In the Wee Still Hours of the Afternoon - Along the Back Roads

In all your born days, you've never experienced such a moment as this. Oris George sitting still in his chair, reckoning the day away, while the spinning wheel sits off to the side of the fire waiting. The stories we could tell...

Danielle Simone, Don Buck, Patsy Reed, and I twittered over the setting, arranging, placing, adjusting and detailing the cards in Oris George's collection until they sparkled and shone in the glaring light of the lamp. Through the haze of smoke from the burning fire, we worked our fingers to the bone, un-nourished and underfed, the lot of us for nearly four grueling hours of laborous tending to perfect the display.

There he sat, smug on his throne, chastizing Danielle for fuzzy pictures, smirking at Patsy as she worried over hostess duties, and lamblasting Don for not being off at the salt mines pining away his day. Little did he know, I was taking notes. I'll remember his course behavior, and his portly manner, and that haughty attitude until my dying day.

Honestly, there was NO pleasing the man, he wanted the cards turned this way and that, tilted just a little, no back just a tad. Can we light them up better, and finally, when the day was done and we'd worried ourselves sick over the placement of each mule sketched card, he suggested we get the heck out of his house and don't come back until next week in time for writer's meeting. The audacity of that man is beyond me. I can't imagine how such a man could consider for a moment that he deserves a life of fame.

Then, at the last moment, as he shoved us out the door, he saved the day with two quarters tossed out in my direction. I was so pleased to have made a penance for the day. Can you imagine? Now, I can feed my children, keep a roof over our heads, and put a quart of gasoline in the car.

I feel blessed to know a man of such prominance and demeanor!

Thinking Thin Thursday - almost on Saturday

I just heard about this Thinking Thin on Thursday thing. Actually, considering my friend Danielle kick started a new diet this Thursday, I figured it would be a worthy effort. Definitely a good comment to make.

We've both been life dieters, trying to keep the food off by not eating (it doesn't work), you always eat. So, we've tried exercise... The walk to the refrigerator works off about 2% of the calories we get each day. Then there's that other 98% we don't work off while we're sitting on our backsides typing into the computer. Ahem... Do you think... Nah!

I have skinny fingers! Doesn't that count?

So, perhaps... If this thinking thin thing gets around and everybody is thinking thin, we can get rid of the pounds because we're all thinking them out into the stratosphere and giving them to those hungry folks on the foodless planet. I wonder how far out on the Information Highway, the foodless planet exists?

I've seriously considered mounting a desktop of sorts on the front of the treadmill so I can walk and type at the same time, then I'd have to get a bigger screen.

But, the plan is... We drink plenty of water, watch the caloric intake and exercise more. I walked further today than I have other days this week. I drank two glasses more water. And I ate almost 30% less calories than yesterday. I'm good! My goal is a longer walk tomorrow and more exercise, 30% less calories again (that should be where I want to be for the whole three week diet) and add two more glasses of water.

Thinking Thin Thursday will come on Thursday next week. (I heard about it a day late!)

Walking the Trail - Hiking Your Way Through Life

Sometimes my feet hurt. The hike along nature's trails gets to be too danged much to follow and I just want to set it out and ride. But migration doesn't happen that way. We're seriously on our own in the natural migration of life that co-exists with power strategies, growing up, growing old, and challenging ourselves to be the best we can be.

When my friend Danielle Simone suggested I look at her Trails of Nature blog, I thought she'd probably lost her nuts and pickled her brains. I'm not a dinosaur nut, nor am I truly interested in geology (although I took a class once) but the paleontology thing that I took her to be writing didn't appeal to me on ANY level. Seriously, I've heard Tom Betz chatter on about the paleontology tooth thing, and seen some of his dinosaur fossils, even listened as he talked about combining paleontology and writing (he tells great stories and I absolutely adore watching him tell them), but do I want to read a whole blog about pre-historic creatures that weren't potty trained? No, thank you!

Then I remembered that Danielle can write tall tales about a used up old Toyota and make it sound like a delicate southern belle with sexy tail-lights. Okay, I'm in. Let me check out this blog.

Her post about Butterflies and migration drew me into the blog, and this was only her second post. Life gets in the way and I'm off to not only read her blog, but write a review of the darned thing... Sheesh! What will they think of to occupy my time next? But it's a terrific stop along the walking trail I choose to take through life. I'm gonna dare say, you'll enjoy a stop along the Trails of Nature too.

