Disposable....?

A few years ago we needed to buy a new TV. The one we had was selectively choosing which channels to show and enjoying sending horizontal lines to interrupt important TV moments. A friend of ours is actually an official TV repairman so after describing our dilemma, I asked him what I should do. His advice..... just get rid of it and buy a new one. I couldn't believe that this TV was so far beyond repair and nurture that this was the best and only alternative for its 10 year lifespan. He said the TV would cost too much to fix and new ones aren't that much, but in about five years I should expect to have to buy another TV when the new one craps out....

Imagine my shock. Then I began to notice this phenomenon happening in other areas of my life. Computers, cell phones, furniture, clothing, food..... the list goes on. At what point did we turn from our grandparents way of thinking, that everything can be used for something and then re-purposed at a later time to meet our new need? How did we arrive at..... just throw it out and buy a new one? Is it from McDonald's and all those Happy Meal toys? You know those things have such a limited amount of fun and usefulness. Those I do not feel guilty about throwing out.

My dilemma is that I heard my daughter speaking the words I never thought a child of mine would utter.... "It's ok, you and dad can just go and buy another one". My shock! My horror! Sac-re-lidge! The "recycle... reuse people" are trying to save a couple of newspapers or soda cans, but let's get a reality check here, our entire culture has this mentality. At what point do we REALLY TRY to go the distance with our lifestyle choices and stop treating things like disposable diapers....? (no picture required, you get the visual, right?)

Think About it Thursdays

A fellow blogger, boylerpf (check her out here), posted this quote a couple of weeks ago and I felt it's so powerful that I wanted to share it with you all here. Awesome!

“Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind.”

Quote author unknown

The winner of the Vera Bradley purse is Jennifer Shirk! Congrats and thanks to all who played. Don't forget to check back November 2nd for the next Giveaway.

Just For Me....

Driving down the road...... having one of those days.

Sorrowful.

Looking out the window and seeing a very low, full beautiful moon. Awed....

..... then a certain song comes on. It brings tears to my eyes, and I think was this perfect moment just for me? Am I so regarded and loved that this minute is mine alone to reflect on?

Feeling thankful and knowing, all will be well......

The Beasts in My Barn

Our barn last winter; used to be a cow barn 50 or so years ago. It's larger than the house. Look inside to see our animals....

The Mustang
Her cousin, "Rustang" our other Mustang!
The Colt....
A Bull..... Old MacDonald had a...... tractor!

Finally, we are a "real" farm wth 10 baby chicks that just arrived!

Can't wait for my first egg!

Scroll down to enter my purse giveaway. Only a couple of days left......!

I'm Here For You Giveaway #3

No holds barred here! For Fall, a lovely Vera Bradley cinch tote handbag is up for grabs. The bag measures 14" x 11". Gentlemen, a lovely designer name that is the perfect gift for that someone special. Ladies, I don't have to tell you, you know all about it! My very generous friend Sara (check out her blog here) donated this as the giveaway. She has just started her own ribbon necklace business. Necklaces are updated every week, so keep checking back with her!

All you have to do to be qualified to win the purse is to visit her etsy store here and tell me what the name of your favorite necklace is. Please leave me a comment dated by October 7th and I will do the drawing on the 8th. You do not need to be a follower to win but I would certainly love it if you joined and so would Sara! If you do not have a blog, please leave me your e-mail address also. US residents only please. I am planning my next giveaway for November 2nd so don't forget to check back!

Think About it Thursdays

OK Go!


I need simple delights as of late and this video always brings a huge smile to my face. It is a video by the group OK Go, and the totally amazing thing about it is that the video is done with no breaks in the camera. One long shot. The choreography is amazing and is definitely worth 3 minutes of your life if you haven't already seen it. Enjoy!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

Side note: the "I'm Here For You Giveaway" starts tomorrow, so please check back! :O)

1....2....3.... RELEASE!

I've heard that when we let go of something, it makes room for something new to come in and fill that place.

1. Clutter!

Take a look in that closet, those cupboards, drawers, book shelves, toy chests..... We all have limited room. Unless you're Bill Gates, you can't just go and build yourself another house to store things. Opening up areas in our lives gives us more opportunities to fill them with what we need now. The books I was reading 10 years ago are not what my life requires for this season. Just think of all the new clothes you could buy when you see 20 extra hangers in your closet from getting rid of things that are worn out or don't fit any longer. Change can be good!

2. Worry....

How many times have I kept things bottled up and bottled up and bottled up and then the blow-out occurs? Even our hearts and minds have a capacity to only hold on to so many things. How about just letting go sometimes? Stress, anxiety, ulcers, tension headaches, worry lines, scowls, knotted backs and necks, migraines, acne, over-eating, indigestion...... do I really need to go on? Why would anyone want love, joy, peace and general overall happiness when you could get a second helping of irritable bowel syndrome?

3. Unforgiveness?

This can be a big storage unit in our hearts. If that area got cleaned out, think of all the love that could fill that space. Usually, when this type of cleansing occurs, we end up happier, healthier and just more joyful. Forgiveness costs a high price in the beginning, (hurt pride, feelings and emotions of being treated unfairly, letting go of control) but any good financial planner will tell you, the returns of letting this one go are well worth the initial investment.