Hello to March

March is now here. In some parts of the country it has come in like a Lion with all the wintery weather of snow, freezing rain, icy roads and frigid temps. Let’s hope it goes out as they say like a Lamb. In Florida it seems our winter is now over and we are experiencing spring like temperatures. Moving to the south over ten years ago, it took me about three years to get what is called “Florida Blood”. I feel the cold when it is 70 or below. The best temperature for me is 85. Seventeen days till spring. This weekend we will turn the clocks ahead one hour. I never look forward to the time change. It takes me at least a week to two weeks to get use to it. Of course I like turning the clocks ahead as we get more daylight hours. I doubt I accomplish more though but it is a nice thought.
So as I began saying March is now here. It is a month packed with quite a bit, or perhaps here in the ‘Sunshine State’ and the area where I live. A few years ago I penned a poem regarding all March has to offer. First there is setting ahead of the clocks; we all can enjoy the extra hours of daylight. Spring will arrive on the coattails of winter; hoping to bring milder weather to those living in the northern states. St. Patrick’s Day always a fun filled March holiday; everyone is Irish for at least one day a year. Palm Sunday comes on the last Sunday of the month. March 15^th is the Ides of March; okay maybe we don’t celebrate it, but another holiday for some. Women’s History Month is celebrated in March. Here in Sebring, Florida, the big race brings spectators to the area. The 63^rd Annual Mobil 1 Twelve hours of Sebring takes place on March 21^st. Fans will flock to the track when it opens on the 18^th.
Many will travel here to Florida for spring break to enjoy our wonderful beaches and other attractions. We must not forget major league baseball teams are in the throes of spring training during March. Basketball fans will pack sports bars and pubs to watch teams as they shoot for three pointers and free throws as March Madness dominates the sporting world. March has a lot to offer to beat the winter blues. Veteran’s belonging to the American Legion can look forward to The American Legion’s 95^th birthday in March. (I had no idea how old it was so I checked soures on line). Of course members of the veteran’s organization the Forty and Eight (40&8) have a celebration of that organization in March. They too will be celebrating their 95^th birthday.
Ah March has arrived and the doldrums of winter are slowly becoming a memory for some. Don’t let ’Old Man Winter’ get you down. Find something to do to get rid of those winter blues.
Until next time….I looked online to find that one of the wacky/weird holidays today is ‘Toy Solider Day’. As I have a bag of them I planned to send to my grandson, I just may keep them, open them up and play. Next weekend I guess I’ll celebrate the Legion’s birthday by visiting the Legion and seeing if there will be cake. As for celebrating the 40&8 birthday, I know there will be cake (I hope). Happy March to one and all.
　

Valentine's Day (Part three)

Two more days till Valentine’s Day. I know some people will wait until the last minute to either shop for their ‘special one’ or make dinner reservations someplace. Hopefully many read my last blog and took advantage of a few of my suggestions.
I still am being wowed with little suprises each day from my husband. Yesterday, being the last of the big spenders, he gave me a dozen red roses he got at one of the local stores for under $15.00. They look as good any flowers a florist would deliver. The vase they were put in had been purchased off the “Cancer Research Table” (white elephant table) at the local American Legion. It is not how much you pay to make Valentine’s Day special, it is the thought and creativity behind the thought.
Does it bother me I received the flowers a few days early? No! I can sit at my computer and glance now and then at the lovely arrangement.
Most of the weekly ads for this week all center on Valentine’s Day; the television is saturated with commercials for flowers, jewelry, buying fresh fruit arrangements, chocolate covered strawberries etc…
It would make my head spin on all the options available.
As one who enjoys holidays, I have give-aways for Valetine’s Day also. I made up a little plastic sandwich bag containing a box of conversational hearts, a small heart shaped box with a few chocolate kisses and a card I created on the computer. I have given a few away so far; why you may ask. Well like my give-aways at Christmas, perhaps this may be the only Valentine someone may receive. I may be the only person who was thinking about them and letting them know someone does care about them. The cards have a simple cute verse, not mushy or sentimental. So far everyone had enjoyed getting something they did not expect.
If you have not gotten that ‘special someone’ something as of yet….you have time.
Until next time….enjoy the days of hearts, flowers and chocolates. I know I will.
　
All I Need
By: Scottie-ann Murphy
　
I don’t need satin sheets to place upon my bed
I don’t need chandeliers of crystal
Nor does a fancy luxury car or sports car make me happy
Gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, emerals or rubies
Well I don’t need them either
Material things don’t matter to me
All I need is a strong shoulder to lean upon
A hug when I am feeling down
Words of encouragement, love and caring
A person to share sunny days and starry moonlit nights
In other words….all I need is you

