The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Wow, seems like yesterday I was writing about Christmas! Where does the time go? And aren't we tired of wondering that? Okay, so another year has come and gone, we're another year older, another wrinkle has settled on our faces, another pound around the middle? OR are we better than we were a year ago? Have we loved a little stronger? Taken a little better care of ourselves? Taken a little better care of somebody else? Are we more grateful for our blessings this year?

I know I've shared this little bit of wisdom before, but it bears repeating... gratitude is the secret to happiness, health, wealth and all things good! The best prayer we could ever utter would be simply "Thank You." And, even when things seem to be at their worst, there is still plenty to be thankful for... I've learned a lot about that this past year myself. Seems like everything that could go wrong in several areas of my life, in fact, did... I was very tempted to give in to the distress, stress and depression. But then I was reminded that 'this, too shall pass' and if I am open to it, that there was bound to be great good just waiting for me! So I chose to be thankful... and there's no better way to increase your good than to be thankful for what you already have... kind of like putting Miracle Grow on it. And you know what? It really works!

I also want to express my gratitude for our wonderful listeners at KTTS... again, this year, they've dug deep and stepped up to share their blessings with literally hundreds of children, families and senior citizens in order to provide them with Christmas gifts through our Christmas Crusade. It's truly a blessing to witness the REAL reason for the season... mankind's love for his neighbor in need. What a gift it is to be able to be a part of that... THANK YOU! And Merry Christmas.

Antiques Are Useful Too!

I know, I know, I know... it's been awhile... I've just been BUSY! And if you're a single mom with two teenagers, you know exactly what I mean. And no, the oldest hasn't got that driver's license yet, so I'm still doing chauffer duty. (at least there have been no 'mishaps' in traffic... what time consumers those are!)

So, back to my subject... antiques. I've been taking a lot of crap lately about a certain antique that NOBODY uses anymore... but me! AND, I've been taking quite a bit of pleasure in telling those who criticize just how much money I'm saving that THEY are NOT. I'm talking about my cell phone. I don't have the new Iphone or Blackberry or Palm... (had to ask a friend for some names of the new fangled ones out there...) Anyway, my phone is so old that I can't even remember what YEAR I got it! (I know, most people would simply DIE if they didn't upgrade at least twice a year...) All I know is it's only the second one I've had since my original... get ready for it... BAG phone in 1995! I know it's shameful!!!

So... my phone is an old Nokia... no flip top, no touch screen... the buttons are on the OUTSIDE of the phone. It's pretty big and when I wear it on my belt... yes, I do occasionally do that... it impedes my freedom of movement. I can't send or receive emails or surf the internet... OH NO! BUT, I do believe I can text... not that I've ever tried. I do, however, make PHONE CALLS when they are absolutely necessary! You see, I got my phone to be available for my kids, in case they were bleeding or throwing up or something and I needed to come get them. I didn't get my phone so I could chat non-stop or text non-stop or check my emails when I'm away from my computer... or be a distracted driver... but that's another soap box.... I told my boss that he could have my cell number when he agreed to pay my phone bill... so no work calls.

So why don't I upgrade and get one of those phones that can even wipe my... uh... nose for me? Well, I've had this phone so long that my "Freedom 40" plan (where I only got 40 anytime minutes each month) has turned into 250 anytime minutes and 500 night/weekend minutes... all of which I will never use... AND I'm still paying only... wait for it... TWENTY DOLLARS a month! Now, if I ever DO upgrade that phone, that number will change A LOT... Let's see, how much money do I save a year that YOU don't? Yep, I'll keep the antique, thank you VERY much! Happy texting... or whatever it is you do.

And I thought the school year was tough!

So, it's been awhile... my excuse? CHILDREN!!!! I thought toddlers kept me busy, but I've changed my mind... teenagers are much more time consuming! Or maybe it's "mind consuming!" I've heard this before, but now that I've reached this point in my boys' lives, I have to agree: teenagers are really just "terrible twos" that are taller and more vocal than their shorter, younger versions. I mean, they have to be fed every two hours or they're cranky beyond belief! They whine when they're bored... which is all the time! The word "no" will send them into a tantrum! And you have to constantly watch them to keep them from breaking things or hurting themselves! It's exhausting! Nothing like the lazy days of summer...

