tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77679041403893737242024-03-20T11:09:03.898-04:00life of a georgia Artista blog about life, books, reading, and writing. a tie of bringing it all together and the lessons I have learned from it all.DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-58108171719160318452024-03-02T20:57:00.004-05:002024-03-02T20:57:43.477-05:00Marriage And The Lies We Were Told!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-OuURUalTACdWsidjjVmehyklRb8ToEzBETwgb90Gc4qc4j2GoPHSA9nCkrSD7qjLxP4bjHwShXRE2cE1FXt9-MSQuhZUq_djfc7651ZVqo6jKW9B8-N-aVSReiy2ew-29MBijJWPr9yhziklHagULRNo-zB3NaGfsLwzvo8F08H0tFHgcbvivWPv_E/s6016/zoriana-stakhniv-PUVgHyBgZn8-unsplash%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-OuURUalTACdWsidjjVmehyklRb8ToEzBETwgb90Gc4qc4j2GoPHSA9nCkrSD7qjLxP4bjHwShXRE2cE1FXt9-MSQuhZUq_djfc7651ZVqo6jKW9B8-N-aVSReiy2ew-29MBijJWPr9yhziklHagULRNo-zB3NaGfsLwzvo8F08H0tFHgcbvivWPv_E/w640-h428/zoriana-stakhniv-PUVgHyBgZn8-unsplash%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-wrap: nowrap;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@zorianast?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; text-wrap: nowrap; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">Zoriana Stakhniv</a><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-wrap: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/two-bronze-colored-rings-PUVgHyBgZn8?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; text-wrap: nowrap; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;">Unsplash</a><p></p><p> Marriage. Wedded Bliss. You found your forever after and you believe all your problems are solved. You found your spouse and now everything is coming up roses. Life will get easier, better, and happier by finding your spouse. We have all been fed a pack of lies. </p><p>Married life now means you have someone living with you. Hopefully happy and in love with you, but know that life will not magically turn into a bed of roses. Marriage is work. It is a full-time job. It is not fifty-fifty. Sometimes you will give 60, your spouse will give 40, and sometimes you can only muster 20. </p><p>Life is hard at best, a struggle to survive it at its worst. There are days when you want to growl at your spouse and days you want to just hold them and kiss them and snuggle close. There are days when you both have struggled in the world and just need to order out and be ok with that.</p><p>Marriage is a give and take and sometimes you take more than you give and sometimes the opposite is true. Life is hard and marriage takes work as I recently discovered when you think you are doing everything right, you are possibly still doing everything wrong. What you think is right, is right for you, not right for your spouse. </p><p>Sometimes the values you grew up with or the money your family had when you grew up are different. Sometimes one keeps the jar of mayo because there is enough for a sandwich while the other person throws it out. </p><p>How we grew up compared to how our spouse grew up becomes a barrier to becoming closer. One person starts to resent the other person. One person says you have too many personal items in the house and the other person takes offence or the other way around. </p><p>Marriage is not all kisses and hugs and life is perfectly sprinkled with fairy dust and there are no problems. The problems you come up against, you need to work together to get threw them. Instead of letting issues and problems come between you, try coming together as a team to tackle them.</p><p>Life is so very difficult these days. With covid, the flu, money, and jobs, it feels like we are living in chaos. If we let things in our marriage tear us apart we will end up getting divorced. If we come together to tackle whatever life throws at us, then we will be strong and be married for many years.</p><p>I know I was told marriage lies. I can only presume some of you were too. Know you are not alone and neither am I. People platitude marriage and that hurts us if we listen, but if you are blessed to know someone who has been married for years and has given you the secrets to a great marriage, well you are on your way to I hope a long and happy marriage. </p><p>May your day be filled with love, light, and happiness. May your life be blessed with the love of your spouse and remember some days you bend and some your spouse does, but comprise is key in coming together to tackle anything life throws your way.</p><p>Happy March to you, may the Irish luck be ever on your side.</p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxxo</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-90837107857188424222024-02-26T19:34:00.002-05:002024-02-26T19:34:51.757-05:00Shattered by Jesus<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv0E22QSoGnkPvuo7BfrfayMpk6xb1zAMeUa-Sy1VJ7fQc2DFHgQmsN7VAM7x1WZSAui5mGYxiQVQThai-5pPQHhfc2RxFhTFnGRVIgGbbcnSFAuVD3AE4EMlx5J8iQGyZIUVgrfrqbBmxJtF9wMjHadn1idAETIqFw_4VMSUN1-yqkYD3s_zSZEB2LM/s1200/_MG_3843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1200" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv0E22QSoGnkPvuo7BfrfayMpk6xb1zAMeUa-Sy1VJ7fQc2DFHgQmsN7VAM7x1WZSAui5mGYxiQVQThai-5pPQHhfc2RxFhTFnGRVIgGbbcnSFAuVD3AE4EMlx5J8iQGyZIUVgrfrqbBmxJtF9wMjHadn1idAETIqFw_4VMSUN1-yqkYD3s_zSZEB2LM/w640-h514/_MG_3843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone once told me that when you see a red cardinal, it is an angel visiting you. I saw one and I thought of Mom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lately, I have been struggling and I miss her so much. I know she would listen. She would have some great advice. She was always ready to listen to any of her three children and later her grandchildren.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So the other day I heard a song. It said God Shatters you to make you new. I have felt so shattered lately. Fragments of my soul fall off as I walk. A piece here and there as I step in faith. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The song made me think about my life lately and how sad I have been, how shattered I feel since losing my mom. This song made me feel like it is ok to be shattered. God has me, holds me, guides me, and in shattering me, it leaves space for new things to sprout. For new things to grow in me. It allows space and cracks for what I need to grow. As much as this growth hurts I cannot imagine staying still much longer. The elephant on my chest has me calling uncle, so I turn to you God in being with me, in healing me, in showing me which way to grow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have never felt purpose-driven. I have never felt that AHHH, this is what I should do. I am learning that is ok. I am driven by God and his love for me and his faithfulness to always be with me. I have learned that shattered does not mean broken. I have learned that cracked means, space to grow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I struggle daily with my mom's death, I know she is with the one who called her home. My mom was never purpose-driven either. She had me young. She worked at RCA. She did the best she could for me. I would like to think her seeing me shattered does not upset her. I feel she knows it will allow growth, which I did not know I needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shattered, but not broken is how I like to think of myself. I am a work in God's promise. I am a child of his and I am loved as I am. I struggle with sharing tooo much or too little with you all, but I know for sure that this time around I was shattered for greater things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I felt God shatter me, I feel him healing me, and I know he has great things planned for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do I know what? No, of course not, but do I also feel better? Yes, I do. I cannot explain it, but I can tell you that once I felt God, I knew I would finally be ok. It was like he rested his hand on my shoulder and said, Child, I am here. I am so thankful for him during an otherwise dark period in my life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do not know what he has in store for me, but I do know that I am loved, I am his, I am a child of God and where he leads, I will follow. And I am the one who is lost, he will leave the 99 and come find me and that is so reassuring to me and my soul.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">May today be a better day for you, and may you know you are loved. If you believe in God or not, you are loved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I pray you are well, I pray you are safe, and I pray you know I care about you. I am here, and I am listening. May today, tomorrow, and always be a blessing in your life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your friend,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Debbie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xoxoxoxo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ps, If you see a red cardinal, my mom's name was Annamay, say hi to her for me. :) She would love to meet you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-80260305274211252172024-02-17T20:15:00.004-05:002024-02-17T20:32:34.077-05:00Three Months Gone<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PDTOTQ3-rcXMg7ViCYoX5j4wZuR2P8WpAgXIJlgs-QHqLwA-XyGg77eZqGFOrF67-G4EmlceA07nfSItaWnaJ4UHKUsbdaxDi3f2gJnjZNy2IGBsTvP4FaEHiBYYhILUFju_wRyUZ2qok0Mw-_Xt7vVOEhuYIlzJCgIPdflYvACqDcjx7myWVKI8idY/s3456/IMG_7717.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PDTOTQ3-rcXMg7ViCYoX5j4wZuR2P8WpAgXIJlgs-QHqLwA-XyGg77eZqGFOrF67-G4EmlceA07nfSItaWnaJ4UHKUsbdaxDi3f2gJnjZNy2IGBsTvP4FaEHiBYYhILUFju_wRyUZ2qok0Mw-_Xt7vVOEhuYIlzJCgIPdflYvACqDcjx7myWVKI8idY/w640-h426/IMG_7717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>My mom has been gone for three months today. I woke up this morning and was upset and did not know why, then I saw the date on the calendar and realized today she has been gone three months. She missed Christmas, she missed Thanksgiving, she missed Valentine's Day, and it will keep on going. While I struggle to remember all the fun times we did share, all the times she spent loving on me and my kiddos, all the trips to NJ, or when we lived in Maryland and were close enough to spend every holiday together. I hosted every holiday for the years we were stationed close enough to be with family. I knew it was not going to last. I knew they would move us and far away from the family again.<p></p><p>This is a photo of Clinton, NJ. My mom had a condo in this town for some years. I spent my sister's night before she got married night, together with her and our mom. I would stay in the condo with her and my sister and love us three women being together. I borrowed Mom's car to go at the crack of dawn to take photos. I also tried the multiple coffee shops they had in town. On the third day I told mom about this cute coffee shop in town, my treat, and I would drive us, so the next morning she had her bagel and coffee in the coffee shop and she was so happy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqrzNH2Yz1b9zsx9Br114GWhndOzIxFkcn2amU0zXR47kSQLgsvCJaZprwysLTc9Kmi7xUg4NmLIAykMy26lA3Ha4_v64UZvJWvNrnA3qx22NsLKmM929R_53zsbOAIQ3FrLXFS16dyOzieygxD9G-pye_QjcsCy6DTrmaYh7ardi1WEfgKuKaAJ3Etw/s2592/1-IMG_6005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1936" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqrzNH2Yz1b9zsx9Br114GWhndOzIxFkcn2amU0zXR47kSQLgsvCJaZprwysLTc9Kmi7xUg4NmLIAykMy26lA3Ha4_v64UZvJWvNrnA3qx22NsLKmM929R_53zsbOAIQ3FrLXFS16dyOzieygxD9G-pye_QjcsCy6DTrmaYh7ardi1WEfgKuKaAJ3Etw/w478-h640/1-IMG_6005.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This is my mom. She always had a bagel and coffee for breakfast and it took some doing, but I got her to have her coffee and bagel with me in the cutest coffee shop in Clinton. It also had the best coffee. She was very happy with her food and coffee and as she wandered the shop, I was so happy I got her to come out with me. We had the best time together and I bought her a bag of coffee to enjoy at home. She made a fuss about the money, but I got it anyway. I know she loved it because every time we would talk she would rave about the coffee she was drinking.</p><p>My mom was the strongest person I have ever known. Her second husband was not so nice to her or me. My mom pressed on being the happiest person. She was the friendliest person you could meet. In her Eulogy my sister and I wrote how she never knew a stranger, only friends she had not met. She used to wrap presents and have us kids run up and leave them on the porch and run back into the car. She made sure no one went without, even though she did not have a lot of money. </p><p>I learned after she passed away that even though money was tight, she gave to St. Jude's and now my sister and I do it in her honor. My mom was such a remarkable woman. We shared a room together in my grandparent's house till I was 9 years old. I know that was not ideal for her, but I am thankful for 9 years that she was all mine. My family means the world to me. My family in NJ and my family in Ga, I learned so much from my mom. How to keep my head up no matter what, to have faith in God, that he held me. She was a woman of faith. She grew up Catholic. </p><p>My mom sat and talked with me for hours. We sipped our coffee. We shared a bagel. I got to just be with her and enjoy her. For all the days, months, years I had with her I am forever grateful. Today is three months gone from this earth and my heart is still shattered. She was the only parent I ever had. She was my rock even when she could not stand on a firm foundation. She was blessed with two amazing parents, my grandparents, and my grandma watched me while my mom worked at RCA for years to support us. </p><p>If you are lucky enough to still have your mom, let me say, be with her, just sit and listen, ask about family, ask about her past, because before you she had a whole lifetime. She was on a parent float, she was working to support herself. She and my godmother always took us on vacation together yearly and I know they both saved all year to be able to take us lil ones on these trips. Enjoy your mom, spend time walking with her, talking with her. I do not regret one minute I ever spent with my mom. I never left anything unsaid and neither did she. We said what we had to say. I have no regrets about not saying something and now she is gone. I am thankful for every time I got to spend time with her. Having coffee in a shop in Clinton NJ is one of my all-time favorite memories of her. </p><p>May you be blessed with family for years to come.