Apr16

How It Used to Be

Posted on April 16, 2012 by daunaeasley

The Good Old Days

A confession. I’ve reached that age at which I have to guard myself against talking too much about the ‘Good ‘Ol Days’. I remember when I was much younger, how we used to feel about the old geezers who would talk too much about just how great things ‘used to be’. We’d roll our eyes and promise ourselves we would never bore the world with talking on and on about how much better things were back then.

But be patient with me for just a moment. Remember when we could pay just a couple of dollars and pile a big family or a whole group of kids into one car and go to the Drive-In movie? Ahhhh, those really were some good old days. There was a playground up front to play on before the movie. We’d see at least two full features with some cartoons in between. You could bring your popcorn or buy a bucket of it buttered in the concession stand. All this fun with nothing but the stars for our ceiling…fabulous memory.

The Good New Days

BUT wait a minute. Were the good old days really as great as we remember? Let me think back just a little. I remember some things not so fondly. I remember…

Having to hang all the clothes, sheets, towels and cloth diapers on a clothesline outside, even in the winter time. Today I press a button to dry.
Spending all day Saturday defrosting the refrigerator while water dripped on the kitchen floor before you could put the groceries away.
Paying a long distance phone charge to call someone who lived ten miles down the road. Now I can call them from my purse to their pocket all the way across the United States and beyond.
Why DID we pay all those long distance charges for all those years? No wonder AT&T was always considered a great stock to buy back in the good old days.
Sleeping all night long with orange juice cans all over my head in order to make my hair look good for a couple of hours.
Buying an airmail stamp to send a letter across a couple of states to arrive several days later, instead of emailing or texting, for an immediate response.
If you were dating a soldier, he was truly out of contact for weeks or months. No daily skype messages then.
Your boyfriend couldn’t afford to call you. We had to write letters.
Using carbon paper and a tedious process to correct a mistake made on a typewriter, rather than just tapping the ‘delete’ button.
Watching three television stations instead of having a choice of hundreds.
Three or four static filled radio stations that had to be changed routinely as you traveled. Oh, how I love my satellite radio where I control what I want to hear. Oh how I love my CD player in my car.
Publishers who used to decide all the reading material that would be available for everyone. How I would miss my blog, my email friends, and the ability to publish independently.

Occasionally it IS still fun to talk about the good old days, when everyone knew everybody else who lived in our town. But I have to admit I’m glad that I’ve reached this particular age I’ve reached, at a time when I can easily stay connected with my friends through my computer or cell phone. I’m chatting online routinely with people I haven’t seen in years. And I’ve just written an e-book with a friend who lives 2,000 miles away. I love it.

I’m glad my elderly mother has handicapped access to most stores and businesses where they provide her a close parking spot and an electric cart for shopping. She’s not cooped up in the house like my great-grandmother was back in the good old days. Yeah, Mom still talks about The Good Old Days, but you and I just roll our eyes and know the truth. These are some pretty great New Days too.

Apr9

Baseball: The Game of Life

Posted on April 9, 2012 by daunaeasley

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Baseball Mirrors Life

Road trip! Is there anything better? I love to just get in my car and drive out-of-town for a few days. But…

Yes! There is something better than just a road trip. You can have the opportunity to take a road trip to beautiful Tennessee in the spring. Green rolling hills and blooming trees will treat your eyes. Flowers everywhere and southern hospitality abound.

But it gets even better than that. My road trip involved watching my grandson play baseball with his high school team. My car included a granddaughter who was a great companion as we spent more than ten hours on the road together. Bliss.

Life is a Baseball Game

Sometime during this wonderful three days of watching an exciting baseball tournament, it occurred to me how much baseball mirrors our lives. In fact, our lives, if we live them fully, have all the elements of the great American pastime.

How so? In every life there are those times we are forced to sit the bench. It’s frustrating. We’re aching to get in the game. Can’t ‘they’ see our talents? We want to play, but for a while our role is to sit the bench and cheer the team on.

That happens in life too. We see a position we want, but someone else is chosen for the job. It hurts. What’s important about bench time is our attitude. Do we spend time preparing for our next opportunity? Are we watching the game to check out the pitches? In the work place are we checking out the climate and learning how to become more effective? Or are we just sulking and having a pity party? If we’re honest with ourselves, I think we’d have to admit, that we’ve all done a little bit of both.

In the Batter’s Box

Finally, we get our chance. Someone gives us a nod and we step up to it. Is there any place more frightening than the batter’s box? There you are, all alone, every eye in the stadium is focused on you. Half are cheering, the other half jeering. The batter’s box is fraught with opportunity and humiliation in equal parts. You’re armed with nothing but a stick, your confidence, and preparation.

Life is the same. We train and wait our turn. When our chance comes it always takes a lot of courage to step up to the plate. It’s one thing to think and even boast that we have the skills. It’s quite another to step up and make decisions, take the reins, and hope your ideas will work. Always there will be people wishing you success but others waiting and ready to point out your shortcomings. The only ‘safe’ place is the bench. But we’ve been on the bench and it doesn’t feel good there.

