suddenlysinglewomen

Becoming the best version of yourself

Staying Strong!

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I’ve had a lot of things going on recently, mostly unpleasant and highly irritating.  Tough to be in that position of hearing all the anger and negativity in people you thought you knew.  Even tougher when that anger and negativity is directed toward you.

Staying strong in the face of such adversity isn’t easy, but it is doable.  Staying strong for yourself and your future is so important.  Staying strong despite the “Negative Nellies” chomping at your heels is a test of your fortitude.

Being true to yourself, being a warrior, offering up prayers so you can move those mountains – learning who the true friends are and thanking God for them every day.  But most of all staying strong and true to yourself.

Like the running back carrying the ball, hurdling tacklers and stiff-arming defenders along his way to the end zone – he has an ultimate goal in mind, and will move mountains to get there.

And so will I . . . . and so can you.

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As The Holidays Approach – Some Good Thoughts!

Whether you’re ready for them or not, the retail establishment has gotten ready for them!  What’s that you say?  “The Holidaze”!!  When I read my friend’s blog about being “prepared”, it made so much sense that I had to share.

This will be a leaner Christmas for me this year – by choice.  And no – I wish I meant my waistline, LOL!!  It’s time for me to remember the “reason for the season” and make some cut backs.  Well .  .  . OK, maybe not for the Grandkids, but for years I’ve gone a bit overboard just because I love giving.

Maybe it’s time to give more of “myself”, than purchased products to wrap and deliver.  It won’t be an easy transition, because I love coming up with surprise gifts that aren’t on the “wish list”. I love wrapping, and tagging, and arranging under the tree till there are so many boxes you have a hard time walking around them to get to the back door.

Whatever the holidaze bring to you and yours, please enjoy the shared link below with some really great ideas!  And may this festive time of the year bring you closer to those you love and cherish.

http://us12.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=2faa118cd9fe72d8634827528&id=5bd1ba53b7

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Wish I Could Take Credit For This One!

But alas, it is another “share” and one that I have already forwarded on to many of my friends!  The friend that shared this with me is one of those great women you want to be just like.

Always a smile, always an encouraging word, known for her compassion she is and always has been, a true role model.  She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, and an inspiration to all who know her.  Enjoy these words of wisdom below, and share with those who are special to you.  Thank you CS, you are special to me!  : -)

AND, THEN, IT WAS WINTER.

“You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems that just yesterday, I was young, just married, and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But here it is, the winter of my life, and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But here it is, my friends are retired and getting gray, they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than I, but I see the great change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant, but like me, their age is beginning to show. And, we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And, taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it’s mandatory. Because if I don’t by my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so now, I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done, but never did. I know that though the winter has come, I’m not sure how long it will last.

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done, things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.

If you’re not in your winter yet, let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life do it quickly. Don’t put things off too long. Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not. You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life, therefore live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past.

Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.
LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY! It is health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold and silver.

LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

Your children are becoming you, but your grandchildren are perfect. Going out is good, coming home is better. You forget names, but it’s OK, because other people forgot they even knew you.

You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything…especially golf. The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don’t care to do them anymore.

You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep.” You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch.
You tend to use more 4-letter words, “What?” “When?”
Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it’s not safe to wear it anywhere. You notice that everything they sell in stores is sleeveless. What used to be freckles are now liver spots. Everybody whispers. You have three sizes of clothes in your closet, two of which you will never wear. But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old Movies, and best of all, “Old” Friends.

Stay well, “Old” Friend. Send this on to other “Old” Friends and see if they laugh in AGREEMENT.

It’s Not What You Gather, but What You Scatter, that tells what kind of life you have lived.”

Have a great day everyone!!

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You Can Never Hear It Enough – Believe In Yourself!

It’s been an interesting summer.  It didn’t turn out quite like I expected; there’s been some highlights (like the Friday Afternoon Club gathering on the deck!) and unfortunately, some lowlights.  Isn’t that always the way?

I have an amazing support network of people around me.  When someone lets me down?  There are twice as many around to prop me back up.  Yup – I’m a lucky girl.

So to all you “lowlights” out there?   You didn’t win.  You only make me stronger, thank you!

And thank you to CS for another great share!  I take this to heart!

http://www.purewow.com/wellness/tips-to-becoming-more-confident?utm_medium=email&utm_source=national&utm_campaign=5_Secrets_to_Becoming_the_Most_Confident_Woman_in_the_Room_2016_09_19_b&utm_content=Health_and_Heart_editorial

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A Fun Read!

