HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?

These come from my neat friend Rhonda in Oregon!

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY? (Written by kids)

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.

-- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry.

God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.

-- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?

Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.

-- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.

-- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?

Both don't want any more kids.

-- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?

Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.

-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that Usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.

-- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?

I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.

-- Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

When they're rich.

-- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.

- - Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.

-- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.

-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?

There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?

-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is........

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?

Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.

-- Ricky, age 10

merry1621@aol.com

 

Word Play (colors)

Word Play! 

Our friend Val asked me about the colors I like and how they make me feel.  So, here goes! Usually I  like Blue tones. I agree with Val that blue tones, are calming, soothing.  But I have also read that blue can be depressing.  I once had an all blue living room, including carpeting,  I loved it at first but it got to be too much blue!  I think of the ocean and the lake I grew up swimming in when I think of blue.  I also like lime green, especially in the summertime, I love this color.  I like I think I look good in bright colors, whereas the pale ones wash me out.I like beige for my main color scheme in my house.  Oak floors, oak  cabinets, end tables, and oak dining room furniture. Our living room is beige tweed furniture with beige throw rugs. (Oak floors)   I have one brown leather chair in there but the rest is beige with blue accessories in the living room. I love red, especially on other people.  I once had a red coat, and I felt pretty every time I wore that coat.  But if I had to pick one favorite color, it would be purple!!  I guess, whether it's good or bad, I like to be noticed.  If I think I look nice, I am not shy about "showing off." I also have a pink, lavender, & white patchwork quilt on our king size bed, and pink and burgundy rugs in there.  It might not sound pretty, but it is!  Okay, I  admit, it's the little girl in me that insisted on pink.  The other upstairs bedroom is varying shades of green. Okay kids, I got way too verbal and too long here, but that's kind of just how I am.  I'd love to hear about the colors you like and why you like them!  Have a purple and red week everyone!  Love to all, Merry

Check out my other journal sometime, if you haven't already! 

http://journals.aol.com/merry1621/my-growth-toward-pain-acceptance/

What we are all reading!

Hi,

I was tagged by Lisa yesterday, and I sent it on to others via email.  Then today I was tagged by Val.  I decided maybe I was to put it here.  So here ya go:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your Blog along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet I know that is what you were thinking!
6. Tag 4 or 5 people
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 

I don't think we have the same reading tastes...but I am being honest!

Here goes: "A Twist of Lemon" by Chris Lemon (about his Dad Jack Lemon) pg. 123

 

won by a nose, or would that be a head?

    Ten seconds, five seconds, time!  Burns called.  The room was electric with energy.  "Milite, you couldn't ask for a better intro than that."

    Berle ceased bowing to the applause and took the stage as only he could, then launched into the story of Chico Marx and the Eucalooka tree, a tale that became a favorite for my father.

Popularity

(Not that I would know by personal experience!  -Merry)

 

To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.

 

Being popular, to me, is simply being likeable. I think being likeable means:

1. To like yourself. Not in a vain-glory way, but just liking who you are on the inside. If you don't like yourself, imagine how much harder is it for others to like you. Liking yourself is a matter of doing what you know is right in your heart.

2. To listen. Everyone has a need to talk. Those that really listen will always have someone to talk with - and notice, I said talk "with" not "to".

3. Don't talk too much about yourself. Bragging, constantly talking about yourself, and other forms of egotism are boring. If you don't believe that go look in the mirror and look yourself in the eye and tell you how wonderful you are. You'll get tired of it quickly, so do others. To be interesting to others is simply to be interested in others more than you are in talking about yourself.

4. Smile! Sounds simple, and it is, but people like people who smile at them. It makes them smile and smiling makes you feel happy. If you smile when you first see someone, and each time you first see them, there's a good chance they'll like you just because they make you smile. It makes them feel good about themselves.

5. Be generous of spirit. It doesn't matter how good a person feels about themselves, it's always nice for them to know others appreciate their talent, accomplishments, personality, attitude, uniqueness, etc. There are hundreds of things you can compliment someone about, just be genuine and don't go overboard with it. Insincerity can be sensed. Genuinely complimenting someone costs you nothing, but to the recipient, an unsolicited compliment is something that can't be bought at any price.

