What I Am Grateful For

So what is it about Thanksgiving that REMINDS everyone to take stock in what they are grateful for? I'm sure it stems from school days when we are taught about the pilgrims and the sharing of the food. I'm also sure we all know that we should be grateful on a daily basis.

Which brings me to this:

I always journaled.....Daily.... For years..... But I can honestly say, that I have let that go for the last year or so..... Life just got in the way....I became busy and my priorities changed, which led me to drop my journaling.

Well, for the last month, I have been back to journaling and keeping a Grateful journal. It's part of this class I am taking. And of course, I see the difference. I feel the difference.

Keeping a grateful journal allows you to see the little things that are important to you, that most tend to over look. Being alive one more day.....Seeing your kids smile....... The food you are about to eat.......Having a warm place to lay down at night.......These are things to really be grateful for..... Yet, so many over look these things.

When you can take a few moments.... Be still.....Sit in silence with a pen in your hand and you will begin to drown yourself in gratefulness. It will just pour out of you. And that's what I have been doing lately. It's hard to see everything when you are rushing around, unable to catch a breath.... LOL.

So, at this time of year, I would like it to be known of some of the things that I am Grateful For.

1) As much as I hate it.... I am grateful for hearing my kids fight and argue. That means that I am here to hear them.

2) I am grateful for all of our health.....

3) I am grateful for all of my friends...New and old. It's something how you can look back at your friends, and how long you have known them... They have been there with you, throughout all the good and the bad. My friends have been with me forever... (We're talking 20 years plus) and of course I have met new ones.

4) I am grateful for the family that's in my life.....My sons father is a GREAT example. As I have said in the past, we just did not work.....But he is a great father. I can truly rest at ease if something were to happen to me, and know that my son will be taken care of. So much to the point that I am thinking of having my sons father and his girlfriend be guardians of my daughter, in the event that something happens to me.

That's a hard issue to deal with. I would love to think that I will be around form a VERY long time. But the truth is, I may not. And as I have spoken about, my daughters donor is NOT or WANTS to be in her life. And then you have this man who has always considered my daughter as family. Not only is that important to her, but to me as well. She so much loves him and his girlfriend.

*** I have been asked how I really feel about this... And I believe this. I have a little girl that may not know her biological father, but she does have a male in her life that is like DAD to her. She SOOOO looks up to him. I wonder if he knows just how much.... And with that comes his family....They take to her and seem to really care about her. So I look at it like, how can I deny her of any EXTRA love that she can get? Who does not want love? And she is blessed with lots of love.

5) I am grateful for the closeness that I have with God... And the closeness my children have to God as well.

So I say journal.....It keeps you focused.....Grounded......And you will begin to realize all the things you are grateful for as well.

What I Want In A Man

What I Want in a Man (age 22)














Original List:
1. Handsome
2. Charming
3. Financially successful
4. A caring listener
5. Witty
6. In good shape
7. Dresses with style
8. Appreciates finer things
9. Full of thoughtful surprises
10. An imaginative, romantic lover



What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 32)
1. Nice looking
2. Opens car doors, holds chairs
3 Has enough money for a nice dinner
4. Listens more than talks
5. Laughs at my jokes
6. Carries bags of groceries with ease
7. Owns at least one tie
8. Appreciates a good home-cooked meal
9. Remembers birthdays and anniversaries
10. Seeks romance at least once a week



What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 52)











1. Not too ugly
2. Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car
3. Works steady - splurges on dinner out occasionally
4. Nods head when I'm talking
5. Usually remembers punch lines of jokes
6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture
7. Wears a shirt that covers his stomach
8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids
9. Remembers to put the toilet seat down
10. Shaves most weekends





What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 62)










1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed
2. Doesn't belch or scratch in public
3. Doesn't borrow money too often
4. Doesn't nod off to sleep when I'm venting
5. Doesn't retell the same joke too many times
6. Is in good enough shape to get off couch on weekends
7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear
8. Appreciates a good TV dinner
9. Remembers your name on occasion
10. Shaves some weekends




What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 72)













1. Doesn't scare small children
2. Remembers where bathroom is
3. Doesn't require much money for upkeep
4 Only snores lightly when asleep
5. Remembers why he's laughing
6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself
7. Usually wears some clothes
8. Likes soft foods
9. Remembers where he left his teeth
10. Remembers that it's the weekend




What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 82)












1. Breathing
2. Doesn't miss the toilet.

Saving Money On Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner can be a very expensive meal. But you can take steps to reduce the costs this year using a few of these ideas.

