we have been out several times together when I am wearing these various boots, and he too has seen the reaction and heard the comments of other women of how much they love my boots.... he just shakes his head and smiles! How is that for winning an argument and getting in the last word!?
I personally find it quite rewarding to dress trendy and stylishly inexpensive .... as in bargin shopped items!. Case in point.... my husband's boss held a "Farewell Dinner" for us before we relocated here to Kansas... and she is the ULTIMATE stylish lady... she dresses VERY EXPENSIVELY and LOVES it... while I dress stylishly as well.... just on a way way wayyyyyy lower budget! At this dinner... while I was with several muckity muck corporate wives standing around chatting... his boss notices my new boots and comments on them and asked me where I got them.... so..... I told her Payless Shoes (I don't lie well.... nor can I think that quickly).... I honestly don't think she has ever been to a Payless Shoe store in her life.... but... the look on her face was priceless.... as was the look on the other wives... but it made me feel like a million bucks because, cheap as my Payless boots are.... they looked very stylish and expensive! And.... honestly.... they may be cheap, but they are soooo much more comfy than the two pair of expensive boots I have!
It's not that I never shop for pricier clothes.... I do.... but.... only when I am need of something for an event or when I have a gift certificate (birthday, christmas... etc)... and once I'm in a pricier store... I can easily get into trouble quickly because I find more than I need... but when things look sooo good and feel sooo good I just can't help myself... however, the items I buy in pricier stores are the items that I keep in my closet for a long time, and wear often because they stay in style for many years. Having said that tho.... I more often shop in stores like Old Navy, Payless, Target, and such because I can find more seasonal trendy items much cheaper and then when they go out of style I don't feel badly because I didn't spend much on them anyway. It is the way you accessorize your outfits with shoes, boots, jewelry and such that make you look expensive and stylish... clothing/shoes don't have to be expensive to look expensive... this is what I have learned from my youngest daughter who went to a Fashion Design school in LA and has taught me to 'step out of my comfort zone', and how to put the whole look together. She is the queen of clearance rack shopping! I have learned a lot from her these past few years and see "Style" with a whole new eye! THANK YOU Lauren!
So ladies.... it's time to put your boots on!! After all.... "These boots are made for walking... and that's just what I'm gonna do"! In case of any youngsters reading this blog have no clue what that means.... these are lyric's from a 1960's song by Nancy Sinatra (Frank Sinatra's daughter).
Just like in the summer time with my sandals, I have several pairs of boots in the same style but in different colors. Most of my boots are of the VERY inexpensive (aka CHEAP) kind, and come from the Children's department of Payless Shoes or Target... although I do have 2 pair of expensive boots I ordered online because I needed/wanted stylish dressy boots and I'm just unable to find "Big Girl" boots in my teeny foot size in stores. My girls love to tease me about finding an item I like... whether it be clothing or shoes... and buying several items of the same style in different colors.... but hey!..... if it fits, looks nice and feels good, I want to have options for any outfit!
My current favorite boots are a pair of riding boots I bought from Payless Shoes a couple months ago. Every time I wear these boots I get stopped by total strangers telling me they love my boots and they always ask me... "where did you get them"?. I then enjoy seeing the total shock that crosses their faces when I say Payless Shoes... and then... they always say... "REALLY"!!! ??? Cracks me up every time! In fact this happened to me twice yesterday in the mall! I have a similar pair that I purchased last year from Target and wore them all fall/winter long to the point they were looking rather shabby and worn out... which made me go in search of another pair for this year because they are soooo comfy, and soooo cute I needed a new pair. I always got the same reaction when I wore those boots last year too.
