RAZZLE DAZZLE YOUR DAYS!

My new blog www.boomerbabelife.com was borne from a desire to add oomph to the lives of all my fellow 'Boomer Babes'. Let's face it, girls -- we're still babes at heart, right? We all like to feel pretty, pampered, but most especially at peace with ourselves. If you're like me, then you have survived on this planet for more than five decades. You meet life head on, have experienced your fair share of trials and tribulations, and yet continue to fight the good fight. You're still standing, girl, so give yourself a congratulatory hug as you say to the world 'Bring it on!!!!'.

So without further ado, let your fingers do the walking over to my new space -

http://www.boomerbabelife.com

EnJOY!!

POLLY'S ON THE TRAIN...

Yeps, Polly is taking a nice long summer holiday... Business has been brisk, and I'm in the process of producing a fun new blog with my daughter Ali. The new blog is going to be a lifestyle blog with more photos, videos (yes! videos). I will do a blog  (try at least!) daily from Monday to Friday.

Each day will have a different theme - planetary activity as it will affect us - fashion - recipes - parties - you name it BOOM will have it!! I was gifted with a fabulous new video camera from Kevin and the girls for Mother's Day so yay!! having lots of fun playing with this new toy.

I will be on our local CFAX radio this coming Saturday chatting with Patty Mack about the truly fascinating world of Angels and Astrology - 1.00 p.m. Canadian time. Join us if you can!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

A MEANINGFUL LIFE...

                    'If action is an art, let us be the artists of our own life'.                                                                         
This morning I listened to a fascinating podcast which really got me thinking. I never thought about my life in terms of days. Did you know that 30,000 days is the average amount of days any of us are given to do our thing/make a difference, on this planet? Sobering thought. Some of us are given less, while others, with a bit of luck, get an extension. Still, whatever way you wish to slice it - 30,000 days. How about 'Around the World in 30,000 days'.  

Yes, you're busy, social media keeps us on our toes, but is it like that proverbial rocking chair which keeps us moving, but never gets us anywhere? Does your busy life reflect what truly matters to you? This was the question posed by Gregg Krech, author of 'The Art of Taking Action' lessons from Japanese Psychology, which I am looking forward to reading. Put the big rocks in the vase first, in other words spend at least 10 minutes per day working towards a goal which really and truly matters to you. Gregg was a pathetic procrastinator, the sort of guy who would go out and buy paper plates to eat his takeout dinner, rather than clean the pile of dirty dishes stacked in the sink. That's how bad the poor fellow was!

Wake up to what you're paying attention to. Set yourself a timer of say 45 minutes to observe what you set your thoughts on. Positive? Negative? Got an idea of what you want to do in this life that feeds your soul? Set aside 10 mins. a day doing the things that are important to you, more, if you have it. Remember that what you resist persists! Once a body is in motion, it stays in motion. So just press the START button, and remember to smile before you answer the telephone!

Gregg Krech is now a changed man. The defining moment was when his workaholic father died in his arms, it made him question his own life, and how he was a living it. Take heart all you baby boomers like me. There is still plenty of time left to really make a difference. In fact Gregg maintains that no matter how old you are, there is still plenty of time to make a practical and profound contribution to the world. In fact the last few years of our lives can be the most fruitful and rewarding. Let's take the positive road from now on! We need to establish clarity about our goals. Clarity about how we are living our lives.

Do we live a complaint-based life? or a life of Gratitude? If we're always whining and complaining about our lives, we lead a velcro-type existence, whereby all the nasty stuff sticks to us and drags us down - right? Instead, adopt a Teflon attitude, where nothing sticks. The magic word here is 'Gratitude'. Gratitude helps us live our lives like a Teflon frying pan. Nothing sticks and we glide and smile through life, putting others first. Ask not what the world can do for you, but what you can do for the world. Love it!

On that happy note,

Hugs and kisses galore - now Go get your Teflon on!!

Polly P xxx

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH DIANA'S BIRTH CHART

The heart pounding moment I gazed at the above chart for Princess Charlotte, I felt a tremendous sense of sadness. She would have been Lady Diana's dream granddaughter! They would have been so compatible. Life sucks doesn't it? That's the sad part - the rest is all glad, I am happy to say. The first word that came to mind on looking at her chart was kindness. Charlotte is the sort of girl I would want as a friend. With her Sun in Taurus, Cancer rising, and Libra moon, she will be a potent combination of charm, poise, and kindness - just like Lady Diana! Her North Node in Libra, combined with all that 11th house activity, tells me she was born to make an impact on the world. This she will do through beauty, elegance, and class. A perfect Princess in absolutely every way.

