True Confession

 

My "MUSE" 

~~ Music ~~

What gets me going? What inspires me?

What makes me want to breathe deeper,

smile wider, even giggle a little,

then, laugh out loud . . . alone,

and break out into a smooth dance step…

with my broom,

All by myself

. . . in the kitchen?

It’s MUSIC!

Sweet and pure

Soul-stirring

Plain, simple

Spine tingling

Foot tapping, head bobbing

from side to side,

GOOD MUSIC!  <<<Click

© 2008 by Leona G. Shankle - All Rights Reserved 

What gets YOU going? What inspires YOU?

Stealing Time

Hello 

Yes! I'm stealing time - to post. There are several things, important things I should be doing but, I miss y’all. Hi, Hey, and Hello to you . . . one and ALL!

I really do miss you all when I’m away (from blogging). So, that's why I'm stealing this time to post this simple hello. I just had to check-in long enough to say, "Hi" to all.

Thankfully, I got a few things done while away from blogging though. I decluttered a couple of drawers and cabinets in the kitchen and in my bathroom. I threw away some items around the house that were no longer useful or needed. 

I washed, dried, and put away a couple of loads of bath towels and dish towels that had started to grow bigger and bigger. 

AND, OH . . . there’s more, but I’ll stop here. I’m getting tired all over again just writing it all down.

That done, another “something-to-do” popped up. It was important and needed immediate attention. Oh well . . . 

Anyway, that's my story. I'll be back blogging as soon as possible. 

What are you up to these days? How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was NICE, quiet, and Blessed! Thank God for that!

Sunday Afternoon

Today Was an Awesome Sunday Afternoon

Today the weather was gorgeous, sun shining off and on, beautiful white fluffy clouds fill the sky, gentle breezes whispering through tree branches, birds seem to be taking a vacation today, but the usual neighborhood cats roam freely around the back yard … again… searching for goodies.  It all reminds me how much I love quiet Sunday afternoons.

Sunday afternoons are perfect for doing as much nothing as you can possibly get away with. Since I couldn’t very well “do nothing” ALL day, I decided to cook enough to eat healthy today and maybe have a bite left for tomorrow.

My first thought was to throw some meat in the oven and open a couple of cans of “something” to go along with it. I ended up throwing some chicken breasts in the oven, then wondering which cans of WHAT to crack open to go with the chicken.

Got that done and put my timer on to check on the chicken breasts. I don’t have anything sweet … ummm?... Guess that’s ok…I have some cookies and other sweet stuff stashed away.

Cooking is done and I’ll have leftovers for tomorrow. That’s good, I hate cooking. Dinner is done so I’m through. Now to relax and get ready for the new week ahead.

So, How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun and interesting? Care to share? Let us hear about it in the comments section.

DISCLAIMER: Guess I've been away much too long, can't get the formatting right. I'm too discombobulated to mess around with it anymore!!! SO, "scuse me" PLEASE!

 

Photo credit: ~dellgirl's photos~

Thank You!

 Hi & Hello My Dear Valued Blog Visitors,

This is how YOU make me feel . . . 

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every one of you. It was such a surprising delight that you took the time to visit my blog and to leave such uplifting comments. Your presence and support mean the world to me.

After my year long hiatus from blogging, your warm welcome back has been incredibly heartwarming and smile-making. Your encouraging comments and your positive feedback have truly inspired me to continue sharing my thoughts, ideas, and experiences with you ,,, "my 2 cents worth" ... in other words. 😀

It's your kind words and unwavering support that make the effort I put into my blog even more rewarding. Your comments have filled me with renewed enthusiasm and motivation to keep producing content that resonates with you.

With a big smile/grin in my heart and on my face, I look forward to our continued interactions. I'm excited to explore more topics and create content that you will find worth your time to read.

Once again, thank you for being a part of my blogging journey. Your presence is the driving force behind my renewed passion for sharing and connecting.

With sincere appreciation,

~dellgirl~

Where Have I Been?!

 Hello, Hi, & How Are You?!

I’m just popping to give an account for my year long absence. It has really been a year and 12 days. Long story short, moving kept me from blogging for a year and 12 days.

It all started with a simple decision to move.  The idea had been brewing in our minds for a while, and finally, we decided to take the plunge. Packing to move and saying goodbye to our old neighborhood was both exciting and bittersweet.

After the move, I quickly realized that moving was a monumental task. Unpacking, organizing, and adjusting to the new surroundings consumed my time and energy. My blogging ritual became a distant memory.

Finding a suitable workspace in the new place took longer than expected, and I struggled to reestablish my blogging/creative routine. My workspace is still a work-in-progress. The new house held its own allure, with its new opportunities, further distracting me from my online presence.

