Sweating to the Oldies ~Are we Having Fun Yet?

Are we Having Fun Yet?

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A retired couple decided that they should walk two miles a day to stay in shape.

They chose to walk a mile out on a lonely country road so they would have no choice but to walk back.

At the one-mile mark on their first venture, the man asked his wife, “Do you think you can make it back all right, or are you too tired?” “Oh, no,” she said. “I’m not tired. I can make it okay.”

“Good,” he replied. “I’ll wait here. You go back, get the car and come get me.” 

 

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Reflections:   Sweating to the Oldies

For years, my daughter and I faithfully watched an exercise diva on television. Imagine our excited when we learned she would be making a visit to our town, and appearing at the local Gym. The advertisement invited everyone to come, meet her, ask questions, and spend a few hours joining her in one of her great workouts. Although we were beginners, we decided to join the excitement and learn some new exercise techniques.

images (7)Always wanting to dress properly for any occasion, I decided to wear legging, an oversize t-shirt (to cover any bulges) and a headband so people would think I knew my way around the gym. My daughter wore her shorts and a cute top; I figured we looked like an ordinary twosome off to the gym.

At my office all morning, we were a little late arriving for the starting session. Laughing and excited we stopped on the stairs and gazed over the class of women doing a rapidly paced step aerobics, in their fancy, well-matched, small, tight, outfits. I was starting to have that big bird feeling in my oversize t-shirt. I realized my comfortable outfit was not going to look great for pictures as we were all exercising, especially from the backside…

The instructor delegated us to the back row (thank goodness) and said, “Please put on your aerobic shoes.” To which I replied, “We didn’t bring any, we’ll just wear our socks.”At that point, she stopped the class and educated everyone on the hazards of not wearing the right aerobic shoes. She acted as if we were not serious enough to be in her class; I wonder what gave her that idea!

The music started up again at a rapid pace, moving at disaster speed for me! I could hardly keep up, huffing and puffing. “O’ my goodness I’m overdoing it,” I thought, “I’m sweating I had better slow down, or my makeup will melt off.” At that point, I fell to the floor in a heap; my youngest daughter was starting to slow down too. The teacher yelled, “Keep the burn going, let’s maintain the pace, especially those in the back row.” Which was only the two of us?

Our predicament now seemed incredibly funny, and all I could do was laugh, my daughter was laughing too. The louder the instructor yelled, the harder we laughed; there we lay in hysterics on the floor. We embarrassed ourselves that day; but as we now look back, we realize we were making memories. Isn’t that what life is all about? Enjoying the journey of life we are on. ©

I believe God has a sense of humor too, After all, he made us!

Psalm 126:2 (NLT)

 We were filled with laughter,
    and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said,
    “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”

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Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me,

Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

The Golden Years ~ Are You Speeding

The Golden YearsAre You Speeding

Several days ago as I left a meeting at a hotel; I desperately gave myself a pat down. I was looking for my keys. They were not in my pockets. A quick search in the meeting room revealed nothing.

police    Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My wife has scolded me many times for leaving the keys in the ignition.

My theory is the ignition is the best place not to lose them. Her theory is that the car will be stolen. As I burst through the door, I came to a terrifying conclusion. Her theory was right. The parking lot was empty.

I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car and that it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all, “Honey,” I stammered; I always call her “honey” in times like these. “I left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.”

There was a period of silence. I thought the call had been dropped, but then I heard her voice. “Idiot”, she barked, “I dropped you off!”

Now it was my time to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, “Well, come and get me.”

She retorted, “I will, as soon as I convince this policeman I have not stolen your car.”

Author unknown

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Reflections:  Are You Speeding

Over the years I realized I have a heavy foot. As I speed along I am always in a hurry. My family blames my California roots for all my bad habits.

I have struggled with time management over the years and usually, think I have much more time than I do. And yes the police and I have had our discussions over several tickets.

speeding-2I always try to be respectful but sometimes I grumbled about the tickets I didn’t think I deserve. Although in my heart I know I deserved far more tickets than I received.  How about you? I remembered a time when I was on my way to a speaking engagement and a police officer pulled me over.

I knew I had not been speeding (thank goodness for the speed control) and surprised to learn my taillight was not working. 

The officer walked back to his patrol car and check my registration and data. I watch him walk back a thought came to me about how thankless his job is, I can’t imagine that people are grateful for their tickets.  I sure haven’t!

When the officer came back to my car he handed me my license, insurance card, and a new ticket.  I thanked him for his service, for my ticket and for the good job he does to make our highways safe. He was speechless for a moment and then, thank me and said no one had ever told him that before.  How sad.  As I drove away I giggled and wished I had taken a picture of his face. Priceless.

Makes me want to do it again. LOL. Isn’t wonderful to honor someone else and you get the joy in the deepest part of your soul.

The Bible says:

Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. Isaiah 26:8 NLT

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21 NLT

I am so glad that I didn’t react like I felt I wanted too. After all, I was in a hurry to do God’s work.  But while I am here on earth, I am to trust the Lord, obey his laws and the laws of the land. And to bring honor and glorify His name.  That is my true purpose as I walk daily close to him. ©

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Some people, no matter how old they get never lose their beauty,

they merely move it from their faces into their hearts

Smile, God Love You
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Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, have a wonderful week.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly,
Karan Gleddie

 

He’s Wired for Sound!

 tangled-up-in-wires-and-cablesHe’s Wired for Sound!

The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel microphone, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went.

Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly  tripping before jerking it again.

After several more times moving back and forth, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, “If he gets loose, will he hurt us?’

