A Fabulous Re-Read (and feel free to create your own)

http://thingstobehappyabout.com/

I keep a collection of books, soft and hard cover, children's, cookbooks, fiction and non-fiction.  How many do I actually pick up off the shelf and re-read?  Not many.  However, this one is one I can pick up anytime and see something new and think, "I haven't thought about that in a while, but yes, that makes me happy."  It forces me to slow down and truly appreciate the little things, the details, the small pleasures in life.

What makes you happy?  The question may seem too big, too vague and almost impossible to answer sometimes, especially when you are in a low point and can't quite see your way to happy.  Instead, notice the things as they happen or appear, that make you smile and hold on to those moments.

I don't want to run out and have fried dough right now, but the thought of it does certainly make me happy.  The texture of the dough, the little bits of powdered sugar that you somehow inhale when it is handed to you, the feeling of ripping the hot dough apart, the squishiness in my fingers...see, what I mean.  It really makes me happy.

What will you think of today or see today or do today that will make you happy?  Share it, post it, tell someone, write a book about it if you can, but most of all - feel it and feel fabulous.

Emotional Hangover

Everyone knows when something is bad for them to simply avoid it.  Cigarettes for example.  I used to LOVE smoking and did so from my teen years through my 30's.  I knew I had to give it up.  Friends and family (my own children) would ask, beg, nag and try to convince me to quit and sometimes I tried.  

In the past when I tried to quit I would start back gradually saying, "I'm just going to have one," or, "I'll just bum one from someone else," or "I will quit after this pack."  Excuses.  Excuses.  An elderly lady once approached me while I was standing outside of my job smoking and said, "Honey, you are too beautiful to smoke.  My sister just died from lung cancer."  I felt horrible, but continued puffing away.

After several weak attempts, I finally turned my back on it with the help of nicotine chewing gum, lollipops and sheer willpower.  I had decided to quit, for real.  It was hellish for awhile and even today I will say once in awhile that I want a cigarette.  When I say it though, I know I really don't and that I am either stressed and need a break or it was a really good dinner.

I am currently addressing issues in my personal life that can be compared to quitting smoking though it seems a bit more like someone took my cigarettes away and I am forced to quit.  And so, once in awhile I reach out for that horrible old habit and have my fingers burned EVERY SINGLE TIME.  I am left with an even emptier feeling and end up crying my eyes out (sort of like coughing up a lung after a heavy night of smoking) and the next day I am left puffy, with a bit of a headache and a boat load of remorse.

It is time to throw out the pack and walk away.  It is time to prepare for a healthier me.  Realization is the first fabulous moment, internalizing these thoughts and putting them into motion will make the moment grow into a lifestyle.  I choose healthy and fabulous.

Fabulous Reminders

I love when life reaches out and gives you a sign.  Synchronicity does exist.  It is alive and well.

In the middle of a storm, feeling alone, scared and unsure, I receive this card with wonderfully personal words of encouragement from an unexpected place.  Life may change, dramatically, in just an instant and in fact, it will.  Breathless, I will face it head on, determined and know - I am fabulous and so are you.

Gathering for a Chat with Spiked Pink Lemonade

I've come to rely on my cell phone to capture fabulous moments more and more frequently.  Is a BlackBerry a girl's new best friend?

I stay in touch, by choice, with a number of people I have known since childhood.  Recently, my husband and I renewed our wedding vows and I invited 3 of my long time friends to our celebration.  The problem?  You don't really have a chance to have in depth conversations with guests at your own gathering.  The solution?  Have a separate gathering to talk it over.

I sent a text message to the group proposing dinner at a local restaurant within the next 10 days and by some miracle of fate, we were all able to meet up within only a few days.  I had told my family, then reminded them the day of the "dinner with friends."  They forgot.  "Who are you having dinner with," my younger son asked.

"Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte," I laughed.  None of us fit the descriptions, but I liked to think of myself as Carrie in this case.

