D.M.Rice Thinking out Loud!

Sarcasm hurts...

2009-10-10T07:48:00.001-05:00

We all do it, now and again... We all receive it now and again.

My mom was a very sarcastic woman, and I find myself falling into the judgment trap now and again. I am learning to curb this negative trait.
If you are reading this, and know you have used sarcasm, please do take time to check this link out.
It will help your communication in the future.

The link below will bring you to a great article, one that makes a person really think about this subject. If you send or receive sarcasm, take the time to read this one.

Click to go to article.

A lifetime of seasons, time moves on...make your list of REASONS TO LIVE

2009-09-30T12:08:00.005-05:00

Round and round we go, and where we stop, nobody knows.

Life is cyclical, seasonal, constant.

In our pursuit for a good life, enjoyable life, and also a life that we can look back on, and know we have left a positive path for others to walk, we sometimes get lost in the everyday shuffle of work, schedules, seemingly endless to do lists. Many of us wander in small circles, and our daily life path doesn't lead us to the dreams and goals we had as children, and young adults. We walk in muddy boots, unable to climb out of the quagmire.

Maybe, we should take a break from the routine, and think about our Life Goals. Time waits for no one, it keeps moving, and we have no control over that fact. We do have control over how we decide to spend our time. Sure we have to 'pay the bills'. There are needs that must be met. Humans need shelter, food, and a reason to live. That really sums up the needs of the human. It seems simple enough, but often we spend a life time circling, rather than aiming ourselves toward.

I personally have decided to make my list of 'reasons to live'. This is not to say that I am not living now; I am. The list is to help me gain insight to the more important reasons that I am alive, and how my life can be a part of a positive world for the future. Each person's life affects another life, and that life affects another. The butterfly theory in action!

This list will help me gain my footing and allow me to travel the path toward my life goals.
Why not take time this week, to create your list? Keep the list handy, and each week journal the things you did that helped you get closer to your life goals. The list is personal, and you can share it, or not. This exercise is for you, and you alone. You don't even need to tell anyone you are doing it. You can make your list flexible, and add to it, or subtract from it, as you realize your dreams, and goals. I haven't decided if I want to share my list. I might share parts of it a bit later. The point of my writing today... is to jump start your brain... and my own... toward life goals. While we are circling, we might as well be circling toward a more rewarding path, and leave a positive legacy.

Round and round we go, and when we stop, no one knows.

Life Purpose

2009-09-03T20:52:00.002-05:00

The fact is, humans live longer now, than ever before. Preventive health care, medicines, new technology and the natural desire to stay fit and active have all helped the 'human longevity cause'.

Because we are now here on earth longer, we have more time to learn, enjoy, and challenge ourselves. We also have more time to ask questions!

I am wondering what my life purpose is going to be, for the next 30+ years, now that I have fulfilled the first chapters of my life purpose.
My kids are grown, and on their own. It is great to see them as adults!
Now, I need to find a new passion, that will fill my next years!

I have played with ideas, but nothing has blossomed the way I hoped. Yes, I have hobbies I enjoy. They are creative, and fun, and fill some of the hours. However, they don't seem to be satisfying an internal need for me to do something for this world that will have an impact in the future, when I am no longer here. That is important to me. I need to find the reason I am here.

I believe that all women have that need. Many of my friends seem to be on the edge of discovering their new passions for life. It seems to be a part of the circle of life. We give birth, nurture, and watch our children grow into responsible adults. We agonize over their difficult times, and smile when life for our children is balanced, and good. But in reality, our 'job' of parenting is retired, and our new purpose is in our future. We are in the driver's seat, and we need to map out the road ahead.

I believe I will find the map for me. I will take some time, and journey a bit down a few roads, and see where they lead, where they might intersect with other roads...

On with my life journey, my life purpose!

Summer Ends... Autumn is arriving

2009-08-30T17:01:00.002-05:00

Love this time of year!
The air is more crisp, the breezes cool us off in the evening hours.
The warmth of the August/September sun is soaked in by the goldenrod, and black-eyed susans.

I found a few small gourds on the plants. This is the first year for growing gourds for me. I put the plants in very late. Early/mid July, the garden center had them on sale for a few dollars. Just had to try!

Geese were honking the other morning, and woke me up as they announced they were leaving the area.

