tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66305116607605093082014-03-19T21:27:43.485-04:00CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-52296009309673976582013-09-11T10:24:00.000-04:002013-09-11T10:26:59.167-04:00

I just watched Alan Jackson's video, Where were you when the world stopped turning.  I love this song...he had it right.  Faith, hope and love were some good things he gave us, and the greatest is love.   So today, 9/11, I will focus on love.  Hate doesn't make hate disappear.  It only feeds it.  Love is the only thing that will loosen the hold that fear and hate has on our lives. One choice,

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-70482666572700606102013-08-28T10:07:00.002-04:002013-08-28T10:07:58.343-04:00

Old habits reappear Life becomes about reacting instead of acting Activities that bring us pleasure drop on our list of priorities Survival begins to trump living fully That is what has happened to me.  I have been dealing with a health crisis due to an injury.  I have fallen into the "I'll be happy...when" trap I have been letting my emotions be controlled by the ups and downs of dealing

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-64268463998315226992012-09-11T06:44:00.000-04:002012-09-11T06:55:08.596-04:00

 Photo Courtesy of MSN.com 9/11. Just say 9/11. There is a flood of emotions that comes rushing to the forefront. I always heard my parents and grandparents say that they remembered where they were when JFK was assassinated. Before 9/11, I could not say I understood how they felt. But now I say, I remember exactly where I was when I was when I heard the news. I walked into the

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-72606126070549615662011-07-11T19:21:00.004-04:002011-07-11T19:35:34.766-04:00

Why is it that we have such a hard time habituating something that is beneficial? For instance, we know that exercise is good for our mind and body. Yet so many of us don't do it on a regular basis. We know that drinking water is good for our health and our skin and our wallets (unless you buy the fancy stuff). So why do we continue to buy soft drinks, coffee, and sugar filled drinks?For me,

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-73937441228600411152010-12-30T03:41:00.003-05:002010-12-30T04:00:05.083-05:00

While snow covered branches add beauty to a dreary winter sky, it fails to give me the warm, cozy winter feeling that so many people seem to love. While I can appreciate the beauty, I find myself longing for the bright colors and sunshine that come with spring. December is still with us and we have already seen four snowfalls, two of which were significant. One left us stranded for two days on

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-57375948981136471202010-12-18T00:18:00.005-05:002010-12-18T00:46:56.050-05:00

Dedication. Hard work. That is what it takes to graduate nursing school. Even more dedication and hard work is required when you are the mother of two, one being a 17 year old teenager. Need I say more? Even more is required when you are also a single mom.That is why I am writing this special post. My friend deserves more pats on the back than my words can accomplish. It has been her

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-90303122845674322652010-12-10T06:47:00.005-05:002010-12-10T07:11:27.060-05:00

They say you can't run away from your problems. They say they only follow you. I guess I would have to agree.HOWEVER, I am huge believer in putting some distance between yourself and your situation. Sometimes it is only with distance that clarity will come. I think the appropriate saying is "You can't see the forest for the trees." To be able to see my forest, I usually head to the

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-28155663117877131752010-12-04T09:06:00.005-05:002010-12-04T09:28:31.322-05:00

After an extended absence, it sure feels good to be back to writing the blog. I have been recovering from a "virus." Four weeks of symptoms was all it took for the doctor to finally give me an antibiotic. I am finally feeling better! Christmas is right around the corner! Oh my goodness, I can not believe how fast this year has passed. When I was younger, I always heard my parents talk about

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-35420858350257806962010-11-24T09:25:00.002-05:002010-11-24T10:20:43.008-05:00

My deepest apologies for the delay in part two of the series, Social Experiment - Josh Style. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to deliver part two in a timely manner. But now, the wait is over.To refresh your memory, I set the goals for myself to reach out to five people. I wanted those connections to go beyond the casual weather and traffic conversation. To my disappointment, I

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-3725206192127437982010-11-18T10:13:00.003-05:002010-11-18T10:40:42.550-05:00

Reserved, guarded, timid are not words that most people use to describe me. That is only because they know me. We have a relationship. Once we know each other, the descriptions do a complete 180 degree turn. They become words like talkative, candid, and outspoken. So why is there such a difference?Underneath the opinionated person that my friends and family know, I am someone who is less

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-34954179602199645032010-11-16T06:01:00.003-05:002010-11-16T06:25:38.325-05:00

Christmas is just around the corner. Usually by this time of year, I have at least written my shopping list. I have some idea of who I am buying for and an idea of what I would like to get them. The past couple of years have been different.One of the best things that changed for me during the crash of the economy, was a change in priorities. I used to have to buy gifts for everyone. I felt

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-45215325744679339102010-11-14T19:36:00.003-05:002010-11-14T20:00:50.323-05:00

In general, people look forward to the weekend. I guess that is why everyone knows what TGIF means. Friday comes and it is like all of the responsibilities and burdens of the week melt away and we are free. The weekends are filled with laughs, good times with friends and family, and just plain old down time. Monday is only thought about with dread.For some, including me, sometimes the

