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Friday, August 7, 2015

Random Thoughts




  1. It's cold, grey and rainy today.  Cold as in barely 60 degrees compared to almost 90 degrees from a week ago!  I have a scratchy throat and head cold, so it's a good day to do mindless things on the computer and sip hot tea.  If you've been one of the 'lucky' ones to chat with me today, excuse any weird humor, typos or long pauses as that's just what lethargic sick people do.  haha...
  2. I find politics fascinating. Anyone else watching the first GOP debate tonight?  No matter what party you belong to, it should be incredibly entertaining.
  3. We decided to freshen up our living room.  Renovating the kitchen, dining and family rooms last year just accentuated the tiredness of it, so we bounced ideas back and forth all weekend, looked at a lot of ideas online and ordered a new couch, which will be delivered next week.  Last night while we had some extra man power here we rearranged furniture and even moved some out to the curb with the trash.  Someone usually comes by before the trash collectors to take usable items and yes, it was all gone when I looked out this morning.
  4. Do you know what a Stag Horned Beetle is?  One was on our front porch yesterday.  I thought it would take my foot off and Slate insisted on sniffing it, to which I keep telling him that he was going to loose his nose! haha.  I had to look it up online.  Scary looking, isn't it?  I wonder what they eat.  Noses? Toes?  We weren't going to take any chances. ha.
  5. And my favorite quote of the week...  "Forgiveness liberates the soul.  It removes fear.  That is why it is such a powerful weapon." Nelson Mandela.  I was impressed again yesterday in talking with someone that won't forgive.  She's full of bitterness and anger and it's destroying her life. Forgiving doesn't mean the offense didn't happen.  And it doesn't mean that it was ok. But you aren't going to let the past control you. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.  It sets you free.

51 comments:

  1. I thought it was the truth that set you free?
    Free may not like forgiveness creeping in on its saying at your sea lol
    One funky looking beetle too
    Flush that thing down the loo
    Wish it would get colder here
    88 degrees as I sweat out my rear
    TMI was it?
    Also had the sicky, sorta, umm spit
    Stupid reaction at my sea
    Hate my crummy body lol

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    1. Maybe you'd feel better if the beetle gave you a bite
      kind of like a leech sucking out the blight.
      hahaha.....I'll send him to you if you'd like
      then maybe you'd feel alright.

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    2. haha I'll try anything once at this point
      Send away to my joint

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  2. Replies
    1. You droned on and on
      and still sang the #1 song.

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear that you're under the weather. At least, you're able to relax a bit. Yes, I will be watching the debate tonight and praying for our nation. Forgiveness can be a difficult thing to do, but yes, it is necessary because it's God's will. I loved the quote and I will also say a prayer for that person. Feel better... :)

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  4. I have survived the crud. I am not doing much physically but my brain is starting to work better. My wife has it now but both of us should be up and running by the weekend. Keep drinking tea and when you tired of drinking it you know you are better.

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    1. haha...that's probably true.....it's still tasting good so far. :)

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  5. I hope you feel better soon. It's sunny here, but there is a bitterly cold wind which makes being outside unpleasant. So far this year we have had 2 days of hot sunny weather with a clear blue sky and no cold wind. I guess that's all the summer we're gonna get!

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    Replies
    1. You have all the good excuses to stay inside and be a hermit. You know I love that! haha...

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  6. So sorry you got a yuky cold. How exciting to do some changing in your living room and getting some new furniture. I so agree about your words and wisdom on forgiveness. It's not deserved...it's a gift. Pat was right, the truth will set you free, and the truth is...we forgive because HE forgave us. I remember working with a woman who was so bitter and miserable because she could not forgive. We all have had things happen to us that did not feel like forgiving....but it does set you free. Sending love and hugs

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    1. Yes, I totally agree....it isn't easy to do and most times it is a process and takes time but when you get to the point where you can do it, it is not only a relief, but it can be life changing...the control is gone and you are released from that grip it had on you.

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  7. Sorry you're under the weather. Your mug is so cheery so maybe that helps a bit.
    Hope Slate still has his nose... and you still have your toes!
    Yes, forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. It's sometimes hard to do, but like you say, so many people think it means forgetting or accepting. It doesn't.
    Fun to change things around in a room. One thing always leads to another, doesn't it.

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    1. I'm not flat in bed, but just kind of dragging around...lol....thankfully, today and through the weekend I don't have anything that must be done and I can drag around all I want! haha.

      I agree about the forgiveness....you don't really forget, but you get to where you say, "Yes, that happened and it was horrible but I'm not going to tie my emotions up in it, not going to seek revenge and I'm going to move on and not let any bitterness tie me down" I think we forget that it's us that is miserable when we don't do it.

      I'm looking forward to the living room changes...yes a big chain reaction, but I love that kind of thing!

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  8. Coldish today but being a warm blooded soul I was ok today and spent most of the day cutting lawns . . :)
    Politics can be fascinating . . .what seems to fascinate me is that no politician seems to be able to use two simple words, yes and no. . . lol
    Interesting about the new couch . . . one thing seems to lead to another . .
    I've met a few scary things in my time but not a stag horned beetle . . . instincts seem to convey, stay away !!! lol
    I wish people were able to forgive one another . . .
    Sorry about your cold and hope you get better soon . . :)

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    1. Sounds like you and Keith are freezing! :)

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    2. No actually . . I am quite comfortable in this weather . . . it's the 40s and 50s I don't like . . . :)

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  9. Sorry you aren't feeling well. I was hoping you would be on the mend today. SIXTIES?? You have temps down in the 60's?? Oh my goodness. I'm longing for that first morning I open our door to 60 degrees again! I am tired of 90+ temperatures, and 97% humidity! And YEP, I have experienced that "forgiveness thing" first-hand. It works wonders.