My nasturtiums have dried on the stems, and I am collecting the seeds for next year's crop.
I think they might be my new 'favorite flower'... easy to grow, bright and colorful, and they expect nothing from you but a bit of sun and rain. They bless you each year with their seeds, to be put in the drawer til spring.

The grass is still very green, as the summer is not over, but hints of the new season are all around!

Day Off....

2009-08-26T07:37:00.001-05:00

I was relaxing with my dark chocolate dove, and the message inside:

"Find little ways to make part of your day like a 'day off '."

Hmmmmmmmmm...
I have the opposite problem, I fear.
I need to have goals for Work hours!

Changing bad habits...

2009-08-04T06:15:00.002-05:00

We all have them. Bad habits die hard.

Mine: over eating, over thinking, procrastinating.

Overeating

I am working on hitting only 1500-1600 calories per day til I reach my goal of 138.
I am walking or gardening, or floor yoga each day. (one mile+, one half hour, or 15-20 minutes.)

Over Thinking

This one is more difficult for me. I have a need to analyze everyone/everything.
I need to learn to 'let go'.

Procrastinating

I begin, but seldom finish.
I wrote 'never finish' first, but then realized I have finished some things I have started. If a person says to me, 'whenever you get to it'... it doesn't get done.
But under time constraints, I manage to complete. I am not always satisfied with the end result, but I know I have it completed. I believe I am a perfectionist in my head... and to reach perfection (or my idea of perfection for any given painting, task, etc...) is not possible. Therefore I 'give up' ... and seldom find an 'end' to a project.
I need to get over the idea of perfection, and enjoy the end result, with flaws...
(whether the flaws are real, or perceived!)

I find it odd, but ...

2009-07-11T14:23:00.002-05:00

I find many people have told me I talk way too much, when I am either nervous, or excited. So I have been trying to slow down the talking, and say things once, then walking away, either mentally or physically, from the talking. I am waiting til the end of someone's sentence (which is difficult for me!) ...
I find it odd, but now that I am talking less... people ask me why I am not talking! "What is wrong, you aren't talking today."

Hmmmmmmmmmm...
Can't have it both ways. Either you accept my talking , or accept my talking less. I can't appease both avenues of thought. Really, I can't.

Things I have learned

2009-07-08T21:26:00.004-05:00

Don't take life for granted.
Enjoy the day, even if the weather is nasty.
Hug someone.
Don't sweat the small stuff. Really. Don't.
Eat Chocolate. Dark chocolate.
Disagreeing for the fun of it isn't good for you.
If you think you have it bad, open your eyes. There are others that have it much worse.
Don't feel sorry for yourself. It is a waste of energy.
If you have a choice, make it a good one.
Have some fun every day.
Don't worry about what other people think, if you know you are doing the right thing.
Accept that some people are in bad moods, and need to stay there awhile, before they move on.
If you can help someone, do it.
If you can't help someone, because they need to help themselves, don't waste your energy feeling bad.
Don't put people down, to make yourself feel better. It doesn't work.
Tell people the truth, once. Just once. They will either hear it, or not. Repeating it doesn't make it more true.
Listen when someone tells you their truth. It is just as true as yours.
Live with your choices. If you can't live with the choices you make, then change them for the better. Then move forward, and live.

Summer must be here, it is nearly the 4th of July weekend!

2009-07-02T06:38:00.004-05:00

Waking up to rain again today, and it is the 2nd of July. Summer sun has just two days to show up! I am beginning to think our area is the new rainforest. Lush, wet greens that smell of mossy fern growth. Love that part of the new weather pattern! My bones ache each morning, before coffee and ib... but soon after the first cup, I am ready to go!

The weeds think they are in heaven, so my husband and I each fill a large bucket of weeds nearly daily. The exercise is free. The other morning I looked out our window, and realized that even in this lush world, we still have a visitor who is eating the tops of our sunflowers. One would think that with the greens and clover growing abundantly all around, the deer would not choose our garden goodies. But they must know we put some extras in the garden just for their dessert.

Evenings are calm and wonderful now. We sit outside and enjoy the quiet.
Love this part of summer! Of course, in another day or two, the quiet will be interrupted by the wonderful sky shows of the holiday! Summer is official!

