We've All Had Times Of Good And Plenty...And Not Just At The Movies, Right?

Okay, so my exercise for today was light.  Just some arm and leg exercises and some cardiovascular.  After lifting weights, about 12 oz. in each hand, of spray perfume bottles of Rapture and Opium, I then spray one of them lightly into the air and run through it…lightly and gently.  I also ran through my music for exercise.  I threw the papers on the floor and gently ran through them.  PIMP LOL.  My cool down?  Ummm…blow drying my hair on the cool setting?  What?  I want to be blown away today.   By the way?  I wouldn’t have either of those perfumes except that my wonderful mom gave one to me as a gift last year and made it possible for my dear daughter to give me Opium for my birthday this year.  And I am the queen of making perfume last forever.  Which I learned from having a time of meager funds.  She gave me the perfume to make me feel better and because she loves to give and she knew I couldn’t afford it.  It's not that she has lots of money.  I know it was a sacrifice for them.  I hadn’t had perfume for a long time.  But, I was used to not having those kinds of things.  I always say, “Make money…need more.  Make do…need less.  More or less.”    Not saying I don’t like money or things, but my focus has been more on health and music and family and all.  I have had times of plenty that were good and times of little that were good. And vice versa.  Times of plenty and times of little that were both bad. Those times of good and plenty?  Well, most of those were at the movies.  PIMP LOL.  Just kidding, right?  You remember those candies…Good And Plenties?  Anyway, living in all conditions is valuable to us.  Though, change is hard.  Change is good!  But! Dollars are better. What? Makes ¢ to me. And, now you have 2¢ more than you had before. Now, go be a “doll”ar and have a day that blows you away and is filled with good smells and I’ll give you a penny for your thoughts. Or, would that be non-cents? No. That’s my 7th sense…nonsense. The 8th sense? Why, my 2¢, of course.  It all makes sense to me.  And with all those cents or sense floating around here?  There's one more thing about me you can count on.  No matter what?  Health problems or having little or having alot...you can always count on me.  Get it?  Count?  Cents?  Oh, well.  You really can count on me.  You have my word on that...and my word?  Is what I'm about.  And, that's my last 2¢ for today.  It adds up!  PIMP LOL.  Now, since it's coming up on Mother's Day, tell your mom you love her…no matter where she is.  That doesn't cost anything.  So, to finish up this article, I would just like to say that I am glad the exercise today with the perfume turned into this exercise for the heart.  Mom’s make big sacrifices.  And, it reminded me of the biggest sacrifice of all, right?  We all must make sacrifices and I am reminded of a few I must make.  Which means I need good prayers and plenty of them.  Throw in plenty of grace.  So, have yourself a Good And Plenty kind of week.  And, as always? Click on the picture…for umm…the bigger picture?    Trace

I'm A Black Belt Ninja...Just Ask My Vacuum

Yes!  I must admit.  I am a Ninja!  And, I have a black belt and stealthy cool moves to prove it.  I could wear the black belt on my waist…where I could use it to waste someone, only if needed, of course.  But, I will put it where it belongs.  On my vacuum to collect somebody’s waste, not waste somebody.  So, that makes me a vacuum Ninja?  Right?  I wear it well and attack my enemies with a vengeance.  Those dust bunnies don't stand a chance.  I move very cool-ly?  Is that a word?  And, I think I hold the record for the most black belts achieved in one year?  7 in the past year.  Not kidding.  We have a lot of electronics and my daughter and I both have long hair that seems to get tangled in the vacuum and I am forever taking it apart and cleaning it.  I think my daughter is a vacuum ninja, too.  At least, it sounds like it when she is vacuuming her room.  The electronics don't stand a chance.  Or, the blankets or rugs that get sucked up, thus broken belts. PIMP LOL. And, when they come out of her room?  The vacuum doesn't have much vroom anymore.  I think we are all quilty of having gotten something caught in the vacuum.  I remember one time my sister and I were arguing and somehow the vacuum was sucking her hair.  Hmmm....PIMP LOL. Something good from all those belts breaking?  I can pretty much take a vacuum apart and I know how they work and all. Did I mention vacuuming sucks?  No. I mean it really does suck…up dust and dirt and waste. And, life does suck sometimes, too...you know?  You have to get dirty to stay grounded.  You know?  A little hard work never hurt and all that?  But, like the photo says?  Vacuums and life? Well, sure!  They both suck.  But, they’re both good for you.  Look for the good and don’t waste too much time worrying about the dirt.  After all?  It all comes out in the wash...or, the vacuum bag?  I won’t waste any more of your time.  Have a encouraging and fun, black belt kind of week.  Get out there and kick butt!  Oh, and click on my little photo collage for what?  The bigger picture, of course!   Trace

