We Want To Know #14

{1}Do you prefer to text or call?
I personally prefer to text. Unless I am talking to my family.
{2}What is the last text message in your phone and who is it from?

It was a text from my hubby saying he had just woken up from his nap/sleep time for duty and said for me to sleep well, and he loved me.
{3}What are your favorite phone apps?
Facebook, SoundHound
{4}At what age do you think kids are ready for a cell phone?
I think a tracfone is alright when a child starts elementary school. Especially if they are walking to and from school and may be home alone at home after school and if you don't have a home phone. Otherwise, I think middle school.
{5}Share a current pic or video taken with your phone.

 

This video was taken when we were in Georgia. Katie's granny was holding Lyric. She had made Mac and Cheese, Creamed Potatoes, and Green Beans. All of which Lyric enjoyed. I don't know why there isn't sound though. Sorry.

12 Things Happy People Do Differently - Marc and Angel Hack Life

“I’d always believed that a life of quality, enjoyment, and wisdom were my human birthright and would be automatically bestowed upon me as time passed.  I never suspected that I would have to learn how to live - that there were specific disciplines and ways of seeing the world I had to master before I could awaken to a simple, happy, uncomplicated life.”
-Dan Millman

Studies conducted by positivity psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky point to 12 things happy people do differently to increase their levels of happiness.  These are things that we can start doing today to feel the effects of more happiness in our lives.  (Check out her book The How of Happiness.)
I want to honor and discuss each of these 12 points, because no matter what part of life’s path we’re currently traveling on, these ‘happiness habits’ will always be applicable.

1. Express gratitude. – When you appreciate what you have, what you have appreciates in value.  Kinda cool right?  So basically, being grateful for the goodness that is already evident in your life will bring you a deeper sense of happiness.  And that’s without having to go out and buy anything.  It makes sense.  We’re gonna have a hard time ever being happy if we aren’t thankful for what we already have.
2. Cultivate optimism. – Winners have the ability to manufacture their own optimism.  No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the chick who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it.  She knows failure only as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life.  People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.
3. Avoid over-thinking and social comparison. – Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous.  If we’re somehow ‘better’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, it gives us an unhealthy sense of superiority.  Our ego inflates – KABOOM – our inner Kanye West comes out!  If we’re ‘worse’ than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, we usually discredit the hard work that we’ve done and dismiss all the progress that we’ve made.  What I’ve found is that the majority of the time this type of social comparison doesn’t stem from a healthy place.  If you feel called to compare yourself to something, compare yourself to an older version of yourself.
4. Practice acts of kindness. – Performing an act of kindness releases serotonin in your brain.  (Serotonin is a substance that has TREMENDOUS health benefits, including making us feel more blissful.)  Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside.  What’s even cooler about this kindness kick is that not only will you feel better, but so will people watching the act of kindness.  How extraordinary is that?  Bystanders will be blessed with a release of serotonin just by watching what’s going on.  A side note is that the job of most anti-depressants is to release more serotonin.  Move over Pfizer, kindness is kicking ass and taking names.
5. Nurture social relationships. – The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships.  Did you know studies show that people’s mortality rates are DOUBLED when they’re lonely?  WHOA!  There’s a warm fuzzy feeling that comes from having an active circle of good friends who you can share your experiences with.  We feel connected and a part of something more meaningful than our lonesome existence.
6. Develop strategies for coping. – How you respond to the ‘craptastic’ moments is what shapes your character.  Sometimes crap happens – it’s inevitable.  Forrest Gump knows the deal.  It can be hard to come up with creative solutions in the moment when manure is making its way up toward the fan.  It helps to have healthy strategies for coping pre-rehearsed, on-call, and in your arsenal at your disposal.
7. Learn to forgive. – Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being.  You see, your mind doesn’t know the difference between past and present emotion.  When you ‘hate’ someone, and you’re continuously thinking about it, those negative emotions are eating away at your immune system.  You put yourself in a state of suckerism (technical term) and it stays with you throughout your day.
8. Increase flow experiences. – Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still.  It’s when you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you become one with the task.  Action and awareness are merged.  You’re not hungry, sleepy, or emotional.  You’re just completely engaged in the activity that you’re doing.  Nothing is distracting you or competing for your focus.
9. Savor life’s joys. – Deep happiness cannot exist without slowing down to enjoy the joy.  It’s easy in a world of wild stimuli and omnipresent movement to forget to embrace life’s enjoyable experiences.  When we neglect to appreciate, we rob the moment of its magic.  It’s the simple things in life that can be the most rewarding if we remember to fully experience them.
10. Commit to your goals. – Being wholeheartedly dedicated to doing something comes fully-equipped with an ineffable force.  Magical things start happening when we commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to get somewhere.  When you’re fully committed to doing something, you have no choice but to do that thing.  Counter-intuitively, having no option – where you can’t change your mind – subconsciously makes humans happier because they know part of their purpose.
11. Practice spirituality. – When we practice spirituality or religion, we recognize that life is bigger than us.  We surrender the silly idea that we are the mightiest thing ever.  It enables us to connect to the source of all creation and embrace a connectedness with everything that exists.  Some of the most accomplished people I know feel that they’re here doing work they’re “called to do.”
12. Take care of your body. – Taking care of your body is crucial to being the happiest person you can be.  If you don’t have your physical energy in good shape, then your mental energy (your focus), your emotional energy (your feelings), and your spiritual energy (your purpose) will all be negatively affected.  Did you know that studies conducted on people who were clinically depressed showed that consistent exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft?  Not only that, but here’s the double whammy… Six months later, the people who participated in exercise were less likely to relapse because they had a higher sense of self-accomplishment and self-worth.

