The Call....

Have you ever received a call that you knew would change your life?
Have you ever had a visit with someone that you knew would change your entire existence?

I have had "Oh too many calls" in my life to care to remember. Most of them have been positive. Most of them have been from friends telling me that they are getting married, or they are pregnant. Those are the good calls. The calls that you wait eagerly for. They are the calls that you dream about. The calls that you wish you made, and the calls that you are greatful to receive.

The calls that I am referring to, are the calls that can suddenly turn your world upside-down. The calls that remind you that life is short. They are the calls that you wish you didn't answer. Although, they are the calls that remind you just how precious this life that we live really is.

I received a call a few months ago, from one of my BFF's. She told me that another BFF of ours has been in a serious traffic accident, and that she did not survive. She had suddenly passed away, from a terrible terrible motor vechicle accident.

That was a shock. What the F$#&k are you talking about? What do you mean? She is gone. Her life is over. What you knew of her is no longer. She has rose above, to the heaven's. She is at peace.

I'm sorry, but what did you say? What do you mean? My friend that was just with me a few short months ago, celebrating the summer with me....she is gone? What on earth do you mean?

We celebrated her life, in style. We made sure that she had the most wonderful farewell that you could ever imagine. She lived in style, and therfore, she should rest in style.

A few months ago, I got another call...to tell me that another friend of mine that we loved, and respected has been diagnosed with a fatal brain disease. She has been admitted to the Hospital, and she will not survive. She has changed, forever more. she will never be the same. Her life is extremely limited, and she will not be around, as we knew her anymore. She has been permanently altered.

That is that. So deal with it. That is the reality. There is no room for negotiation. It is what it is. And that is true.

My loves, my BFF's....why on earth did you need to leave this planet so early? Why did you have to go sooooo soon? We haven't even shared what we were meant to share....there is so much more to endure together.

To you, my beloved friends, I love you.

I am greatful for you.

I am the woman that I am today, as a result of the friendship that we have maintained.

Thank-you.

You are my strength, you are my rocks.

live. love. laugh...like today is the last. And be greatful for it.

xoxox

Why so Angry....?

Angry. Some people are so Angry.
Why so angry, I ask?
Why do you frown all the time?
Those little lines will catch up with you...and tattoo your face with anger and hate.

Whatever it is that ails you, just take a breath, and smile.
I promise, it will feel better than your constant frowning.
Smiling feels great. It just does. It is simple.

Humour me, and try it for just one day.
You don't even have to show your teeth.
Just move the corners of your mouth towards your eyebrows.

Other people will notice your smile.
Your frown will make them run away.

You can change your life with a smile, and possibly someone else's.

Feast for Kings (1st entry of many...)

For approximately the past eight years or so... (How many years has Survivor been on television?)....myself, and about 6-7 of my best buds have been getting together for our weekly viewing of Survivor, oh - and we have a bite to eat as well. As I am no longer the 7th wheel, there is a total of 4 couples involved. (Which works out to 3 dinners per couple, per season). Let's do some math. 8 years x 2 seasons per year x 12 episodes per season = Roughly 192 Viewings +/-. Wow, that's a lot of TV. Ok, back to the food....

When I mention that we have a "Bite to eat" during the viweing, let me assure you this is no regular dinner. For some, this might compare to a Sunday night family feast of Roast Beef. You come, you eat, you drink, you laugh, you go to bed full. For us, it needs no other definition besides "Survivor Dinner". Which means: Eat only Salad on Thursdays.

Allow me to re-cap a few Menus for you, to try and fathom what I am saying. (Most meals are homemade from scratch, with only a handful of times when Take Out Menu's were required..due to scheduling issues....that's right, we have a schedule!)

Homemade Lasagne, of all types....
Baked Spaghetti, Spag & Meat Balls, I'm sure there has been more...
Pad Thai, Chicken Peanut Satay.
Chicken Parm, with Garlic breath for a week ceasar salad. (mmmm...!)
Homemade Won-Tons Soup, Beef & Brocolli, Fried Rice, Gyozas
Roasted Chicken & All the fixin's...
BBQ'd EVERYTHING: Burgers, Pork, Steaks, Prawns, Kebobs, Potats, Veg
Mexican Feast: Big Ass Taco Salads, Burrito's, Encilladas
Split Pea & Ham Soup....kjkljsdf....oops, sorry - I was drooling.
Slow Cooked Duck / a la French Dinner...
Traditional Greek...Garlic, Feta, more Garlic, more Feta.
Breakfast for Dinner...who doesn't LOVE breakfast for dinner?

Ok, that is only a handful....I will share more later...Let us not forget that the above is only dinner. This does not include appys, dessert, and booze consumption.

Stay tuned for further entries....wear a bib...you will need it.

Pink and Proud.