Valentine's Day (Part Two)

So it is now February 9^th; five more days till Valentine’s Day.
One does not have to go all out and spend a fortune on that special person. There are many ways to show someone you care each and everyday. In my opinion you should tell that special one how you feel everyday and not just one day a year.
It is nice to be spontaneous at different times in the year; but if you are the type who wants to bestow affections on February 14^th you can do it without taking out a loan or going into debt.
Best to do your research before you purchase. Check out flower prices at places besides a florist; try to make your own Valentine card; if you belong to a fraternal or veteran’s organization, see if they are sponsoring a dinner or event on Valentine’s Day.
I belong to a few of these organizations and found two having a dinner and dance. I pieked the best price one and purchased tickets to take my husband out for a dinner on Valentine’s Day. The cost of the tickets under $20.00. I figure the evening out with beverages included (a glass or two of wine) will come to less then $50.00. A good price as there will also be music for dancing. YES…I AM LAST OF THE BIG SPENDERS.
I mentioned in my last blog about what my husband did last year to surprise me for Valentine’s Day. Each day beginning on February 7^th, he gave me a little surprise gift each day. The little tokens ranged from boxes of conversational hearts, a water globe with a heart inside, tee shirt with hearts, small teddy bear, book of love poems etc…The book of love poems was downloaded to my Kindle device (think it was one of the free downloads). This year he wanted to outdo last year, so each day since February 1^st he has given me something each day. Again the items ranged from heart shaped earrings, heart shaped box, teddy bear etc….He may not be spending a lot of money but it is a romantic thoughtful gesture. I have enjoyed each day’s surprise.
There is a funny story about Valentine’s Day this year. I had given out a copy of my love book of poems I have had published. The copies were sort of a door prize at a fundraiser I had worked at this past weekend. The one recipient of one book is the spouse of another person who worked the fundraiser dinner. He handed her the book, then said no give it back so I can wrap it up for you. I decided to let him know where a thrift store was located to get an inexpensive card. I helped another individual by providing where a good deal could be found on chocolates and yet another man I gave him a place to find inexpensive flowers.
All one needs is to be creative for Valentine’s Day. Remember though with the holiday falling on a Saturday, restaurants may be busy with dinners. So why not do a Valentine’s Day breakfast or lunch. Even do an early celebration and go out to dinner during this week; pick up flowers before the price goes up or look for that special on boxes of chocolates.
Whatever you decide to do to show that special person you care….remember it is the thought that counts and not the cost.

SIMPLE THINGS

By: Scottie-ann Murphy

It is the simple things that matter most in our relationship…….
A walk on the beach…..
A drive in the country…..
Watching the sunset on a summer’s day
Sharing popcorn as we sit side by side
On the sofa watching a movie
Going out for a pizza mid-week
Giving one another a gift for no special reason
It is the smile you give when happy
Hearty laugh at a joke I make
A warm hug when I feel blue
And a sweet kiss in the morning
The joy we share each together
These are the things that matter most
Simple,
Uncomplicated
On this day of hearts and flowers
The most simplest thing I can do is say
“Thank-you for being you
and bringing happiness to my life”

Valentine's Day 2015 (Part I)

