THOUGHTS AND FLOWERS

'WHAT YOU EMPOWER-FLOWERS'

I was given the above quote last Thur and am trying to change my thought patterns.


There is a purpose, a plan, and a reason for all things.  What doesn't make sense, will make sense.

You are exactly where you should be.

Your challenges are what they should be.

Your rewards are what they should be.

And the best is yet to come.

THE UNIVERSE

http://www.tut.com/



PRIME THE PUMP

Photo of old well pump at Light house in Michigan.  To get water to flow you had to prime the pump.  So it is with me and trying to write my thoughts.  I have started an exercise routine so hopefully this will help me get with the flow of life.

JOYFUL MOMENTS

Riding the Ferris wheel brought such joy to my heart sitting in the middle of my two grandsons.  They loved it and we went back the next day for another ride.  We had two fun filled days and even went to New Salem for a quick walk through with the heat index over 110 degrees.  Stopping in the gift shop and the end of the trail brought back memories of bringing my older grand kids there and my grandson purchasing a white rabbit skin, which is still in the toy cabinet.  These two were also attracted to the soft rabbit skins and each bought one and some arrow heads.

They are looking forward to going to the State Fair again this year and they want to bring their Mom as she hasn't been there since she was a child.  Last year was their first time for the big fair and they really enjoyed riding the trolley throughout the grounds.  We all liked the Vose's corn dogs and lemon shake-ups.

The memories we make help keep me going when I am missing them.  Grandchildren are one of Gods greatest gifts to me.

IMPERFECT PICTURE

The Living Life tree and verse I liked so much is now damaged goods.  I took down a picture of a covered bridge that I can look straight ahead and see when I am in my recliner.  I thought it would be a perfect place to reflect on the photo and verse.

I removed the picture from the wall, held up my new one and it was a perfect fit but needed a new picture hanger.  I set it on the floor while I replaced the covered bridge picture and the nail was loose and the thing fell and scraped my leg and hitting the top of my new picture pulling a chunk loose.  So with my damaged picture and bleeding leg I felt like crying and screaming..I didn't but I'm sure I yelled some type of profanity.

I'm going to try to put some glue on it and press it back in place, maybe I could lay a fake flower on top to cover the damage.  I paid to much for the thing to just throw it out which I felt like doing.  I had Hobby Lobby put an attachment and wire on the back to hang the thing.   Oh well, its just stuff no real damage done to anyone other than my scratch.

 Nothing or no one is perfect...except Jesus.

Moon Dreams

I had a dream last night of looking at a full moon and all of a sudden the moon was surrounded by tiny stars such as I have seen at the Chiara church.  It was a very spiritual sight and I could almost see the Blessed Mother and halo in the center of this image.  The image changed back to the moon and the words appeared 'Phil 1:2'.  I remembered this as soon as got up and looked up the verse which is 'grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ'. 

Living Life

Living Life

Life is not a race-but indeed a journey.  Be honest.  Work hard.  Be choosy.

Say "thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time

for prayer.  The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.  Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper.

Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it

as best you an.  Dreaming does matter.  It allows you to become that which you aspire to be.

Laugh often.  Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.  Some of the best things really are free.

Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming.  Forgive, it frees the soul.  Take time for yourself - plan for longevity.  Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know.

Live for today, enjoy the moment.

Bonnie L. Mohr



Having my grandsons here since Sunday evening has been such a joy.  We went to the new Scheels store and rode the Ferris wheel which they loved and want to go back today.  In browsing around I saw this picture with a beautiful verse and purchased it.  I had felt something was missing in my life and didn't know what it was...then I realized 'I' was what was missing in my life.  I was back to existing and going through the motions but not motivated to move to do anything about it. 
After not being placed in the U of I controlled exercise program because of being to sedentary, several of us were sent to the lobby while others went into a room with the name of the program on the door.  We were given t-shirts and after awhile all that didn't make the cut were sent to another room.  We were told to get the folder under our chair which stated that we were in the 'waitlist program'.  You could feel the energy drop as everyone realized we weren't chosen to participate.  Some were sad and a couple were angry.  I realized my body hadn't betrayed me but rather I had betrayed my body by not exercising.  I cannot get up off a chair with using my hands for support because of weak leg muscles.  U of I will call us bi-weekly for the next six months and in January we will wear the activity monitor again.  We were told to continue life as usual but I can not sit on my duff any longer.  I am going to get with my own program of yoga, arthritis water classes and using my arthritis exercise CD.
Wanting to live my life to the fullest in whatever number of years I have left.