If you, like the rest of the humanoid type population, are hiking your way through life looking for sustenance, inspiration and some other tangible act of nature to remind you how big and wonderful the universe can be, take a detour past the Trails of Nature blog and see what you can find to sustain your perspective as you climb the mountains of existence. You just might find a Monarch Butterfly on your shoulder to guide you (or angel wings fluttering in the distance) and a caring tender heart to share your path.

Older Women are Beautiful Lovers

Listening to the radio occasionally bites. Like this morning. I've enjoyed the day so far, good things have happened, most of them created good feelings about who I am, and then this song bops across the radio waves.

"Older Women, are beautiful lovers" ahem.

And the song wanders on across the air waves with me thinking about the words. It hasn't been but a couple of days since one of my favorite guys (he's a great friend, who tends to call me when he's a bit over the edge) called me in a mild stupor to tell me what a great person I am, how lovely I am, and that I'd be a wonderful lover. I smiled and enjoyed the praise all the while knowing that he'd be sober in the morning. What a lovely guy!

I'm sure other single women get the same kinds of phone calls from friends. You get them, smile and appreciate the compliments and know that come daylight, they'll have forgotten the phone call, and you'll be having breakfast alone, and if you're smart, you'll be sleeping alone too. But, how are you supposed to fend off those phone calls and the men who randomly come with them, when you really are lonely and you'd like to have someone who believes you're lovely ALL the time?

Ladies, being single isn't all it's cracked up to be, never has been, but... being married to the wrong guy reeks! Don't settle. There's more to life than busting your buns for a man who doesn't really love you, doesn't really like you, and refuses to pay attention to you unless he wants something from you. Find a man who truly loves you and is willing to be everything you need him to be. If you're going to risk the farm, the future, and your net worth for this guy, he'd seriously better be worth your effort.

Once you realize how content you are with yourself. The right guy will come along. It's okay to be single until he does come along. Chin up! You're okay and you'll have a great life, even if you're single.

Social Media - Get To Know Me

Janeen tagged me, and I'm answering here instead of on a social media, so I can link back to my blog.

Here are the rules - post this list on your profile (in Notes or on your blog) replacing my answers with yours.

Tag 25 people to do the same thing....or not.

If I tagged YOU, it's because I think you're funny, and would enjoy your responses.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
a couple of relatives and some friends, but I never was sure whom. I guess one of them would have been Janet and the other Dorine?



2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Yesterday, my son tried to stand up and was having difficulty because of the chicken poks. He's better today.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I love it, it's got a script sort of eloquence, locked in the passage of time, and it feels good when I hold a pen. I have favorite pens too.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Oscar Meyer Ham with tomatoes, onion, lettuce and cheese on rye with mustard (and mayo) . Well, lunch meat becomes a sandwich, right?

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Four wonderful children and a granddaughter who lights up my world.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Definitely yes. I've always enjoyed my own company. I don't mind being alone, and I love having time to just enjoy nature with myself.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Randomly, it's something I don't appreciate much, but it does occasionally grab me by the throat and force its way through my lips.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes, and most other body parts, plus a few wraps of surgical steel.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
If I must jump, I want a bungee. But, I've never been convinced there's a logical reason to jump.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Corn Pops - my granddaughter and I love to share breakfast! Does anyone else remember that they used to be called Sugar Pops?



11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
What shoes? I generally go barefoot so much I forget I have them... I LOVE working from home.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Cherry Vanilla Nut. I can't get enough of it. It's been a while since I've had it though.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
I like people who are real. I often meet people who try to give themselves a boost by overtaking the world by storm. They lack confidence in themselves, although they should not, and so in order to feel better they put others down.

15. RED OR PINK...
Passionate deep rich reds and forever pinks. I can't get enough of either color.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I can be judgmental about some things.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Ty

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
Sure, I think it's awesome.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Blue pants and gray shoes.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The furnace blower and the computer clicking away as I type. Peaceful.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Saffron Yellow



23. FAVORITE SMELLS
Lilacs, the first smell of the heater coming on (yup, that dusty fresh smell of winter), and a fireplace.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My niece.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Janeen from Your Impact Matters

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Ice skating!!!