Now, let's look at the Royal connections in her chart. For starters, Charlotte and Queen Elizabeth are both born under the same sign of Taurus. This is a rock steady, reliable, and down-to-earth sign that values family traditions - and dare I say can be quite set in their ways. Because she is a Princess, we can't use words like stubborn, so let's say she will be patience turned inside out! If she wasn't a Princess, she sure would be a material gal! The number 2 and sign of Taurus are both connected with money. She will never want. People born on May 2nd, September 2nd, and January 2nd are incredibly smart with money. These people typically work hard for the money, which is why they have it.

Interestingly, both Charlotte and George have the sign of Cancer prominent in their charts. George has his sun in Cancer, and as you can see above, Charlotte has her rising sign in Cancer. Lady Diana was born under the sign of Cancer, so yes, I am happy - no, make that delighted - to say her legacy will live on in both her grandchildren. The other great news about Charlotte is that she is going to be extremely close to both George and her parents Kate and William. Capricorn Kate and Charlotte are both practical, pragmatic, down-to-earth types and will be great buddies. Kate is so lucky. The stars were very well aligned on Saturday last!

Charlotte is going to be a homebody and not a natural born academic, so school could pose some challenges for her. She will gravitate more towards the arts. The other area she will have to watch very carefully is her food intake, as there could be a tendency on her part to emotional eating, plus the fact she is going to love her food, as will Prince George. Disciplined Kate will be on the job in that department!

Initially, she will be very uncomfortable with strangers and will only want her close of kin around her.  As a Princess, her moon in Libra is going to be a great help to her. Her natural tendency is to be private, but that Libra moon will help her charm the birds off the trees! It will be the sunshine on her cloudy days. She will know exactly how to behave in order to get the maximum bang for her Princess buck! She has her jupiter in Leo which means she loves beauty, elegance and opulence. Again, such a perfect position for a Princess! This girl will wow us with her fashion sense - trust me on this!!

All in all, I predict Charlotte will have absolutely no problem adjusting to the life she was born to live. No rebel in this little darling...well maybe just a tad, with that Uranus in Aries in the 11th house. Down the road, she may have relationship issues with that volatile 7th house Pluto. She may have to kiss a lot of croaking frogs before her handsome Prince arrives, but that's a long way down the road...let's just get the girl walking and talking first...right? Besides, she has a good solid Mum to remind her of her responsibilities. One thing is for sure - she's going to be a knockout!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

LIVE LOVE LAUGH...

It was a friend's birthday recently, so I gave her a plaque with the above words written on it. If I had to pick one of those words today, it would have to be LAUGH! Some snippets I picked up this past week:-

LIVE:

Let's face it, we live because we have no choice but to do so. As we go about living our lives, life happens. Some days enfold in ways that leave you with no choice but to laugh or to cry. We never know what is going to enfold. One sure way of being prepared is to be enjoying optimal health and energy. The experts tell us the 5 biggies to optimal health are:

Sleep (lots!)
De-stress (mindfulness, yoga, pets, nature)
Real food (no junk in the trunk!)
Water (drink lots!)
Exercise (keep moving...)

LOVE:-

My dad used to sing "Love it is a funny thing, it makes a man a fool!" he'd sing it to get a rise out of mother! Love saved the day recently at an event I was at. A silly dispute arose, and one of the girls, who is very funny began singing the Beatles' song "All you need is love". We all joined in, raising the hands and before too long everybody was laughing again, and the dispute was quickly forgotten. See what I mean? If you sprinkle your daily activities with love, humour, and the realization that sometimes we need to just chillax, loosen up, get a grip - whatever! It is what it is...

LAUGH:

Yesterday was a day that called for lots of good deep belly laugher. From dawn 'til dusk, it was a day peppered with peeves and cock-ups of the highest magnitude! I just laughed myself silly as each irritant knocked on my door - one by irksome one. Miscommunication was the culprit, but then isn't it always? Wounded egos, etc. Watch out this Sunday. We have a monster moon in Scorpio! Aaagh...I would just tread lightly, tiptoe through the tulips, keep the head down, put ear muffs on...and all shall we well!

Today is Fashion Friday. I have a fashion date so I better scat and get going...

Have a great weekend, but watch out for that Moooody moon on Sunday!! Sunny thoughts...