One night this past August when I was home alone and bored, I went online and started my quest for replacing my old riding boots from last year... I ended up ordering several pairs of boots (but in my defense it was "Buy one, get one 1/2 price").... I bought 5 pair to be exact.... brown, black, over the knee, riding boots, rain boots... and of course they arrived the one weekend when my husband was home!.... GO FIGURE!!...isn't that always the way it goes!!! His immediate response was.... "Vickie WHY do you need all these boots?"... and I replied... "Because I do"! LOL He of course knew they were all inexpensive, cheap trendy boots, so it wasn't that I had actually spent much money on them, he just didn't think I would really need or wear all these boots... but now that we have been out several times together when I am wearing these various boots, and he too has seen the reaction and heard the comments of other women of how much they love my boots.... he just shakes his head and smiles! How is that for winning an argument and getting in the last word!?
I personally find it quite rewarding to dress trendy and stylishly inexpensive .... as in bargin shopped items!. Case in point.... my husband's boss held a "Farewell Dinner" for us before we relocated here to Kansas... and she is the ULTIMATE stylish lady... she dresses VERY EXPENSIVELY and LOVES it... while I dress stylishly as well.... just on a way way wayyyyyy lower budget! At this dinner... while I was with several muckity muck corporate wives standing around chatting... his boss notices my new boots and comments on them and asked me where I got them.... so..... I told her Payless Shoes (I don't lie well.... nor can I think that quickly).... I honestly don't think she has ever been to a Payless Shoe store in her life.... but... the look on her face was priceless.... as was the look on the other wives... but it made me feel like a million bucks because, cheap as my Payless boots are.... they looked very stylish and expensive! And.... honestly.... they may be cheap, but they are soooo much more comfy than the two pair of expensive boots I have!
It's not that I never shop for pricier clothes.... I do.... but.... only when I am need of something for an event or when I have a gift certificate (birthday, christmas... etc)... and once I'm in a pricier store... I can easily get into trouble quickly because I find more than I need... but when things look sooo good and feel sooo good I just can't help myself... however, the items I buy in pricier stores are the items that I keep in my closet for a long time, and wear often because they stay in style for many years. Having said that tho.... I more often shop in stores like Old Navy, Payless, Target, and such because I can find more seasonal trendy items much cheaper and then when they go out of style I don't feel badly because I didn't spend much on them anyway. It is the way you accessorize your outfits with shoes, boots, jewelry and such that make you look expensive and stylish... clothing/shoes don't have to be expensive to look expensive... this is what I have learned from my youngest daughter who went to a Fashion Design school in LA and has taught me to 'step out of my comfort zone', and how to put the whole look together. She is the queen of clearance rack shopping! I have learned a lot from her these past few years and see "Style" with a whole new eye! THANK YOU Lauren!
So ladies.... it's time to put your boots on!! After all.... "These boots are made for walking... and that's just what I'm gonna do"! In case of any youngsters reading this blog have no clue what that means.... these are lyric's from a 1960's song by Nancy Sinatra (Frank Sinatra's daughter).
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Kansas
Kansas is known for many things.... Tornado's, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and Toto, The Yellowbrick Road, Munchins (my peeps), Wheat, the big rivalry of Kansas State and Kansas University, The Kansas City Chiefs, Prairie Dogs.... just to mention a few.... but... did you know they are famous for their salt mines, or that they have the largest grain elevator in the United States (2nd in the world in size.... Russia having the largest)... or that they have a Cosmosphere/Space Center with the 2nd largest collection of space memorabilia in the world (again... Russia having the largest). All of these interesting sites are not only in Kansas.... but.... in Hutchinson where we now live. And who said.... what the heck is in Hutchinson Kansas??? I must also add that the folks of "Hutch" are quite proud of all they have to offer to locals and visitors alike. I have not yet had the opportunity to visit either the Salt Museum or the Cosmosphere... but they are both on my list of "to see and do" the first chance I get. Anyone who plans on visiting us here in Hutch has many things to look forward to as they learn about this little town in the middle of the United States of America.
These exerpts are from the site I googled about the Cosmosphere and the Underground Salt Museum....
