Link to Entertaining post

http://guitargirl08.blogspot.com/2009/12/25-things-i-have-learned.html

For those who need a laugh.

Awesome Gifts!

Bonnie and my friend Emily gave us some very festive gifts that she got while in China! Pictured is some Chinese tea and currency:

And a scroll of my name, gorgeously painted.

She also gave us some chocolate-coated items...reminds me how much I love the sweet & salty factor of choc. covered pretzels...

Fear

Things people fear:

1. Rejection
2. Public speaking
3. Insecurity
4. Failure
5. Performing
6. Criticism
7. Disappointment
8. Reality
9. Non-conformity
10. Being alone

Why do we live lives dominated by fear? Fear is a negative emotion quite outside of reality. It conforms us into people we aren’t. It convinces us that we are helpless, disables us, takes energy from our lives, and makes the smallest task seem insurmountable.

I must introduce a new and completely basic thought: fear or confidence is our choice, and we must form a habit of confidence. Another thought: when you lack confidence, pretend. Nobody can tell, least of all you.

I am the sort of person who naturally feels like an inexperienced, timid kid. To combat this, I make a habit of putting my head up and walking at a fast, confident pace; hence, I have been told that I look aristocratic, or even arrogant. I’m five feet tall, and yet I intimidate people. Instead of acting the way I feel, I act the way I would like to appear to feel.

Secret: if you make this a habit long enough, you actually will become confident.

Yarn Shop

While they were here, Richard and Candy took me to Lake Erie and Marblehead. While we were there, we found this little yarn shop that I insisted on visiting. Here are some photos:

Pictures From Tammy's Visit

My sister and her kids came to visit in September. Her friend Candy (now my oldest brother's fiance) also came. We had a fabulous time together. And I finally have time to get some photos posted:

The bunch of wildflowers Candy picked for me. :)

Candy holding my nephew Eliyahu's head.

Eliyahu with his ever-present stuffed doggie named "Dog." He is drawing circles in the stones.

We head out for a walk together. L-R: my nephew (Yehoshua), sister (Bonnie,) niece (Ruth) and Candy.

The fresh Mexican salsa Candy helped us make. Jalapenos and cilatro!

Making the salsa. Bonnie thought the cilatro smelled funny...but what does she know?

My adorable little niece, baby Ruth, with Bonnie.

Ruthie picking raspberries. ;)

Yehoshua stirs the pudding.

I miss them all...we had campfires and made s'mores, entertained the nephews with remote controlled toys, and had late-night talks on the porch swings. :)

Early-morning Photography

Due to my recent premise that getting up in the early-morning hours and practising the piano is good for the soul, I have officially seen every sunrise for a week.

This morning, I couldn't resist photographing the sunrise and the fog. So here it is...or they are:

Ponchos and things of life...

Recently, I thought it looked like rain. So I got out my emergency poncho, and it didn't. I then tried to fold it back up, which did not bode well because I do not fold things very knackily.

I do want to take it out and wear it on a windy day while I'm taking a bike ride. I will look like a yellow balloon.