Food for Thought

I recevied the following quote in an e-mail from my father in-law and liked it so much I decided to share.

"You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

* Adrian Rogers, 1931*

Delusional

I think my title says it all. I will start with a little background. Michael and I have 15 flower beds in our yard, and when I say beds I mean king size beds. We have been needing to weed them and put out some new straw for quite a few months now, so we decided this would be the weekend to do it. We had our straw delivered and by 9am Saturday morning we were in the yard working, planning on having completed the job by that evening. At about 4:30 my hands were numb as was my behind and thighs from squatting up and down so I went in and left the last little bit for Michael to do (he was in about an hour behind me). On Saturday we successfully completed 8 beds.

Sunday morning we were out again by 9am. We worked until the rain stopped us at around 2. All together we completed 9 beds in 13 hours of work. Only 6 more to go. But it sure does look good. I will have to take a picture to post.

Mingling

Okay so I don't know how many of you are put into situations at work where you have to mingle but I am, quite often in fact. This afternoon I will be attending a retirement dinner for one of our Board members. Normally I feel anxious about these type of events, but today I am not feeling AS nervous. One of the areas we worked on in my recent class, was how to build and hold a conversation. On a personal basis I do not think I suffer in this area, I can talk to pretty much anyone, anytime about anything. But for some reason when I get into a room filled with people (some I know, some I don't) at a work related event I end up paralyzing myself and becoming a wallflower. I have set myself a goal to overcome this fear and I figure this afternoons event is as good a place as any to start trying :)

We're Back...

For those of you that don't know, last week I had to attend an executive leadership course in New York City. So Michael and I decided to go a few days early and make a vacation out of it. We had such a wonderful time and were lucky to be able to do so many things. When we arrived on Saturday we had lunch at a nice little patio restaurant and then headed to Central Park. It was packed with people. There were lots of street performers and Michael really enjoyed watching the dancers (they were pretty awesome). On Sunday we went and saw a Broadway play, had dinner at the Mesa Grill and then went to the Empire State Building (we were there at sunset which was not planned but really beautiful). On Monday we went on the double decker bus tour, we got off the bus at Battery Park and waited in the 1 1/2 hour line to ride the ferry to Liberty and Ellis Island. I have to say that was probably my favorite place to visit. It was very humbling to be there thinking of what others had gone through to enjoy the privileges that we take for granted. From there we went to a Yankees game, it was so much fun and full of energy, the Yankees won in the bottom of the ninth with a walk off home run! (and the cheese fries were darn good too). On Tuesday I had class and that evening after I got out we went and had dinner in Times Square and did a little shopping, then Wednesday was our last day there so after class it was back on the plane for the trip home. It was so nice to have this time together just the two of us. Below are a few pictures:

1) The name says it all
2) Michael and I at Winter Garden Theatre waiting on the musical to start
3) Central Park
4) Lady Liberty
5) Empire State Building
6) View from Empire State Building
7) Times Square

Hostess with the mostess

Last night I attended a Premier Jewelry party that my girlfriend was hosting. I had a lot of fun. I went telling myself I wasn't going to buy anything (as I do not have any extra money) and left having ordered a necklace and earrings, as well as committing myself to hosting a party. So to all my lady friends out there you know I will be hitting you up with invitations. And I hope you will be able to come, it is sure to be a lot of fun.

Rainbows and Sunshine

Or Doom and Destruction??

Are you one of those people that see the world through rose colored glasses? Do you know someone like that? I was accused recently of being a negative person. I don't think that is so. I have to admit that sometimes I am a bit cynical. I seem to see the bad side of things and more times than not I do not trust people openly. I believe trust is something you earn therefore you must show me over time that you are trustworthy before I open myself up to you. I think this comes from two places in me. I am "my father's daughter" as my mother would tell you. My father being a policeman taught me to be cautious, the other I have been burned many times.

Three of the most important people in my life are rainbow and sunshine individuals. They go through life thinking everyone is good and everyone is their friend. While I am definitely not seeing the world through the same glasses that they are, I do not think I am negative either. I am cautious and there is nothing wrong with that.

Firestarter

Michael dared me this morning. He said that he did not think I would blog about a lesson the two of us learned together. But I am going to take that dare so that all of you reading this will be warned and maybe have a good laugh at our expense as well.

Remember my post below about the massage oils. Please always use these products as intended, make sure you read the labels, if not you will end up with a "fire down below" I repeat it will set your a** on fire. End of story :)