The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson has the 2nd largest collection of US space memorabilia anywhere and the largest collection of Russian space memorabilia outside the former Soviet Union. Spacecraft and aircraft on exhibit at the Kansas Cosmosphere include Apollo 13, a Blackbird SR-71 spy plane, a flown Vostok spacecraft, a Sputnik, space suits & tools, items that have been on the moon. The Cosmosphere is the permanent home of Liberty Bell, the Mercury 7 capsule that was recovered from the bottom of the ocean and restored here at the Kansas Cosmosphere.
Kansas Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson, Kansas is unique in the western hemisphere. Although there are some similar salt mine museums in Europe, there are none in the Americas. And there are just 15 active salt mines in the United States.To take a tour of the underground museum you have to take the two level lift and ride down 650 feet in the dark - "because that is the way the miners do it." The salt mine is still in operation and the mine is a bit of a time capsule, near the end of the tour, there is a stop where everyone is allowed to get off the tram, sort through a pile of rock from the active salt mine and select a rock to take home as a souvenir of their visit to the Underground Salt Museum.
Not only do we have those two cool tourist sites to encourage visitors but here are the things that I see daily and enjoy watching.... little wind gusts that pick up a leaf or piece of prairie brush.... these wind gusts are like teeny weeny mini tornado's that seem as if they are actually playing with whatever item is being swirled and twirled... the wind gusts actually look like they are performing a dance for you... you just can't help but to be mesmerized by the dance. On any given day my husband and I watch deer (bucks, does and babies) wander around our yard.... and we also see the flock of wild turkeys that roam around our yard all day long. Because our house is truly nestled in the woods and we have windows all around the house, we can actually stand in the middle of our living room and see out of our windows in the front, back and sides of the house without taking a single step, so we get to watch these wild animals on all sides of the house as they go about their grazing and roaming.... which I have to admit is really cool!
Joe and I look forward to having visitors to share in these tourist sites and experiences with us. Our Welcome mat is always out! And.... if none of these things entice you to come visit.... Chef V is always in the kitchen cooking up something yummy for your tummy!
PS... don't know why the print size of this blog keeps changing... must be because I had to copy and paste the info from google.
These exerpts are from the site I googled about the Cosmosphere and the Underground Salt Museum....
The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson has the 2nd largest collection of US space memorabilia anywhere and the largest collection of Russian space memorabilia outside the former Soviet Union. Spacecraft and aircraft on exhibit at the Kansas Cosmosphere include Apollo 13, a Blackbird SR-71 spy plane, a flown Vostok spacecraft, a Sputnik, space suits & tools, items that have been on the moon. The Cosmosphere is the permanent home of Liberty Bell, the Mercury 7 capsule that was recovered from the bottom of the ocean and restored here at the Kansas Cosmosphere.
Kansas Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson, Kansas is unique in the western hemisphere. Although there are some similar salt mine museums in Europe, there are none in the Americas. And there are just 15 active salt mines in the United States.To take a tour of the underground museum you have to take the two level lift and ride down 650 feet in the dark - "because that is the way the miners do it." The salt mine is still in operation and the mine is a bit of a time capsule, near the end of the tour, there is a stop where everyone is allowed to get off the tram, sort through a pile of rock from the active salt mine and select a rock to take home as a souvenir of their visit to the Underground Salt Museum.
Not only do we have those two cool tourist sites to encourage visitors but here are the things that I see daily and enjoy watching.... little wind gusts that pick up a leaf or piece of prairie brush.... these wind gusts are like teeny weeny mini tornado's that seem as if they are actually playing with whatever item is being swirled and twirled... the wind gusts actually look like they are performing a dance for you... you just can't help but to be mesmerized by the dance. On any given day my husband and I watch deer (bucks, does and babies) wander around our yard.... and we also see the flock of wild turkeys that roam around our yard all day long. Because our house is truly nestled in the woods and we have windows all around the house, we can actually stand in the middle of our living room and see out of our windows in the front, back and sides of the house without taking a single step, so we get to watch these wild animals on all sides of the house as they go about their grazing and roaming.... which I have to admit is really cool!
