Today's Savings Tip

Have you noticed the messages on your McDonald's food wrappers advertising their new app? Being the curious person that I am (and a librarian), I decided to check it out.

My two cents:  Download this app today and save money immediately!  That's quite a return on my money, especially when its a FREE app!  So, today I received a free medium Peppermint Mocha coffee ($3.00 value) when I purchased a breakfast sandwich.  I needed to eat breakfast anyway, right?  It's the coupon curse that manufacturers use to get us to buy their stuff.  I don't really need 3 packs of whatever, but I have a coupon that saves me .75 cents on it.  It works - so let's be careful out there :)

However, I now have a cute little "M" app on my phone that can save me money every time I go to McDonald's.  Of course if I really wanted to save money I would stop going to McDonald's so much!!!!

I graduated from my Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class and I am ready to start over re-reading all of the materials so I can keep it fresh in mind.  If you haven't experienced this class yet, I suggest you should ask at your church.  It is a fabulous program - his advice is well worth paying for.  So I will continue to bring you money-saving tips, random facts, and other fun stuff.

Remember, keep looking on the bright side ----- there always is one :)

LLLLEEH,
Michelle :)

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” George Eliot

I love the quote in the title.  George Eliot is a smart man - or is he?  She was born Mary Ann Evans on November 22, 1819.  George Eliot is the pen name of this English novelist, journalist, and translator.  She was influenced by Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Her most notable works are Silas Marner, and Middlemarch.

Happy birth month to George/Mary and Happy Veteran's Day to all.  I was outside for the service at the Missaukee County Veteran's Park on 11/11 at 11am.  Now that's a date and time I can remember!  And a cause to really get behind.  Thank you for your service.  Thank you for your service - it bears repeating.  If I could give our military (and their families) the pay, support, benefits, and credit they deserve, I would.  The most recent political email I received boasts the benefits given to our "public servers" in congress, etc. and turns my stomach.  Let's make them live like the rest of us, and give our heroes what they deserve.  Of course, the world is not run on common sense (bummer).

Similar to the title quote, I receive two wonderful quotes each day from "Simple Reminders" http://simplereminders.com/ They are sent to my email - and what could be easier than that!  I share many of them on my Facebook page, but feel free to subscribe with your personal email address to reap the benefits of daily inspiration!  I wish I could keep all of the great advice in  my head, but unfortunately I tend to be "out of sight, out of mind"  Who's with me on this?!

Even though I feel a little out of sorts, I am looking on the bright side.  Keep your chin up, count your blessings, and know that things will get better :)

Until next time...Michelle :)

WHAT time is it? Are you sure?

Sunday afternoon I lost several hours.  Pinterest is great.  It is also amazing, interesting, fun, and a huge time-waster!  But is it really wasting time?  I was so excited to have the time and the opportunity to roam Pinterest, that I got a little carried away :) 

I also learned a lot.  Have you ever explored the incredible underground caves around the world?  This may also be the only way I will ever visit Bora Bora. There are many practical things on Pinterest as well.  If you are a scrapbooker, organizer, runner, etc. you have an endless supply of inspiration at your fingertips.  

Here's a fun meme:

Enjoy Social Media, just do it responsibly!!! 

If you love to visit craft shows, and are bummed that McBain will not be holding their annual show after Thanksgiving, don't miss the Fall Craft Show at the Zion Lutheran Church in Cadillac, MI.  Saturday, October 17th from 9a-3p.  

(But what a remarkable auditorium going in near the McBain Rural Agricultural school - can't wait to see plays, hear concerts, and watch the Highlighters perform on the new stage! Thank you community for building such a great performance arena.)

Until next time, keep looking up - and always look for the bright side!
Michelle :)

Tomorrow is World Smile Day!

Here is your heads-up!  Do something tomorrow to make someone 
S M I L E !!!!!

It is also being celebrated through the MAP site (Michigan Activity Pass) which is available from our library website:  www.missaukeelibrary.org.  Who doesn't like free or reduced price activities?!?  Look at all of the participation in Northern Michigan.  It is simple to use: find an activity, print out free or reduced price tickets, and GO HAVE AN ADVENTURE!

Everyone needs to feel loved, so big shout-out and humongous thank-you to all of my family and friends who keep me smiling and feeling loved.  



Here's some humor and cuteness for you all:

What animal has more lives than a cat?                       (A frog.  He croaks every night)

Until next time, always look on the bright side!  Michelle :)

Coffee Owls from fb :)

National Coffee Day--yay!

National Coffee Day: Wow, what could be better than that for us coffee bean lovers? Actually, a "National Chocolate Day" could, with that other delicious bean - cocoa!  Hmm, is there such a thing?  (Maybe I should ask a librarian - they love to look things up!!) 

