Mindful Monday - Age of technology

Remember those days when we did not have cell phones or email?  Maybe some of you cannot relate to it but I am sure most of my older friends can.  I believe there's only a couple of my friends that still use snail mail.  Now a days, even if they have a cell phone, text messages or other social media are the way to communicate.  Sometimes it's very difficult for me to know how to interpret some of these messages on text or email because you cannot see their facial expression or hear the tone of their voice.

But what I do know is that it does not matter what you are using to connect or reconnect with your family and friends, you still have to be MINDFUL of what you say or how you say it.  I believe there are just certain things that deserves a personal touch, like actually picking up the phone or if possible, meeting in person.

 

I mentioned to my daughter that I was considering joining Twitter in the new year but after reading all the rules and regulations, etc. I decided that I am not ready yet.  One of Jeff's relative was asking us during our Thanksgiving dinner if anyone would join Twitter.  She actually thought that I would be the one to do it because I have a blog.  Some of our friends and some relatives have asked me also to join Facebook.  Because I have a choice, I think I would prefer to join Twitter than Facebook.  

 

When the time comes and I have the nerve to try Twitter, here are some of the people that I will be interested in following:

• Rickie Fowler - Golf 
  
• Roger Federer - Tennis
• Train - Bay area band
• Sharks - if they ever return to Hockey
• Jim Parsons - Sheldon of the Big Bang Theory
• Blake Shelton - Country Artist
• Tom Brady - NFL New England Patriots
• Hugh Jackman - Actor
• Caroline (Beth Behrs) - Two Broke Girls 
• Ellen Degeneres -        

 

How many types of social media do you follow or use?  Do you have a favorite that you spend most of your time on?  Which one will you never join or use?

 

Soulful Sunday - Soul Food

Today I will just share some of the latest food that we have tried.  I apologize if I make you crave or hungry for one of these but maybe you might want to try it someday.

Our New Year's Eve platter (crispy green beans, chicken bites, potato skins, pizza)

Two filet mignons, half baby back ribs, mashed potatoes and steamed brocolli from Tony Romas

Best chicken wings I have ever tasted (left side is spicy and right side soy garlic)

Tonight we are having home cooked dinner as my MIL will be joining us.  We decided to return to our Sunday schedule.  I made Chicken curry with potatoes and apples, steamed broccoli and steamed rice.  Unfortunately no dessert as we are really trying to cut down on sweets.

Special Saturday - The Meanest Mother

Yesterday my MIL gave me a piece of paper that looked like a copy of a newspaper clipping.

After reading it, I called her and asked her why she gave it to me.  She said that she found it while cleaning one of her desk drawer.  Apparently a long time ago, Jeff gave it to her and she was so touched by it and kept it.  For those of you who had a mean mother, I know you can relate to this.  Please take time and read the following article.

THE MEANEST MOTHER

I had the meanest mother in the whole world.  While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast.  When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich.  As you guess, my supper was different than the other kids' also.

But at least I wasn't alone in my sufferings.  My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother as I did.

My mother insisted in knowing where we were at all times.  You'd think we were on a chain gang.  She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing.  She insisted if we said we'd be gone in an hour that we be gone one hour or less - not one hour and one minute.  I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us.  Not once, but each time we did as we pleased.  Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed?  Now can you begin to see how mean she really was.

The worst is yet to come.  We had to be in bed by nine each night and up early the next morning.  We couldn't sleep till noon like our friends.  So while they slept - my mother actually had the never to break the child-labor law.  She made us work.  We had to wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things.  I believe she laid awake at night thinking of mean things to do to us.

She always insisted upon our telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us - and it nearly did.

My mother was a complete failure as a mother.  None of us has ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate.  Each of my brothers served time in the service of this country.  And who do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You're right, our mean Mother.

Look at all the things we missed.  We never got to march in a protest parade, nor take part in a riot, burn draft cards and a million and one things that our friends did.  She forced us to grow up into God-fearing educated, honest adults.

Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my three children.  I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean.

Because, you see, I thank God.  He gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.

As you can tell, this must have been written a very long time ago because some of this would not happen now a days.  I can really relate to this and I am so thankful that God he gave me a mean mother but most of all, I am also filled with pride because I am  the luckiest mother for having such a wonderful daughter and son.

Frosty Friday - I had to scrape my windshield

It's not the same as removing a ton of snow that covered your car from the night before, but last week I had to scrape the windshield and all the windows.  I am so glad that my daughter gave me a really nice ice scraper a couple of years ago.  The trick is to go out and start my car and leave it running for a few minutes and when I come out, the frost would have melted.

The next day, I decided to find our extra car key so I could warm the car, lock it and go back in the house.  The result - my car was toasty warm and the frost on the windows melted.  I can deal with this anytime because I don't need a big broom to sweep the snow nor shovel the drive way.  My car is always parked outside in our drive because Jeff's car has to be in the garage in order to be plugged in every night.  One time he forgot to plug it and he ended up working from home because his car would have not made it to work.  He did not take my car because he knows I need it that day.  I was not able to take a better photo of my car with the frosts but here's my proof.

 

Truthful Thursday - Seven in a row

My right shoulder is a bit sore because Jeff and I have been doing the bowling marathon on Wii.  We started on New Year's day and continued yesterday morning until Jeff got the pro ball.  Both of us have the pro ball and we are trying to get turkeys and six pack.  Yesterday morning I finally got seven pack - seven strikes in a row.  In order to share it with you, I took the photo of our scores.  Unfortunately, after 7 in a row, my luck ran out.  Now my goal is to get all the frames with strikes.  Just a bit worried about my shoulder so I am resting it for a couple of days and start again when it feels better.  Not to forget that I really need to start again with my Just Dance 3 game as part of my daily work out.

Just in case you missed my New Year's Day post, check it out so you can join my Two Year Give Away. There's still time because it does not end until January 14.  Don't be shy, join in.

Wishful Wednesday - My 2013 list

As this is the year of the SNAKE and because it is my special year, I thought of making my wish list aka want list aka need list and last but not least, a "it would be nice to have list".  For some of you, it might just sound all the same but for me, I really would like to separate them into their categories so I will have a bit longer posts.  

WISH LIST

Get rid of some of the extra weight

Have better average blood sugar results

Bring down the bad cholesterol numbers

WANT LIST

Spend 7 days at an all inclusive resort for my 60th birthday

Spend 3 days in Las Vegas with a friend

Spend two months in Canada visiting family and friends

NEED LIST

Crock pot for those lazy days

Floor lamp for our living room 

Shark's or Patriots hoodie

IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE LIST

To have my daughter and son in law spend their vacation with us

To have my sister visit again 

When I look at all of these, I already know that the Wish list will be the toughest to accomplish.  The Want List has been going through my mind for a few months and I really cannot make any decision on what I want to do for my big birthday.  The Need List is probably the easiest to check off.  The last list - well I will just have to wait for them to make that decision.

Timely Tuesday - Two Year Anniversary

Two years ago I decided to join the world of blogging.  Thanks to my daughter's suggestion, today is my two year anniversary and just short of 650 posts.  To celebrate this wonderful experience, I would like to do a Two on Two Give away that is easy and simple.  

Happy New Year to everyone and hope that this year brings you all the happiness that you can take, all the good times that you can enjoy, and all the excellent health you can have.  
This year happens to be my year - 2013  is the year of the SNAKE - does this mean I will be really lucky?  I wonder what is really in store for me.