Joe and I look forward to having visitors to share in these tourist sites and experiences with us. Our Welcome mat is always out! And.... if none of these things entice you to come visit.... Chef V is always in the kitchen cooking up something yummy for your tummy!
PS... don't know why the print size of this blog keeps changing... must be because I had to copy and paste the info from google.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Happy Mail = Smiles! BIG ONES!!!
For the past several months I have been dealing with contradicting emotions on a daily basis... one minute I feel complete happiness from news I have heard and/or shared with family and friends.... the next minute I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum feeling sadness, concern, and/or frustration with other news from family and friends. This constant swing of emotions can be quite exhausting.... but.... it is the "Out of the Blue" smiles I receive that stay in my memory the longest.
Yesterday I thought I was having a pretty good day..... then.... I received two very unexpected letters in the mail that made me realize I was actually having a GREAT day!!! I'm still smiling! Receiving these letters has made me realize and appreciate the simple pleasure of getting "Happy Mail". I've always enjoyed sending my own "Out of the Blue" happy mail... usually to the younger members of my family and friends... but heck.... us adults need happy mail surprises too! So.... my quest begins today to send happy mail once a week to various unexpecting recipients! I'm excited to see how many lives I can touch with a simple little 'thinking of you' note.
Back in the days before computers and the internet was a part of our daily lives, and long distance phone calls were for "Emergencies ONLY" and quite expensive.... I used to write many many letters almost on a daily basis. It was the only way to really stay connected to friends and family that I moved away from after I was married at the tender young age of 19..... and who even thinks about getting married at 19 these days??? It is rare... and I have a nephew who actually was married this summer and he is only 19.... but again.... it is a rare thing anymore. Some of those letters still exist here and there.... but most were probably tossed out after the recipient responded/replied. I myself have very few letters I saved that were sent to me because of the many moves we have made and the purging we have had to do with each move.
Maybe it is because I feel like I'm now living in Norman Rockwell/Mayberry RFD land.... and nostalgia of those long ago letters still brings a smile to my face.... or maybe it is because I'm currently reading the book of Julia Child's and Avis DeVoto's correspondence... or maybe because in this world of technology that most of us live in today has done away with the real written word... but whatever the reason... I want to bring those feelings back to my dear loved ones that only happy mail can bring. I just remember being excited to check the mail box everyday in hopes that a letter had arrived for me... and now.... going to the mailbox each day is just another chore that needs to be done, to collect the bills that need to be paid and sort through all the junk mail that needs to be tossed. Having recently experienced how a letter can change your day in an instant and bring a smile to your face is just such a priceless feeling I want to share with others. With our email and FB mailboxes we delete messages as soon as we respond.... but a letter or a card is something you can hold in your hand to read and re-read as often as you want and get the same warm feelings from over and over. Sometimes you can actually smell the scent of the person who sent you the happy mail and that makes it all the better too because it makes you feel like the person is actually with you and not miles and miles away! And I also like seeing the different handwritting of each person who sends me mail... I like to see how they sign their name... if they add any doodles at the end... such as.... a happy face, a drawing of a flower, a heart, or even a post script of a last minute thought after they have ended their letter.
I remember in grade school when we would actually get assigned a pen pal.... and what fun it was to exchange mail with other kids who we were most likely never going to meet, but felt like you knew them all the same. Some pen pals actually have met after many years of corresponding.... like Julia Child and Avis DeVoto and remained life long friends whether they met in person or not. And sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings to share with someone else is as healing to ourselves as it is to read them from others.
I hope that this plan of mine will spread sunshine to many.... I hope that who ever I may target each week for happy mail, that when the mail arrives it is just the pick up they needed on that day, or that it makes a good day they were already having a better day!