They are my favorite of the tree species. They only bloom for about 10-14 days of the year. They appear after the harsh winter cold subsides, to signify the turning of the seasons.

Each year, they make me want to grab my camera to take their photo to capture their gentle innocence. They are the bravest little pink puffs I have ever met. Their life is so short and delicate. It doesn't seem to bother them, they stay faithful to Mother Nature, and appear every year without fail. They are pink and they are proud.

I don't know what it is about those little fluffy cherry blossoms that brings such peace into my heart. The moment I smell them coming, I feel like a child on Christmas morning. I love driving down the streets that have trees on both sides - that is my wonderland. My mind is rid of any worries, and replaced by the serenity of blossoms.

Soon, their petals will blow off into the wind, and I will patiently await my little friends to bloom again.

Lifelong BFF's....

You know what I'm talking about, right? Please tell me that at some point during your time so far on this planet that you have had the pleasure of calling at least one of your good buddy's your BFF...? If you haven't, then let me take a moment for those of you lost soles to explain to you what a BFF is. When you hear the term BFF, people are referring to someone who is their "Best Friend Forever"...their BFF. It's quite the term, really. This is a term that should be used for someone that has been a part of your everyday to day life, living, and learning with you every step of the way - through all of the times good, and the times bad. They have been there for you late at night, when you cannot sleep, when the world comes to a grinding hault, when your surroundings are closing in, and you can barely breathe.

They have been there for the fantastic times too, the times that you burst out laughing hysterically, at something that was so funny, both of you couldn't stop giggling, and your stomach hurts from it all. Then you wake up the next day - thinking of what a great time that you had with your BFF, and you can't for the life of you remember why you were laughing so hard, but it was sure fun!

That's what your BFF is about. They are about all things good. All things that help you get through the day. They are there to listen and share with you their thoughts, dreams, and desires in life. They are there to keep you on the right track. They pump you up when you are down, and laugh with you once the latest drama passes.

I am greatful. I am a very blessed woman to have as many BFF's as I have had. I'm not trying to brag here, but I really do have a lof of quality BFF's in my life. Some of them, I have known since I was 6 years old. That is well over 20 years of friendship. True Friendship. Lasting Friendship. 20 years of Birthdays, 20 Christmas's, 20 Summers, 20 New Year's. That is a lot of time spent with a lot of people. That is a lot of memories. Some other BFF's have been around since my adolescent & teenage years, and some joined my life in my 20's. All of whom have influenced my life incredible amounts. I am who I am today as a result of my past with these people. Without them, I would not exist. I would not be the same person that I am if I didn't have my BFF's.

I ask you all to think, and remember all the people that you have in your life, either at present, or past. Just think about the amazing times that you have shared, and the lessons learned together. Once your senses get all 'warm and fuzzy' - remember that joy, and tuck it deep within your soul. Genuine friendship is the most amazing gift that anyone could ever ask for. Cherish it, hold it close, and never let it go. Protect it. Keep it safe.

To all my BFF's - Thank-you for being you, and Thank-you for being a part of my life. Your Friendship has meant the world to me!

Much Love, forever & always...

Chillax People.

Do you ever wonder why people get so worked up about things? Why does life need to be so complicated? It really doesn't you know. We should keep it as simple as possible. There are a lot of complicated things in this world to deal with, on a regular basis. Politics, War, World Hunger, Earth Preservation, you name it - those major issues are out there. Those are the issues that require a great deal of commitment from many people to change. Although, everyone's individual contribution is as important to ensure a positive outcome on all accounts, ok... back to the day to day stuff.

But seriously, there is a something to be said for taking a break, and saying less when it feels as though the world is against you. The world is not aginst you. You choose you own reaction to the situations that life presents you. You are the one who decides how you respond when w co-worker does something that agrivates you. You are the one to decide how you respond to your spouse when they leave their dirty socks all over the house. You are the one to decide how you feel about everything. This is not rocket science. Most of us just choose to make it more complicated than that. We blame others. We blame life, and circumstances that are "beyond our control".

All I am trying to say today is that we should stop, think, take a deep breath - and then decide how we feel about something before we respond. Our words can be short, but their echoes are endless.

Stop. Think. Clarify.

Blog Virgin

Today, I created this Blog. I am not a blogger. I don't even know what blog means, although I see Wikipedia has an interesting description. All I know is that I use to write in a journal, and for some reason I don't do it very often anymore. Life happens, as "they" say. Who are 'they' anywyays?

Anyhow, welcome to my Blog. I hope you enjoy my mindless rambling on, I have a lot to say. I warn you. Retreat now. I decided to try this as a place to log my random thoughts about my journey in life, as I have done in my countless journals. And now, I decide to share some tid-bits with you. The Strangers. Enjoy.

Live. Love. Laugh. Often.