Quote

I received this quote via e-mail today and really like it…

Although the world is full of suffering,

it is also full of the overcoming of it.

Helen Keller

FINALLY!!!

I am SO glad that Sanjaya is GONE! For true American Idol fans, and those that are musicians, I'm sure you'd agree with me that Sanjaya has been a JOKE. It makes me wonder if some things are rigged on the show. He sure got lots of attention. I hate that he lasted longer than Gina. Personally, I loved her.

In memoriam

My husband called me at work today to tell me that there had been another shooting; the worst in history. No words can bring comfort to this school, the parents, the spouses, the friends, the roommates... My heart grieves with you all. May the Lord bring you peace, VA Tech.

Last day of tax season...and a tad weepy

You think I would be glad! But for some reason, I'm a tad melancholy today. I guess all change is difficult at times. Even the positive changes.

I checked out ancestory.com today and started researching my family tree. I came across these obituaries for my loved ones... I wanted to honor them by listing them here...

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James Dillard
Mauldin

James B. "Jim" Dillard, 67, husband of Mildred "Millie" Dillard, of 313 Poplar Lane, died Feb. 15, 2005.

Born in Carrollton, Ala., he was a son of the late Chester A. and Annie L. Adams Dillard.

Mr. Dillard was a graduate of Howard College (Sanford University), and worked in insurance sales. He was a member of Augusta Road Baptist Church for over 39 years, where he served as a Deacon, choir member, Sunday school teacher and Sunday school director.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are his son and daughter-in-law, Brian Keith and Sharon Dillard of Michigan; his daughter and son-in-law, Alicia Beth and Mark Lippard of Denver, N.C.; his grandchildren, Mikaela, Rachel, Victoria, John, Haliny, and Derek McCord II, all of Suwanee, Ga., and Adam, Jordon and Noah Dillard, all of Birmingham, Mich., and Coley and Braxton James Lippard, both of Denver, N.C.; his brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Kay Dillard of Greenville; and a sister-in-law, Delores Dillard of Pelham, Ala.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Bonnie Rebecca McCord; and a brother, Wayne Dillard.

Services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Augusta Road Baptist Church, with the Rev. Chris Cadenhead and the Rev. Toni Pate officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland East Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Mackey Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorials to the Adult Choir of Augusta Road Baptist Church, 1823 Augusta Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive.

Published in The Greenville News: 02-17-2005

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Bonnie D. McCord
Suwanee, Ga.

Bonnie D. McCord, 32, died Thurs., Sept. 14.

Daughter of James Borden Dillard and Mildred Hearn Dillard of Mauldin, she was a graduate of Berry College in Rome, Ga. She was to have entered the mission field later this month. She grew up singing in groups with her family and was a missionary in 1985 to the Philippines.

Survivors: parents; husband, Derek McCord; daughters, Mikaela Rebekah McCord, Rachel Hannah McCord, Victoria Grace McCord, all of Suwanee; brother, Brian (Sharon) Dillard of Detroit, Mich.; sister, Beth (Mark) Lippard, Charlotte, N. C.

Services: Noon Monday at Mount Paran Church of God - Central, with burial in Cheatham Hill Cemetery, Marietta, Ga. Visitation: 11 a.m. until time of service.

Memorials: Alaythia Ministries, 700 Rosebury Lane, Suwanee, Ga. 30024. -- L. W. McDonald & Son Funeral Home, Cumming, Ga.

Published in The Greenville News: 09-17-2000

A lesson learned

In my work over the past several months I have encountered two different people with the same disability of cerebral palsy. Both seemed to be pretty mild cases. Both were able to hold jobs. However, they were disabled. They were different. One was married, one was not (but informed me with a smile that he was looking).

Both of these gentleman had something in common besides their disability. They seemed to have deep joy. They were jolly, kind, funny. This has stuck with me over the weeks/months. So many of us complain about our circumstances, about the things we are currently facing. However, these gentlemen have something that cannot be changed, and they seemed genuinely happy.

