Wordle

OK well by now you all probably know that I love all these wacky things you can find on the internet. So while just goofing around and passing the time I came across a blog that had one of these things called a "Wordle". So of course I had to try it - here's how mine turned out.

This is pretty cool. You can type in a url (example: your favorite website or your blog address, it explains it at the site, etc.) or you can just type in sentences or words. Then create! You can change the type, colors, etc. and how many words display. Here's the link: http://wordle.net/. It just takes a couple of minutes. Hope you give it a try.

When I grow up

Well this is just a silly little post. Think you know what it is about - you probably do! I Dream of Jeannie! Oh how I loved (really LOVE) this show. When I was little, it was neat (yes I am dating myself again) that this beautiful woman on television had the same name as me. And I wanted to be just like her. She was funny. She was cute. She had a cool bottle. She had a handsome master / boyfriend / husband. She was just about perfect in my eyes. OH - that's right we are talking about a tv show.

When she would "smoke" (or go in and out of her bottle), she had PINK smoke. How girly was that. She dressed in a cute little outfit and I loved her blonde hairdo. I would STILL one day love to dress as her for Halloween. But now that I am old enough to not be embarrassed by dressing up for a kids holiday - alas, I don't quite fit into the Jeannie genie costume!

This show had cool contest gimmicks. Anyone else remember that? I remember trying to guess what Jeannie's birthday was...April 1. And trying to find out where Major Nelson was when he was in a bunker in an undisclosed location (don't remember). And then Jeannie went and got locked into a safe and we the audience had to figure out the combination to let her out. It kept me in suspense. Would Jeannie be happy - safe - still have Major Nelson? Ahhh the simple joys of childhood.

Years ago, when this show went into syndication I was one happy girl. And promptly resumed my infatuation with all things Jeannie. Including having the theme song on my cell phone as a ring tone. Well, after all, hopefully, my hubby still dreams of Jeanne. Oh and on my first visit to Florida in 1984 where did I want to go? Cocoa Beach.

Thanks for letting me take my little walk down memory lane or maybe I should say - Thanks for letting me take the bottle out for a spin.

A Short Guide to a Happy Life

WARNING: This is a contemplative post. Sorry - I was just in that kind of mood.

First of all if you have never read this short and simple book - you should. I have a copy you can borrow. It will take you all of 15 minutes to read. But you will come away with so much for the small investment.

One of my favorite things in this book is this: "You are the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk, or your life on the bus, or in the car, or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart."

Great words. That reminds me of something else I have heard (and learned by experience). You are not responsible for the happiness (or lack their of) of those around you. And even more so, you are not a failure if someone around you is unhappy, sad, depressed, etc. You are not responsible for their reality - ultimately they make a choice. "A serial pleaser, pleases none."

Now since it is my blog, I am going to give you my opinion. Take it or leave it...

Happiness is a choice we make. I can get out of bed every morning and make the decision for that day. Will I be happy today? Or will I mope around and choose to not count my blessings, love the world around me, thank God for all he has given me, etc. etc. Sure I could get up and just go about my business and not give it any thought at all. But you see, I have gone through a period of depression (even took meds for a while!) and came to realize that only "I" can make that choice. Those around me can encourage, talk, preach, to me all they want but only I can decide how I will face my day. Yes, meds can help if you are clinically depressed. But I do feel that eventually it is a battle in the mind. You can try your best to talk someone out of their depressive state, but in the end, they have to decide how they will live their life. I choose happiness. Note: See one of my favorite sayings at the bottom of the blog!

I have migraines. When I get a bad migraine I can choose to stay in bed and moan and groan; or I can get up out of bed, take my migraine meds and try to go about my day. In my opinion, I can feel bad either place. In bed, or out in the world living my life. SO I TRY to get up and go even when I don't always feel like it. And there are those days when I would much rather just roll over and stay in bed.

