Wednesday's wisdom....

I've been sitting here, racking my brain, waiting for a burst of inspiration and a "message" for today's post.  I finally asked myself, "So what have you learned this past week?"  
And despite feeling that I have to come up with an inspiring lesson of sorts, the truth is I have learned a lot since last Wednesday.  And in no particular order, here are just a few.

I've learned.....

 1. My body is aging faster than my mind.
 2. I do not have to keep every single book I own.
 3. Less is better!
 4. The Englishman is my rock when a crisis arises and he knows exactly how to help me.
 5. Dialing your cell phone can help you find it when you're not quite sure where you left it.
 6. Pale cream colored walls really do make rooms look larger.
 7. It's important to respond to emails.
 8. It feels really good to pass things down to your kids while you are still here to watch them enjoy those things.
 9. I need to take breaks and rest while working around the house.
10. If you've been unhappy with the food at a restaurant in the past, chances are they haven't improved since and you should not go back.

I've also learned it's best to keep these posts short.  So that's it for today's lesson.

Tip for a Tuesday....

Label it!

The Englishman and I are in the process of trying to move a few more items to the "retirement house." Not only does that reduce the amount of stuff here in this house, it allows us to move things at our own pace.

Many items so far have slipped easily into large canvas bags.  They are more portable that way and I can easily see what's inside.  Boxed items, however, soon become mystery items.

Solution?

An itemized list taped to the top of the box.

Easy peasy.

A Monday memory.....

Remembering two amazing, strong women who passed away today....

Dame Margaret Thatcher

I have always greatly admired this incredible woman.  

First female Prime Minister of Great Britain and the longest reigning Prime Minister.

Those two accomplishments alone are truly outstanding.

Yet it was her strength and complete conviction in her beliefs which I found to be truly admirable.

I admit I also loved to listen to her shout her opponents down in the House of Commons.

Today, the current Prime Minister, David Cameron, summed up her eleven year reign:

"She didn't just lead our country, she saved our country."

Then later this afternoon.....

Annette Funicello

The earliest memory I have of television was watching the "Mickey Mouse Club."  My mother often recalled that I would sing my version of the opening song, "Mika Mouse," while proudly wear my Mouse Ears hat. I thought Annette was so beautiful, a sort of older sister who looked out for everyone on the show.

Years later I enjoyed watching her in beach themed movies with Frankie Avalon.  Then Annette came back into our homes once again with a series of Skippy peanut butter ads in 1979.

Annette suffered from the disease of multiple sclerosis.  Its devastating effects left her unable to walk or speak for many years. What a cruel illness.  Yet in rare footage I saw of her after her diagnosis, Annette could be seen still wearing the smile you see in the photo above.

May each of these women now find the peace they so truly deserve.

Friday Fotos....

It's been quite a busy week, filled with sorting, clearing out and donating much that has accumulated around here and now needs to find a new home.  So I've really only one "Foto" to share today.

Not sure if you can read it, but my "MIRACLES HAPPEN" tin sign is rising just above the geranium plant.  Which is appropriate, since I nursed that particular plant through the winter and have been rewarded with a bloom.  It is more easily visible in the reflection on the window.  

In addition, though also hard to detect, the "Christmas cactus" to the left of the geranium has a new flower bud!  If you look closely, center of the plant, towards the pot, you just might spot it. And it isn't even Christmas time.  How lovely is that!

Wishing everyone abundant sunshine and rising temperatures this weekend.

May you find time to get outdoors and enjoy it.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

*Found this on Pinterest

So very true....

Wednesday's wisdom....

Write it down....

Truth be told - I have a lot of trouble remembering things these days.  Who knows why.  Perhaps it's stress, too much going on or a simple case of old age creeping in.  Doesn't matter.  The fact remains that many times throughout the day I forget what has literally just been said.

Solution?  

For the moment, I think the best thing is for me to write things down.  Every single thing .... written down on paper.  

And even then, I may still forget or fail to do.  But I'm hopeful it will give me a chance to stay on top of things better than I have been.

Fingers crossed....

Tip for a Tuesday....

Mr. Selfridge

For those of you who have become ardent fans of Downton Abbey and are searching for something to watch until the series resumes, I have a suggestion.

There is a new mini series currently being aired on PBS entitled, "Mr. Selfridge."

It tells the story of the real life American, Harry Gordon Selfridge, who went to London and opened the  famous department store located on Oxford Street - Selfridges.  

Mr. Selfridge was apparently rather revolutionary in his approach to shopping. I have found the series to be quite informative, as well as entertaining, concerning many aspects of the shopping experience.  What is quite commonplace to us as we wander the malls was often cause for raising many an eyebrow  when he opened in 1909.

I must admit that due to the cleverness of the Englishman, we have already viewed the entire first season of the series and were delighted to see it will return for a second.

Episode One aired on local PBS stations this past Sunday, but many are repeating it again at odd times throughout this week.  So there is still time to catch up before episode two airs on April 7th. 

Jeremy Piven, the American actor, stars in the title role.  If you find you sometimes have difficulty in deciphering the British accent, as I have in the past, Mr. Piven will keep you rolling right along with the storyline.  As with most British dramas, the acting, costuming, scenery, and storyline are all superb.

I highly recommend it!