1 more day...

Just 1 more day to go.....

111111         1111            11       111111

       11      11        11        11               11

       11      11        11        11               11

     11        11        11        11              11

   11          11        11        11            11

11             11        11        11        11

111111         1111            11       1111111

2 days to go....

2 days to go.....

222222         2222            22       222222

       22      22        22        22               22

       22      22        22        22               22

     22        22        22        22              22

   22          22        22        22            22

22             22        22        22        22

222222         2222            22       2222222

3 days to go....

3 days to go.....

333333         3333            33       333333

       33      33        33        33               33

       33      33        33        33               33

     33        33        33        33              33

   33          33        33        33            33

33             33        33        33        33

333333         3333            33       3333333

The countdown begins

4 days to go to

444444         4444            44       444444
       44      44        44        44               44
       44      44        44        44               44
     44        44        44        44              44
   44          44        44        44            44
44             44        44        44        44
444444         4444            44       4444444

Is there a 'CLEAN' 4-letter swear word?

Is there a 'clean' word that gives the same amount of joy as that 4-letter word?!

A recent post by a fellow blogger  makes me ponder and consider when it becomes appropriate to use swear words. As she has written, in some situations, a mere 'fiddlesticks!' or 'fudge!' just makes you come across as a wimp, doesn't give enough satisfaction and certainly does not quite do justice to the event that led to the use of the word.

C'mon, I know you've probably used the nasty word in the serenity of your bedroom when you stubbed your big toe! No-one was around, so no-one heard you, but you know you enjoyed saying it!

You just have to read this post...Click here for the post.....and then let me know what you think (well, me or Outspoken Introvert - the post author)

(Outspoken Introvert is a blog I visit regularly because of her quirky, yet raw, honest and engaging way of writing. You can tell it's straight from the heart and has not been 'doctored' for any audience. Hmmm, somehow I don't think she's a politician....)

A few swear words have been used in her article, so if you're extra sensitive to the use of those, do skip today's post and wait for my next super aah-mazing and informative post...sometime....

Have a great day! 

After the storm..

I really do not envy shop floor staff today...especially, after all the Christmas gifts have been opened...The Customer Service desk to return unwanted goods is never a short line, and is always insufficiently manned (I wonder if that is a sales gimmick to stop people from returning goods).
Today will be no different...

I also do not envy the Garbage truck companies.
Lots of trash to pickup, lots of empty boxes, lots of bottles, lots of cans....

So, I wonder if there is an easier way....An easier way to celebrate without the hassle....

Merry Christmas

Image courtesy All things Christmas


God grant you the light of Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ.

This was borrowed from an email sent to me by a friend. Not sure if my friend was the original author or if it was borrowed as well! 

All I want for Christmas is you - Mariah Carey

Have a lovely Christmas Eve! 

In or Out?

Waiting patiently for this decision........zzzzzz

MERRY CHRISTMAS or HAPPY HOLIDAYS?

MERRY CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As the end of the year approaches and people start getting friendlier and exchanging greetings,  I am getting confused over how to greet people this season.

I'm sure there are theology scholars who can provide us with information leading up to the EXACT date and time of the birth of Jesus Christ  - which incidentally is the reason why we celebrate Christmas and not the end of year bargain shopping frenzy or even the crazy gift giving. Some of these scholars even say there is no way it could have happened on December 25th, if we look at the signs properly.

And that's ok. But here's what I know - Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December and has been for quite a few years - centuries even.

So how come it is suddenly wrong to wish people Happy Christmas in 2011? Why do some people find it so offensive when you say Merry Christmas to them?

I appreciate that there are other religious celebrations taking place at that time of year and those groups also want recognition, but when I say "Happy Christmas", it is just a greeting. It's not an insult or a mark of disrespect for any other religion or group and it's not disregarding what you stand for.

Greeting in this manner does not mean I expect you to come worship with me (although it would be nice if you would!), it just means that I am wishing you a very Happy Christmas. Simple! 