Building friendships and connections with my neighbors became a part of my daily doings, and blogging took a back seat as I immersed myself in my new life journey. With each passing day, you, my faithful blog friends were left wondering about my absence.

Months turned into a year, and I realized that while moving had enriched my life in many ways, it had also kept me from blogging. However, it wasn't an ending but a hiatus, and I promised myself that I would return to the virtual world, sharing my experiences and adventures in this new chapter of my life once I found the right balance. I haven't found it yet...LOLL 😍

Before I get too long-winded, I’ll stop here. I hope all is well with you, and that everything is going okay. 

Happy Sunday to you, dear blog buddies! 

What Inspires You?

Have you ever thought about how you get inspired, about what inspires you? 

Some things have a special meaning and bring out certain feelings for me. These places, that music, or those specific sights are so nostalgic and memorable they instantly transport me back to another place and time. For me, THAT’S inspiration.  

When that happens, time is suspended for the moment. I’m in an entirely different world . . . mentally. It’s a world so familiar and so soothing I feel as if the “hands-of-time” have turned backward. 

This place, this moment, this scene, this specific music makes my insides flutter and jump for joy. At times like these I feel a story coming on, or maybe it’s a short film I feel shining through. No, this feels more like a poem. This is inspiration at its finest for me - - whatever comes or does not come out of it! 

What Inspires You? How do you get inspired? Do you get inspired during conversations? Are you inspired by observing people going about their daily lives?

Click the Images to follow my latest escapade. 

People Who Want Everything They See

It's Sooo Annoying

 

Do you know someone who wants every dat-gummed thing they see anybody else with? It doesn’t matter what it is, if they see you with it, they want some. If you talk about something you ate, they want some. If you mention that you bought a particular something two years ago, they want one.

God forbid if you walk through the room in a pair of raggedy old slippers, they want to know where you got them. You tell them where you got them, and the next thing you know, they want a pair.

How about it, do you know anyone like that? It is one of the most annoying things I know of. It makes me lie, just plain-old-straight-out-lie.

Once during a visit with my “person who wants everything they see”, I entered the room one morning with my piping hot cup of coffee. I’m ready to settle down, sip my coffee, and chat with them for a while. Before I could even bend my knees to sit on the couch, they asked, “What’s that you drinking?”

Without blinking an eye I replied, “Water”.

There now, that ought to hold them while I enjoy my morning coffee in peace!

Ok, I’m done. That’s my rant for the day, good to get that off my chest. Wheeewww!

What are your thoughts on this? Do you know anyone who wants everything they see someone else with? How do you handle them?

Image #1 source 

Caregiving Sucks

 My “Survive Caregiver Burnout” . . . 

?Guide?

PRAY! Thank God for HIS many Blessings. Ask for HIS guidance on this care giving journey.

Go places . . . in my head or even online . . . that I would love to visit. Day dream for a few minutes, then come back to reality.

Leave the house (if possible) for at least 15 minutes EVERY DAY. If you can, stay away longer. JUST DO IT!

Set aside time to “do nothing”. This is time just for me.

Go for a walk, even in the rain, even if it’s simply around your cul-de-sac, just to get out of the house for a few minutes. It’s always refreshing just getting out of the house.

Sit on the front porch, on the patio, on the deck, or in the back yard…ALONE. Prop up on the bed in my room with the door closed. Sit in the back storage room, Mom’s not allowed in there.

Go sit quietly at the park. Or walk around the park. It’s refreshing just to be outside.

Read Inspirational Quotes, Poetry, Stories.

Listen to some favorite good-mood music.

PRAY! Be thankful for blessings large and small. 

Drive to the nearest Sonic Drive-in. Park under the canopy and place an order. Order a slush, a coke float, a hamburger, anything. Let someone “wait on you” for a change.  Merely being out of the house is invigorating.  .  

Stay in touch with friends and family. Try not to stay isolated too long. Contact someone every couple of weeks, or at least once a month. Just say hi and chat for a short while.

Do Mindfulness exercises like yoga, meditation and journaling, they can be soothing.

Online Puzzles, Games, and applications are good for emotional health.

Visit AgingCare.com online – Interact with others. It is great for interacting with people who are very supportive.

PRAY!   

Happy Birthday to Me! -10-13-2020

From Our Heavenly Father! Thank you LORD!

 

Birthday Photo

I am forever thankful that YOU considered me worthy of your blessings, and especially for granting me another year.

This, my 74^th Birthday, means:

I am healthy and thankful to have a wonderful and loving family.  

I am especially delighted and proud to be a Grandmother to a beautiful and flourishing grandson. You gave us 10 years with him that doctors said would not happen. Thank you for this precious miracle child!   