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Reflections:

They say “laughter is the best medicine for a hurting heart.”  I believe it.  As a child when life happened I could always see the funny side of any circumstance. Maybe it was a way to hide my anxiety and hesitation. Growing up I was unsure how to respond to stressful situations, so I just laughed.  And sometimes I would get in trouble for the inappropriate times I did laugh!  Can you relate? But I learned if I could find humor and laughter, it would relieve stresses and give me joy in a crisis-driven world.

laughing10Many years ago I was guest speaking for a group of women, in northern Canada.  The weather was warm enough to wear a skirt that day.  It was a little big around, but the button seemed secure. Besides, it was a cute skirt and matched my suit jacket. What can I say? 

As I was in the middle of my presentation, the button fell off, and I caught my skirt as it was sliding down. Trying to act as normal as I could I kept talking, grabbed my skirt and tucked it into my slip elastic. Whew! I am so glad I decided to wear a slip that day; it could have been just a pantyhose day.  I am also thankful for the women at the head table beside me, who remained stoic during my presentation, they can surely say they have seen it all.

I believe God has a great sense of humor. He must laugh when he sees us scurrying around trying to fix all our problems. Only too soon we reach the befuddling, confused and worn out state of crises.  I often do that myself.

Many times I think I don’t want to bother God with the little stuff he is too busy. I can be his deputy shepherd, and help him by taking care of them myself. Only to make a bigger mess. Only to run the back to God so he can fix it quick. Do you do that too?  I love that He never refuses and always has plenty of grace, forgiveness, and love to fix that which in broken.  The Bible says;

You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.       

 Nehemiah 9:17 

God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, let me know what you think.

 Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Blonde Logic: The Perfect Diet

 Blonde Logic: The Perfect Diet

A blonde woman goes to her doctor about her weight, so her doctor puts her on a diet. 
“I want you to eat vegetables and grains for two days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for two weeks.  

The next time I see you, you will have lost at least 5 pounds.scale 3


“When the blonde returned, she shocked the doctor by losing nearly 

20 pounds.

“Why that’s amazing!” the doctor said, “Did you follow my
instructions?”

The blonde nodded.  “I’ll tell you, though, I thought I was going 
to drop dead that the third day.”

“From hunger, you mean?”  “No, from skipping.”

 

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Reflections:

I love beautiful flowers and have long admired people who have a creative eye for designing them.  I use to read garden books and how-to books trying to learn the proper care of plants and how to growing then. My mother could make anything grow. However, the growing and gardening gene missed me somehow.  I either loved my flowering plants too much with water, fertilizer, and conversation or dried them out with not enough. I find it hard to keep anything alive except cactus! 

Because of my lack of talent in the floral department, when we built our home, I decided to have plants and evergreens around the house that grow annually. They looked wonderful but not much color or contrast.  So one spring I went to “Michaels” a craft and hobby superstore to buy some beautiful tall silk flowers in pink and reds.  My conditions were extra tall stems, large flowers and to look real. I was so excited about this bright idea; I couldn’t wait to get home.  Arranging them in the evergreen bushes and flower pots, I felt satisfied with my creativity.

When people drove by they would comment on my beautiful flowers, I was glad they noticed but hoped they wouldn’t get too close and learn my secret to success!

As summer turned to fall, my flowers still were in full bloom. However one evening we had an early winter storm which blew in with heavy sleet, and the wind.  The storm lasted for two days.    It was so cold outside I had forgotten about my flowers.  After the storm was over I  check on my flowers, and they were still standing tall and blooming beautifully; it’s a miracle! My secret had been exposed.

I have learned there are over 230,000 to 270,000 species of flowering plants, and each one is uniquely beautiful and extraordinary in its own way. I think God looks at each one of us as a beautiful flower too, designed perfect, and precious to be loved by him. Each one is important.

Luke 12:28 New Living Translation

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

He loves and accepts us just the way we are, no conditions!

Do you know how special you are to Him? ©

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, I would love to hear from you. 

Have a great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Thankful for Our Independence

                         Thankful for Our Independence                                                                                                     

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IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

 America’s Independence ~ July 4, 1776

4th of july

This Land We Love

How beautiful this land we love. We cherish all good people of

With pride, we call this home our own. Oh how our seed of freedoms grown

American is what we are. Our time has nurtured us so far

For truth and justice, we do strive. Our laws are meant not to deprive.

We know we’re not the perfect place. As we are of the human race

                                                                                       

In God, we trust along our way. His goodness near, both night and day

                                    So please do stop and pray awhile. Ask help in facing each new mile

                                                                                        And now I’ll end with words so clear. Concerning freedom, we hold dear

                                                                        Let Grateful Thought – Well Deep Inside. For Soldiers Brave – Our Country’s Pride

by Roger Robicheau 

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Reflections:

Happy Independence Day!                                                                     

Although I am an American, who lives in Canada now, I have never gotten over the thrill and pride at seeing the American Stars and Stripes flying over a country I love and cherish.    

It still brings tears to my eyes as I sing God Bless America and the National Anthem. What a joy and a privilege to be blessed with such a wonderful heritage. 

I am forever grateful to those who have and still do served our country with honor and integrity and their families who sacrifice so much. 

They say “Freedom is never free,” but there is always a price… physically, mentally and emotionally.  I am humbled and honored to thank you to the brave soldiers who fight for my freedom. Thank You, You are Remembered!©

It is easy to take liberty for granted when you have never had it taken from you. 
~Author unknown

Thank you, dear friends for spending your time with me, Have a wonderful weekend be safe. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan