I admire those that boldly navigate life - that aren't tugged off track by the gravitational pull of pleasing others.

Last night I proved it to be true (smile)

As I left from putting my clothes in the washer, I was talking with a friend and splat. I missed the curb in the dark and down I went right on my knees and the palm of my hands. I jarred my whole body - Ouch!

If that wasn't enough I smacked my head on the car door trying to get up.

What poise, what grace...LOL

Today I am sore and have a headache but there was no blood, no concussion just a whole lot of stupid and failure to pay attention.

One can only imagine what a disaster might have happened if I had also been chewing gum!

Enjoy your day and beware of curbs!

Where to go?

Where won't you be found?

The WMD Resort of course.

No retakes. This isn't a dress rehersal. Life is all about NOW.

May your today be moments that are the source of spectacular memories.

During my life I have been the recipient of a wide variety of "valentines". Lucky for me these wonderful gifts haven't been restricted to February 14th.

If I wrote them all down on individual grains of rice and placed them inside the Grand Canyon, it would fill it to overflowing - a mountain that would rival Mt. McKinley. Here are some tiny examples.

When I was a little girl growing up, my dad would take me out once in a while for our own special
date time. Sometimes it would be a movie, a ride on the boat, shopping, or to get something to eat. It was always special.

If I had a bad day at school or failed to make cheerleader my dad would have me sit on the floor in front of him and he would comb my hair.

My mom made my prom dress, it was a simple, beautiful dress with a garden of flowers on it. Sometimes she would fix breakfast for dinner, it would seem like a special event. Mom always made the house a fun place to bring home my friends and she let us have parties in our basement.

Before my husband went to Vietnam, he arranged that flowers would be delivered to me every Thursday while he was gone.

Pictures and homemade gifts from my sons, Tom and Jim. Even an I.O.U. that was rolled up and put inside a toilet paper tube.

Phone calls & visits with my sons and their families. Voicemail messages that I save from each of them.

Daughters - my sons' wives. They are valentines in my life. They take care of their families and treat me more like a mom than a "mother-in-law".

Hope, Noah and Jake - sharing time with them, hearing their voices, listening to them laugh, watching them at play, anytime I am with them is a treat.

My brother, sisters, nieces and nephew keeping in touch. Hearing what is happening in their world.

When a loved one says a song's lyrics reminds them of me.

Being remembered on my own special holiday celebration days: Ground Hogs Day, February 2 and the First Day of Spring, March 21.

Going out to dinner.

Sharing a travel experience.

Receiving unsolicited compliments.

Being remembered. To hear from someone and have them say they remember something about me, or something I did or said.

Flowers, teddy bears, traditional gifts and surprises.

Time that people share with me. When they share their stories or something that is going on in their life.

Brainstorming ideas.

A book that is recommended.

When someone listens.

Someone who does little things to make me feel special and spoiled.

Encouragement

Passion

Surprises

Thank yous

I have been blessed to overflowing with valentines.

May you have a wonderful Valentine's Day with joy that spills over through the year.

More often than I care to admit, I feel overwhelmed. It seems I am just not enough to take care of the things that need to be done. I feel like I let people down. I don't manage my time - my time manages me.

Consequently, I don't feel worthy of the kindness that is shown me. I feel beholding.

But...a big but...not butt...but "but"

But then I get reminders, wonderful reminders. Heaven sent.

Standing outside under a zillion stars, walking on the beach, out to sea on a cruise or standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon - reminders that in the great scheme of things, what I worry about is insignificant.

For some it is the knowledge that no matter what challenge they are facing there is always someone who has more to overcome. For me it is simply being reminded that what seems so important now - to me - in actuality is small, in some cases insignificant.

The next time your day seems filled with "have tos" and "must be dones". The next time you feel frustrated and disappointed in yourself that you are letting the people you care about down. Go outside.

Look up. See the clouds, the spacious sky. With any luck you will smile, take a deep slow breath - in and out. Hopefully, you will feel better.

In the big scheme of things...most of our concerns seem magnified bigger and more important than they actually are.

Pay attention to reminders - especially those that are heaven sent.

They are a way of the past crippling your present.