</p><p><br /></p><p>Your friend, </p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxo </p><p>PS hug your mom if you still can :)</p><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-84279485354481991552024-02-03T21:01:00.000-05:002024-02-03T21:01:38.278-05:00Scents and Memory<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-M1bnKz9HrY05SHl5WQBe_p5FOYIDXj67XjoxTwU8vj4iP2hFlbAx6k3XoZGlMugsGtQTnX7OutH5TDALozQG61VkE9ljj2iGaIe3pZ8Yjt827Z7XQO8doGg9o1DrCzqJ2q5bi3G5W-JAkPh3DFfTAqf-OUZ74altKtOPRkvswcVdr-Zp9dLynG_BmHo/s3456/IMG_7741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-M1bnKz9HrY05SHl5WQBe_p5FOYIDXj67XjoxTwU8vj4iP2hFlbAx6k3XoZGlMugsGtQTnX7OutH5TDALozQG61VkE9ljj2iGaIe3pZ8Yjt827Z7XQO8doGg9o1DrCzqJ2q5bi3G5W-JAkPh3DFfTAqf-OUZ74altKtOPRkvswcVdr-Zp9dLynG_BmHo/w640-h426/IMG_7741.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Scents hit me like the waves of grief I am dealing with. They hit my nose and suddenly I remember the smell of flowers my grandpa and I grew as a young kid. A perfume my grandma wore floats past me as a stranger walks by. Flowers blooming smelling of jasmine and sunshine tickle my nose and I am magically transported to another time in my life. Scents are powerful reminders of times remembered. </p><p>When my mom passed away I struggled, and still do, with attaching a scent to her. She hadn't worn perfume in years. I did go in and have coffee with her each morning when I went up to visit her. Let me say CPAP machines and oxygen masks are what I remember, so for this time, before she died, coffee was our scent. She Came out of her room to have dinner with me and the family on my birthday. We celebrated my 55 with three mini cupcakes each. Chocolate for us both. </p><p>Today I went to a coffee shop and the smell as I walked in, and I began to cry. I blamed it on allergies, got my coffee and mini cupcakes, headed outside to sit in the sun, cried for missing my mom so much my soul hurt, and enjoyed a cupcake in her honor. She would have enjoyed them and laughed with me. She was one to celebrate. One year I said we did nothing for my birthday and she told me to bring a piece of cake and call her and she could have one too, so we could celebrate and eat cake across the states.</p><p>Coffee in my mom's area of the house was a highlight of my trip. It was a moment each day for the seven days I was up that I could spend just with her. It wasn't any outing we went on. It was not any special big event. It was just the smell of good coffee, my mom and me. The scent has always been a favorite, but with my last memories of her being of us having coffee alone in her kitchen, just chatting about the day, life, her health, my life, my writing, whatever it was, all that mattered was the scent of coffee being the last scent I attach to her. </p><p>My mom passed away in November 2023 and today and every day, I make my coffee, smile up at her and say cheers to her up in heaven. Then I imagine us both taking a sip, sitting back, and contemplating the day ahead of both of us. Scents carry many memories for all of us. A favorite flower, a perfume, the scent of leaves being burnt, the garden hot house full of blooming roses, whatever the scent, it can carry us back in time like a magic trick. I am thankful for coffee with my mom every time I went up to visit for thirty-plus years.</p><p>May today be will with the magic of scents to transport you to a happy memory.</p><p>Love your friend,</p><p>Debbie xoxoxo</p><p>Ps still dealing with riding the waves of grief, may be all find the peace we need.</p><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-26250409915956059732024-01-21T13:44:00.000-05:002024-01-21T13:44:07.021-05:00A lil New Jersey<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOXMdFgfxxqrFzzkG2uCwIDgrWr9tB3mbQP1BDaIMSRZX6VaBK4ITD6lqPY0K_vUD_Uho2w_rsXj9hNEc-lEV3Zv9ZQSRMMuKoDqYcyPjLGe_QYpWxsXK71-2XAr-D5qNdZqyQlts33a6XuWjLsSU_OYEIly_qg1oJAEcdzOZCbyd5tT7b_xRyBvs_Jo/s2592/IMG_3084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOXMdFgfxxqrFzzkG2uCwIDgrWr9tB3mbQP1BDaIMSRZX6VaBK4ITD6lqPY0K_vUD_Uho2w_rsXj9hNEc-lEV3Zv9ZQSRMMuKoDqYcyPjLGe_QYpWxsXK71-2XAr-D5qNdZqyQlts33a6XuWjLsSU_OYEIly_qg1oJAEcdzOZCbyd5tT7b_xRyBvs_Jo/w640-h480/IMG_3084.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> This is a sign, or was, in the Newark airport. I don't know if it is there
still as I am flying into Philly airport now. I was walking by and turned
to catch it, so it is a big blurry mess, but when you are running to catch a
plane, you snap and keep running. <p></p><p><o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I grew up in New Jersey but always felt I did not belong in that state. I
even asked my mom once if she adopted me from the South, and her response was,
"Don't be ridiculous you look just like me." And she is right. I
could be her twin. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>My mom has been gone only a little over two months. The waves of grief come
and go, and the tears keep pouring out. My heart is shattered. I know it will
take a long time to heal it. I have read three grief books, gotten her words
tattooed on my arm (in her writing) and I am on the fourth book. Apparently,
reading about grief and tattoos on my arm is how I am dealing with this. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Have you lost a loved one? I am guessing you have. I am guessing you have
had your own way of dealing with it. Did you read like me? Do something else to
honor them? What got you through it? I read this morning and there was a phrase
in the book that made me angry, it said when you are fixed again you will be
fine. Fixed? Excuse me? Yeah, I stopped reading that book right away. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I feel like everyone has their own grief path to travel. We all deal with
death in different ways. I don't think someone needs to be fixed. I am not a
grief counselor, but honestly am thinking about going for my master's in it. I
struggle daily with the death of my mother. My grandparents died so many years
ago, but I do not remember the grief being this heavy. A parent, to me, seems
heavier. I am struggling to stay afloat. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I read that you don't want to live without the person who has died, but that
does not mean you do not want to commit suicide. I thought that was a sentence
that said a lot with a small number of words. I have had those exact thoughts.
This life without the only parent I had seems horrible at best and I struggle
to get through one day to the next. I do not want to work, I do not want to see
friends, I want to live under a rock, but I know my mom would want me to live my
best life, so for now, my best life is living one day to the next and that is
ok.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Grief has a way of changing how we look at life. We have one quick life and
not one minute more and what we do with our time is what matters, so I think
for now, for me, I will be writing about grief, about how I get to the next
day. I do not need to be fixed; I just need someone to listen. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Grief is fickle pickle, which I now have my grandbaby saying. She loves
saying fickle pickle. I know if I was not here on this earth, I would miss her
and all the rest of my family. So, I plan on sticking around, but I am not the
same as before my mother died. I am more somber. More subdued, and I think that
is my grief. I have not laughed or smiled. I struggle daily to be ok. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I read a book recently that had me shaking my head and saying out loud, YES!
It is “It’s OK to not be ok by Megan Devine. Trust me, it is worth a read it
you are grieving get it. Other books placated grief, touched on it, and made you feel
horrible for grieving. This one I was like yes, that, yes this! She knows her
stuff and the book was amazing. Give it a read. Right now, Grief and I have
made friends. We sit together and we talk, and one day I will not cry so much,
but right now I am right where I should be in my walk of grief with my mother’s
passing. Yesterday a cardinal stopped by, they are believed to be the presence of
a loved one. It sat on my back fence about five feet from me and I said Hi Mom, it hopped closer and just looked at me and I thought, I hear you Mom, you
are checking on me. I told her I would be fine in time, but I love and miss her
so much. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I cried instantly. She was checking on me, and she was the one who died. I don’t
think I could see a red cardinal anymore without thinking of her checking on
me. It’s winter and beyond cold and I do not normally see any birds this time
of year, but there was my mom. (or so I believe) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Life is hard, get some help if you need it. 988 is the suicide hotline, call
if you need to. There is never shame in asking for help. I am looking for a
grief counselor too. If you find a good one let me know, but for now, the grandbaby
beckons. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I know you know grief; you cannot live without knowing it. Know we are all
in this together and reach out if you want to talk. Here is to a good rest of
the weekend for us all. You are all in my prayers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Much love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Debbie<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>xoxoxoxo<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-14143044861388369132024-01-15T09:52:00.005-05:002024-01-15T09:52:50.068-05:00Life & Love<p> Living our best lives takes work. Living is full of potholes. There is poverty, death, and emotional, physical, and financial issues that are thrown into our daily lives. Every day is a struggle to make it to the end of the day. We fill it with whatever we choose, but sometimes life chooses for us. My mom passed recently, which you know, but since then it seems to me that the world is filled with holes that I keep falling down. </p><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybB5lcuzEatno6xpQTcLnhS6SrJakNBd1IgvbCVp3IzWR51f4QaVw-ocaKSytdkX9ZIsuzw1AiVOxVbiPvNQBfKnBN4M1cM_Tj4sX82d4ID-7UUZH55bmvHSossdvKpbskRqpTSWmosG4EDcKSFh4cVh3YEqlKm05GNI0itEW0Bfmc2MZFBJSNuGXupo/s3456/IMG_7759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybB5lcuzEatno6xpQTcLnhS6SrJakNBd1IgvbCVp3IzWR51f4QaVw-ocaKSytdkX9ZIsuzw1AiVOxVbiPvNQBfKnBN4M1cM_Tj4sX82d4ID-7UUZH55bmvHSossdvKpbskRqpTSWmosG4EDcKSFh4cVh3YEqlKm05GNI0itEW0Bfmc2MZFBJSNuGXupo/w640-h426/IMG_7759.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is New Jersey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New Jersey is where I was born and raised, but when I turned 18 I left. The reason is not important, but I left my mom as well. It seems distance did not keep us apart until it did. As I got older I could not go see her as much. Life, potholes, and money kept me from going to see her more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Life is funny that way, you think you will do A and then W happens. I married a military man and we ended up being stationed in Germany. My mom and brother and sister came to visit. My mom twice as I had her first grandchild while living in Germany. Mom wanted that baby in her arms and flew over again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fast forward through life and I am now divorced from him, but we are still family and gather for the holidays. Another pothole filled in this case. We divorced and still remain friends. The best way for us to do it I think.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Loving people is sometimes easy and sometimes hard. Grieving people is, well I cannot even compare it to anything. Losing someone you love, and we all have, is like not being able to breathe due to lack of oxygen. It is hard to go on when our loved ones cannot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am on book 4 of grief. I think reading all about it should be a stage of grief. My sister and I are mailing each other our books when we are done with them. We have been floating without a purpose since we lost our mother. We are lost and clinging to each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Life is filled with potholes. Filled with people who mean well, but keep asking, " Aren't you over that yet?" Why no, no I am not. People try to ask questions meaning to help, but honestly for me, just step off my grief and let me deal with it. I love you, but back off. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes people will ask the most personal questions about how my mother died, but it is none of their business. It is mine and my family and if we want to share we will, and if we do not want to then respect that. Life continues, our love for our lost loved one continues, and we fall, and we struggle, and we breathe and we go on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has only been a little under 2 months since my mom died. I got a tattoo of her writing on my arm now. I read some people do that after I got it, it made sense to me. My sister and my brother will do other things to remember her. They will put up more photos of her. They will cry, they will dance to her favorite song, and they will make her favorite drinks or food. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love lives in all our hearts. Love lives in us. She lives in us. I look like her twin, so she definitely lives in me. Life and love, are hard at times, difficult at best. I am taking one step at a time forward and slowly moving. I know there are more potholes I will step in. This holiday season the song that says there is no place like home for the holidays had me in tears. There is no home. There is only my home. When people say they are going home, I cry, I no longer have a place to go home to, but then I realize, I am home for other family members. They consider my home, their coming home and then I am thankful for my mom being our home for so many years. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Live and love, potholes, struggles, happiness, dancing, it is filled with abundance. It is full of her memories. Hardships and death and life are all mingled and on any day I could be happening, or I could be crying. I miss her, but know she would want me happy and live my best life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I pray you are well. I pray you are doing the very best you can. Know you are enough. Know you are loved even if you do not feel it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I pray for a good day for you,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your friend,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Debbie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xoxoxoxo</div>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-5763191668680179882023-12-25T14:42:00.001-05:002023-12-25T14:42:37.765-05:00Merry & Bright?