Better days are coming!

Everyone has a story and to each their life experiences make them who they are. I have a dear friend that is always alone and lonely. We are the complete opposite in our circumstances, my life where I feel I am never alone, no time to think. During this down economic time we all have had to make sacrifices some more then other but they are sacrifices.

I think the name is right for our day -we are in a depression. I think it is our state of mind, depressed. I think when we have an up attitude it lifts us. I can’t find the origin but  “I complained I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet” Give thanks with a grateful heart because, Better days are coming!

Bite your tongue!

I think it is hard for parents not get involved when our children our having struggles. Kids may get in a fight and a half hour later they are back to play again, but if the parents get involved we hold on to it and hold the grudge. My neighbor and I have a deal if the kids get into a fight we stay out of it unless it’s life or death and we haven’t gotten to that point. This has worked well for us and the kids always work it out.

Today’s lesson: Don’t get involved in the childish fights and your kids will be better for it!

How you live your life…

Words sometimes hurt and today Lyndsey my 16 year old told Jacob our 14 year old son, some girls at his school said he was annoying and she agreed with them. I could see the hurt on his face and I wanted to take it away. I know we  all learn from our own experiences and they make us who we are,  But words do hurt!

Today’s lesson: Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. James 1:19

Word-full Wednesday!

About a month ago our youngest Benny was mad at dad and said  “Dad, every year you say we are going fishing and we never do!”  Last week Randy and the boys went fishing didn’t catch any fish, but they had a wonderful day together.

Today’s lesson: Take your kids fishing!

Stop to just be thankful!

Today, I have the privilege of sharing a story my dear cousin told me this week.

Guest Post: By Susan Sunday

I often remember something that sticks with me when I am this busy. Many years ago I lived near some really great neighbors.   One day the elderly man came to my door and asked if I would like the roses he had in his back yard.  I had always admired them.  They were outstanding.  They climbed and were the most beautiful red.  The blooms lasted so long.  These roses had moved with his family to that house and he couldn’t bear to get rid of them.  He and his wife were redoing the landscape and they couldn’t find a place for these roses.  I gladly accepted them.  He told me they might go into a little shock with the move but they would bloom again, not to worry.  He helped me find the perfect place for these beauties.  I planted the roses in my front yard.  People would walk down the sidewalk and ask if they were real.  Could they touch them?  Sure.  These roses were so beautiful.  Every time I pulled into my driveway I would admire them.  Every time I looked out the dinning room window, I admired them.  I looked forward to seeing them every spring.  I loved them so much that when I moved I took them with me.  The elderly neighbors were gone by then and they would be happy I thought to take them with me.  I found the perfect place for the roses so I could always admire them.  I the lovingly planted them in the center side of my back yard.  They would always be visible.

I remember, in my past life, I was so busy.  I would get the kids off to school; get ready for work, leave and come back home to fix dinner, laundry, and homework help and so on.  One day I had walked out my back door and stood there in shock.  My roses had bloomed and were on their way out.  I missed them.  I missed their beauty.  I forgot to take time to smell the roses.  And now they were fading.  Now when I am so busy I think of that moment.  And I stop.  I reflect on what I have and who I have.  I am so thankful for the people in my life.  I am so thankful for what I have.  I need to get back to the real world instead of living in the crazy-busy world.  Now, I don’t have those beautiful roses anymore, but, now I stop just to be thankful.

The wise words that really spoke to me when she told me her story. Thank you for sharing, Candy

Send: The Letter I Cannot Send!

Have you ever had a letter you wrote that you knew you couldn’t send? Maybe because it may hurt another person or they have passed and there were things left unsaid? I think sometimes it is therapy to get it off your chest and let it go. If you have any such letters I would love to post them. I think sometimes it is great just to see others feel as you do.

I have a PO box and when I went to renew it the clerk said what does this mean The letter I cannot send? I explained my thinking and after I left how strange it must have seemed in a post office having a PO box for the letter I cannot send.

Please send your letter to  The letter I cannot send! PO box 563 Maumee, Ohio 43537 or letters@thelettericannotsend.com

Sometimes just writing a letter or a note to get things off your chest will make you feel better!

lest ye be judged!

My oldest Kelsey had me watch and listen to this today and I have to say I cried. I was so happy for Susan Boyle. For all who have been kicked down in their lives because they may not fit into what our view of what is good and beautiful. You judge for yourself.

To watch Susan Boyle and her dream.

Today’s lesson never stop dreaming!

Who is driving?

Have you ever felt the hand of God guiding your path? I feel the hand firmly on my back, but yet I wonder. Why do I always wonder and feel unsure of what’s next? I seem to question everything and it is hard for me to just let go and let God. It is thy will not my will.

I read a church sign that said If you are in the drivers seat move over and let God drive! I think I like to be in control and I do most of the driving since my husband got a blood clot in his leg driving from his business.

Today’s Lesson: Move over!

Is God Speaking?

Have you ever felt the hand of God guiding your path? I feel the hand firmly on my back, but yet I wonder. Why do I always wonder and feel unsure of what’s next? I seem to question everything and it is hard for me to just let go and let God. It is thy will not my will.

I read a church sign that said If you are in the drivers seat move over and let God drive! I think I like to be in control and I do most of the driving since my husband got a blood clot in his leg driving from his business.

Today’s Lesson: Move over!

New Attitude

When I was a kid there was a song by Patti LaBelle called New Attitude. She sang about lessons learned and she was feeling good and has a new attitude. With the world’s state of affairs I think we are all down and blue. It is easy to fit in to the would and have a Eeyore ( from Pooh) attitude; gloomy and depressing. I think if we start with a better attitude it will all fall into place.

It’s all in the attitude. On Sunday’s after church it is normal for members to stop and talk to one another, fellowship! A long time member said “well how are you today?” I said Wonderful! He said wonderful? I said yes wonderful! He said I have never heard anyone say they are wonderful. I think in our day in time people are down. I mean down right depressed. Just because things are tough doesn’t mean we have to fall into the cycle of poor me my life is terrible.

About a year ago my husband heard a local radio host  respond to how are you with a “The best day of my life!”  Randy thought he would try it. When you say best day of my life people are taken back. Maybe thinking why? You should try it and see what happens.

When I was a kid my mom would say “if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all!” I think she knew what she was talking about. When someone asks you How are you doing? Do they really want to know or care how you are doing are is it just a greeting? Maybe we need to start really caring and take time to see those who are really hurting out there. Truly loving our neighbor as the Lord has commanded us!

If you want to let me know how you are doing  Email me at candyh@dealwithitsimply.com

God’s Blessings, Candy