Sending Love and Laughter your way!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

AFFIRMATIONS

I'm huge into Affirmations at the moment. As I've gotten into them, I've come to the aha moment realization that in fact - (and we really don't realize it because they sneak their way into our system) - we actually feed/poison our minds on an hourly basis, with a daily dose of nasty manure. "You're not good enough...smart enough...thin enough...rich enough...successful enough...". We have been poisoning our delicate little systems without even realizing it! Aren't we krazeeee?

NOW it's time to change the station - Yes Sir!/Madam! Today is the day!

I shall share with you some delightful daily affirmations for you to digest with your breakfast.

Here is today's delicious offering: It for YOU! courtesy of Louise Hay and me!!


              'I offer those around me patience, encouragement, support,
               a cheerful word, the gift of a smile - and most of all, appreciation'.


EnJOY and have a fabulous day to all my playful PP's (Polly Pals)

Hugs,


Polly P xxx

LISTEN TO THE BIRDS...

Today, was one of those grey gloomy Mondays that makes you want to stay in bed, pull the covers over your head, and fast forward to evening time when 'Dancing with the Stars' is on the telly, and everybody is cosy and supper is on the table.

We had been discussing talent over the weekend, and doing what makes your heart sing, and getting paid for it. How do you promote yourself? was another question that arose. Claudia's response was brilliant "A bird will never get fed if it doesn't open its mouth". Think about it. I thought about it.
You have to promote what you do! Sing! Shout it out loud! Because, just like a bird, you'll never get fed if you don't open your mouth.

As my business is growing, I realize I need to up-date my website, get some videos going, make some noise, because whenever I do that, the response is good - it's just you have to keep doing it! Yeps! Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration -  that's kinda depressing, isn't it? Well tomorrow I will be doing a half day workshop to learn how to be my own Rockstar Publicist. My eWoman Network friend Pamela Sylvan is running the workshop.

The bird theme was following me around because when I opened my agenda to write my to-do list for the day, there was a picture of a bird on the page with the following words:

             "Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent
               if no birds sang there except those that sang best".
                                
And if that wasn't enough stimulation for my bird-brain, I looked out the kitchen window to see a beautiful robin perched on the branch of a tree. He was looking for grub, spotted some, and away he flew before another bird got to it. Hmm you have to be on the ball too! These birds are teaching me.

So, if you find yourself wanting to pursue your passion - whatever that may be. Take heart - and just do it! Dance, Sing, Create, Write, Sew - Just do it! And don't forget to tell the world about it while you're at it, because remember a bird will never get fed if it doesn't open its mouth!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

A SOBERING THOUGHT!

               "Some people die at 25, but are not buried until they are 75".

Mindfulness Ireland posted the above message to my FB page the other day and I thought to myself - Wow! what a sobering thought!! That sobering thought was imbedded in my brain even more some hours later at the supermarket. A very nice cheerful chap helped me load my groceries. He wore a most intriguing pendant around his neck. I asked him about it and his response made me gag - literally! "My son's ashes are in it" he said, referring to the pendant, and then he continued "He was killed on his way to work by a driver who was texting at the time". I wasn't expecting that. I would have preferred to hear it was a gift from his grandmother!

The pendant was surrounded by gems which were the birthstones of his son, the son's little daughter who was left fatherless, and all the rest of his family. It was absolutely beautiful and thought provoking, especially after receiving the above message on FB.

It also brought to mind another conversation I had recently with a lovely lady who was widowed at a young age, and left to care for her two very young children. She was calm and philosophic about the whole matter, and said to me "Patricia, at least he lived 'til he died". By that she meant, he had lived his life happily, doing work he loved, and just enjoyed his life. My question today is "Do you enjoy your life?" Are you living your life, or simply existing your life?

There is an old gypsy song which I remember my dad singing in the car on our way to the bog. I loved to hear him sing it. It went something like this...

       "I'm a rambler I'm a gambler and a long way from home
         And if you don't like me, just leave me alone
         I'll eat when I'm hungry, and drink when I'm dry
         And if the moonshine don't kill me, I'll live 'til I die"


A simple song with a compelling end "I'll live 'til I die". I also liked the bit 'and if you don't like me, just leave me alone'.

I'm a firm believer in 'Blooming where you're planted'. Wherever God puts you, or whatever life throws at you - you gotta find enjoyment in your life! And be cheerful about it. Cheerful, being the operative word - just like the nice man who helped me load my groceries into my car the other day.