6. Be slow to be critical. I probably get one letter critical of my web site or newsletter for every 99 that compliment me. It still thrills me to receive compliments and still bothers me to be criticized. I know you can't please everyone, but I'm human and that's just the way we are.

7. Don't try too hard to be liked. Those that do are often perceived in negative ways - like emotionally needy, overbearing, insincere, or many other things that will put distance between you and others. Not everyone will like you, just as you're not going to like everyone. In those cases, accept that and move on.

8. Don't be a whiner! No one wants to listen to constant complaining, fault-finding and holier-than-thou attitudes.

9. Don't talk negatively about others. Others will realize if you talk badly to them about others behind their back, you'll also speak poorly of them when they're not around.

10. Don't talk too loud. A whisper is listened to more closely than a shout. People that are seeking attention often talk louder than normal in an attempt to force their way to the top of the conversation chain. While the result of that can work in the short term, the long term result is usually that you have less opportunities to mingle with others. Accept your natural place in a conversation. Sometimes that will be taking a lead role, and other times it will be patiently listening and waiting for the right moment to comment.

So how'd I do? What are your keys to popularity and friendship?

"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."
- Epictetus

"Popularity is a crime from the moment it is sought; it is only a virtue where men have it whether they will or no."
- George Savile

After a bit of a disclaimer about my qualifications to answer that question, I said this...

Being popular, to me, is simply being likeable. I think being likeable means:

1. To like yourself. Not in a vain-glory way, but just liking who you are on the inside. If you don't like yourself, imagine how much harder is it for others to like you. Liking yourself is a matter of doing what you know is right in your heart.

2. To listen. Everyone has a need to talk. Those that really listen will always have someone to talk with - and notice, I said talk "with" not "to".

3. Don't talk too much about yourself. Bragging, constantly talking about yourself, and other forms of egotism are boring. If you don't believe that go look in the mirror and look yourself in the eye and tell you how wonderful you are. You'll get tired of it quickly, so do others. To be interesting to others is simply to be interested in others more than you are in talking about yourself.

4. Smile! Sounds simple, and it is, but people like people who smile at them. It makes them smile and smiling makes you feel happy. If you smile when you first see someone, and each time you first see them, there's a good chance they'll like you just because they make you smile. It makes them feel good about themselves.

5. Be generous of spirit. It doesn't matter how good a person feels about themselves, it's always nice for them to know others appreciate their talent, accomplishments, personality, attitude, uniqueness, etc. There are hundreds of things you can compliment someone about, just be genuine and don't go overboard with it. Insincerity can be sensed. Genuinely complimenting someone costs you nothing, but to the recipient, an unsolicited compliment is something that can't be bought at any price.

6. Be slow to be critical. I probably get one letter critical of my web site or newsletter for every 99 that compliment me. It still thrills me to receive compliments and still bothers me to be criticized. I know you can't please everyone, but I'm human and that's just the way we are.

7. Don't try too hard to be liked. Those that do are often perceived in negative ways - like emotionally needy, overbearing, insincere, or many other things that will put distance between you and others. Not everyone will like you, just as you're not going to like everyone. In those cases, accept that and move on.

8. Don't be a whiner! No one wants to listen to constant complaining, fault-finding and holier-than-thou attitudes.

9. Don't talk negatively about others. Others will realize if you talk badly to them about others behind their back, you'll also speak poorly of them when they're not around.

10. Don't talk too loud. A whisper is listened to more closely than a shout. People that are seeking attention often talk louder than normal in an attempt to force their way to the top of the conversation chain. While the result of that can work in the short term, the long term result is usually that you have less opportunities to mingle with others. Accept your natural place in a conversation. Sometimes that will be taking a lead role, and other times it will be patiently listening and waiting for the right moment to comment.

So how'd I do? What are your keys to popularity and friendship?

"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."
- Epictetus

"Popularity is a crime from the moment it is sought; it is only a virtue where men have it whether they will or no."
- George Savile   -

Some food for thought here anyway.