It's quite simply a greeting - celebrating the event taking place at this time of the year. Pretty much like Happy New Year, Happy Easter, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy New Month (yep, some people greet that way too!), Hello.

Freedom of speech (and expression) is a good thing, but please do not touch Christmas!

Have a very merry Christmas.

I just don't get it....

I get most things, I think....

I'm a logical thinker. It might take a while, but I mull stuff through in my mind endlessly, until I come to a logical conclusion that I'll accept. My conclusion might not be the right one, but if it makes sense to me, then I'm quite happy to live with that conclusion.

But something happened yesterday that has me truly stumped.

I watched Wife Swap.

I know there are lots of silly Reality TV programs on TV, but Wife Swap truly takes the biscuit!

Can someone please tell me what the purpose of that program is?

Most Reality TV programs have a theme and purport to educate the viewers (don't ask me how!) on some essential life skills  etc(!). Let's look at the following examples...

The Real Housewives franchise - this is where we learn about 'Real Friendships', and how to 'stab' your 'best friends' in the back - in the name of friendship!
Super Nanny - this is where we learn to be fully appreciative of, and grateful for, the children we have at home.
Maury / Jerry Springer / People's Court etc - this is where we learn true appreciation of the 'sheltered, boring lives' we live, the relationships we have and the neighbors we have!
Keeping up with the Kardashians - this is where we learn that it is possible to be famous(!) without necessarily having any special talent or skills.
Jersey Shore - this is where we learn how to dress trashy and talk trashy - here in the USA or out there in Italy!

So, what does Wife Swap teach us?
- how to swap houses with total strangers
- how to have an argument with a total stranger's spouse
- how to enforce your own personal house rules in a total stranger's house - regardless.
- how to love other people's children (plausible...)

I do have a suggestion. As a 'social experiment', how about sending the Wife Swap families to see a Therapist / Psychologist / Shrink of some sort.....This might be a cheaper option for the network, definitely more 'logical' based on what I've seen so far, and could even potentially be written off as a donation to charity.

I'm truly puzzled, cos this program has left me completely befuddled!
30 minutes of my life I'll never get back.....

Is it over yet?

The commercialisation around Christmas really gets to me and leaves me worn out. And I know now that I don't do well in large crowds! I avoid the mall like a plague at this time of year and find grocery shopping a huge, massive chore. Long lines, limited stock (I usually shop at the last minute!) and just too many people!

So today, I found a picture that aptly describes my state of mind - for TODAY!
I remain positive that it will be different tomorrow. Who knows, maybe even later today!

Bring on the Christmas cheer!

Supervisor is Genius

When was the last time you received really GREAT customer service? 

When you have a problem that requires calling customer service, what is your immediate reaction:-
a) Elation at the prospect of speaking to knowledgeable, friendly, professional people who will fix your problem in record time
b) Fear and trepidation at the complete waste of time that the effort to resolve this issue will take - if at all it is resolved.

Many people dislike calling customer service because of the poor quality of service they receive. It is almost as if, once the product has been purchased, then the individual is truly left bereft, trying to figure out how to fix things. I've had a couple of excruciatingly painful(!) encounters recently, which is why I feel compelled to sound the warning...

The shopping frenzy is on. The shops - warm and well lit, the sales team - very welcoming, the displays - beckoning, the prices - rockbottom (well, some items!). 

It's Christmas season and you feel you need to splurge on your friends and family who have stood by you all year.  

BUT.....

Think carefully about CUSTOMER SERVICE before you swipe that card. If you are not ready for the hassle of a non-responsive customer service team (if something goes wrong), then you might need to rethink how badly you need that item! 

(This has got to be one of my best adverts so far - a skit that describes bad Customer Service implicitly! . 

There's a whole selection of different skits. Check on Youtube for Discover Card - Peggy)

Have a great Monday!

Writing your vision down....

