Thanks, Monika

A good friend of mine sent me this the other day. I loved it so much, I am posting it on here.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.'
There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it. Live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and caldron bubble

Did you know that is from Shakespeare? I didn't. Go figure. When I hear that, my mind (it's visual remember)? I think of the 3 sister witches from Hocus Pocus. Ok, they might not be the exact same witches as in the movie, but they are still witches. Hey, good idea for their Halloween costumes--complete with the warts and the hair growing out of it.

Remember on the Sound of Music, when the Reverend Mother tells Maria that when God closes one door, He opens another. Besides this being a movie trivia blog lately, it's also my life. Hey, maybe it's like the Truman show. My life is really a movie! That would be weird, huh?

I have had one door after another open for me lately. I am blessed beyond my wildest imaginations. I do not take it for granted. I am humbled at all He does for me. And when it comes time to head up to the big office in the sky and have my file drawer opened (just like in Bruce Almighty), I pray there will be more good cards in there than bad. We shall see...what kind of cards will be in your file drawer?

Heaven and Hell

One of our family's favorite shows, is "Field of Dreams." I have a favorite scene in that movie towards the end. It's when the dad asks Kevin Costner, his son, "is this heaven?" Kevin Costner replies, "no this is Iowa." But what makes this scene so special in my eyes, is that the show is saying, "heaven is where dreams come true." So, the dad always wanted to play catch with his son, Kevin Costner, but because they didn't get along and were estranged his whole life, the dad never got to see his dream come true. At the end of the story, the dad gets to have a catch with his son....his dream finally came true. Is this heaven? Yes, sometimes I believe we can have a little piece of heaven shown to us while we are here on earth.

My mom is in heaven. I think of her a lot. I know she sees me and my family. She is still part of my life. When Gabe gives me a kiss or hug, I know she is smiling up in heaven. How she would have loved Gabe! I never want my mom to be disappointed in the mom or grandmother I am. She was my example. She showed me how to love.

Another one of my favorite shows is Ghost, with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. I know it's kinda corny, but there is a scene in that movie that spooks me. It is also towards the end of the movie. The bad guy who killed Patrick Swayze is trying to kill Whoopie Goldberg. As he runs out of the building and into the street, he is hit by a car. He dies immediately, but his spirit leaves his body and starts to look around. Patrick Swayze tells him he is dead. Right then, these spooky little black shadows come up from the ground, or hell, chase him and swarm over his body. They grab him and he disappears down to hell with them, all the time screaming.

I am a visual learner. These two scenes from two different movies have taught me so much. Heaven vs. Hell. My family up in heaven sees me and the way I live my life. They are my examples. They are either smiling or frowning down on me. I strive to do good things. I try hard to be kind to all. I try to help when I can. I try to set an example for My children. Because They are my heaven on earth. If I do horrible things intentionally, be mean to others....there's always those little black shadows lurking around, right?

Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil is my idol. I mean it. I love that guy. I think the thing that I love the most about him is the way he just says things right out. Instead of beating around the bush, he just says it. That's what I love. So many people find excuses to blame others for their mistakes. So many people lie to make themselves look good. So many people don't want to look in the mirror because if they did, would they like what they see. Probably not. I believe those people are idiots. One day, they will have to deal with who they are and what they have done with their lives or what they have not done with their lives.

Today on Dr. Phil, he was asking a guy who had an affair with one of his employees, did you mean for this to happen? The guy said, "no." Dr. Phil said "so, you would drive over to this person's house in your car, do whatever you would do with her, then leave and go home to your wife? The guy said, "yes, but I wasn't looking to have an affair." Dr. Phil said, "that is not a "WHOOPS. That is a premeditated decision to clandestinely affiliate with someone else on a repeated basis. That is a conscious and premeditated act that you made the decision to do. The problem with affairs is not who you lie with, but who you lie to." How many people are affected by your selfish acts?

Enough said.

Or what about those people and we all know them, who continually attempt to justify their actions. It's like you just want to scream, "just shut up and admit that you screwed up." You messed up. You are a fake. I would respect someone so much more if they were to be honest and truthful right out front, then try to justify every action they take or every word they say. Seriously, that's the problem in today's world, everyone tries to blame everyone else, instead of growing some balls and admitting they are the problem. What are we teaching our children? To lie and justify everything to get out of trouble? That isn't right.

When I look in the mirror, I like what I see. I like the person I am and the person I have been. I hopefully will like the person who I am going to be in the future too. There's so many things that the future holds. It's gonna be great!

I am not perfect. I am far from it. But I am humble enough to realize that when I hurt someone's feelings, I say I'm sorry. Ron probably disagrees with me on that. Huh, dear??? Love ya!

You must take chances. If you do nothing, you reduce the possibilities you
have for greater joy!