I have been away for far too long from this blog.

I'm going to do it again and make a plan to write more often in this thing. Now that  I have a desktop again, it may be more likely to happen, right?

I am still on the power of positive thinking with the spin that most of that new age movement tends to leave out: a belief in one God.

I have been turning more to my faith and making it a point to pray by myself daily. I feel like it puts me in thinking with my goals for the day. I am also more aware that Heavenly Father is with me and will help me through things.

Right now, the whole world seems to be attempting to do a freeze frame as we struggle to keep this pandemic under control. As terrifying as the widespread shutdowns have been, it has also been amazing to see what stops and how little of what we occupy our time with is really important.

The world is in fear of the worst, and I understand why, but who is to say we cannot all agree on what matters versus what doesn't? If we can go with schools shutting down, payments being delayed, and needs being met without demand of pay, why can't it always be like that? 

Obviously, the health concern is something we could do without, but when it comes down to it, money is just a social construct, that we have been using for far too long, to document who is more valuable or who can collect the most stuff.

We all truly need only a handful of things and the rest is just window dressing.

A Little Engine, A Little Late

I have paid little attention to this blog although I do think about it a lot.  It seems that the best ideas I have are when I am driving, running errands, staring out of the window or taking a shower.  I hardly ever recall the brilliant and eloquently worded ponderings that I want to share with the world in the form of a post.

I recently got a smart phone. This makes taking photos of great deals and posting them an easier task, but I don't want deals and steals to be the only thing I communicate. It's not really me. I fell like I would not be able to compete with the many inspired folks who can dedicate more time to couponing and deal hunting.  Instead, I'm going to continue to put forth quotes that I find inspiring and share the things I find and the things I think from my heart and my mind.

Much love ~ Susan

Quote of the week, #7

Take a leap in a productive direction.  See where you land! ~ Susan

Quote of the Week, #6

With Halloween coming up, there are a lot of folks dressing up. Most of these are small children wearing costumers of the characters or things that they adore. The go out as ninjas, pirates, dragons, princesses, heroes, heroines; people or things with great power and presence. As if playing make-believe wasn't enough fun, they get to ask for treats - usually heaps of candy and small trinkets.

If only changing ourselves was as easy as changing our clothing, putting on a mask or face paint, and going out into the world to get rewarded for our changes. Most of us want to "dress-up" - be something that time, responsibility, the stuff of everyday living - gets in the way of.

A point that I try to remember is that whatever the goal I have in mind, it will only get done if I do it.  Wishing for magical powers or another form of instant change is futile. The very meaning of the word change is becoming different.  It is a cycle that takes time and one that we have to move through intentionally in order to get our world the way we want it.  Time moves and cycles without us.  Take control and make your own magic happen.

Have a safe Halloween.
~ Susan

Family Halloween and Fall events in Arizona

Get ready for some great fun in the Tempe area. Last year we had a blast with our two kiddos. There are vendors selling food and tickets for small games where Trick-or-Treaters can get candy, stickers, or other small items.  Some booths are free.  Free admission too!

Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale is having fun with a corn maze,pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and more. If you go to their site, you can print out this coupon there as well for $2.00 off admission. Admission is $9.00 for everyone over the age of 2.

MacDonald's Ranch in Scottsdale also has a pumpkin patch. You can bring a can of food to receive $1.00 off of the $10.00 entry fee.  The ranch has hay rides, a hay bale maze, train rides, panning for gold, and other western games.

I guess Desert Ridge Marketplace is trying to come up with a new word for a more 'mellow' Halloween? Anyway, this event is free and takes place on Saturday October 26th. from 3-6pm. Desert Ridge is at the loop 101 and Tatum Blvd. in Phoenix.

This looks like a lot of fun! Halloween Spooktacular will take place Friday October 25th from 5:30-8:30 in Chandler, Arizona at the Downtown Library and Plaza center. This event has free admission. There are an array of games, costume contest, and a haunted house.




There are plenty of other things to do in the valley. Hopefully, this lists gives you some great ideas. Have a fun and safe holiday.

Quote of the Week #5

Gif from - http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2013/02/05/the-truth-hurts/

So, this is some hard advice to follow. In my opinion, being honest and being nice are two different things.

Firstly, being nice involves kindness and sympathy for the person you are speaking with or going to talk about.  Putting others down never uplifts you, even if you feel like it at the time. I've had occasion where I thought that the best comeback in the world would make me feel so much better.  I could just put that exacerbating know-it-all or that smug, cloying skinny-minnie in their place. What I get when I feel this way is no less than a internal wobbling of my conscience. Folks are always at their best. We have no way to judge who they are because they have had their own experiences and their own reaction to things.

This is not to say that being a doormat is the way to go.  Keep yourself in a good spot by steering clear of haters. Float above the filth and smog of those who decide to belch out hate. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. And maybe, get the hell out of that conversation if you can manage it too.

Second, honesty is still the way to approach things.  Do not be nice just because. Don't tell someone they have a lovely singing voice if you are considering whether or not you can hide your set of earplugs under your hair.  Tell them that you what you enjoy about them instead and then move on.

Being nice really is the way to go most of the time. Make that your first option in situations. Trust me, it feels better than that perfect zinger. :)

T is for Tough - Quote of the Week #5

I need to get to know a lot more about Eleanor Roosevelt. From what I do know, The First Lady was a remarkable humanitarian who treated people equally.  She believed in speaking her mind and in kindness. That is the kind of attitude that I can get behind.

 

Lately, I have been struggling with feeling inferior. Normally, I can push beyond it and move on to brighter skies. Occasionally, the storm I'm under just sits over me and attempts to flood over and out. I thank my faith in God, my family, and good friends that I get through it.

'No one can make you feel inferior without your consent', including yourself. 

Much Love, ~ Susan

S is for stupid

I pride myself on being intelligent. When I was younger, I felt really smart. I did well in my classes and my teachers appreciated my work and my demeanor. I think that for the most part what they really enjoyed was that I was quiet and obedient.  As I grow older, I realize that I am not smart at all. I'm in fact, pretty stupid.

I have no real understanding of finances, I do not excel at a crafts. I find crafts useless most of the time. I cannot finish a video game. I am often incapable of doing my job correctly and make numerous mistakes a day. I cannot seem to make any continual effort to write.

I'm stuck where I am. I am lucky that I am alive and breathing. That I have clothes to wear. Although a lot of them don't fit and I seem incapable of keeping myself on a healthy diet and exercise plan in order to loose the 60 plus pounds that I have gained in the past 8 years.

I have nothing that makes me special and unique beyond my DNA and fingerprints.  I am average. Horribly, awfully average.

My attempt at writing this blog is pure futility.  While I have gotten a little bit more prolific, I still don't write much and I'm not even sure what to write about.  Why write when no one will read or care about what you have posted?  When doing so will get you in trouble with who knows who.

There is a voice inside my head that I wish I could turn off. It says, "You're stupid. You're stupid. You're stupid!"

I wish I was joking. I wish this was fiction, but it is not.