Mother, Mom, Mama, Ma, Mum.......

However you say it...Mom means love. Now, I know that there are mom's out there that don't really deserve the title, but for most of us, and the ones to whom I am speaking, truly love their children.

My own mom sent me a card that had touching sentiment in it.... and this is what it said, "The most important job in the world doesn't offer an hourly wage or days off or paid vacations. But it does offer real feelings, shining faces, bedtime stories, small victories, priceless memories, and many moments of joy...Always remember there's no more important job in this world than the one you do every day with all your heart."

The book of Proverbs tells us that "She watches over the way of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her."

Some of us are moms because we lovingly carried our children under our hearts for 9 months and then gave birth. Some are moms because of choosing to adopt that child that they just knew "was the one". Some of us have stepped into the mom role for children who need a mom because their mother is no longer here. Some are step moms and help to take care of and love children as if they were their very own. There are foster moms who want to help. There are also women who, though not moms themselves, certainly are just like a mom with the love they show towards the children in their lives. I salute all the moms out there. Ladies, you are awesome!

A New Discovery

Those of you that know me, know that I really enjoy "small town" books. I've read and enjoyed Jan Karon's Mitford series, Phillip Gulley's Front Porch Tales, and now I've found Gail Fraser's Lumby series. I don't know about you but I'm the type of person that loves to become a part of my books. That is the great thing about books...one can go places and meet new people without ever having to leave their cozy house. I know there are people who don't love to read, I don't understand them, but I hear they exist.:) My perfect day would be to read a good book curled up in my reading chair with a hot beverage. There could be snow, sleet, rain, or even sun outside....it wouldn't matter. I've got towns to see and new people to "visit". One day I want to write a book. I love to write. Maybe one day you will read one of my books about small town life in Ohio. Who knows?

Hot Stuff at 40

Okay people, I'm turning the big 4-0 in less then 2 weeks. To some women this might put them in crisis mode ....but not me. I think being 40 will be great! I'm young enough to still be healthy and active, and old enough to be mature and insightful. Yes, it would be nice to have the bod I had at 21, but do I want to go back to that time? No way. Back then I thought I knew it all--but I didn't have a clue about what life was really about. A real understanding about the truly important things in life takes years to learn....and even now I'm still working on those lessons. I bet I'll continue to work on life's lessons for many, many years to come.

Being the giving person that I am (don't laugh!) I am going to share my top 10 ways to stay young and beautiful....even after turning 40. This has not been scientifically researched (but who really cares?) so I will not be held accountable for side effects or um......accidents if you try these top 10 things. Don't say I didn't warn you:) Side note: These little nuggets of wisdom are in no specific order. (Just thought I'd add that for those of you that are very particular about those types of things.)

DAWN'S TOP 10 SECRETS FOR STAYING YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL

1. Have selective hearing. Pretend you don't hear your kids yelling, any loud thumps, or other chaos going on at the other end of the house. If you don't "hear" it, then you won't worry about it. Worry causes wrinkles. We don't want wrinkles.

2. Practice bladder control. Try and run all your errands around town while drinking your 32 oz. of water in your ever present water bottle. Toughen up that bladder. Hold it until you are ready to pop. This exercise for the bladder will keep you out of Depends for several more years.

3. Don't wear embarrassing clothes. Older women should not be wearing tube tops or mini skirts. It's just not pretty. I don't care how gorgeous you feel, this combo is not good. By the time you are 40 some of your stuff has shifted around and trust me on this, it doesn't look as good as when you wore it at 21. Enough said.

4. Soak in the tub at least once a week. Don't tell me you don't have time. Make time. This is very relaxing. If any member of your family knocks on the bathroom door go back and review rule #1. Stay in the tub as long as possible...but not so long that you turn into a prune. Shriveled up skin is not attractive...and as you get older it might not "spring back" as quickly as it used to.

5. Exercise regularly. Not only will you feel better and your body will be healthier, but this will help to keep everything in it's place and will reverse any sagging. You can have a little extra "junk in your trunk" but would you rather have the trunk of a Porshe or a 1978 station wagon? Hey, it's up to you.

6. Have at least one good friend in your life. This is "your girl". She hangs with you no matter what. She doesn't care if you've gained an extra 10 pounds (even if you are doing #5) or if your latest haircut is a serious mistake.  She loves you anyway. The longer you have this girlfriend the better. Every woman needs someone to commiserate with. Even if you have a wonderful, loving husband you still need a good girlfriend...there are sometimes when men just don't get us females.

7. Fork out the extra money for some awesome skincare. This is necessary. We need all the elastin and collagen that we can get. Firm and plump that skin. Good skin care will give you a naturally healthy glow, smooth soft skin and reduced wrinkles. Don't go get cosmetic surgery. Just don't do it.....you don't want to turn out like some of the Hollywood stars that now look like they could be the displays in a wax museum.

