What's the Small Stuff?

As I sat at a stop light on a multi-lane road, the light changed from red to green. A millisecond later, one driver beeped the car horn. Was that for me? What’d I do wrong? That’s what I would have thought years ago when I first started driving. Back then a parallel parking spot used to send me hunting for a “regular” space. Okay, it still does. But the point is now, with years of experience under my belt, whenever I hear a car horn beep while I’m driving, I think, “Hold your horses. You should’ve left home earlier!”   

If you talk with anyone sixty years and older, I believe they’ll tell you that the things they worried about decades ago pale in comparison to the issues that occupy their thoughts today. It’s interesting how knowledge and experience change our perspectives. Sometimes it’s a matter of focusing on the big picture.

One of our kids chose to replicate Neptune for a science project, and I learned it’s approximately seventeen times the earth’s mass. I’m always fascinated by the solar system and our position in it. We always seem to discover something new things in space. This video provides us with a fresh perspective on life and our universe: 

                                                      https://youtu.be/58fs5yI8K9I  

If you’re feeling insignificant, be encouraged! Despite the minuscule blip of space we occupy in the universe, we still have big jobs to tackle, like creating lasting legacies through role modeling. As you pass on the wisdom you’ve learned over the years, what small stuff would you advise someone else not to sweat?   


Edited and reprinted 2011(and still true)

It's Water Under the Bridge

We enjoyed incredible weather earlier this week. Although forecasters predicted terrible rain and thunderstorms, we saw morning clouds, followed by beautiful sunshine. What if every day could end that way? Last week, an invisible, unexplained bubble of protection kept my friend dry as the sound of pelting rain echoed throughout a parking lot. It’s always wonderful experience to feel protected in the middle of a storm. Imagine living here:

                                     https://youtu.be/jxsSBHTFk3w   
These days we never know when an unprecedented storm will blow though, flooding, toppling, and disrupting the important pieces of our lives. It pays to find the best possible protection for housing, insurance, health, and every aspect of life. What’s your best advice for weathering life’s storms?          

They Said What?

You probably wonder how statements that begin with, “You know what they say… get started.”  They who? You can tell they get respect because people quote them a lot. Maybe “they” is a group of folks who’ve been there, done that, and are willing to hand over the benefits of their experience to everyone else. 

Believe it or not, last week someone claimed to be part of the great “they” mystery. The admission came as a surprise. In the middle of a conversation at our house, someone quoted a theyism, like “You know what they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover.” We all stopped to think about who “they” is. And that’s when a voice said, “I am.” And there you have it—mystery solved—one of our kids is “they.” You know what they say, “Out of the mouths of babes….” 

I never would have guessed that “they” lived in my house. Go figure. You probably thought theyisms came from people like this:

                                          https://youtu.be/wCSGKWQqrwc 

And that’s what one group of “theys” had to say. I hope you found a few words of wisdom for yourself. Who’s the “they” you turn to for solutions to your difficult questions and situations?

What Do You Mean?

Kids say the funniest things. They surprise us because we forget about the amount of thinking that goes on in those little bodies. If you have a child or small relative, then you probably have an own experience of when a kid’s comment caught you off guard.

I remember the story about a relative who was heading off to work. She stopped in her tracks when her straight-faced second grader said, “You look like a clown.” Her outfit, in all of its polka-dotted glory, ended up back in the closet.

Yesterday I asked one of our kids a question about doing homework. I got a blank look, so I said, “You look as though I asked you to eat a cow.” Our youngster replied, “I probably could if it was seasoned right.” You never know what kids will say. Here’s more:

                                         https://youtu.be/yeqbaoaXbMw

The one little girl offered serious advice: You don’t need a raise. Problem solved. Wouldn’t it be nice to get the “perfect” advice for every situation? We all need someone to tell us the truth without tip-toeing around an issue. What advice have you been hesitant to give?      

Navigating the Next 24 Hours

Good information can come from many places. As we watched TV, my husband and one of the kids got into a discussion about salaries, daily expenses, and everyone’s favorite—taxes.  During an explanation about how taxes work and how much money can disappear from your pay, we noticed our youngest child absorbing every word. We had to laugh when our intrigued child said, “I should take notes on this!” You’re never too young to start soaking up worthwhile advice—especially when it comes to taxes. Maybe this advice will benefit you, too:  

                                         http://youtu.be/LmimlZwjYs0  

Everyone has a story to share. What better way to learn a lesson than from someone else’s experience, especially if it’s a difficult one? I love how the teens went out and had face-to-face encounters with people that society often ignores. The advice fit everyone—youth, parents, college students, middle-aged folks, and even grandparents.  Some of the best advice came from the man who spoke about handling bad opportunities. He said don’t just walk away from them—run away! What guardrails have you placed in your life to keep you on the right track?