27. HAIR COLOR
Dark auburn. It just fits me perfectly. That natural color of gray doesn't do a thing for me!

28. EYE COLOR?
something between hazel and brown, with some blue-green lights.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope - glasses for long distance sometimes.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Greek Pasta - It's absolutely my favorite dinner meal.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Neither - I don't do scary, thriller or horror. I can event enough of that stuff during tax season.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Catch that Kid - through maybe two or three scenes. I'm so not a movie person... I can't sit long enough, there's too much to get done.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
pink and blue

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Both, I love snow in winter, but I absolutely adore summer green yards.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs --- all kinds. Tender passionate kisses, the kind that curl your toes.

36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Editing again, "Escape from the Farmer Maffia" last time, I send out the manuscript this week.

37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
http://ezinearticles.com and on my coffee cup, and on my jacket. I love ezinearticles.com

Sandwich Generation - Home School Solutions

If you're stuck between a rock and a hard place (okay, this guy isn't stuck, he's just there) with kids who need your attention and parents who require your time, you can feel squeezed. There's got to be a solution to the time crunch of life in the sandwich.

As a single mom, I feel the time crunch even heavier than some of my married friends (at least according to them). I've always wondered how they do it with two sets of parents to do for, take care of, and manage with children still at home.

I have one set of parents and two children still at home, two grown and a granddaughter. My life seems to never stop. Even when I do lie down at night, I feel the pull of work left undone. Those hours between bedtime and daylight when I'm supposed to be sleeping are often filled up with concerns about how I can get one more thing done than I have time for the next day. Sometimes, I wonder how I can be in two places at once, then I realize I can't be in one place. Something has to give.

The struggle to maintain a life and live in the sandwich gets to be too much. Generations cover you up and overwhelm your day, even when life is going normal. By home schooling my children, I've learned that there are times when I can do more than one thing, using time to teach as part of my work time. While I'm working at a writing project, I can instruct my children or help them with research. Often a research project for them becomes a writing project for me. I give them an assignment and write my project, while they're researching theirs. (That may be why some of my writing projects seem a bit on the outside of normal.)

As a single Mom, I must carry it all. There isn't any one to pick up what I drop, so I have to carry the load. At least that's the thought that crosses my mind on those nights when sleep doesn't come and I've left work undone.

Would it be easier if I wasn't home schooling my children? When this question came up during a conversation a few weeks back, I realized that my children often share part of the load. By participating in our lives 100% of the time, they often carry part of the load. Not necessarily work, worry or stress, but their education is based on our lives, so we're not rushing off to a basketball game in the middle of math class, but rather math class is part of our experience of life, the basketball game is free time. Attending a basketball game can be family fun or even playing basketball can be an afternoon out. Home schooling makes education a part of the life you live, rather than education being what you do in life.

The solution is to get involved in the life around you. Whether it's older parents, children, college age adults or toddlers, do whatever you choose to do with gusto and dedication. Give it all you've got, joyfully, and experience the moments, each and every moment.

Take time to feel the joy!

Charger - The Power to Override Injustice

South of my hometown there's a mountain we call Two Buttes (you can see the bumps on the horizon in the picture - that's it) and it rises up out of the prairie like a sentinel to time. The pioneers pointed their wagons toward the mountain for several days, knowing it would lead them westward, watching it rise out like a phoenix on the sunset side of the horizon. Skirting the mountain to the south, they trailed the Butte Creek Valley that gouged a channel through the land. On the north, the mesa rose up out from the valley floor and if you were far enough north, the Arkansas River ran wide and strong.

As a child, I remember thinking nothing was bigger than Two Buttes. I'd been to the Rocky Mountains, and there were just more mountains in a different shape, they didn't seem bigger.

I remember hearing Granddad talk about Uncle Bill driving in the Rockies. No matter which way he was going, he drove on the mountain side of the narrow canyon roads. Even Uncle Bill could navigate Two Buttes. Two Buttes Mountain was the biggest thing on the prairie. No roads crossed the mountain, and I'd actually be surprised to find out Uncle Bill bothered to climb the mountain. He tended to do the necessary rather than the flamboyant.

The mountain rising out of the prairie seemed superfluous to me as a child. There was no obvious reason for the mountain. I'd often asked if there was any reason why the mountain was there, or what purpose it served, but there was never an answer. Below, the river runs through a valley cut through the land, but on the prairie, the mountain reigns supreme.

Life on the prairie wraps around the concept of living big. You can't live small on the prairie, you have to exist on a higher greater plane. The mountain stands as a sentinel, as do the wind chargers that have more recently grown out of the mesa. Standards of modern technology suck power from rivers of wind that scorch life from the Buffalo Grass and harden and crack the land.

