RMSorg

So, do you all remember the infamous Marilyn Monroe movie with the same name sake as my blogs title?  I love older cinema & so yes, I love this movie.  Anyway, that is not the reason for my quick post.  The reason is a much more important one!  Ok, so I was searching the blogosphere and I came across this Article which got me all excited.  Because even though I am a low maintenance girl (husband rofl in the background) I still do love diamonds!  So, the wheels in my head started turning and I because so excited to share this with all my ladies and fellows too.  So here it goes! Are you ready? Pay attention…

Macy’s is going to be holding a contest to take place on Twitter and the rules are (drumroll).  Anyone who tweets love notes of 140 characters or less on said social media platform between February 1st thru 13th, which must include the #hashtag “#sweetesttweets” in the love note will be eligible to win a Diamond Pendant Set on February 14.  But wait, there’s more (can you believe it?).  They proceed to include this tiny but oh so delicious detail, “Everyone who tweeted with said #hashtag will be entered to win the grand prize of a Diamond Ring!“

I can’t stand it!! So, best wishes to all and if you don’t win the diamond pendant, there is always the diamond ring to fall back on.  May the best twitter-ette Win!  May you all have an amazing, inexpensive and unforgettable Valentine’s Day 2010, Macy’s Style! Any comments and/or suggestions are always welcome…

RMSorg

by RMSorg

I always think and say this out loud, “We are very fortunate to live where we do and to have what we have. Many people would consider our  life style that of royalty. “  My children just roll their eyes at me because they don’t understand what I’m trying to convey to them, yet.  They are shielded from all the horrors of the world, the sadness, sickness and devastation that comes from living in conditions unfit for any human being.  Recent events in our banking and real estate industries have forced us, Americans to be plagued with poverty, homelessness and sickness as well.

Our family members, friends, neighbors and fellow citizens are loosing their jobs, their homes, their health insurance and life savings because of the condition of our economy!  This scares me and motivates me to help, in a small way, but help none the less.   So when I read an article in the local newspaper that stated how one of our local community events was going to help local families struggling to survive, I was thrilled!

The event was called “The Pumpkin Fest” and the event was being coordinated by a company called Life is Good .  The festival had many activities and games but what mattered to me was simple.  Every time someone tossed a disc, they would be helping a disadvantaged family in Tampa toss their problems away.  Every time someone carved a pumpkin they would be helping a single mom or dad start a new life.  How exciting that you could go out and enjoy a nice family evening playing games with your children and carving pumpkins, knowing that in your enjoyment, you were bringing a new hope to families in need, a mom and dad struggling to provide for their children.  That is Sweet to me!

So, when I saw these beautiful rows of  Carved Pumpkins I was overwhelmed with joy for all the families that these pumpkins represented! What a night!  A wonderful time was had by all while contributing to a great cause!  And I really did appreciate all the talent that was on display that night!

Have you been visited by  Life is Good lately?? Contributing made my family feel good, even if it was in a small way.  Share your contributions with me, I’m excited to hear what everyone is doing to help in their own way!

I love the idea of them fishing together for many reasons but the one that inspired me to write this blog  is very poignant and fresh in my mind.  It was early morning, too early for him to be up, and he was on the phone with his grandfather.  I could hear the excitement in his voice as he reiterated the prior evenings catch.  The conversation lasted for a while and I didn’t think much as I hear him speak so excited to his grandfather.  As time went by, I walked by him, eavesdropping on the conversation.  I too was caught up in the details and then I realized what was going on.  That moment of clarity brought a large smile to my face.

Here they were, never really speaking the same language, except for these precious evenings spent fishing with his grandfather and his dad.  I realized that he would carry these memories with him for the rest of his life.  But more importantly, in a time of  the internet and high technology video games etc.  my son had found something to speak to his grandfather about that they both could understand.  A language they both could speak, a common ground, a bonding time, a special “manly” time that I couldn’t provide for my boy no matter how much I wanted to.

