Things to do when stressed out

Fun and calming things learned from children

Build a sand castle
Play with a yo-yo
Play with puppies and kittens
Jump rope
Do some jumping jacks
Try hula-hoops
Color with brand new crayons
Play peek-a-boo
Read fairy tales
Scream in your pillow
Say no more often
Ride a bike
Giggle
Roll down a hill
Spin around in a circle until you get dizzy
Try a temper tantrum by throwing yourself on the ground and kicking your feet over and over until you feel better
Take long bubble baths
Dance and don’t care who is watching
Sing any song whether you are good at it or not
Watch cartoons more often
Take naps whenever you are tired
Hug a teddy bear
And have a favorite blankie.

Another Late Night Post

Well it is officially the last day of 2008. All in all it has been a good year for me and my family. We didn't have any huge family "dramas" so I am very grateful for that. Things were pretty calm. So that is a lot to be grateful for. Look forward to the new year and I have hope it will be another good year. Happy New Year 2009 to everyone. Hope it is a good one for all of you.

My Night Owl Post

Hi all who stumble upon my blog. I am up late and I see it will be 2009 very soon. I heard we are adjusting the time by a second. You will have to wait one second longer at midnight on New Years Eve for it to be officially 2009. You can read about it at this link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28392450/

What else am I thinking of at this hour? I am happy I can sleep in, yay! I am glad I got my grocery shopping done for a few days as I take the bus or ride my bike and it has been rainy. Luckily I got out there between raindrops. :-) I have had a pretty relaxing day. I just lounged on the couch this evening and watched a show called "Intervention" and I was so glad I am not having a problem with drugs/alcohol after watching that show. It is sad what the families go through that have loved ones addicted to drugs/alcohol.

Well, I went shopping the other day. I got the most ugly clothes come to find out. I thought at first they were nice, but when I looked again, I really don't like them at all. Looks like they will go in a bag for the thrift store (well, that is where I bought them, LOL, so no great loss. Plus I bought them on half-off day to boot. Good thing as I really am disappointed. I looked at the clothes today and said to myself "What was I thinking?")

Other than those thoughts, my last thought of the evening is taking down all the Christmas decorations. That will be a big job. I hope to take them down carefully though and pack them away nicely for next year. I do love the cheeriness of the decorations. I have collected lots of them over the years. So I will miss them.

I did see some Christmas clearance items today at Safeway. And right by them were Valentine's Day things including Valentines Day Barbies. The holidays just keep rolling right along don't they? Well, Happy New Year 2009 to all. Now I must get some sleep. :-)

Puppies and Dogs

Today I saw these really cute puppies in a yard. They were so adorable. I think they were lab puppies. There was four of them running around all floppy and excited. It was fun seeing them today. The mother of them was real sweet and just wagged her tail when she saw me and didn't bark. I love nice dogs like that.

There are some dogs in town that are not so pleasant. I don't like seeing them at all. But they don't outweigh all the friendly dogs I see. I am a cat owner and often miss owning a dog, but I just try to enjoy other peoples dogs when I see them like those cute puppies I saw today.

Christmas Cactus Blooming - Yay!

Lots of times this Christmas cactus bloomed way after Christmas, but now it is right on schedule.

Here is a link with info. on the Christmas Cactus:
http://www.denverplants.com/ezine/11_03.htm

The One Problem This Christmas - poem by me

The One Problem This Christmas

The presents look lovely
The egg nog looks great
The gingerbread men look like they could dance
I got a great man to date
But there’s no toilet paper in the bathroom.

The china is grand
Boy does the silver shine
Love those Christmas phone calls
The decorations of red and green divine
But there’s no toilet paper in the bathroom.

The stockings so lovely
The mantel with greens
The smell of the pine boughs
The best scent ever it seems
But there’s no toilet paper in the bathroom
And I don’t know what to do
But Merry Christmas everyone
Just hope you don’t have to poo.