One of the easiest and best ideas when trying to save money on Thanksgiving is to make it a potluck. Have all the parties coming to dinner provide a dish. We do this EVERY year and it cuts down on costs considerably. Make a chart listing categories such as main dish, vegetables, starch, dessert, drinks, etc and note who will provide what in each category.

Another idea is to not cook more than everyone will eat. My mother loves to cook many different dishes “just in case” but this “just in case” has often turned into a waste. Do your calculations on serving sizes and don’t over feed your guests.

Shop in advance. Things like butter, canned cranberry sauce, and soup stocks (unless you make your own) tend to go on sale during holiday time. Make sure you get yours before they run out. Pick up these storeable items (butter can be frozen) a week or two in advance. Search brand websites and your newspaper for coupons for even larger savings.

Make it from scratch. No need to go gourmet but making such items as your own breads, pie crusts, and such is cheaper than buying them pre-made. You can even make some in advance.

Make a grocery list before you go shopping. Do what great meal planners do. Make out that menu, with recipes and ingredients for each dish you are making. Check your pantry for what you already have on hand and then take that list with you to the grocery store. You are less likely to overshop and you won’t have that “uh-oh” look on your face come Thanksgiving day when you are making a dish and have forgotten an ingredient.

Think autumn instead of just Thanksgiving when it comes to decor. If you already decorate each year for the holidays you may have what you need on hand and there is no need to acquire new decorations. Some fall foliage from your yard decorating the front door is simple and yet so low cost. Easy and elegant. If there are children who will be coming give them construction paper, glue and scissors and have them make some great decorations for the house. They can do this the day of to keep them busy. Use it as a great learning opportunity.

Have an enjoyable, memorable Thanksgiving that does not break the bank.

For more information on cleaning and organizing your home visit Homemaking Organized. And for tips on taking care of you visit Beauty for Mommy.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

The Choice

When it comes to dating, and you are a single mom, what do you look for? Are you looking for someone that you are compatible with? Someone that you are attracted to? Or do you look for someone that would be good for your kids? A good guy?

When there are kids involved, your expectations seem to change. Gosh, before kids, I always seemed to be attracted to the "Bad Boy" Image. And I know I was not alone. But now that I have kids, I find that I am pretty picky. Maybe too picky. But to me, my kids will be influenced by whoever I am seeing. And I look for the positive. And try to avoid the "Bad Boy".

I have to take my hat off to those women that make time to date while they have younger kids. It's hard to find the time (at least for me). Or maybe it's just how I prioritize in my life. To me, dating is not something I HAVE to do.... However, being there for my kids and working my business IS.

So if there is a good guy that you are interested in, tell him how you feel and why you are taking things slower than he may want. He may really understand and respect you even more for being honest.

There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge.

Are You Secure At Your Job?

As you all know, I live in Ohio. Now known for the 2nd state with the highest job loss. WOW!!!

The only good thing that's been happening lately is the price of gas...However, I see it's creeping back up as well.... Was to be expected though.

Now there's talk about passing a 2nd Bail Out Bill.... Hmmmm....Wouldn't it be nice if someone could just bail you out when needed? I know it would be for me. LOL

The point I am making is this:

1) Are you secure with the job that you have?
2) Will the work you do today, reward you later as well?
3) Is the company you are working for in any financial trouble?
4) Have your hours been cut? Have you been laid off?
5) Are you unsure of your future? And the future of your family?

Consider this:

1) Start out working part time from home and then over a period of time, you will have created your own full time, at home business.
2) Work for a company that has NEVER had lay-offs or cut hours back.
3) Work for a company that is NOT one cent in debt.
4) Gain the flexibility you need. If your kids are sick, or you have an appointment, no need to worry about being fired or let go.
5) Take the first step in learning more and see if we have a match for what you are looking for. There is no pressure to come on board.

You take the first step by visiting my site.... See if you would like more info and would be interested in seeing the work that we do. If so, fill out the mini application.... I call you and set up a time that's good for you where you can come and see for yourself, the work that I do and if it's what you are looking for. Then you decide if you would like to join forces with an incredible company that allows you to create your own work schedule, and you could be bringing in the couple hundred extra each month that you need to help make ends meet.

Take control of your future NOW......Don't leave it up to the economy to determine how you live.

