Time? Who has time......

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."

- H. Jackson Brown


We seem to "make time" for something when we want to. But when things aren't exactly fun we say we "don't have time". There are 24 hours in each day. Obviously there are things we HAVE to do each day. But, how many things do we do that are unnecessary or that take lots of "time" that we could be doing some of those things we really don't want to do.

Take exercise, we know we should and we know the health benefits we get from it....how much "time" do you devote to exercising? Don't have time? Think again...exercise is a gift you give yourself AND your family. A healthy YOU is the best thing you can give!

So today make some "time" to get in a nice long walk or 10-30 minutes in front of the Wii getting some movement in...how about breaking it up into 10 minute sections? 30 minutes a day would be so beneficial to you. Can you find the "time" to do 30 minutes a day? I think you can....be happy, be healthy and above all MAKE THE TIME!

...and I thought Leslie was my FRIEND!!

WATP=Walking Away The Pounds by Leslie Sansone. Seemed like a great idea. I picked up a DVD that had 4 of her workouts on it for a steal! Her beginning 1 mile walk, 2 mile brisk walk, 3 mile and 4 mile walks. I LOVE the way I always seem to think I can just jump into something because I think I can do it....C25K comes to mind (who do I think I am).

I plugged good old Leslie into my computer and there she was! Skinny little thing, so tight you could bounce a quarter off her thighs, smiling, acting like she was talking just to me. So positive, so motivating...she talked through the warm up (did you hear me, she was able to TALK while "warming up")...heck, I could hardly catch my breath! She went on to encourage me to do "just 4 more"...I felt as if I had been hit by a wrecking ball....and that's when the "friendship" ended..."Let's increase the pace"....yeah, RIGHT Leslie...and all the while her little band of merry men and women bounced, kicked and smiled behind her...it's a conspiracy you know, they are moles, put in the background to infiltrate your living room, suck you in and get you to believe in your "good old friend, Leslie". HA!

It's one thing to "think" you can do something and an entirely different one when you try it (I've always had a vivid imagination). It's also kind of a let down to realize that even at a "beginning" level your struggling. But if it was easy it wouldn't be worth it would it? No, it wouldn't (I keep telling myself that).

That was last week, I have since made friends with the "beginning Leslie" and her lying bunch of paid assassins.....and moved on to another one of Leslie's "multiple personalities"...this morning I met the "it's a brisk walk" Leslie....BS, "brisk"?...it was 2 miles of hell! I sweat, I could hardly catch my breath, my muscles hurt and yes, for the first time in my life I could "feel the burn"...so much so that I was wondering why this DVD came with a "stretchie band" instead of a fire extinguisher! But, I'll keep up with Leslie, and I'm hoping that by the time I work my way up to the "4 mile Fat will jump off your thighs" part of the DVD that her and I will have REALLY become friends.....right now....well, not so much....

The American White Pelican......

A new visitor has stopped by the lake this past week and 1/2. The American White Pelican. We didn't know what kind of bird it was, we thought it might be a stork by the looks and size of it but it wasn't.

I sent a few pictures into the Missouri Wildlife Department, they are always SO helpful, and this was their reply:

"Thank you for providing such nice clear pictures of American White Pelicans. They are a common transient on lakes and freshwater marshes. If you look to the sky during migration, pelicans may be seen flying in formation high in the air over many parts of the state. They can be confused with much smaller Snow Geese which usually migrate earlier in February and March.

Many more American White Pelicans migrate through the western half of Missouri then the eastern half. A visit to one of the lakes, rivers or large freshwater marshes in the fall usually yields from 50 to 5000 pelicans. They are usually in Missouri from the first week of March until the third week of November."

Funny thing though, we have NEVER seen these birds before this November nor has anyone that lives around us ever seen them on the lake before! We have no idea why they decided to stop by and grace us with their beauty, but we're so very grateful we had the opportunity to see them. They are magnificent, huge birds with a wing span that appears to be about 3 ft. or more (I'm talking big here). They spend their day just drifting around on the lake "fishing" for their meals.

The largest group we've seen appears to be in the 100's all brilliant white against that blue sky and dark water, they are beautiful! Enjoy the pictures!

Fun and Whimsical Lampwork Beads at Maybeads!

While searching Etsy one afternoon for a special gift for my grand daughters birthday I came across Maybeads. I had so much fun just "window" shopping through her store! Her handmade lampwork beads are some of the cutest I've ever seen. It was quite hard to pick just one for a necklace for Savannah! I ended up purchasing this darling tropical fish, something Savannah collects. Maybeads put it on a special "stretchy" cord so it couldn't be pulled off her neck and broken in school.

If you are a jewelry maker, or you are a collector of small animals and such Maybeads is a "must see". She is wonderful to work with and gives 200% to each of her customers....and her packaging and presentation of her products is just as pretty and sweet as the actual product!

Looking for something fun and special this holiday season? Stop by Maybeads and see what adorable lampwork beads you can find there!

Beautiful Fused Glass by Dpholk Designs

Finding unique and affordable gifts during the holidays is often difficult. You want something special, something created by hand but you can't afford it! DPholk Designs has so many fabulous gifts that are not only beautiful they are affordable and eco-friendly too!

I purchased a star suncatcher last year from her...it is on my wall along with other beautiful clay sculpted works that we picked up in Hawaii. That beautiful blue star just fit there! And I received one from her as a little gift, that one hangs in my sunroom where I see it every day.

Stop in to DPholk Designs on Etsy and take a look at her shop. There you will find many, many gifts that you'll love giving and the person receiving it will love it too!

PUZZIMALS- Another "Favorite" for the holidays...

Puzzimals, what beautiful scroll work. Fantastic attention to detail, great customer service. These puzzles were the hit of last years Christmas gifts for the grandkids and my niece! Many of the puzzles are colored which adds depth and life to them. They are sturdy and can take hours and hours of play from little hands. You can choose puzzles that are "easy" or harder for older kids.

These make wonderful gifts for children and adults alike! Stop by Puzzimals and see all the cute things they have to offer this holiday season. I know I'll be making some purchases there again this year!

Another FAVORITE Etsy Seller...GARDENJEWELS

Can you imagine walking through your garden? The sun is coming up, the dew is still on the plants and something off in the distance sparkles in the sunshine....sometimes I visit GardenJewels shop just to look at her things, they bring a sense of peace to me.

In GardenJewels Etsy shop you will find the most beautiful "jewels" for your garden or the window in your home. I purchase a breathtaking butterfly for my Sister last Christmas from GardenJewels. It was a gift that she loved and it was just gorgeous.

Take some time today to visit GardenJewels shop, you will not believe the beautiful things you'll find for everyone on your gift list.