"Who?"

"My high school friends," I answered though we all know our history is longer it is easiest to identify with this classification.

Was I anxious?  Well, I was the first to arrive and when asked what I'd like to drink while I wait I asked for lemonade while my mind raced ahead - "It's ok to have an adult beverage with your childhood friends," and so I asked, "Can you add a shot of vodka?"  Voila.  The start of a trend:  pink lemonade + vodka + new and old stories = lifetime memories.

We can't help but take a peek down memory lane when we are gathered, but like any seasoning, this is just the background flavor, not the main course.  We catch up, we share a little bit about our children who range in age from college down to junior high.  Yes, we share a little gossip, after all, that's where the giggles come from -* though no reputations were harmed in the telling of the stories. (*disclaimer intended to make any paranoid readers think we were talking about them feel at ease) 

A three hour dinner date with three wonderful women plus me.  We promise to gather again soon and I look forward to catching up with a splash of looking back.

A Quick Tour

Lucky to be able to stop and smell the roses while working.  Though the heat and humidity were enough to make me want to just drop down on the sidewalk and chug about half a gallon of lemonade, instead I walked around Town (I've called and heard Pine Bush called that since I was a child.  As in, "I'm going to Town, do you need anything?")  A Spring Street Fair, Town Wide Yard Sale and the Farmers Market were all being held on a sunny holiday weekend Saturday and I was honored and happy to be able to combine my love of photography and cover the community events.  It allowed me a fabulous moment or two indeed!

I simply cannot resist flowers.  Flower gardens, fencing and a garden gate combined as a subject are like kryptonite.  I simply could not move!

Having watched some real pros taking their shots, I force myself and adjust from tight to wider shots of the same subject.  I always want to zoom in.  Does this desire have any ties to my personality and love of the details?

If the home owner was inside, are they used to people photographing their yard?  What would they say if they did see me?  This house made me want to plant rows and rows of Peonies despite their need for tiny ants to assist in opening the blooms.  I love the look and space required for these large headed flowers.

The famed roses to stop and smell.  While I thought approaching the stranger's garden to sniff the vibrant red beauties would be too much, I had no fear of capturing these images.

Though I struggled with the brilliant beastly rays of sunshine, I could not give up on this wrought iron gate and yes, more flowers.

Then off to the Farmers Market.

Chard as art?  Why of course, it is simply fabulous.

Seeing green onions is also a reminder of childhood.  Picking wild scallions in the backyard with their deep green shoots, I would simply pull the "hairy" roots away and eat them raw.  Oh the crazy fabulous times of children - sucking on clover, trying crab apples, picking wild berries... (no, I did not walk to school in 2 feet of snow up hill, but it already seems like childhood memories are of a long ago era.  The pre-electronic age.)

When I see the slightly different, a bit off-beat items for sale, I always stop and admire their unique and individual personality though I may not have any possible use or place for them.

Shooting under the sun again, I love that someone, anyone, painted their outbuilding or shed a pretty pale pink.  Quaint, yet untraditional.

Finally, the Relay for Life Butterfly.  A symbol that represents so many things, and for me bring a number of emotions from sadness and sorrow to a bit of pride in my community.  The unrelenting drive of the members of the teams that continue to walk and fund raise, the sad memories of lost loved ones, the fact that anyone has to suffer from any form of cancer, and the joy of watching as a patient becomes a survivor. 

A quick tour of a Fabulous Town and a peek into the thoughts of the mind capturing the images.

The private part of the tour includes the people I spoke with, those known for years and a few I met for the first time.  Those private experiences also do contribute to the individual memories - all fabulous.

Still on the Road

Everyday is a serious of decisions, some conscious, some without thought and a few that may be put off for another time.  Which clothes to wear?  Well, what is the occasion, what fits, the weather, comfort level and overall vibe for the day may all be factors before making a final selection.  And, I am willing to admit, the choice may change for no reason at all.  Some days it may feel perfectly fine to wear two pieces together, say a yellow sweater and gray slacks.  Another day - "What was I thinking?"  Life, for me, is filled with moments like this that sometimes make no sense.