Almost Losing Focus

So everyone that knows me and keeps up with this blog, knows that I am a very determined person when it comes to my business and my kids. I strive for more and will DO what I say.

And I have said it before..... How a woman starts dating a man and begins to lose focus of what her goals were and what mattered to her.

Well, I see how easy it is to get caught up in that "New Moment" feeling.....When you meet someone and you immediately click......You Get along well and there is this "Strong" attraction between the both of you.

Whether it's a subconscious or conscious choice, I am NOT allowing myself to do what every other woman I know has done.... Lose focus of what their goals and dreams were before they met that person.

I'm sure I am among the few.....Most women would be pleased to meet a man of their dreams and live the way they both agree.....But, I am different, and I know it. I am living my way and living for my dreams and hopes that I have. And if I should meet someone that I think I could really care about, well then, he is going to have to accept me, my dreams and goals and not expect me to change.

And when I hit the level of success that I am striving for, then he will be there to greet me with open arms.

I am still keeping focused on what I want.... My dreams.... My goals.....No matter how much I may care about a man.

Just a little personal insight........... LOL.

How To Tell If You Need To Pray At Work

12 Ideas To Relieve Stress

Owning your own online home business is wonderful, but if you are like me, there are days when you feel down and stressed. You just can't seem to get going. Sometimes sitting in your lonely home office, it seems like you are the only person on earth. You feel like you are locked in a cage with no way out! This can also be compounded by a slump in your business sales and/or success!

When you feel like this, it is hard to get any work done and can be very counterproductive for you. You must step back, take a break, clear your head and get rid of some stress!

I have found a few things that can help alleviate these problems and would like to share them with you.

1. Get up and get away from the computer for awhile. Even if it is only for 10 - 15 minutes. Walk around the house, stretch your muscles, do some neck and back stretches. These can do wonders!

2. Take a walk. Get dressed, go outside, breathe in the fresh air and take a 20 - 30 minute walk. This is one of the most invigorating things you can do to clear your head and get the cobwebs out. Walking is the one activity I would recommend the most.

3. Call a friend or family member and just chat for awhile. This can also be a great way to lift your spirits and confirm your suspicions that there are other people on this planet! ;-) Chat for awhile and laugh a little. Laughter is a great medicine!

4. Have a little fun! Put on some of your favorite music and dance around the house. Let loose and have some fun. Act goofy, crazy or waltz yourself to China. This helps get out some of the frustrations and pent up emotions that can cause the blues.

5. Just relax! Turn everything off, (including your computer), make yourself a cup of coffee, cocoa or just plain water. Just sit in complete silence and watch the birds outside or put a cool cloth over your eyes. Let your mind just go blank for awhile. Forget everything and just relax!

6. Exercise your mind! Show your mind that there is more than just the computer. Do a crossword puzzle, play a few games of solitaire, or read a book. These are all great ways of getting your mind off business and clearing out all the old to make way for the new.

7. Do some housework! This might not be the most fun thing to do, but it helps take your mind off business for awhile and believe me, after about an hour of housework, you will be more than ready to get back to business!

8. Take a TV break! Watch a program that allows you to escape to another world. After you are finished you just might be glad to be back in your world.

9. One thing I do when business gets the better of me is to shut the computer down for the day and turn my attention to other things that need to be done. Just taking a small break from business can help, but when things are really stressful we may need a longer break.

10. Get some sun! After being indoors so much, we need to get out and get some sun. The sun is very good for your mind and body. Sunshine is a very good anti-depressant! But do remember to wear protection so you don't get too much exposure.

11. Enjoy time with your family! Play a game, take a walk, watch a heartwarming family adventure movie, or just sit and talk. No matter how hard we work, we need to make time for family.

12. Eat healthy foods! This we all know, of course, but it is much easier said than done. Start by changing one meal at a time or adding one healthy food a day. The better we feel, the better we can handle everyday stress!

I hope some of these pointers will help you relax and get back to business. I know they have been a great help to me more than once. Sometimes when you are feeling unproductive, stressed our or just plain tired, the idea is not to work harder but to stop working and give your mind and body a well-deserved break!

Terri Seymour has several years online experience and has helped many people start their own business. Visit her site at www.seymourproducts.com for help, resources, support and more. Seymour Products also offers resell ebooks for $1 each, free affiliate programs and a free weekly ezine. mailto:subscribe@seymourproducts.com

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