Then the LORD answered me and said:

“ Write the vision 

And make it plain on tablets,       

That he may run who reads it.        

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;       

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.       

Though it tarries, wait for it;       

Because it will surely come,       

It will not tarry. "

Habakkuk 2:2-3

I'm writing stuff down, awaiting the time when He makes it certain. Are you? 


Have a great Sunday! 

REPOST - Do you watch TV?

I watch TV.

There, said it!

Some people choose not to watch TV because they say it’s a complete waste of time and there’s nothing to be learnt from it. I truly can’t say I blame them, if we go by the deluge of Reality TV shows that are constantly being aired. Pray tell, WHAT is so intriguing about watching people make complete fools of themselves?

Some admit to not watching, but just need the noise from the TV as background noise. These people could easily substitute the TV for the Radio, because it’s just the noise that they seek.

Some people admit to watching TV but say they only watch the news.

Some people admit to watching TV, but only on the weekend.

Some watch all the time.

I watch TV, but my style is rather unconventional.

I love watching comedies, but really struggle to watch anything continuously for more than 30 minutes. (Not sure why, but I think deep down, I feel guilty that I am not doing something more fulfilling and rewarding within that time). This way of thinking therefore limits me to 30 minute episodes of comedies. I don’t feel guilty and I get to laugh. Laughter is key to me and how I live my life.( I read somewhere that the average person laughs about 13 times a day. How so? My friends and I far exceed that number each day, every day!). I also watch Game shows because they challenge your mind, in the wierdest way possible. Yes, it’s trivia but still a brain workout!

I do not enjoy watching crime / detective programmes (Law and Order, CSI sorry). Surely the news provides enough of that in true living colour? I also do not enjoy watching sports and I have absolutely no interest in documentaries about past wars, history of the world etc.

I never sit to watch TV, just like that. I must multitask while watching TV – do the dishes, fold the laundry, pay the bills or read a magazine (yes, it is possible to watch TV and read a magazine). I admire those who can fully relax in front of the TV and do nothing else but watch the box. Impressive, but that’s not my style.

So, do you watch TV? What do you watch? How do you watch?

Holiday!

I think this says it all!

Dreaming of a White Christmas - Bing Crosby

Christmas on a Sunday?

Is Christmas more special when it falls on a Sunday?

Confidence

Have a great day!

12 days of Christmas quiz

12 days of Christmas ... When exactly does the countdown start?

a) December 1st

b) December 12th

c) December 13th

Have a great Monday

REPOST - Give Thanks!

Give thanks!

Have a great Sunday!

Of situations and destinations

I'm here today but not quite there yet

A work in progress on the path to perfection

A traveller on the long road to excellence. 

Here today, but definitely bound for a greater destination.

Woo Hoo! It's Friday!

Keeping up with the news, EU appears to be spiraling towards a financial meltdown, the Republican party Presidential hopefuls are playing the elimination game with one another, the strife in the Middle East region persists and so much more is going on in the world in general.

But in my little bubble, I am just happy it's Friday! It's been a long week. Have a great Friday!

Image courtesy www.ubercomments.com

Life.....

....one long process of getting tired.

Read more: http://www.finestquotes.com

REPOST - Words

What are words?

We all use words in different ways to communicate.

From the minute we open our mouths, our choice of words gives the listener an inkling into our inner personality and what type of person we could be.

Words as Encouragement - when used correctly, words can be a source of encouragement to souls needing succour or validation, helping them realise that the current situation is not a final destination, Bigger goals lie ahead, once we are able to pass through the current crisis.

Words as Self Expression - the words used to describe/express oneself,  your thinking, you. What words are you using to express yourself? Are you portraying the right image? Is that how you want to be seen, remembered?

Words as Pictures - the words used,  describe things. The manner in which some writers describe events and places in their novels is so vivid, that you, the reader, are immediately transported to that place in time with the writer, touching, experiencing the same things that he has just written about. The description is so good, so precise, that even the blind can visualize it.

