Aloha Friday #6

Aloha everyone!It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha
Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer

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Happy Friday 13th, everyone :) and Welcome to Aloha Friday #6. What is the BEST advice a parent (or grandparent) ever gave you? Will you in turn pass it along to your kids?


The best advice my mom ever gave me?? When I was a kid, there was this AWFUL bully on our street. She used to just go around terrorizing everyone. Well, eventually, it became MY turn to get my "beating". Although this girl was two years younger that I was, she outweighed me by a good 20 pounds and she was just MEAN!! I went to my mom and said "So and So" wants to beat me up and I am scared. She told me to pretty much call her bluff. Genius, right?? Just say--ok...I'll meet you wherever--can't WAIT!! And guess what?? She never showed up!! Now, of course, who KNOWS what would have happened if she actually would have shown up--I probably would have gotten my butt kicked (but I would have liked to think I could have fought a BIT!!) but seriously..this was the FIRST (and only time, I think) that anyone had stood up to this bully! Anyway, I used this "calling bluff defense" method, several more times throughout grade school and even into highschool and not ONCE did it fail me!! So, thanks, Mom :)

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday #6 First Communion

Yep, this is me on my First Communion Day. (Can you tell it was in the 70's? LOL!)

Favorites

A few of my favorite things?? Geez, I could go on forever....let's see....well..obviously, I think my husband is pretty awesome. He is truly a saint among men!!

I also have to say that I have a sweet little ragdoll cat (when she is not being a monster!!), but that is pretty typical of most three year olds, right?? Of course, I love ALL Ragdolls (really most cats--all right, just call me an animal lover!! I love most animals except maybe snakes!!) My fave BIG animals would probably be the big cats like tigers or lions--just gorgeous and I just love dolphins. I think that they are just so happy and smart.

I have a tremendous love of our Lord who is constantly guiding my life and without Him, I would be nothing. Also, my faith keeps me from becoming very sorrowful as I deal with my CNS lupus and all of the other problems that go with it. Without my faith, I really don't know how I could have survived one day. Prayer works in such powerful ways in my life and I would have to say we have had several "mini-miracles".

I have friends that have been loyal to me and who I know I can call anytime day or night and they would be there for me--whenever I need them--without question or complaint. That is what a true friend is!

Although I have a small "biological family", I have sort of made my own family--been adopted by sisters, and aunties, etc all over the nation. It can never replace your true family but sometimes you do need to have someone around (especially if you live far away from your family and this is really a wonderful idea for ALL involved!!)

I also LOVE my angels (my guardian angels) and all of my Saints) and of course, I have already mentioned God. Mary, has a very special place in my heart as well.

Books: I am a voracious reader. I sometimes have four or five books going at a time. I just LOVE to read...have been reading ever since I was a kid (thanks, Mom and Dad for giving me such a wonderful addiction!!) Anyway, I read pretty much ALL genres except for ONE--western. Just have never been able to get into those. Anything else--I will at least pick it up and read a chapter or two. What book would I take on a deserted island? That's totally easy--the Bible, of course, It has everything--even POETRY!!

Movies--let's just say...I LOVE TCM (Turner Classic Movie Channel--pretty much whatever is on that channel is something that I would like to watch. I just LOVE the classic movies. Call me an old fogy--but I really don't like all of the violence, all of the nudity, cursing, etc. When did it become necessary in order to tell a GREAT story??? And it just seems like our youth has become so used to it--that is what is REALLY scary!! If you go to my profile, you can see all of my favorite books and movies--I don't want to BORE you with all of the DETAILS--but if I could only take ONE movie somewhere--I would probably pick Gone With the Wind (have seen umpteen bazillion times but I just LOVE it!! You just KNOW Rhett is going to come back through those doors, don't ya?)

Other things I love??

Sounds: rain on the roof, children's laughter, someone with a beautiful voice sing the Ave Maria (that will bring tears to my eyes!!), the waves crashing on the beach, windchimes tinkling in the wind...