Have a playful weekend!

Hugs,


Polly P xxx

HAPPY SPRINGTIME AND EASTER TO YOU!

HAPPY SPRINGTIME AND EASTER TO ALL MY POLLY PALS!

A time of renewal, re-birth - and just ploughing through the pain!

I still miss my little kitchen companion Chichi every day, but there is nothing for it but to plough through the pain... She definitely was a master chef in another life. She loved her food, and the aroma of food being cooked was manna from heaven for her! Yesterday, when I opened a can of salmon, I winced in sadness, because there were no familiar little paws following me around, ready to lick the empty tin. She would lick the empty tin from one side of the kitchen to the other!!

The other thing Chichi loved was dirty laundry! When I would do the laundry, she loved to snuggle up in the middle of the soiled stuff. Once, I nearly threw her into the machine with the sheets!! She also loved her music and warmth. Every time I left the kitchen where she loved to be, I would turn the music on for her, preferably jazz, or easy listening - Chichi was an archetypal Taurus - in case you hadn't guessed! She loved her food, family, music, and comfort!

She was my trusty companion for more than a decade, guardian of the home, door bell when I was in the basement and did not hear the buzzer, Psychologist, when I needed somebody to confide in, hot water bottle on a cold day, companion when nobody else wanted to go for a walk, love nanny to the girls, etc. Who couldn't love a dog?

So, when Claudia told me she had a dream about Chichi last night, and that in the dream, Chichi was up to her eyeballs in ham, and delighted with herself - that was it! I knew I had to snap out of it! Since she passed away on Tuesday, she has appeared twice to us in dreams. The first night to me, letting me know she was happy, and then last night to Claudia. So, the sadness and loneliness I felt for her shifted. I decided to cheer up, and invite the Spring into our home. It is after all, a time of re-birth and renewal - and I do have a 20 year collection of Easter ornaments sitting idle in Holiday Hall in the basement! Just the process of decorating the place cheered us all up. When I saw the smiles appear on everybody's faces again - it was worth it!

Have a beautiful Spring and Easter. May it be a time of re-birth and renewal for you!

Hugs and Kisses,

Polly P xxx

FAREWELL SWEET CHICHI OUR FAITHFUL LITTLE FRIEND!

At 10.00 a.m. today, our little Chichi bid farewell. She went off to doggie Heaven, and crossed over 'Rainbow Bridge' with the most beautiful smile on her face. There was no pain, no struggle, no fuss. It was her time to go. We are all so appreciative of the fact she waited until Victoria was home for Easter, so she could be with her as she breathed her last breath. It would have been dreadful if Victoria was not there to hug her goodbye! We were all with our beloved Chichi. Her mission on earth was accomplished. She brought love, joy, and comfort to our family for the past eleven years - almost eleven. Her birthday was coming up on April 24th.

I can vividly recall the day she arrived into our lives. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon in June. We answered an ad in the newspaper, and along she came like a princess, sitting in the front seat of a red pick-up truck! We arranged to meet at the empty car park of the Sears store in Calgary. It was all rather bleak, but once we saw her little face, it was love at first sight!

Some people might say 'But she was only an animal!' To us she was much more than just an animal. She was an Angel who filled a big void in all our lives. She became the parent, grandparent, sister, aunty, uncle, and cousins we grew up without here in Canada. After a long hard day at school, she would be waiting for the children with her tiny little tail wagging for joy. Always there to comfort, when comfort was needed.  Even though Chichi was tiny in stature, she had the heart of a giant.

How such a teeny tiny little dog could wield such power over our heart strings can only be explained in one word - God. She came to us when we needed her in our lives. After she became blind two years ago, her life deteriorated. She knew we needed her comfort, as Daddy had just died, so she struggled on bravely for the past two years. Unfortunately, with her blindness, and a multitude of other health issues, it became too much for her, and for us to watch her struggle. So today was the day!

Goodbye sweet Chichi, we miss you dreadfully. You were a BIG part of our little family. We will never ever forget you, and your cute little bobby sock paws!

God Bless and have fun in 'Rainbow Valley'.

Sadly,

Polly P xxx

CHICAGO CHICAGO THAT TODDLING TOWN!