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-46463943733374315152010-11-11T21:45:00.004-05:002010-11-11T22:12:59.368-05:00

You know that feeling you get when you get off one of those rides at the amusement park that spins you in circles really fast? It's that feeling that your head is spinning and you can't quite stand up straight. Once you stand still, focus, and give your body a chance to readjust, you can regain your balance. You can once again, stand up straight, walk straight, and that spinning sensation in

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-34817622177793711652010-11-10T22:21:00.003-05:002010-11-10T22:37:21.999-05:00

We all make mistakes. We have in the past. We probably did today. We definitely will in the future. I understand that. Furthermore, I appreciate that. We grow by making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. What I don't understand is how you can intentionally, purposefully use and hurt other people and be able to lay your head down at night.Now, please don't misunderstand my words. I

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-53460931889596619202010-11-05T08:22:00.003-04:002010-11-05T08:33:42.119-04:00

Changes are inevitable. The leaves turn from green to yellow and slowly fall to the ground. We accept these changes because we know that it is part of a process that is necessary for new growth in the spring. I am working to accept changes in my life with the same understanding.It has been a year since we moved and the changes continue. Careers move in different directions. Relationships are

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-25377216877835816482010-04-05T21:50:00.001-04:002010-04-05T21:52:57.483-04:00

This was a souvenier from my friend who is so very thoughtful! How awesome!!!!!

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-75675302064359305212010-04-05T21:27:00.003-04:002010-04-05T21:41:18.520-04:00

Softball is a great way for friends and family to get together, enjoy each others company, eat a hot dog, and get some exercise. We enjoyed a fantastic day of ball on Saturday. We had around 30 people get together and spend about five hours at the ball field. We had a blast!!! Our player's ages ranged from 16 to 60+. We had a wonderful day, although, I am still quite sore! It is a good sore,

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-55999042592321961862010-03-31T13:30:00.005-04:002010-03-31T14:10:26.565-04:00

Well, I am back after several days of being very sick. I missed writing and sharing our stories with my readers. I am not 100% but I am so ready to get back to activity. I have pretty much been in bed for three days straight. It is not in my nature. It definitely has not been fun.Anyway, since I have been down there has not been anything exciting happening. Let me take that back. The SUN

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-59329660453943823682010-03-29T10:31:00.003-04:002010-03-29T11:45:27.372-04:00

Our big celebration turned out very well despite a few glitches. I was reminded of a very important lesson. You should always prepare your technical aspects very early and test them. This is especially important when you are planning an outdoor presentation. Despite the delay and bit of stress, the videos were very well received. I had a video highlighting music, television, movies, and

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-7188210252324995352010-03-27T11:24:00.002-04:002010-03-27T11:29:04.522-04:00

Today is a beautiful day to celebrate with family and friends! We are having a combined birthday party for 4 people, ages 19-62, and a retirement party for my mother. We are having a fantastic menu. It is ribs, BBQ chicken, pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, chips, corn on the cob, and cake and ice cream! YUM!!! We are playing some really cool games too! I have a menopause mad-lib, penny

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-78397207990719241902010-03-25T18:47:00.003-04:002010-03-25T19:11:19.917-04:00

Zoom in from the planet Earth, to the wonderful United States of America, to the hills of Tennessee and either further in to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, and you will find a small community. That community is centered around Carter Elementary, Middle & High schools. It is sometimes called Four Way In. As a teen growing up in the community, some of us affectionately called it Four Way

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-46459251828868826502010-03-24T19:58:00.004-04:002010-03-24T20:48:11.474-04:00

With graduation coming up very soon, I wanted to share the video I made for my daughter's graduation last year. Making this video was very emotional, but it was a great way for me to release all of the emotion I was feeling. Even today, I still cry when I watch the video. I encourage you to do something very special for the graduates in your life. Leaving high school is a major transition

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-2937956220552271732010-03-23T22:00:00.000-04:002010-03-23T22:00:12.353-04:00

Do you ever wonder what little kids and babies think about? I think it is easy to assume that they have short attention spans and only focus on what is in front of them. My great niece, 23 months, showed me otherwise. Yesterday, we had stopped by her house. When I picked her up, she looked at me, crinkled her nose, and said "oooooh." She was kind of grossed out by a sore on my lip from a

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-76905946459221341682010-03-22T22:15:00.000-04:002010-03-22T22:15:29.759-04:00

A very special person posted on FaceBook a question about our friends. She asked if we have truly good friends or people we just call acquaintances. Fortunately for me, she was patient enough to read the mini-book I wrote. I am extremely over-analytical and friendship has often been the subject of my self-discovery as well as the way I relate to other people. Please allow me to share and

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630511660760509308.post-43146646091256893732010-03-21T23:04:00.000-04:002010-03-21T23:04:54.632-04:00

As soon as I sat down to write tonight, the very first word that came to mind was change. Not your coins, but the change that occurs in our life. It seems that change is a natural, necessary process in our lives. Our weather changes with the seasons. Those beautiful little buds that are starting to emerge from the trees are there because our winter has passed (hopefully) and spring is here.

CHOOSEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11114760711085145289noreply@blogger.com3