Smells--I love the smell of our church :) (the candles and incense), fresh bread baking, the saltiness of the ocean, , vanilla, my hubby has the BEST smell!!), a baby fresh out of a bath--all powdered!

Tastes-Cupcakes (I am a CUPCAKE fiend!! Cupcakes are great!!), Lobster Tails (yummy!!) guacamole (Tom makes some KILLER guac!!), mangos

Places: Hawaii (we were married there so it will ALWAYS have my heart :), Paris, France (for some reason, I feel SO connected to Paris. Before I had the stroke, we were able to travel there a number of times and each time I would get that feeling like I have lived a life here before, you know?? So weird. Just love it there, though, and SOMEDAY, we will get back there!!

About

I am still crazy about my husband after almost 20 years together :) He is my best friend and soul mate--what can be better than that?? Our ragdoll cat thinks that she is our baby and is very spoiled.

I have been diagnosed with CNS lupus for about 15 years and in 2000 I had a stroke (I was 35!) I am on lots of pretty strong meds to deal with the lupus-steroids, 3-4 chemo meds (mostly oral tablets but one is an injection that my hubby has to give me twice a week) I hate these meds (they give me a moon face and I no longer recognize my OWN face) but they do keep me alive so I continue to take them.

I have a wonderful team of doctors (finally), a truly gem of a husband (who loves me NO matter what), good friends, and my faith which keeps me going-without these things--I don't know how I would have survived one day!

All pictures used in this blog are either my own personal photos or are from a subscription photo service (i-clipart, i-stockphoto) unless otherwise notated.

Quotable Sunday #5

Another round of Quotable Sunday. I just love quotations. Bits and pieces of paper are strewn across my house with quotes written on them--things that I have come across in magazines or while reading and I just jot them down as I read. For about 10 years, I have been doing a monthly quotation page (if you are interested in this, you can check it out at my main site)

Anyway, this week's theme is KINDNESS :) Ready...here we go....

No kind action ever stops with itself.

One kind action leads to another.

Good example is followed.

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions,

and the roots spring up and make new trees.

The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.
-Amelia Earhart

Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
-Philo

We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others.
- Helen Keller

Three things in human life are important.

The first is to be kind.

The second is to be kind.

The third is to be kind.
-Henry James

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others,
cannot keep it from themselves.
-James Barrie

Aloha Friday #5

Aloha everyone!
It's Friday, which means that over at An Island Life it is time for Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So on Fridays we take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, she asks a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. Then everyone else asks a simple question of their own blog for others to answer.

My question this week is this: If you could direct the movie of YOUR life...what would be the Title. Who would you cast as YOU?? Who would cast as supporting cast? (Leading Man? Supporting Actress?) Be Creative! Come on...let your Francis Ford Coppola loose and DIRECT the movie of your life.

Mine? The title would be: As You Wish

Who would I want to star as me? LOL! Geez, that is a hard question...I guess Valerie Bertinelli. I think she is the person I think best suits me in personality and looks. Unless this is a "fantasy" movie and then, of course, I would be a size 2 and blonde!! For my husband--he sort of looks a bit like Tom Selleck so I guess I would choose him (although I would say he would disagree!)

Ok...your turn!! Please don't be shy!!







Update: Thanks for everyone who stopped by last week :) and a HUGE thanks, too, for all those who still took the time to comment even though they might not have been participating in Lent. Also, I was remiss in remembering those who are preparing for Passover as well. Anyway, there were thirteen responses and here are results: (Drumroll....please...)

Not giving up anything or Not participating in Lent-5
Giving up chocolate/sweets-4
Giving up Soda-1
Getting up earlier/Writing More-1
Participating in Passover-1

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday #5

This picture has always brought me peace and comfort whenever I have needed it and I hope it does the same for you.

There is a prayer that goes with it. Also, I have included a little explanation I have found that I found interesting.