I am happy and thankful that I have been so wonderfully blessed. Thank you LORD!

 

Happy Birthday to ME!

 ~dellgirl~ God Loves You!

Release Negativity

 3 Simple Steps to Renew Etc.

Here are 3 Simple Steps to Take to Renew, Revitalize, and Release Negative Thoughts, Behaviors, and Patterns:

First, think about a particularly challenging situation in your life. This could be related to family issues, professional struggles, or even a habit you’d like to change. 

Second, write it down. 

Third, try this exercise to release the negative charge of this issue, struggle or habit: 

Evoke a positive thought that you’ve never had before about the person or the situation. Choose something positive and true about them. For example, let’s say your boss drives you completely crazy! See if you can find one positive quality about him or her. 

Attach a positive emotion to that quality and focus this emotion towards the person or situation. Let’s say you have a difficult relationship with someone in your family.

Think about one positive quality about this person. How does this positive quality make you feel? Send this positive feeling and energy to this family member.

Exhibit a behavior you wish to see in this person. This is your chance to be the role model to a family member, a boss, a friend or even your child.

If you can practice these 3 simple steps, your mindset about the situation or the person will change. This challenge will no longer define your life and your experience with this person or situation will begin to shift. 

What are your thoughts on this topic? Have you ever experienced a negative situation? Have you ever been in contact with a negative person or persons? How did you handle it? Let us know in the comments section. We’d love to have your feedback.

What’s the BIG DEAL!?

Why All the Hype & Controversy about Opening Up Schools?

 

Do I look like I “give-a-care” what they think or say?

So what if the news is consistently reporting that schools should open up?  Who gives a “Good Cuss” if the President and other high-level officials say schools should open . . . soon? What is the big deal anyway?

I don’t see a problem. My grandson is NOT going to school when it opens! GOD blessed me with this miracle child, and I will not participate in reckless unhealthy practices concerning his health and well-being. I’m too Blessed to act stupid!

5-day old Grandson in NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) 

Leaving Hospital - 14 days old . . . just a "dot" in the car seat!

Home: 2 months old - in Grandma's thankful arms! 

Enough already, that’s my rant about schools opening up soon. My grandson will NOT be going!

6 years later, "Ain't GOD GOOD". . . AGG!

What are your thoughts on this topic? Are you sending your school aged kids to school when they open? Why? Why not? Please tell us your POV in the comments. We’d love to hear it.

Thank GOD, it's the Weekend!

Thank GOD It's The Weekend!

Time to relax and enjoy!

Another week has come and gone, flew by rather quickly, thank goodness. Now the week is over already. 

Thank God, it's the weekend! I’m looking forward to relaxing, I hope. Mama’s here, she’s been here a good long while. Keeping her fed and “doped-up” are my only must-dos.

Still, I look forward to a whole lot of quiet time. I hope to do as much nothing as possible all day and for the rest of the weekend.

Last week was busy, but good. The BEST part of the past week was getting to spend more time with Grandson, Jace. He is out of school for Covid-19 and summer vacation.  We spend a lot of time chill-laxing, snacking, eating, and chatting and such.

He’s growing like a California Wildfire, almost as tall as his (short) mommy already. He gets that from his dad and from MY dad.

Well enough about mucha’ nothing. That’s my weekend rant.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

What about you? How was your week? What did you do? What fun things do you have planned for the rest of this weekend? Whatever you do, I hope you enjoy yourself!

Anybody heard any funny jokes lately? I need a good laugh!   

May tomorrow bring love, happiness, and peace!

Wishing you a blessed and safe weekend!

A Blast from the Past

Day Is Done

Houston Sunset May 25, 2019

Sunday is over and the day is done, 

now it's time for me to follow the sun.

I'll crawl in my bed and tuck myself in,

it'll be tomorrow when I see you again.

Good night, good sleep my friends one and all,

yon morrow half past noon I will give you a call.

-----------------------------------------------
Not a word nor a thought do I have for this place,

not a phrase worth the effort to blog on my space.

I will leave you with this, it's the one thing I know,

I have the best blog friends and this is for 'sho.

Good night, good sleep to my friends every one,

I will follow the sun now that my day is done.

(C) 2008 by ~dellgirl~

About Me

 I’m An Odd-Ball!

At least, I Think I’m An Odd-Ball

I am not a telephone person. I don't like talking on the phone a lot. I never have been much of a phone person. I was never a big talker anyway, and even got labeled the quiet shy one. As a teenager growing up, I probably was considered an “odd ball”. But, nobody ever said it to my face, just behind my back.   