<p> There is a lot of pressure on people this time of year. We need to buy the perfect gifts and remember everyone on our list. We need to buy food but consider everyone's dietary needs. We need drinks on hand for people who drink alcohol and for those who do not. We need to do this, this, this, AND that. How is this conducive to having a Merry & Bright Christmas?</p><p>This year I went small. My sister and I exchange a mug and give my adult children cash because the lord knows what they need or want this time of year. I baked my apple pie, I made my sugar cookies and the birds in the oven. This year is going to be light.</p><p>This year, if you read my last post you know, that my mom passed away. She loved the music, the lights, the twinkle, and being with all her loved ones. Mom dressed in the nines for the holidays. She would wear her holiday vest. She would jingle as she walked. Antlers on her head and bells on her feet. My mom hugely celebrated every holiday, birthday, and birth of a grandchild. Nothing was small to her. You made it through something hard, let's celebrate. You got a new job, celebrate, and on and on she went. She loved life!</p><p>Christmas this year is hard at its best, and devastating in the least. My mom was a huge part of the holidays and she learned from her parents who also did up the holidays! One year for Easter there was a cake in the shape of a bunny. My family loves family. We have so many wonderful memories of our mother. Yes, she is gone, yes there is grief, and yes I miss her every single day. I know she was suffering in the end and I would rather be in heaven than suffer. I am sure we all want that for our elderly parents. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4QSNTMpaY8psBVG3Y5ZdEB-EJ5khicH6YcBpVN1I4lBeQMqz4fDtibYY9Xwufvj6JfXuWOObVuDrh2_rIossRVCOnb0oKTD_TlRMLDgVQQ80Me3yJdWn0xv_08Q4rEg9vk_F8SYXIQAC-TxW_MXUY78KGutyOOqn7Wf3juYGMOthi08UgHJqRqs4hhw/s3264/1-IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4QSNTMpaY8psBVG3Y5ZdEB-EJ5khicH6YcBpVN1I4lBeQMqz4fDtibYY9Xwufvj6JfXuWOObVuDrh2_rIossRVCOnb0oKTD_TlRMLDgVQQ80Me3yJdWn0xv_08Q4rEg9vk_F8SYXIQAC-TxW_MXUY78KGutyOOqn7Wf3juYGMOthi08UgHJqRqs4hhw/w480-h640/1-IMG_0046.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>My mom was dusting and was on a step stool when she fell and broke her arm, she still said she was pushing her granddaughter around seaside heights and everyone else could just move away. My mom was her family. With each grandchild and then great-grandchildren she never got to meet, she let her heart grow and grow until it was huge and she loved everyone she met. </p><p>Today is Christmas. There is a song by Joni Mitchell titled River. I feel like floating down a river today. I feel like I'm unmoored and floating along. Without my one parent, who was the only one I had, and two deceased grandparents, I am a boat about to sink, hit something, or get lost on open waters. Family is what grounds me and without mine, I find this season so difficult. I have siblings, but they are up in NJ. I love in Ga and only get to see them every so often. Today they are gathering. They are together and I am here. Unmoored and sinking. </p><p>Grief from my mother's death comes and goes. Home for the holidays, in a Christmas song, sets me off. Angels singing in heaven is another pitfall, but there are also scents when someone walks by me with her perfume on. Some cars looked like hers. There are places we used to go and now I won't enter them. Now she has only been gone a month and I know grief is a process. I am putting one foot in front of the other. </p><p>Now, how is your day going? Is it all you wanted? Did you burn the bird? Forget to bake the cookies, did tinsel fall down and now you want to redo your tree? Life has these unknown conditions. We want the best, we want to give it all to our kids. We set goals that only Martha Stuart could achieve, with her team of elves.</p><p>I pray this holiday season is a good one, but if you need help 988 is the suicide prevention hotline. Make a call, reach out, I care, others care, you do not have to do this holiday season alone. Know I know how it is. I have been there at some extremely low points, but I know there are highs too. Some of the in-betweens are amazing too. If you need help, call 988, or if you have a friend you can reach out to, do that too. </p><p>Christmas is full of relatives that argue, and fight, but also cook together, laugh together and other great memories are being made. Fight for what you need this season and know we all do not have it together. I know I don't. Well, the timer for this damn bird has gone off again. Baste time, but do I care no, I do it for the family. I pray you have an amazing day filled with loved ones, but if you do not, and need help, call 988. I always keep people thinking of suicide in my prayers. Please know no matter what you are going through, I am here, 988 has trained counselors, and I am sure friends would listen today and any day you need them.</p><p><br /></p><p>God Bless You!</p><p>Your friend, Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxo</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-10183545679091367752023-12-24T15:54:00.001-05:002023-12-24T15:54:02.456-05:00A Before & an After<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iOIwnKNM_K4P-10J7c7-rT3I0Si_TknqSuKkdkznpBsmdQ2fYOYTwxZRjHaETWjdtEvhPwVhMFviDwrl7Kdpy3ujTjxE11VMEsMgXqzm6SyvTts4xU0ZbVCdy_m11J-6HZcJNxNG666SFF-42IaZ2TyC0x19lcUfcPNFOxAfMpeb2GRk9nO10Y9Yz_U/s2874/1-IMG_4199-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2257" data-original-width="2874" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iOIwnKNM_K4P-10J7c7-rT3I0Si_TknqSuKkdkznpBsmdQ2fYOYTwxZRjHaETWjdtEvhPwVhMFviDwrl7Kdpy3ujTjxE11VMEsMgXqzm6SyvTts4xU0ZbVCdy_m11J-6HZcJNxNG666SFF-42IaZ2TyC0x19lcUfcPNFOxAfMpeb2GRk9nO10Y9Yz_U/w640-h502/1-IMG_4199-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> My Mom passed away on November 17th, 2023. I have noticed there is a divide. My life is now full of when mom was alive and now after she passed away. Literally, my life has been split into two pieces. Two fragments. Two pieces to make up a whole. This photo is from Clinton NJ. My mom lived there for some years and I loved walking around the town with her. One time I left early to go take morning photos and I came back before she was even awake. I told her about a coffee shop downtown, and she mentioned she had coffee at home. I made her come with me. We got coffee. I bought her a bag to take home to make her coffee at home. We got bagels and chatted and watched the people walk by the windows. She loved people and would wave to anyone walking by.<p></p><p>My mom died at 77. She was a heavy smoker for decades and had COPD and Afib. In the end, her heart just gave out. She could not do a lot and it was hard when she fell and we needed to scoop her up. When she got to 77 she told us kids she was ready to go. Within two weeks of starting Hospice, she passed away. She lived a life of smiles, hardships, dancing, and being told to sit down. </p><p>Life is def not easy, but when you lose the only parent you have, you realize how quick life changes. She was the head of the family, and now I am. She was the one we all turned to, and now I'm the one my siblings turn to. Lord help us all. I am struggling to get through a day without crying. I am struggling to make it to the next day. I am struggling to eat, to move, to live. I cry without warning, I hurt in a deep down space I did not know even was there. I am doing the best I can. Monday will be my first x mas without her. This x mas will be the first one remembering her life, talking about her and what she is missing, but is she actually missing it? Can she see us? I do not know, but I would like to think that yes she can. </p><p>My mom loved her some Neil Diamond. My sister took her to a concert a few years back and mom had a blast seeing him live. My sister did well. Mom always loved listening to Neil's music, but I think she missed dancing to his music more. She loved to be moving, dancing, and singing out loud. Mom loved life and lived in large. When she was getting ready to die, she told us to have a party when she passed away. Let me tell you, I blew up balloons and we put up We will miss you signs around my sister's house. We decorated and invited everyone back to my sister's house to eat, share stories, and play everyone some Neil Diamond. </p><p>Life is full of ups and downs. My mom's passing is both. She struggled to walk, to roll in her wheelchair, to move at all. She hated being confined to her hospital bed. She fell a few times and worried us, but she assured us she was going to go to heaven and we need not mourn her, but be ready to see her in heaven and come ready to dance. I imagine God saying to her, "Anna, are we dancing again? and him/her joining in her joy. My mom raised me for 9 years in my grandparent's home. We shared a bedroom together. I know it was hard on her and she married a horrible man after I turned nine, but she was doing what she thought was best and who am I to disagree? It was her life to live and I cannot judge her. That is heaven's job I think.</p><p>If you would like to read more about her <a href="https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/nj/marlton/anna-may-ghanim-17222240">Anna May</a> Hug your loved ones, say I love you and remember life is short, make the best out of the time you have left, live your life full of vibrance, kindness, and don't forget to dance. </p><p><br /></p><p>All the best,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxo</p><p><br /></p><p>PS REST IN PEACE MOM.</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-66372930663603427092023-11-30T21:35:00.001-05:002023-11-30T21:35:05.523-05:00Heaven received a Good One<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVJsWxGQQH0yeLYcrrcrpAmdtMVrPtf-Um3HDeyf9PhMlAoHIYkSPLBfu9jbIH5LTBlovde3GZ15V29A83eKXnLXTVx67BuvwAF8f-IkKiZCDqB4l-3YrF8M4uFI00swYITJ32sEPMh-A3euZ_WGIxK3yCl-4kXA8L46gUo480kZHVu8t4YxzkxQQiLg/s3264/1-IMG_9163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVJsWxGQQH0yeLYcrrcrpAmdtMVrPtf-Um3HDeyf9PhMlAoHIYkSPLBfu9jbIH5LTBlovde3GZ15V29A83eKXnLXTVx67BuvwAF8f-IkKiZCDqB4l-3YrF8M4uFI00swYITJ32sEPMh-A3euZ_WGIxK3yCl-4kXA8L46gUo480kZHVu8t4YxzkxQQiLg/w640-h480/1-IMG_9163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> My Mom, I have been silent here for a while. My mom lived in NJ and I was going back and forth. November 17th she passed away. I have no words to describe my life right now. I traveled back to NJ to help with everything from cleaning her room to calling banks where she had accounts. This photo is of her and one of her granddaughters sharing pizza. It was about five years ago. she could still walk on her own and I shall not tell you all the personal details, but after lots of hospital visits she said no more and Hospice was called. Once they were involved she passed two weeks later. <p></p><p>To say me and my siblings are heart broken is an understatement , We .are running around lost. We have discovered we all have good and bad things and the ones who can do A, go and do it well, those who can do B, get it done! C waffles between A & B . Between the three of us we have gotten a lot accomplished. I have been reading a lot about grief lately and I have learned there is not one single right nor wrong way to do so. The book I am reading about it takes about who you wake up and for a brief second you think your loved one is still alive then you want up and you are alone in bed. </p><p>Life is one long roller coaster. My mom used to say life is short, What you do in that short time in between your birth and death is what matters. The lives you touched, the people you helped, the loved ones lost and gained through life. We have started to donate to St. Jude's because our mom always did it every month, and us adult kids picked up where she left off. Life is troubling and happy and a mess. We knew her time was coming as she has been in and out of the hospital this entire year. </p><p>When life becomes somethings you no longer look forward to you know its your time. Mom knew it was coming. I went up to see her earlier this year thanks to my son getting me a ticket to see her in NJ. I live in Ga. He went too and got to say goodbye to his grandma. Im still, and always I feel, never going to be over this. The paid may let up, it may not. I maythink this is my new normal, but </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />I know mom would not approve and she would say to make the most out of every mement we have.My mom was an amazing lady. She survived so much through her short 77 years. My co worker gave me $77 in honor of my mom. She is a sweetie. I am loved at work and I am spoiled by others. I have a lot of my moms things with me now in Ga and I know wherever she is she is smiling down on all three of her kids as we struggle and fall and get up again and again as we try to navigate forward without her. <p></p><p>She did right before thanksgiving and I am def not feeling so great about the holidays, but mom loved Christmas as I can tell you by all her things she gave me over the years for the holidays. Even my toilet seats have santa on them. Yep that was my mom. May she Rest in Peace until Neil Diamond joins her in heaven and they dance and sing till they drop from exhausted. </p><p><br /></p><p>Here is her Obituary if you want to see who I am talking about. I pray you are well. Your heart is healed or healing and life is treating you kindly.</p><p><a href="https://www.bradleyfhmarlton.com/obituaries/Anna-May-Ghanim?obId=29936542">https://www.bradleyfhmarlton.com/obituaries/Anna-May-Ghanim?obId=29936542</a><br /></p><p>Much love in this holiday season.</p><p>Hope to see you all online again soon. Know I'm doing a lot of self care and mending my shattered heart one small piece at a time.</p><p><br /></p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxo Happy Holidays!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-36855575342710190482023-09-28T22:01:00.002-04:002023-09-28T22:01:28.178-04:00Life and its Challenges<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZZDlNAD4Bbxkl_Nl7aMIaoDRXPSWQTQgyWPwo06YCg43tvSqyvY6wI9BsybSrkUKCHtTW00EnffZ-jV2DEyD9XXlQT0g1B6bGVKsAwe7LHDZjo4xbTu_9BOO7LKOHV80MRQy0JdrTzxKGTWxLTxL0guh-zkDPe89lthPNKJ6PCwQWHFEa52mzHtxdyU/s1600/IMG_5971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZZDlNAD4Bbxkl_Nl7aMIaoDRXPSWQTQgyWPwo06YCg43tvSqyvY6wI9BsybSrkUKCHtTW00EnffZ-jV2DEyD9XXlQT0g1B6bGVKsAwe7LHDZjo4xbTu_9BOO7LKOHV80MRQy0JdrTzxKGTWxLTxL0guh-zkDPe89lthPNKJ6PCwQWHFEa52mzHtxdyU/w640-h478/IMG_5971.