I found this video on youtube and started to smile to overflowing. I have had 2 occassions recently when I was in less than a terrific circumstance and this song (not the Chipmonks version)came on a nearby radio.

Over the last several years since the song was released I have written on my blog that hearing the song has made me smile and brought me great happiness. The reason is simple. At one time or another I have heard my grandchildren Hope, Noah and Jake sing the song. Even Jonah is in my thoughts when I hear it. The week before he was born I was in West Virginia and heard his brother Jake sing it.

The smiles I get and the happy feeling have very little to do with the song. It is the magical way that whenever I hear it I feel close to them.

As I start a crazy week, I am smiling listening to these chipmonks sing and knowing how very blessed I am to be Grandma to Noah, Hope, Jake and Jonah.

The following is an appetizer sample of the "Simple Flow Yoga" CD they created.

I am sure those experienced in yoga will find this a unique and helpful inspiration as they flow from one position to the next.

For those who aren't familiar with all the poses it inspires you to create your own path. No matter what you interest in yoga or skill level, listening to the music, viewing the pictures and hearing the soothing sound of the spoken words will no doubt transport you to a place of peace and serenity.

Invest a few minutes and enjoy.

It's a mighty big word for a superstition. According to the following Wikapedia definition paraskavedekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th.

"The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia,[a word derived from the concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή) (meaning Friday), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς) (meaning thirteen), attached to phobía (φοβία) (meaning fear). This is a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a simple phobia (fear) of the number thirteen, and is also known as friggatriskaidekaphobia. The term triskaidekaphobia was derived in 1911 and first appeared in a mainstream source in 1953."

Wow, what a mouthful. Personally I like Friday the 13th. 1.Because Friday are the threshold to the weekend. 2. Fridays were when my Mom went to the grocery and we got to have new cookies in the house. It was always fun to see what surprises were in the grocery bags. 3. Friday nights were High School football games and the chance to see my sons preform in the band. 4. Friday nights have often been the time weekend adventures began and begin. 5. Today I am hoping that this Friday the 13th will be extra special because I am praying that my son, Jim gets good news about his eye and vision. 6. This Friday the 13th leads us into Valentines Day!

Lots of reasons to think positively about Friday the 13th. Plus come to think of it, even though I can't pronounce them I have learned a couple of 50 cent words: paraskavedekatriaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia and triskaidekaphobia.

Okay, I confess. Just to be on the safe side I did eat some Lucky Charms!

Happy Friday the 13th!

"I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.”
Charles R. Swindoll

In my life I have been blessed to have a strong faith that has seen me through some of my biggest challenges and nightmare situations. I have been blessed to have an incredible family and friends. I am also thankful to the "guardian angels" that helped me sometimes without even realizing they made a positive difference in my life. A smile, an unexpected word of encouragement or kindness has made an amazing difference. Timing can be awesome.

I have felt loved. I have felt liked. More than anything I have felt the reassurance of God' presence in my life.

I know this posting is a little on the dramatic side compared to usual but sometimes you need to send out a very serious thank you to all those people who Help Get You Through. I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Singing is definitely not my thing but it is Jennifer Hudson's and I love the lyrics to her song. Here is my special Valentine thank you. I love you. Thank you for being part of my life adventure. Happy Valentines Day - Judy




Lyrics
Jennifer Hudson You Pulled Me Through
Songwriters: Diane Warren

I was in the darkness, I was out in the cold
Seemed nothing could heal this, this hole in my soul
You reached out your arms to me, held out your heart to me
Pulled me back from the edge, thought I reached the end

When I was drowning, when I was so confused
You, you, you pulled me through
I was in the shadows, lost, nothing left to lose
You, you, you pulled me through

You gave my faith back, faith was so hard to find
You gave me my life back, you were my lifeline
The love that you gave me is love that has saved me
Your strength is what made me strong, you held me and I held on

When I was drowning, when I was so confused
You, oh you, you pulled me through
I was in the shadows, lost, nothing left to lose
You, oh you, you pulled me through

Out of the dark into your arms, into the light
Your love saved my life

When I was drowning, when I was so confused
You, oh you, you pulled me through

When I was drowning, when I was so confused
Oh you, yeah you you pulled me through
Oh, you pulled me through

The headlines are filled with the horrendous fires in South Australia. Over 135 people have died. The following is an excerpt from the story posted on AOL's news page.

WHITTLESEA, Australia (Feb. 9) – Police declared incinerated towns crime scenes Monday, and Australia's prime minister spoke of "mass murder" after investigators said arsonists may have set some of the country's worst wildfires in history. The death toll rose to 135.

There were no quick answers, but officials said panic and the freight-train speed of the firefront — driven by 60 mph winds and temperatures as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit — probably accounted for the unusually high toll.
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On a much lighter note, I received the following from my friend Marcus and his lovely wife. They are from Australia and shared this message and the pictures they received from their friends.

"It has been so hot in South Australia for over a week 40+ degrees Celsius everyday, very dry also.

A guy at work (in Western Aus) lives at Maude in South Aus. His wife sent him these photos of a little Koala which just walked onto the back porch looking for a bit of heat relief. She filled up a bucket with water and this is what happened!"

Everyday amazing wonders and horrendous things happen. I hope you remain safe from harm.

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

I like this quote very much. It is a great reminder that life is precious and opportunities to be kind and nice should never be overlooked. Please know I am wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!

There's an old saying that says...

"If the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is eat a live frog, then nothing worse can happen for the rest of the day!"

Brian Tracy says that your "frog" should be the most difficult item on your things to do list, the one you're most likely to procrastinate; because, if you eat that first, it'll give you energy and momentum for the rest of the day. But, if you don't...and let him sit there on the plate and stare at you while you do a hundred unimportant things, it can drain your energy and you won't even know it.