So...according to Days of the Year, National Chocolate Day is July 7th, however, I also found it celebrated on October 28th at the nationaldaycalendar.com site.  When I consulted the 2015 Chase's Calendar of Events book, I found that Galesburg (Illinois) celebrates a Chocolate Festival on February 14 and 15 and is labelled as "a chocolate lover's dream! ...all you can eat for a small admission fee."  

I say, let's just celebrate both dates, July 7th AND October 28th, and for that matter throw in February 14th and October 31st for good measure.  Come to think of it, Easter is a pretty big day for chocolate too. Feel free to celebrate chocolate every month!  :)

Back to coffee.  I hope everyone enjoyed its special day.  How can you NOT enjoy it when Pumpkin Spice season is in full swing.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  We finally get to feel "summer" in northern Michigan, LOL.  Grab a cup of coffee and take a walk in the warm, sunny weather to enjoy the beautiful leaves changing colors.  The air becomes crisp, apples are dipped in caramel, fresh donuts are eaten (they are so good I can't even describe the "scrumptious-ness" of them when they come out of the fryer) and pumpkin patches fill with families riding hay wagons to the field to choose the perfect specimen to carve.  

FYI- September 30th is the day "Cheers" premiered on NBC in 1982, Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott was published, and Babe Ruth sets home run record in 1927 and played his last game in 1934. 

Keep learning and always look on the bright side!  Michelle :)    [Smiley, since 1969]

Shower Wisdom

I titled this post "Shower Wisdom" because I tend to think and write (in my mind, of course) when I am standing in the shower, wet, and unable to do anything about it!  When I sit down at the computer in the afternoon to write a blog post, all of my thoughts have disappeared into the ozone.  So, move over toothbrush holder and make-up caddy, the ipad stand is moving in!  If only the moist air wouldn't destroy it.  There are new refrigerators with screens, why not invent a shower-safe screen for the bathroom?  Samsung...

I didn't get much sleep last night, yet I woke up this morning happy and eager to start my day.  What is it that keeps my brain looking on the bright side and ignoring the negative?  I don't know, but let's keep it up!  

I am in the process of organizing my entire life.  I am paring down at home, keeping my work process streamlined, and getting my finances in order.  I started the 9-week Financial Peace University course from Dave Ramsey.  In week 3, we have finished the introduction and are starting to get into the good stuff.  I am filling envelopes with cash to better monitor my spending on food, gas, and entertainment.  It really is easy to spend money with a debit card and forget where it is coming from, especially if you throw away receipts, and/or forget to document a purchase in your checkbook.  (So, don't do that!)

Next week we are told to get out the scissors - wait, what?
I only use my credit card for emergencies (usually)!  And the Sears card was critical for purchasing a new washer and dryer - ok, so I paid it off and still have the credit card, but I may have another appliance emergency!

I trust Dave Ramsey and will continue to follow his advice until my debts are all paid off, my student loans no longer exist, and the thought of having a car or house payment is just a memory.  

Guess you all better wish me good luck - I am going to NEED it!  Keep it touch and I will update you on my progress :)

Until next time, keep looking on the bright side!  Michelle :)

NYC or Bust! Okay, maybe next time!

A Broadway Audition - what could be cooler!?!?  An impromptu trip with my 22-year-old daughter; 800 miles to eat, laugh, sing, and get nervous; and alone time with her before her upcoming nuptials in August - it was priceless!

I highly recommend enjoying every second of childhood, school days, performances, college, and especially wedding planning - because it all goes way too fast!

This wedding thing has been more fun than I ever imagined.  I could do without the large expense though :)  From the bridal shows to dress shopping, it has been a mother's dream.  We had her first shower last weekend and I was able to see family members who do not live close anymore.  Weddings and funerals bring everyone together and I'm glad this occasion is the happy one!

Six days until my daughter graduates from BCT in Missouri and 23 days until my first daughter gets married.  Very busy August, but I am loving every minute of it!  Thank you God for my life :)

September brings a quiet house once again as they both head back to college and married life.  Time to start the Grandchildren Hope Chest!  As far as the Broadway thing goes, three were chosen as finalists to be Christine in Phantom of the Opera and Celeste wasn't one of them.  Oh well, maybe next time!  Happy Wednesday everyone!

Celeste Lang POTO Christine Audition 2015

Good Luck!!!!

Italian street song - Naughty Marietta - Victor Herbert

My daughter's voice goes straight to my heart.  Enjoy!

