I get such a kick out of the amount of spam I get on here. The spammers work tremendously hard posting many, many a day on here.
Most start with ‘Very nice site! Buy celexa.” “Great post! Buy viagra online.” Nice. lol…
“Very nice spam! But get a life!” 
I got this originally in an email a little earlier today but it was just a short while ago I got a chance to read it. It’s got some important life lessons in her observations that I should take to heart myself in these times of being too busy and too stressed. I think everyone should take a read through Regina’s list and then try to incorporate at least some of it into their own lives. Wouldn’t life be a lot easier then? So grab a cup of tea, sit down and read on….
Originally published in The Plain Dealer on Sunday,May 28, 2006
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
I don’t think you can live in the Lower Mainland and not know about Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and the much needed services it provides to families at their greatest time of despair. If you don’t, please go to their site and learn a little more about them at www.canuckplace.org
I spoke to a man today by the name of Paul Cody who is taking steps to support Canuck Place in his own way. He’s partnered with Canuck Place to build them a massive online party store with over 200 themed party packs through Canuck Place Party Store. And I admire his dedication to giving from his heart. By ordering from Canuck Place Party Store not only will you find the most vast selection of themed party supplies by Perfect Party by Cody, Paul is donating a considerable part of the proceeds to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. You are encouraged to donate to Parties From the Heart that will see all 350 Canuck Place kids receive a special Party Pack of their choice. So if you are hosting a party for your child’s birthday, a wedding shower, baby shower or just because you like having parties and you need supplies, I encourage you to buy what you’re looking for through this link http://www.canuckplace.org/news_events/media_centre/index/articles485.php Not only do they have a huge selection, the prices are great too. My middle son turns 8 in August and I know where I’m getting his party supplies.
I’m asking that anyone with a business get involved with this great cause. Email Paul at paul@partiesfromyourheart.com and see how you can help support Canuck Place today.
I was contacted by a lovely woman by the name of Jane Pratt the other day in regard to her recently published book, Turtle on a Fence Post. I wanted to take a moment here in my blog to mention this fantastic guide for teens about to embark on adulthood and their parents who are letting them spread their wings. Please see their media release below and click on the book cover preview to be taken directly to their website.
Gift will appeal to high school grads looking for concise, once-a-day guidance about life in the ‘real world’.
(Vancouver, BC) – Every parent hopes they have adequately prepared their children for life after high school. But what if you, as a parent, won’t be nearby to provide guidance when they move out? What simple graduation gift is there to help these grads who will be adults in body, but not in life experience?
Jim and Jane Pratt have just created the answer to these concerns. They’ve written Turtle on a Fence Post: 365 Days of Life Lessons, Wisdom Graduates Need to Make It in the Real World, just released by Agio Publishing in Victoria.
“We believe Turtle on a Fence Post is an ideal gift of wisdom and inspiration for the graduate,” says author Jim Pratt, who is CEO of Sepps Foods in his ‘day job’ and full-time father of three active high-schoolers. “Jane and I wrote it to help our children navigate the complicated ‘real world’ they’ll face after graduation.”
There are 365 days of lessons, Jane Pratt explains, because it is important to learn something new every day. Each lesson is short, so it can be read quickly over breakfast or during a break. Monday’s messages are motivational; Tuesday and Wednesday are hints for advancing careers. Thursday and Friday are general life lessons. Saturday is for social aspects, while Sunday’s spiritual guidance comes from many religions and teachers.
Turtle on a Fence Post will be available initially only through parent committees, who will sell copies to parents and relatives of grads, as a fundraiser for dry grad parties and other events. Jane Pratt will be drawing on her areawide contacts, from her work with Canadian Parents for French, Beta Sigma Phi (she was chapter president of both) and other volunteer organizations.
This gift-quality, hardcover book comes with strong endorsements by luminaries such as Dr. Jacqueline Shan, co-inventor of Cold-FX™, Canaccord Capital exec John Rothwell, Globe and Mail reporter Brent Jang and Canadian pro beach volleyballer Rich Van Huizen. Van Huizen said, “This great book provides just what is needed – a unique dynamic of spiritual and social lessons – the key that separates those who succeed from those who fail.”