SOOTHING WATER

In trying to figure out why I used to have more motivation in the past than I have felt for some time now I realize those were the times I was involved in a group water aerobics class.   I had not  been to the Fit Club for months and at first I was going three or four times a week.  Just couldn't motivate myself to go work out on the easier machines.  It still didn't offer any connection with others and I just didn't care for their water class so I quit going and still have one more payment on my contract.  I had taken many months of physical therapy there as a result of a broken bone.  While I was doing my rehab in the warm water pool and not wanting to commit to a contract to join at that time my therapist told me about Lewis Wellness Pool.  It is more private and you only pay month to month so I joined and made friends with the instructor.  She convinced me to get certified to teach the arthritis water class so I could sub for her.  So I got brave and drove an hour to the location for the day long certification, this being less than a year after my broken bone.  My friend doesn't teach there any longer but yesterday I saw one of the ladies I used to talk to while exercising and she encouraged me to come back.  I nearly missed seeing her because I was going to stop at the small vegie stand in the mall parking lot and changed my mind and then all of a sudden I turned around and went back to get some corn.  Thanks so the Universe I made connection with her and am planning on going back to the classes that are three days a week, sometimes a potluck and sometimes the group goes out to lunch.

Not only does the warm water make my muscles feel better, the endorphins released make my mood so much better.  The ladies are all nice and almost all are in their sunset years.

Why I don't stay motivated when I know it is in my best interest?  Sometimes just missing a class or two is all it takes and I don't go back.

LOOKING FOR HAPPY

Trees at Mission Point Lighthouse-Traverse City, Mi.

I have the new computer desk and beautiful Malachite green Italian alabaster egg bookends to hold a few of my favorite books on my desk.  My goal is this week to put my many papers in the new hanging files to reduce the cluttered stacks I have in hopes it will help calm my cluttered mind.  I seem to procrastinate on organizing my stuff and just move it from one place to another.  When I worked I was so organized with my files and work, setting daily goals to get all the necessary paper work done.

Now that there are no deadlines or expectations from anyone I just let things slide.

Once when I was bringing my grandsons to stay all night the older one was a little grumpy.  They were about five and nine at that time, I told them to see if they could find their 'happy'.  Something that makes them happy inside and puts them in a good mood.  After several minutes while traveling I asked them if they had found the happy place way down deep inside, the little one replied 'I found mine but my brother didn't'.  He did eventually find something to make him happy and we had a great time together.

So each day I need to remind myself to find and do something that makes me happy because happiness is an inside job. 

SURRENDERING THE BUTTERFLIES

Ah, the beauty of the landscape being so peaceful and quiet not wanting to be other than what it is.  If only I could see the beauty all around me every day instead of a two day vacation it would seem as if my world was perfect.  But knowing myself I would soon be having anxiety over things I cannot control and not wanting to open my hand to surrender it to the Divine, to let it rest...in the hands of God.  Attending Mass in the St. Joseph church the Priest spoke of rest frequently, stating God rested on the seventh day and we must rest each day to restore our soul.  I kept hearing the words 'let it rest' over and over again until it became a message to me to let my worries, concerns and anxiety about family to 'just let it rest'.  After all I know in my heart I have no control over anyone and in reading the book 'Holding a Butterfly' by Lynn Woodland has given me insight to opening my hand to let it go and I keep reminding myself 'let it rest'.

So if I just learn to fill my days with positive thoughts and do the things I love to do instead of sitting here staring out into the back yard my life could be full. Taking my dog Sunny for a walk yesterday I looked up through the trees to the clear blue sky and there was the hawk gliding above, I watched until it disappeared behind the trees.  Knowing I need to walk daily to refresh my soul the hawk was a reminder to get out of the house and look around at the beauty of our world.  So as with Sunny I receive small tidbits of treats and always wanting more. If I could give more, would I receive more?  So I will try to keep my hand open as if holding a fragile butterfly to see what life has in store for me.



Chateau Chantal

Traverse City, Michigan

A beautiful place to stay.  Sitting off the road at the top of a hill with the vineyards and the Bay visible from all sides.  We arrived late after a long drive and went past the front entrance to the next entrance, which was the wine tasting area.  As we pulled up by the door the first thing I saw was a statue of St. Francis.  I grabbed by camera and took a couple of snapshots of St. Francis who is one of my favorite Saints.  I felt this was a special place.  The carpet was a light blue with light pink full bloom roses.  Our room was named the Rose room and the sofa was in a pink fabric with roses.   Her book Feed my Lambs, Feed my Sheep; The Meals and Memories of a Lifetime by Nadine Begin is a wonderful keepsake.
Nadine and her husband Robert reside at the Chateau Chantal and were on vacation so we didn't get to meet them. 
In reading their story I learned that they were married on the Feast Day of St. Francis, therefore explaining the statue I saw when we arrived.  That and the fact that she had been a nun for twenty-two years and he a former Priest and they both had left the religious order to continue on a totally different path.
He building the winery and the Chateau.  A story only she could write.