FAMILY DINNER TIME!!!!!!

     You know what?  If there was ever a important event in a families life I would have to say it would be the simple, moment of FAMILY DINNER TIME!  Sounds crazy but after 30 years of married life and 26 of those with children added to our little family, we are STILL having family dinner time.

     It was pretty easy to achieve when we first started out, but as technology advanced and busy lives that NEVER seem to STOP came into play, I am not going to lie it has been a challenge to achieve.  I remember that I could turn off the T.V. and leave the phone hanging on the wall or on the counter and simply walk into another room all together.  Then the answering machine came along to take the calls and the days of recording your favorite shows was possible so you didnt miss out on anything.

     I could handle those days.  But along came technology that all the sudden CAME WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU WENT, it seemed to NEVER LEAVE YOUR SIDE or TURN OFF.  Well that is when the so called DREADED FAMILY DINNER TIME RULES CAME INTO FORCE!!!!!!!  They were simple!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"  ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE TO BE TURNED OFF AND REMOVED FROM THE DINNER TABLE.  THE WORLD CAN WAIT, BUT FAMILY DINNER TIME CANNOT"

    Trust me, I had more than one member not to happy, but they respected what we were trying to do and it sure was nice to see their bright shiny eyes and smiles for once.

     Now I am sure you are wondering why I chose this topic.  Well even after 30 years of starting with two in my family to adding a few more, we still have FAMILY DINNER TIME.  Good old fashioned sit down at the dinner table and gather all around time. We turn off those electronic devices and just for a brief moment, but a lasting moment we do what ALL FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS SHOULD DO AT DINNER TIME.....

TALK AND LAUGH AND SHARE AND EAT AND ENJOY EACH AND EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!  AND ON THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE................

"THATS WHAT COUNTS"

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Pamper your SELF......

     I used to believe when I was younger that it was wrong to spend money on yourself.  I had several jobs and I just felt that it was much more important to spend it on everyone else in my family.  While that is true when it comes to family, and thinking of OTHERS before your self.  The part I never actually got as a young wife and mother was NOT TO FORGET YOUR SELF.  I learned very quickly if you don't take care of YOU once in a while then not only do YOU SUFFER but your family will suffer.  So I learned what we call moderation in ALL things and I started to not only do something for everyone else in the family but to also do something that MADE ME FEEL BETTER!!!!!!!

     This can be a variety of things and NO, husbands don't get worried they don't have to COST a lot.  In fact, putting in a excellent word on husband and wife spending money on THEMSELVES, its pretty simple.  THE RULE IS...... WHAT EVER A SPOUSE SPENDS ON THEMSELVES THEY NEED TO AUTOMATICALLY LET THEIR SPOUSE SPEND ON THEIR SELVES.  This is one of the best rules to live by in any marriage, and it works.  In fact my husband is happy when I do something for me, which isn't alot trust me, but he knows it makes me feel better inside and he LOVES the extra hugs and kisses he receives and the SMILES on my face, and so do my children, I mean they get rid of MOM for awhile right? ha ha ha.......

     So today for me was a wonderful day for a mere $15.00.... I got my nails done.  Nothing feels better than having shiny fingernails and getting a hand massage thrown in also.  I was pretty excited to show my Hubby........ And on the POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE..................... HE WAS SUPER EXCITED ALSO, I MEAN OF COURSE HE GOT THOSE EXTRA HUGS AND KISSES FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxo

ARE YOU FAST AS A HARE? OR......SLOW AS A TORTISE?

     What does all this mean?  Well the world tries to force all of us to decide which we are.  Fast or Slow!  Let's just say that you decided to be BOTH!  Sound like Fun?  Totally!!!!!! and here is why.

     Whats something you could be fast in doing?  Well how about helping others when being prompted to. How about being fast to respond to your children when they call your name the FIRST time! Most important what about being fast to show your family or a neighbor just how much they mean to you, by doing a secret act of kindness without receiving acknowledgement.  I promise, it will be you that feels the best inside.These are just a few of the millions of ways to be FAST when it comes to life.

     Now lets explore what it means to be slow!  I have found there are times when I really enjoy being slow lol.  One of them is when I say my prayers.  I know that the one FRIEND that I can ALWAYS count on to be there is Heavenly Father.  He is and will always be my very best friend and that's why I am slow when I talk with him and thank him for everything. In fact he is every ones friend and if you haven't already you need to make him your very best friend.  Another area is when my family comes over to visit.  I will take every opportunity to  make them feel loved and warm at my house just so they WILL BE SLOW IN LEAVING AND SAYING GOODBYE.  I am hear to tell you IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     You don't need to follow what the world thinks is right all the time.  You can think and feel for yourself whether you want to be Fast or Slow or like so many of us BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Besides...........ON THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE, Being BOTH, fast like a Hare and slow like a Tortise, makes life a lot more interesting and fun to say the least, and that's what brings smiles and warms are hearts!!!!!!  xoxoxoxo