So Grey's Anatomy (my favorite), NCIS, NCIS New Orleans, Hawaii 5-0, and Bones and are over until fall, but lucky for us new summer shows are also beginning which brings a bright spot to the network break.  We should be outside anyway when the weather is nice!  Hiking, bike riding, swimming, boating...(don't forget reading-I am a librarian after all)

I do keep up on a few television shows during summer though.  New episodes of Love It or List It, Property Brothers, and Flip or Flop are starting.  Yay to "Food Network Star" which began on Sunday.  I really enjoy watching the cooking shows even though I would be better suited for "Worst Cooks in America"!!!!!!  I have learned so much from watching Cooking Channel and Food Network - especially from my girl Giada.  I even make her Cinnamon Chocolate Brownies with Buttercream Frosting from SCRATCH now!

And don't get me started on the kill-off-Derek-Shepherd fiasco - He's a MAIN CHARACTER!!!  Day 1:  Meredith and Derek.  Ten Seasons Later:  Up and down, but never a dull moment.  Season 11:  The unthinkable happens.  Okay, I am flexible - how can we see a bright side?  Meredith will rise - she will overcome, grow from the experience, delve into new adventures, and be better than ever.  I don't have any doubt about her character blossoming, but I will miss Derek :)

Summer is finally here in Northern Michigan - temps are high, (so are mosquitos!!), water's warm, local ice cream shop has a line for 500 yards down the street, and the library's Summer Reading Program begins shortly.  

Keep Reading and Learning.  Always look on the bright side-With Love, Michelle :)

Attitude is Everything :)

It's a Great Day!  (And if it's not, make it one!)  I received this email from a friend, and it really sums up what I believe -- 

Attitude is everything!

Enjoy:

"A famous writer was in his study room. He picked up his pen and started writing:

**Last year, I had a surgery and my gallbladder was removed. I had to stay stuck to the bed due to this surgery for a long time.

**The same year I reached the age of 60 years and had to give up my favourite job. I had spent 30 years of my life in this publishing company.

**The same year I experienced the sorrow of the death of my father.

**And in the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in bed at hospital with the cast on for several days. The destruction of car was another loss. 

At the end he wrote: Alas! It was such bad year!!
When the writer's wife entered the room, she found her husband looking sad lost in his thoughts. From behind his back she read what was written on the paper. She left the room silently and came back with another paper and placed it on the side of her husband's writing.

When the writer saw this paper, he found this written on it:
**Last year I finally got rid of my gall bladder due to which I had spent years in pain.

**I turned 60 with sound health and got retired from my job. Now I can utilize my time to write something better with more focus and peace.

**The same year my father, at the age of 95, without depending on anyone or without any critical condition met his Creator.

**The same year, God blessed my son with a new life. My car was destroyed but my son stayed alive without getting any disability.

At the end she wrote: This year was an immense blessing of God and it passed well!! 
Moral : In our daily lives we must see that it's not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy.
There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.!! Stay Blessed !!"

Always look on the bright side :)

Michelle 

I love this library!  Besides the fact that there is something here for everyone, this beautiful building was a gift to our community by Dr. and Mrs. Ardis.  15 years ago it was designed with gorgeous oak panels and a chandelier, and today it is loved more than ever.  

Happy Spring Everyone!

Here is my house - ready for sunshine and flowers, and my lake - waiting for more boats!

   

Spring is a wonderful time of year.  There is finally more sunshine, warmer temps, flowers blooming, and we get to dust off the bicycle for transportation to work. It feels like the world is waking up. Speaking of waking up, mornings are a perfect time for reflecting.  It's my favorite time of the day when I can focus my mind before jumping into life. Whether you enjoy coffee with sweet creamers, hot and spicy chai tea, oj, or even just water, take the time to sip slowly and savor.  Focus on the positive, because there is enough negative out there.  Choose your world and be grateful for what you have.  If that means you are wearing rose-colored glasses like me - so be it :)

Mandisa: Good Morning - Official Lyric Video

Happy Friday Everyone - You can't go wrong when you start the day with this song by Mandisa and TobyMac!  So happy and uplifting!  Music can raise you up when you need it, give you energy and motivation to clean the house or exercise, and make long journeys more fun.  My daughter is an opera singer and when I hear her sing, my heart swells with so much pride and love.  I am amazed at my two talented, caring daughters - Thank You - THANK YOU - Thank You God for my wonderful life :)

Until next time...Live - Love - Laugh - Learn - Experience - Enjoy & Help!!!!!
Michelle :)

It's graduation season and many students are counting down to their final class.  Area high schools, private schools, homeschools, art schools (big shout out to Interlochen), and colleges are in the final stretch.  I am super proud of my youngest daughter who is finishing up her first year away at college.  Is it bad that I wanted her to fail out and come home?!?!  While Open Houses are being planned, and summer jobs acquired, an overall feeling of freedom abounds!   Relish the lazy days and fun nights that are finally filled with activities that don't revolve around homework.