Hoo Are You? #9

1. What are some of your pet peeves?
I can't think of any of my pet peeves right now.

2. Do you have a favorite or lucky number?
I love even numbers! I am CRAZY about even numbers!

3. What is one of your family traditions?
Opening one package on Christmas Eve, and it is always pajamas.

4. Is there anything you are OC about?
No, not really.

5. What is your favorite kind of food?
I am not really picky, I will eat anything.

MilSpouse Fill-In #13

1. The first thing I think of when I get up in the morning is getting up and playing with Lyric.
2. Lately, I’ve been craving sweets because they sound good.
3. Whenever anyone says the word popa, it reminds me of my childhood because thats what I called my grandpa.
4. The happiest word I know is love, but I think that it is sometimes overused, just as hate is and is un appreciated.
5. My spouse may hate it, but I absolutely love talking about wanting to have another child in the future and planning for things that may or may not ever happen.

Five Question Friday #10

1. Did you make any fun purchases this week?
I don't think so. If so, I can't remember.

2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be?
Well, I have tickets to go to Jason Aldean concert. I would kill to go to a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert. 

3. What is your least fav/ most fav house chore?
My least favorite house chore is dishes and folding clothes. My favorite house chore is anything other than dishes and clothes.

4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes?
I would prefer to have both. It is too hard to choose just one.

5. Miracle Whip or Mayo?
What's the difference?

12 Ways To Make Talking To Strangers Less Awkward - Marc and Angel Hack Life

 Another from Marc and Angel Hack Life. I will be putting these to work.

Let’s face it, fewer moments are more awkward than trying to strike up a casual conversation with someone you don’t know very well.  Here are some quick tips to lighten up the situation:

1. Talk about who you know and what you have in common.  Mutual friends, bosses, hometowns, etc.
2. Ask relevant questions about life, work, hobbies, and pop-culture.  Keeping abreast of current events will provide you with great conversation builders.  Lead with “What do you think of…?”, “Have you heard…?”, “What is your take on…?”, etc.  Stay away from negative or controversial topics, and refrain from long-winded stories.
3. If you notice yourself getting bored with what you’re saying, stop talking, acknowledge the situation, and move on to the next topic.
4. Listen more than you talk.
5. With people you have never met before, limit stories to the last few moments of your life.  Bring up casual points about your current surroundings, like the funny music playing in the background or the tasty martinis the bar is serving.
6. Know a few interesting historical facts, like this one:  As a child, Albert Einstein seldom spoke.  When he did, he spoke very slowly – indeed, he tried out entire sentences in his head until he got them right before he spoke aloud.  Einstein did this until he was nine years old.  His parents were worried about his lack of talking.  But at last, at the supper table one night, he broke his silence to say, “The soup is too hot!”  Greatly relieved, his parents asked why he had never said a word before.  Albert replied, “Because up to now everything was in order.”
7. But realize that no one likes a person who thinks they know everything.
8. Prolonged pauses are the best time for that interesting historical fact.  Most people would rather listen to you talk about anything than listen to an awkward silence.
9. Watch your body language.  People who look ill at ease make others uncomfortable.  Act confident and comfortable, even when you’re not.
10. Let strangers interrupt you.  They’re not being rude, they’re assisting you.  Let them speak, and wait to be prompted before continuing your story.  It’s usually a good sign that they are actually listening to you.
11. If all else fails, just talk about the weather, which always gets people riled up (unless you live in Florida or Southern California).
12. And have a few exit lines ready so, if needs be, you can both gracefully move on.  For example, “I need to check in with a client over there,” “I skipped lunch today, so I need to grab a quick bite,” etc.

As long as you avoid anything personal, political, or controversial – at least during first encounters – and know which questions to ask, you’ll be talking the talk of certified socialite.  Also, read Dale Carnegie’s classic, How To Win Friends and Influence People, for a great read on this topic.

Fill In Blank Friday #11

1.   One of life's most simple pleasures is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of milk.

2.  Being put on hold for what seems like forever waiting to make a doctor appointment makes me want to punch someone.

3.  I like my husband because, he is cute and loving.

4.  Toted is a funny word.

5.  If I had to choose one beauty product to use for the rest of eternity it would be I have no idea what product I would choose to use.

6.  I'm happy that I get to wake up to my beautiful baby girl. She almost always wakes up happy. And that makes me happy.

7.  I would never have chosen to do any public speaking, but since I was Honored Queen of Job's Daughters I have done a bit of public speaking. It really did help me.

Hoo Are You? #8

1. Do you prefer to use a regular pencil or mechanical pencil?  

I usually prefer to use a mechanical pencil rather than a regular pencil. Because I write so hard, I end up having to resharpen a regular pencil many times. And with a mechanical pencil I just have to refill the pencil with lead.

2. What is your favorite color in the crayon box?
I love a new box of crayons and a new coloring book. I don't have neither right now, I think that I want a box of crayons, the 120 count to be specific. I love how there are many many colors to choose from. My favorite colors would have to be the different shades of blue, purple, and red/pinks.3. Bottled glue or glue stick? Glue stick! Bottled glue gets all over the place! 4. calculator or do it in your head? I will try to do it in my head, but if I get stumped I will then work it on paper. And if that fails or gets to a point where I can't do it on paper, I will grab the calculator. 5.Favorite subject while in High School?

My favorite subject while in High School was forensic science when I was doing my online high school. But before I moved from the traditional high school to online high school my favorite subject would have been Child Development or Home Economics as some would probably call it.