February arrives suddenly, the second month of the year. I wonder how did January sped by so quickly. It just seems as if the New Year just begun and now a new month is here.
As I look at my February calendar I find it to be filled with quite a few holidays and events. First the Super Bowl being played on the first of February. Parties and celebrations being held at home and sports bars everywhere. February second little Punxsutawney Phil comes of his hiding spot to determine if there will be en early spring or six more weeks of winter weather.
Of course I have a birthday in February which is cause to celebrate. This year my birthday falls on a holday, Presidents Day. Mardi Gras comes on the seventeenth and Lent begins the next day.
Valentine’s Day, the day of hearts, flowers and chocolates, will be celebrated on the fourteenth. This year the day falls on a Saturday.
The stores have been displaying Valentine’s Day merchandise since after the first of the year. Every store from dollar stores, department stores, grocery stores and discount stores have aisles filled wirh balloons, teddy bears, chocolates in heart shaped boxes, jewelry just to name a few items. The thrift/secondhand stores have even gotten into the merchandising of Valentine’s Day. While pursuing the lookout for apothecary jars for my daughter, I have seen how these stores set up appealing displays to catch the eye of the shopper. One store even had a basket filled with Valentine cards with the words “To my Wife”. I could not help looking at them. Lovely sentimental words inside; a heart or rose on the front of the card. Each priced for a quarter. I noticed the original price ranged from two dollars to three. What a bargain. No doubt some thrifty husband will see them and perhaps pick up on for his wife. I plan stop by that store again closer to the holiday to see if any cards remain.
Valentine’s Day is the day we are to remember the one with hold dear in our heart and love by the giving of some romantic gesture. Each year, as one who composes poetry, I try hard to write a poem for my husband. This year I have decided not to sit and agonize over what to say in a poem that already has not been said prior. As of yet, I have no other ideas but hope to come up something, after all I have thirteen days to do so.
The next few blogs will be all about the day of love, hearts and flowers. Perhaps the blogs will give someone an idea to come up something different and unique to surprise the one they love on the second Saturday of this month.
Keep reading the next few postings and see if something comes to mind.
Last year my husband did the sweetest thing the seven days leading up to February 14^th. What you ask….stayed tuned to this blog for the next installment of Valentine’s Day 2015 to find out.
Until next time….for all you thrifty individuals, hit the dollar store or local thrift store to find a gift for that person you love.

Packing for Travel

NOTE ABOUT MY BLOG: I write my blog in a down to earth manner as if I was sitting down talking with you in person. I like to ‘ramble’ as I call it about things that are going on at the moment or things going on in my life. This week I wrote about what it is like to travel these days with all our electronics.
　
Last Wednesday I packed for a four day trip that would be from Thursday to Sunday. I knew what items of clothing I needed to take but unsure of what else to included. The weather app on my IPhone gave me the five day forecast to pack accordingly. Wednesday evening I put my travel bag of clothes and shoes in the car. Thursday all I would need to place in the trunk my bag of toiletries and the tote bag with the must have electronic devices my husband and I need with us. For some they aren’t a must need, but to us these are essential. These must items for him includes his cell phone and his tablet which has his favorite games and the Kindle app with his library. My must have item is my Kindle Fire as my cell is always carried in my purse. I need my Kindle as I must read before falling asleep. At one time I have two or three books going (but that is another blog for another time). The tote bag I have is small but the Kindle fits inside perfectly as does hubby’s cell and tablet. What I realized is I may need another larger tote bag in the future. Why you ask? Answer is that one must also take the chargers for these items. Each device has its’ own charger and not one charger is compatible to use on more than one device. Four devices and four chargers needed to be packed.
I can not understand why there is not a universal charger that can work on all my devices. If most people are like me, they have a cell phone, perhaps a tablet or notebook or computer. Fortunate for me I did not travel this trip with the lap top. Now you not only have to make sure you have them but the charger as well. Of course you must also hope that the hotel has sufficient outlets to recharge all the items overnight. I found the hotel where I stayed did not have enough outlets so now I know on future trips I need to pack a power strip which can hold up to four tiems easily.
Since I am a list person, I generally make a list of what I need to pack Seems my list has gotten longer in the past few years. We live in a world of technology that can easily be carried where ever we go. It use to be said “American Express Card, don’t leave home without it.” Now it is our electronic devices we don’t leave home without.
Not to long ago a friend told me her grandchildren were visiting for the day. They arrived with their Ipads and spent quite a bit ot time using them. The batteries got quite low and needed to be recharged. Both of the children forgot to bring their charger. My friend did not have any type of charger for them to use as she does not own an Ipad, Ipod or notebook. The children got upset and said they were bored. She suggested they go ‘old school’ and play a board game which she pulled out of a storage area. An education indeed for these children who never played a board game prior. The children learned a lesson in making sure to always be prepared when traveling if only for a day; and secondly how to interact with another one on one in a game of Clue, Scrabble and Monopoly.
Since I have been there playing the old board games in my younger years, I feel I can now treat myself to Candy Crush, Cookie Jam, Pet Rescue and whatever game I can do before I go to sleep for the night.
Until next time….don’t leave home without your chargers.　
　
　
　