I may think I want to be a girly-girl, sparkly, shiny and with a dash of pink (a bit of Sarah Jessica Parker perhaps?)

The next day, dark, solid black - is it chic or a uniform? While looking at Jessica Alba, also imagine Angelina Jolie...

Once we hit a certain age, aren't we supposed to know who we are, what we like and just be good with it?  I am still on the road.  I am still trying thing out, trying thing on, making alternate choices.  Sometimes I look back with regret and then I spend countless hours convincing myself my past is based simply on the information I had at that time.  I would never take some of those paths again. 

It's impossible to say what tomorrow will bring even when you think you know every combination available, a new idea will present itself.  The challenge is deciding to try it and if so, is it for the public or more personal and private?  I am still on the road.  Still trying on new styles, color combinations and sometimes, yes, returning to old, safe favorites.  Is it really about fashion?  More like a lifestyle, or more simply, a life.

Fabulous Favorites

As children we learn by associating new concepts with what we know and comparing what we know to what we are newly experiencing.  We ask questions.  We've all been on the receiving end of a pre-schoolers endless inquisition, "why", "how", "what is that" and so on until the evolve into a bit more sophisticated line of questioning.  The next step is for a child to ask what our favorite is so they can compare our answer to what they know and what they already think or have experienced.  "What is your favorite movie," may really mean, "Do you and I like the same thing?"  In fact, I remember being on the answer seeking side of this phase and asking everyone what their favorite color was to see if we shared a love for a particular hue.  Silly?

It's taken me over 40 years to figure out the answer to the simple, "What is your favorite color" question and of course, it is in the form of a series of short answers rather than a direct, one word answer I am sure a small child would prefer.

I love the fabulous blue of a New York sky after a snow storm has cleared.  It is intense and complete.  It is endless, calming and serene.

I love the green the spring rain leaves behind.  The buds, the leaves, the single blades of grass seem to try to shine and illuminate the otherwise dreary landscape left behind by winter and before the glow of summer.  If colors had a smell, I would love to bottle green and keep it on hand for gray days.  It would likely smell a bit like laundry dried in sunshine, a soft embrace for the senses...

The red of a beach umbrella at the beach.  Vibrant. Strong.  

And always the red of a ripe strawberry -



The oranges, yellows, golds of a sunset - especially over water - whether the ocean, a lake or river.  The warmth that lingers as the day fades and yields to night...

Pinks and purples bring to mind the endless varieties of flowers, soft petals, some with light and pleasant perfumes.

A love for black and white comes in the form of memories, not harsh division lines.

A child may be disappointed in my answer, but now, it is the one these older eyes sees - many fabulous favorites.

What do you believe?

It's not really about glasses being half full or empty, it's more about being happy to have something to drink really, don't you agree?

Reality is, we will all face adversity, tragedy, loss, illness and low points.  I wonder if the trick is to appreciate the days we don't have to and enjoy them.  Granted, we will not feel like singing like Snow White among the forest creatures on a daily basis, but isn't it a bit more comfortable to at least refrain from constantly pointing out all that is wrong, negative or the catastrophe that is surely about to occur?  I find those people quite draining and they seem to suck the happiness right out of me after a time.

I once worked with someone who said, "She is the kind of person who would complain if you gave her 99 cents."  And, of course at first I didn't understand the meaning of the statement so they explained, "You know, she would ask you for the other penny, even though you are simply giving her 99 cents, she would ask why you couldn't just make it an even dollar."  Ahhh.  That person.

It feels odd to me that someone could find faults or flaws in almost every aspect of life, but for some, that is what they live for and they simply doubt any genuine happiness.  Sad.  I choose to continue to find moments of fabulous and remember them for they are the treasures in each day, the memories I hope to keep and share or draw on when life really is challenging.  Hope you had a fabulous moment or two today.  I'm going to finish my half a cup of tea and enjoy each fabulous sip.