Silent Words - sometimes words are not necessary. A simple touch, a look, a glance, a hug says it all. (I use this a lot with my children when in public spaces. Our silent means of communication)

Inspirational Words - the words used are enough to move mountains! Preachers, public figures and politicians are experts at this. Such words make people want to aspire to reach for the sky. When used in the right context, words become motivational tools for uplifting weary souls and firing up people to strive to achieve great results.

What types of words do you plan to use today?

Tuesday 6th December 2011

Found these whilst walking this morning! 

Have a great day! 

Zero Email Policy

A news article I came across recently talks about a company implementing a Zero Email Policy and that set me thinking. The link to the original article is at the bottom of this post.

Would you cope?

My mailbox is a great repository for official communication, personal conversations with friends and most importantly jokes and I would die if I didn't get to keep my collection of choice 'informative' emails in a variety of subject areas.

Like....

• Health - never sit on a public toilet seat as there are millions of viruses underneath the seat which can kill you, never drink directly from a can of coke as the Coca-cola warehouse has millions of rats and mice living in the warehouse, the use of certain sanitary towels can cause cancer, Cocacola is an effective contraceptive....
• Online safety - emails with advice about the scheming ways Internet companies are collecting our personal data and what you need to do at once (by contacting them with your name, address, telephone number, Driver's License Number etc) to rectify this!
• Spiritual life - emails with inspirational and prayerful emails that are full of blessings, but then I get concerned when the tone changes from prayerful to ominous, as I am told that if I do not share with at least 15 friends, great evil will befall me like so many others before me who did not heed their instructions...
• Sex and Relationships - 'beautiful' women from Eastern Europe writing and wondering why I no longer keep in touch (as if?!), companies trying to sell me Viagra or other performance tools....
• Career - Mystery Shopper or Work-at-Home offers that keep dropping into my mailbox. FYI, I'm being head-hunted here! 
• And my personal favorite
• Financial Windfall - wealthy Foreigners who need my assistance to safely secure inheritance money - for a huge commission, because I (a perfect stranger to them!) seem to be the only one they can trust! Better than winning the lottery, because the amounts in question are mind-boggling! 

I'm sure you know all those types of emails! (www.snopes.com is a good website for checking out the validity of many of these claims)

Personally, I don't think I would cope without email, as I have become very dependent on emails as an efficient,  reliable and useful tool for  communication. (It might not always be safe and secure, judging by the stuff I get but, I'll survive...).

Instant messaging seems very informal and the Facebook style messaging being suggested by Atos - Hmmm.. is that concept really different from email? (Surely the concerns about data will still be there, as this Facebook Style communication will need to be stored somewhere. Facebook keeps talking about building new data centres so obviously that type of technology is still storage and data dependent)
I don't know what type of infrastructure that is currently in existence at Atos, and obviously someone really clever must have thought it through before making the announcement, but I am really keen to see how this pans out. We could all be on the verge of learning something new....

Now excuse me, while I go through my emails and re-read yet another funny joke! (Yes, sometimes I get good jokes which I keep to read again and again....)

Original Article on Zero Email Policy

REPOST - The Power of Prayer

I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER
I do believe in the power of prayer
What better way to communicate with the Father
It’s God’s proven way of talking to Him
Do it with meaning, not just on a whim!

In a quiet room, on bended knees
It’s quite easy to do this with ease
Open up and talk to your Creator 
You must remember, he’s also your Saviour

Prayer is indeed such a powerful tool 
Having this outlet doesn't make you a fool
Unfailing said, on each blessed day
Prayer's the best way to start and end the day!

Pray for Blessings

Our Prayers should be for blessings in general, 

for God knows best what is good for us....Socrates

Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com

Happy Belated Birthday, Mark Twain

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things 

that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. 

So throw off the bowlines. 

Sail away from the safe harbor. 

Catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. Dream. Discover." 

Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

A moment on the lips

As Party Season approaches
I struggle to fit into my glam clothes
I think back with regret
Of all the mistakes of the past year.

I did have good intentions.
I went to the gym often enough (does once a month count?).
I had the right gym clothes (although I refused to notice when I kept getting them in bigger sizes).
I ran a 5k each day (in my mind, whilst lying in bed!)

And now the moment of reckoning is here.
It's party season and I have nothing to wear!
Do men feel the same way
Or does a smart suit really cover all?

Some wise words for all of you out there.
It is true what they say.
A moment on the lips,
Is truly - a lifetime on the hips!

Beware!!!

Anonymous quotes on Dreams....

"Keep your heart open to dreams. 

For as long as there's a dream, there is hope, 
and as long as there is hope, there is joy in living." 
Anonymous 

On the other hand

"No dream comes true, until you wake up and go to work!" 

Anonymous

Ambition

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.

Bill Bradley

Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com

Making mistakes

Have you ever made a mistake?

I believe we all have at some point, but it is how we handle the mistake that defines the type of person we are. Our character.

When you make a mistake, do you:-
a) blame the other person?
b) refuse to accept you did something wrong, but rather stand your ground - kicking, screaming till the end...
c) own up and apologize
d) say nothing, bury your head in the sand and hope the mistake disappears

Mistakes can occur in every sphere of life - in relationships, at work, in school....It takes a strong character to take ownership and responsibility and admit that something went wrong....

How do you handle mistakes?

One day at a time

Another version of one of my favorite songs...One I listen to, when I'm feeling overwhelmed and rushed off my feet, as it reminds me to take one day at a time....

One day at a time - Lynda Randle

So was it worth it?

 Click on the links for some of the stories that made headlines as a result of Black Friday..

Waffle Maker

Pepper spray

Fighting

So, was it worth it??????

Savvy Shopping

So, it's Black Friday and a massive shopping day in the USA.

Actually, if you're reading this and you're in the USA, then it could mean 

• you don't really care about the bargains
• you do most of your shopping online
• you're reading this on your phone, while standing in line, waiting to checkout your amazing bargains?!
• you've just come back from the midnight shopping spree and this is your last act before you head back to bed!

I came across this post online and decided to share this with you today. The writer is actually suggesting doing the reverse this Black Friday day which makes sense... Do enjoy!

Click here to read. 

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for:-

Life,

Love,

Family,

Health,

Friends,

Work,

Shelter,

Safety

.....

What are you thankful for today - and always?

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Black Friday approaching.....

It's really proving exhausting keeping up with all the upcoming sales. 

Every shop in North America is offering extraordinarily amazing discounts and some shops are so eager to get the business, they'll even open on Thursday evening at 10pm (yep, Thanksgiving Day!) to make sure shoppers can come. (Bless 'em for their thoughtfulness!) Apparently, this Thursday evening offer is targeted at those shoppers who might want to have a lie-in on Friday morning. 

Trying to keep track of who has what where, is giving me a headache (and some really weird itching) and somehow I have the inkling that I might just end up stuck in traffic all day, as I try to navigate from one store to another, in search of that exclusive bargain.

The thought of heading out the door early enough to be one of the 1st 100, who will get yet another additional 50% percent off, is wearing me out! With any luck, I might actually not spend a dime, if I just set the alarm right!

OK. Tomfoolery over. Is it really worth it? Are those mad 5am dashes to the stores really worth it? The prospect of trading germs with fellow shoppers (many of which skipped the basic hygiene routine this morning in order to get ahead in line)? The early morning dog-breath (much more pronounced when the weather is crisp and cold at 5am)? The prospect of catching a cold (or something more contagious) from being exposed to the elements, so early in the day? 

I'm not sure. 

I also know I am getting 'older' and it takes a wee bit longer to recover from ailments, so, I'm going to go with a different strategy this year. I am going to go at my own pace. On whichever day I please. At whatever time I please. To whatever store I please.