Then, there's the driving thing... still going through that. I had this brilliant idea to take the boys on a little road trip to Illinois so the "student driver" could get in some extra hours behind the wheel. Well, that was a great idea except for the back seat driver! Mr. 14 year old, "I know it all," was only too eager to critique every mile... for 5 and 1/2 LONG hours!!! The arguments were non-stop! So, not only were my nerves shot, but my patience as well! I'm truly surprised I didn't leave them in Illinois! HOW did my mother raise SEVEN children without beating us all to death?! Well, she DID spank us... a few times... but it worked... if only my boys didn't tower over me and out-weigh me by several dozen pounds!!!

Okay, okay, okay... I get a little carried away. They really ARE good kids... I'm just hoping this teenage stuff passes quickly... or that I find more patience... or the secret to the universe... It sure makes me appreciate my job!!!

Have a fun summer... go frolick!

Hard to Blog when your mind is a BLANK!!!

Man, with the end of school comes whirlwind activities and numerous trips between home, work and school! I feel like a bus driver!!! My mind just reels when I stop to think about all there is to get done... and so it goes blank and I have no idea what I'm going to say to you! I'm just hoping the oldest child manages to get that driver's license this fall...


Yep, I forced my 16 year old to take his written driver's test in March so that I can finally get some help with the chauffer duties. I had NO IDEA how hard it would be to be his only instructor!!! (Did I really think his Dad would help??? Guess I'm braver than that old boy... but the joke will be on him when son number two requires training... the fearless, speed demon, son number two...hee, hee.) And trying to get in 40 hours of driving in six months is killing us both!!! He doesn't enjoy it and I'm going gray... never have I colored my hair, but I'm thinking that's gonna change and SOON! We started out in a parking lot (the younger son wanting to be there, but made to get OUT of the car, and so he's chasing the car around the parking lot like some kind of 4-legged pet...) then graduated to the neighborhood streets, on to city streets, and then did some highway driving this past weekend. We're making progress... things like what the brake is for, how to turn corners using the hand-over-hand approach (as opposed to the juggling approach) and the fine art of crossing railroad tracks without knocking the front end out of alignment! We're both learning a lot!!! I'm really wishing I had a sign for the car that said "Student Driver" so that everyone had fair warning when they saw us coming!!! (Heck, I need that sign for myself, most days!)

Anyway, the lazy days of summer are almost here... I hope you enjoy yours!

April Showers...

Well, the spring break is over... just about killed me!!!! I swear, I work harder at home than any job I've ever had! The boys and I did get a lot accomplished and managed not to harm one another... a big accomplishment considering they are such opposites and were stuck with me and each other for an entire week at home!!! Ya know, I took this personality test the other day and discovered that I am a "green"... meaning my main need is for Harmony in my life... fat chance of that with two teenagers on the war path with each other! The older one has to be a "blue" meaning his main need is for Order, while the younger one is an "orange", whose main need is for Attention & Excitement! We certainly get plenty of excitement when he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed!!! Order is destroyed and then "the fight started!" And mom's harmononious day is shot to heck...

I really shouldn't complain, though... my boys are really quite wonderful most of the time and they DO occasionally get along really well. They are both so smart and loving and funny and just my best buddies... especially one at a time! Anyway, their personalities and personality clashes certainly challenge me to be really tough and fair instead of doing anything to keep the peace which is what I'm tempted to do which would make me a horrible mother! Anyway, God knew what he was doing when he put the three of us together in the same house! What a growth opportunity.

So now the big question is, "what do you do with two teenage boys over summer break to keep them occupied and out of trouble?" The older one needs to get a job, but since he JUST got his learner's permit and can't drive himself yet, that limits a lot of opportunities (remind me to tell you about the driving lessons we're having....). The younger one is too young to get a job, but keeping him in some kind of "camp" is really getting too expensive and there is no way I'm letting him stay home and do nothing! So... I think I should loan them out as slave labor in exchange for feeding them and I'll be miles ahead!!! They are much more likely to accomplish stuff for somebody other than me!!! Anyway, I've got about a month before THAT fight begins... I'm praying for an answer!

Stay dry and enjoy the sunshine and in case of tornados, be sure to listen to 94.7, KTTS!! We've got your back (and your behind!)

Curly

March Madness!