Choice... Keep Moving Forward

2009-06-09T09:28:00.003-05:00

Woke up in the middle of the night, startled by a bolt of lightening, and the enormous crash that comes with such a close bolt!
The rain came, and I was lulled back to sleep with the rhythm of the drops hitting the window.
This morning, however, my father's hip joint pains attacked my hips, and I am not walking well.
I moaned, groaned, whined, and whimpered for about two hours. Coffee, and grapenuts with yogurt, with ' ib' for the pain. That was breakfast.

My choice for today: Keep moving through the pain! The bedroom walls need painting!

I am finding that moving up and down the ladder is helping the pain ease.
Funny how a positive choice can make all the difference! (Of course, the 'ib' may have kicked in too, but I CHOOSE to believe that my own choice helped!

So... I was thinking the other day...

2009-05-31T15:35:00.002-05:00

Well, if you caught the title of this posting, you know I think most of the time, and my thoughts usually flow freely out to the world, even when the world isn't ready!

However, I was thinking the other day, about something that might be of use to someone out there... so here I am writing about my thoughts...

The 'something'... is this:

What if each of us has a gift that we are supposed to be sharing with others, to make the world better? What if we are holding on to the gift, (or even 'gifts'!) ... and we are not giving to others?

I have been thinking about 'my gifts'... and how I could share them.

I have been gifted with 'talking things out' (heaven knows I have had practice!)
I have not yet opened the gift that requires me to be silent, while others enjoy their gifts. I hope that I learn to untie the knots that hold that gift!

I have been gifted with the love of color, design, and freedom to be creative.
I am realizing that if I share this gift, others may learn to be creative, and enjoy the process, and worry less about the outcome. The process of creating frees the mind from daily stresses, and the fears, anger, hurts that humans hold.

I have been gifted with working with kids, with many needs, and have learned that all kids have their own timing, and that in the long run... all kids will be successful when they are ready. I hope to share some things I have learned as I helped children learn to read, write, and express themselves.

I have been gifted with understanding that as we grow older, we are able to appreciate the gifts others bring to us, share with us. If we listen to our elders, with compassion, and if we listen to our children with compassion, we are in a position to learn much that we have not learned.

I have been gifted with the understanding that if we meet someone new, there is a reason for the meeting. I hope that I am alert, and calm enough to 'hear' the message when I meet the new messenger. And if by chance the message is not one I want to hear, let me know it is a message I need to hear.

I have been gifted with the understanding that sometimes gifts come to us, and we don't open the gifts. They lie wrapped up, unopened for years. Then, when we take the time to unwrap them, we wish we had taken the time to receive them a bit earlier. All gifts are not wrapped in pretty papers, with colorful ribbons. Some come wrapped in brown paper bags. They are often the best gifts!

Searching...

2009-05-18T07:18:00.002-05:00

Human flaw, this searching outwardly...

Waking up searching for validation, assurance, freedom, love...

Search within.

Life ... Live it Daily!

2009-04-29T17:02:00.004-05:00

Each and every day is a gift.
Think of that, when you wake up, and open your 'gift', to see what you have inside!

Take in the sights, the colors, the sounds!
Take time to really see what is around you, and all that you have, and are able to do!

When the days come that give you clouds, and rain, remember they are there for a reason. The sun and warmth will return. It has since the beginning of time, and it will continue to return. You just have to open your heart and mind.

If you have days that are sad, that is okay. Balancing life's emotions, is part of the journey. We all need down times to realize how blessed we are, in comparison with others. Just when we are feeling low, someone comes along that is in need, even more than we are... that is the journey of understanding.We are all connected, and we all need to look beyond our own pain and need... and see how we can help others.
By doing that, we will find our own peace. Taking time to stay as healthy as possible, and having friends to talk to, will get us through the rough times. There are many possible roads to travel. Some have bumps, and that isn't so bad... After all, they are the roads that give us the beauty of nature. The fast pace highways often lead us to more stress than the bumpy roads... ! Accept the bumps, and move forward...

Friendships and Time...

2009-04-14T21:49:00.003-05:00

The other day I received an email about a high school reunion coming up... 40 years! Oh my gosh... !

Although I won't be attending, due to family trip... I loved the fact that I could connect with my past friends again! I sent my information, and requested that my email be sent off to Brenda.

Within two days, I was emailing her, after 40 years!
And within another two days, Nancy and I were emailing...
Friends from 7th grade dances, and swimming at Lake Paron!
Feels like yesterday!

