End of Week Thoughts

Super Bowl Sunday seems to be the time that everyone in the USA is supposed to stop and watch the game,   commercials and halftime show. I'm sorry, I love sports as much as anybody else but I have a hard time dealing with the money that is being spent on one event! My mind cannot help but think about all of the good things that could be done for people in need with the millions being spent on advertising alone. With that being said, I accept that it is tradition and will go on forever and ever. Enough said!

The end of January brought many deadlines with it.  For anyone that deals with payroll taxes for business, those wonderful W-2s and 1099s were due, really for anything financial, end of the year is always one great party. Good news - you should have it all completed by now!

If you had visions of upgrading to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99 from your current version, you have missed your mark.  January 31, 2013 was your deadline for that.  You are now looking at $200.00.  For just a couple more hundred, you can own a new laptop with the latest version of Windows or you could just by a Mac and not worry about Windows at all! It is easy to see where Microsoft is headed with Windows 8,  they just introduced a product before it was totally completed. Many individuals are still looking for their desktops and their shutdown and log off buttons.

Ending on a high note, On Monday night my nephew, Ian,  graduated from Providence High School. He graduated a semester early.  He is such a wonderful young man. Everyone in the family that could attend was there to see him walk.  We have wonderful pictures. We also had a great time on Wednesday night. The whole family gathered together (aunts, uncles, grandmother, nieces, nephews) to have a dinner party.  It was such great fun.  The only thing missing was Dad, his Grandfather. Dad would have been so very proud of him. He would have loved being with all of us laughing and loving on each other.  It was the values and love that Mom and Dad taught us, that we have tried to instill in our kids, the love that they have for one another, the compassion they have for others that just was the "icing on the cake" if you will allow me use the pun that topped off the wonderful celebration. We all are so very proud of him and his accomplishments.

Accepting Things

   For several years now, I have been working on "redefining" myself.  I guess one could say that I have been taking the few things that I liked about myself and trying to broaden those items.  I have thrown some traits out the window and even acquired some new ones.  

   One is never really ready to get in the trenches of heavy duty soul searching but sometimes you just know it is right!  So, my journey began after the death of my beloved father.  Wow! Bam! It hit me like a ton of bricks.  My body felt as if it weighed a million pounds. I often wondered how could that be, when I felt as though there was this huge gigantic hole where my heart, soul and stomach were. The tears just filled my eyes without even any warning. Some days it took all I had to get up, put on a smile, and move forward. I would tell myself, "this is not what Dad would want, this is not what you promised him before his death and you have others to care for." 

     I knew I needed help to work through it all.  I had no idea what all I was setting myself up for.  I have learned a great deal about accepting things as they are. Finding strength within that I never knew existed but learned through accepting things.  I still miss my father greatly but with a different kind of view.  He helped teach me a wonderful lesson on accepting things, loving oneself, discovering strengths and talents, and enjoying the moments.  Accepting me for me!

A Few of My Favorite Things

 The Best Seafood Restaurant - Peg Legs Pete
 A really relaxed local seafood bar in Pensacola, FL.  The gumbo is out of this world.  Filled with more seafood than roux or rice.  Everything is fresh and yummy!  Ride the trolley to and from Peg Legs, you can have so much more fun.

The Best Chocolate Turtles - Fannie Mae turtles from the fridge. These will cure any ills.

The Best Shrimp Dip - Blazer's Shrimp Dip from Greenwood, SC.  Spread it on a buttery Captain's Wafer for a snack.

Neatest Chapels - The outdoor chapel of the Y outside of Hendersonville, Brevard area in NC.

Large Selection of Pottery - Jugtown and Seagrove, NC.  Prepare to spend a couple of days driving all over the place seeing beautiful pieces of all types from 5th generation artists.

Greatest Fabric Stores - Mary Jo's in Gastonia, NC. It is huge.  If they don't have it, you probably don't need it.

The Italian Creme Cake at the Brick Street Cafe in Greenville, SC is to die for. All of their bakery items are super but this is my favorite.

Most Awesome Greek Festival - No comparison to the one in Charlotte, NC held in September.  It has great food, wonderful entertainment, 

Things You Might Do

Volunteer at a shelter
Visit someone who cannot get out and about
Call or send a card to someone - just to let them know you care.
Be more accepting of those with differences from you.
Show love and laughter more.
Be thankful for the things that you do have!
Share your talents.
Show compassion.
Respect others.
Make a difference - live a life with purpose