Monday, October 31, 2016

They can't stop grinning because they get candy for free

The kids are all excited. They know that they will have candy for days. Usually they only occasionally get candy and even then they have to choose only one to buy. Tonight for free they get more varieties of candy then they would choose if they could choose as many as they wanted. Can you imagine their delight? And on top of all that they got to buy any costume they wanted to play dress up in. As I write this I have a grin so big just thinking about the happiness on my own grandkids faces as they run from house to house tonight. One thing that has always puzzled me is when Halloween falls on a school night, why can't they give the children the next day off? Happy Halloween everyone!

Friday, October 28, 2016

A hundred ways to make them smile

One hundred dollars a month may not sound like a lot of money but to some it makes all the difference in the world. It's a tank of gas and some groceries. It could be enough to keep their electric from being turned off. You may not have money each month to spare to help someone but any small act of kindness you do for them would still make a world of difference to them. As thanksgiving approaches you can clear out your pantry and donate it. If you can afford it give a grocery store gift card to a family you know that needs it so they can afford to make their family recipes during the holidays. You shouldn't give till it hurts but if it wouldn't hurt you, you should give a little. The joy it will bring them will be the same joy you will feel as you give to others which helps both of you to enjoy life while you are living it.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

A moment to remember

Your memories are not always full of every detail but some moments of them you will never forget. Every moment is a chance to make a moment you will treasure. It is not based on what a big elaborate planned event you are living but a simple moment anywhere that touched you in a special way. Reach out and touch someone's life in a small way and it just may be the moment they attribute to making the biggest positive difference in their lives.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Well you just never know

Some things you can't just guess what to do, you have to get the facts. An uninformed decision can be a decision you may regret. If it is an important decision you need to make then it is important to get the facts. The fact is you can't take it back once you do it so before you do it or say it out loud make sure you have all of the facts. Sometimes what you do turns out to be wrong but as long as it was done knowing all the facts then you will have no regrets because you did what you thought was best. You won't regret it if you do what is necessary to make sure you won't regret it. The worst regret is the things you should have said or done but chose not to do. Live your life with no regrets.

Friday, October 21, 2016

The answer was blowing in the wind

As the wind blew I kept getting pelted by the leaves as they danced in the wind. It reminded me of a line in a song we used to sing in school. "The answer my friend is blowing in the wind". I sat on my bench outside relaxing and enjoying the cool fall weather. I didn't find any answers to my questions, or so I thought. Later I went inside to get started on the many things that needed my attention. Now that I had a break outside I felt refreshed. One by one I tackled each job. When everything was done I realized that earlier I had wandered how I could get it all done. The answer was you can if you take a break and let the wind refresh you. A breath of fresh air may be the break you need to get moving.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Where are they?

My friend has a tradition at her house that makes a visit to her house unique. She has a three inch bendable Waldo figure that plays hide and seek with everyone. Somewhere in the living room, kitchen, dining room or hallway he will be tucked somewhere waiting to be found. You may not always take the time to hunt him out but if you feel like searching for him he will be waiting in a hiding spot waiting to be found. If you are the one who finds him it is your turn to hide him and see just how long it takes for someone to find him. Start your own traditions that pass on some fun.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Not all potato salads taste the same

You may know some of the circumstances someone is facing but that doesn't mean you know even the half of it. Things that worked in the past may not work at all in the current times we live in. It is Ok to offer some advice but don't fool yourself that you gave them the answer to their problem. All the advice they get from you and others does help them gather the information and apply what works for them. Just because it worked for you or someone you know doesn't mean it works for everyone. Just like what grows in Florida may not grow some where else.I recently learned that even though I love potato salad it doesn't mean I will like it how some people make it.

Friday, October 14, 2016

What will you pass on?

As I and writing the fourth book in my JFI series I keep asking myself What exactly is it I want to pass on to others? We all want to leave this World a better place. Because of all the chaos, confusion and lack of compassion our society is in we all can clearly see the World won't get better on it's own we all must do our part. You may not be able to make a huge international positive difference but every small act of kindness you do is an important part in what it will take. Heck just not doing or saying anything to make things worse for anyone is helping. If there are any words of wisdom you would like to pass on to others you can jot me a letter and I Can pass it on in the book I am writing. Billie Bob P O BOX 1493 Middleburg Florida 32050

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

It will make it stink!

As I was grocery shopping to replace all the food that was lost during Hurricane Mathew, I noticed the stores are all full of Halloween items. It is the start of the last quarter of the year. Before you know it we will be ringing in the New Year. Which means as I get the grandkids their Halloween costumes I will have to be planning our Thanksgiving Dinner, start buying Christmas gifts, as well as plan what I am going to do differently in the New Year. But for now I am thankful to be here after a Hurricane to enjoy the family gatherings that will soon be here as well as the extra hour of sleep with me upcoming time change that is near. Remember don't sweat the small stuff today or it will stink up your tomorrow's too! JUST FLUSH IT as it comes!

Monday, October 10, 2016

There are lessons you learn in the midst of storms in your life

Hurricane Mathew will be talked about for decades. He didn't have to hit you head on for you to feel the devastation from this powerful storm. We have power now and are thankful for all the crews who came from all around to help. There are some cities who were so badly damaged that they will never be the same. Personally I thought the lessons I learned twelve years ago when there were widespread electricity outages helped but as I faced it again there was more to learn. This time I am writing it all down to make sure if it ever happens again I will be better prepared. So with no electricity it was unbearably hot inside so I sat outside and started writing the first pages of my fourth book in the Just Flush It series. Today we will throw out all our food that didn't survive the storm and we will fix the broken fence and clean up all the debris. We are thankful that is nothing compared to many others that were in hurricane Mathews path. As you face challenges in your life you have to be thankful that they weren't as bad as they could have been.

Friday, October 7, 2016

How long this time?

No electricity here. Could be days without it. Collecting rain to be able to flush the toilets. Bedtime will be earlier. Hope everyone is safe in the storms passing. Hoping no trees come falling down on our house as we had heard about that was happening in towns all around us earlier on the news before we lost our electricity. Phone battery is low be safe hope everyone Ok.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

The wind was blowing

As hurricane Mathew gets closer the wind starts blowing. You know the rain will follow but you hope the hurricane stays way off so there is no direct hit. Just like everyone else I stopped at the grocery as soon as they opened to stock up. I went straight to the water aisle and could clearly see from a distance that there was only three gallon jugs left. I hurried because if someone turned into the aisle the other way they would reach them first. There were plenty of twenty-four pack bottles but the gallons go quicker because they are not as heavy. Of course batteries are never on sale when a storm is near. I don't know why but I then went to the next grocery store and again I found no gallons. I again grabbed the heavy 24 pack of bottles. I can understand why the batteries are not on sale they want profits. But why can't they order extra gallons of water that they always run out of at times like this. To all the groceries stores out there stop making us hurt our backs just watch the weather updates and order more gallons of water, please. Keep safe and be prepared because the hurricane and tornadoes can blow in the wind your direction just as easily as they can blow away from you.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Running a marathon without moving

I enjoyed having company all week. The memories we created we will all treasure. You get a lot of bonding time even with your family members who live close. It's hard to get them to just hang out and just talk. Normally they are always too busy. When company is in town we not only go out to dinner together but we played board games and sat around telling stories from the past. Along with all the fun it was an exhausting week. As soon as they left I went to lay down for a nap and didn't wake up until the next morning. I guess having too much good food and good conversations really wear you out because I felt exhausted like I had ran a marathon. I look forward to seeing them when they visit again for the summer marathon.