An Angel says...

'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places..
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.


'If God is for us, who can be against us?'(Romans 8:31)

::: Challenged :::

This past week two men that I love very dearly challenged me about my stubbornness to ask for help.

My excuse to the first was "I have been on my own since I was 20 and have been taking care of myself and I can manage." His reply was simple - Was his love not good enough? Why could I not give him the opportunity to show me how much he loved me.

My excuse to the second man was "But I've gotten myself into this and I have to prove that I am able to take care of it on my own." His reply was simple as well - He loved me and wanted to help me.

All my adult life I have felt that I had to prove to others that I could take care of myself. I had to prove that a high school graduate could find a GOOD job - not any job - and be successful. I had to prove that if I made decisions that were wrong that I could live with those decisions without any one's help. My silence during my marriage didn't help anyone. When I struggled financially during my marriage and then right after my divorce once again MY PRIDE disallowed me to ask for help. To the point that I didn't apply for welfare for months and months. When I stumbled and fell in my spiritual walk again I thought I could find help on my own.

You would think that these life experiences would have taught me one very important lesson - EVERYONE NEEDS SOMEONE

Maybe I am in a better place in my life. But I realized this week I was being SELFISH. I wasn't allowing those around me who cared and loved me to show their love by helping me when I needed it the most.

My motto has always been "Do not expect anything from anyone and you will never be disappointed!

I have to rethink this...

::: Count Downs :::

Seems that I've started a trend... count downs... It started as a joke back in January when I started a count down to spring on Facebook... LOL... Then Alexis started counting down the days to her trip to Europe... and now I have another personal count down which I will share with you all in a short time... stop frowning it creates wrinkles my news will be an amazing one. Well I think so!!!!

Alexis is coming home this evening how time flies. I'm looking forward to seeing all her pictures and hearing all the stories that she has.

Joshua and Melissa are in Toronto and will return to Montreal on Saturday. It's different not having the 3 all together. Guess I need to get used to this as they get older and their paths separate. But what a weekend it will be when they get back... ouph!

I'm still trying to put the finishing touches on the kitchen. I've been promised multiple times they will be by and do the work. As for all the other unfinished pieces in the house still waiting for the contractor. Sigh... :)

::: Submission :::

Being submissive is hard for me. I was raised by strong character ed parents and life's events have made me an assertive woman. Many people do not find this trait endearing. As I get older I seem to also get more outspoken... ouph...

Life is full of choices that we need to make. I am learning (the hard way) to bring God into my decision making process. Let me tell you IT'S HARD!! How many times must I fall and scrape my knees before I learn? Obviously many times!

I have learned to trust God in many areas of my life and there are still a couple of areas that I need to let go. I am learning to pray more and listen more and hush up more... if you know me you will know how darn difficult that is... oh wait... I'm really really trying to not question but that part is really difficult too.

Sometimes when I try to please everyone around me I forget to ask God if this is His will for me. Does that happen to anyone else? It's even more difficult when you respect those who are giving you their advice... but... what is God telling me? Well meaning people sometimes confuse matters rather then help!!

Now, I know you'll be thinking but what if God is speaking through them! Well, I always wonder if the message is meant for me then why wouldn't God tell me directly? Perhaps I'm not listening? I rightly don't have an answer... But I sure wish sometimes that I'd see the writing on the wall or have a burning bush delivery a message...

::: Growing Up :::

There are a few things that are inevitable in life. One of those things is children growing up and spreading their wings.

As I helped Alexis put the final pieces into her suitcase I realized that 2009 was going to be a year of many firsts and many lasts for our little family. Alexis is on her way to Europe for 10 days with a tour group. She leaves tomorrow for London where they will spend a couple of days from then to Paris for another few days. From Paris on to Florence, Assisi, Vatican City and then to Rome. Rome is where the journey ends. What an amazing experience this will be.

She will have so many stories to tell when she gets back. I cannot wait to hear them all.

My little bird has taken flight...

::: The Positives of Single Parenting :::

Yup, you read the title correctly. I don’t want to glamorize or minimize the difficulties of being a single parent. Having been in a traditional parenting situation and then the last 11 years a single parent I’ve had the opportunity to experience the positives of both. The truth is that parenting is not easy even when there are two parents. I’ve always thought that kids should come with owner manuals and each manual should fit the model of the child.

One parent can not fill both roles of mother and father. You cannot do the work of both parents but you can do a bang up job of raising your children. I’m asked time and time again how I manage to raise three children on my own.