Sincerely, Regards, Always, Love..... or as I like to sign off.... HUGS!!! V
Yesterday I thought I was having a pretty good day..... then.... I received two very unexpected letters in the mail that made me realize I was actually having a GREAT day!!! I'm still smiling! Receiving these letters has made me realize and appreciate the simple pleasure of getting "Happy Mail". I've always enjoyed sending my own "Out of the Blue" happy mail... usually to the younger members of my family and friends... but heck.... us adults need happy mail surprises too! So.... my quest begins today to send happy mail once a week to various unexpecting recipients! I'm excited to see how many lives I can touch with a simple little 'thinking of you' note.
Back in the days before computers and the internet was a part of our daily lives, and long distance phone calls were for "Emergencies ONLY" and quite expensive.... I used to write many many letters almost on a daily basis. It was the only way to really stay connected to friends and family that I moved away from after I was married at the tender young age of 19..... and who even thinks about getting married at 19 these days??? It is rare... and I have a nephew who actually was married this summer and he is only 19.... but again.... it is a rare thing anymore. Some of those letters still exist here and there.... but most were probably tossed out after the recipient responded/replied. I myself have very few letters I saved that were sent to me because of the many moves we have made and the purging we have had to do with each move.
Maybe it is because I feel like I'm now living in Norman Rockwell/Mayberry RFD land.... and nostalgia of those long ago letters still brings a smile to my face.... or maybe it is because I'm currently reading the book of Julia Child's and Avis DeVoto's correspondence... or maybe because in this world of technology that most of us live in today has done away with the real written word... but whatever the reason... I want to bring those feelings back to my dear loved ones that only happy mail can bring. I just remember being excited to check the mail box everyday in hopes that a letter had arrived for me... and now.... going to the mailbox each day is just another chore that needs to be done, to collect the bills that need to be paid and sort through all the junk mail that needs to be tossed. Having recently experienced how a letter can change your day in an instant and bring a smile to your face is just such a priceless feeling I want to share with others. With our email and FB mailboxes we delete messages as soon as we respond.... but a letter or a card is something you can hold in your hand to read and re-read as often as you want and get the same warm feelings from over and over. Sometimes you can actually smell the scent of the person who sent you the happy mail and that makes it all the better too because it makes you feel like the person is actually with you and not miles and miles away! And I also like seeing the different handwritting of each person who sends me mail... I like to see how they sign their name... if they add any doodles at the end... such as.... a happy face, a drawing of a flower, a heart, or even a post script of a last minute thought after they have ended their letter.
I remember in grade school when we would actually get assigned a pen pal.... and what fun it was to exchange mail with other kids who we were most likely never going to meet, but felt like you knew them all the same. Some pen pals actually have met after many years of corresponding.... like Julia Child and Avis DeVoto and remained life long friends whether they met in person or not. And sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings to share with someone else is as healing to ourselves as it is to read them from others.
I hope that this plan of mine will spread sunshine to many.... I hope that who ever I may target each week for happy mail, that when the mail arrives it is just the pick up they needed on that day, or that it makes a good day they were already having a better day!
Sincerely, Regards, Always, Love..... or as I like to sign off.... HUGS!!! V
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Julia is here again!
I have a habit of browsing amazon.com in search of new books and/or new music when I'm bored and there is nothing I'm interested in watching on tv. I buy all my books and music from this website because it is easy, my purchases usually arrive in a day or two at the most... with free shipping I might add.... plus you get to read all the reviews from other buyers. So.... the other day when I was bored and wasting time browsing for some music... randomly I got this message "Vickie's special selections" about a new Julia Child book.... "As Always, Julia... The Letters of Julia Child and Avis Devoto".... WELL... you can only imagine my pure delight at this revelation since I SERIOUSLY and LITERALLY have read every single word of every single book... AND... have watched every single DVD about this hero of mine. It took me less than 2 seconds to push "add to cart"... and "check out now"! This happened on Sunday night and boom... ding dong goes my door bell this afternoon (Tuesday... a day before it was supposed to arrive), and I run to the door thinking..... who could be ringing my doorbell... and there it was... sitting pretty as can be on my doorstep like a Christmas package to be opened.... my amazon package with Julia inside!!!! WOOT WOOT!!! I really did do a jig the moment I laid eyes on that package!