I will step down now from my soapbox. You know life is just a busy, crazy, thing. It goes by way too fast. My family has lost several loved ones to various illness that stole them away slowly. It makes you realize how unimportant a lof of things are. I will close with this paragraph from the book:

"Learn to be happy. Think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion, as it ought to be lived." The book ends with these words, "Look at the view." And like the author of this book, that is what I want to do - every day - Look at the view. Try it some time - You won't be disappointed.

Back to School

Brand new crayons. I think that is one of the things I miss the most about my kids growing up and not needing school supplies. Every August I feel compelled to run to the store and buy new crayons, new pencils, a new pink eraser, spirals, and folders!

Something about holding those freshly sharpened pencils, and the crayons that haven't been broken or used until they are stubby. I don't know... maybe I will never outgrow that part of back to school time. And I must confess, I go down the school supply aisle every fall and gaze at all of the new and wonderful things.

Have you seen school supplies lately? Oh my... they are coordinated, cute, bright, and absolutely wonderful. If I were buying supplies I could get matching folders, spirals, pencils, and binders. Too cool! AND they have them in such great patterns. I am almost jealous that I don't need them.

What about you? What do you miss or what do you NOT miss about back to school time? Let me know if I am the only crazy about school supplies lady around or not... Anybody want to go to Wal-Mart?

Life in the fast lane

Life in the fast lane.
Surely make you lose your mind.
Life in the fast lane.
Everything all the time.
Life in the fast lane.
(THE EAGLES)

Things have been sooo crazy since the first of July. This is such a busy time of year at work - everybody wants everything right now! Take a look a what I found searching the net. Very interesting...

Rate how well each of the following sentences describes you--perfectly (2), somewhat (1), or not at all (0)--then add up your answers to find out if you're moving too fast for your own good.

• I always eat too fast.


• I talk rapidly.


• I often put words into other people's mouths.


• I find it frustrating if people speak too slowly.


• I almost always feel pressed for time.


• I don't like to linger over a meal.


• I often feel harried at work.


• I often push the "close door" button on elevators.


• I can feel my blood pressure climb in slow checkout lanes.


• I follow the car in front of me closely when driving.


• I sometimes push the "walk" button at intersections repeatedly.


• I get very frustrated when people are late.


• I often do two things at once to save time.


• I get restless if I have to sit still.


• I feel as if I am wasting time if I do only one thing at a time.


• I get crazy when people ahead of me are walking too slowly.
  
  Scoring:
  24-32: Your fast ways are very likely compromising your health and well-being.
  16-23: You're a borderline speedaholic. You'd enjoy life more if you dialed back.
  0-15: Bravo! You're taking life at a moderate pace.

Hmm....I do believe I just scored a 22. What about you?

Joe the Wonder Dog

Just a couple of shots of my cutie patootie dog - Joe. Joe the Wonder Dog, Psycho Joe, Joe Joe the Dog Faced Boy. He's got lots of names.

He is probably the smartest dog we have ever had and we've had a couple of dogs that went through formal obedience school, etc. I think he just comes by it naturally. Well, really and truly I think he thinks he is a person. Maybe it's because he is an American Eskimo (well there are people who are Eskimos...see what I mean?).

I could go on and on. Here he is singing. That's the nice way of putting it. He is howling at the top of his lungs because the phone is ringing and no one is answering it! Doesn't he look cute?

I will only brag about him one more time and say this: He has a huge basket of toys. He knows the names of all his toys. Yes, knows their names and will go pick the one you tell him to out of the basket and bring it to you. He goes through periods of choosing a favorite toy - right now the toy of choice is "punkinman" - although the "bone pillow" is running a close race. Currently there are no less than 5 toys laying in the living room. Guess I need to teach him to pick his toys up and put them away when he is done with them - put then he is never done with them.

Ohhh...and guess what Joe LOVES fireworks too! Ask anyone who has been at our house on 4th of July. Maybe he should have his own page on Dogster? That would be a riot!

My Life as a Mosaic

This was something cool to pass the time. (You can click on it to view it larger.) Search your favorite photo uploading spot with tags of a list of questions or simply words that describe you. Add those things to the program at bighugelabs.com and it creates a "life mosaic". Very interesting... What do you think - is it me?