Burn bright and live!

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing... but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars."
~Jack Kerouac: On the Road

The Gratitude List

One of the best ways to appreciate what you have is to recognize it...  whatever "it" is!  So make a list ~ 365 items you are thankful for... one for each day of the year.

When you feel down, or lonely, or upset, or anxious, or angry this list will be your touchstone to remind yourself exactly what is important in this life.  Your life.  Stop whining, and bitching, and moaning.  Stop being selfish, angry, unhappy, and self-centered.  Stop making your world revolve around the negatives you perceive in your mind!  Stop.  Just stop.  Grow up.

Realize exactly what you have been given.  Comprehend exactly what you do have and appreciate it all.  Internalize how good your life really is because every day you wake up breathing is a good day!  If you can't acknowledge that simple fact you will stay miserable the rest of your life.  Honestly, if that's your choice so be it.  Simply acknowledge the fact that you have CHOSEN that path.  It's all up to you.

365 things you say?  Yes.  It may be a bit difficult.  Start your list and add to it as you think of things that happen.  Just try it...  try being thankful when your emotions tell you otherwise.  You won't be disappointed with the results.  Trust me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am thankful for....

1.  My mom.
2.  My daughter and son.
3.  My brothers and sisters.
4.  My two goldens.
5.  My extended family.
6.  My friends.
7.  My health.
8.  My eyesight.
9.  My hearing.
10.  All of my limbs.
11.  My hair (and my hairdresser!  lol).
12.  The roof over my head.
13.  My bed.
14.  My recliner where I am comfy cozy reading my nights away!
15.  The rest of the furniture in my home ~ given to me after Ike by my BGBB and Shovelhead families.  Thank you!  I wouldn't be where I am at today without you.
16.  My kitchen appliances ~ all replaced after Ike.
17.  Plates, cups and silverware to eat with!
18.  A refrigerator to keep my milk cold (thanks Mac!).
19.  Food in my pantry.
20.  Coffee and a pot to brew it in.
21.  My car.
22.  No car payment!
23.  No bills other than utilities and rent!!! w00t!
24.  My toaster that is wide enough for bagels.
25.  My tv (thank you Jerry!).
26.  My stereo.
27.  My mini-me puter that has served me well for this past year.
28.  My HP warranty on my printer that landed me a replacement last week... free!
29.  FedEx, UPS and the post office...  for different reasons... :)
30.  My two beautiful floor plants...  thank you Gina...  {{{hugs}}}}
31.  My towels and blankets and sheets.
32.  My clothing.
33.  My shoes.
34.  My readers.
35.  My garage.
36.  My fenced backyard.
37.  My cookie recipe.
38.  My ability to make coolies.... lol
39.  Where I live...  I am loving it!
40.  The CM on my driver's license.
41.  The years I enjoyed riding.
42.  The ability to cross things off of my bucket list.
43.  The wonderful ability to have no fear for most everything in life.
44.  The courage to do the one thing that scares me.
45.  The determination to try.
46.  The knowledge that if I do fail, it's not the end of my world.
47.  The ability to pick myself up after failing and start over again.
48.  The love of life that is in my core!
49.  The ability to see the good in everyone...  I would never change this about me.
50.  The acceptance that I am where I am supposed to be at this moment in time.
51.  The love of many.
52.  Understanding that everyone loves differently but it's still love to them.
53.  The ability to love unconditionally and accept whatever is given in return.
54.  Unbounded hope for the future!
55.  Having the Pollyanna personality (I don't care if it's corny... lol).
56.  Being able to not care what others think of me.
57.  Knowing who I answer to in this life.

Still adding... :)

love is everything

"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
~Franklin P. Jones

we make our own world

"One man all by himself is something. Two people who belong together make a world."
~Hans Margolius

Love is more than just a word

You say love is just a word, just four letters in a row.
Just a thing that people say, or they never tell you so.
And you use every excuse, to let nobody in.
Now this cloud you bring around, has become your only friend.

And everybody saying that it's going to go away, but it don't go.
And everybody's telling you one day it's going to change,
but you don't know, if it's really going to end.
But there is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way.