Frame Of Mind: Every Picture Tells A Story

Every picture tells a story...without words. And, every story? Yep! Paints a picture...without a canvas. And, it all happens in our hearts and minds.  This story? Is about frame of mind...and a few of my sick Tracy humor jokes.  Been in an odd frame of mind, so here’s an odd story about frames and my odd mind.  Some Tracy Humor about frames and pictures and truth and love and sickness and horror movies and life.  Now that's a mouthful.  Or, a sentence full!  Ever been framed and you just gotta prove you’re right? Like a picture frame with your back against the wall?  You know, on the hook…to hang there and look like everything is cool.  When you don’t feel like it underneath all that paint...on the inside?  Hang on. Every picture tells a story…without words. You’ll be off the hook soon.  Everyone might not hear the picture you tell…but everyone sees the picture you tell.  Keep your mind in a good frame today. Sometimes being right and not saying it? Says a lot…about you.  Sometimes, being right and being quiet might seem wrong, but knowing you're right and not having to say it?  Is loving.  Hard, but loving.  Well, this was just a small part of a blog I wrote after watching The Passion this past week while I have been having some rough patches with health and other "stuff".  I didn't get it up in time for Easter and though, it’s late, I thought it would still paint a good picture.  You know, He knows all about being framed for something.  And most times a frame-up?  Has a glimpse of truth in it.  So the picture it paints?  Seems right.  But, if you look close?  You can tell it’s a forgery!  He was framed and kept quiet.  Had to be terrible painful and horrid, but victorious.  Difficult to take in.  So, if I’m gonna be a masterpiece hanging on the wall for others to see?  It’s gonna be called “The Master’s Peace”, I hope.  Not the “Master’s Pieces”.  I know, right?  Thanks, everyone, for the prayers for my health and strength and our music.  Stop by some other of my stories here and don’t forget?  Click on the picture…  To get, well?  The bigger picture!   Hang tough.  That's what I am gonna do.  Though, I admit, sometimes I don't feel like it.  Oh, and here is the result of letting life and being sick and watching too many horror movies get to you.  The result?  My sick…um…sick jokes:

Thought I was in line for a sick extreme make-over. Wrong.  I was in the extreme take-over by sickness and life line.

When I’m sick, I’m not too picky about being swept off my feet.  I’ll settle for raising my feet while someone sweeps under them.  Though vacuuming does suck…really. PIMP LOL

Feel like I got the crud and I’ve been watching so many creepy horror movies that even my crud is creepin’.  Wish it would creep on outta here!

And, finally…if you don’t pay your exorcist, will you get repossessed?  Or, maybe cursed?    At?

What?  I told you they were sick.   Here’s to hoping that the next time I write?  My jokes won’t be so sick…and neither will my health or spirits.  Hang tough cuz ever picture does tell a story...just depends on the "frame" of mind.  Look close and listen with your eyes and heart.  Trace

Yardwork, Life And Fertilizer: The short and sweet of it! Oh, Crap!