I own a Kindle, and I’ve downloaded plenty of books, but somehow I feel like I need to get through all the “paper” versions of books stacked under my night stand first!  Therefore on a recent flight, I pulled out, and finished a book I received at a luncheon about 6 years ago!

(Well to be fair to myself, over the past few years I have gained two daughter n’laws and 2 1/2 grandchildren so I have been very busy with those needlepoint stockings!)

This is a fun and quick read for women and I think you might enjoy it.  It’s called:

“The Seven Women Project” – Your Personal Guide to Success in Work, Play and Dress.  It’s written by a Mother/Daughter duo from Houston by the names of:  Karen McCullough & Meredith McCullough.  Long time women shoppers from Houston will remember their store, Me Too . . . Me Too.

Anyway – back to the book – it’s a cleverly written compilation of 7 women’s personalities, their passions, their drive (or lack thereof), their style, their likes and dislikes!  If you read it, will you admit to being one of them?  Or could you be a combination?  It was easier for me to see who I wasn’t vs. who I was.

For information on the book, you can go to:  info@thesevenwomenproject.com

Or checkout their website/blog at:  www.thesevenwomenproject.com

 

 

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The Good Ones . . . They’re Still Out There!

I’ve shared Jeff’s blog before, and I loved this one.  Not only for the message, but I’m a sucker for a really good chocolate chip cookie.  Maybe I need to find an excuse for a trip to Tyler??

Can’t believe we’re in September.  Where do these years go?  Hope it’s cooling down wherever you may be.  Read, enjoy and happy almost Fall!!

http://us12.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=2faa118cd9fe72d8634827528&id=7c1ce306f1

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Another Great Share!! (i.e. I have the greatest followers!)

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Have a Plan?

Jeff, the writer of this blog post, is an old friend.  We met years ago working on a large fundraising event for one of my fav non-profits.  He produced the event.  It covered an entire weekend so was one mammoth undertaking.

He’s branched out from those days, and a mutual friend (thanks C.S. – funny, it just occurred to me that I have three friend’s with the initials “CS” following me – you’ll know who you are!) suggested I follow his blog and possibly share some of his thoughts on one of my posts, when appropriate.

I’ve spoken before about the importance, if you’re a newly single woman, of having a financial plan and a realistic budget – especially with the life altering changes a divorce, or loss of a spouse, can bring on.

Perhaps you’ll want to sign up for his blog, regardless, this quick read just reinforces our need to be smart with our assets and our future.   All the best!!

 

http://us12.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=2faa118cd9fe72d8634827528&id=9768539029

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Self Confidence with a Boost!

“Owning a German shepherd taught me more about self-awareness and safety than any class ever did.”

I work with German Shepherd Rescue, I foster, and have adopted two GSD’s.  They are an amazing breed.  When I divorced and moved into my new place “alone”, it gave me pause.  Suddenly being “alone” really screamed – – –  “ALONE”!

I’d always had smallish dogs.  Welsh Corgis and Cocker Spaniels mostly, 20-25 pounds, give or take.  Now, I wanted something that would make a statement, with a lot of clear glass in my new front door, I wanted a pair of pointed, alert ears to be visible!

I loved this article shared on our rescue email, not only because it’s about GSD’s specifically, but in general, a good reminder for those of you alone, or by yourself a lot if your significant other travels.  I know I walk taller and more aware when I take my two out.  They are 175 pounds combined, and now that I have 2 pairs of pointed ears looking out the front door – I feel safer, and not so alone.

Hope you enjoy the quick read!

http://www.sheknows.com/pets-and-animals/articles/1119507/self-defense-tips-from-german-shepherd

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It’s Almost Football Season!!

Yep – I admit it, I’m a football fanatic.  I’m VERY loyal to my teams, heck, I’m very loyal period.

If you know anything about college football, most especially my alma mater, then you know “Coach” – the former head football coach of the University of Texas at Austin – Darrell K. Royal.  When he passed several years ago, an icon was lost – but not his “wisdom” which still lives on today.

As we face trials in our lives, and we are ready to give up, or give in, may his words become an inspiration to all of us:

As long as a person doesn’t admit he is defeated, he is not defeated – He’s just a little behind and isn’t through fighting.”

We are not done fighting!

Bring on Notre Dame!!!!   : -)

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