What makes me cry Memorial Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Why? Two reasons: 1) I LOOOOVVE America and I am SOOOO grateful for the men and women who have fought for our freedom. 2) I run in the 10K Bolder Boulder and sit in Folsom Field Stadium at the University of Colorado and cry with no shame. I stand and clap through the whole Memorial Day Tribute: Presentation … [Read more...]
Don’t forget yourself as you spring clean
Don’t forget yourself as you spring clean Today, we have a crew installing seamless gutters on the house to prevent water damage around the foundation when the monsoons come. We have a one man crew repairing the concrete foundation on the miners shack in the back yard for the same reason. We ordered a new exterior door because the old one is warped as well as a new threshold to … [Read more...]
A matter of balance
A matter of balance Robert Fulghum, author of All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, wrote: “Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” Wise advice! Balance affects many subjects: checkbooks; work and family; budgets; scales; tires; meals; investments; we even have shoes called New Balance. … [Read more...]
Happy Mother’s Day Mother – and Thank YOU!
Happy Mother’s Day Mother – and Thank YOU! My remarkable mother died in 2007 at the age of 86, right before Christmas. I miss her. I wish I could again thank her and tell her I love her. I would especially like to give her a hug. Without her parenting and influence I would be a totally different person today. Her name was Millie, short for Mildred, and she was beautiful, … [Read more...]
Teens, Messy Rooms and Parental Frustration
Teens, Messy Rooms and Parental Frustration Third of four articles from the American Counseling Association - Honoring April: Counseling Awareness Month Somewhere, there might actually be a teenager who doesn't have a "messy room." Most parents would doubt that. A teen's messy room continues to be the source for ongoing parent-teen disagreements in many families. While we … [Read more...]
Sin – What do you think?
Sin – What do you think? (Opinion piece - I am a Christian - not a religious counselor) I researched SIN on the internet and reaffirmed that we have all sinned. Adam began with original sin and we all inherited it. Jesus died for our sins and gave us a second chance. But, then again, we have all sinned since then. We can say we are sorry and mean it sincerely, but then … [Read more...]
Not being satisfied is okay – even good
Not being satisfied is okay - even good Using a nasty voice, someone once asked me, "Are you ever going to be satisfied?" Without a thought, I snapped back, "I hope not!" That memory is not particularly pleasant, but it does make me smile; I was surprised at my response. Not only did the words come out of my mouth without thought, it was true. It was a good example of how … [Read more...]
Team Up For Success
Team Up For Success Second of four articles from the American Counseling Association - Honoring April: Counseling Awareness Month Yes, it can be hard to try to lose weight, exercise more or make other lifestyle changes for better health. But a recent study out of England has shown that the odds for success increased dramatically when you make changes for a healthier you … [Read more...]
Professional Counselors Offer Help
Professional Counselors Offer Help First of four articles from the American Counseling Association - Honoring April: Counseling Awareness Month Yes, the month of April is more than spring showers and blooming flowers. It's also Counseling Awareness Month. Okay, not that exciting, but still a great time to learn more about professional counselors and the services they … [Read more...]
Normal? What’s that?
Normal? What’s that? According to my Word Thesaurus, synonyms for the word normal include usual, regular, standard, ordinary, typical, customary, common, and average. I don’t think any of those words describe me, and I am glad. Who would want to be typical or average? I want to be unique and individual. It is counterintuitive, because if we are not normal, we must be … [Read more...]
Positive Playfulness for Mental Health
Positive Playfulness for Mental Health Spring Breaks are upon us, and it reminds me of watching my son and granddaughters compete in a double-elimination Mud Volleyball Tournament. All participants showed up with bare feet, shorts, tee-shirts or swimming suits, and a smile. The muddy water was twelve to eighteen inches deep and the day was perfect; sunny and warm with no … [Read more...]
UNITED WE STAND – I wish
UNITED WE STAND – I wish "United we stand, divided we fall" is a phrase that has been used in mottos, from nations and states to songs. The fable seems to have originated with Aesop who was a slave in ancient Greece during the 6th Century B.C. I believe we all need to examine and live by those simple words. Our Republican and Democratic political parties, those made up of … [Read more...]
Why I write
Why I write I saw this quote by Shannon Alder on www.goodreads.com/quotes and loved it. It is true for me for sure! Enjoy and keep writing; it is good for our mental health. “I write to find strength. I write to become the person that hides inside me. I write to light the way through the darkness for others. I write to be seen and heard. I write to be near those I … [Read more...]
Final thoughts on Fifty Shades
Final thoughts on Fifty Shades As promised - I went to Fifty Shades of Grey. It was a little boring and seemed to drag on in time. I wanted to leave before it was over. The actors, Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, playing Christian and Anastasia were easy to connect and relate with. I enjoyed the book far more than the movie, but the story of a successful man falling in love … [Read more...]
Thoughts on Fifty Shades
Thoughts on Fifty Shades I have read blogs and interpretations of the movie, Fifty Shades of Grey, and I have mixed opinions. Most of what I have read reveals authors disgust with the movie and the upside down message it gives to women and girls about healthy relationships. I read all three books and enjoyed them. They were well written and totally held my interest. I grew … [Read more...]