Enjoy the warm weather and parties, but don't give up on learning.  Even if you think your formal education is complete - and congratulations btw - new opportunities are everywhere.  I  learn something new everyday.  Sometimes it's because I am asked a question that I cannot answer and I turn to my old friend Google for help.  And if you turn to the internet for anything, make sure you understand how to find the GOOD stuff.  With everything so quick & easy and at our fingertips - they seem like an extension of our arms since we never set our phones down - it is more important than ever to find pertinent information.  Know the basics of Information Literacy to help you navigate to the reputable and current items. 

Classroom activity:  find the website showing how the Mayflower brought cell phones to the Indians at Plymouth Rock.  Guess how many of students found it?  Several, because the teacher set it up and the kids believed it!  Keep in mind, If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is AND Don't believe everything you read/hear!!! 

Continue to learn and grow - Happy Spring!

Because I'm "Happy"

Mobile phones are a lot of fun -- and a lot of frustration at the same time.  Along comes the new Amazon Fire Phone and I decide to give it a try.  There are fantastic features like Firefly and auto-scroll.  Unfortunately, the opposite is true and there are some less-than-ideal issues to contend with.  Millions of apps are available, with more written everyday, but did you know that the majority (95%)are for Apple or Android?  Here's my plea...if you are a developer, please design some good apps for the Fire OS so I can get back to SnapChat-ing with my daughters!

Phone decided to act up and it was replaced with a new one.  Starting fresh is not always best!  I had downloaded the Pharrell Williams' song, Happy, and used it as my ringtone.  I also lost many contacts, all of my notes, and most of my calendar entries!  I tell my students' that losing an assignment - usually because it wasn't saved correctly - is a great chance to increase your skills by doing the work again!  So...I have continued my learning by setting up a second Fire phone.  I reset the contacts, notes, calendars, and items as before and the phone shut off.  Then it re-started -- over and over and over again!  Now phone number 3 arrives in the mail and I need to set it up again.  I am grateful to learn new technology (really well) and it also increased my patience levels and I can better cope with unexpected frustration!  There is always a bright side!  Keep Smiling!  Michelle :)

So, for fun, I am inserting the Happy video for you to enjoy!  Just click on the link to go to YouTube.

 Pharrell Williams - Happy Video

 

 

Photo courtesy:  dispicableme.wikia.com

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

Tomorrow is Friday and also casual day at work!  We wear library polo's and jeans to collect money for local organizations.  

To spread the love further, we are collecting food, treats, toys, shampoo, etc. for the puppies and kitties at the Humane Society too.  Our wonderful local shelter is no-kill and they care for these great animals until they find their forever homes.  

Next time you are shopping at the dollar store, think of our furry friends and help out.  It doesn't take much, and a little goes a long way.

I will be cheering on my baby girl as she runs her first Half Marathon on Sunday - 13.1 miles -- and yes, the .1 makes a difference!!!  I say that if you are running 13 miles, you may as well go for the .1 more :)    Keep smiling and have an awesome weekend!

Hello Everybody!  I'm back!  I started this blog in 2008 and have recently decided to jump back into it :)

My Philosophy is L-L-L-L-E-E-H  Live, Love, Laugh, Learn, Experience, Enjoy, and Help and that's what I have been doing: Living, and Loving, and Laughing, and Learning, and Experiencing, and Enjoying, and Helping for many years and now I have a chance to breathe!!!! (and blog)

My two amazing daughters are both attending college now and living their lives without me standing next to them giving excellent advice.  I hope they know they can call and visit me anytime to get my outstanding, always right, words of wisdom!!!  I guess I have to let them grow up and get married and have babies and live their own lives eventually, but I had a terrible case of Empty Nest Syndrome!  So what did I do?

New things like going to a local auction - didn't buy anything, but it was fun, and joining new clubs to meet new people.  Old things like going back to school to get some more computer skills.  Now I am on to Travel things where I plan to explore the world and fully appreciate God's gifts.

I still believe in keeping positive, looking on the bright side, and feeling gratitude even in the toughest situations so don't expect anything different here.  If you want to concentrate on the negative, kindly find another blog :)

Today I am grateful for 6 years as Library Director, my health, and the opportunity to go to our first Bridal Show - so excited for my oldest daughter for graduating college and getting married next year!

Today's Quote:

Sincerely,  Michelle :)