One of these men was a cashier at a local store. I had forgotten my check book and had to run get it. Although it was close by, I realized I was inconveniencing him and apologized. He replied with "tell me when we have a real problem". I thought that was the neatest reply. I encounter so many people who are ungrateful, who complain at the smallest inconvenience (One man came to me to do his taxes. When he told me that he was filing joint, although his wife was not with him, I informed him that I would need his wife's signature before I could complete the return. He was mortified and stated that he'd always done it without her signature. I informed him that I did things the legal way, and that it was illegal and against policy for him to file without his wife's signature. He was so upset that he took his paperwork and left saying how inconvenient that was). How is it that these individuals with disabilities that I've encountered can be so kind, joyful, patient, without complaints, when they have to deal with the inconveniences of being different, being stared out, not being able to do some things that others can, etc...

I learned a lot from these gentlemen. Those of us without disabilities have much to be grateful for. I know that I take my health for granted. I pray that I will always remember these men and the lessons that they taught me.

Exciting things in our household!

My hubby and I have some very exciting things going on. I won't disclose all on here at this time, but will share a bit. We have a possible opportunity coming up that will allow me to become debt free AND possibly allow me to stay at home! Those of you that know me know that I SUCK as a housewife (although I've gotten lots better over the past few months; as they say, practice makes perfect!). Part of this is because I'm trying to manage working full-time, studying, cooking, cleaning house, yard upkeep, working out, and taking care of a hubby and a dog! Whew! That makes me tired just thinking about it! BUT if I'm able to stay home, that will make ALL the difference in the world. I can focus all my attentions on the house and on my schooling....

OH! And speaking of... My schooling has gotten lots better over the past months and my grades have improved dramatically. My most recent grade was a 98!! I got this email from my instructor today:

You did an EXCELLENT JOB on [your] test. Congratulations! Your GPA to date is 94% which is very good. Experience has shown that M-TEC premier grads with a GPA of 93% to 95% or above have few, if any, doors closed to them from employers on our [job boards]. Keep up the great work.

WOO HOO! Man it feels good to hear that. My first few tests in the course were 87 and 86 (with below 86 as failing!). So needless to say, this feels pretty darned good. I am almost 75% of the way finishing; BUT the last 6 sessions are the hardest in the course. I just hope I can keep my GPA up until the end. I had absolutely no clue how hard this course was going to be! But I am loving it and am anxious to begin my career.

I told my friend today, I sure hope it doesn't sound like I'm bragging, or boasting, but it is just a miracle to me that I've done this well. I emailed my instructor back and told her that I still pretty much feel like a "wannabe". So it's wild that I actually have a 94. This is actually a very high B. M-TEC has VERY high standards, which I guess they should since medical transcription involves people's medical data.

Anyway, I have digressed. Just wanted to say good things are on the horizon! Keep us in your thoughts/prayers. My hope/prayer is that all will work out as I think it will! I'll keep you all posted!

Good is good!

Please remember JBS

Many of you may remember my friend JBS, whom I was dating at the time of Hurricane Katrina. He lived two blocks from the beach in MS, lost everything, and lived with my folks and me for several months until he was able to get a FEMA trailer (there are posts regarding all this on my blog in the fall of '05). Although we aren't dating any longer, we have kept in touch some. Oddly enough, we both got married the same week.

I received an email from him a few days ago stating that his endocrinologist believes that he has a tumor on his pituitary gland. I feel so badly for him. As if losing everything in Katrina wasn't enough! I pray that the results of his test on Monday will show that is not cancerous. If it is, I pray that it will be able to be reduced/eliminated by treatment. I hope that if you are praying person that you'll pray the same with me.

I wish good things for him.

Thanks for your help in this.