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    Replies
    1. It was 57 degrees this morning at 7am! Only 62 this afternoon! We were in the 90's last week....crazy! This isn't the norm for August...haha.

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  10. You get very deep in your thoughts where you're not feeling well. :)

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  11. I have no doubt the debate will be entertaining, if nothing else!!! lol

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  12. 1) Sorry you're feeling under the weather. I had a cold over the weekend. Took a generic cold medicine with an antihistamine in it to stop my runny nose and the thing knock my lights out. I slept all night that night and on and off the whole day Monday. I slept on the dock, I slept in the recliner, I slept on the couch...you name it. HaHa! It stopped my runny nose though and after that I started feeling better. We're heading to the lake again this weekend and I hope it will be cool like that in the mornings. Sometimes it is, but then heats up dramatically mid-morning. 2) Yes, we will be watching the debate. Got to see what kind of stuff comes out of Trump's mouth. Ha! 3) Can't wait to see your new living room. I need to do the same. There may be some changes on our horizon, though, so I'm leaving it as is for now. 4) Law! I'm with you...wonder what that monster eats. 5) I use an Erin Condren planner...and she puts quotes at the top of the pages for the months. August's quote: Everything you want is on the other side of fear. I love that!! Feel better!

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    1. Oh, I like that quote a lot, too! I've never heard that one! Fear can be as debilitating as unforgiveness....gosh, if you have both, you're really sunk! lol....

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  13. Hope your nasty cold goes away sooner and not later, a summer cold is always worse than a winter one or maybe that's just my experience.
    I've seen a few of those beetles....HUGE !
    Some people are OK with not moving on after past trysts, this way they can still be in charge.
    ~Jo

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    1. That beetle has taken up residence on the porch. When I water the pots of flowers, he drinks from the run-off. Hilarious!
      Just so he stays outside, I'm ok with it. lol....

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  14. Yuck on that beetle!
    I would have liked to watch the debates but I went out for supper with friends and Bob was busy watching a movie when I got home.
    We need pictures of the spruce up when it's done!

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    1. Well, tell Bob that this was better than any old movie! lol....

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  15. Hope you feel better soon!!!
    I think the best is forgive and forget haha!!
    Take care!

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  16. Hope you feel better soon!!!
    I think the best is forgive and forget haha!!
    Take care!

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    Replies
    1. Ha ha always happens and the cat tease me .Is when I comment in my phone at night!

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    2. Ha ha always happens and the cat tease me .Is when I comment in my phone at night!

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    3. not just at night, I see! haha...

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  17. What a wonderful quote, said by an amazing man!!
    Hope you get well soon!
    Have a great Friday

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  18. Hi Betsy - this is a mixed thoughtful post. I love the Mandela quote ... and he had plenty of time to practise it. Forgiveness removes the fear ... and we don't need to add more grist to the mill, or stockades to put obstacles in our path along our journey of life ... I hope your friend can realise soon.

    Feel better - and that couch sounds a great idea ... and so pleased the 2nd hand stuff went so quickly ..

    Here's to better weather ahead .. and you feeling better - cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Haha...yes, I warned you it was random. :) And I do agree that there isn't any need to make life harder than it already is.

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  19. Mandela's quote is a mantra we should all strive to live by. I think we all have fallen in the trap of harboring ill will against someone who has been mean or hateful to us. All we are doing when we don't forgive is allowing that person to stake a claim in our head and stick around to taunt us 24/7.
    The debate opened my eyes to new possibilities, that's for sure.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Stack claim in our head and stick around to taunt us....wow...that is a profound bit of truth there.
      I have done that....it's consuming...stressful...terrible. It's the kind of thing that makes you grind your
      teeth when you sleep! haha....

      I do agree the debate was very interesting!

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  20. Carl and I are in NYC now .. Yankees game on Wednesday, 9/11 Memorial Museum yesterday, Broadway show "Beautiful" this evening, 4-hour Soprano's Tour tomorrow (Carl a HUGE fan) then on to St. Louis for a week. Son Chris came through surgery fine, but may need additional treatment .. we will know after next PSA in late October.

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    1. Well, it sounds like you two are having a fabulous time! You've chosen some really great things to do!
      Glad Chris is doing well....hope his tests in October are super!

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  21. #5, Yes! Two quotes I keep handy for reminders for me about fear and forgiveness are : "Offense is a disease that can only be cured by forgiveness." ~Dani Johnson --and-- "Fear is a reaction, courage is a decision." ~Winston Churchill -- along with this -- God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7 Yes, certain fears stalk me at times. :(

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    1. Love all of that....so very true. A lesson I have to learn over and over but it is getting easier!

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  22. Sorry you're not feeling well. Hope you get as much rest as possible (for you, that is! Ha), and that you're feeling better in no time.

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    1. I actually sat on the couch all morning with a cup of coffee.....so unlike me! :)

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  23. I'm very glad that I have never seen that beetle before. Lmao!!!! Feel better, Betsy!

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