Learn

To learn, one must observe, immerse themselves in new situations or experiences, be aware and be open, and the true trick is to remember.

While taking photographs of a local holiday event I was aware of a photographer from the well-read, well-known, area daily newspaper. The square footage of the occasion was relatively small and so we were frequently next to, in front or across from each other at displays or activities. I felt such a wide range of emotions; jealousy, fear, intimidation, curiousity, surprise and happy. Happy that I was able to be in this situation and know I could compare my work to that of a seasoned professional and sort of see where I landed - gauge my eye and skill.

While a few of our published shots were those the public expects to see; child with Santa, holiday parade, elves, a few were of course, quite unique. I tend to want to close in on the action and was struggling to capture ballerinas posing behind glass. Ugh. I didn't want my reflection, I didn't want crowd reflection, I wanted to zoom in on the dancer. Mistake.

The professional pulled way back. His image captured not only the actual girls in the studio window, but the crowd watching, the festive mood and atmosphere, the decorations. My shot could not tell a story. His was a thousand stories. Jealous. But, a fabulous lesson and one I am learning to apply to other areas as well.

I had to learn how to let the observer decide what they want to concentrate on in the shot more so than what I was struggling to force them to see.

I am a true lover of the close-up, the details, in everything in life from menu planning, to parties, agendas, meetings, and writing. I may concentrate on one single aspect and struggle to find the right words to describe the varying shades of gray in a cloudy sky rather than the bucking horses that whiny in fear of the impending storm, the trees bending in the wind and the shutter banging against the house. Two very different points of view to the same story.

The fabulous bits are recognizing the opportunity to learn and applying it to life.

Disadvantage PC

A glorious and sunny spring Saturday on the deck soaking up some sun, feet up, a borrowed lap top in place. With a to-do list that fills an entire page, I always elect to first read and write over chores and housework. How to do what I want and enjoy some of nature's gifts on this fine day? My PC, my life and keyboard are all quite stationary. My cell phone while capable of being used for this purpose is simply not practical and if I say, "later" then I know I will instead turn to what should be done rather than what I want to do during this time. Advantage laptop.

Though the feel is certainly like using someone elses toy, it may be something to finally and seriously consider.

I watch gadget users embrace their i-electronics: pads, tablets, pods, along side Kindles, Nooks and the like and I kind of peek at them from a distance. How does it work? What about my fat fingertips sliding off the e-keyboard rather than raised letters? What about screen size? How much can it hold in terms of word documents and photos?

I also hesitate to get rid of our landline.

What generation am I really? My birth year says I am quite young enough to be a part of all this new fangled gadgetry and have had a long and loving relationship with my Blackberry, but this seems like living in another country to me. The old, "It's a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there," kind of scenario. For now.

However, technology has made this fabulous blog a part of a fabulous sunny day on the deck. Something to consider.

Cross it Off!

I am a list maker. I can't help it. To do, grocery, tasks for work, writing assignments, ideas, I simply make lists.

Sometimes, yes, I can't find the list. Fortunately the act of writing it out does help me imprint the list in my memory. Usually. Hate it when I am in the grocery store, without my list, think I did end up with everything I meant to, until I pull the car in the garage and remember I need milk. Ugh.

I also procrastinate. Looking at the list I sometimes simply want to get through the items for the simple joy of crossing them off. Nothing is more gratifying than dragging a pen or pencil through an item on a list and simply sighing, "Ah, done." The really tough ones may even be cause for a bit of pressure and going back and forth over the item multiple times - sort of an underline for crossing it off.

Last night, I completed a complicated writing assignment that I had been letting slide for a bit too long. I have 5 lines through it on my to-do list. It looks fabulous that way!

