words of wisdom?

Over the last week I've been getting these kinds of words of wisdom, the first one, one I did not post came from my supervisor, a couple from e mailing friends and this one came today from my partner in volunteering. Am I sending out signals of discontent or something?  Anyway it's worth a read, or click out if you've already read this. It was apparently written my a 90year old woman. My mother will be 91 in January, and I'm quite sure she hasn't learned too many of these lessons. She would have written something, but when she had the skills to do so, she chose to sew a dress for someone, we are each blessed in a different way...

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29 What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now..

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time.. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will,
forward this with the title '7%'.

Take Time

Much like everyone else at this time of year we could all use a day or two between Sunday and Monday, especially when it comes time for decorating our homes. I know last year by the time my mother's home was sold and she established in her new residence I was pooped.That was December 19th. I can't believe that it's been a whole year. In spite of the multitude of boxes and stuff everywhere, I hauled out the Christmas Tree and ornaments,not all the ornaments made it to the tree that year, as a matter of fact I think I went out and bought a dozen roses and babies breath and the lights that my son Daniel helped me put on (on Christmas Eve) it got up there. It was stressful. Along with the tree out come my Christmas coffee table books. Most of which are favorites from my sons childhood days. These two however, are books they bought for me. I thought of them the other day when Leslie and Lennie and I stopped off at the TEA SHOPPE in Bloor West Village. A customer came in to buy a lb. of Christmas Blend. Who knew there was such a thing? Anyway, when I take the time to re-read these two short books, I settle down, and enjoy my preparations for the most Blessed Time of the year.

Synopsis:
If you find you have some time, how wonderful if we could have a little chat and share a cup of Christmas tea." A man receives an invitation from his elderly, ailing aunt and doesn't want to go. It's the midst of the Christmas rush, and who needs the aggravation? The depression? The strain? Driven by guilt, he visits her anyway, and rediscovers the true meaning of Christmas. Tom Hegg wrote A Cup of Christmas Tea in 1981, when his pastor asked him to write something for his church's 125th anniversary. Drawing on childhood memories, he composed a straightforward, sentimental poem that brought tears to his audience's eyes. First published in 1982, it's been a seasonal best-seller ever since. A Memory of Christmas Tea, published in 1999, is the heartwarming sequel. Revisiting the themes of A Cup of Christmas Tea, it gently reminds us of the important things in life such as taking time for loved ones.

The distractions of a busy holiday season are swept away by the memory of a frail but strong great aunt and her legacy of love. Sequel to the beloved classic A Cup of Christmas Tea.


When Daniel was quite young he didn't like to go to bed, and one of his negotiating elements was a cup of tea at bedtime. He knew I always had one at the end of the day, that was always the last thing he'd want to do at the end of the day. I'm so glad I usually gave in and had tea with him. Daniel doesn't live at home anymore, and I'm quite sure he's not drinking tea so I guess I'll just have that memory. I loved these books when the boys bought them for me, back then, but I'm liking them even more now.

What a fab day...

I didn't post on Sunday, it was far too exciting. I did another bookbinding class. Full metal jacket, yes another one. The other day when I did the photo challege with clocks I suddenly realize the book I planned on journalling in was designated for my thoughts about my son S. Vincent. So I needed a new one.
My sisters and I often have a chuckle at the things my mother use to say, we just hated it when she was right. So I was off to make another one, book that is. I had brought a portion of her old sewing patterns home with no idea what to do with them but, I had a skathingly brilliant idea on Sunday morning and then it just happened.
You simply start with a hunk of suede or leather, and some steel plates from Home Depot. Of course Carolyn does all the prep.







Then after some alchohol ink stamping, and japanese screw punching and eyelet attachment, your spine is ready to add signatures.













I decided to use some scrapbooking paper with communication themes, like telegraphs, letters etc. as well as some of the old sewing pattern envelopes(Only McCalls or Simplicity, my mother hated using Vogue or Butterick patterns) for the covers to each of the eight signatures, thus giving me some chapters to my stories.















I even added beads to the spine and fed the thread back through for a dangley book mark.










It had to have a mauve/lilac spine, I most certainly will know it's my mother's words that I have recorded, it's her favorite color. You can see how little it takes to excite me. I do take pleasure in the little things.

The Donkey

You know how you remember things from your elementary years. Each Palm Sunday, I remember this poem. It was Mrs. Paradisi that read it to us, grade eight, St. Bernard School. It's going into that little "At a loss for words" book.

The Donkey

When fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools! For I also had my hour;
One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
And palms before my feet.
Author Unknown.


I hope all those teachers that I know and don't know make as much of an impression on their young pupils as Mrs. Paradisi did on me. It has been easily a quarter century that I was in her class. That little saying " 2 Teach is 2 touch a life" couldn't be more true. If not for Mrs. Paradisi I would be a hairdresser today, not that that's a bad thing, but just not my thing. I really hate doing hair. Make it a good touch.