Goodbye sweet Wilma

I've had my first experience in management in the past few months. I had one lovely employee to manage. On Saturday, April 7, she had a massive heart attack while driving home from work and died immediately. I found out Easter Sunday and cried half of the day. She was such a special lady. She was such a joy and made management SO easy for me! She was faithful, a hard worker, flexible, made me laugh, and was such a precious lady. She will be missed immensely.

Godspeed, sweet Wilma.

Flixter

Ok, so there is a part of me that is just like a 13-year-old girl. I have come across this Flixter site and LOVE it! I've become addicted. It's great mindless entertainment for me.

See side of screen for my favorite movies!

Very belated entry

Hello friends! This post is LONG overdue. My good friend (and my former most faithful reader; I'm sure she's long given up on me now!) once said that I really only posted when I was unhappy. So I guess these months of silence have been a good thing! It's amazing how much your priorities change when you get married! I don't have nearly as much free time on my hands as I used to!

My days have been very full with working full time, attempting to study full time, learning to be a good wife, learning how to be domestic when I TOTALLY stink at it! I think I'm getting better every day though.

I am loving TN but miss my family and friends a whole lot. It's really amazing how content I am; the only people in my life are my hubby and my sweet dog. I have made no friends yet, however I am strangely content! I know that SAM cannot meet all of my needs and that I will eventually need to meet some folks, but for now, life is great.

I will try to post more often if I can! Hopefully my readers haven't given up on me!

Much love to you all...

Traci M

The best phase

I haven't written in so long. I've had so much going on and life has changed so very much! I have turned in my notice at FPC and my sweetheart and I have decided to marry and move to the lovely state of Tennessee. My heart is so full as I think of so many exciting things that are soon to happen!

My 4 1/2 years here in Hattiesburg have been such a learning time for me. I have learned how to be my true self and to stand for what I believe. I have learned not to fit into a mold but to discover what I am, who I am and be true to just that. It is hard to be different. But I feel braver and stronger for it.

My road to love have been long. These past 4 years or so, I have made so many dating mistakes. I've had some special relationships, and those I will never regret. JBS and PJA are still my special friends and I wish so many wonderful things for them. Before this most recent phase of my life, I spent 10 long years in a relationship that turned into divorce (8 years dating, 1 year married and 1 year separated). In all actuality, our marriage should have been annulled and I just waited too long. I regret much of those 10 years. I sat outside tonight in the chilled air and thought about all my friends and family that gave me wedding gifts several years ago. I almost whispered "I'm sorry" out loud. Then I thought, "what am I sorry for"? I realized what I was sorry for. I am sorry that SAM will not be my first husband. He is everything I've wanted. But, the good news is, I've found him! Or better yet, he found me. He is so kind, gentle, giving, patient, loving and smart. He takes such wonderful care of me. He is broken, like me and we are perfect for each other. I'm so grateful that our paths have crossed and I cannot wait to start our family!

God is good. And he offers second chances, and third, and fourth - onto infinity... I pray that SAM and I will be gracious to each other always. That we will be kind, even when it hurts. That we will forgive, and believe, and continue to laugh and laugh and laugh. I pray we will be honest, even when it hurts. I pray that God will bless us with children that we can teach, nurture and raise into fine adults. I pray that we will get healthy and stay what way. I pray for many years for both us - especially for my sweet SAM who is a tad older than me. I want us to have 30+ years together! But, no matter how many days we have, I pray that they will be precious ones. I believe they will be. Every day I've had with him have been so precious already. I appreciate and enjoy the most mundane things with him (I once heard that marriage is living the mundane together. I love that idea. And I love the idea of the mundane with SAM!).

I have never known love to be like this. I smile when I think of him. My coworkers call me blushing bride as SAM and I talk several times during my work day to touch base and remind each other that we love each other.

Another phase is soon to begin. In 5 days I will move closer to the mountains, closer to an area that actually has 4 seasons, and closer to the love of my life. I know that this will be the best phase yet and words cannot express my gratitude.

