I don’t remembeer my first crush but do remember my crush at nine years old. We didn’t attend the same school so the only time we saw each other was on weekends at the skating rink. He was so cool and hade the greatest personality but I broke up with him because we both had braces and I was afraid of our braces getting caught in each others. He was totally cool about it, I mean how serious is a crush at nine years old.
Melinda
This is not a question I’ve thought about before, I like to keep looking outwards. The favorite thing about myself is the ability to get up after being knocked down, the strenght within has brought me a happy life.
Have a great day.
Melinda
How I thought retirement would happen is the opposite of how it actually happened. My granny had two major strokes which caused Dementia and she became violent regularly. I made a promise to both of my grandparents that I would make sure they could die at home which was their wish. After the first stroke, I would come over to allow gramps to run errands. This worked until the day it all fell apart.
He was at the grocery store and she thought he had left her at somebody’s house and wasn’t coming back. There’s no understanding or logical times when dealing with Dementia. I took the photos off the walls of my gramps, my father, myself, and her long-dead favorite dogs, nothing would bring her back to reality. I had to give her a sedative and it broke my heart.
The only way to calm her and keep her from trying to hurt herself was for gramps to be there.
I was semi-retired at this point but my grampa needed me every day to help. The reality is, I would not change one thing. I showed up, gave all I could four weeks on end and I has able to keep my promise to her about dying at home.
Melinda
I’m blessed to have so many great memories thanks to my grandparents but one funny memory was with my gramps. He took me to the levee bottoms to teach me how to park, and he brought too big trash cans with him for me to practice with. With each attempt, I would knock a trashcan over, and gramps would patiently reset the can. After an hour we called it a day, I bet he prayed I would pass my test. I did pass but not with the highest score I’m sure.
Melinda
The greatest thing happened to me this morning, I woke up! Every day I wake is a blessed day.
Melinda
That’s a good question because there are times when my passion changes, like learning something new. My neverending passions are photography, my houseplants, traveling, and our dogs. As I’ve aged my passions are less adventuresome but I have the greatest memories of diving, hiking, and traveling internationally.
Melinda
I’m blessed to have luxuries like good candles and a Lambswool throw but one luxury I can’t live without is the fireplace in my office. I use it every day year-round because I’m cold-natured. It can be 90 degrees outside and I’m in front of the fire with a sweatshirt on.
Melinda
The tagline on my blog was Keep Moving Forward and that describes my general thought process. If we don’t move forward we stop growing and become stagnant.
Melinda
When I was much younger, having a good life meant money and material things but those things did not make my life a good one. After turning 40 years old, I realized what is most important to me. Family tops the list followed by being kind, trustworthy, follow through on commitments, and being grateful for what I have.
I have a great life now instead of a shallow one.
Melinda
My husband retired in April and we see each other all day but if you count the hours I probably spend more time with the dogs. It’s not always intentional, they think I’m a snack machine and come into my office asking for them throughout the day.
Our dogs are like children and they can be clingy.
Melinda
Chocolate is a food group in our house, and I eat two squares daily. The ultimate chocolate bar would be dark, not too thick, all-natural, earth-friendly packaging and made in Switzerland or Belgium. I also like chocolate with hazelnuts, vanilla, and cashews.
Melinda
Man Search For Meaning
My psychology teacher gave me the book when I was 13 years old and I knew nothing about the holocaust or Hitler. The book was heartbreaking but the strength of Victor Frankel to survive through the worst conditions was a true inspiration.
The Bible
The answer is too long to share here. I loved reading about the birth of Christ, the journey Mary and Joshef took to find cover to have their baby, and the Shepard boy. The Bible shows how Jesus spread the word of Christianity and influenced life with his giving nature. He inspired the to go far and wide to spread the word, men were tortured, and imprisoned but they never gave up hope in Jesus. The Bible has been the most important book in my life.
