ROCK N” ROLL

We rocked on Friday at Katy & Ryan’s wedding then rolled on Easter Sunday with a 7.2 earthquake… what a weekend =]

Thank you Mr. President and all the Democrates dead and alive who have worked for decades and decades for the people of the United States of America on this historic day as we all watched the debates and then the vote and today the signing of a health bill that will serve ALL… even the naysayer’s… some threating to move to Costa Rica if it passed. Now THAT would be the cherry on top!!!

In his own words…. President Obama: “Today, after almost a century of trying; today, after over a year of debate; today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America — today.”

“We are a nation that faces its challenges and accepts its responsibilities. We are a nation that does what is hard, what is necessary, what is right. Here in this country, we shape our own destiny. That is what we do. That is who we are. That is what makes us the United States of America.”
GOD BLESS OBAMA =]

Happy first day of Spring!!!!! This March is so full of final, finals for “The Wedding” we’ve been planning for a year that I thought it would be nice to take an hour and reflect on the past while preparing for the future by honoring Mother Earth, for without her we would not be here. So on March 27th I will sit in silence for 60 minutes with all lights and appliances, TV’s, computers and phones offline while I realign with gratitude for all things living and dead. Won’t you join me? And remember…“Climate change is the greatest human induced crisis facing the world today. It is totally indiscriminate of race, culture and religion. It affects every human being on the planet,”.~Archbishop Desmond Tutu

“Blackle.com - Saving energy one search at a time”. <——– check it out =]

What a sweet month this has been!! Filled with grandchildren and wedding plans… Valentine’s Day and Bridal Showers. So much to do in 28 short days… now where’d I put that “to-do” list??? Oh yeah, I left it in front of the TV while watching the Olympics….
“GO WORLD” =]

Do you think today’s stress statistics make a comfortable reading? Well, not at all. If anything, they are mind-boggling. As stress takes hold of us in our modern lives, we seem to carry on relentlessly until signs of burn out peer us in the face. Only then do we take notice.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here are some stress statistics to give you a reality check:

Stress and anxiety is estimated to affect well over 19 million Americans and growing.

33% of Americans suffer job burn out and is thought to be due to stress at the work place.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in giving their stress statistics is predicting depression (which is one the many effects of stress) to be a leading cause of absenteeism from the work place.

About 70% of workers are unhappy in their current employment due to work related stress.

Accidents in the work place that are directly related to stress are exponentially increasing every year.

Over $290 Billion dollars is spent in the US economy every year relating to compensation claims from on-the-job stress, health insurance, low-productivity and disability.

The American Institute of Stress and The American Psychological Association also show some other related stress statistics. For instance:

Stress levels are deeply affected by work in 62% of Americans.

Money is thought to contribute significantly to the stress experienced by 73% of Americans.

66% of Americans would seriously welcome help in dealing with stress in their lives.

Stress is not confined to adults only. More and more children and teenagers are becoming affected by stress every year.

One factor contributing to increasing levels of substance abuse amongst teenagers is related to their perception of their level of stress.

Although the stress statistics speak volumes for themselves, we also need to know the effects of stress on us as individuals.

There are many consequences of stress but the most important ones to remember are:

Your relationships will suffer.

Hypertension is more likely to develop if you suffer chronic stress

You could end up with a heart attack.

Stroke is another major hazard.

Stressed people are more likely to suffer from mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

It is easy to play the ostrich and bury your head in the sand, hoping the problem will go away. No, it won’t!

Stress will only go away if you do something about it. Don’t become another statistic. Those stress statistics mentioned above are way too worrying enough.

Act today, so we can improve our health and the overall health of the nation.

References:

1. Stress constipation relief - http://www.stresstips.com/can-stress-cause-constipation/
2. Physical effects of stress on the body - http://www.stresstips.com/physical-effects-of-stress-on-the-body/
3. Stress statistics - http://ezinearticles.com/?Stress-Statistics—Will-You-Be-Another-Stress-Statistic?&id=2049516
4. Cortisol stress - http://www.stresstips.com/cortisol-stress-and-eustress-how-to-harness-the-power-of-your-stress-for-good/

Jewels of wisdom and pearls of insight come with years of reflecting as this golden girl continues to fade to silver…. not a bad thing… more like the honor of wearing well earned wrinkles as badges of a life well lived. Honestly, I’ve never been more content! And if I were a kitty you could hear me purring =]

Unfortunately, 2009 was not a good year for a lot of people… some wish the last decade never happened. As for me the past ten years brought us another daughter-in-law and a son-in-law, an engaged daughter & future son-in-law as well as five grandchildren, which BTW I have had the honor of being present at all their births!!!! Our business flourished and we were able to remodel our home from top to bottom. We added 10 years to our marriage making it 29 and counting. Granted there were years of sorrow and many deaths but lessons were learned and life is beautiful as we skip joyfully into 2010. I’m excited as our family prepares to grow even larger and stronger while we plan for Katy & Ryan’s wedding and the great possibility of more tiny feet and sweet little cheeks to cuddle and love and keep us hopeful and happy as we grow wiser into our old age!

So many people are scrambling this holiday season to make ends meet and still celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ is so much more than gifts and parties. It’s a time to be kind to others and Xerox has made it so easy to remember those who are often thousands of miles from home serving their countries during these holiday months so…
“Let’s give THANKS in support of our troops!!”

Our eight year old grandson asked his mommy “that” question this Christmas and insisted she “tell the truth” so of course she did, with heavy heart, and now he’s found a new connection with those of us who “know” but wish we didn’t by winking at us every time Santa’s name is mentioned. I don’t think he’s put 2 & 2 together yet…. but he’s got another loose tooth and Easter will be here before we know it. Too bad… the magic is just never quite the same when you know how the trick is done. Oh how fast they grow!

My favorite time of the year is here again and even though we’ve all been sick with the flu and bronchitis I’m thankful and happy so sing it……………..

Born 10/09/09 @ 6:22PM weighing 8lbs 11ozs and measuring 20 inches long first time mommy and daddy, Leann & Matt, gives us our 5th grandchild. Brodie also shares his birthday with his daddy, an extra special day they both share with daddy’s twin brother Todd!!! Brodie is just beautiful and mommy is thankful it’s all over as the loving couple become a family of three….. Congratulations!!! Pop Pop Michael and grama Speedy are over the moon with happiness =]

Trick-or-Treat?????

Huge month ahead…. Leann & Matt’s baby Brodie is due and they both have birthdays too!!!Matthew & Kari are celebrating their 9th wedding anniversary and their daughter Stella will turn two at the end of the month. Ollie is 2 months old already. We have several tortoise eggs that we are waiting to see hatch and of course the ‘lil ones favorite holiday wraps up the month so a big “BOO” to you and yours as we count our blessings =]