Advice to Live By

Some of you may know that I kept a journal as I was growing up. I find it interesting to look back at my thoughts and events that shaped my life. This is a poem that I was given when I was 12 years old. The words have always stuck with me and I try to live by them. We are all given control over our own lives and we make our own choices. The older I get the more frustrating this is for me as I see people I love and care for making choices that may lead them down a path they don't want to be on. I can only give my love and support and hope that eventually they can see clearly enough to find a way to their own happiness. I do know this, You will not find happiness from somebody else. It is a feeling that comes from inside YOU. You can search the world over and chase many empty dreams but happiness is carried from within. Having said that, here is my favorite poem.
Myself
Edgar Guest

I have to live with myself, and so,
I want to be fit for myself to know;
I want to be able as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don't want to stand with the setting sun
And hate myself for the things I've done.

I don't want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself as I come and go
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of man I really am;
I don't want to dress myself up in sham.

I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men's respect;
But here in this struggle for fame and pelf,
I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to think as I come and go
That I'm bluster and bluff and empty show.

I never can hide myself from me,
I see what others may never see,
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself- and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.

Memories that shaped our lives

DW and I got up yesterday to find an envelope on our kitchen table that was addressed to my dad and appeared to be more than a few years old. I side we found several autographed photos. Only MY father would have an autographed photo of Mr. Rogers! Hahhaha. This is sooo cool! When I was young I regularly watched Mr Rogers and for those of you who can remember Romper Room too. In fact my very short acting career began and ended on Romper Room. I was on a television commercial which advertised toys. (I didn't make a fortune but at 5 years old managed to come away with a very nice tea/dish set to play with.) Later Mr Rogers came to have a special place in mine and Dan's heart when we watched him during my labor with Sarah. Dan claimed to have never seen it before. Now,as I write this my co-worker informs me that Mr Roger's really is not as wimpy as he was portrayed. He actually was a special forces marine and when hired for kids tv was forced to wear long sleeves due to his nasty tatoos on both arms. Like Tiger Woods and so many others he felt the need to walk on the wild side. One more hero in my life falls from grace. Sigh! I forgive him though. After all he is only a man who must first experience the bad before he realizes the good in life.

Valentine's Day

Babysitting?????

What an amazing month! So much to keep up with. Susan has had her baby boy. A cute little bundle of surprise that I'm sure the whole family will have fun spoiling. If you haven't read Colista's blog, she is pregnant also. After 5 boys the odds for a girl are in her favor by now. Funny how us girls managed to marry men that could give us boys when we already had sooo many brothers to deal with. Apparantly there is no shortage of the male species in this clan. (sigh) Anyway, mom went down to Sue's house to help with the new bundle of joy. That being said I bet you can guess where her dog and 4 little puppies went? That's right Dan and I were "babysitting". Lila is a cute little poodle-type dog that has 4 little puppies that are just opening their eyes. I started out kind of enjoying having a dog around the house again but soon realized she was nothing like our Sandy. This dog requires constant attention and petting. (Just like Dan. LOL) She would jump up on the couch next to us. If I didn't pet her she would roll over on her back on my hand and squirm around trying to "pet" herself with my hand. Too Funny!!! On Friday mom picked her up because Dan and I were leaving town for the weekend.