And I'm not talking basketball!!! I'm really referring to this crazy weather we've been having... so the groundhog saw his shadow.... yeah, right! He failed to mention that the six more weeks of weather would be sprinkled in between beautiful spring days! Oh well, I think he's just cranky cause they yank him out of bed so early on Groundhog Day!

So, we made it through another St. Jude Radiothon last week and managed to raise over $67,000... not bad, but not up to our usual totals... guess we just have to blame the economy on that... it's tough right now and I know the folks in the Ozarks did the best they could. There's a couple more ways you can help right now with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: The St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway... get that $100 ticket and you might win that $375,000 home! Or, come by the Battlefield Mall on Saturday (14th), 10 to 4, and place a bid on that trip to the Nashville screening of "Hannah Montana - The Movie"... a really cool 3 day, 2 night trip with SO MUCH fun stuff attached... PLUS you get to meet Billy Ray Cyrus and his SPECIAL GUEST!!!! Read all the details at KTTS.com... if you're a Hannah Montana fan, you can't pass this one up!

So... I'm off on "Spring Break" with my boys at the end of this month... probably just hang around the house again... might make 'em clean their rooms!!!! Imagine that!? I'm the meanest mom in the world, ya know. In the meantime, you have a wonderful March and enjoy "Dancing With The Stars".... and the arrival of spring!!!
Later,
Curly

Chocolate

Well... survived Valentine's Day! Funny how that day can produce so much anxiety whether you are in or out of a relationship... "poor me, no Valentine"... or "what do I get for my Valentine?" Anyway, hope yours was good and that you got lots of good chocolate!!!!

Just like last year and every year for many, many years, after Valentine's Day comes.... The St. Jude Radiothon on KTTS!!! This year it happens on March 5 and 6 and in those two days we're gonna try to raise as much money as possible for St. Jude's. And why do we care about St. Jude??? because St. Jude saves so many lives of so many children right here in the Ozarks! I think being a St. Jude Partner in Hope is kind of like an insurance policy... if my children or any children I love gets some catastropic, life-threatening illness, then St. Jude is there to give them the best chance at survival. AND, don't worry about medical bills, St. Jude will never send you a bill!!! It's a miracle in the making each and every day. During the radiothon, we tell you about local families whose children were treated at St. Jude and just how wonderful it really is. I've been there (it's in Memphis) and it is such an incredible place of hope and miracles. I wish everyone could take the tour!!! I sure hope you'll tune in for the radiothon and that you'll become a Partner In Hope, too... it's the best investment you'll ever make!

HAPPY New Year

Okay... it's been awhile. I've just been trying to recover from the holidays, school break and then getting back into the swing of work in a new year! You? Christmas holidays always wear me out - I'm no Martha Stewart and all that cooking and decorating and shopping are just not my thing!!! I really wish I were more like my mom when the holidays come around - she had such fun with it all and did it all with a smile on her face. Amazing woman! I was blessed!

Guess it would make sense to talk about New Year's Resolutions, but I really never make them. Actually, I think the best thing to resolve to do is simply be happy and peaceful within yourself... that's where world peace will come from, ya know. When we each find that peace in our own lives, the world will be at peace. I think war and greed and problems really come from unhappiness with ourselves. When we are unhappy, we try to find happiness outside of ourselves and so we think we have to have more stuff and the pursuit of more stuff makes for crime and greed and turmoil. Call me simplistic, but I really do think the answer is a simple one... not easy, just simple: practice gratitude. When a person is grateful for all the blessings in their lives, they are just naturally happy. Even when things look bleak, there is always something to be grateful for... do you have people to love and that love you? do you have a place to live? clothes to wear? food to eat? do you appreciate a beautiful day? do you have your health? do you have friends? There are just so many things that we all take for granted and if we were to consciously notice and appreciate the good in our lives, we'd find so much more to be grateful for. I feel like gratitude is simply like Miracle Gro... it makes good things grow and mulitply.

So... here's a daily thing that I do that has made the biggest change in my life... a gratitude journal. It's simple and it works! Every night before I go to sleep, I write down 5 things that I am grateful for... sometimes big things, mostly just "small" things, but I make a point to notice and appreciate the good in my life. It has made the difference between surviving and thriving... and it has brought me much happiness. If you're lacking in happiness or peace, I invite you to just try it for a couple months. Then let me know what YOU think.

Have a MOST Happy New Year!