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Greetings all,<p></p><p>Life has been challenging me lately so I apologize for being slack on my blog. My mom has been in and out of the hospitals, yes numerous ones. At the end of the day, we do not know how much time she has left, but do any of us know?</p><p>This photo is in Clinton NJ. See NJ isn't all what exit are you from? Its water, its lakes, it is an old red historic mill. Clinton is a cute lil town. It has art galleries, mills, bridges, ice cream, the best subs on the planet, and coffee. My mom used to live here and has since moved, but I am still drawn to this place. I love the area. I love exploring and this down is such a great place to wander around in. In and out of stores, and more stores. Candles, books, subs, coffee, bakery items, and the most adorable red mill. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNN47CE9awsENAInnF9tdMRPWAqb9QNNhzheYuT_8hGxaWCJlrrS5Yn5_875DZPf2hZbd-cfQRFsHA7bAsKU1qg_OqwxFJiS3yLBhz8nLn1ypMQVmeKU_KgNmKc0KiGI6S3rcLmvKvZVSA2u-onoxDFROQ9iSQ5GWR74rvmrcIT5G7a7KU-zWsgT4ANm4/s1200/IMG_4050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNN47CE9awsENAInnF9tdMRPWAqb9QNNhzheYuT_8hGxaWCJlrrS5Yn5_875DZPf2hZbd-cfQRFsHA7bAsKU1qg_OqwxFJiS3yLBhz8nLn1ypMQVmeKU_KgNmKc0KiGI6S3rcLmvKvZVSA2u-onoxDFROQ9iSQ5GWR74rvmrcIT5G7a7KU-zWsgT4ANm4/w640-h426/IMG_4050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>To quote Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail, this town is Enchanting. It's fall time in this photo and full of mums and fall colors. Have a seat, sit with a friend, or make a new one. I miss this place and while I am heading to NJ soon, I doubt there will be time to get coffee in this little town again, which makes me sad, so I may make a trip. We shall see. Perhaps a walk through Central Park in NYC. Who knows? <p></p><p>Mom is home and resting again, so if my sister and I venture anywhere it will not be far. We want to be able to rush home if Mom needs us. How do you celebrate autumn? I know I am not the only one who is all about sweaters and tea and light blankets and cool nights and snuggling your person and just listening to the world. It is a magic time of year.</p><p>I have started a poem about Autumn about eight times in the last 3 days. It starts with, there is a whisper in the air, Autumn is coming. A new blanket at our feet of all vibrant red, yellow, and oranges. We shall see what I shake out and make this poem. This is the season that inspires me for photography, hiking, being outdoors, and just enjoying nature.</p><p>Life has been challenging me in almost all aspects of my life. It has pushed me to the outter limits of what I thought I could handle. My sis and I have cried, laughed, and leaned on each other for so much during this hard season. I look forward to going up and giving my sister some much-needed respite. <br /></p><p>Fall is a time of joy for me and I look forward to exploring it in NJ this year with my family and all the nieces. I plan on taking it all in. The sights, sounds, and wonder of the season. I look forward to cooler temps and fires in the firepit. I look forward to heading into the challenges ahead armed with a happy heart, a can-do spirit, and a sister who is amazing.</p><p>Happy Fall y'all! Tell me what is your favorite part of this season?</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy leaf-peeping!!</p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxooxo</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-63832332023693404762023-07-30T21:06:00.001-04:002023-07-30T21:06:59.839-04:00Sunday Stories, Crazy Love Coffee Shop<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22q5X0fwW5wrBOtitcD-MrsgoC8Hw8NQwDXkHOcWPs8UpMcwZhtLxk0AVPoHv-2SbCLzguxBSliDCvGTh35ecY5sPE-FJdg3POAwg0Q_EsgnGO2D0rCUFdB77lErLvLTIrqqXqbw1XWA8RlX_FE9lNBz07LBMDxRgS5Wx3gF1lyHWjXDsWNioYb_Dzhw/s2016/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22q5X0fwW5wrBOtitcD-MrsgoC8Hw8NQwDXkHOcWPs8UpMcwZhtLxk0AVPoHv-2SbCLzguxBSliDCvGTh35ecY5sPE-FJdg3POAwg0Q_EsgnGO2D0rCUFdB77lErLvLTIrqqXqbw1XWA8RlX_FE9lNBz07LBMDxRgS5Wx3gF1lyHWjXDsWNioYb_Dzhw/w300-h400/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%201.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p>So Crazy Love Coffee in Roswell Georgia has been on my list for years to visit. This weekend I got to go. I bought my son and myself an iced coffee and giant blueberry muffins. This coffee was smooth. The service fast and friendly. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg560z3l2xym6FYdCGrIn9oPKfI6JSMC6qhB8KhSIVSGXlr-nv3ZXRt1meFfDPr6nQxsQDX_obhnXwQX7wU6FFx37jusyaQkTc7fGR69E925Lv3szk9ee_jZ8PHwHY55AhLjge7VDF7GlEIbFTKemXftc_sExQy589fIEwBDaGvxistj4gbLPIR22pSD_A/s2016/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg560z3l2xym6FYdCGrIn9oPKfI6JSMC6qhB8KhSIVSGXlr-nv3ZXRt1meFfDPr6nQxsQDX_obhnXwQX7wU6FFx37jusyaQkTc7fGR69E925Lv3szk9ee_jZ8PHwHY55AhLjge7VDF7GlEIbFTKemXftc_sExQy589fIEwBDaGvxistj4gbLPIR22pSD_A/w300-h400/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%202.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>There was a considerable line; I was not in a line long. The staff hustled to get everyone's orders done. They asked what you wanted and listened. They recommended products based on what their customers were describing.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-Jl1Qyli-lkTWUeFZ7AbFHiOy4okoMhYVr-hvras1jiXMq855wRYk-PawQcN5rHGg4iETQAiusrGvRQHux2IOcPBtXhG0jRHYaliCTCgXBa7CGr_2BKKOZKIubT4kMmD5yHwa_JesX2b2xd6wLxbtMxy2VFmzLh9nge4w2mkY_gJYZzrwFw7NLVNc9k/s2016/Crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-Jl1Qyli-lkTWUeFZ7AbFHiOy4okoMhYVr-hvras1jiXMq855wRYk-PawQcN5rHGg4iETQAiusrGvRQHux2IOcPBtXhG0jRHYaliCTCgXBa7CGr_2BKKOZKIubT4kMmD5yHwa_JesX2b2xd6wLxbtMxy2VFmzLh9nge4w2mkY_gJYZzrwFw7NLVNc9k/w300-h400/Crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%203.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p>They had books for sale, cards, bags, toys, all sorts of note cards, and cute stationary. This place did not disappoint. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocOpwpRArtnAkoHhkuI3VkqLnVBzg2FLR8sPoGWNDqLKX7vVAgZRymr7brwdDzVsz-o9wkrWrbyun70xvX09lG17keqRAbnFo1xc0NRANzwiauUffO5sOoA6jUTd4cErZOT1Ib8kUs-7SpCBWazskWKQYGUx_MOYESxpRys9_IJSm1EDQZRDPqT_-keo/s2016/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocOpwpRArtnAkoHhkuI3VkqLnVBzg2FLR8sPoGWNDqLKX7vVAgZRymr7brwdDzVsz-o9wkrWrbyun70xvX09lG17keqRAbnFo1xc0NRANzwiauUffO5sOoA6jUTd4cErZOT1Ib8kUs-7SpCBWazskWKQYGUx_MOYESxpRys9_IJSm1EDQZRDPqT_-keo/w300-h400/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%204.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I must have been the 20th person in this long line, but 15 min later, coffee in hand, I was on my way out the door to give my kiddo his coffee. I had an iced coffee and the flavor of the coffee was smooth and sweet and tingled the tastebuds.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaRqu1JOlPqsqbImtq_f2HANviED8HIlCQfPvIEb2hN45t90qlZhraBZAW5M1Mn5lbODPXFbtydRgZIVpV5hwOpjG35tpO6U5-O8H1Il9RsI-MB853opKjwzFkSiW1GjQajlw_gk0P1MvzDytRQpzh8JjtKYCVxs8MqWp8eG6Emtj5Lkd8CReGtbTPrU/s2016/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaRqu1JOlPqsqbImtq_f2HANviED8HIlCQfPvIEb2hN45t90qlZhraBZAW5M1Mn5lbODPXFbtydRgZIVpV5hwOpjG35tpO6U5-O8H1Il9RsI-MB853opKjwzFkSiW1GjQajlw_gk0P1MvzDytRQpzh8JjtKYCVxs8MqWp8eG6Emtj5Lkd8CReGtbTPrU/w300-h400/crazy%20love%20coffee%20house%205.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The atmosphere was relaxed. The light was on point in this big area. See those bags in the photo, I had to fight the urge to get one. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIey9fsOmp33olm9DuHMEVyhGhYsai2GKry3yHYjgU5FX_OjuXPbOqTEcMh6DeapuKYu7KYTQLKSrwUEH-HQEdCCwhITevGOTe0_hWHNSsfvgX408GMS1D4qvRqFraNiI20OFEqr91Hrn7f9czvHukGVQ9u2VWgCr6-17beKFyV-91wbwRuyIbgihdg5A/s2016/Crazy%20Love%20Coffee%20House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIey9fsOmp33olm9DuHMEVyhGhYsai2GKry3yHYjgU5FX_OjuXPbOqTEcMh6DeapuKYu7KYTQLKSrwUEH-HQEdCCwhITevGOTe0_hWHNSsfvgX408GMS1D4qvRqFraNiI20OFEqr91Hrn7f9czvHukGVQ9u2VWgCr6-17beKFyV-91wbwRuyIbgihdg5A/w300-h400/Crazy%20Love%20Coffee%20House.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Crazy Love coffee is family oriented, perfect for all ages. There was dining on the porch as well. If you want to give them a go, here is their website, https://www.crazylove.coffee/<p></p><p><br /></p><p>If you are up their way, give them a chance to serve you. You will not be disappointed!!! </p><p><br /></p><p>Off to enjoy my coffee now. Enjoy your cup as well.</p><p>Your friend</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxo</p><p> </p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-32099213493992055582023-07-16T14:36:00.002-04:002023-07-16T14:36:50.992-04:00Sunday Stories: Time Spent Well. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Us At Cathedral Coffee</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB6CVo7FLpDtDh0_8sYo8ap6gbKpnXigOXn1QjOVQqLuHxMpI9xalor5-WoAFDjOCfBDxtaPhC8-b7NZ9DzmoGXZPbWhyT0S4LJdHY4RDweNEf4FeQnwHSmy-yBaua8mvOzs32Ah8lSyWiJMjisQbPtNzViQSMTWRg5Lg5h4EoBl0uG1d8YRDUXSwWZM/s3088/1-UPQB9412%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB6CVo7FLpDtDh0_8sYo8ap6gbKpnXigOXn1QjOVQqLuHxMpI9xalor5-WoAFDjOCfBDxtaPhC8-b7NZ9DzmoGXZPbWhyT0S4LJdHY4RDweNEf4FeQnwHSmy-yBaua8mvOzs32Ah8lSyWiJMjisQbPtNzViQSMTWRg5Lg5h4EoBl0uG1d8YRDUXSwWZM/s320/1-UPQB9412%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the coffee shop <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvlaU-mr6V0TkRC0FJMggMwgLF5cu4H2o23xTPws8ptrHPGMU8Ajr9KpGZbzPdKjgJl7EPMNjLszV2Vyieog9l4zk8obNHtqTv2pMNksvbqQa5u838urYMO8sY9ajv7hSmd-Q2_sWN_yvBOM1HnQ0zeZkxixYY19JgR3V5bCvzVcxHLupY7wBSooDKWQ/s4032/2-SLAZ1813%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvlaU-mr6V0TkRC0FJMggMwgLF5cu4H2o23xTPws8ptrHPGMU8Ajr9KpGZbzPdKjgJl7EPMNjLszV2Vyieog9l4zk8obNHtqTv2pMNksvbqQa5u838urYMO8sY9ajv7hSmd-Q2_sWN_yvBOM1HnQ0zeZkxixYY19JgR3V5bCvzVcxHLupY7wBSooDKWQ/s320/2-SLAZ1813%20-%20Copy%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></div> Yesterday was a day well spent. We drove thirty miles to a local church, with a coffee house in it. The coffee tasted so smooth and wonderful dancing on my tongue. I was told about the breakfast biscuits that were almost sold out. We, my husband and I each ordered one. We got the last two biscuits, and they did not disappoint and were only $4 each, so for $12, we got a great breakfast and coffee. We spent an hour sitting, sipping, eating and chatting. It was a great slow start to what was quickly going to become a busy day. Thank you <a href="https://www.cathedralcoffee.org/" target="_blank">Cathedral Coffee</a> for fueling our day. <p></p><p>Secondly, we hit a local convention. Spend $7 to get in and $7 on things we bought. It was full of artists we love, with jewelry and hand-drawn art. We spent maybe an hour at this convention, which was local, and we walked through it a few times. Since we are not going to Dragoncon this year, this little convention was perfect. Another hour was well spent. </p><p>After this, we decided to go get some food. We stopped at our favorite little places to each and talked, ate, and enjoyed what we thought was going to be our last stop of the day. Friends of my husband could not make it to the Macon Bacon baseball game. They had all-you-can-eat wristbands and gave them to the hubs, so back to Macon we went for a baseball game. The heat was horrendous, well because I like Georgia. </p><p>So we made it to the 5th inning and I thought I was going to pass out, so we headed home. These temps in Georgia are no joke. After an hour outside and 4 bottles of water, I was over the game. Free or not, it was time to get home and back into the AC. During the five innings a lady was hit by a bounding ball and a fly ball hit a young girl way on up in the stands. Both were ok. </p><p>Cherry Icee in hand we head home. It was a long day, a hot day, a fun day. It was all time well spent with my hubs. I was very happy when he said, " Yeah, we can go home." The heat index was 107!. No one should be out in that heat. The players should not have been playing in that heat, but play they did. Did they win? I never checked. I was glad to be home, showered, and just went to bed. </p><p>This is where we stayed. The stands were hot and filled with people, so we took our food to the outfield to eat and enjoy the game. The sky, once the sun lowered over the top of the stands, was cooler. We hooked it to the car after one more photo of us and were so happy to be home, thankful for friends who shared the tickets with us. And at the end of the day, it was all time well spent with my husband. Coffee, a con, dinner out, and a game. Heat or not. I am happy to be home now, in the AC, and enjoying some relaxation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13YyMNtjdvQ5WZHVZ1H7GzTFtgSIFcq6-LT6IbzxQIWqdyL9lc02reStmn3IkSVnhXNZKNO94WpwyXwcuXsyvuh4c_ShbnFFrfQ1GfAIZsxQPrDm0Dt-ac-vus3gD-y6YP0ZP40KLiFOWjugxrlrQfXkiJ8J0Z4uwsdk_0oYm4AamnwSpUyS2VEbsz0g/s2016/3-QOYI8900%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13YyMNtjdvQ5WZHVZ1H7GzTFtgSIFcq6-LT6IbzxQIWqdyL9lc02reStmn3IkSVnhXNZKNO94WpwyXwcuXsyvuh4c_ShbnFFrfQ1GfAIZsxQPrDm0Dt-ac-vus3gD-y6YP0ZP40KLiFOWjugxrlrQfXkiJ8J0Z4uwsdk_0oYm4AamnwSpUyS2VEbsz0g/s320/3-QOYI8900%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is us at the game. We laughed, we smiled a lot, we talked, and we rooted on the home team.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBTL3OBXBXnFhYFUhS71rhH3woKNXG3CBVDe09UPjawXy1hAgHfF-VaWd_V9Wd7_Qv8t7SujnZ6OZxIECM5Paj38T9PcMUSuu7w9KwfW5BzyUeOi-PvHQA2RZLrpU4EwEASFxexX9pbrWLlfF_Tx5BUS-r3D-jTBvqfl4m8LdZIpk5aVS0tEwvmLr8gI/s1544/4-QACR1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1544" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBTL3OBXBXnFhYFUhS71rhH3woKNXG3CBVDe09UPjawXy1hAgHfF-VaWd_V9Wd7_Qv8t7SujnZ6OZxIECM5Paj38T9PcMUSuu7w9KwfW5BzyUeOi-PvHQA2RZLrpU4EwEASFxexX9pbrWLlfF_Tx5BUS-r3D-jTBvqfl4m8LdZIpk5aVS0tEwvmLr8gI/s320/4-QACR1138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Spending time with loved ones, spending time on adventures, and spending time outdoors (normally) is all fun. I do not know how people do not believe climate change is real. The feel-like temps in Georgia have all been 105,107.109,110. This is not a normal temp for Georgia to feel. It would be hot, but temps like 97, 98, and about that, right now the earth is starting to heat up to temps that will end us all. </p><p>I pray you are inside, safe and ok. Please take care of yourself if you have to be outside in this heat. Make sure you drink plenty of water and stay safe.