I've only had time to caress the front of the book and read the teasing snipits on the back cover... but Julia has arrived and I am eager to begin voraciously reading her letters and the giggling to begin. Avis DeVoto was her best friend and pen pal for more than 40 years, and the content of these letters are about culinary discussions, personal confidences, political opinions, and sexuality..... basically... it's about Food, Friendship, and the Making of a Masterpiece..... better than a Harlequin Romance novel any day!!!! From everything I have read thus far in my Julia obsession.... she was a hoot and a holler without a brain to mouth filter.... she was delightful, charming, mischievous, honest, and just a true 'character'! I will definitely do an update about my thoughts of this book after I finish reading it. Now I just have to find some very selfish time to sit and read, read, read!
I am beyond giddy with excitement to discover more words.... her own in fact.... about this truly delightful woman! I have 399 pages of letters to read about her and Avis.... I feel like I'm getting a look at her personal diary.... which.... if that ever comes to print.... I guarantee you I will click "add to cart" and "check out now" in less than a second! In fact I would love to discover a book of Paul's letters to his twin brother Charles... those too would be fun to read. I can only hope to discover some unprinted recipes in this book as I read my way through it too.... but even if I don't discover any recipe treasures.... I'm going to enjoy every single word of yet another book about my girl Julia!
Hate to be hasty.... but Julia awaits!!!
I've only had time to caress the front of the book and read the teasing snipits on the back cover... but Julia has arrived and I am eager to begin voraciously reading her letters and the giggling to begin. Avis DeVoto was her best friend and pen pal for more than 40 years, and the content of these letters are about culinary discussions, personal confidences, political opinions, and sexuality..... basically... it's about Food, Friendship, and the Making of a Masterpiece..... better than a Harlequin Romance novel any day!!!! From everything I have read thus far in my Julia obsession.... she was a hoot and a holler without a brain to mouth filter.... she was delightful, charming, mischievous, honest, and just a true 'character'! I will definitely do an update about my thoughts of this book after I finish reading it. Now I just have to find some very selfish time to sit and read, read, read!
I am beyond giddy with excitement to discover more words.... her own in fact.... about this truly delightful woman! I have 399 pages of letters to read about her and Avis.... I feel like I'm getting a look at her personal diary.... which.... if that ever comes to print.... I guarantee you I will click "add to cart" and "check out now" in less than a second! In fact I would love to discover a book of Paul's letters to his twin brother Charles... those too would be fun to read. I can only hope to discover some unprinted recipes in this book as I read my way through it too.... but even if I don't discover any recipe treasures.... I'm going to enjoy every single word of yet another book about my girl Julia!
Hate to be hasty.... but Julia awaits!!!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Postive Thoughts For A New Month
Today is the first day of a new month..... this past September I heard Ann Curry (of the Today Show) say on the air that if you begin a new month saying good luck/positive words out loud it will bring you good luck for the month. So ever since I heard that, I begin the first day of each month saying things like...... lucky penny, rainbow, shooting star, ladybugs, humming birds, dragon flies, etc. Who is to say if this really works... but.... starting a new month off with a positive attitude certainly can't hurt and it sure makes me smile just thinking, hoping, and wishing this will be true. And.... it is such fun to share this tidbit of hope with as many people as I can. Just think.... you have 12 chances a year to start a new month off being and feeling positive. I support anything and everything that is positive. It's also fun trying to think of all the things that are happy and/or good luck signs. How many can you think of as you read this? If nothing else, sharing and saying positive things to others always makes them smile.... I mean.... who doesn't want to hope it is true?