But if love became a man, if the word had flesh and bone.
Would you recognize His face, if He came to bring you home.
You think you're all alone, gotta do it on your own riding solo.
Is there someone you can call, when you stumble and fall?
Cause you don't know, if you'll be getting up again.

There is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way.

Don't you think your life's worth saving?
Don't you know that love's amazing?
Don't you want to lay your troubles down?
Lay them down.

If I thought love was just a word, I might feel the same way too.
But there's so much more than that, and it's waiting here for you.

There is a way, there is a spark,
there is a hope that you can hold on to.
There is a lifeline come to the rescue,
just like a hand that's waiting for you.
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone.
There is a way,
there is a way,
there is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
Come on, there is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
There is a way,
there is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
There is a way.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.
Ooooh, there is a way back home.
(Background) Truth and the life and the way.

~NEWWORLDSON

reality

“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”
~Marcel Pagnol

there's always more love

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”
~Mother Teresa

always remember

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
~Christopher Robin to Pooh

EXTREME MAKEOVER: Home Edition Video Updates

All of the videos can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/talkofthebay

It's official!! I took my fork in my road and am running with it!

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

{Omgosh... finally something that petrifies me! LOL}

*roar* ;)

EXTREME MAKEOVER: Home Edition - About the Family

NEWS FLASH: FAMILY IN KEMAH, TEXAS GETS SURPRISE OF THEIR LIFE! TY PENNINGTON AND THE “EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME EDITION” TEAM COME KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF THE BEACH FAMILY!

Congratulations to the Beach family getting a brand new home!

Houston, TX Bay Area (January 7, 2010) – Ty Pennington and the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition television crew paid an unexpected visit to Larry and Melissa Beach and their 13 children this morning as they pulled into their driveway at 1013 Delesandri Lane in Kemah (Galveston, County) TX to deliver the exciting news. The Beach family was ecstatic to learn that they were the recipients of a brand new home to be completed and move–in ready in seven days. The show will air in March.

The home will be completed in 106 hours by a team of vendors and volunteers lead by Blu Shields Construction, and will be designed to fit the needs of the Beach family.

In 23 years of marriage, Larry, 40 and Melissa, 40; have fostered over 85 children that other adoption agencies were not able to place. They have four biological children and nine adopted children. They include Chris (23,), Michael (21), Jose (20), Mikala (18), Paul (14), Faith (13), Hope (9), Justin (8), Jacob (4), Grace (4), Jeremiah (23 months), Mercy (22 months) and Cody (19) currently serving in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. During the last 12 years, they have fostered approximately 85 children, but decided to start adopting after seeing that so many were not being placed in homes.

Due to water damage from Hurricane Ike, the Beach family home is unlivable and they are residing in a travel trailer on their property. Therefore, they have been unable to adopt additional children. But all that is about to change!!

Project Lead PR , Chiquita Taylor says that an amazing number of people have registered as volunteers and donations are still coming in; our community is really pulling together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Because it is something we have to do, the fact that its hard is irrelevant."
~Dee Eggers

when you come to a fork in your road ~ take it!

Alice came to a fork in the road. "Which road do I take?" she asked. "Where do you want to go?" responded the Cheshire cat. "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter."
~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

I believe in the goodness of humankind ~ and always will...

"I believe that truth and loyalty are the most powerful things we have to give, and are that which we most seldom receive in full measure, even though both sides of this equation cause us to thrive. I believe in the elemental goodness of humankind and openly admit my gullibility for it, but have no intention whatsoever in changing it. I believe you can choose to love anyone."
~Gina Drew

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION has finally arrived!!!

The EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION Pep Rally was AWESOME today!!!
(Video below)

There are still a lot of needs left to be filled.


Please check out the links and see what you can donate, volunteer and/or who you know that may have the skills necessary to make this build the best one yet!  I called my brother since he's an expert carpenter.  We all know someone who has talent.  Let's bring them onboard.  The rumor is that Kemah is the city, but it could also be Seabrook.  Right in my backyard!  w00t!!!

There will be a FOOD DRIVE.  The producer said Buffalo, NY collected 95 tons of food.  We all know that everything is bigger and better in TEXAS so ya'll give from your big hearts and gather the troops and let's show everyone what we can do!  Get the community involved.  Ask your kids schools to help.  Talk to your job.  Create contests.  Create excitement!  The producer said if everyone simply donated ONE canned food item, it would be enough. Together we can do this!!!