Caroler's Here Tonight

Well, tonight I actually had Christmas Caroler's singing "Walking In The Winter Wonderland" at my door tonight. It was fun hearing them sing. :-)

More Christmas Photos From Around Town

Mistletoe poem by me

Inspire Me Thursdays creative prompt was mistletoe and here is what I wrote - although somewhat weird, I had fun writing this.

Mistletoe

I am going to carry mistletoe
Wherever I go.
When I discover
Who my true love is
I am going to take it out
Tack it up high
Right near where he is
Then wait.

I will stalk the mistletoe
Like a cat stalks a mouse.
When I see my true love about to go under it
I will pounce on him
And he will have no chance to escape
My lips grasping his
Like a cats claws grasp a mouse and don’t let go.

More Fort Bragg Christmas

Happy Holidays

Great Christmas Spirit Going On In This Video

It was fun looking at this house tonight so I had to make a little 30 second movie.

Clouds To Imagine By

One thing I love about Fort Bragg, California is all the great clouds they have. It is fun to imagine different shapes of things in the clouds. That was one of the first things my kids and I did when they were little when we moved here. We would see what kinds of shapes the clouds were making like a dragon, a princess, or other shape. Those are good memories of simple times.

Robin Enjoying Berries

This robin was enjoying berries today on this bush. :-)

Tiz The Season Drawing

The prompt to create something was the word "dress" at "Inspire Me Thursday" website. And this is what I thought of. I used a costume Christmas Santa Gal as the basis for this little drawing. :-)

Moon Tonight in Fort Bragg

Great moon going on tonight. :-)

Little Christmas Duck Found Today

Well, I was looking around at the thrift store today and found this little duck with a hat and scarf for only $1.00. I then added the candy canes and some red and green ribbon and he looks nice on my Christmas table. I love bargains.

Holiday Time

Well, I wasn't going to write about this subject, but what the heck. I have mixed feelings about the holidays. I love all the lights and glitter and the music, but the part I don't like is the whole tv commercialism part of it. All those commercials about showing your love for someone by the most expensive gift you can buy them. Well, this year, as in Christmas times in the past, I have to limit my money that I spend. So I just try to do my best. I hunt out bargains here and there. I try to think of things that would actually be practical for a person and that they could use. And I do wish I could buy things for all the people that I like, but that is just not in the cards. So I am going to be just accepting my situation as it is, hand out Christmas cards to people I like/love and I will do what I can for my kids and I will have to call it a job well done. Because I am sure that if any one of my friends or relatives knew that I spent money and made myself and family go without, well, I don't think they would like it. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to spend money on me and my kids and have them go without. Well, the main thing we can give people is the gift of our time and be there for them when they need us or want us to hang out with them. I think that is what is the best gift ever. Take care all and hope you can all be realistic this holiday season and do what you can do and just let go of the rest. Bye for now.

Christmas Swedish Ivy Gift

The first photo is the little gift I made. I got the container from a little church baazar. Then I took some clippings of my huge swedish ivy and planted them in a little plastic pot. Then put it in that red and green container. Tied on a red and green bow and now I have a present made. Thanks to "Inspire Me Thursdays" websites prompt to do a handmade gift this week. Well, I didn't make the container, but I did search it out at a sale. I guess the handmade part of this was the replanting from my big plant that you see in the second photo by the stuffed old time Avon bear. Looks like I actually could make lots of gifts from this huge plant of mine. Any of you with huge plants and need a gift idea, maybe you could copy this idea here. Take care all.

Nice Landscaping Work

It was a little dreary out today, but the sun was out in the early morning and I got this photo then. These plants just looked great with the sun shining on them so wanted to share this on my blog. This is across the street from the Emerald Dolphin Inn.

View From Behind McDonald's in Fort Bragg, California

This is just a great view so I had to share it. And I am a vegetarian, so needless to say I didn't dine at McDonald's, was just in this area today. :-)

30 Second Video Going Over Noyo Bridge By Bus in Fort Bragg, California

I rode the bus today and made this little 30 second video on my way to go over the bridge in Fort Bragg. The ocean was along the right side of me behind the fence that you see and a little beyond the hotel you see. At the very end you can see the green colored bridge railing and there is a boat going out of the harbor to sea, but might be hard to see. Just thought I would give you another view of Fort Bragg. (I used the word see quite a bit in that paragraph, didn't I? Guess it is time for sleep!)