Speaking of things that bring you good luck.... I find myself trying to turn bad luck things into good luck... even if I have to make up my own rules! LOL For instance.... how often do you see the time 11:11? I always say a prayer and/or make a wish whenever I see that time.... which is typically a daily occurrence for me.... and you do have two chances a day to see that time.... however.... some people think it is a bad omen to see the time 11:11.... but not me..... I think it is a GREAT sign! I took making a wish/saying a prayer at 11:11 one step further (an example of me making up my own good luck rules!) by saying a prayer and/or making a wish anytime I see a triple digit time... such as 1:11, 2:22, 3:33 (my ultimate favorite since 3 is my favorite and lucky number), 4:44 and 5:55. However.... my own personal steadfast rule about praying/wishing on 11:11 and triple digit time is that..... it doesn't count if you watch the clock or set an alarm to be sure to see the time.... it only counts if you just happen to look up and see that time. And again.... it is almost eerie how many times I just happen to look up and see 11:11 or triple digit times. I just think looking up and seeing all the same numbers on a clock is really special.... it's probably the "Pollyanna" in me.... but I find it such a comfort to randomly look up and see that.
Once you are made aware of noticing the time like that, you will be amazed at how often you now randomly look up and notice it.... and how happy it makes you feel to get a free wish or think of someone who is in need of a prayer. Just think.... it is possible to get 12 wishes and say 12 prayers everyday! Although I usually notice the time and get to make a wish/say a prayer at least once a day.... I'm thrilled to pieces when I get two wishes/prayers in the same day and think it is a super duper good day to get 3 or more!!.... and it has happened several times that I get 3 wishes/prayers a day!
Wishing all my readers lots of good luck this month!!! Spread the smiles.... it feels GREAT!!
Speaking of things that bring you good luck.... I find myself trying to turn bad luck things into good luck... even if I have to make up my own rules! LOL For instance.... how often do you see the time 11:11? I always say a prayer and/or make a wish whenever I see that time.... which is typically a daily occurrence for me.... and you do have two chances a day to see that time.... however.... some people think it is a bad omen to see the time 11:11.... but not me..... I think it is a GREAT sign! I took making a wish/saying a prayer at 11:11 one step further (an example of me making up my own good luck rules!) by saying a prayer and/or making a wish anytime I see a triple digit time... such as 1:11, 2:22, 3:33 (my ultimate favorite since 3 is my favorite and lucky number), 4:44 and 5:55. However.... my own personal steadfast rule about praying/wishing on 11:11 and triple digit time is that..... it doesn't count if you watch the clock or set an alarm to be sure to see the time.... it only counts if you just happen to look up and see that time. And again.... it is almost eerie how many times I just happen to look up and see 11:11 or triple digit times. I just think looking up and seeing all the same numbers on a clock is really special.... it's probably the "Pollyanna" in me.... but I find it such a comfort to randomly look up and see that.
Once you are made aware of noticing the time like that, you will be amazed at how often you now randomly look up and notice it.... and how happy it makes you feel to get a free wish or think of someone who is in need of a prayer. Just think.... it is possible to get 12 wishes and say 12 prayers everyday! Although I usually notice the time and get to make a wish/say a prayer at least once a day.... I'm thrilled to pieces when I get two wishes/prayers in the same day and think it is a super duper good day to get 3 or more!!.... and it has happened several times that I get 3 wishes/prayers a day!
Wishing all my readers lots of good luck this month!!! Spread the smiles.... it feels GREAT!!
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About Me
- Vickie G
- I am a short little lady with a passion for cooking and pilates. I have been married for 31 years to my high school sweetheart (my soulmate and love of my life!!!) and we have 3 amazing daughters. I am 50 years old and love living life with as much zest as possible.