“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!