Turtle on a Fence Post: 365 Days of Life Lessons, Wisdom Graduates Need to
Make It in the Real World by Jim & Jane Pratt. ISBN 978-1-897435-31-1, published by Agio Publishing, Victoria, 2009, 188 pp, clothbound with jacket, $36.00
I’m really not good at getting into blogging mode. I don’t know what to write, life gets busy and then I forget about it. And I love writing…and talking. But this just sitting down and blogging, it’s hard!
I know I’ve said it before but I want to make sure that everyone on my forum knows how happy I am that they come and spend time on the site. It means a lot to know that each day you check and see how everyone is doing and spend a little time visiting. It really is what it’s all about and I don’t want to ever take that for granted - your time means so much to me. The friendships have grown over time and I enjoy going for dinner with you all when we can. The playdates and parties for the kids are always nice too.
I think Deanna deserves an extra thanks for all the work she’s done on the site, as well, right from the begining of the transition. Without her, I’d have probably given up long ago.
This is now the part of the blog where I drop out ungracefully because I don’t know how to wind it up neatly…I hear the Strawberry Twizzlers calling me (really, they are…) as there are a few pieces left that I haven’t eaten yet so I’d better run.
Welcome to the new blog. We are very excited to have our new site and it will soon be full of great information and resources. So be sure to check back soon for more updates. You can also subscribe to our RSS feed by clicking the RSS Icon below. This site is optimized for 1024×768, and Internet Explorer 7, Firefox and Safari. Thanks!
I finally remembered I have a blog. But I did not remember my user name and password as it’s been so long. I spent a lot of time trying to log in. I finally figured the obscure things out and then changed them to my usual so I will remember them for next time.
And that is all I have to say tonight.
lol…I’m so not good at this blogging thing! I can never remember it and if I wasn’t actually beckoned to my Facebook page earlier, I’d have forgotten about this blog of mine even longer.
Oh, pooh! I keep forgetting I have this blog thing going on…lol. Things are slowly but surely progressing with the site but as usual, the instant gratification girl in me is impatient and wishes there was a good, strong, solid climb already happening. Patience is not a virtue of mine…lol.
It’s late and it’s time for bed…It’s Nicholas first Sport’s Day in elementary school and Alex’s third and it’s going to be a long day for poor Raisie.
And I’m going to make a pointed effort to remember this blog of mine from here on out. 
Kristen
Wow, I can’t believe how fast this month as flown by. After a temporary closure, we are back up and running with a new look, new format and a whole new way of doing business. Now my customers can list their own children’s clothing, toys, furniture, and accessories all on their own, if they so desire rather than going the original consignment route with me. Though I still welcome the opportunity to provide consignment services.
To celebrate the kick off, I’ve partnered with Lara at westcoastmoms.ca to offer a prize to one lucky winner.
It has been a very hard and rough start to the year. Our friend whom I mentioned in the previous post (the fish tank guy :)), passed away on January 14th. We got a call that things didn’t look good and we were in the car and off and racing. After a seven hour drive, we got the call about an hour outside of town that he was gone. My heart just broke. The world lost an amazing man that day. It still doesn’t seem ‘real’ yet and I’m not sure if it ever will. But I look at the fish tank and laugh because his ‘relaxing’ hobby that wasn’t so relaxing at all, is now my ‘relaxing’ hobby…sigh…lol. A few hours after he passed, my step-Dad’s father died and then three of my husband’s relatives. It’s been a sad time around here. But we are looking forward to some positives to come.
The first of which is that my neice-in-law got the call for her double lung transplant and at day 6 (well, 7 but I haven’t got the update yet), she was sitting up and eating and starting on the mend. It’ll be a long recovery but this was the miracle we’ve been waiting for!
The kids are doing well and looks like my older two are going to join the running club for the month of April at school. Looks like I get to do my part, initialing kids’ books as they run by. Should be chaotic but fun!
Well, I’m not good at this blogging so I’m going to sign off for now.
Talk to you all later,
Kristen
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