</p><p><br /></p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxox</p><p><br /></p><p>PS. What is your favorite summer activity?</p><br /><br /><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-43508751719993686642023-07-09T18:27:00.000-04:002023-07-09T18:27:01.083-04:00Third Place on a Sunday<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8U44x0MI0Qz8rheHG9lBdLgC0EKTQ2i6f0pZj_1e5t7AhASfbQ9umELyrE40YtiKAXFrFUP_vXQmBZfhkv-I-Xpy1VB6qfLcFIjJnCdKDafdBKSSa0JiOXSVwH7TNi0kv05udlFokdeni8FHuazNSDXWNMdduCeerd0phZX4uE5wAyvC2CdnhVShdF8/s4032/IMG_7586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8U44x0MI0Qz8rheHG9lBdLgC0EKTQ2i6f0pZj_1e5t7AhASfbQ9umELyrE40YtiKAXFrFUP_vXQmBZfhkv-I-Xpy1VB6qfLcFIjJnCdKDafdBKSSa0JiOXSVwH7TNi0kv05udlFokdeni8FHuazNSDXWNMdduCeerd0phZX4uE5wAyvC2CdnhVShdF8/w640-h480/IMG_7586.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>If you have been following me for a while, you know I am in love with the third-place concept. Don't know what it is? Let me fill you in. You need a home place, a workplace, and a third place within the community where you can go and chat, read, have a beverage, and feel safe. For me that is always a coffee house. A few years ago I went around to some of Georgia's coffee houses and I wrote about them. Always seems to happen in the Summer. Seems the perfect time to travel and see the coffee houses of Georgia. </p><p><br /></p><p>This summer we start with Labrador Coffee House in Kennesaw Ga. This cute house is turned into a two-story coffee house. The smell of intoxicating coffee welcomes you inside, but have a poochie? No problem, there are bowls of water all over the porch for puppy doggies. They are welcome on the porch, but not in the cafe. Gotta keep that fur out of our food you know. :) The Labrador is dog friendly. The doggies are welcome everywhere else. The tiny fire hydrant to sniff and pee on. The run-out back is fenced. It has a table and chairs within the fence so you can watch Fido run his zoomies out. </p><p><br /></p><p>The coffee is amazing and smooth. I got an iced coffee and a coffee cake for breakfast. I chomped down fast. It was so delicious. There are tables outside in the sideyard for you to sit and enjoy your treat, spend time talking to friends, or make a new one. The atmosphere is invigorating and welcoming.</p><p>The pricing is great, the staff is amazing, very helpful at recommending drinks and food. If you are in the area or want to go to <a href="https://lazy-labrador-llc.square.site/" target="_blank">Labrador Coffee House</a> I highly recommend it, but don't be in a rush, sit and listen to the birdies, the people streaming in and out, smile at someone, or better yet compliment them. This is a place where people are encouraged to chat, sit, enjoy their time at the Labrador, and do not forget to go back again and again,</p><p><br /></p><p>Photos below of my food and coffee and the house and much more. Enjoy and if you go, let me know what you think :)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TQzUrTlJMCsSoaY7rXbmma_rqPFnyb7gTdY3k2DN4JrHlVZXSdmoTV58a4KaZ7m3qLtiKDdsvJgtlaPkgBkhH2kUSanyoJZoUGcyFgrf4HHeA7eSEyZ0ai6XhCc_t__AnTeCIvY-ooieuK9Kec-irlFrb05VgLQWXqIahMLhO-QNOfvNZtgr7QAIkmE/s4032/IMG_E7589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TQzUrTlJMCsSoaY7rXbmma_rqPFnyb7gTdY3k2DN4JrHlVZXSdmoTV58a4KaZ7m3qLtiKDdsvJgtlaPkgBkhH2kUSanyoJZoUGcyFgrf4HHeA7eSEyZ0ai6XhCc_t__AnTeCIvY-ooieuK9Kec-irlFrb05VgLQWXqIahMLhO-QNOfvNZtgr7QAIkmE/w640-h480/IMG_E7589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrq7myjMRTLJoG9h1vOEbL8UySQ208_81vDyGJEnPsLOnGngPPEa39k5tC9QFYaDQ7cy__Jkl6kimSoL_btULHQHJ4oKmjCzvUa4cW1W50BiXntlK26eQiW8JpEkGP44lxpVJmHIvjhfWRowvdDMHswRRKPF3JxUxj-1ZhsEpBnZwxH9wFS5dK0Gc2Qug/s4032/IMG_7587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrq7myjMRTLJoG9h1vOEbL8UySQ208_81vDyGJEnPsLOnGngPPEa39k5tC9QFYaDQ7cy__Jkl6kimSoL_btULHQHJ4oKmjCzvUa4cW1W50BiXntlK26eQiW8JpEkGP44lxpVJmHIvjhfWRowvdDMHswRRKPF3JxUxj-1ZhsEpBnZwxH9wFS5dK0Gc2Qug/s320/IMG_7587.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgOm96JIYaCphupKmvQ7AL7N_-85S-TVVSToOnmwX11F7EKfYuSP5fnxSGGg3D__hwGX8wypI6iZknuZn4Jbqs_4WUf4-KXy9r9sIwrpb3hLZo2Zyf0bvhlqP4wiRa4ZacuQksFOUPGfwEnGLyLyMkxa6GUtI_YuS_BcL7jgypvg7J7BGS2olFDJVM54/s4032/IMG_7592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgOm96JIYaCphupKmvQ7AL7N_-85S-TVVSToOnmwX11F7EKfYuSP5fnxSGGg3D__hwGX8wypI6iZknuZn4Jbqs_4WUf4-KXy9r9sIwrpb3hLZo2Zyf0bvhlqP4wiRa4ZacuQksFOUPGfwEnGLyLyMkxa6GUtI_YuS_BcL7jgypvg7J7BGS2olFDJVM54/s320/IMG_7592.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuOluMFrRcrQUFqAbFJvKFsWRnLlRyTuv1tUoOmErnA0FYmZwAL0lbh4bsz6WwxEM9CRrLuBGnabm_KWjnS9DJwlhtjKVkKJUFGmZjXh_VliafppVPuEiR9Gr5c_9yNf4XrlVuLmXpjjM6eOkNwtT5HVd1zNUxKThdvJGnPgY1eL8iGD_hLAC7H9tOU0/s4032/IMG_7585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuOluMFrRcrQUFqAbFJvKFsWRnLlRyTuv1tUoOmErnA0FYmZwAL0lbh4bsz6WwxEM9CRrLuBGnabm_KWjnS9DJwlhtjKVkKJUFGmZjXh_VliafppVPuEiR9Gr5c_9yNf4XrlVuLmXpjjM6eOkNwtT5HVd1zNUxKThdvJGnPgY1eL8iGD_hLAC7H9tOU0/s320/IMG_7585.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJWagf6Q89At8I-aEUDk26WNUW8gV-kU-Alx0JGjsQhsYblHio_pBdcsOJCwadPINSXW4jMTVspKUqjlY4Zh5OnC33yr4WuLSJdYpSTA9-MXyJv-SAKPNxIPH8_CUA0hDPzmLt0YxRInrO9XzfN_52QzesTbt3khheUKu64T9XVyTNL3pb80STHHZ208/s4032/IMG_7584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJWagf6Q89At8I-aEUDk26WNUW8gV-kU-Alx0JGjsQhsYblHio_pBdcsOJCwadPINSXW4jMTVspKUqjlY4Zh5OnC33yr4WuLSJdYpSTA9-MXyJv-SAKPNxIPH8_CUA0hDPzmLt0YxRInrO9XzfN_52QzesTbt3khheUKu64T9XVyTNL3pb80STHHZ208/s320/IMG_7584.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgHIwAGzrM4oKdrZq8DZ0Kl_n5XjOwR619gzNFKDtUxkWTJe-5k4o0P5nOUk8nX126eMmQXxcLBaxKwlIPw6DWfvAodABzT4TyAbkypIWeaFZgRznvmLxXDb5lvIetockfxn-NKhHiUUBZxRmLKipzUkNfyBpYjJcm1y8B5DLRuyyq7rsti_8gAIJ-bo/s4032/IMG_7583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgHIwAGzrM4oKdrZq8DZ0Kl_n5XjOwR619gzNFKDtUxkWTJe-5k4o0P5nOUk8nX126eMmQXxcLBaxKwlIPw6DWfvAodABzT4TyAbkypIWeaFZgRznvmLxXDb5lvIetockfxn-NKhHiUUBZxRmLKipzUkNfyBpYjJcm1y8B5DLRuyyq7rsti_8gAIJ-bo/s320/IMG_7583.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Have a great visit at The Lazy Labrador and do not forget your doggy is welcome too! <p></p><p>Their address is 2886 Cherokee St NW. Kennesaw Ga 30144 \</p><p><br /></p><p>Next Review coming soon!!</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy Weekending!</p><p>your friend</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxo</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-1936810002664823992023-07-01T16:27:00.003-04:002023-07-01T16:27:57.422-04:00Outdoors is Good for Your Soul<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8SB3N-oUlOhmqlTuFCAHfMvAZx24IabK8LZxAmPowBB6niFy92VXoEzBrVchGGOMESDWo6AClVLTDVXEiaYKD6huNx1TzIoyaycaPXdQkha2hp24y-nnbFmjagafd-USiqbFirN5dNTXfJFPohey6h6l9DG-qzfkPnB6hX8i56vvpWO4N2YZ7ASc7Mg/s5184/IMG_7640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8SB3N-oUlOhmqlTuFCAHfMvAZx24IabK8LZxAmPowBB6niFy92VXoEzBrVchGGOMESDWo6AClVLTDVXEiaYKD6huNx1TzIoyaycaPXdQkha2hp24y-nnbFmjagafd-USiqbFirN5dNTXfJFPohey6h6l9DG-qzfkPnB6hX8i56vvpWO4N2YZ7ASc7Mg/w640-h426/IMG_7640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> I am a massive believer in connecting with nature. I love hiking all the state parks within about two to three hours from my home. I love the sounds. I like sitting still and having deer cross my path when I stand silently and still. I love the smell of fresh air outside city limits. The leaves crunch under my feet. I love the outdoors and feel better when I spend time in it.<p></p><p>It is Summer in Georgia, and the heat is unbearable. I am going still going hiking. I take ice water. I bring frozen grapes to keep me cool. I wear light clothing. I bring a Macintosh apple to snack on. I need to feel connected to the earth again. I need to take off my shoes and squish my toes in the dirt below my feet. I long to feel the pulse of the earth running through me.</p><p>I have watched Down to Earth with Zac Efron and Darin Olien so many times that I have lost count. There is a scene where Darin gets out and takes off his socks and shoes and gets grounded to the new time zone they are in. Zac feeling a little funny about this pokes fun at Darin, but in the end, joins Darin.</p><p>The pulse of the earth, or whatever you would like to call it, is real. You can feel the energy of the planet. You are melding with it. You are a part of it. You and I are connected to this blue ball that is barrelling through space. This is our home. Why then is it so hard to sit on the ground, to take off your shoes and feel the energy, to realize this planet is alive. </p><p>Being outside, taking a walk, watching a baseball game, whatever you do outside, calms you inside. Your mind gets to think, you can hear your ideas, your spending time in nature relaxes you and allows you to be calm, quiet, and recharge. Sit outside in your yard first thing in the morning and let the birds sing you into the day. Put a bird feeder outside for your little friends to feed. You will be blessed with a cacophony of songs.</p><p>When we allow ourselves to relax, to be in nature, and to experience our minds at peace, then our bodies recharge. The stress of the day, week, or month begins to melt away. It may be hot, but I am still going to reconnect with nature. It may be a shorter hike with this 90+ outside, but even if its late at night, I sit on my back steps, put my bare feet in the grass, take a deep breath and let my mind rest and recharge.</p><p><br /></p><p>I pray where you are is not 95 like it is here in Georgia, but even if it is, take even just a few moments to relax and let your mind recharge. Stick your toes in the grass and feel the energy rise through your body. Know you are an integral part of this world and I pray you are well. Let's all recharge and keep going.</p><p><br /></p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxox</p><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-87067243011527888912023-06-27T21:03:00.002-04:002023-06-27T21:03:48.927-04:00A Hole Called Life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qdk7t5L5YXeSLDTdozefZ5RxafBStr3Wjhuz0mGjP1Y1VBkt9ykL57rtVmpBMruvuxVgg3zAhrKxKHWzJ-04CoAoWLTPb9ucD2TIcGsxkJo7N15sCAFmI8nakQ8pcjfoPhW2fCwULINl7J_zA3SbOrzSeBjozIofbzi99MdJqjbKD9jqiU3flvaX9xM/s1600/IMG_7863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qdk7t5L5YXeSLDTdozefZ5RxafBStr3Wjhuz0mGjP1Y1VBkt9ykL57rtVmpBMruvuxVgg3zAhrKxKHWzJ-04CoAoWLTPb9ucD2TIcGsxkJo7N15sCAFmI8nakQ8pcjfoPhW2fCwULINl7J_zA3SbOrzSeBjozIofbzi99MdJqjbKD9jqiU3flvaX9xM/w640-h426/IMG_7863.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Spreading his wings, this hawk flies free. Summer allows us to feel more free. All the laundry still needs to be done. All the chores remain unfinished. Red white and blue bomb pops call us. Lemonade is made and poured. Popsicle sticks dropped on the back steps. It is a hole called life. Summer we come out of that hole and say HELLO WORLD LET'S DO THIS!<p></p><p>We used to have inflatable pools for all the neighbor kids to come over and enjoy, which ended up in tons of towels on the line to dry. The backyard was dotted with pool toys. More drinks were poured and snacks were shared. Stories were told on towels when everyone was catching their breath. </p><p>Summer is here. It is hot and bright and demands your attention. The yard needs to be mowed. The bushes need to be trimmed, but the Bocchi ball calls us. Ring toss challenges issued. Races across the yard called out as the first person is always sprinting toward the imaginary finish line. </p><p>As Summer, you entice me to your rays. You summon me outside. Lightening bugs putting on a show. Honeysuckle smells blow across the yard at night. A swing for two was put out by the lights. Late-night talks, holding hands, and dreams are shared with the ones we love.</p><p>Summers spent at local lakes, boating with friends, floating by boat to our favorite restaurant to celebrate a Wednesday night. A flight of drinks shared among friends while listening to a live band we have never heard before and staying out past the hour it gets dark. </p><p>I write this as I watch the fireflies dancing around my backyard and I am in amazement at how each year they come still, they light up to find their mate, but I like to think they came for me. I know they did not, but I enjoy the show. I literally scream with joy even at 54 when I see the summer's first fireflies or as I like to call them lightning bugs. </p><p>I pray your summer is filled with wonder, excitement, and joy. Go grab a red, white, and blue bomb pop on me :) Happy Summer to you all. Find something this season to contemplate, a new place to go, something magical and marvelous for you.</p><p><br /></p><p>Your lightening bug chasing ( yes I still chase them at 54) friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxox</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-52183542632574977322023-06-01T22:04:00.005-04:002023-06-01T22:04:57.727-04:00A Karen & a Negative Nancy Combined<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhJIt3XakgquMC_lF6HYMUvt5VOmuYxja1LYpPNdOgv_aVgQPs5FnkbgN-GxILKA6PtkDryss9Zpp7t9wCokNyJZUW8fXYezcPucrONq08NSSIBBqrcLJY9xabYr4guO1qIUSMT0uWhbs9gfNaBPZRBHXyOvxnXyHR8TnRqEgIMMWWOKQh78GQnis/s3786/basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3786" data-original-width="3018" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhJIt3XakgquMC_lF6HYMUvt5VOmuYxja1LYpPNdOgv_aVgQPs5FnkbgN-GxILKA6PtkDryss9Zpp7t9wCokNyJZUW8fXYezcPucrONq08NSSIBBqrcLJY9xabYr4guO1qIUSMT0uWhbs9gfNaBPZRBHXyOvxnXyHR8TnRqEgIMMWWOKQh78GQnis/w510-h640/basket.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What happens when you encounter a Negative Nancy combined with a Karen? </p><p>Well, I will tell you, she will call you names, she will put you down, and try to make herself feel better. She is not worth the breath in your lungs. She is not worth getting upset over; trust me, that is way easier said than done. </p><p>Recently this bipolar person was on my property and as much as I wanted to monkey-stomp her, I just made her leave as quickly as possible. I work very hard not to have this kind of energy around me. Negativity is a soul sucker. It sucks your joy, it turns you dark, it takes you to places you never thought you would go.</p><p>What can be done? This person is surprised I cannot stand her or want to be around her, but she is one of many negative people who want to suck my joy and happiness away. So she is banned from this house, this property and no longer welcome to come around for holidays or anything really.