Here are things that work for me:

• Having family and friends to turn to for support and in times of emergencies
• An optimistic attitude about myself and the future
• Open communication – this means listening as well to what they have to say
• Setting rules and guidelines and being firm
• Not majoring on the minor issues – being selective on what things I object to
• Relaxing and enjoying time with my children – learn to laugh – it could have been worse
• Dinner as a family every night – this is when children open up and talk about things
• If I don’t have anything positive to say about their father to remain silent
• To remember that they are children and need time to grow and mature before having to deal with adult issues
• Teaching them to be responsible for their actions
• The most important thing that I discovered is that I most hug them and say “I love you” each and every day!

Being a single parent means that you need to find that balance between loving and cuddling your children and disciplining them when the time is right. I’m working on this one.

I love all the highs and lows of being a mom. I wouldn't have my life any other way.

::: Lord Help Me :::

There are certain events that in a very definite way change the course of our lives. Some believe in fate, others destiny, others in chance and yet others in luck.

I think beliefs are determined on whether you believe in God or in paganism. God in his infinite wisdom gave man a choice and free will. We determine our fate and destiny by choices that we make. Chance? Luck? I don't believe that anything occurs by accident and nothing is a coincidence.

There are times that I ponder these things as I look at my life. Did I ever expect to be raising three of the most amazing children as a single parent? Did I know that one day I would reflect back on certain defining moments in my life and wonder what could I have done differently? Do you wonder at times how your actions affect the lives of those around you?

Insecurities cause us to say 'What if...'. But I have come to realize that I am who I am because of my life experiences. Am I a work in progress? Most definitely! I am by no means perfect. Far from it. As my feet hit the ground every morning a simple prayer is uttered "Lord help me."

You are the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me, have Thine own way. Lord, I give my life, I give my all to You, to be a willing vessel, to use me through and through.

Normal Hutchins Lyrics

"Lord You Are The Potter"

::: Tears of Laughter :::

From the time my children were little they have always begged for a pet. In my infinite wisdom - YEAH RIGHT - I came up with a little game. The conversation would go something like this.

"Mommy can we have a dog?"
"Who's going to walk the dog when it's raining or freezing cold outside?"
"Well can't we train the dog to use a litter box?"

"Mommy can we have a cat instead?"
"Who's going to clean out the litter and don't forget cats pee and poo in the litter box."
"Well can't we train the cat to use the toilet?"

"Mommy can we have a bird then?"
"Who's going to clean out the cage?"
The conversation would go this way until they ran out of animals. I never said 'No' and looked like a great mom. Now they're older and well somehow this arguement just doesn't work but I'm still boss and I say we're not getting a pet. So there! Humph!

Well this weekend as I walked past the patio doors I noticed that one of the many cats that roam our back alley was sitting on the porch and looking in. As expected Alexis and Melissa rushed to look at the cat.

"Awwww, soooo cuuuutttteeee!", Melissa exclaims.

"Can we bring him in? PLEAAAAASE?!?!?!?, Alexis asks.

"Mommy, the poor thing is cold. PLEEAASE?!?!?, Melissa chimes in pleading to bring the cat in.

"Mommy, she's shivering she's soooo cold."

"Girls, cats do not shiver!" (What do I know but I'm a mom and I have to speak with authority!)

Suddenly, both girls are squealing and talking at the same time.

"YEWWWWW! The cat just pooped!!!! How disgusting!!!"

"GROSS!!!! And it's covering it's poo with snow!!!"

Oh good grief... the tears were rolling down my cheeks as I listened to the girls as they took off back to their room disgusted by what they had just seen... I'm still chuckling as I recall what happened!!!

Yup, that's why I refuse to have pets in the house. That and the fact that with 3 kids who has time for animals!

Revenge is mine says the mother of teenagers!!!!

:: Roses ::

When I read this it made me teary...

He gave her 12 roses, 11 real and 1 fake,

then he said "I'll love you till the last one dies".

The cabbage rose is my favorite rose.

My favorite flower is the white tulip.

:: Laughter ::

Laughter is the best medicine for all that ails me. No matter what is happening once I start to laugh all is well with my soul.

This past weekend I got together with a handful of friends from Outremont High School. Two years ago we had our 25th class reunion and this group has been getting together several times a year. Sometimes the group is a bit bigger but no matter the size we always have a great time.

Some us even went to elementary school together. Let me tell you when you are with a group of people that knew you way back when you can't be anything but yourself. It keeps you humble!

We went to Mythos for dinner and then headed to my place for the most scrumptious cheese cake that Sophie made from scratch. Thanks Sophie!

We had so many laughs that the waitress came up to us at one point and commented on how much fun we were having.

The laughter and chatter lasted until 2 a.m. - can you believe a bunch of 43 year olds chattering away like teenagers... LOL...

Our resident photographer, Angie, took these pictures for us.