I don't know what Frank Sinatra meant by 'toddling town', it was pretty awesome to me! My one free day to explore this spectacular city was just an appetizer. The Hay House 2 day Writer's workshop, which was the main reason for my trip, was definitely worthwhile. I met lots of really interesting and eclectic people from around the world, and  learned all I needed to know about being a writer. The bottom line can be summed up in one word: 'Platform'. Yups. If you don't have a platform, forget about it! Platform + Ghost writer = bestseller. Sounds sad - it is!

You could be the next Charles Dickens or Margaret Atwood but it's useless if you don't have a platform! Start with the platform, then move on to the writing of the book, and if you don't know how to write - no problem, just hire a ghost writer. Let's say you have a bestseller...be prepared, because the royalties from your book will be just like 'pin money'. The main source of income for writers today is through speaking engagements. Who would have thought? So, if you like to speak in public, that's a great start. Apart from 'Platform', the other big word for writers is 'Diversification'. You need to be able to have a stream of income coming from other sources - CDs, e-books, t-shirts, key rings - anything!

The 2 day event was a treasure trove of information. I just loved author Mike Dooley, who spoke at the event. He was an accountant by profession, but left the industry after a few years to pursue his dreams - and then worked like a demon! He does not like to write, nor does he enjoy reading. However, he does like to transmit power thoughts to others through his 'Notes from the Universe'. Check him out!

The Hyatt Regency where we stayed was like an airport - huge! It is a Convention Hotel, and as such was buzzing with activity. Just imagine, all eleven hundred rooms were fully occupied! There was a dizzying array of events going on at the hotel: a Tattooist Convention, Theology Convention, Filipino Medical Convention, Weight Watchers, Bridal Fair, Girls Choir group, as well as our Hay House Writer's Workshop, attended by 530. Lots of people - diverse in the extreme!

While I was at the seminar, Kevin adventured around Chicago, and was so taken by the Art Institute of Chicago, which he said he will remember for the rest of his life! They had a spectacular Irish exhibit. You can google it 'Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840' at the Chicago Art Institute. Chicago has so many fabulous Museums to explore - you'd need a week at least, make that two! For my part, I noticed the little things, like the fact people love their chocolate in Chicago, and their pizza. I never in my life saw so many sweet shops, charming bakeries, and pizzerias! Divine decadence. Folk are friendly, laid-back, and very pleasant. I cannot tell you how many ladies stopped me on the street to compliment the boots I wore...and this was on a miserable snowy day - can you imagine the fun on a sunny day!

The 'Magnificent Mile' was precisely that. Magnificent! Wide streets, high glamorous shop windows with enticing merchandize smiling back at you. Oh! the lure of it all - just as well my Visa was hacked for the second time since January, and I had none to play with, and the sun wasn't shining! If all the aforementioned were in play - who knows what damage I'd have done!! The Starbucks on the MM was equally alluring. Comfy velvet seats and couches were in place for people to simply rest and chillax after their shopping expedition. They didn't even need to buy a coffee - just people watch, and wait for the snow to fly. On a sunny day, one could float off on a romantic river cruise...oh the joy to be had after a hard day's shopping!

Another highlight of the trip was our visit to the American Doll shop. For some weird reason, I wasn't as keen as Kevin to go in and explore! Time was valuable, and I'm more into clothes than dolls! However, it was such a pleasant surprise. There was a huge line-up for the dolly hair salon. Little girls, with their grannies and mothers, were lining up to have their beloved doll's hair done, at a price not too far off from the human one! Rows of salon seats awaited the pampered little dolls. The attention given to each doll would make a hungry dog swear! And the bakery was another eye-opener for me. I did not realize the dolls had come so far. The doll of the year was named Grace, who was a baker. Grace had her own bakery in the store selling Grace cookies, and cupcakes, and chocolates, with her name printed on them...sweet! Whoever invented the American Girl dolls was a genius.

Because we had only one day together to explore, we took the City Tour for the day. It brought us all around the city, and we hopped on and off to our heart's content. The only BIG drawback was the weather - snowing hard, slushy, freezing cold, messy, yucky in the extreme. Sorry Alberta, but it reminded me of why I left the province - I don't like snow!

On our travels we passed the fabulous Drake Hotel, where many famous people stayed, including Lady Diana. Apparently, Marilyn Monroe has her initials carved on a table in their dining room. We also saw the condo where Oprah lived, the Trump Tower, the building where Batman flew from, and many other movie landmarks...the building where Al Capone housed his speakeasy, a street named after Hugh Hefner, who was educated at the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as Walt Disney. Apparently, it was Walt's wife who chose the name 'Mickey' for the infamous mouse. Walt wanted to call him a whacky name like Mortimer - all of us in the bus agreed it wouldn't have been the same!  