</p><p>What or who do you know who is this kind of person. A basket that is empty of true warmth and kindness. A person so soured by her own life and her own life decisions that she wants the world and everyone in it to suffer. </p><p>Why is compassion taking a back seat in this person's life and so many others? What happened to us showing kindness? I cannot even tell you the last time I saw someone show compassion or kindness to another. </p><p>The Covid pandemic has been said to officially be over, but is it? I cannot help but wonder about our new anxieties, our new depression, and our new world and how we view it, How do we move forward from years of fear? From years of negative talk to ourselves and others? How do we take steps to heal ourselves? </p><p>I had someone I knew for a long time go through something really tough lately and when I asked her about the situation, her response was, " Oh well, It's fine" and I had to wonder why she was saying this. I was concerned about her and genuinely concerned. For those of you saying, Fine is not a feeling, you are correct. Why is that the response people give me when I truly ask, are you ok? Why are we sweeping this under the rug? </p><p>Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. We are not healed, whole, or fully functioning persons with one part of ourselves missing. Fine is not a feeling, so let me tell you how I am feeling, I feel lost, I feel like I lost part of myself in this Covid mess. I feel like part of my mind is at a constantly heightened level waiting for another shoe to drop. I worry excessively now about just about everything. Anxiety meds made me feel worse. I am not fine. I am not ok. I am a mess of what I used to be. Saying I have my shit together is so far from the truth I cannot even see fine. </p><p>I know as we move farther away from this pandemic I will heal some, but it may be time to seek someone professionally. While the Karens and Nancys are thriving in their harassment of others. They think they find a weak person, but when they came upon me I fight for what I want and I want negatively gone as much as I can get it gone. </p><p>I pray for sunshine and it rains, so I dance in the rain. I pray for peace and neighbors are washing their cars with music going and I smile and think of the joy they are having. I do not go complain. I do my best to make the most out of every situation. I see the empty basket as an opportunity to fill it with compassion, kindness, love, honesty, a welcome place for others to gather and discuss their emotions and we may not all see things the same way, but for me, Karen can stay home and off my property. Karen you and Nancy are just not welcome here. Move it along!</p><p>So how are you really? Reach out if you need to talk. I will be glad to listen.</p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxoox</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-16238409264532309832023-05-26T20:16:00.005-04:002023-05-26T20:16:27.965-04:00Are you happy? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVPvmK-MkV3qkF5Iq4gAweACargyqEUjYTpTqIQ7RiZ9L0ZHt3Zr0zbwqtrZGdbNO2ctK5lct2csmI9Mq_BmiCTgg_rqtCnfHyGlZAX-_2-I3mNdGz7VAzilgdWzB-hQSbqWU5fWhX63yXVlsrXpxpsVvKsfgYfGGAyHBtMvCGFQ8aGaFB32bXvkN/s2976/lesly-juarez-1AhGNGKuhR0-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="2976" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVPvmK-MkV3qkF5Iq4gAweACargyqEUjYTpTqIQ7RiZ9L0ZHt3Zr0zbwqtrZGdbNO2ctK5lct2csmI9Mq_BmiCTgg_rqtCnfHyGlZAX-_2-I3mNdGz7VAzilgdWzB-hQSbqWU5fWhX63yXVlsrXpxpsVvKsfgYfGGAyHBtMvCGFQ8aGaFB32bXvkN/w640-h426/lesly-juarez-1AhGNGKuhR0-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@jblesly?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Lesly Juarez</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/happiness?orientation=landscape&utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a><p></p><p>I have been watching a series about happiness, questioning why some people are happy and others are not. I have battled depression. I have battled demons. I consider myself a happy person. How do you find happiness when life is so complicated and you feel pressured?</p><p>Life has some good things and some not-so-good things. It is not always filled with joy. Sometimes it is filled with us questioning our own lives. Are you happy? Money does not buy happiness, as a country song says, but then it goes on to say, it can buy a boat, which is the same thing as happiness. This I doubt. Material possessions have never made me happy. Time with my loved ones, my friends, and my family, has made me happy. My life is sometimes a struggle to pay the bills, balancing what I can get done, what I think I can do, and what I can actually accomplish. </p><p>Reading books makes me happy. Writing makes me happy. Songs make me happy. Memories of fond times and thinking about them make me happy. With so much happiness, what is there to be sad about? I try to stay positive, but sometimes life throws me a curve ball I cannot handle and I think of this life stinks. It is not that life stinks, the situation does. Life is filled with peaks and valleys. It is filled with emotions going up and down, stressing, relaxing, and living the best life we can. </p><p>I read a book once and the way the voice came across the page was slow, deliberate, and filled with hope and joy about life. It relaxed me just reading it. It is by someone on social media I follow. His voice is strong, and steady, and calms me and my spirit down. </p><p>I know the world is a mess right now, but I feel we are all to frightened to show kindness because we feel the other person will take it as a sign of weakness and life will not be the same anymore. Life-changing is a good thing. Us growing in who we are, what we want, and how we have dreams and chase them, are all great things. We are not made to be stagnant. We are made to evolve, love, show kindness, and be there for one another. When in reality when we see someone who needs something we can help with, we shy away. Why? Are so we afraid of helping someone since Covid? A smile takes a moment. A compliment to someone another moment. We are building karma. We are sharing joy with others.</p><p>I know we are a fractured world since Covid hit. It is going to take a lot of trust to smile at someone again without a mask. It is going to be hard to speak kind words when we were told for so long to stay away from each other. It is time to show love again, to speak kindness into the world. It is that time when we need to put that fear on the backseat again and share in each other's joy. No matter how you go about it, start with a small step, and then another. Life is about connection, joy, love, and happiness. Do not let the world be fractured. Take a step, smile at someone, say they look nice, and find some joy in the little things. </p><p>May you be at peace, may your spirit show love, and may you know you are cared for, you are loved, and you deserve to share your kindness with the world.</p><p><br /></p><p>Your friend</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxox</p><p>PS. How can you show kindness today?</p><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-67535698942695610122023-05-21T18:50:00.003-04:002023-05-21T18:50:39.945-04:00Sunday Stories <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DTigqqQHiPzYCpoqNsX5JaS9QCtJy4KWYpAE_Ldvi-T085e4iKILZMvaHxUw9Pd784aPTDnbb3iomGwklMean7j96n8zlEXdoDPKvgpgOUkCqP-Ni7ZLyW0hUemqzL4Z0ysMiOvUFYordwPn9sMGi4rdlwDgiAXvnLowN59WUozo52Nc_AZHzB1x/s960/271053230_10226356996699099_2756986718674822402_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="960" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DTigqqQHiPzYCpoqNsX5JaS9QCtJy4KWYpAE_Ldvi-T085e4iKILZMvaHxUw9Pd784aPTDnbb3iomGwklMean7j96n8zlEXdoDPKvgpgOUkCqP-Ni7ZLyW0hUemqzL4Z0ysMiOvUFYordwPn9sMGi4rdlwDgiAXvnLowN59WUozo52Nc_AZHzB1x/w640-h338/271053230_10226356996699099_2756986718674822402_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by me.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Life is filled with colors, but sometimes we are so busy hurrying from one thing to another that we miss the beautiful wonders this world has for us. Blues filled with tints of indigo, gray, and greens. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZO8whJASN6tHg0LISBP1ZsjQHyuKcQ4094gHTFsmD-WBUHqKp50bFp_uQCpvRjkuSW2QZX5SMZjSs8O33WhVlv152CXskJjI6f6luqHAZ1PTaauRwmkdx7DKItO8_VXIssO0mJsB-tXva-xeqKV-q08OkZppaLqzVuYPxu6D9g4h5dR_pyPgxZ9U/s4032/IMG_6197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZO8whJASN6tHg0LISBP1ZsjQHyuKcQ4094gHTFsmD-WBUHqKp50bFp_uQCpvRjkuSW2QZX5SMZjSs8O33WhVlv152CXskJjI6f6luqHAZ1PTaauRwmkdx7DKItO8_VXIssO0mJsB-tXva-xeqKV-q08OkZppaLqzVuYPxu6D9g4h5dR_pyPgxZ9U/w640-h480/IMG_6197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Sometimes it is browns, whites, and blues. The world is spinning fast and we miss so much because we are on our phones, we are binge-watching another show. We are busy every day and so the world in all its colorfulness changes and we missed it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life is so right now, so oh you didn't text me, you didn't see my call, it's all instant gratification. I have been reading about slow living a lot lately. I make time to look at the birds, which seem to be a lot of red robins lately. It is about taking the time to wake up slowly and listen to the bird's songs as they sing to wake us up. It is about being present in a life that passes us by, so we feel when we are not running in the rat race of life. We do not feel we can get off the hamster wheel. We will miss something.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Colors surround us, when you drive to work and are light, look at the sky for a second and marvel at the colors, the clouds, and the birds. I have noticed a lot of black crows lately flying around. Squirrels fill my backyard trees jumping from branch to branch. The other day a white squirrel went in front of my car and I stopped abruptly and the person coming towards me did too. We could not believe we saw a white squirrel. We do not see many of them down here in Ga. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you pay attention, if you look for the small details in your day, and if you practice gratitude for them, your emotions will slow down. You will slow down and see the color of the sun as it rises in the morning, and the color of the clouds when a storm is coming. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNaE5ukd3MHyt-GAQfl_fi23wnYBBU4nO2HmIY6wmKrkGjwrbA58U04L_C7OL7d6dO5Ji_kN4R4nl2efKkXjlKfdmcSJ8Pafc21vuHnncQK-roOhUJT2YqSGRvAIfv8-Q2LfhF0PfBvdbqZ4IxSssOmiJfhnF0auqbxHpVxXkm2ZLUcRl6DC3DRqd/s4032/IMG_5974%20(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNaE5ukd3MHyt-GAQfl_fi23wnYBBU4nO2HmIY6wmKrkGjwrbA58U04L_C7OL7d6dO5Ji_kN4R4nl2efKkXjlKfdmcSJ8Pafc21vuHnncQK-roOhUJT2YqSGRvAIfv8-Q2LfhF0PfBvdbqZ4IxSssOmiJfhnF0auqbxHpVxXkm2ZLUcRl6DC3DRqd/w640-h480/IMG_5974%20(9).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Sunrises are full of morning blues giving way to reds and then oranges. The sky wakes up slowly. The shells on the beach always stop me. I have to look at them all, see all the colors, then of course I have to watch the waves. This is the Tybee Island Pier. Underneath the pier has browns and blues, the sky is full of morning hues, and instantly our hearts beat slower. The stress melts away. You grab a pizza and eat it on the beach. Life has us all moving too fast, so I suggest a break. A few min, a few days, whatever you can do. Breathe in and out, in for four counts, and out for 8. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life has us all going around like we were shot out of a canon. It has us wanting to know answers right now. It has us writing out a life we think we want, but when we get it we realize the frenzied speed we would have to keep up with it and then and only then do we take a break, do we look up, do we notice what is around us. Our spouses, our kids, maybe the dog wants you to play. Take the time to notice this world. All its colors. All the amazing hues from sunrise to sunset.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">May the day bless you with a waking that is slow, a breakfast enjoyed at the table, and your soul feeling restful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Sunday Friends,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Your friend,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Debbie</div><div style="text-align: left;">xoxoxo</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS. Did you submit your writing to anyone? ( asking since my last blog post was about writing and submitting). I would love to see it, read it. If not that is ok, but do write and one day you will be wanting to submit it. For now, do what you are comfortable with :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91YcyscauKPUdfDOYzZ4k0DXLNevYQ2lTGVwXo3Ak7quI0zahc1CSrGXI6v2Z60KuFiPNAb44zeuTHS-xgNiqcdeyEE7cYaYEcsBmIWDt8k2B4o_9yy1ABw5fEiPC0BNl4POF1hucQL0X_WFYqJ2Ia9eVgPv0TsmZQ8MAPrQHDVW6erSffgL8WSEd/s4032/IMG_6073%20(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91YcyscauKPUdfDOYzZ4k0DXLNevYQ2lTGVwXo3Ak7quI0zahc1CSrGXI6v2Z60KuFiPNAb44zeuTHS-xgNiqcdeyEE7cYaYEcsBmIWDt8k2B4o_9yy1ABw5fEiPC0BNl4POF1hucQL0X_WFYqJ2Ia9eVgPv0TsmZQ8MAPrQHDVW6erSffgL8WSEd/w640-h480/IMG_6073%20(9).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is Little Tybee Island. You have to take a boat or canoe to it. It seems like a magical place to be!</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-32419806600307378652023-04-30T12:27:00.002-04:002023-04-30T12:27:24.927-04:00Submit your writing, You are ready!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb8LHAQKksPpAdlaZQUt1mB2vSyM9wT642HWbXHp6NNNdbSwBE7btpl_-qvnhsn_e5arNPMTEjx0Fs1dGxGgOXjw4v3mHf8XnI3nrYUTFPZfer6NTyB0z6Shqot9S9Fgq2L9PqzVTbaJqLsLDUJBkmAUF2LavrNSY88QNkW2JoH-p6sXzUx9LqTMY/s6240/yannick-pulver-hopX_jpVtRM-unsplash%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb8LHAQKksPpAdlaZQUt1mB2vSyM9wT642HWbXHp6NNNdbSwBE7btpl_-qvnhsn_e5arNPMTEjx0Fs1dGxGgOXjw4v3mHf8XnI3nrYUTFPZfer6NTyB0z6Shqot9S9Fgq2L9PqzVTbaJqLsLDUJBkmAUF2LavrNSY88QNkW2JoH-p6sXzUx9LqTMY/w640-h426/yannick-pulver-hopX_jpVtRM-unsplash%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@yanu?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Yannick Pulver</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/hopX_jpVtRM?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a><p></p><p><b>What stops you from submitting your writing</b>? There are a ton of magazines on the stands filled with words. There are numerous online sites wanting your writing, and there are people like you hoovering over the submit button. What is stopping you?