Vacation time!

I haven't been around for a couple of weeks because I was out of town visiting family on my short summer break as a teacher. Back this week getting ready to start teaching summer school next week! I've also been dealing with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer. I'm not worried because I know my God is greater than anything Satan can throw at me. I did some research that I will go more into in the next post. I had a great time spending about several days with my daughter and her family and then on to spend a few days with my mom. Looking forward to moving later this summer just a little closer, hoping in the next year or so to move a lot closer when I'm ready to buy a house. For my quote of the day: "There are three kinds of people in the world. The first are those that make things happen; those that watch things happen; and those that wonder what the heck happened!" Unknown author

Hospitality

I came across a quote today that got me thinking about how true it is. I normally do the quote of the day at the end of my post but I'm going to do it first today because then you can relate to what I'm saying. "Some people make you feel right at home, others make you wish you were." The author is unknown but it reminded me of the importance of hospitality. When you have friends or family over to visit, it is important to make sure they feel welcome. A clean house, fresh cold (or hot!) drinks, snacks. These go a long way to making people feel comfortable and like you really wanted them to be there. You put in time to prepare for their visit. This is how you would want to feel so go the extra mile and bring the art of hospitality back.

Thank A Vet!

Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and for those that aren't aware of what it really is, it is an awareness of the Battle of Normandy, when the Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada, and France attacked the German forces on the coast of Normandy, France. They gained victory and it became a turning point for World War II in Europe. So, say thanks to a vet for all they've done and continue to do for our freedom and the freedom of others! Today's quote: "If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clear mind?" Educator/Author, Laurence S. Peter

Summer is here!

If the weather is any clue, summer is here! At least in Southern California. Temperatures have been in the 90's and 100's all week. Hopefully, it's not a trend that is going to last all summer. My favorite summer temp is about 75. If it could stay at that temp, I would be very happy:) At least summer means more outdoor time in the evening because of longer daylight hours, and that means more family time outside (at least on cooler days!) and trips to the beach and the lake. Trips to the mountains are a must; and it will be cooler. What is your idea of a great summer vacation? Today's quote: "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." Author, Robert Collier

End of Year Trips

Graduations, parties, and the end-of-the-year trips, all coming together in June and making it a very busy month! Most high schools have had their graduations by now, and 8th grade graduations are coming up in the next couple of weeks. Schools are having their senior and 8th grade end-of-the-year trips (I chaperoned our 8th graders to Magic Mountain last Friday!)and then comes summer school for some and preparation for college for others. Of course, there are those that are going right into career tracks and may have already been working at the job of their choice. There are so many different choices for young people that we are only limited by our imagination. The whole world is in front of you-go explore and make a positive difference in it! My quote for today: "Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours!" Author, Richard Bach (Johnathon Livingston Seagull)

Summer Weather problems

My heart and prayers go out to all those families who are being affected by the tornados and flooding, as well as hot temps. Here in Southern California, the temps are beginning to rise again, it was in the high 80's today. I am so grateful for air conditioning! I am still trying new recipes from the Cruise Control Diet plan and using healthy foods and cooking from scratch as much as possible. Today's meal was homemade chili and cornbread. It turned out really good and I have more than enough for lunch tomorrow :) That's my plan is to make enough for dinner so that I also will have sone for lunch the next day. Well today's quote is: "Originality is simply a pair of fresh eyes." Cleric and writer, Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Cooking healthy and lovin'it!

So my son and I have been trying to eat more healthy and have been starting to ease ourselves into the Cruise Control Diet which allows us to eat a lot of great cool foods along with some of the ones we like and don't really want to give up! I'm a chocoholic and don't want to give it up but for the first month, starting June 1st, I'm going to go organic chocolate, or at least only eat the dark chocolate that is at least 85% or more cocoa. I am able to have 3 squares of chocolate for dessert up to 3 times a week during the first month, then I'll be able to have some of the delicious desserts on the diet like chocolate mug cake, cookies, and some of the other great-sounding foods. We can eat things, which we've already tried, like cashew chicken, enchiladas, expresso-rubbed steak, and lemon chicken kale salad. They were great! The book has over 50 recipes to choose from and gives a guide as to when to eat and what foods will help boost your metabolism. I'm also participating in the suggested intermittent fasting for 12-16 hrs. a day. It works for my schedule so I fast from 9pm-10,11,12,or 1 and then I can eat certain foods to snack on during the fasting time and start having my meals after my fast. I am also an avid tea drinker and am able to drink as much herbal tea as I want anytime. I use organic honey or Stevia to sweeten my tea and then I'm good. We'll see in a month how this goes. I'll let everyone know weekly how it's looking! My quote for the day: "The most rewarding things you can do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done." Golfer, Arnold Palmer