Grateful

I seem to do a lot of posts on gratefulness. I guess because I realize that we can't complain when we are grateful. We can't focus on the negative when we are focusing on what we are grateful for.

A friend of mine has used the word "messy" with regards to life and I really like that. Life can be messy. Relationships can be messy. But we do our best to learn and clean up the mess until it gets messy again. I really like this quote I encountered recently. . .

Being grateful for what we have today doesn't mean we have to have that forever. It means we acknowledge that what we have today is what we're supposed to have today. There is enough. . . And all we need will come to us. -Melody Beattie

No matter what, we are blessed. Let us focus on our blessings.

Ah, the Memories

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's or Early 90's If:

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokes or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)
12. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen..and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion,Apartment, Shelter, House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to JEM" in Kindergarten. (She's Truly Outrageous.)
21. You remember reading Tales of a fourth grade nothing and all The Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing.(some of us...head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and
his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what
am I?"
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. Don't worry, be happy
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do..getting yelled at by younger hip members of the family)
46. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.
47. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.
48. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
49. You remember watching Rainbow Bright and & My Little Pony Tales
50. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
51. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
52. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"
53. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.
54. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
55. You just sang those words to yourself.
56. You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
57. Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)
58. You remember when mullets were cool!
59. You had a mullet!
60. You still sing "We are the World"
61. You tight rolled your jeans.
62. You owned a bannana clip.
63. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
64. You used to (and probably still do)say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
65 You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
66. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

Regarding Contentment

WORDS OF WISDOM:

"Contentment is the greatest treasure."
The Dhammapeda

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content."
Helen Keller--deaf and blind

"Anything in life that we don't accept will simply make trouble for us until we make peace with it."
Shakti Gawain

"I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind."
Albert Einstein

"Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires."
Lao-Tsu

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
Leonardo da Vinci

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius-and a lot of courage-to move in the opposite direction."
E. F. Schumacher

"A still mind wants nothing."
Tara Singh, Teacher of A Course in Miracles

Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get.
Spanish Proverb

The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love and faith.
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) British logician and philosopher.

My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: My crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) British poet and playwright.

Happy the man who can endure the highest and the lowest fortune. He, who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity, has deprived misfortune of its power.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC-65) Roman philosopher and playwright.

When you can think of yesterday without regret and tomorrow without fear, you are near contentment.
Unknown Source

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.
Unknown Source

A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, and dramatist

Being ''contented'' ought to mean in English, as it does in French, being pleased. Being content with an attic ought not to mean being unable to move from it and resigned to living in it; it ought to mean appreciating all there is in such a position.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) British journalist, novelist and poet.

WAYS TO DEVELOP CONTENTMENT:

*Nourish your spirit with a daily practice of reflection and reverence
*View adversity as an opportunity to learn spiritual truths
*Accept the things you cannot change
*Slow down and appreciate the present moment
*De-clutter your physical environment
*Live within your means
*Think carefully before you say "Yes" to time commitments
*Educate children to be wise consumers
*Turn off commercial advertising
*Decide what really matters and live by your priorities
*Trust a Spiritual Power higher than yourself to assist you

AFFIRMATIONS:

"Simple living brings me freedom and contentment. I keep material things in perspective. I give myself the gift of quiet time. My spirit is happy when I let go of extreme desires. Life's difficulties are teaching me wisdom. I trust my Creator."

Control

A dear friend of mine recently reminded me of a basic principle learned in Psych 101 (Waaayyy to long ago for me) :) The principle is regarding internal/external locus of control.

People tend to ascribe their chances of future successes or failures either to internal or external causes. Persons with an internal locus of control see themselves as responsible for the outcomes of their own actions. These individuals often believe that they control their destiny, and are often observed to excel in educational or vocational realms. Someone with an external locus of control, on the other hand, sees environmental causes and situational factors as being more important than internal ones. These individuals would be more likely to see luck rather than effort as determining whether they succeed or fail in the future, and are more likely to view themselves as the victim in any given situation. http://en.wikipedia.org.