Independently a windmill can draw water from the earth and provide power for a battery too light up a home for one family, in mass the towering giant generators can bring power to wide bands of country side. Homesteaders relied on windmills to draw water from deep in the ground. Now cities draw power from vast cartwheeling giants that hover over the plains, miniaturizing the mountain that previously reigned.

The wind carries more power than the mountain, in this scenario. No matter how big the mountain, the wind generates power and brings sanctions against the prairie, scolding those who live there for not thinking big enough, revering those who understand the thought of going outside the concept of raising cattle to feed their families and grow wealth. Greater resources have none, compared to these winds of time, towers in the sun that dance supreme over the grasses and beasts of the prairies.

Technology isn't always a pretty or pleasant option, but it seems to be the modern option. Injustice surrounds us, and the power to override injustice resides in the source, the power supply of the future. Those who are big enough to give you anything are big enough to take everything away.

Sandwich Generation - I wanna be cheese!

And pass the latte please?

My kids are treasures. It's amazing what great, wonderful kids I have. I know it's amazing because I grew up in the root system of my family tree.

The roots are rotten. (Sorry, Grandma and Granddad, but you spawned a herd of very angry children who seriously lack the ability to live on a planet with other creatures successfully.) The next generation, those of us who came along after about 1959, in what's commonly known as the "me generation" all seem to have good attitudes and congenial relationships with most people.

I'm looking at the sandwich of which I'm definitely the middle, thinking there's some crusty bread on one side at least (I think it may even be a little old and stale). Then there's some wilted veggies, ewwww....

A slice of meat. Um *shaking head* definitely NOT me. And cheese. There I am, sharp cheddar with some age, but agile enough to take on even the smartest apple. And another slice of fresh tender bread slathered with a thick layer of mayo. Yup, I'm definitely the cheese. Don't wanna go near that crusty loaf on the other end.

I'd explain this post a little better, but... I'd have to kill you and I need my readers... Leave a comment if you really wanna hear the story and I might tell you tomorrow, after I've calmed down.

Corn-dog Lunch on the Run

You may be one of those moms who always has it together, prepares the right kinds of foods for every meal and never dares to feed your kids junk foods, but that's not me. I love junk food now and then, and I don't think it hurts kids to have some of the fun foods the rest of the world grew up on. And shoot me if you must, but I don't think junk food is the reason kids these days are FAT.

I personally believe that kids are fat because they sit in front of the TV playing video games too much.

So, stop chastising yourself if you don't always have a healthy meal and get your kid out from in front of the Television. Let me suggest a few alternatives for the healthy meal routine.

Corn-dog lunches on the way to the park for an afternoon of play time. Good idea, here! Just stick those corn-dogs in the oven for 20 minutes while you wrap up your tykes and get 'em ready to go. On the way out the door, hand each of them a corn-dog and grab one for yourself. Then walk to the nearest park with your dog on a stick. All the neighbors will sniff the air as you go by, and honey, I can assure you, they're not turning up their nose. They'll be heading out to the store within the next few days to get some Corn-dogs. Those things can be addicting, and if you haven't had one in a while, you're probably drooling by now.

It's okay! It isn't rocket science that you can bake a corn dog at home in the oven, add on some yellow mustard (the cheapy French's variety) and enjoy a corn dog now and then. They're tasty and delicious. You'll enjoy it and you won't crave them forever if you have one now and then. If you must have something healthy, drink a V-8 and stop smacking yourself on the forehead.

By the way, if you think I'm nuts. I don't have fat kids and I've fed them corn dogs once or twice a month at least for the past twenty-five years. We didn't pork out on them, we had one or two with some mustard or catsup and some veggie sticks, a V-8 (I really do love veggie juice), and a piece of fruit for desert. The kids love 'em, they're easy to prepare and the clean up is minimal. What a better way to spend a day than playing with your kids instead of cleaning up after a meal!

Go play! Have some fun.

Decadent, Frivolous, & Defiantly Feminine

Yes, dear, there is a definite relationship between feeling loved, getting roses, and eating chocolate on Valentine's Day. If you haven't figured that out and you're a guy in a relationship, you're probably not going to be in one for long. EVEN if your lady says don't get me anything for Valentine's Day, you'd better do something special to remind her she's loved - BY YOU.

Guys go on the fritz all the time for not getting their lady something special on special days, and it's simply not acceptable for you to forget. It doesn't always have to be a whole dozen roses, or even a whole box of chocolates... But seriously, if you can't remember to get her something special, you don't deserve her. Even if you're FLAT BROKE without a dime to your name, you can STILL do something special for your lady.

