Hope

Trying to be positive

Deep thought

"If you give a man a fish, you will feed him for a day.

If you teach a man to fish, you will feed him for a lifetime.

If you feed him to a shark, he will quit bugging you for food."

My new mantra. And screensaver.

The Girl in a Whirl

In my little world the fact that I actually made lunches for kids to take to school today is a small miracle.  Then I remembered this poem I heard many years ago.  All I can say to women everywhere is this --

Drop the guilt!!

The Girl in a Whirl         by ‘Dr. Sue’ (a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)  
         "Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
         You could do what I do
         If you only knew how.
         I study the scriptures one hour each day;
         I bake,
         I upholster,
         I scrub,
         and I pray.
         I always keep all the commandments completely;
         I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
         I help in their classrooms!
         I sew all they wear!
         I drive them to practice!
         I cut all their hair!
         I memorize names of the General Authorities;
         I focus on things to be done by priorities.
         I play the piano!
         I bless with my talents!
         My toilets all sparkle!
         My checkbooks all balance!
         Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
         I attend all my meetings (on time!  Never late!)
  
         I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
  
         But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .
         I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished;
         Our t-shirts are ironed!
         My toenails are polished!
         Our family home evenings are always delightful;
         The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
         I do genealogy faithfully, too.
         It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
         I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
         I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
         I read to my children!
         I help all my neighbors!
         I bless the community, too, with my labors.
         I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
         My visiting teaching is done the first day!
         (I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
         It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
         I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
         I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
         I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
         But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all .
         I write in my journal!
         I sing in the choir!
         Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
         My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
         My kids get straight A’s!
         And their bedrooms are clean!
         I have a home business to help make some money;
         I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
         I go to the temple at least once a week;
         I change the car’s tires!
         I fix the sink’s leak!
  
         I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
         I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
         I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
         My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
         These things are not hard;
         ’tis good if you do them;
         You can if you try!
         Just set goals and pursue them!
         It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
         If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
         It’s easy!” she said...

        and then she dropped dead."

words of wisdom

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~ Plato

a bit of Fascinating

One of my favorite blogs is called "Because my life is fascinating".  It's written by a sassy, sarcastic, adorable chick named Hillary.  She's a regular mom who deals with life just like the rest of us do:  one day at a time.  She has an interesting story.  You should go check her out:  thehilljean.com  Besides all that, she's a fantastic writer.  Today I feel compelled to post a poem she wrote that I adore and happens to really define my life at the moment.  As far as I know, it doesn't have a title.  Enjoy!

Humbled by magnanimity
That occupies my house.

Lord knows it's not mine.

God give me grace
to accept this nakedness.

Raw and exposed,
Helpless.
Unadorned.

We are your people
And You are the Shepherd.

Why do we have to be sheep?

Can you make my path straight?
Or---
Perhaps clear the hedges?

As in, take all of my problems away?

My puzzle solved.
My riddle ridded.

You are God.

May I bow out graciously?
Or shall I just kneel?

I'll just kneel.

Could you just help me kneel?


~written by Hillary at thehilljean.com