UPDATE: Sue also connected! This is so much fun for me, knowing that we gals are once again connected! It is important to keep your life going in a positive direction, and circles are the earth's way ... !

Connections in life are our circles of life... The Lion King roars!

April, Crocus, Sunshine and Rain...

2009-04-07T14:46:00.003-05:00

Well, I thought the title would fit the month perfectly, until I woke up to a smittering of snow on the pretty green lawn!
The crocus were bent and shaking with the chilly breezes, as I sat in my jammies by the window drinking my morning coffee.

We are going to have this up and down weather for awhile, yet, I believe. It is mother nature's way of teasing us!

Meanwhile, I am planning my calendar of spring and summer events. The basement studio is looking much better, and when I have another warm day I will paint the floor, so we can go out and find a small rug to put down to keep our toes toasty warm this next year.

Life seems busier now than before retirement! Steve is umpiring, and I am beginning to have classes / art nights in the studio. We have some travel plans, with family and friends...

The never ending circle of ideas for creating paintings, crafts, and classes keep me going, for sure! The winter blues are over. Yeah!!!!

(Did you hear me, Mother Nature? ! )

SAD... those cloudy winter days are nearly over!

2009-02-17T13:03:00.002-05:00

This is an excerpt from a great sight... SparkPeople!

"If you live in a northern region, where skies are normally gray from October to March, it’s not uncommon for a lack of sunshine to make you feel depressed. Research has proved that brain chemistry is affected by bright light, although the exact process is not clear. Less than 1% of the population in sunny Florida report symptoms of SAD, yet about 10% of Alaskans report severe winter depression. It is a real illness that affects as many as 6 out of 100 people in the U.S. Even 10 to 20% more people may experience a milder form of SAD. It’s more common in women and usually first appears in one’s 20s. People with SAD typically feel better when spring comes, and then experience symptoms again in the late fall.

In general, we tend to eat and sleep more in the winter and experience more ups and downs during the shorter days. Winter may bring about weight gain and a lack of energy for people in general, but symptoms are more serious for SAD sufferers. The list below gives a range of symptoms that are clues to whether you have SAD. Not everyone who suffers from it experiences the same symptoms.

There ARE ways to treat SAD. A popular method is light therapy, where patients start with 30-45 minutes of daily treatment in front of special bright fluorescent lights and then gradually reduce this duration on a weekly basis. The intensity of light equals about the same that you might see when looking out the window on a sunny day. People with SAD have reported great relief from this type of treatment. Other treatments involve prescribed antidepressants with physician supervision.

If you think you might have SAD, learn as much as you can about it. Stay aware of your symptoms so that you can take action to get better. Find a health professional who is qualified to treat SAD and discuss treatments that are most appropriate for your individual needs. "

Mid-February! Spring Signs all around me!

2009-02-16T18:32:00.003-05:00

The sunny days are a bit sunnier, and the wind is blowing the clouds away, more often now. Two signs that Spring is traveling to the Northeast!

The plant that I have in the window is beginning to grow green.(A sure sign!!!)

I started cleaning out the hall closet shelves the other day, and caught myself thinking about how much room the closet will have when I recycle all the accumulated papers, turning them into artworks. (The artworks I was thinking about were collage works of bright and cheery flowers!)

Yes, Spring is here, in my heart... the weather is just a bit behind my spring spirit!

Spring HAS to be around the corner!...

2009-02-01T10:24:00.003-05:00

I am itching for SPRING!

Literally! My winter skin is in need of more water, and more lotions...

But more important, my winter BRAIN is also in need of SPRING!

February is so long to me... here in the Northeast.
It is when I begin to think garden, and the ground is far from ready for me to go play in the dirt!
February is red hearts, and white snow...all mixed together. I usually add the blue mood... (how patriotic is February! ) LOL!

Postcard arts... my own event... am I allowed to change it up? ???
I have to... or go crazy!!!

When will I learn... I am an instant gratification gal, who is always changing things up!!

Oh... and by the way... I HAVE To stop using the three little dots, at the end of thoughts, and sentences!

New Year... New Beginnings!

2009-01-05T18:13:00.002-05:00

I know, ... we always do this...

but why not?

It is the human way... this "new year's resolution" thing...

so ... call me human.
that is better than some other names...