I have always had a really hard time with those with a "victim" mentality; who thinks that the whole world is against them; who work the system and blame everyone else for their troubles.

This has not been me to a large extent. But in some ways, it has. I tend to be a slave to my emotions. I let people make me mad. When I do that, I am giving them power, rather than me being in control of my own emotions. I have never really learned to make wise choices. I have never really seen myself as an indepent woman. So these are the things that I am currently working on.

This is good stuff:

What is self-control?

Self-control is a set of behaviors which:

• Accepts the reality that the only thing in life which you can successfully change and control is yourself.
• Keeps in check all self-destructive, addictive, obsessive, compulsive, irrational, and unacceptable behaviors.
• Gives you a sense of personal mastery, autonomy, and competency over your own life.
• Is under your control and power to direct and orchestrate with no need for interference or manipulation from others.
• Makes you the master of your own destiny because it keeps in check those barriers and obstacles which are a threat to your overall success in life.
• Is a middle ground between perfectionism and laxity in self care.
• Results in your life having a balance and focus by helping you to cope with new challenges in life as they come.
• Helps you to keep your over-emotional responses in check or moderation.
• Helps you to open yourself up from nonfeeling or pulled-in emotions so that you can have a healthy emotional life.
• Is the foundation for healthy coping and contributes to your accepting personal responsibility for your life.
• Keeps your life in moderation, helping you to avoid extremes in any direction.
• Is the focus of the efforts to let go of the uncontrollables and unchangeables in your life so that you can concentrate on yourself.
• Eliminates the need for you to be manipulative, helpless, fixing others, intimidating, overdependent or a caretaker of others.
• Helps you to be detached from others and to keep your relationships in a healthy balance of give and take.
• Reflects your inner desire to grow up into a mature, responsible adult.
  

What are the negative effects of not maintaining self-control?

If you cannot gain self-control in your life, you could:

• Focus all your attention on trying to control, fix, or rescue other persons, places, and things and divert your attention from your own needs.
• Suffer the negative impact of your out of control behaviors such as alcoholism, chemical dependency, overeating, compulsive sex, addictive relationships, compulsive shopping, gambling, smoking, etc.
• Become deeply depressed and despondent over your weakness and inability to get your life into "check'' or 'balance.''
• Prefer to be overly dependent on other helpers, caretakers, fixers, and rescuers to give your life the control it needs.
• Fall prey to an overly perfectionistic and idealistic belief system in which no matter how well you get things in order you see them as being imperfect and not good enough.
• Lose control over the emotional boundaries you need to maintain from becoming over enmeshed or controlled by others.
• Become lost as to where you begin and end and where others in your life begin and end in relationship to you.
• Find yourself responding to situations in your life either in an overly emotional and hysterical way or in a withdrawn, pulled-in and non-emotive way, with neither response being healthy or appropriate at the time.
• Find it impossible to become detached from people, places, or things who are toxic or unhealthy for you.
• Find yourself in a state of powerlessness to effect changes to get your life into moderation or balance.
• Fall into the trap of learned helplessness and convince yourself that you are not capable of taking care of yourself and thus allow your life to get more and more out of control.
• Seek out caretakers, fixers, or rescuers to help you solve your own problems and get your life under control.
• End up convinced that there is no way you can get your life into balance because the amount of work, effort, energy, and resources needed are too great an investment just for you when there are so many other people, places, and things on which you could better focus attention.
• Experience even lower self-esteem because of your inability to believe enough in your worth and value to take action to get your life into control.
  

http://www.coping.org/control/selfcont.htm

I am grateful for my friend who brought this to my mind. This ssite has presented me with a lot of good info. I CAN make positive changes! It is NOT hopeless.

I Believe I Can Fly!

No, it's not the cheezy song I'm referring to. It's the FlyLady!! Have you heard of her? This woman is giving me hope!

