Forty Days of Smiles

Today, February 21st, marks the day that humorist Erma Bombeck was born.  This year February 21st is Fat/Shrove Tuesday.  Coincidence? Probably yes, but for me it is more like Divine Intervention. Yes, the idea seems crazy and silly - well maybe yes but then again maybe no.

In my faith for the next forty days I should be giving something up to show my understanding of the sacrifices made for me. I always fail miserably at the giving up part which just makes me feel really bad during this time of reflection.  I end up reflecting on what a big failure I am because I cannot go 40 days without cookies, chocolate, candy, or yelling at my kids! Some years ago I changed my tactic and decided I would spend forty days giving to others rather than giving up something for myself.

At church this Sunday I was reminded of being open to give of yourself rather than restricting yourself. I have always believed God has a keen sense of humor - this explains a lot of things if you think about it and if you just open yourself up to looking at things differently. Since I try to find humor in most things in life, for the next 40days I plan on trying to do things that make people smile and maybe even laugh. I plan on just plain smiling at a lot of people.

Erma Bombeck once wrote, " When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would not have a single talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'." Personally, I am not sure what all my talents are and if I am using them all the time.  I do know that I am a talented smiler.  I love to smile and usually smile at times that are appropriate and even some inappropriate times, the awkward gift of the nervous smile.

My hope is that for the next forty days I can make other people smile by sharing my smile with others. The possibilities of success are endless and I can not think of a better way to celebrate the life of those who make and have made us smile and most of all to honor the One who gave us our talents.

Peace begins with a smile,
Magda

Fear is Frightening

Fear freaks me out.  It is so powerful. My usual path with fear looks something like this: F=Freeze, E=Elude Realty, A=Agonize and R=Run Away.  I am comfortable with this path.  It means I stare at the TV, talk to myself, eat a lot of cookies, and keep myself busy with just about everything else rather than confronting the thing of which I am afraid. Is this a healthy path? No, not really, but it is comforting in a strange way.

What I have come to learn about fear is that it can paralyze you. It paralyzes your dreams and desires. It is narrowing and constricting and it slows down and possibly eliminates potential.  Well none of that sounds very good. I know that I don't want anything to have that much power over me.

I always wonder what is it I am really afraid of anyway? Usually, it's an outcome I cannot control. I have learned that not being able to control something makes us vulnerable. But, I also know that being vulnerable means that we are open, and being open means that we are not constricted, and not being constricted means that our dreams and desires can be endless almost boundless. Well that sounds better.

So I think I need I new path for fear: F=Facing it, E=Evaluating it, A=Attacking it, and R=Rising Above it. My gut tells me that the speed limit on this path is slow but the road will always be open, and I can still eat cookies along the way.

Written with courage,
Magda

Stuff My Teenage Kids Don't Say

I love when my mom hugs me in front of my friends.
Hey mom, can I take the trash out?
I am so happy my parents are my Facebook friends.
I can't wait to do my homework!
I HATE snow days.
Look a dish in the sink, I think I'll put it in the dishwasher.
I'll mow the lawn every week without having to be reminded.
I was listening to every word.
Oh no, I left my towel on the floor.
Excellent, I woke up before my alarm. I should just get up now.
I love walking the dog.
My parents know everything and I love spending time with them.

Have fun storming the castle!
Magda

Chic Flicks for Valentine's Day

This list has the potential of being long and predictable so I am concentrating on movies made in the last 15 years.  These are movies where the female characters are strong and the dudes are cute.  In each movie the leading lady has a vulnerability that is endearing (don't we all). Sometimes they are rescued by the man BUT sometimes they do the rescuing.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Tell me your favorite "chic flick" and why.

One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney - Brilliantly beautiful actors and a cute story.
You've Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks - I love the songs as much as the dialogue.
Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen - Oh Mr. Darcy!
Simply Irresistible with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sean Patrick Flannery - Simply fun!
A Knight's Tale with Shannyn Sossamon and Heath Ledger - Witty, fun and quotable!
The Wedding Date with Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney - Tons of fun and a beautiful song by Michael Buble.
Something's Gotta Give with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson - The knight wears a shiny white turtle neck!
Calendar Girls with Helen Mirren - Fun after fifty!
It's Complicated with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin - Laugh out loud funny and abeautiful house!
Must Love Dogs with Diane Lane and John Cusack - Who is cuter John Cusack, Christopher Plummer or Mother Theresa?

Happy Viewing and Valentine's!
Magda

My Mind Forgets to Remind Me

Recently I have become a big fan of country music, a phenomenon I owe to two of my children.  I am a music lover in general. I am most obsessed with lyrics and thoroughly enjoy the single lines in songs that smack me in the head with reality - my reality not the lyricists.

Case in point from a popular Taylor Swift song in which she sings, “My mind forgets to remind me you’re a bad idea”. Now I know she is singing about love and some boy but I like to put my “mature woman” twist on the meaning. 

For me I sing this line every time I indulge in one too many cookies, pieces of cake, cupcakes and/or glasses of something alcoholic; like the third chocolate martini I drank last night at my friend’s super bowl party.

Another example is the aptly titled “Storm Warning”, by cuter than a button Hunter Hayes. The line in the song goes, “I’m gonna wish I had a storm warning, gonna wish I had a sign.” Well, this is a daily wish for me. I wish I knew when one of my kids was going to be in one of their moods, or my husband has had a bad day, or the dog…well you get the picture.  Just a little sign and I would head in the other direction.

And then there is my favorite, Zac Brown Band, whose new song, “Keep Me in Mind”, has a great line in the opening. “Life’s to easy to be so damn complicated.” I love this line and try to apply it to everything. And if I am successful my mind won’t forget to remind me and if it does I hope I get a warning before the next storm so I can get out of the way, "Like a Bat Out of Hell".

Thanks for reading!
Magda

Random Things I have Learned From the Internet

1. Talking babies are way cuter than cats.
2. How to shuck on ear of corn using a microwave
3. From "friending" my kids on Facebook I have reconnected with my own friends.
4. I may or nor may not be suffering from an array of illnesses which have all been self diagnosed on WebMD.
5. It's a good idea to think it through before posting, downloading, sending, liking, replying all or scannning.
6. It's always a good time to earn an online degree.
7. I am really lucky because I am frequently the 1,000,000 person to visit web sites. Seriously!
8. When to celebrate World Nutella Day. (It's February 5th)

What have you learned?
Magda