Too bad, if I miss the fantastic discounts. Too bad if I don't get that special gift. Just too bad! 

State of mind...

Courtesy www.networkwithjen.com

I couldn't have found a better picture than this one online to describe my current state of mind. (and even this excludes the day to day figments of normal living as well!)

So much to do, so little time. And waking up earlier isn't really going to make a difference either! (I'm up at 5am anyway - weekends inclusive!)

What to do??

Have a great Tuesday.

REPOST - Losing Stuff

Because I know we are constantly on the move (and probably will be for a few more years) I try not to have too many personal items. OK, I TRY!

My advice would be to keep your baggage minimal whilst you travel, because it makes it easier to pack up and go, when it is time to move on to your next move.

With most corporate relocations, the company will arrange for your possessions to be boxed and transported, yet, there is still confusion on Move Day as the movers invade your space.

Where does this go? Can we pack up this room? What is staying or going? Have you done the labels?

In between all that, you are struggling to keep an eye on your valuables (children inclusive!) and also ensuring that the really important items (passports, birth certificates etc) are not packed up for shipping.

I'm writing this because I did lose some important documents about 11 years ago and accepting this 'carelessness' has always been a problem for me. 'I'm the organised one' 'I have a foolproof filing system'

I was able to replace them (somewhat) - not in the fancy format they originally came in - rather a printed A4 page that acknowledged that I did own the original at some point. (I have a few awkward moments through the years, trying to prove that the A4 piece of paper is really, an original legal document and not one I printed off at home!)

It's always been a low point in my travels when I think about those documents. What could I have done differently? Where did I keep them? Maybe they are hidden somewhere in one of those boxes that we haven't opened up - yet? Occasionally I go through phases, where I spend the whole day going through boxes, hoping that I will find them. So far, I haven't had much success....

So my advice would be -

a) if you are constantly on the go, keep it lean and mean. If you can't, then rent some storage and keep some of your stuff there.

b) certificates, passports etc are GOLD. Keep them safe!

Faithful

God is faithful!

Power

Being powerful is like being a lady. 
If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.

Margaret Thatcher

Courtesy: http://www.brainyquote.com

C'est la même chose

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.

Albert Einstein

Courtesy :http://www.brainyquote.com

Heigh ho!

Have a great Thursday!

Fast..

The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says 
"it can't be done" 

is generally interrupted by someone doing it.

Elbert Hubbard

Courtesy :http://www.brainyquote.com

The Postage Stamp

"Consider the postage stamp; its usefulness consists in the ability 

to stick to one thing until it gets there." Josh Billings 

(Courtesy www.ordinarypeoplecanwin.com)

How about that, for a lesson in perseverence?!   Have a great day! 

Elusive Blogging Inspiration (E.B.I.) - 5 major signs

5 major signs that show that blogging inspiration is elusive.

• You use pictures only as your daily post
• You use famous quotes solely for your daily post
• You reference other posts without any comments of your own
• You 'steal' other posts and repost them as yours (quel acte diable!)
• You just don't blog! (even worse!) 

When life catches up with you and blogging, what's your survival strategy?

I choose to blog daily - by hook or crook. And I could sit here at the computer and keep writing all day (seriously, I could), but then there are a few minor distractions that stop me from doing that:-

• a family that needs my attention (bless those kids for keeping me fully occupied!) 
• a house that needs my attention (so exhausting keeping up with the chores et al.) 
• food that needs to be cooked (or else get thrown away and I hate waste!) 
• a life that needs to be lived (despite everything, we do still need physical contact with people, because the blogosphere isn't everything...sadly!)

I've always said I find blogging therapeutic, so you can only begin to imagine how chaotic things are right now. Not in a bad way, but just utterly and stupendously, chaotically mad!

I'm looking forward to my next great post, but until then....Be. Right. Back!