There will also be a blood drive so if you can give, please plan on it.  Details forthcoming.  They are also asking for cash donations to help pay off the family's mortgage.  This show relies totally on the COMMUNITY to do these things... not ABC.

The links to sign up to volunteer and donate are below.  And if/when you're on break during your volunteer time, come by the food tent and say, "Hi!" to me!!!  I'm working every day.

The Blu Shields Extreme Team is an inspiration.  Blu and Pat, owners, took all of their savings after Ike and have helped family after family rebuild their homes and their lives.
They have asked only two things when giving to others:
1) Don't tell anyone who helped; and
2) When those on the receiving end are able, pay it forward.

It is an honor not only work with the Blu Shields family but also to be able to help another deserving family devastated from Hurricane Ike.  So many were affected.  Finally, we can give back some of what we have been given.  We are all blessed to have this opportunity.  In return, our community is going to be blessed beyond our own realizations.

Just wait and see...  this was meant to be.

Blu Shields EXTREME



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWcnvvB978w

On FACEBOOK


What we need~Other ways you can donate:

1.) We have a list of items and services that we still need, visit the Design Needs page.
http://blushieldsextreme.com/stuff-we-need/

2.) We also need various construction and building materials. Can you help? Visit the Construction Needs page.
http://blushieldsextreme.com/the-materials-we-need/

3.)We also need cash donations which can be made securely by credit card via PayPal, it’s fast, safe & secure!
http://blushieldsextreme.com/donations/

4.) We need your help to feed our volunteers, visit the Food Donations Page.
http://blushieldsextreme.com/food-donations/

Today is where your book begins

From my dear LP & FB friend Cheri ~ way back from elementary school!!!
Thank you for this video on my birthday...  {{{hug}}}

The message is truth.
2010 is a blank slate!
The pen is in each of our hands.
Only we can write the pages of what's next for us in our own lives.
How exciting!!!

The possibilities are endless ~
The sky has no limit!

Feel the rain and come fly with me today ♥ ♥ ♥
The rest is still unwritten...................



Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten

I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten, yeah

Oh, oh

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines, oh yeah yeah
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way oh, oh

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
the rest still unwritten

(Gospel)
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open *****
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open *****
Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7k0a5hYnSI

Hello my name is hedii and i am a quiz addict... lol

Capricorn-The passionate Lover

Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Predict future. Irrestible, awesome kisser. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. BY FAR the BEST in BED. Very sexy. Coolest. Loves to own Gemini's in sports. Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Loves to be your first. So you'll never forget. Smart.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Realization

In 2010 you will have a realization like no other. You will clear your mind of the negative and be able to only accept the positive. You will finally let go of all the obstacles that have been holding you down. Look for this change when Spring arrives or right before. There is some truth to the term "Spring Cleaning" and this is just what you will do. You may not reach this realization alone though. You will have some help and input from someone close to you who has worried about you for some time. The decisions you make will be life changing & only for the better.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perspective

2010 gets underway with a solar eclipse on Venus, your planetary ruler. Therefore, whether it's a new perspective, new lifestyle or just a new hair-do, it looks like the birth of a new you is just around the corner. With the North Node of the Moon and Pluto moving trough Capricorn, 2010 is a good time to travel and explore the world and for developing relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures. This is also a good period for further study, training and developing faith and trust in the spiritual dimension of life. You may get an opportunity to teach, write or share important knowledge and information with others. Don't be pre-occupied with finding the perfect phrase or line, speak from your heart, let the spirit move you.

This is your life...

Are you who you wanna be?



This Is Your Life - Switchfoot

yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
yesterday is a promise that you've broken
don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes
this is your life and today is all you've got now
yeah, and today is all you'll ever have
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

yesterday is a kid in the corner
yesterday is dead and over

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes
don't close your eyes

this is your life are you who you want to be
this is your life are you who you want to be

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

and you had everything to lose


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gRYu_ngpV8

Be Bold ~ Begin it, Believe it, Bring it on in 2010!

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, BEGIN IT.
Boldness has genius. power and magic in it."
~Goethe

Happy New Year!!!

Follow your dreams.  I believe in YOU!!!  :)