8. Love your family and tell them daily how much they mean to you. When you are gone they will remember the sweet memories, you will become almost saint-like in their eyes......they will completely forget how they thought their mother was the weirdest mother on earth and how she embarrassed them beyond all recognition.

9. Love your husband after all he has to put up with you. Yes, you might have to pick up his underwear off the floor for the 50 billionth time, but he has to deal with your moods and crankiness during PMS week. Having someone to love helps make the years enjoyable, and if you are blessed to have a wonderful husband, then he will always love you...and in his minds eye you will always look like the beautiful woman he married. (even if you really don't....love is blind so go with it.)

10. Finally, staying young is a state of mind. So really work on your mind. Keep it active and sharp. Learn new things, keep up on current affairs, do puzzles. Hey, it's important to have your wits about you....

I hope you will find these tidbits of knowledge that I've gleaned over the years to be useful....and if not, I can live with that, but don't say I didn't try to be helpful. In my humble opinion I will be a force to be reckoned with in my 40's. I'm looking forward to this decade. Good bye 30's...Hello 40's! There's a new girl in town!!

Insanity is a state of mind

Packing to move can cause insanity. That is all I've got to say. How am I going to get everything packed in our house in TN. to move to our house in Ohio? I will be certifiable before this is all over with. My question is how in the world did we accumulate so much junk? It's amazing. I wish I could just just blink my eyes and it would magically pack itself. What can we get rid of? Yard sale? Good will donations? Only save the good stuff. How many pairs of shoes does any one woman need? (Okay, so I like my shoes....but I only have 2 feet so I guess I don't need quite so many!) I refuse to part with any of my beloved books....but do you have any idea how HEAVY boxes of books are? My biceps will have quite a workout as I pack books....either that or I will get a massive hernia. I keep telling myself, " Dawn, you can do this!" Whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I'll let you know how it turns out:)

Dare To Dream

I am reading this wonderful book called Dare to Dream and Work To Win by Dr. Tom Barrett. As an avid reader and discerner of worthy books, let me tell you this book ranks in the top 10. Yes, that is my opinion, but from someone who has read a massive amount of books in her lifetime, trust me this is a good one!

__________In chapter 6 he tells this story of a woman who went into an antiques store and was just looking around on the "junk" table. She found a vase that obviously had been setting there for a while as it was covered with dust. She wiped some of the dust off and thought it might have some potential at beauty. She took it home, after buying it for $3. She cleaned it up and started to see the exquisite color and design. She took it to a fine arts appraiser who told her the vase had belonged to a Russian czar and it was valued at $50,000.

The author, Dr. Barrett, goes on to say that this kind of thing happens everyday. Objects of extraordinary beauty and worth are overlooked and undervalued. But this oversight is not limited to the realm of vases. It happens all to often in the world of vessels...human vessels. One of the silent tragedies in daily life is the number of people who dismiss themselves from being players in the game of life. Everyone faces a final area of doubt. It is our belief in ourselves. _________________

Wow. That passage made me think. How many times do we give up because we don't think we can do something? We can be our own worst enemies, and our own worst critics. You know what? Life is short. It really is. Why not go out and face the giants, head on? What have you really got to lose? You can do it. You can make a difference. Keep your chin up. I'm cheering you on!!!

Earthquakes, Tornadoes, and Storms...Oh My!

Does anyone else find it concerning about the severe weather over the past few weeks? Earthquakes centered in Illinois, Nevada, and California. Tornadoes over the past several days and weeks...even where there aren't usually twisters, like in Virginia. Today the weather will be bad in the midwest. I realize that it is tornado season, but there seem to be a lot for so early and not in usual places. (take downtown Atlanta for instance) All these earthquakes make me wonder if we are not headed for a "big one". Kind of scary. I feel like we are waiting for "the other shoe to fall."

Any Hockey Fans Out There?

Last night I watched the Dallas Stars play San Jose. (Scott and I were hoping for the Stars 4th win in this series, but alas they lost 2-1 this time.)  I have to say I was not a hockey fan before I met my husband, Scott. He is a big Stars fan. When we got married he took me (and the kiddos) to several Ice Bears games here in Knoxville. Even though the Ice Bears are a regional team and not national, it was still exciting. I was into it right from the beginning. I was one of the ones that kept popping up out of her seat to get a better view. As awful as this sounds, it was pretty exciting watching the players slam into the boards too. (No, I'm not really sadistic, but I must admit there is something about watching a good hockey fight!) I like hockey because it is so fast paced. Things keep moving and I like that. There is a lot of energy at hockey games. When we move to Ohio we will be about an hour away from Columbus. That isn't so far...we can go watch the Blue Jackets play. It's pretty hilarious that I'd be into hockey--considering I can't even ice skate myself. No really. Not at all. I've attempted it a few times and landed on my backside more times then I care to admit. It was humiliating. It was embarrassing. It was cold. I'll just stay put in the stands and watch the guys on the ice. They know what they are doing....and they sure make for an exciting game.