The New Year

Another year has come and gone. I wonder just where did 2014 go and what did I do? I always ponder this thought on New Year’s Evef while I have a celebratory drink. This year I did not ponder the thought until January 1^st as I opened my new journal and began to write.
Each year we make resolutions to loose weight, eat healthy, exercise, to do volunteer work, give a little to charity and to become a better person. I have said it before, I don’t like to make a resolution as it makes me feel that I must resolve to complete what I began. A few years ago I wrote goals but like resolutions, they went by the wayside. This year I made a list of intentions I hope to accomplish. No doubt many would say it is the same as a goal or resolution, but to me I find it different. “I intend to do this; I intend to do that.” Perhaps by calling them ‘good intentions’ I won’t feel so bad if I fail to see them through.
A new year means a new slate. I read something on Facebook that a new year is like a blank journal of 365 pages, one for each day. How you fill those pages is up to you.
On January 1^se as I began my new journal for the year, I wrote a list of my intentions. At the end of the month I will review the list to check if I am on track or if I failed at any time. The first of the following month, I will again make a list of my intentions; review the list at the end of the month. I plan to do this each month this year. My thought is that by doing it this way I should be able to fulfill my intentions for the year. Of course I will keep you all up to date on my progress.
As of today, the year is six days old. I find so far, I have been staying right on track with my intention list, but I am only human and know some how I will fall from grace. We all fail at times, but that does not mean we should give up. Making resolutions and keeping them is not easy. It seems once we fail, we give up. That does not have to be the way. If you find you have not keep one of your New Year goals, just begin again. It is the old saying “when at first you don’t succeed, try try again.” An old cliché but a truer one in my opinion.
So no matter what you make, goals, resolutions or intentions, only you can see them through and no one else.
Happy New Year to all….hope you make 2015 a stellar year.

Tis The Season

Today I realized it is already December 7^th and I ask myself where the year has gone.  It seems as if it were just the first of January and now here it is only twenty-four days until another year begins.  I thought about my goals for the year, one being to blog weekly.  It appears I have not done so.  My good intention fell by the wayside sometime I think in February.  I don’t know why I did not keep my goal, but sure it had to do with other things going on in my life.

Today I realized not only is there twenty-four days left in the year but there is eighteen days until Christmas.  Each year I embrace the Christmas season/holiday season.  I love this time of year.  I can not get enough of the music, the holiday themed movies on the Hallmark channel and of course the old stand-by animated shows like “Frosty” “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is coming to Town”.  There were the black years (as I call them) that I had no interest in Christmas (age seven to thirty-seven).  A childhood event caused this, but it was the meeting of my second husband that brought back my spirit.  Now it seems I can’t get enough of the holidays. 

I play Ms. Santa and give out little items to people at the various clubs which I am a member such as the American Legion, VFW, Amvets, Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge.  Sometimes the little item I give someone is the only thing they may get as a gift.  What I enjoy most is seeing the look on the face of a person who I don’t know as I hand them a little package and say to them “Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays”.   A little gesture can bring a bit of joy and gladness to a person who might be having a bad day or having feelings of being down. 

During this season of hustle and bustle we should stop and take a moment to remember the real reason for the season.  We should stop and smell the roses or this time of year the evergreen scent, eat a Christmas cookie, have a cup of hot chocolate or holiday favored coffee and think about what Christmas does mean.  A few years ago I penned the poem at the end of this blog.  It gives all something to think about during this season of good will and good cheer.

As I enjoy all my activities during this season, I am grateful for what I have in life; it may be as much as some, but possible more than others have.  So until next time…..i wish each of you a blessed holiday season…Merry Christmas….Happy New Year; and don’t forget to hang your stocking for Santa to fill and leave him milk and cookies as well as carrot sticks for the reindeer.

A FEW SHORT WEEKS….ONCE A YEAR

           

What is Christmas?

A most wonderful time of the year!

Christmas is more than

 The sights we see,

Sounds we hear

And activities we do

For a few short weeks

Once a year

It is more than

Tinsel lit evergreen trees

Holly wreaths and mistletoe

Decking the halls

And candles aglow

In the window panes

Christmas is more than

Cookies we bake,

The feast prepared for the day,

Stocking hung by the fireplace,

The jingle of bells

And carols we sing

It is more than

Gifts given or received,

Greeting cards we send

And the hustle

And bustle

Of crowds at the mall

What is Christmas?

A time to reflect

Why…..we celebrate the season

A joyous time to share with family and friends

Christmas is a feeling of love

Within our hearts

If only….a few short weeks

Once a year