Chicagoans love their blues music - and the Irish! Yes, I detected a huge Irish influence - maybe it was because St. Patrick's Day was just over. Apparently, they dye their canal waters green each year. I read about all the many activities I just missed. It would have been so much fun to celebrate there. They have several fabulous Irish pubs and restaurants. We visited one near the hotel and it was dramatic, for want of a more descriptive word. Red velvet walls, high ceilings, chandeliers, golden lanterns, and shelves filled with auld Irish memorabilia. Kevin informed me there is a place that re-produces all these auld artifacts for pubs. They sure do an authentic job!

What I saw in Chicago was enough to entice me to make a return visit some time d.v.

Hugs and Kisses,

Polly P xxx

ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2015

St. Patrick's day has always been a very special day for me. As a child, I can recall the daffodils in glorious bloom as we made our way to church, proudly wearing the St. Patrick's pin on my collar, and singing 'Hail Glorious St. Patrick dear saint of our Isle, on us thy poor children bestow a sweet smile'. We got the day off from school, which made it extra special, and it was the day I would celebrate my birthday (though my birthday is March 12th!) So yes, it is a day filled with many warm memories. That might explain why I go 'all out' on March 17th! In fact, I go krazee!!

Even though it was supposed to rain, it turned out to be a bright and beautiful sunny day. there is nothing to beat that fresh Spring sunshine! I got all dressed up in my cheeriest green, Lulu begged me not to put that silly old green hat on her, so I complied. Each year I do something different to celebrate the day. One year when the girls were little, I ended up bringing a few hundred green cup cakes to their school! It was to be for their 3 different classes, but when asking permission, the Headmistress thought I meant for the whole school - I could not disappoint her!! Awkward...

Another year, I made a big hearty Irish stew and brought it into the church to enjoy with fellow parishioners after the 12.00 mass. Fr. John went to his heels in it and loved it! This year was our 2nd annual 'Celtic Cougars' lunch for ladies of Irish heritage. The numbers are growing bigger each year! Prior to the lunch, I decided to do some charity work, since it is Lent. Dressed as I was in above picture, off I went in search of homeless street people. I gave them some money, and wished them a Happy St. Patrick's Day! They were speechless, but delighted and gave me the thumbs up!! Later I got a few cartons of green cup cakes and cookies, and delivered them down to my 'Bingo Buddies' at 'Our Place' homeless shelter, along with my empty cans. The joy I received from that, had me on a warm high for the rest of the day!

Lunch was lots of fun, as you can see from the photo. I raced into the office after the lunch to do some work, and collect Kevin, then back home to make the bacon and cabbage for supper - then off again for the Niche Travel Irish evening where I spoke to a group of ladies about Ireland; hoping to whet their appetite, and entice them to go on the September trip to Ireland!

A busy and happy day - I think I did my beloved St. Patrick proud!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

IF I SAY SO MYSELF - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

From: Dr. Seuss  (my favourite Pisces!)

To me!  ---   Ain't I a lucky gal!!


Today you are you!
That is truer than true.
There is no one alive
who is you-er than you!

Shout Aloud
"I am lucky to be what I am!"
Thank goodness
I'm not just a clam
or a ham,
or a dusty old jar
of sour gooseberry jam!

I am what I am!
That's a great thing to be!
If I say so myself,
Happy Birthday to me!

Thank you God for another day - another year -
another chance to begin life all over again!

Love,

Polly P xxx

WHEN GOD CLOSES ONE DOOR HE OPENS ANOTHER...

How true! One thing I have learned from my life is that God really does work in the most mysterious of ways. I'll admit, I don't always get it at the time, but later upon reflection, I begin to see the wisdom of his ways.

Pain inflicted upon us by others is like a death of sorts. First, there is anger, and non-acceptance of the pain we have to endure. We cry, and in so doing, cleanse our hearts from all bitterness. If we cry long and hard enough, we completely wash away all the pain from our system. Next, once we have rid ourselves of the pain, we replace the tears with prayer. It was God who said "Suffer little children to come unto me". By prayer, we grow in our own wisdom and understanding. We see the lesson God has wanted us to learn; people are frail, and evil exists.

The last stage is one of Peace and Acceptance. There is a death of sorts. We realize that a broken friendship is like a china cup with a chip - it will never be the same.

But with death comes re-birth and new life.

Because 'When God closes one door - He opens another'.