So, this week? Yard work! Much yard work!  Some raking and bagging! And, I was planting grass seed and spreading a lil’ bit of fertilizer. That got me thinking…  Like always, right?  You plant something? You want it to grow, right? Well, then you need to fertilize a bit and water it alot. A little crap makes the grass grow and smell sweet. In fact? The crap makes the grass smell even sweeter than it would normally. Just like in life. Without the crap? You don’t grow. You don't notice the sweet stuff as deeply,  Isn't that sweet!  Yep!  Without all the stuff?  We wouldn't learn patience or love or hope or faith.  Now, guess what church was about? Yep! All this crap. Sweet! You buying that? Yep! You got it!  Just make sure you buy the right fertilizer!  PIMP LOL.  Sometimes, we buy into the wrong stuff and get in a mess and don't grow.   Seriously, though, God is so amazing.  And our pastor got the point across with stage props about planting...and also got huge props from all of us!  He always uses real life story applications to give us some life on Saturday and Sunday!  Sweet!  A little side note?  I used to have a pig for years and let’s just say that we did not need to buy fertilizer and I had the best yard and plants in PSJ for years.  Thanks to my Grace and her eating well!  And, thank you Lord, for your grace you give us!  Have a fun day everyone!  Have a fun week and do some fertilizing…  In your yard and your life and the lives of others!!!   And, the next time someone gives you some crap?  Just remember?  It’s the crap that makes us grow!    Sweet!!    And, like the stepping stones in the photo?  Each time we make it through some crap?  We go on to the next stepping stone...   Oh, and as our pastor Erick sang this morning in church?  "Thank God I'm A Country Girl!".   So, just spread “it” around a bit… You ask what am I spreading? Rumors? NO WAY! Love? Uh, no! Just some fertilizer…errr..uh, my story on fertilizer…that is. Okay! And, some love and hope and humor. My spokesperson? Grace! My pig! Being in “it” is what helps us grow.  Trace

The Rain In Spain And Spring Break: Good For Whatever Ales You

Today it is raining!  Cats and dogs!  So glad that the Rain In Spain fell mainly on our plains today! It was refreshing and wonderful and the sound was music to my ears. And that is the “plains” truth. Hoping for more Spain rain in our neck of the plains soon.  And, since it was raining, which I love, and it is spring break, my girl and I decided to watch scary movies all day and rest!  Yay!  Much needed since we both have had a bug on and off for awhile.  So my thoughts today are about "Spring Break" and "Taking A Break" from life and bugs, and the 4 things to do for whatever ails you!   Especially because it seems like everyone I know, including yours truly, has been down with something lately.  Sick, I mean!  So, I thought I would write my short remedy for everything.  So, take a break and spring into some reading!  Here goes:  It’s Spring and it’s break time for the kids! And some of us big kids, too, right?  I admit!  I’m just a big kid! Time to have fun WITH them and have fun LIKE them! PIMP LOL! So, whether you spring into the break or you break into spring?  Spring into some fun! BOING! BOING! BOING! Get sprung by spring! Take 1 break, before you break in 2! Take a spring break! No matter what ails you?  A bug or a cold or whatever?  There are 4 things you need to have.  #1? Ginger ale! It’s good for what ales you!  #2?  Chicken soup.  It’s good for ummm…the soul?  Isn’t that a book, right? PIMP LOL. No, really...it is good for the body!   #3?  A neck rub!  It’s good if you’ve been rubbed the wrong way! Right?  Whatever!  So, stick your neck out!  Sip some chicken soup for the body and soul and drink some ginger ale… for what ales you.   And, last, but not least?  #4?  Prayer!   Really?  That is the chicken soup for the soul!  So, feel better and take a break!  And, by the way?  The Rain In Spain or your neck of the woods and Spring Break are also good for whatever ales you!!!   Like always, click on the photo for...well?  The bigger picture!   Oh, one more thing?  The origin behind it's raining cats and dogs?  Long time ago in England, houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath.  It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof.  Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."   Have a fun day.  Oh, and if you want to listen to a soothing gorgeous album today?  Check out an old one called "Age To Age" by Amy Grant.  My fav on there is "I Love A lonely Day" and "It's Raining On The Inside".  Perfect for today!   You can find it all over the web.  I have a copy of it and love it.  Trace

Hold Your Horses! Hold Your Tongue! So The Cat Don't Got It!

