sharon randall

This past week three different people

told me about this columnist

Sharon Randall

Nationally syndicated columnist . . . Mother, daughter, sister, friend . . . and Nana!

So I visited her web page and I do think I will

check back and read her column weekly.

sharonrandall.com

My sister in-law, Karen, has also enjoyed one of her 

books which I hope to read this winter.

walk along the shore

The Soothing Power of the Ocean

{by the editors of Prevention magazine}

There is something magical that happens when we walk along the shore. Our cares lighten; our perspective lengthens. Scientists are trying to put their finger on exactly why that is . . .

A new study confirms that being outdoors, especially near water, helps us de-stress.

But do we really need proof?

Just head to the beach and let the sand and waves soothe body and soul.

lesson learned, lesson forgotten {repost}

Several years ago on September 11th we were at Ground Zero.
I can't find the words to tell you what it was like to be there.








Twelve years ago this very night, going to sleep we didn't see it.
The next day we vowed we'd never forget it.
Until we did.
That was then. This is now.
Lesson learned. Lesson forgotten.

Anniversaries Remind Us How Much We've Forgotten
Neil Cavuto, Your World
I revisit this video every year on September 11th

{I encourage you to listen to it - 02:29}

new smile

I shy away from having my picture taken for many reasons

but the biggest reason is that I have had a crooked tooth.

If I have control of the photo I immediately Photoshop that 

awful tooth so that it doesn't look quite so bad.

After a discussion with my dentist and 

some cosmetic bonding

I can now smile for the camera . . . 

Just in time for Benjamin and Lindsay's wedding!

9/11 babies turn 10 years old

Ten years ago, a sad sisterhood of pregnant women gave birth to children who would never know their fathers because the men had perished in the holocaust of 9/11 terror attacks.

Now those babies are almost 10 years old.
Diane Sawyer - ABC News



9/11 Babies on Dads: "I Never Met Him but I Know I Love Him"
A very inspiring video story filled with both sadness and joy {tissue ready?}

the moment in the middle

Hold your breath.
Here it is.
Christmas Eve.
My favorite time of the Christmas Season.
The perfect moment between all the preparations and all of the celebrations.

All is done yet all is yet to come . . .

"It was a moment of perfection he would probably not find again this year, and he sat without moving, almost without breathing. There was the upside of a garden, when one was digging and planting, heaving and hauling, and then the downside, when it was all weeding and grooming and watering and sweating. One had to be fleet to catch the moment in the middle, the mountaintop, when perfection was as brief as the visit of a butterfly to an outstretched palm.

From the book Out to Cannan (the fourth book in the Mitford series)
by: Jan Karon

If you have not read these books - you must!

lesson learned, lesson forgotten

Yesterday we were at Ground Zero.
I wanted to post my thoughts today, 9/11/2010.
I can't find the words to tell you what it was like to be there.






Nine years ago this very night, going to sleep we didn't see it.

The next day we vowed we'd never forget it.

Until we did.

That was then. This is now.

Lesson learned. Lesson forgotten.

Anniversaries Remind Us How Much We've Forgotten
Your World Neil Cavuto

word reflection

Every spring our Wine-on-Wednesday friends each choose a word and then reflect upon it the next year. Soon I will post our 2010 words but here are thoughts about some of our 2009 words . . . .

Jim – active ~ I am recently pleased with my more "active" life. There were a few months where active was not part of it.

Mary – moments ~ I am well on my way to enjoying (and recording) my everyday moments. My blog has been a great way for me to focus on my moments.

Amanda - experience ~ I would say attained with exhilarating & heartbreaking experiences all rolled into one year... exhilarating - Angkor Wat, Vietnam, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, visitors (oh my!), heartbreaking - watching daily struggles - malnutrition, injustice, corruption, brokenness

Benjamin - evolving ~ Grade B+ Increased vegetable intake, decreased meat intake, experienced new places (locally and foreign), volunteered a handful of times, brought weight down to 175, became more politically attuned, drank better beer and understood why they were better!, continued on my slow book reading pace, re-lit my musical interests, , went to more concerts.

Mike - build ~ Grade B, I wanted to rebuild our finances, relationship with kids, and relationship with Marty.

Marty – health ~ On the way to being attained – I am more in control and that is a good thing.

Doug – survival ~ I’m still here so I guess . . . attained.

Leslie – anticipation ~ There were many good things to anticipate this past year...and more to anticipate in 2010! I think my anticipation was for a possible retirement decision. Difficult as it has been to truly decide, now that the decision is made, I am happy about it. More time with Dougie, more time with friends and family, time to get organized, and hopefully more time to plan some new adventures! I look at all of my retired friends, and not one has an ounce of regret on their young, smiling faces!

Debbie - timely ~ For me that's the key, "for me", I think I'm doing a bit better. I've actually been at appointed places within five minutes of the designated times.

Dave - focus ~ He thinks he didn't do well. He's thinking of a new word for this year.. . but he just needs to "focus".

Val – opportunity ~ I believe I was successful at being open to opportunities that helped me grow as a wife, mother (and mother-in-law! )friend, and teacher. For me, half the battle is recognizing an opportunity when it seems to be a celebration, event or challenge . . . That is the part I will always be working on!

Ed - please ~ Please, did not work too well. I am taking suggestions for my new word. Help Please.

Maryellen – thankful ~ It was the theme for our somewhat-annual Mortonian Valentine Letter

Ali - wedding ~ attained :)

a special friend

I agree!

Thanks for the pillow Debby, my special friend.

choosing your word

Set in the suburban town of Willow Grove, Calif., Debbie Macomber's Thursdays at Eight follows the friendship of four women who meet at the Mocha Moments cafe every Thursday morning. For the new year, they decide to choose a word that will help them realize their New Year's resolutions.

Clare (recently divorced ) chooses the word faithful

Liz (a 57-year-old hospital administrator) focuses on the word time

Julia (has everything her heart desires) chooses the word gratitude

Karen (a 20-something who desires to become an actor) chooses the word acceptance

We have decided to choose our word each year during our Spring break and reflect upon it the next year. I'll be back to post our words later. What would your word be?