Reenie's Ramblings

I don't know about you, but sometimes people compliment me on things and although my knee-jerk reaction is to say "thank you", I find that it feels weird. Here are the compliments I am referring to. 1. "Your eyes are beautiful!" While this is something I've heard a lot, and in turn it caused me to be confident and almost proud at times of my eyes.... it is STILL weird when you think about it!  Its like I want to say "Thanks!  I grew them myself!" Getting complimented on something I had absolutely no part of creating, no choice in designing, just tickles my funny bone when I think about it. 2. "Your kids are so cute!" Again, while every parent LOVES to hear this, isn't it funny?  Its as if my response should be, "Uh, Thanks, I made them from scratch!". Even though this one strikes me as a funny thing to be complimented on, I am guilty of saying this to others.  3. "You have a lovely voice." Yep, ano...

1. Stop looking at what others have. We add stress to ourselves when we think we "need" what others have.  Instead, look at what you already have and enjoy... There will always be some who have more, but there are also others who will always have LESS than you too.  Don't get sucked into the "keeping up with the jones" mentality. 2. Give yourself a "nothing" day.  We put these pressures on ourselves to always be productive, and while this can be good, it is SO important to have days or even moments of laziness. 3. Get outside.  Fresh air, its amazing what it can do for mind, body and spirit. 4. Smile more.  It will do wonders for others but it does even more for you! 5. Let go of one activity that consumes your time.  Is there one thing you commit to that you can let go of?  Are you saying "yes" to every activity, club, committee to please others.... and you are so busy and you cant keep your head on straight?  Let GO o...

I don't wear make up.  Ever. Never have.  (with the exception of plays in school) As I get older, and my face starts to show signs of this thing called "age",  I find I am considering this whole make up thing more seriously... But, that being said, I've realized there are several things that make life easier without it. 1. Saves money. I like to remind my husband of this every so often. I don't spend any money on cover up, eye liner, mascara etc and etc.. I imagine this saves us a few dollars each month! 2. Cuts getting ready time in 1/2! I've watched makeup wearers apply make up... its not a 20 second operation, its an in-depth, patience-required process! 3. My face looks the same, any time. Some of my make up wearing friends have said that when they run to the store or someplace they normally go with their "face" on without makeup,  people ask if they are tired.  My face looks the same in the morning, in the night, summer or winte...

I just need to get on my soap box for a second. I see all the time parents searching for "kid friendly" meals.  Or "meals my kids will eat". I just want to say this... Only in a country like ours is this even an issue. (and by "country like ours" I mean a first world country) We are spoiled. If our kids were hungry, they'd be thankful for a meal. Shouldn't "kid-friendly meal" actually mean, food?  Food that is edible and healthy?! I understand that children's taste buds develop slowly and that things do taste different as a child than an adult.... but are we really spoiling our children so much that they can refuse to eat whats set before them? Lets face it, if my daughter picked what she would eat for every meal... it would be capn crunch!    At our house we require a "no thank you" bite.  They have to try whatever is on their plate and if they don't care for it they can say "no thank you...

I am constantly teasingly telling people that I am 23... if they ask how old I am.  Well today is my birthday... and today I accept that this is my 4th Annual 28th Birthday! I have always believed you are only as old as you feel and I still believe this! What has been weird is that our bodies change whether we are ready for them to or not..... I recently took a "selfie" and was appalled. First of all, I never wear makeup... Ever. So the blemishes etc are always showing.  I just didn't realize there were SO MANY BLEMISHES! I looked at this picture and realized there are saggy parts, and wrinkles (what?!  Im not 70 yet!!) and spots... Where did THOSE come from?! I am not a person who looks in the mirror very often.... Im totally low maintenance and seriously can go days without looking at myself in a mirror except to put contacts in once in awhile. So it seems it crept up on me... HOW did this happen?!  So as today is my birthday... .and age i...

Life didn't always come easy for you But your patience and faith carried you through. Soft Spoken in word, but strong in deed, you were anxious to help, any in need. Gentle kindness you showed in many ways, Snow plowing, weeding, too many to say. Loving a husband, faithful and true, Also a son, a father, grandfather too. You loved cattle and farming the land, enjoying hard work you did with your hands. Vanilla ice cream was never safe, if you were around for "just one more taste!" The biggest smile, ever to see, When your face was filled with glee. Our time with you went by so fast, But grateful for memories the will always last. We selfishly wish to have had you longer, but we are happy you're with your Heavenly Father. Words cant describe how much you are missed, But more pain and suffering we'd never have wished. How thankful we are for the time that we had. With a wonderful husband, "Pa-Pa" and Dad. Love you, Laureen

I've struggled my whole life with caring what everyone thinks.  I've worried over it.  Stressed over it.  Lost SLEEP over it. I've adjusted my behavior, attitude, smile, laugh and choices repeatedly based on what I thought people would think. Then, I discovered a secret! "I know a secret!"     When you are true to who you are and what you are... you are still loved any way!    WHAT?!    I know, I was surprised too!  But by being myself... I'm "choosing happy" which means Im just as easy to love this way as I was when I tried to conform to each social situation.... (actually probably EASIER to love/like/enjoy!)   So is it easy to simply stop caring?  Nope, but I plan to try, every single day, to get a little better at being true to me..   This means laughing when I want to laugh, (loudly too!) crying when I need to cry, hugging whom I feel needs a hug, writing whomever, whenever, ...

Unpredictable. More than I thought. Less than I thought. Everything I hoped. Nothing I expected. Not what I dreamed of. Bigger than I imagined. Smaller than I feared. Different. This is how life is.... to me.  Depends on the day.... depends on the experience. As a person who thinks ahead... plans ahead, and who dreams a LOT, life has been a constant surprise... Its been a humbling experience and a fulfilling one too.... I've loved more than I thought I could love. I've hurt more than I thought possible. I've felt joy I didn't know existed. I've cried more tears than I thought my body could produce. I've laughed harder than I should, but not as often as I'd like. I've been split down the middle of 2 people I desired to be. I have given away my heart more times than I thought I ever would. I've been rejected, I've been welcomed.  I've been loved, I've been betrayed. Ah life.... thankful to be living...