I can’t recall the name but it was about Mary Magelane
The book was a different slant on Mary Madeline, it portrayed her as a poor woman with a mental illness and how she was treated by the public. Mary Madeline played a huge part in Jesus’s life and boy it made you think how some people have thought of her. I can not find the book today, I read it about 20 years ago.
Thank you for an depth question.
Melinda
I won’t say I have a green thumb but I do have close to 30 indoor plants that need care on a daily or weekly basis. I’ve also killed half as many while learning how to grow succulents. There are many flowers outside and two tomato beds which bring so much joy watching them grow. I also love watching the little grey lizards
Melinda
For me, it’s a combination of qualities that build a solid friendship. Honesty and a shared confidence are critical to me. When I having a conversation it’s between us only unless we discuss other wise. Truth is the foundation of all relationships to me, I don’t have time for fake friends.
Melinda
My parents were not active in church when I was little, so I would ask different neighbors if I could go to church with them. I was baptized but felt no connection to a church. At 14 years old I converted to Catholicism and was active in the church for many years. I’ve realized that going to church doesn’t define my relationship with God. I practice religion directly with God.
Melinda
Boy, it’s interesting how age can make a difference in how you answer this question. To me having it all is not in material things however nice they are, it’s about loving ourselves and others, having a balanced life and finding joy each day.
Is it attainable?
You might not find joy every day but the foundation guides us through. God never said life was easy.
Melinda
I would love to talk with my granny for hours, asking all the questions that have come to mind after her death. I do talk with her but it’s a one-sided conversation for now but I know we’ll be together again.
Melinda
I have many sentimental items placed around the house that would sting if they were lost in a fire but the most dear items I have are the photos of my grandparents, their parents, and those of me and my husband. Losing those would be devastating yet in the big picture items are not what we need to survive.
Melinda
Yes, I have several collections:
Cameras
Books
Art
Antique furniture
Antique photos
Houseplants
I have more than I can enjoy in a week. The houseplants, probably up to 35 now, take dedicated time twice a week.
Melinda
I’m retired now but I remember how hard it was to have balance in life while working. In the early part of my career it was easy but as I reached closer to the top it was impossible for me, I didn’t have balance. That’s one of the rewards of retirement, ever day is balanced.
Melinda
Hello Tuesday! One improvement I am currently working on is spending more time outside with Mother Nature. The sunshine and fresh air helps my mental health for the entire day.
Melinda
My story is about two people, my grandparents. In my teens, I was a wild child who struggled with addiction. After they won custody of me, I moved in the year before my gramps retired. Tough love, strict rules, and a positive environment changed my life. They loved me unconditionally and there’s no greater feeling.
Melinda
My career path is behind me, the focus now is a life plan. I was so happy to leave the stress and high heels behind.
Melinda
Without a doubt, it would be a test driver for high-end cars that go super fast. It’s not on my bucket list but is worthy. The downside is that I don’t know how to drive a standard and you won’t find those types of cars in an automatic.
Melinda
My Grandparents had learned so much in their lifespan, and I always sought their advice. My husband is my trusted partner for advice for close to 23 years, and the only person I’ve turned to since my Grandparents died.
Have a great day.
Melinda
Christmas is my favorite holiday without a doubt. When I was little it was all about the gifts, now my focus is on Jesus Christ. Sure, gifts are nice but that is not why I celebrate.
Melinda
We spent most summers camping in a tent, it was a bit crowded with a family of six. We often went to one popular lake that was know for snakes hanging out in the trees. I walked around terrified every day.
I have no idea why this image is showing up.
Melinda
Boy, do topics change at every stage in life. A few topics that get me engaged are art, travel, and gardening.
Melinda
At 40 years old and divorced, I took a chance on getting married again. I felt strongly that he was the one who would stay until the end. 22 years later, we’re going strong and closer than ever. No regrets for me.
Melinda
I am nervous about several things: snakes, fire, tornadoes, and running late.
Have a great day.
Melinda
Looking for the Light 