Fabulous Passion

Children have it, they just can't help themselves, when they truly love something, want to do something, need to - over and over - whether it is hearing the same book, watching the same movie, singing the same song or doing an activity - they simply have passion. In time, through school and structured rituals, the passions sometimes fade or more accurately defined, they are forced to be buried. How many times have parents told the begging child, "Not now. We have to..." or "Would you please stop that and get ready for..."? I'm guilty. I've been on both sides.

I cringe when I think of the times I told my older son to stop playing with his Matchbox cars. And he remembers. We read "The Truck Book," until it fell apart. He watched big truck videos in the VCR until I thought the images would wear away from the tape. Where could this have gone? No answer is available, it is still happening, he is still interested in engines, racing his quad, how things work and improving what is available.

For awhile, my younger son had a sketch pad that was to become his own comic book. Hours were spent recreating cartoon super heroes until the entire project was discarded. Once in awhile he sketches words and letters, but could it have been more? Does he have a struggling artist within that he forces aside for the tasks he has to or should complete? Is it something all together different? Something more?

My youngest nephews have their own outward passions and sometimes they may seem to consume too much of their time and attention. Now, in a non-mother role, I say fuel them! Get them to baseball camp, buy yarn, let one take a computer programming class and design his own game, whatever it takes, keep the fires burning. Better now then when we become adults and revisit our childhood interests anyway, fanning the glowing embers, trying to recreate and recapture a bit of what might have been, should have been and can still become.

I keep my passions nearby and answer their call when the ringing is loud like an annoying alarm clock and I can simply not hit snooze any longer. They push their way to the top of the water like fish fighting for food in a tank.

Just One Moment

Some days are a string of fabulous moments and it actually quite difficult to narrow it down to selecting just one to remember. Luckily, today was one of those days.

However, I often remember thinking of one of my husband's cousins who passed away far too young but was one of those souls who seemed to just "get it." He had an appreciation for the little things, the details and could express those thoughts with words and art. His was one of the most beautiful funerals I'd ever been to because those who knew and loved him stood and shared stories of his life. This is how I think it should be for us all, but I am getting away from the point. A story was shared about how he could have a conversation about the skin of a grape. If you think about it, the skin of a grape is really quite remarkable - thin yet incredible tensile strength, crisp to the bite, and does it ever really break down?

This morning my husband was driving in front of me in our truck with my nephews and I followed in my car since I would have to leave our fishing trip to cover a story for the newspaper. As we neared the private farm, I looked out my window at a small pond and thought, "Nothing is more beautiful than the glare of the sun on water."

I simply love the water. Fresh or salt. Lake or ocean. If I had to pick just one, it would be the ocean, but really, I just want to be near the water.

When we arrived at our final destination, I stood still for just a moment and admired the sun sparkling across the peaks created by the wind on the water. Glistening. Twinkling. Fabulous.

All that is Fabulous About Ted - yes, Nugent

About a bazillion years ago when dinosaurs were recently extinct, I went to rock concerts with friends. We traveled in packs, we bought shirts, screamed, thought we went deaf and had a fabulous time. We went to the Civic Center, the Chance, the Fairgrounds, the arenas and Music Mountain. As we grew older and a bit more of the "Glory Days" age, we share our stories, reminisce and listen to new "oldies" stations (Thank you Stacey for convincing me about 93.3 by the way) and dread the times we hear our songs played elevator music style.

Turns out, my husband and I just missed each other at several concerts, same place, same time, star crossed. He is a HUGE Ted Nugent fan and I was a fan of going out with my friends and so at some time in our lives we were both at Music Mountain as Mr. Cat Scratch had his fever on stage with a wild animal tail pinned to his white pants. Hubby was in love. I remember thinking how I barely knew a handful of the songs, but I was there, fist pumping before we knew what it was and smiling.