Gentle hugs,

Shelley

Mother of Perpetual Help, today we face so many difficulties. Your picture tells us so much about you. It reminds us to reach out and help those in need.

Help us understand that our lives belong to others as much as they belong to us. Mary, Model of Christian love, we know we cannot heal every ill or solve every problem. But with God's grace, we intend to do what we can.

May we be true witnesses to the world that love for one another really matters. May our daily actions proclaim how fully our lives are modeled after yours, Mother of Perpetual Help.

The picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour belongs to the group of Passion icons of the 15th century. These paintings are characterized by the symbols of the passion and the austere features of the Madonna and the Child. Around the crowned head of the Madonna are the words "Mother of God". On both sides are the two archangels Michael and Gabriel with their respective names inscribe above their head and holding the instruments of the Passion: St.Michael holding the spear and the sponge and St.Gabriel the Cross. At the sight of the Cross the Child Jesus is stuck by fear his feet strike each other and knock off a struck by fear his feet strike each other and knock off a sandal from this foot and he clings to this mother for support. The features of the Madonna are gave conveying a message of hope and an assurance of help to all those who in identical circumstances will appeal to her for help. These is also a plea in her eyes: do not hurt my Son more by sin and I will help you by his goodness.

To learn more, click here.

Quotable Sunday #4 Friendship Quotes

Another round of Quotation Sunday--I hope you enjoy it as much as I do (I really enjoy visiting everyone's blogs and reading what quotations you have all chosen for the week :) I decided to continue my theme on friendship. Let me know what you think--Thanks and have a great Sunday :)

No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.
-Alice Walker

If one is estranged from oneself, then one is estranged from others too.
If one is out of touch with oneself, then one can not touch others.
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A faithful friend is a strong defence; and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.
-Ecclesiasticus 6:14

You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.
-Indira Gandhi

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine.
-Thomas Jefferson

Love is blind, but friendship closes its eyes.
-Author Unknown

Aloha Friday #4

Ok...this week's question is about Lent. A lot of people give up a bad habit (smoking, cursing). Some give up the same thing that they have tried to give up for years (sweets--believe 40 days/nights without ANY chocolate-nary a hershey kiss is E-X-T-R-E-M-E-L-Y difficult and shouldn't be undertaken by those in ill health *) Others decided to become more charitable and instead of what NOT to do--they choose to DO more...give more to the poor and hungry (almsgiving) Perhaps work at the soupkitchen on Easter Sunday distributing food for the hungry. Still others, withdraw even deeper within themselves and decide to offer more time with God (reading Scripture, praying the rosary and novenas). These are just SOME of the examples of things that people do for their Lenten Pentance. If you are a Christian and are participating in Lent, what are you planning on doing this season? If you are not planning on doing anything, just notate that as well...I want to hear from everyone. DON'T be SHY!! (If you have questions about Lent, just check out my website, and it will have some FAST, FUN FACTS for you.

For me...I plan on reading more scripture and praying more....Ok...Now it's YOUR turn...

Update: Thanks SO much for everyone who played last week during the Theme Song Question. Here are the results:

Unwritten-Natasha Bedingfield
The Remedy-Jason Mraz
Diamond in the Rough-Shawn Colvin
Lost-ColdPlay
Fly Away-Lenny Kravitz
Who Needs Sleep-Bare Naked Ladies
These Islands-Danny Couch
Friends Theme-The Rembrandts

So, don't forget to check out THIS week's question...don't be shy...ok!! And as always, I appreciate all who stop by and I do try to return all visit and answer YOUR question!!







Have a great Weekend. Be Kind to One Another. Smile at a stranger :) and Hang in there....

Until Next Time....
Gentle hugs,

Shelley

Wordless Wednesday-Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday Prayer
Father in Heaven,the light of your truth bestows sight to the darkness of sinful eyes.

May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness and the gift of Your light.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.