 

 

Until later on, 

Merry

 

merry1621@aol.com

Letting Go

          Character is forged in the smallest of struggles.
             Then, when the big challenges come, we're ready.
                                         -- Waiter Rant

________________________________________


LETTING GO
Heidi Lynn Poakeart

      I have always found it amazing how other people's words can have
such impact on our lives...
      We tend to want to be optimistic, in such a world full of
negativity, but sometimes it is difficult to have the "glass half
full" feeling, especially when you just feel like putting your head
to the ground and wallowing in self pity.
      However, every now and again, there is someone, perhaps that
guardian angel, who appears at just the right time, to help you see
things in another perspective.
      I had gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, having feelings of
sadness and depression.  Perhaps this time it was the weather, the
Monday blues, or problems of the past that I tend to let resurface
occasionally when I get in my "therapy didn't help me" mood.
Whatever it was, I was feeling down.
      I went to work, where I answer phones for a paper supply
company.  Things can be quite fast paced and challenging on a daily
basis.  It was 8am, and before I could sit down at my desk, the phone
rang.  Regardless of how I was feeling, I answered with a cheery tone.
      On the other end, a raging customer screamed, cursed and ranted
at me.  I let her get it out, for what felt like five minutes,
although what I really wanted to do was hang up.  There was no reason
I deserved that kind of treatment, that was for sure.  I told her she
should speak to a manager, as I knew there was nothing I could say to
calm her or make her feel better.  Eventually, the manager resolved
it and the whole episode was over.
      Yet, it was still in my head, and I heard those harsh words over
and over.  I became even more depressed, a victim of this crazy
lady's rampage.  I was upset, and it showed.
      At that moment, another employee who witnessed all of this came
over to me.  He put his arm around me and said, "You will live a good
life if you don't weaken," and then he walked away.
      It did not sink in at first, but after really thinking about it,
I felt a release in such a way that truly brought strength to my
entire body, and the negative and depressed feelings began to fade.
It was truly amazing, the impact those ten small words had on me.
     How true they were and how they can be applied to so many
different aspects of life.  I did not want to be weak, especially
about something I had no control over nor deserved.  I did not want
to be weak about anything in my life, past, present, or future.
     I am a cancer survivor and I certainly know what it is like to
have strength, so why weaken now, just because of one bad morning?  I
put it all into perspective, as it was reconfirmed to me that it is
best to let things go before they threaten to weaken you and your
spirit.
     I told myself that life is good, and no matter what, I will stand
proud and strong the way I know how.
      I ended up having a good day after my angel, whom I needed so
desperately at that moment, spoke those ten small words to me.  Those
words will help guide me through the rest of my life.
      I am sure there will be more bad and depressing days, as well as
moments of weakness.  That is inevitable.  But after what I learned,
I do believe I won't ever weaken so easily again, because life is
good.
      I have life and I am strong, and from now on, I will forever see
the glass as half full.

             -- Heidi Lynn Poakeart     <heid70 @ aol.com>

“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”

Mark Twain quotes

Animals

Hi everyone!

I just want to pose a silly question and see what I get for answers. If you could have one new animal right now, what would you choose?  And why would you choose that kind (breed)?

Let me know....

I will tell you tomorrow what I would choose!

God Bless and Good wishes to all!

Merry

Weird Things

Hi Everyone!

I was tagged by Sassy to write six weird things about me.  So here goes:

My weirdo list:

1.  I like to do laundry!

2.  I like to iron.

3.  Like Sassy, I have to admit, If I hear noisey people talking loud (or worse yelling) outside my house, it really bugs me.

5. I love my cell phone, but I don't take it into public places.  It really bothers me that people talk on their cell phones in public places.  (As if the whole world wants to hear their converstations!)

6.  I really am bothered by people who are rude or who think they are better than other people.

7.  I  hate the fact that I have to wear glasses (since it became bi-focal time.  (Actually, I guess I don't like a lot of things about getting older!)  (Like I hate the gray in my hair!)

8.  I HATE going to a NEW doctor (more than almost anything on earth)!

Sorry, I guess I was only supposed to list 6 things.  Whoops!

All right then, I tag anyone who reads this to post their six "weirdo" things!

Love, Merry

Heartbreak Eyes

I hope you enjoy this story, you know me and my dog stories by now. 