Today, doing the errands of a holiday weekend included a quick stop at the post office. It's a rare occasion, but once in awhile something has to be weighed and mailed the old fashioned way. I held the door for an older gentleman and thought for a minute I could hear a familiar tune. No, can't be. I'm practically in an institution and plus, I looked around, everyone here has white or at least salt and pepper hair, this simply isn't possible. Indeed, Cat Scratch Fever. I couldn't help but smile and wonder, when did this happen? It wasn't even a watered down musical version, it was the original, the one, the only, repeat Cat Scratch Fever.

"Anything else today," I was asked after my transaction.

"Um, no. I am happy to hear Ted being played in the post office though," I laughed.

"Shhhhh," I was told, "It's not too loud is it?"

I just laughed and remembered the time I saw Twisted Sister and worried about how I would explain to my parents that as a result of standing next to the speakers, I was now deaf.

Click on the link to enjoy some Live Ted...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCJux_7W2i8

Special Treats

Part of what makes family time and holidays a little extra memorable are the special treats - we drive to those out of the way places and pick up the "good" cakes, pies, and kielbasi. This year we will be enjoying "Deadly" carrot cake and Key Lime pie from Jones Farm in Cornwall. I wrote about this lovely 5th generation business in Hudson Valley Parent magazine last year and as part of the research I had just a carrot cake cupcake and was so excited I couldn't wait to get home to eat it but snacked in the car!

http://www.hvparent.com/articlepost.aspx?id=1743&c=0&t=ARTICLE

I also ventured out during my lunch today and purchased the good kielbasi at:

http://janeksfinefoods.com/history.htm - the Mahwah location.

Our Easter bread is a modified recipe handed down from my Great Grandmother (Nana) who I was lucky to have in my life until I was 20 years old. Though some may say things like "Babka" or "raisin bread" - for her the only name was, "Easter Bread." Some years I am able to participate in the assembly line style of prepping and baking along side my mother and sister though sometimes I have not been able to join in due to work conflicts. I will always remember the story of my sister's first time punching the dough down, literally.

And the dying of the eggs, the creative process, the children (once mine, now my nephews), writing names or meaningful designs to personalize one for each family member or guest.

Group photos. Learning that if special guests are included, family photos should be taken with and without them as they sometimes do not stay a part of our lives.

The traditions also include a children's hunt for filled plastic eggs, but the moments we all wait for with a bit of teasing and anticipation are the kickball game and if weather permits, kite flying. A fabulous event!

Immerse Thyself

I used to think of retreats as simply for religious folks. Vacations are for winding down, getting away from work and being with family or friends. So what if I simply want to put on my most comfortable clothes and stay in my own house and do what I want, when I want, at the pace I want, eat when I want and answer to no one? Well, besides being called selfish, I would actually struggle with this concept.

I have a book idea (no really, I know...), but almost any time I sit down at the computer, I wander through the internet, answer phone calls, emails and write the pieces I am paid to produce. This is not a complaint or rant, just the details of what happens when I sit in front of the monitor.

This past winter I promised myself I would spend more time working during snow days. Guess how many snow days we had in the North East this year? Exactly.

Why is it what I complain and moan about that I want to do the most, yet I spend a good portion of time avoiding, complaining, procrastinating???? Or coming up with the "if" plans - "If I have a snow day," or "If only I had a good chunk of time to sit undisturbed..." These if's will never happen. So, on a Tuesday, I will postpone just a bit longer, after all I have to get ready for Easter next Sunday (not really), but soon I will be typing my fingerpads off from morning to midnight. I will lock myself away, turn off the cell phone, maybe disconnect the internet somehow and only access my Word program - maybe.

To forgive, fabulous

You know that person you judge, all the time, that you hold accountable for everything, even things beyond their control? Well, why are we so hard on ourselves? Why do we play back those bits that are now beyond our grasp, wondering what we could have done differently? It's too late now. Isn't it?

We've all heard about learning from our mistakes and that's probably the best we can do. Many claim to look back and have no regrets, but for me, I spend a bit of time looking at the bad choices and poor decisions and have a good wrestling match for awhile until my sore, sorry self surrenders. For what? I don't know. Why do some people pick the scab?

Mind you, it's not a daily event, but when the occasion arises, it is difficult to pack all the garbage up again. And, it never fits as neatly back in the bag it came out of. Every time we touch it, we are stained again by the goo that remains. Best to leave it, learn from it, forgive and move on.

A Day for Laughs

Mid-morning chat time and a group of us were of course talking about the Mega jackpot. In New Jersey, I am told, a drive-through liquor store exists that may sell lottery tickets. A group of us then discussed what other kinds of items should be sold together in best combination to perhaps start a chain of deadly sin stores (drive through optional). Our prototypes would sell alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, birth control, toothbrushes in the aisle of shame and of course, hand sanitizer among other items. Laughing, with limited airflow, tears coming out of my eyes, and that is of course when someone looks for you to ask a serious question. I find the strength to compose myself, but the second I return, I am belly laughing once more as we continue to discuss our possible inventory.

Then lunch with 3 co-workers today - and I had no notebook. It was one of the most entertaining lunches I have been to in awhile. Instead of a celebrity deathpool, we have each picked a list of ten celebrities most likely to get divorced this year (don't judge) and one celebrity couple we think will get married (to balance the karma). So, none of us have picked anything right so far this year so our quarterly meeting was just a chat about life instead at the best Mexican restaurant in Suffern.

One of my "lunchmates" admitted to having had been in a cult, one's mother-in-law wore white to her wedding and one told a story of a friend who had a horrible first date with someone who may or may not have had an extreme foot fetish. We threw in a couple of celebrity references, not necessarily about divorce, but a debate about Kanye's talent vs. Eminem, and what scandals might break this year to rival Brittney's meltdown or the Tiger Woods debacle. The whole experience, again, laughing with tears in my eyes. These are the days to hold on to and wish for more.

Lotto Dreams Continue

As the Mega Millions jackpot continues to build and grow beyond 400 million dollars, my dreams and hopes expand as well. I simply cannot conceive of any one person suddenly having that much money. Really. And what does one do with it all? You can't simply bring that gigantic cardboard check Happy Gilmore style to the bank that certainly can't insure that much money. I'm joking, but really, how can one person even begin to manage even a portion of that winning payout? I have to say, I'm more than willing to give it a try and let you know how I do. My favorite author, Dorothy Parker once said, "I've never been a millionaire, but I know I would be darling at it." Me too!

I watched one of my favorite Food Network shows, "Chopped" last night and though it was a repeat, the winner offered to pay for the runner-ups ticket to Italy so she could see her grandmother. For him, winning wasn't entirely about the money. I'd never seen that happen before and yes, it makes a person a little misty eyed, the judges on the show teared up and the woman receiving the generosity from a stranger - well, she blatantly bawled her eyes out.

Random acts of kindness. Please include that in my newly revised list of things I would do with my lottery winnings. Imagine what it could feel like to simply pay for some one's groceries, full tank of gas, oil delivery, school clothes for a family (including sneakers) and deliver gifts to those recovering from surgery or undergoing physical therapy. The list is endless.

Always Learning

Traditional, educational learning, problem solving, job training, these all have their place, but I also love learning about a hobby, reading something new, meeting and interacting with new people... and I am realizing if the brain and soul don't have these new challenges it becomes like any other muscles losing strength and value from lack of use.

In addition, I've learned that if I don't pay attention, my mind wanders off into places it does not belong and it takes quite a bit of work to get it back on track. In fact, I have often compared it to being like picking an emotional or intellectual scab. And so, in the spirit of taking on something new, I am opening my mind to have a look and see what else looks interesting to me. Maybe I should look a little closer at caring for my newly received Orchid (it scares me) or a language or simply how to breath in and out without constantly worrying about something or other (that sounds really fabulous). Good luck to you in your new ventures and hope you wish me the same.