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

RUN LIKE ROCKY!

Yesterday, I paid a visit to my beloved chip trail for a breath of fresh air and some exercise. The sun was shining, all the Spring flowers had returned from their winter hibernation. The fields were a tapestry of beautiful colours, from the bright yellow daffodils to the alluring purple crocus. It was magical. The little ducks were back on the pond happy as Larry doing their thing and quack quacking for joy. All the sounds of nature was music to my ears. Spring had surely arrived.

The chip trail surrounds a golf course, and is about a good 40 mins. brisk walk, that's when I'm not stopping to chat to people! Today, I observed the way in which people were walking to make good use of their time. One lady was walking smartly holding a dumb bell in each hand to maximize her exercise. Wonder how they got the name 'dumb?' Next, I passed another very busy looking lady walking smartly with hiking poles in each hand. They look like long walking sticks. Apparently, they give you a good overall body workout.

Several people chose to run with their dogs, who were mighty fast by the way! But the funniest by far  had to be this young fellow who passed me out boxing with his fists!! He ran like Rocky but was boxing all the while - so funny to watch!

Whatever happened to good old fashioned walking? Is it a sign of our times that we have to be always manically using our time 'efficiently'. The world seems to be getting busier and busier..."What is this world if full of care...we have no time to stop and stare". Against that, people are living longer, so maybe all that auld sweaty exercise is a good thing!!

Have a great weekend and get out there - now - and make it Fast!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

BINGO CHANGED MY LIFE!

Fooled you! - No, I didn't win a full house but I bet you thought I did!

One of the most rewarding things I did last year was to volunteer to call out the Bingo at a local homeless shelter. It has been an eye-opening experience, and enormously satisfying. There are days when I feel tired, and don't feel up to it, but when I go down there, I'm always glad I did.

I was recently away for two weeks and when I returned last Thursday, I was taken aback by the warm reception I received. People hugged me and told me how much they missed me. I wasn't expecting that, but it sure meant a lot to me. These are people who have very little, but who have demonstrated what it means to be generous. Without wishing to be too mushy mushy, I have seen God in action at this shelter, and when I am driving home, I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

It was one lady's birthday and even though she did not win at bingo, people gave her their prizes because it was her birthday. I notice the way people look out for each other, in a way I have never seen anywhere else. Another lady had won twice, so she donated her prize to the fellow beside her because he had not won anything. There is a real and genuine sense of caring and sharing amongst my Bingo Buddies. At 'Our Place' people are referred to as family, and yes, it is like one big family.

When I put myself into the shoes of some of the people I meet, I cannot understand for the life of me how they can be so cheerful, happy, generous, and good humoured with so little! After the Bingo finishes up and everybody is delighted with their winnings of chocolate bars or bags of crisps, we part ways. My family, or 'Bingo Buddies' as I call them, will gather up their few belongings and head to a nearby gymnasium or shelter where they will sleep on a thin mattress on a floor. They will share a communal bathroom.

When I go home to my comfortable house, cosy bed, loving family...no wonder I am grateful.

All I can say over and over again is DEO GRATIAS and I love my Bingo Buddies!

Hugs and kisses,

Polly P xxx

SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

I have a good friend Mary. We have known each other for 30 years now and met when working at the Guinness Brewery, Dublin all those years ago. When I think of 'Virtues' as in yesterday's post, I think of Mary. She is one of the kindest people that I know. Mary brings chocolate hearts into her place of work on Valentine's Day, chocolate coins and green treats on St. Patrick's day, etc. She never forgets anybody's birthday, organizes all the 'gal pal' trips abroad, and records the events, and follows up with photos for all to enjoy and share. She is one of the most thoughtful people that I know and radiates love and warmth to everybody lucky enough to know her. She extends the same hospitality to strangers. People like Mary make the world smile.

Just recently, Mary had to go into hospital for 11 days and endure horrendous tests. She had to sleep (she didn't!) sitting upright and she could not eat for 10 days either, only the paltry liquid from a tube. Yet, despite all that, Mary found reason to be cheerful and kind to both nurses and fellow patients.

She still does not know what her ailment is, and will have to return for further tests in March, d.v. I know God has sent his Angels to watch and protect her, as people like her are needed in this world! Yes Sir, we could do with a few more Marys.