With love, Merry

HEARTBREAK EYES
by Laurie Fabrizio

      When we lose someone who is precious to us, our natural response
is to cry.
      What happens when two beloved dogs have resided together for
several years and one of them suddenly dies?
      Do they mourn or cry?
      Four years ago, I was the proud mom of a pair of sassy Airedale
Terriers.  Kelsey was my four year old wiry, spunky female and Duncan
was a three year old lovable, sensitive male.  The energetic duo were
infamous for their naughty antics.  They would spend hours outside,
finding trouble at every turn and frolicking our wet lands.
      Both had their own beds in our room, where they slept side by
side.  Meal time was always an adventure, as they competed to see who
could finish their food first.  Tug of war toys were the favorite
past time and they took tremendous joy in taunting the other.
      Almost over night, Kelsey began to exhibit bizarre behavior.
She developed a head tilt, and continually walked into walls or she
hugged them as she moved about the house.  Her appetite diminished as
her condition worsened.  Numerous trips to the vet and various
antibiotics only seemed to make the situation worse.
      Out of desperation, she was sent to the University Veterinary
Hospital.  Kelsey was admitted and released several times and they
administered every test imaginable.  The doctors were baffled as she
continued to deteriorate.
      At the time, Duncan was beside himself as Kelsey continued to
disappear and reappear as we tried to solve the mystery.  Food had
always been his passion, but even special treats couldn't appease him.
      I remember my cell phone ringing one drizzly night as I was on
my way home.  The doctor from the university was calling with her
final test results.  She told me that all possibilities had been
exhausted and she and her colleagues were stumped.
      Tears streamed down my face as I asked the dreaded question.
"What should we do?"
      Kelsey was only getting worse, and she told me that if she were
her dog, she would put her to sleep.  We broke the news to the girls
the next morning and we said our tearful goodbyes to Kelsey.
      I never dreamed that we would have to euthanize a four year old
dog.  Duncan sulked around the house and couldn't comprehend why she
wasn't returning home.  He kept searching the house room by room and
his ears perked up if he thought he heard her collar jingle.
      As I sat in my office which overlooked our cul-de-sac, I watched
Duncan wistfully glance up the street, convinced she was returning
home.  Duncan had the saddest, most heartbreaking eyes when he looked
at me and he had rightfully earned himself the nickname of Eeyore
from "Winnie the Pooh".
      If dogs can truly cry, I definitely saw tears in his eyes in the
weeks following her death.
      Maybe it only appeared that way, or was I seeing my own grief
mirrored in his eyes?

              -- Laurie Fabrizio    <laurie @ fabrizios.com>

___________________________________________
Laurie resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband
and two teenage daughters.  She is an avid reader and spends her time
as a member of two book clubs, taking writing classes, knitting and
gardening.  She has always had a strong passion for writing and the
desire to publish. Her family continues to provide moral support in
her new venture.

From Petwarners.com

 

Growing Old With My Dogs

Growing Old with Dogs

When I am old
I will wear soft gray sweatshirts
and a bandana over my silver hair
and I will spend my social security checks
on wine and my dogs.

I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair
and listen to my dogs' breathing.
I will sneak out in the middle
of a warm summer night
and take my dogs for a run,
if my old bones will allow...

When people come to call, I will smile
and nod as I show them my dogs
and talk of them and about them
the ones so beloved of the past
and the ones so beloved of today

I will still work hard cleaning after them,
mopping and feeding them and
whispering their names
in a soft loving way.

I will wear the gleaming sweat
on my throat,
like a jewel and I will be
an embarrassment to all
especially my family
who have not yet found
the peace in being free
to have dogs as your best friends

These friends who always wait,
at any hour, for your footfall
and eagerly jump to their feet
out of a sound sleep,
to greet you as if you are a God.

With warm eyes
full of adoring love and hope
that you will always stay,
I'll hug their big strong necks
I'll kiss their dear sweet heads
and whisper in their very special company

I look in the Mirror
and see I am getting old
this is the kind of person I am
and have always been.
Loving dogs is easy,
they are part of me.

Please accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives
they love my presence in their lives
When I am old this will be important to me
you will understand when you are old
if you have dogs to love too.

~Author Unknown

merry1621@aol.com

"One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why!" ~Anonymous~

           -"-.
        /) ' '  (\
      {/(_O_)\}
~(''')~(''')~ My goal in life...is to be the person my dog thinks I am!~