It's so weird because because although I am very nurturing and long to be a great wife and mother, I SUCK at housework, cooking, and EVERYTHING domestic! I rarely make a bed, clean my surroundings or cook anything. I have always detested this part of myself. But the FlyLady is giving me hope! She basically just takes all the regular chores and just turns them into tiny baby steps. One little thing at a time. Before too long, you are FLYING and managing your home!

This has given me hope and a jump in my step. There is hope for me. Maybe SAM is not doomed to living in a messy house and never being fed! Maybe my future kids will live in a peaceful home environment. There is hope for even one like me. Thank you FlyLady!

http://www.flylady.net/index.asp

Taming the Inner Brat

HAS SOMEONE BEEN SPYING ON ME???

• Is your sink always full of dirty dishes?
• Is your car in the driveway because it won’t fit in the garage?
• Are you late a lot?
• Are your credit cards out of control?
• Do you love animals?
• Are you afraid of some of the stuff in your fridge?
• Do you like surprises?
• Is your laundry backed-up?
• Are you creative?
• Are you overweight?
• Do you scrounge for receipts on April 14?
• Do you like pretty things?
• Do you love life in spite of the mess you are in?
• Do you like to please?
• Do you use the “but” word?
• Do you like celebrations?
• Are you still paying for the gym you don’t go to?
• Do you love children?
• Is it hard for you to say, “NO?”
• Are you spontaneous?
• Do you “over-goal?”
• Are you always looking for your keys?
• Are you afraid of your mailbox?
• Are you often over-drawn?
• Are you a procrastinator?
• Do you have too much stuff?
• Do you like decorations?
• Are you a perfectionist?
• Do you love to play?
• Do you know WHAT to do, but don’t do it?

I have found yet another wounderful resource - http://www.thebratfactor.com/

Learn how to ambush your immature thoughts
with the compassion and love of a wise parent.

Pam Young’s PhilosophyTo teach, with a lighthearted spirit, how to be firm, consistent, encouraging and loving with yourself. Welcome to Brat Reform School (BRS) where our motto is, If it isn’t fun, it won’t get done! The current curriculum is HOW TO GET ORGANIZED and it’s a home study course.BRS is the only school of its kind in the universe, because it is mandatory that both the child and the parent attend. The curriculum is designed not only to teach the adult practical strategies for getting organized, but also to teach the adult how to handle the inner child that has been causing the CHAOS (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) in her life.

At home with friends

i am so grateful for my precious friends
my friends who don't judge me, who don't condemn me
who take me as I am
knowing that I'm not all I need to be
but know that they aren't either
and this life is a process
and that I'm getting better
and getting stronger
and knowing that there is a God
who is in control
who is molding me and shaping me
even now
even as I am

imagine you are tired
and have had a long day
and you finally arrive home
and have no responsibilities
and can kick off your shoes
the temperature is perfect
the house is quiet
your are at home
you are at peace
you are at rest

this is the feeling I get with my friends
my friends who love ME
and not a preconceived notion of what I should be
THIS is ME
THIS is where I am
and they are ok with that
because they love ME

what would I do without you, friend???
how could i make it without people like you in my life??

others bind and constrict me
hinder my growth
hamper my spirit
make me sad
make me want to run

i will grow
i will be better

for now, i am ok
because of you

and am so grateful
for you

my at-home friends

Rejoicing!

In all that you are
and in all that I am when I am with you

Settling in. . .
The comfort. . .

Finally at home

How grateful I am

That in this big world
we found each other -
that you found me

Helping me along
Giving me strength
Giving me courage
Speaking the truth in love

Laughing
Feeling at home
so grateful for who you are!

So hopeful of what will be
so comfortable
and so at peace

So grateful for who you are
for who I am with you
and for all that we will be

Thank you, oh maker of Love
for bringing this gift to me.

Thank you, sweet SAM
for all that you are
for all that I am with you
and for all that we will be

I will never be the same
after such a precious gift