I rejoiced because for years I’ve encouraged my children to have open communications with their grandparents.  To call them several times a week to say “Hi, how are you doing.”  But children, apparently, are very busy and have their own agenda.  For my son, it’s playing video games, building websites, watching Japanese cartoons, playing outside and the list goes on!

So, listening to this particular conversation, brought so much joy to my heart.  I know that my father in law is loving every minute of  this new phase he is having with his grandson and I rejoice for it and I encourage it and I pray for it!

In a world were there is so much disconnect because of wide generational and technological gaps this is a special time in my son’s life and I’m beyond happy that he has found it.  I’ve always liked fishing on a personal level but after this summer I will appreciate and love fishing for one more special reason!

Thank you for letting me share and please feel free to post any special “memories” you are making with your children and grandchildren.

RMSorg

That report says a lot to me as it should you as well.  But don’t fear and consider the following recommendations, if you will, to help you improve your mental health.

• Value Yourself. You were created uniquely by God.  There is no one in the world like you.
• Quiet Your Mind. Read the Bible, an inspiring story, a self-help book.  Take time to reflect on what you read, on the word’s that give you comfort and hope.  Take time to pray and reflect.
• Build a Network of Friends. People with strong family and social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network.  Avoid unhealthy relationships that make you feel inadequate.
• Give of Yourself. Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else.  Get the focus off of you and instead do something tangible to help others.  Try it you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
• Learn to Deal with Stress. Stress will always be a part of life.  Practice good coping skills.
• Avoid Alcohol. Because alcohol is a depressant, it only aggravates mental health conditions.
• Take Care of Your Body. Improving your physical health can improve your mental health.  Exercise helps decrease depression and anxiety, and exercise improves your mood.
• Get Help When You Need It. Seeking help is a sign of strength and not of weakness.  Find a treatment that is effective for you.  We are all different and what works for me might not work for you.

I feel compelled to write this because in the last 3 weeks I have personally known someone who lost their life and have heard of two other people that have taken their lives.  I wish everyone health, hope, love, family and whatever else you need to feel that tomorrow is another day.  If  you aren’t here someone will miss you, someone who loves you very much.

The Journey By Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice -

thought the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles,

“Mend my life!”

each voice cried,

But you didn’t stop,

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible,

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do-

determined to save

the only life that you could save.

This is a poem by Mary Oliver and I am posting it here because I can’t possibly post it on twitter!

Please do comment and feel free to leave your interpretation of said poem.

Thank you for your interaction!

RMSog

One, you must understand the difference between the terms.  So, ‘Recyclable’ products can be collected and reprocessed to produce new items. Common recyclable materials are: paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum, and electronic waste. Recycling is very important in diverting waste from landfills. Check with your local recycling collector to check what materials in your area can be recycled. The types of items accepted can vary from location to location. Also, properly sort your recyclables into your household recycling bins. If your city does not collect recyclables, you can use Earth911 to find public and private recycling centers. This is a nifty site that I was really glad I found. They tell you where to recycle important things like batteries.  You just type what you want to recyle and your zip code and presto.  Very simple & user friendly!

Next term is ‘Biodegradable’ which simply means that a product will break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass within a reasonable amount of time in the natural environment. The term ‘biodegradable’ however has no legal enforcement or definition. Therefore, the term has been used loosely by some manufacturers. One important thing to remember is that biodegradability is a desirable feature in products such as cleaning agents. Conventional cleaning agents will often release harmful phosphates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they break down, but biodegradable versions will not. Products that are labeled as ‘biodegradable’ can be disposed of in your garbage. However, it is important to remember that landfills lack the microorganisms and oxygen required for waste to biodegrade in a timely manner, so you should still try to minimize the amount of wasted material. For example, TheGreenOffice has a Green Screen system that ranks products based on recyclability, reduced chemical content and third-party certifications.

Ok, so this is what I’m walking away with.  Try to recycle as much as I can and thanks to Earth911 I can keep more harmful junk out of landfills. Read labels, read labels and read more labels. So let’s all be eco-friendly and do what inflicts minimal or no harm on the environment.

Enjoy

RMSorg