I especially don’t like talking to people (especially on the phone) who go on and on and on talking a mile a minute about nothing, like a broken record. They just keep on talking, talking, talking, about themselves, their problems, their lives and so forth and so on. Drives me crazy! I feel totally drained after talking to them. This is just my personal point of view. 

On the other hand though, there are a handful of people that I love talking to. They never complain about their lives or other junk. They don’t engage in idle gossip. They are good listeners, and they have positive things to say all the time. Even when they talk about unpleasant things, they are not energy suckers. I always feel happy, refreshed, and energized after talking to them.

There you have it, my rant about why I don’t like talking on the telephone. So, how do you feel about talking on the phone? Do you like talking on the phone or not? What are your thoughts about talking on the phone?


Click Images to View Source

Caught in the Act

Opening Peppermint Candy in the Theater

The actors move flawlessly from one scene to another, the stage props are well designed and the lighting accentuates every move. The theater seats feel nice and snug as I sit watching the performance onstage.

We, the audience sit in total darkness, watching as the plot unfolds onstage. The tickle in the back of my throat borders on annoying, and I stifle the threatening cough.  

As the next scene unfolds, the cough emerges with a vengeance.  I cover my mouth, and hope no one minds. I unzip my purse, grab a peppermint, and proceed to open it … quietly.

I slo-o-o-owly unwrap the ends of the cellophane paper. I quietly and deliberately try to remove the cellophane paper from the piece of peppermint candy. I got the ends undone, but somehow the middle of the paper stuck to the candy and I had to wiggle and jiggled a bit to get it unstuck. 

I jiggled and wiggled the cellophane paper as quietly as I could. I noticed my daughter, Jordyn, giving me "THE EYE"...looking in my direction longer than I thought necessary. 

Finally, I have the candy almost out of the paper when my daughter whispers in her totally “no-nonsense-get-your-self-together” voice…

“Open that peppermint already!”

Okay, I’m busted!

Sooo, have you ever tried to open a peppermint candy “slowly” in a quiet setting? Has someone else tried to open a peppermint in a quiet setting and the process annoyed you? What did you do/say?

People Who Are Always Late

Don't Get Mad! Get Even!!

😤     😼

The first time my mister was late, we were going to a minor outing so, I overlooked the tardiness. Then it happened a few more times, and I began to wonder about the frequency of his lateness. Finally after being late to some important events, I realized something had to change.

We had discussed the issue and he always promised to do a better job of being on time. He always had a reasonable (to him) excuse for being late. Unfortunately, things didn’t change. They got worse.

I HAD to do SOMETHING before this craziness drove me insane. So what did I do?

The next important event we were scheduled to attend was set for a Saturday evening at 5:00 pm. Instead of telling him the correct time, I told him the event would begin at 3:00 o’clock. Thankfully, we made it to our destination in time, with a few minutes to spare.

Not much has changed as far as the mister always being late when he controls the time. As for me, whenever I want to be on time, I inform him that the event is anywhere from an hour to three hours earlier than the correct time. 

There you have it, that is how I saved my sanity.

Are you always early or always late? Is anyone close to you always late? How do you handle that?


Click Image to View Source

Retirement: Why I Retired from Teaching

Retire or Go To Jail

  

I started working full time when my middle child and only daughter, Jordyn, went to college. I had pretty much been a full time housewife and mom until then, working when and where I wanted to if I wanted to.

When I first started teaching I was fortunate to get the 2nd grade GT (Gifted/Talented) class. It was like being in heaven!

I taught second grade (not GT the whole time though) from the beginning until the 2000-2001 school year when I was moved to 5th grade. That was an administrative decision made without consulting me.

I absolutely hated teaching 5th grade! I couldn’t get used to the bad attitudes and disrespect of preadolescence 5th graders. I especially missed the parental support that the parents of the younger kids had provided.

Needless to say, I retired from teaching in May of 2002. I couldn’t take it anymore. I HAD to get out before I ended up in trouble or in jail from dealing with sassy disrespectful 5th graders. I realized I didn’t have the temperament or the inclination to deal with mouthy preadolescent kids.  

Teaching 5th grade was so disheartening and stressful I gave notice of my retirement a year in advance.

Then God moved in and took the reins. Administration moved me back to 2nd grade, one of my favorite age groups for my last year. It was even the GT class … again. It was like being in hog-heaven is all I can say about it!

BUT, I had to go. I couldn’t hang around and let administration move me to the older kids again. I certainly didn’t want to end up in jail or in the National Spotlight News!

I learned from my daddy, “If you fool me once, shame on YOU! BUT, if you fool me twice . . . shame on ME”! I wasn’t about to let that happen!

Briefly, that’s why I retired from a profession I am so passionately in love with

. . . teaching.

Click  images to view source