Today's Miracle Mind ?

I was going to single out the ones I liked best, but then I'd be writing the whole post over again!

Do you know how often I feel out of place? Like who really cares if I'm there or not? Well, I made up my mind a long time ago that the reason I am somewhere is because I WANT TO BE THERE, SO THERE! I can adapt to any situation...now, I couldn't always do that before...and I know when my feelings of not really fitting in are understandably so (I don't really know anybody else there), are my imagination (everything is really fine but I THINK something should be different), or when I really don't fit in (because it isn't the way it was supposed to be or I thought it was going to be). I can adapt to the first by enjoying small chit-chat when it comes, watching and enjoying others, and then one of two things...things either start warming up a bit so I feel I'm fitting in better or I excuse myself politely and with warm thanks at a certain point if things haven't improved. In the second case, I make my way to a bathroom (catch some breaths, splash water in my face, and "re-group" myself), recognize MY problem and give myself a little mental talking-to and adjust my own attitude, go for a bit of a walk for a little alone time and then return, or find the person(s) I'm the most comfortable with and tell them I'm feeling poopy and I need to snap out of it (and they'll usually comply with a little of genuine caring attention...not pity or making fun...but good friendship stuff. In the third case, I just stay as long as I have to (if I have to at all) and then leave. It's not a party or a celebration for anybody who's not enjoying themselves and it's not going to be enjoyed if it's all wrong, so I just leave. It might take time, but with a little practice at recognition, fitting in can be handled quite well when it doesn't seem to be happening naturally or automatically...or, you don't have to even worry about whether it's you or not if the whole thing is wrong and it's ok to just walk away.

Whew! I need to sit, put my feet up, have a cocktail and a smoke, and turn the phone off after reading this! You just made ME have quite a day and now I need peace and quiet. I don't know how you do it, but you sure do get through it all somehow...and you manage to turn it all into funny little stories for us to enjoy. Laughing feels good, but I know the stress and exhaustion you must have behind those words sometimes. Keep up the humor but, please, try to take it easy and not let all that craziness really get to you.

WooHoo! Congrats to Chris!

OHhh, I would very much like to go to one like you just described! Treasure bundles, that's what I would call them!

Hey, there might be some people who would love to see pics! After all, you said you do this in your boxers! Seriously, I hope you find it to be fun because then you won't mind doing any workouts, and then you'll end up feeling and looking better. So, have fun and good luck!

What a nice testimonial! That must have made you feel so gosh-darn awesome! I can't think of a better person to get such a nice thing as that!

Aw, Kelli, I feel so bad that you have to deal with this awful reality in life. There really are still some good and honest people out there, believe me! But, it's these "cheaters" who just spoil everything. Edie has worked in retail for ages now and comes home with stories a lot like yours, some worse, some better. She not only deals with them at the checkout counter when she works as a cashier, but also on the store's floor as well, when she's working in certain departments. How often she has to confront people like the ones you encountered and it shouldn't even be like that in the first place. Those dishonest few can spoil an otherwise good day. Don't let them get to you because you do a good job and the honest people who are shopping need people like you in their lives, too.

So darn cute! I love these pics!

Good for you, AJ! That's great news!

This one sounds better to me than the last one you reviewed. I think I actually like the sound of this one and would be anxious to give it a try.

This one sounds like it's very busy with a lot of "stuff", which I might find for good reading OR I could discover that it's too much. I said I was thinking of adding Patterson, so I might get to this after all, but I'm not quite ready to add anybody right now. So, we'll have to wait to see what happens.

Wow, I really liked this post. I think Mary Martin should have had her time on some recording item (like an album) a long time ago. No doubt that Herman's music is always a hit...it seems that way no matter who's singing it. Great post!

You must be so happy to have your birds back! They couldn't wait to tear into that plant, though, could they? It's their way of saying, "We're baaaack!"

Oh, Tracy, that is beautiful! You can amaze me with your talent, it really is a gift!