This human's goals for this year:

to enjoy each day, no matter what mood I am in...

to lose about 20 lbs of me, maybe more... by being more active, and farther away from the refrigerator, and kitchen cupboard that holds the potato chip bag...

to paint more 'large works' in abstract style... because I happen to like them!

to try more mixed media

to walk more, even when I really want to stay in my jammies all day!

Okay... that is a good start...
Let's see YOUR list!

Warming up ... after putting on the outdoor tree lights!

2008-12-14T13:00:00.003-05:00

Each year, Steve gets out the antique star...and we borrow an enormous ladder from a neighbor friend... and put the star on top of the blue spruce.

As par for the course, ... each year, the tree grows a foot or so taller!

We are thinking that Rockefeller Center needs a tree ! This one is getting too tall for the ladder!

2008-12-04T08:18:00.002-05:00

Nature has it's own paint brush.

Just walk through the woods, or a park in your area, with camera in hand. Be observant, and look for nature's art!

Before the snow flies, my husband and I walk in the woods. I carry the camera, and he leads the way, looking for signs of deer. Thankfully, with camera in hand, I can gather many ideas for painting inspiration! Nature has no copyrights! :O)

Love that fact!!!

December 1st...

2008-12-01T14:10:00.002-05:00

Woke up to a sunny morning, and 38 degrees!!! We expected ugly weather this morning... but it is coming in slowly... (now, a bit gray outside, at 2:15 pm)...

Took a quick walk downtown... Bainbridge stays the same... no matter what is happening in the world! Actually, this could be a blessing...

Life is good, relaxing but busy days... and the evenings are peaceful...

Oh my goodness!!! It is sooooooooo close to December!!!!

2008-11-30T16:23:00.002-05:00

Well... We have made it through Turkey Day!!!!

A wonderful 5 days visiting my daughter, and son-in-law! :O)

Thankful for ... Family, and hugs! Turkey, and ham dinner... (yes, both!!!) ...
All the fixings... (fixed a bit more modern than the traditional meal we have had in the past, but still yummy!) And... furry hugs from Aleutian, and Sable! (their family pets.)

Mom Rice did GREAT with the 14 stairs ... (she is healing from hip surgery, and is being quite the trooper! She did REALLY well with all those stairs!!!)

Phone calls from family made the time pass for her nicely... she sure does appreciate the calls! Plus, a visit from one of her sons , and his daughter... made the day a bit more special for her. I believe she enjoyed the time :O)!

Now we are relaxing in Bainbridge, and we will bring her home whenever she decides...
We are easy... ( and the turkey leftovers are going to taste yummy tonight! )... Then we will relax due to the tryptophan !

I am knitting a scarf, and also painting a few more...
Not sure what else I will do this week... but am sure I will stay busy!

See you later! ... Debi

The Mid-November Rush....

2008-11-19T07:29:00.003-05:00

I do it every year.
I said I wouldn't , but ...

About this time of the year, I get 'the rush' going!

Rush inside my head, wondering if I have things finished, and ready for the holidays.
Rush about the house like that proverbial chicken, getting absolutely nothing done.
Rush about my emotions of the season!

Wait... I have recognized this syndrome early this year!
Maybe, if I think calmly... and go forward... I can begin to change for the better!

Okay... sit down and list... prioritize... and calmly ATTACK! ...
er... calmly (attack)... yes, that is better...

Hmmmmmmmm... maybe attack isn't quite the right word to use... Calmly succeed !!

Yes... calmly enjoy!!! Yes... calmly relax...

Much better!

Now... on with the RUSH!
.
.
.
.
.
I feel better already! :O)!!!

It is November, and Life is preparing to rest...

2008-11-09T19:01:00.003-05:00

There are some who think of November as a dark, dreary month in the Northeast.
We have rainy, chilly days. The winds blow the leaves off the trees, and nature is brown, more than gold.
But I believe I like November...

I was born in November... near the end of the month... but still, in November...

It is the month when life calms, and begins to rest...
It is the month we can remember family, and be thankful...
It is the month of men hunting, and women gathering to visit... with hot chocolate and stories...
It is the calm before the Holiday rush...
It is leaves becoming skeletons, feeding mother nature...
It is mother nature resting for her birth in Spring!

November...
without November... the rest of the year could not be a colorful, and strong! Mother nature feeds on November, and knows that new beginnings need November...

Life is a completed circle, because of November.