And, when you DO get your girl something, don't come home and brag about how impressed the SALES LADY was with your generosity. It isn't the sales lady you're buying for - or is it?

Ladies want to be treated to special gifts, not just on special days, although - special days and special gifts need to be remembered - the most effective way of remembering your lady is to send her something outrageously decadent, frivolous and wonderful - just because. Your pickle won't fall off if you do something frivolous. Get the girl what she really wants, something that will remind her of those sweet little nothing gifts you gave her when you were dating. Way back when you were trying to win her heart - those things are important! Do them again.

Try a picnic at midnight under the stars on a warm summer night.

Get the kids all tucked into bed and have the basket prepared so all you have to do is grab a blanket and carry it out to the back yard. If you have done your gardening chores, you should have a nice private cove in the corner somewhere with a vine, some nice shrugs and enough cushy grass to have a picnic. Take a candle in a glass and enjoy the moonlight. You might get lucky and find there are fire flies lighting up your bushes.

If it's chilly outside, build a fire in the fireplace, or just light some candles around the room. Make it extra special, extra decadent, frivolous & defiantly feminine. Your lady will know you're thinking of her.

Ladies, just a little tip. If you've been hearing him talk about something special he wants, but hasn't gotten for himself yet, that's the exact thing you should get him for Valentine's Day. Go all out, take that extra step and give him something he won't EVER forget this Valentine's Day! You won't regret it!

One Day at a Time on the Third Rock from the Sun

Most mornings, I rise to the sunlight happy to greet the day and ready for whatever comes my way. And most days, what comes my way is pretty good stuff. I have healthy kids, except for the one with chicken pox. I'm a healthy specimen of womanhood, except for the killer head-cold from hell. And life has been kind to me. I've been well blessed.

But some days, those moods catch up and the lows hang on. Life gets the best of you at dawn and you're not good for anything other than maybe sunset. This week has been that day.

This Charger-Mom lives in a trailer house about 6 months out of the year, most years. And this is one of those months. I have a strong "writer support network" and we email each other on a daily basis, for support, encouragement, and inspiration. Earlier this week, I started an email to the group and realized about half way into my tangent that I was on a real tare and stopped. I deleted the post and wrote instead,

"Perhaps I should return to bed and get up on the other side (the fact that I must go through a wall to get up won't matter much - in this mood, it probably won't even slow me down)."

Several have commented back, "I understand that thought." or "Gee what are you like on a bad day?" or "Let me know when it's safe, I'll come help rebuild the wall." and my very favorite, "Put the coffee on, I'll come rant with you."

The reality is, sometimes in these days of stress and strife, the frustration and stress build up and it has to go somewhere. As writers, we have the option of killing someone in a story (y'know you've done it), or blowing up a building, or writing a terrorist event in a screen play. Nobody really gets hurt. But what happens to those poor saps who aren't writers, who have those same feelings, how can they let out their rantings safely?

I'd suggest we get them all a journal to write in and the whole world ought to have a favorite pen. Perhaps everybody ought to have a blog. They don't have to be public. You can write a private blog if you like.

Better yet, write poetry and submit it to Poetry.com they'll publish your work and sell it back to you for mega big bucks! You won't make any money, but you'll be published.

Writing with Purpose - The Joy of Words from a Journaling Mom

Journaling started for me about the time I learned to hold a pen. Those first spiral notebooks in the early sixties held my dreams, my sketches, and my paper-doll creations. Did you know if you draw the face above the top line, there's no blue lines across their anatomy? I could cover up the rest of the blue lines with striped clothing. Long sleeves if their arms hung down, or their arms rested between the lines horizontally. (Just in case you ever need to draw paper-dolls on lined paper.)

And, everyone knows, paper-dolls do "Pharaoh, Pharaoh" with hand motions in long sleeve striped body suits with colorful skirts.

But, you're probably wondering what that has to do with YOU. And you'd be right. There should be some use of this information for you as a Mom, reading my blog. Definitely, keep reading.

Probably the biggest issue I've had with my boys is getting them to WRITE. As a home school mom, I've struggled with a few "assignments", because kids just don't like assignments, but none so much as getting them to write. My oldest daughter started writing about the age of seven and hasn't really stopped yet. She's a stellar marketer, and absolutely stunning in her sales position.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Marketing Friend has had an accident and can use our prayers, see Silver Linings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My next daughter didn't like writing "the usual things" but she loved blogging, writing in her forums, and sharing her opinions on such things as political candidates, teen pregnancy, abortion, parenting and education. She's currently using her many skills for work and promotion of her own business.