</p><p><b>Self-esteem</b>- This is one of the worst fears. It rears its ugly head when you type when you look for places to submit to, and it talks you out of sharing your work at all. You type or write your piece to submit but you feel you are not good enough. You feel you haven't written as long as others and you should keep reading and not writing to submit, but let me say this, you will not know if you will get published if you do not try. Our self-esteem can stop us or it can take a bump and say, you CAN do it! Turn that fear down into background noise, rise above it, write your best piece, and submit.</p><p><b>Judgment from others</b>- Your friends laugh and ask if you are serious. Family scoffs at the mere suggestion that you could make any money for writing. We hear, "There is no real money in writing." Plenty of people have made a living off of writing. Not at first, maybe not their first book, but maybe a piece you write gets retweeted by someone you admire who writes, fist bump! Maybe you get feedback from a writing friend with encouraging notes in the margins, fist bump. Maybe it is your inner critic saying, who do you think you are writing and submitting pieces? Judgment comes from many people and angles. The hard part is discerning which comments are helpful and throwing the rest out with the bath water. (It's an old saying, not my fault)</p><p><b>Not knowing who to submit to</b>, so you don't submit to anyone.- This one is huge. Yes, you can google places that take submissions, but you need to think about your genre of writing. If you write about home repair, you may not want to submit that to a Christian magazine that has a call out to ask about pieces of how God healed you in the last year. If you write for a certain magazine, do your research and see what kinds of pieces they are interested in getting sent to them. Maybe make a spreadsheet, or write on a piece of paper the places you want to submit to, when they are putting out a call for new submissions, and which ones you send pieces to and what date you sent them. Trust me you will want to keep a list. It gets wonky after a while when you cannot remember who you sent what to. You can thank me later. I learned that the hard way. Sometimes places do not take submissions you sent to another publication. They want it only sent them to. When you look at the requirements of the site it will tell you if you can do multiple submissions or if they want it only for their company.</p><p><b>Submissions</b>-Now what do you need to do to get that submission ready? First, write your piece aimed at the audience of the certain site you are submitting to. Check for spelling errors. Maybe use your computer to read it back to you. Sometimes you catch things in the hearing of your writing that you may not in the reading of it on the screen. Don't have that feature, no worries, read your piece allowed. I know it seems weird when you are the only one in the room, but it helps. Of if you have a supportive loved one who will listen and be constructive, read it to them. Other people hearing the piece out loud will help as well with your meaning, your word choice, and the overall aesthetic of your piece.</p><p><b>Remember to proofread</b>, write how you speak, and your work will flow. Not all pieces you write are going to be winners but like everything else in life, practice, practice, practice. It helps you hone your skills, it will get you published, and it possibly may get you even paid for your writing. Submit your best work to the most appropriate site and good luck to you. </p><p><b>YES, you can write,</b> yes you can look for a call for writing online, yes you can submit to magazines, and the biggest yes, YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! This gets easier the more you do it. Fear takes a back seat and eventually rides in the trunk. </p><p>Submit your work. The world is ready to hear your voice. They just need you to do your part first.</p><p>I know you got this. SUBMIT YOUR WORK!</p><p>And reach out to me when you get your piece on a website or in a magazine. I would love to read it!.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you, </p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxo</p><p>PS, now log off and go write!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-61730681266159702012023-04-15T16:10:00.002-04:002023-04-15T16:10:42.730-04:00Saturday Thoughts<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cgyKMlTH1ArV936SRZCt9hbeEMmR1shl2hnEPkcKv43DaDOdRobEyY7DNu4anY0pleF9hbvfab-lAqczvzJBFr1vYlCQosRTCPib2oi27mpoLEfo_vvNLKfWzqkRLOroNhUyMbTSk6nnPDCUThqTxTJAGqyI0bh6NbHTmX9OgObGgcmwNtpgnyW5/s3456/IMG_4748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="3447" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cgyKMlTH1ArV936SRZCt9hbeEMmR1shl2hnEPkcKv43DaDOdRobEyY7DNu4anY0pleF9hbvfab-lAqczvzJBFr1vYlCQosRTCPib2oi27mpoLEfo_vvNLKfWzqkRLOroNhUyMbTSk6nnPDCUThqTxTJAGqyI0bh6NbHTmX9OgObGgcmwNtpgnyW5/w638-h640/IMG_4748.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>Photo by me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Have you ever seen something and thought, oh that's a sign? Don't believe in signs ok. I do. No one's belief is correct. It is each of our own personal views so please don't have me for my own views. I see signs on daily calendar pages. I hear it in others' conversations. I hear them in a song at the right time. I see them all over, every day, all day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From when I was a baby to the age of nine, my mom and I shared a room. We moved in with my grandparents till I was 9 years old. It was peaceful and bliss for a lil one who was madly in love with her grandfather. I followed him everywhere and God rest his soul for not killing me off. I was annoying at best, but my grandpa was my dad figure as well and he thought me a lot. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He taught me to swing by placing an inner tube under my feet so when I swung down I was to kick it and I did over and over and he kept placing it under me. The man was a saint. He worked jobs as a truck driver, as a police officer, and many other jobs. He taught me about hard work and perseverance. He thought me to always keep others in mind when I planned some action, but he taught me to look for signs. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This man dug up dirt, put butter dishes in the ground, and made us our own golf course. He was magic and I knew it. When I would come home from school and tell him something, he would say, "You know that's a sign?" Sometimes it was a sign I was doing the right things, other times it was a sign I wasn't being kind, I was not being helpful, or I was going down the right path but maybe a lil detour was in order.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I Grew up believing in religious signs, everyday signs or signs my grandpa pointed out that I missed. Today I saw a sign and my heart hurt as he has been gone off this earth for many years. He had a heart of gold and I wish you could have met him. This duck above was a sign after he passed that he went this way, but he is always in my heart. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life has been challenging for us all over the past three years. I have battled depression. I have stayed in and not talked to anyone. I have shut down and I do not believe I have fully rebooted. I am still anxious about people too close to me. I do not like crowds of people. I do not go to many places anymore and sadly online stores are my close friends now. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Life has been a roller coaster, but every now and then I see a sign and I smile and think of the magic that I once had on this ride of life. I hope to get to a place of safety, signs, and magic again, but right now, on this screen is where I reside and I wish you happiness and peace.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">May we all find the magic we want and need so much.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Your friend,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Debbie</div><div style="text-align: left;">xoxooxox</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-58554774683649323672023-03-26T06:56:00.000-04:002023-03-26T06:56:20.517-04:00Time: Sunday Edition<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKFjp1dhOE4EvHQvPJlwy4r0IkGhO7ORPFQ9jHAWXhyBIH40uB_dA790VOZkTvl0ks0AMjPqBTuZGbD6Zulk7drJqb5zFPUUpgPpisT2wsrU0CMpAcBJzfewl0FHOJg-uhcmfbpAuLrwJOfw5e6f2rH27OSPCaAV6mhI48eM0toYDdwcKLcEf3hJF/s6653/annie-spratt-C8C020JnsjM-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="6653" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKFjp1dhOE4EvHQvPJlwy4r0IkGhO7ORPFQ9jHAWXhyBIH40uB_dA790VOZkTvl0ks0AMjPqBTuZGbD6Zulk7drJqb5zFPUUpgPpisT2wsrU0CMpAcBJzfewl0FHOJg-uhcmfbpAuLrwJOfw5e6f2rH27OSPCaAV6mhI48eM0toYDdwcKLcEf3hJF/w640-h444/annie-spratt-C8C020JnsjM-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@anniespratt?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Annie Spratt</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/rest?orientation=landscape&utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Time is a fleeting thing. Life is a blur sometimes. Sometimes we waste time. Other times we rush through time, ignore time, or fake we have more time, but life has a way of kicking you in the teeth and reminding you time is fast and you have to move to keep up, but on Sundays, I intentionally slow down. </p><p>I need one day a week where I am not rushing. A day to light a candle read a book, listen to the morning birds sing, and recharge. This day is not for errands, chores, or anything else. It is simple to be. To drink my coffee slowly. To make a Sunday breakfast. To enjoy the food, read a book, or simply sit staring out the window.</p><p>I get up early, even if it is a Sunday. I want the most out of my day. I grab my yogurt, I make my coffee, I feed the cats, and I write. I rest in my writing. I'm relaxed. I'm awake, I am ready for the day. Today I do have a few things to tidy up, but most of the day is for nothing. I go nowhere, I do nothing, I accomplish nada. I linger to daydream, I inhale deeply and let my body relax. This is a day just for me.</p><p>Sunday's growing up were big breakfasts. They were for family coming over and a huge dinner for all the cousins. It was chaos and happiness. It was life being fast and slow. It was games of tag outside, red light, green light, and of course rolling down the huge front hill to see who can make it down the fastest.</p><p>When I grew up with my grandparents, it was for peedering about the three-story garage with my grandpa, it was cooking with my grandmother. It was an eclectic mix of family stopping by, friends dropping food off, and everyone coming together. Now it is about me and my hubby. It is us playing games, reading books, and snuggling on the couch. Sunday has changed as I grew up but it has always been for relaxing.</p><p>Sundays, growing up, was church and lunch out at Mcdonald's after. It was also raking, gardening, and hammock swinging. My grandparents did not have a lot of money, but they always make life better. They were parents to me. My mom absent a lot, my father none existent, but my grandparents enjoyed a quiet Sunday just like me. </p><p>It is still dark out as I write this. The world is quiet. I hear the keys on my keyboard as I type this and the hum of my computer, but nothing else. The world is asleep, but I am not. I woke up to words in my head floating around and stinging me to wake up and I sent them off to a publication to be considered.</p><p>Sunday is also my writing day. It is a chance when life is not coming at me in full force and allows me to relax and catch my breath and share my words. I hope this Sunday finds you happy, full of love, and relaxing. Me, I think I might pick up a Sunday paper. It is not full of circulars anymore, which is sad in a way, but we are also not killing a million trees to make it, either way, I need bread, so to the store, I go</p><p>I pray your Sunday is quiet. I pray it is filled with light. I hope you get to relax and let your mind stay still for a while and enjoy this one precious life you have.</p><p>Happy Sunday to you and your family. Almost 7 AM, gotta run to the store for a few things because today is the day when I cook a lot and save it for the week. Today is going to be a glorious day, rain or shine. Today is a gift not all of humanity was given. Receive this gift and have a peaceful day.</p><p><br /></p><p>Happy Sunday,</p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxox</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-70262964105290126612023-03-25T19:58:00.004-04:002023-03-25T19:58:56.545-04:00Life, The Simplistic version, or is it?<p><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0mCgg1AgEjs5j_hIMScRMWW25U-JyVxwxLbEXBlhrG6ZNRapFsFpE8j3CgHIN5eLaYrF_pQdJ_Ed8HkD0Npwvg4hbCT3_JovS3Hya26RWrKrYKbpkZz5GLjtRa4SKZUMIie3HJGgrWUbk8twu97t5nI-9waRxBdr6IanjeVIPog70ziDe6ox5kMY/s5184/IMG_5126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0mCgg1AgEjs5j_hIMScRMWW25U-JyVxwxLbEXBlhrG6ZNRapFsFpE8j3CgHIN5eLaYrF_pQdJ_Ed8HkD0Npwvg4hbCT3_JovS3Hya26RWrKrYKbpkZz5GLjtRa4SKZUMIie3HJGgrWUbk8twu97t5nI-9waRxBdr6IanjeVIPog70ziDe6ox5kMY/w400-h266/IMG_5126.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span>Photo by me, Debbie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Life feels like it is in bokeh. It's a blur. We get up, and we are still trudging forward, Covid is still with us, but lil by lil we are pushing back into our normal lives. I'm on the peripheral watching the world live. I'm just observing. I do not have a clue what normal is. I try to do my best to stay healthy and to do what is right for me, but at the end of the day, I am befuddled about what is right. What is normal? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Through this entire chaotic world of Covid I have worked. I have my own office, I closed my door, I wore my masks. Most of my coworkers went to work from home while I tried to stay safe and back from my remaining co-workers. Now with trying to move back to shopping in person, not wearing masks as much and still washing my hands like I am getting ready for surgery, I wonder, am I doing enough? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love hiking. I can do that safely through covid, I can still get outside and enjoy nature. I can walk around my neighborhood and wave to neighbors from the curb, but sitting on each other's porches is done. No one wants you to come to sit a spell anymore. They like you waving and moving on. Everyone is still dealing with the anxiety and stress of this disease and how it riddled us with a fear we did not know before all of the chaos started. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My lens on this world is like the bokeh photo above. It is there, I can see it, but can I tell you what it is, no I cannot not. Right now I cannot go outside. The pollen and my allergies do not mix and constantly send me back to the doctor, so for right now I sit inside and right. I can see the world, but not clearly, I can see a time when we say, remember when we lost so many people to covid? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have so many people I know who had it and are ok, but I have also known people who have died from it. I take a step forward into the world, but then I hear something, I lose someone, a friend loses someone and then I take two steps back into the blur. I want to be in the world, while also not being around people. I have to wonder how many of us have dug into a hole and who are not emerging again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fear keeps me from doing so many things. Anxiety stops me dead in my tracks. Sometimes we have a mix with depression in it too. I feel like a shrink would have a hay day with me. He or she would not know where to start, because I do not know where to start. The world we are seeing right now has me frozen in fear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How do we deal with the mixed bag of emotions we have right now? How are you dealing with this all? Is this all just too much? Life sucks, life is magical. It is in finding the balance between our fear and anxiety and keeping ourselves safe that we can move one step forward, then another, then another. Little baby steps I take. I feel like I am walking on the edge of a building waiting to fall. Will I fall? Possibly, but I need to live, and staying in all day every day ( other than work) is not living. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I will stick my toe in, I will take a deep breath, and move forward with caution. I will write, read and keep living the best life I can right now and know that sometimes the world seems cruel, but I also know it can be kind and people can show kindness in the most amazing ways, so fear not friends, baby steps we go out back into the world. Back into our one precious life. One. Step. At. A. Time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">May your fears not stop you from living your best life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Your friend in all of this Chaos,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Debbie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xoxoxo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PS. How are you really doing?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-34487667068163123152023-02-19T21:13:00.000-05:002023-02-19T21:13:01.467-05:00Anxiety & Stress<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cnAnBwTguwA3qK2gLk6AtFnhnA7O0eNneiN8lsVJTEmXsgzSqCTz0HbHdQNxrHbF-dDdhdMixjpcCtb_dHRJXIPOciHXMaIf2qjUKxasn7trcEzLheqJvnr27wPEJDcZ40A-6hQkxN2RSIy2nwITSoKiq3nV_QxNW530rYGxIeHQaKLw-wI-ixrp/s4600/spin%20laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cnAnBwTguwA3qK2gLk6AtFnhnA7O0eNneiN8lsVJTEmXsgzSqCTz0HbHdQNxrHbF-dDdhdMixjpcCtb_dHRJXIPOciHXMaIf2qjUKxasn7trcEzLheqJvnr27wPEJDcZ40A-6hQkxN2RSIy2nwITSoKiq3nV_QxNW530rYGxIeHQaKLw-wI-ixrp/w640-h418/spin%20laptop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Sometimes life seems like it is spinning out of control. Our Anxiety rises about what could happen. Our life seems like it's going up and down on a roller coaster and we have no control. This is especially true since the pandemic. It has caused anxiety and depression and stress for all of us. Now that we are in 2023 some of us feel the pandemic was years and years ago. Others are still in the thick of it. They are dealing with sick loved ones still. Losing loved ones without saying goodbye. I know this last one firsthand.</p><p>I just finished Dave Hollis's new book. I finished it right after he passed away. His words in his second book hit me differently. Where did I see myself going and what was my purpose. What did I want to get done in this one precious life? His life was too quick, dying at 47. His legacy is his amazing four children but also his voice. He used his voice to champion for all to be equal and to all have found their purpose in life. He encouraged us to learn, advance, and say yes when we didn't know what we were doing but to dare to dream. To set in motion what we want to do and then set sail to figure out a way to do it.</p><p>Since Covid hit in 2019 I have battled depression. I have not seen a reason to find my why, my purpose, or live my best life. I have just gone through it all and felt dragged down by the pandemic. I have struggled to stay afloat much less leave the harbor and set sail for a better life. Dave liked Boat metaphors. If you want to learn more about this father, brother, husband, or ex-husband, here is the link if you are interested in <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=dave+hollis&ei=XdTyY_3UNf6vqtsP_t2A-A0&ved=0ahUKEwi999XHgKP9AhX-l2oFHf4uAN8Q4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=dave+hollis&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzILCC4QgwEQsQMQgAQyBAgAEAMyBAgAEAMyCwguEIMBELEDEIAEMgQIABADMgUIABCABDIECAAQAzIECAAQAzIECAAQAzIECAAQAzoKCAAQRxDWBBCwAzoHCAAQsAMQQzoNCAAQ5AIQ1gQQsAMYAToMCC4QyAMQsAMQQxgCOgQILhBDOgQIABBDOggILhCxAxCDAToLCC4QgAQQsQMQgwE6BQgAEJECOggILhCABBDUAjoICC4Q1AIQgARKBAhBGABQ3gFY1g9gghFoAXABeACAAX-IAawFkgEDNS4ymAEAoAEByAETwAEB2gEGCAEQARgJ2gEGCAIQARgI&sclient=gws-wiz-serp" target="_blank">Dave Hollis</a> .</p><p>My anxiety has stayed at a high level and my body and mind have paid for it. I realized recently that I do not think I relaxed for about three to four years. My body has been stressed and tense and at times like it is falling apart. I have battled darkness, instability, and so much stress. Dave encourages you to find your people. If you are the smartest person in the room, seek out new smarter people to learn from. He was an ally and an encourager. He was so amazing and I know his kids will do amazing things as well. </p><p>It is 2023 and the darkness still comes. The stress, and the anxiety, all mixed in together caused me uncertain times professionally and personally. I have been wondering what my purpose has been my entire life. I am a Libra and I see both sides of just about everything. I'd make a great judge. Maybe not. I know that we are all struggling. Eggs are what $7 now? Rents are increasing and our pay is not even close to what we need it to be. Life is stressful, but I fully believe that Dave was onto something when he says " know your purpose" I think I have had numerous purposes and that is ok. I have done different jobs over the decades and that is ok. I have battled depression, anxiety, and stress, but I know together we can all make it through this mess that is our one precious life. If you have not read Dave's latest book, Built Through Courage, I highly recommend it. I also recommend you take this one precious life and you be kind to others, help with what you can, you show kindness to all.</p><p>May we one day say, "remember when the pandemic was over" and know we are all just doing our best to survive and thrive in any way we can. </p><p>I pray you are well. I pray you are kind. And I pray that we all make it to the other side of this healthier version of ourselves. Do the work, show up, and be kind, and perhaps the world will be better after this mess. </p><p><br /></p><p>Your Friend ,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxoxo</p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-41179941641314007352023-01-15T11:11:00.005-05:002023-01-15T11:11:56.905-05:00Sunday Stories , Covid Edition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0ml8h-MEB9ZHIkRXz60yHZeC3_6rmWl0_iD3DVcyNIlGktmuljt0FPbpi5aIXMzy7uqLOcgSbawLDWiLg1THu7plpo9nJGLzoV6I9TMOIi-IIIgz3mIGwmecD2O15zWUZE6hQn17vU2bz4i9MELxMgM5elnJoOdc7hSrEjLU9IZpSOC-BLu05snL/s2977/fall%20grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="2977" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0ml8h-MEB9ZHIkRXz60yHZeC3_6rmWl0_iD3DVcyNIlGktmuljt0FPbpi5aIXMzy7uqLOcgSbawLDWiLg1THu7plpo9nJGLzoV6I9TMOIi-IIIgz3mIGwmecD2O15zWUZE6hQn17vU2bz4i9MELxMgM5elnJoOdc7hSrEjLU9IZpSOC-BLu05snL/w640-h496/fall%20grass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Happy Sunday to you all. This week has been a roller coaster and I am learning to let go of the bar and put my hands up. I have surrendered too many things and feel exhilarated and depleted all at once. I feel rested and exhausted. I am happy and grieving. Life has a way of mixing all these things together and letting us sift out what we want. Life is challenging at best and brutal at its worst. </p><p>2019 tested us all, 2020 depressed us, and 2021, and 2022, have tried to revive us without life support paddles. We have collectively held our breath. We have stayed in and had food delivered to our homes. We have learned new trades, we have pivoted and we have stood up to only be knocked down again. Food is out of reach for so many, living in a home, is now a distant dream while apartments know you need them and they jack up the rent prices. Where do we go from here?</p><p>I'd like to say I am ok, but I am not. I am disheartened. I am full of anxiety about even going out. My heart races when someone comes too close to me. I loved to say hello to people in stores, but now I shy away and dart to another aisle. I am in this boat with you, but I wonder who is leading this boat anymore.</p><p>Taking control of our lives in such turbulent times seems impossible, but we try, again and again. We move forward in baby steps, and we make sure we and our loved ones are safe when they go outside. We must go on living in these times of covid, but for some of us, it is easier. Some people can wear a mask, go out, and be ok, some where gloves, masks, and, scarves over their faces. We feel we are risking our lives just going out the door. I worked in my office through covid. I kept my door shut and just worked. Everyone emailed each other and no one went to anyone's office. We pivoted and kept going.</p><p>We are emerging into the world again and we are fluttering our wings to check the winds in the world. We tiptoe into 2023 silently. We listen, and we emerge. We strive to take back our lives. We want to gather with friends and family and we want to hug our loved ones.</p><p>I pray 2023 is nicer to us all. I know with my anxiety and depression battled over these last three years have taken their toll on me, body and soul. It has knocked me down hard. I recently lost a lifelong friend to covid. I know so many of us have lost loved ones. We were not allowed in hospitals to say goodbyes. We were kept away and facetime was used to say goodbye to someone so precious to us.</p><p>Let us keep all of our loved ones in our hearts and mind as we tackle 2023 and emerge from our cacoon safely and go boldly back into the world.</p><p>Your friend,</p><p>Debbie</p><p>xoxoxox</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7767904140389373724.post-82288798030262910122023-01-08T17:45:00.005-05:002023-01-08T17:45:50.752-05:00Gray Sunday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nlK28ryRP_az2dvX0gmO-mqcD93C9xRkx0maOQzgYe2Ubp6CenKV6L86zGHs0x2JUgGwEfnFwCxTP0H0pCyfPi6OyuijoUMoYDDpnrbYkAZkdbFmQpe-JpIGzNe7_J4-RgtsUqXLhwUv_ZsuGDBbAb-XowRhZjw3uppqVV4oR_O9FMpezRa9gA5b/s5472/andrew-neel-JBfdCFeRDeQ-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nlK28ryRP_az2dvX0gmO-mqcD93C9xRkx0maOQzgYe2Ubp6CenKV6L86zGHs0x2JUgGwEfnFwCxTP0H0pCyfPi6OyuijoUMoYDDpnrbYkAZkdbFmQpe-JpIGzNe7_J4-RgtsUqXLhwUv_ZsuGDBbAb-XowRhZjw3uppqVV4oR_O9FMpezRa9gA5b/w640-h426/andrew-neel-JBfdCFeRDeQ-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@andrewtneel?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Andrew Neel</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/gray-day?orientation=landscape&utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the quiet sat on me like a heavy blanket. It felt as if it was trying to suffocate me. I needed a day, but this gray one was no good. It felt like it was pushing me down farther into a void. I was being sucked in. I woke with a start. I had terrible dreams. They started my day off by my waking and feeling depleted. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sundays were days of rest, but I woke restless and anxious. I read until I finished a book, thinking it would lift my mood. The gray outside had other ideas. The sun never emerged. Apparently, it was banished for the day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Candles lit, coffee drank, Bella Grace pulled out to enjoy this slow day. I decided I needed to bake some cookies. It worked. Cookies and milk can lift anyone's spirits, not permanently but for a while, the bleak day did not seem so bad. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was not rainy or windy or anything other than gray. It was made worse by the barren trees this time of year outside my window. They seemed to beg for their leaves to come back, but they lay in a heap in the yard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">sunday's are made for relaxing, cookies and milk. They are also made for cookies and candles and comfy socks. They are made to remind us to enjoy the light. It reminds us to be grateful for the sun when it shines. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">the world seems quiet today as if hushed by snow, yet not has fallen. Today is a day to reflect, nap, and enjoy your loved ones with nowhere to go. the world is at peace today in the gray. my neighborhood is silent and for that I am grateful. I can hear my thoughts. I can light my candles. I can write. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I pray you have a day a week where you can reflect on life. Where you can sit and just stare out your window. I hope you have time for yourself. I hope you have time for your hobbies, painting, writing, and sculpting. whatever you like to unwind I hope today gave you the time to do it, to let your mind wander, to put down your phone for a while, and truly relax. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy weekending friends,</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your friend</div><div style="text-align: left;">Debbie</div><div style="text-align: left;">xoxoxoxo</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>DebbieInGeorgiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04206554864455472103noreply@blogger.com0