Today's View Overlooking Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, California

You can click on the photo to enlarge it and see the pretty trees in the background, too. This was the view as I looked over the Noyo bridge. I used to be very scared of walking over bridges. But I found out that I just watched too many scary movies growing up and I was scared of those scary scenes of people going over the railings of bridges. I still don't want to be standing too close to the rail for any length of time, but at least I could for this photo. :-)

Fun Creatures at Fern Creek Road Area - Fort Bragg, CA

Drawing of a Young Woman by me

What We All Need To Do More Of - Drawing by me

The prompt today at "Inspire Me Thursday" was the word table. And this was what I drew this evening. The table looked a little lonely after I drew it so I added a candle, a chair and the sign. I had fun doing this one.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Who says vegetarians are deprived? Here was my Vegetarian Thanksgiving Meal:

Homemade Stuffing made of: seasoned bread cubes, mushrooms, onions, celery, veggie sausage, raisins, apples and some veggie broth and butter and some fresh orange squeezed over it all.

Then the stuffing was put into: Baked Acorn and Butternut Squashes as well as a baked casserole of stuffing.

And we also had:

Baked Yams, Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Gravy, French Cut Green Beans with Mushroom Soup and French Fried Onions, Brussel Sprouts and Rolls and Butter. Dessert was: Pumpkin Pie and Cool Whip, although I passed on that as I am trying to stay away from sugar.

And I was happy to make this meal for my family and glad they enjoyed it. Well, I did make a cornish game hen for one family member, too, as they are not a vegetarian. Anyway, today went well and I am grateful for that. Grateful for my family and friends and the nice town I live in, too. Grateful I could spend time with family today. Take care all and hope your Thanksgiving went well, too, if you celebrated it. I realize all of us are not in America. So whatever you did today, hope it was fun.

More Around Town Photos in Fort Bragg, California

Just some more photos from my camera walk the other day.

Dial A Break Up (Little Rant By Me)

The thought just came to mind about break ups. They really are difficult aren't they? I was thinking a business called "Dial A Break Up" might make the whole thing much easier. You just call their service, give them your debit/credit card number and say, "Okay, I have this person I want to break up with, but I don't want to deal with them. Will you place the call for me?" And the service calls the person and says, "This is Dial A Break Up. Listen your loved one doesn't want to go out with you anymore." The person is stunned and says, "Why?" and the service has their standard reply of, "Well, it could be that you are a loser in just about every imaginable way, so I suppose that is why. Good-bye." And then it is done and over with.

If only it was that easy. Thanks for listening to my mind today. :-)Oh and I did just find this site that lets you bypass someone answering their phone and connects you directly to their voice mail so you don't have to talk directly to them but can just talk to their voice mail only. Pretty interesting if you want to check it out:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07232008/news/nationalnews/dial_a_breakup_made_easy_121129.htm

More Fort Bragg, California Trees

Some trees seen on my walk along Main Street near downtown Fort Bragg. When I was younger I don't remember enjoying trees so much as I do in my middle age. But I do remember how much my kids enjoyed a huge tree near our house. It was so big and strong and they could climb easily on it. Luckily it was over a nice soft field in case of any mishaps. Well, kids kind of bounce back easily anyway, don't they? Not like in middle age when you fall and take weeks to recover. Anyway, lots of the kids that visited my kids loved to climb that tree. And many a cat was found to have a good time running up and down it, too. The day I walked by our old house to see the owners cut down that tree was very sad for me. Luckily I think there are some photos of the tree in some albums from when the kids were little. And at least I have good memories of that good old tree.

Beginning Drawing - Man Magazine Model

After flipping through lots of photos in a magazine this evening, I saw a photo in a magazine of a young man and thought I would try my hand at drawing it.