Just today as I was talking with Mary, she was making her lists of 'Thank yous' for all the kind nurses she encountered in hospital, and the gifts she wanted to give them - money, chocolates, etc. to show her appreciation for all their kindness and goodness. But what Mary said to me today really struck a chord. She said she wanted to show appreciation to encourage them to keep being as nice to other patients as they had been to her - so not alone was she thinking of the nurses and care staff, she was also thinking about fellow patients and future patients to the hospital - Wow!

But then, with a powerful name like Mary - could we expect anything but the best!

All my Polly Pals join me in wishing Mary a speedy recovery!!

Hugs and kisses,

Polly P xxx

BOOK OF VIRTUES

Today marks the completion of Week 1 of my Lenten journey. I am so happy that I have managed to keep on track with my goals - for once!! - but there are 3 longs weeks to go yet and the Devil is mighty busy this time of the year. The supermarket is a shrine of aromatic Easter eggs, but I'm like a horse and just keep looking straight ahead - away from the danger zone!

Today I will share some beautiful words with you from the Book of Virtues which resonate with me... Hope you enjoy as much as I do!

There are some who drift out in the deserts of doubt
And some who in brutishness wallow;
There are others, I know, who in piety go
Because of a Heaven to follow.
But to labour with zest, and to give of your best,
For the sweetness and joy of the giving
To help folks along, with a hand and a song
Why, there's the real sunshine of living.

Carry on! Carry on!
Fight the good fight and true
Believe in your mission, 
Greet life with a smile
There's big work to be done
and that is why you are here, so
Carry on! Carry on!
Let the world be the better for you
And at last when you die, let this be your cry
Carry on my soul! Carry on!

Love it!

Hugs and kisses,

Polly P xxx

FAITH IS FORGIVENESS

Fr. David delivered the homily at mass today. He is young, enthusiastic and everybody loves him. Prior to joining the priesthood, he worked in the hospitality industry, and also studied Philosophy, so he has a lot to say about the world we live in today. I consider him the Dr. Phil of the church - he would laugh if he heard me say that!

Today's topic was about forgiveness, and the importance of doing things for God which were beyond our comfort zone. Before we even tackle the big task of forgiveness, we must busy ourselves with lots of good deeds - even if we don't feel appreciated or acknowledged for our efforts - Do it anyway, because that is what God wants us to do.

Forgiveness, he acknowledged is not easy, especially when the person who hurt you made you feel so insignificant, and hurt you deeply. We must do it nonetheless. In doing so, we find grace and will have a sense of peace in our hearts, which is what God wants for all of us - Peace.

So, in the spirit of Peace and Reconciliation, I would like to share a little prayer about Healing and Forgiveness. I have given it to people and they have found it very helpful. May it bring comfort and peace to you.

                      HEALING PRAYER AT BEDTIME

Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit go back into my memory as I sleep.
Every hurt that has ever been done to me...heal that hurt.
Every hurt that I have ever caused to another person...heal that hurt.
All the relationships that have been damaged in my whole life that I am aware of
...heal those relationships.
But Lord, if I need to go to a person because he is still suffering from my hand,
bring to my awareness that person.
I choose to forgive, and I ask to be forgiven.
Remove whatever bitterness may be in my heart, Lord,
and fill the empty spaces with your love.

AMEN

Keep the above prayer by your bedside, it will help you have a peaceful night's sleep!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx

DAY 5 - GRADUAL GROWTH

I am dipping into the wisdom of that feisty woman of faith - Joyce Meyer. You should google her, and listen to her speak. I think you will enjoy her as much as I do.

I reached for Joyce's book today - Power Thoughts - Daily inspirations, as I felt I could do with some inspiration for winning the battle of the mind, as she so amusingly puts it! Life is a daily struggle requiring immense discipline to stay on track with all our demands - housework and home maintenance, car maintenance, bills, accounting, cooking, diet and exercise, animals, garden, groceries, career, family - the list is endless. There are so many demands and not enough time.

Prayer, sadly gets dropped to the end of the list because God does not make any demands, yet the day I start with a prayer, is frequently the best day, and I sleep a lot better when I end the day on a prayer. But I don't always do this. I should know better, so hopefully this Lenten journey will put some sense into me!

I feel guilty that I am not doing enough good in the world; that I should be doing more charity work, but Joyce Meyer re-assures me that God operates on the principle of "gradual growth" - things changing little by little. Rather than focusing on how far you will have to go, recognize instead how far you have come. Staying positive will help you in all areas of life.

Power Thought:  It is God's will for me to have peace and not confusion.

Hugs,

Polly P xxx