My oldest son hates writing, but he's creating a video game with characters that speak using a historical foundation. He's having to research his characters and the time frame to make them historically correct, and his writing skills are improving dramatically.

My youngest son is a published author working on more books. (He's only fourteen.)

If you're a home school mom, or even if you're not. These suggestions may come in handy for encouraging your children to write more. Paper-doll designs could come back eventually, too.

Your Impact Matters

Sometimes, you just have to know that who you are has an effect on what you do.

When I first realized that my life counted for something more than just what I did, I was surprised. It just didn't seem like I'd had that great an impact on the world around me. But... As my children began to get older, I recognized tremblings of my impact on their lives.

My daughter is an awesome mom. She's got a perfect angel for a daughter, but sometimes... Lizzie (you'd never believe it) has a mind of her own. I watched as my daughter reprimanded her gently and shifted her attention to what Lizzie should be doing instead of what she wanted her to do. Lizzie followed directions well.

My next daughter reflects values I've lived my entire life. Her purpose and strength include family first commitments that empower and enrich her life. She's a treasure and at the same time, a mysterious adventure.

My boys, never interchangeable, often surprise me with their independence and struggles to be mature. I see the resistance in their teen aged hearts, and watch them strive for excellence. Then I watch them follow directions or ask my advice.

My impact has come full circle. I'm not alone. I have the power of a mother, and the backing of grown children. Life is good.

Your Impact Matters too. You've made a difference in someone's life and it has made you a better person. Click on over to Your Impact Matters and see if you can't get a Scandle Candle because you deserve to be pampered!

A Day in the Life of Charger-Mom

You probably aren't too concerned about what happens in an average day of my life, but then... you might find it entertaining.

Waking up is usually my favorite part of the day. The glimmer of light that's peeking through my window is pre-dawn and I get to watch the sky color with light through my east windows. I'm a barefoot person, so I pad to the kitchen listening to the pity-patter of bare feet (I love that sound). With the tea pot turned on (or the coffee pot, whichever I choose for the morning) I disappear into the bathroom for a nice hot shower before everyone in the house arises for the day.

My daughter gave me this awesome body and bath gel that I love in the shower. It smells like primroses in full bloom.

Breakfast consists of wheat or rye toast with real butter, and fruit. I'm a fruit girl too. I love sliced apples on my peanut butter sandwiches. This morning, it was sliced banana - YUM!

My favorite morning tea is Earl Grey, so I had breakfast with Earl this morning at my computer. I wrote four articles, two for ezinearticles.com and one each for a couple of my blog sites. Just click on the link to my profile on ezinearticles.com to find my articles there.

I redesigned my blog header at Jan Verhoeff as a part of the new marketing project I've been working on. It's now a waterfall and I love the majestic presentation it gives. I'm manifesting my waterfall of prosperity!

After that, I reward myself. I love spending time with my "nature walker" so I do 30 minutes of hauling butt up the mountain on the treadmill with a view of Princeton before me and the world behind me, I can go fast! Of course, I'm always gearing up for the next project, so I came up with ideas of what to write on my blogs today (that's where this brilliant idea just came from).

I worked for a while on my term paper (I have three due in less than a week). I've been moving through my blogs, checking content and sending out info. Still have to work on the auto-responders today. Lot's to do...

Mom stopped by for some books from Amazon.com so I spent a while reviewing books with her and ordering, not ordering, ordering, not ordering, waiting until she checks the books at the library to decide if she wants to order them. Decisions!

I wrote three chapters on The Ruskin Adventures earlier --- I'm refocusing a book onto a different "feature character" and imparting his affliction on the story. Or not... It's hard to explain. I changed his name and made him a bigger part of the story - I may share part of the story here - later. I worked on editing some more of the same book.

Reviewed paperwork for a tax client. Prepared chili burritos for lunch with cheese and made a pot of coffee for me - I NEED CAFFEINE!

Janeen called about her website, Your Impact Matters, because someone said it wasn't working. It's working just fine and she's got a stellar give away on her site - go check it out!

My son is getting a reflexology treatment. I played Dr. Jan for a friend who wanted some natural cure information for her husband. And... I still have those term papers to write... So it's off to the keyboard (wait! that's where I am) to write some more.

And the afternoon lingers on...