Nature Break

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein quote

Today I took photos of city stuff, but it is fun to actually be aware of nature all around me. Today I heard this Raven going on and on about something. I looked up and there he was perched so dignified. He really had as they say "a birds eye view". I love nature to help me just be in better spirits. Every time I see a bird, a butterfly, or if I am lucky the deer and the raccoons, it just helps to calm me. Today's prompt from Inspire Me Thursday was to take an Albert Einstein quote and get creative with it. So after my walk today with my camera, I felt this photo fit the above quote.

Stores Decking The Halls in Fort Bragg, California

Fort Bragg Store Photos. Getting Festive on Franklin Street: Cute Christmas Bears at Whistle Stop Antiques. Pretty presents at Racines. More holiday spirit on Main Street: Gabrielle - Toy Soldier/Nutcracker, Gabrielle - Christmas Tree, Manger at Spunky Skunk Toy Store. On Franklin near the parking lot of Advocate News a natural beauty: Pretty Red Flower

Cereal Thought

Struggling on the cereal aisle

I used to struggle on the cereal aisle when my kids were little. I knew if I bought one of the healthier versions, they wouldn't really even like it. So I tried to pick one that was a bit healthy, but also had kid appeal. In that case it meant - sugar. Kid appeal is sugar. Lots of sugar.

Now that my kids are older and picking out their own cereals I have seen other parents struggle at the cereal aisle. Like they will say no to some super charged sugar cereal, but yes to a lighter version of it. There only seem to be a few without sugar.

The ones without sugar that I choose to buy now are Shredded Wheat or Regular Oatmeal. I haven't found any other choices. So that is what I choose. It doesn't make for a totally exciting breakfast, but it is healthy. If you add some berries or raisins to either cereal it gets a little more exciting, too. And at least it ends my struggle on the cereal aisle.

Oh and when I hear some child screaming for a certain cereal all because of the "toy" inside, I am just happy my kids are grown. Not that they screamed when I didn't get their cereal, but they did make many requests for cereal all because of the toy. I used to say, "Well, at least be honest you want the cereal for the toy," when they would come to me with a box of some sugary stuff. And once in awhile I would shock them and let them have it. We kind of used sugary cereal as dessert and as a treat, because that is what it seemed like to me.

Now back to my original thought I came here to post. I was thinking the supermarkets ought to label their cereal aisle this way: Junk Food Cereals, Non-junk food cereals. It would take the guess work out. But of course the non-junk food cereal section would be very small, so maybe that is why they don't do it.

Remember To Take Time For You

Inspire Me Thursdays (http://www.inspiremethursday.com/2008/11/13/coffee-break/) prompt was "Coffee Break". Since I quit coffee when I quit cigarettes, tea is my main soothing drink now. And with the holidays approaching and our fast paced schedule at this time of the year, I thought it fitting to post this photo for everyone to remember to take time for themselves, relax and breathe. (PS The china cup was from my grandmother. It is the last china cup I have of hers and my favorite. On the bottom of the cup it says "Noel" and is labeled Queen Anne fine bone china England. I am so grateful to have this china cup. I think of my loving grandma every time I have tea and it is very calming for me. Take care all.)

Photo from Local Licks Concert

And here is a photo from the concert. I was sitting in the back and just have a little digital camera, so you can't really see things so well, but here is a memory from the concert - John Chamberlain, Frannie Leopold and the rest of their group.

Local Licks Concert in Fort Bragg at Cotton Auditorium

Went to the Local Licks Concert tonight that was helping to raise money for music programs in the schools. This is a tiny sample of John Chamberlain, Frannie Leopold and others at concert. It was fun getting out tonight with a friend of mine. :-)

Beginning Drawing - Barack Obama

Tonight I tried my hand at drawing our President Elect from a photo off the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper. I had the DVD "Friends With Money" on the TV while drawing this evening. It was a nice relaxing evening and I am happy about Obama winning the election. :-) Wonder if the words "friends with money" have something to do with what is our future with Obama? Maybe we will have more friends with money, than without money? I think it is a good sign. Take care all.

The MoonTonight

Wonder what the moon looks like from your way. And if anyone has pointers on taking moon photos with inexpensive digital cameras, I welcome your ideas.