So, I haven’t been writing too many blogs lately.  Been holding my tongue or maybe…a cat got my tongue!  PIMP LOL.   I thought I’d write a few words of hope and humor today to get back to blogging.  So, I was thinking…  I’d rather hold my tongue than hold my breath and gasp after saying too much!  I know, right?  We’ve all done it.  And even while we’re speaking, we are telling ourselves, “Hold on!  I really do wish a cat had got my tongue this time!” Right? PIMP LOL. My favorite theory of the origin of that?  Is in the following...  Because?  A cat has not got my tongue!  And, I’m not giving you any lip, either!  Just a mouthful!  So smile, read on and have a fun day! Cat got your tongue origins:  From the English sailing-ship days, and refers to the cat-o'-nine-tails (a rope whip with nine knotted cords). If the captain or other officer told a sailor something in secrecy, the sailor would "get the cat" if he told anyone what had been said. If others wanted to know what had been said, they would ask, "Tell us, or has the cat got your tongue?" (Tell us, or are you afraid you'll be punished for telling?) The fear of a whipping with a cat-o-nine tail for short, could paralyze a victim into silence.  Whoa!  Now, that’s a mouthful!  What?  I didn't say anything!  My lips are sealed!   So, tell me your theory on the origin of this saying. Or a new saying origin!  And, stop by some of my others articles and rooms here.  Love to hear from you.  Don’t hold your tongue!  And, go ahead and give me some lip.  Oh, and click on the photos for what?  The bigger picture, of course!  Ok, hold on here!  And, I mean, hold your horses, not your tongue!  Got one more saying about holding...your tongue?  Sometimes we do need to speak, so when we do?  You know that saying "Speak, but forever hold your peace"?  Well, I say "Speak sometimes!  but, when you do? Forever...hold your peaceful tongue!  So, no one gets a piece of your tongue!  PIMP LOL.  Trace

Puzzles, Cereal And Roosters... You know? Flaky stuff!

So, this morning, I called my friend to ask her to please come over here and help me with something puzzling. I got a killer 3D jigsaw puzzle as a gift, and I can't figure out how to get it started. I was always so good at puzzles, but, it’s been a while and I was stumped. So, she asks me, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?" I said, "Well, according to the picture on the box, it's a rooster." So, my girlfriend decides to come over and visit and help me with the puzzle. I let her in and show her where I had the puzzle spread all over the table. She checks out the pieces for a moment, looks at the box, then turns to me and says, "First of all, have you been sick again and not sleeping well? She, then, took my hand and said with a sort of a laugh, "Secondly, have you eaten yet? Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box and have some breakfast before I take you to see a real rooster at the funny farm"! Hope your day isn’t too puzzling. Or, too flaky! PIMP LOL.  After a gecko story and corn flakes? Where else can I go, but up!  One flake at a time!   Trace

Faith And Geckos

So, I’m rockin’ on the porch this morning and I see one of those Geckos like on the Geico commercials, only blue. What other color would it be at our place, right?  So, I wanted to see what all the worry was about,  you know?  The guys being afraid and not having the faith to fall back on him.  OK, so after I pulled myself and my broken back up off the concrete, and buried my little blue guy, it hit me!  Literally! Ouch! TNT LOL.  So, make sure when you trust someone to always be there and to catch you when you fall? Well, just be sure He is bigger, stronger, not green, and most of all…REALLY does have your back! I know, right? Not the Gecko, but the creator of the Gecko! PIMP LOL.  Have a fun day.  Stop by my other rooms and articles.  Love to hear from you today.  Trace