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I made it! It's my birthday.

I find that I happiest when I'm helping others.

Even if it's in a tiny way.

I love the song, "Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad

and made someone feel glad? If not, I have failed indeed."

It'll be a most blessed year if I remember to serve everyday.

Believe me, I'm running with it. 

Giving service brings me JOY and I promise, it will bring you and the person you serve JOY as well.

Spread joy everyday.

It'll be sunshine in our hearts and in our eyes

and most importantly in our soul.

The person you deliver it to,will never forget it.

For it reminds them, that God loves them.

~Lis 

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On the way home from Arizona,

I flew Southwest.

This means, no seat assignment

and if you're in the back

(like me) you almost always 

have a horrible seat choice.

Well, I gave up my decent seat

for someone else.

Thank goodness, I'm tiny.

So really it doesn't matter where I sit.

But I know it means something 

to the person who is sitting there.

"When you're traveling,
you are what you are,
right there and then.
People don't have your
past to hold against you.
No yesterdays on the road."
~William Least-Heat Moon

We were almost the only ones in our neighborhood without any

 Halloween decorations out in our yard.

And since I'm not technically living in Arizona and 

Kevin is not the type who normally decorates. . .

I wanted to make sure there would be something fun

for the kids when they came trick or treating at our house.

Snoopy to the rescue!

I love everything Peanuts Gang. 

I think decorating for holidays is not only fun,

but it does add sparkle to the neighborhood.

"I don't want to get to the end of my life
and find that I just lived the length of it.
I want to have lived the width of it as well."
~Diane Ackerman

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We all need a reminder,

every now and again.

"Rules for Lovers:

1. Be Romantic

2. Be Passionate

3. Be Imaginative

4. Never Be Rushed"

~Charles Olson

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I happened to be sitting in a counselor's office with Kevin 

and the counselor was practically shocked that we weren't 

screaming at each other.

I talked and he talked and the counselor talked.

Sure, we didn't always agree or see eye to eye on

what the other person was saying.

Nor did we interrupt.

I think our mothers would be proud.

 They taught their children well. 

Update: I've been putting everything into fixing

my marriage lately and that is why perhaps I 

have clogged your google reader.

I'll be back soon better than ever, just playing catch-up. 

Thank you for being a dedicated reader and friend.

"I haven't a clue how my story will end,

but that's all right. When you set out on 

a journey and night covers the road, that's

when you discover the stars."

~Nancy Willard

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Need I say more? 

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We've all experienced those days where we've been

out all day long and it's just been crazy.

The question looms,
"What about dinner?"

Then at the last moment,
a neighbor stops by with a full meal.

Definitely one of those,
thank-you-for-saving-me type of moments. 

I know from experience that this is most welcomed
and has helped in more ways that the giver will ever know.

"Experiencing our familiar rooms and belongings,
our local supermarket and neighborhood streets as if we
had never been there, is also traveling."
~Melanie Peter

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Life is hard.

Definitely handled better with cupcakes.

"One great, strong unselfish soul in every

community could actually redeem the world."
~Elbert Hubbard

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In a household of eight, believe me, we have our mornings/days.

As my dad says, "It only takes a minute. . ."

"With every rising of the sun,

think of your life as just begun."

~Unknown

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While I'm not the parent (maybe one day), 

I think this applies to everyone.

I know that I can take extra time to

read to baby girl or to my nieces and nephews.

Maybe, just maybe reading Good Night Moon

one more time, will not only help them in school,

but remind them that they are loved. 

"The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow,

but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work."

~Pat Clafford

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A friend of mine and I were talking about the difference between the U.S. and Brazil.

And the sad thing about it?

It's that people in U.S. can be cold.

In Brazil no matter where you go, you're greeted

with, "Bom dia! (good day) or Boa Tarde! (good afternoon).

I need to change that in my life.

So today, I simply want to say hello.

Who knows what may come of it?

The worst case senario? 

I make a new friend.

Time to get out of my comfort zone.

"I have enjoyed life a lot more by 

saying yes than saying no."

~Richard Branson

Katelyn was so excited to be able to help out her school. 

I get tired of school fundraisers. 

The wrapping paper, coupon books, cookie dough, etc.

None of which I never really wanted to buy.

But I get the phone call, "Aunt Lisa will you . . . "

Oh boy and of course, I can't say no.

So when it came to this year's fundraiser,

I was happy to hear that it was a race.

A healthy choice and they make more than enough

money to last the whole year on this one fundraiser.

Hooray!

"If I had influence with good fairy, I would ask that her gift to each child
be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life."
~Rachel Carlson

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We all wait in very long lines at times.

Why not let the person who may be in an extra 

hurry go in front of you? 

They may just need that extra minute for a reason we can't see.

"Always be ready to have the time of your life."

~Unknown 

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Because we all need a pick-me-up every-now-and-again.

"Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots

and lots of time with them."

~Unknown 

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It's that time of year, when we all need pictures

for cards and family.

While I will never pretend to be a pro, 

it's still fun to help someone out and to

 have the opportunity to capture their special moment.

"Do what you love to do, and do it so well that those 

who come to see you do it will bring others 

to watch you do it again and again and again."

~Mark Victor Hansen 

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My schedule often reaches levels of chaos.

Which is probably why I write so much about giving 

our time to others and to remember what matters most.

I had the opportunity to meet a neighbor who sadly, I just

didn't have the time before now.

She taught me an important lesson that I will remember forever.

Like in an airplane, they say to always put on your oxygen mask first,

then help the person next to you put on theirs.

It's true.

When giving help to others,

make sure you're taken care of first,

then help them. 

"The greatest gift you will ever receive is the gift of loving

and believing in yourself. Guard this gift with your life.

It is the only thing that will ever truly be yours."

~Tiffany Loren Rowe

Yes, that would be my dad and Aiden chasing each other.

There is nothing better than a family night

that doesn't have a strict agenda.

Our family nights, we talk about the gospel.

Plus, there's room for fun (such as chasing) and

best of all treats!

"I think the most significant work, we ever do, in the whole word, in our whole life, is done

within the four walls of our own home.

~Stephen R. Covey