The Passion Inside

 Do you love chocolate? It’s one of those treats that scores of people around the world enjoy. Thank goodness nutritionists say some types of chocolate have health benefits, as if we need a reason to indulge. We’re going to eat our chocolate, the research just helps minimize our guilt if we gobble up an entire bagful.

At our house we keep stashes of chocolate to nibble on when the urge hits. On Wednesday I looked in the cabinet and actually said, “We don’t have any chocolate left? What kind of crazy world is this?” Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic, and maybe a depleted stash of chocolate isn’t the barometer for the state of the world. Maybe this guy puts it in perspective. Have a listen:

 

                                *   http://youtu.be/YGgwsfr7lFQ

Sorry to take the fun out of your chocolate binges. Now I’ll have to reevaluate my snack choices, and that could mean living without chocolate. I can do that—I think. If chocolate isn’t your passion, then what couldn’t you live without?      

 

*video is for informational purposes and not an endorsement of any therapies           

 

 

More Than a Cart Decision

I have a hidden talent that doesn’t show up until I enter a grocery store. You see, I have the keen ability to pick the wonkiest shopping cart in the corral.  Once I get fifteen yards inside the store entrance, the nonsense starts. The cart’s wheels wobble in different directions turning the shopping experience into an athletic event as I struggle to steer clear of people and products. On another visit, I might grab a different cart with the wheels that make squeaky, squealing noises causing temporary brain injury. In today’s economy, store managers would much rather generate sales than repair rogue carts. I imagine managers advising complaining customers to simply avoid the wacky carts (as if I could). See if this poor gentleman can sidestep shopping cart wackiness:

                                         http://youtu.be/wUgNfhPd0uQ

Showdowns! That explains why the carts malfunction. I can’t believe those two engaged in a two-minute shopping cart dance and never spoke a word—no communication whatsoever. We’ll make smarter decisions and experience better results when we talk to the right people, especially to those who provide good insight, advice and direction. Who’s your best advisor when you need sound guidance for important decisions?    

A Foodie's Tips

Welcome to this week’s foodie tips. In case you’re wondering, a foodie is someone who loves eating, discussing and cooking food. I enjoy the first two, but the cooking part—not really.  I’d much rather watch someone else cook. Fortunately for me, my kids inherited their grandmother’s and their father’s love for cooking. They plan to be professional chefs so I foresee many wonderful meals in my future. Until then, you’ll find me cooking out of necessity, and when I’m in the kitchen, I keep it quick and simple.

What’s easier to make than French toast? Actually, I can think of a lot of things—soup for one, especially if it’s right from the can, but that was last week’s post. We’re moving on. Tell me, is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy piping, hot French toast for breakfast?  Start with the right bread and your dish will be fabulous. I like to use cinnamon bread, with or without raisins. I call it Double Cinnamon French Toast because there’s tasty cinnamon swirled throughout the bread and then it’s dipped in a cinnamony-egg mixture just before frying. What a yummy treat!  By the way, cinnamon is more than delicious, it’s healthy, too. Nutritional experts call cinnamon a super food because the spice helps lower cholesterol levels. So, for tip number one: use cinnamon bread. But since this is a two-for-one deal, I have a second tip for you.

 Last month when we were on vacation, I discovered a great way to improve on your classic French toast. With limited frying pans, I could only cook one piece of French toast at a time. Once I finished the first piece, I popped it in the oven to stay warm while the next piece cooked on top of the stove. I’ve read a few recipes that describe how to make French toast in the oven, but if you prepare it on the stove and bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for about seven minutes—you’ve got your own little plate of heaven.  I’m not usually proud of my cooking, but that was the best French toast I’ve ever made, pure oven-toasted, cinnamon-laden, crunchy goodness.

I know these aren’t revolutionary tips, but sometimes our best ideas come from our most unexpected sources and experiences. Here’s an opportunity to pick up a few tips from a lady who’s experienced a long, long life:     

What’s the best life tip you’ve ever received?