In the batter’s box we have to DO something. Sure we can wait and hope the pitch will be off target and the umpire will actually see the miss and call it a ball. But nothing is worse than standing there and having the guy behind the plate call it a strike. Nothing is worse than a missed opportunity. If you swing and miss, sure everyone will know you tried and failed. But if you don’t swing, they’ll know you didn’t even try. What is worse than not even having the guts to try?

Is there anyone who can look back on life and not recognize and regret a missed opportunity? Not me. In retrospect, they glare at you. Yes, swinging and missing is embarrassing. But only not swinging at all is humiliating. Long lives teach you that.

I have two granddaughters who tried out for something once and didn’t get picked. They swear they will never try out again. That’s when parents and grandparents have to become coaches and help them understand the honor and possibilities of taking risks. We have to explain that growth and triumphs only follow failures and the courage to try again. They won’t believe you the first time. Be willing to share stories of your failures and watch them grin as you sprinkle a little courage back into them.

Nine innings of baseball mimics most of life. You hit a foul ball? It’s the opportunity to adjust and try again. You’re off course, but still in the game. The pitch hits you? Ouch. But it works in favor of the team.

An injury takes you out of the game? At some point life will do the same to you. You’ll lose a job unfairly. Someone you love will disappear. It’s what we do after the heartbreak that reveals who we really are. We can become an inspiration to all as we fight our way back. Only people who have been through tough situations can inspire others. We can return better than ever. Or we can find a better job or someone to love who is more loyal. A chunk of coal becomes a diamond only under pressure.

But in almost every game there are the opportunities for greatness. Someone on the other team hits a ball no one expects anyone to catch. Even you know it is way too high or too far to retrieve, but you run all out and jump and stretch as far as you can and then feel it in your glove. It’s your ESPN moment.

Life gives all of us ESPN opportunities, but we won’t get there without stretching. Life is hard work. You have to pursue something even when it seems an impossibility.

My parents always told me I was going to college. But when the time came the money wasn’t there. I was very aware my mom could borrow money (which I would pay back) for only two years of college. Even this was a sacrifice for my mom who was earning a secretary’s pay and would be paying the interest on the loan for those two years. But I wanted to teach which required a four-year degree. What were my choices? I earned a four-year degree in two years. The question always becomes, “How much do you want it?”

Baseball IS Life

Finally it all comes together. The months of practice before and after school click. Your bat hits the ball in the sweet spot and as you hear the contact you know it has the possibility to go over the wall. Even if it doesn’t soar out of the park, it will give your teammates who are standing on base the chance to score. You are a contributor. You’ve made a difference. You… in that moment… understand that all the self discipline served a purpose.

Life is the same. The harder we work the greater our chances of success. The more setbacks we overcome, the more we grow into and stronger than our next challenge. And believe me, in life, challenges are always coming. We have to be courageous enough to take the risk of failure to accomplish great things.

Good luck, Lakota East Thunderhawks! Your fans will be cheering you on from the sidelines.

Apr1

Breakthrough Update

Posted on April 1, 2012 by daunaeasley

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Breakthrough

Update for March

Loyal readers (thank you!) are aware that I have made a resolution to make 2012 a year in which I actually confront some of the areas in my life which have been evading long term success.

Sure, I’ve made many attempts on them before, and some minor progress, but they still stymied me. Progress has always been slight or when progress was great in these areas, an almost immediate downward spiral would follow.

My three areas of long term concern are technology phobia, much needed significant weight loss, and a regular exercise regimen. These are three VERY challenging issues for me. Many days I think I was nuts to try and tackle all three at the same time.

What was even more reckless? I decided to make this battle public (well at least to my blog world). What was I thinking when I made this decision? A confession. Lots of times I have wished I had kept my big mouth shut and my fingers off the keyboard. BUT now a second confession. Putting these goals “out there” into cyberland has forced me to make better choices for myself in some of my darker moments. In other words, I’ve behaved better because I knew I would have to confess my setbacks to people who are listening in and hopefully cheering me on.

March Progress Report

Exercise

This has been consistently the area in which I believe I have made the greatest progress. Yay me!

I’m working out 5 to 6 days a week.
I love going to my local Curves work out facility. I enjoy the people there. I don’t dread it.
I’m a morning person and I go first thing in the morning. When they open I am there.
When they open later in the mid-morning, I’m generally already doing something else.

I have more energy and stamina. Muscles are slowly appearing. My body is gradually changing. My breathing and stamina are much improved. I feel better all day long every time I exercise.

Weight Loss

This is consistently my most challenging area.

Last month I had hit a plateau and since I wasn’t losing I felt myself eating a little more using the thought rationale, “I’m not losing anyway. What the heck!”
Only ten days ago I was still stuck in the same spot. Because I knew my ‘report date’ loomed, I stopped eating.
I’ve cut too far back and I know it.
The good news is, I’ve broken through the plateau.
The bad news is I know that will shut my metabolism down and I will cease to lose weight.
I know that is not optimum. However, for right now if feels like a relief to breakthrough a plateau.
I think I admitted early in my confessions that it is easier for me to not eat, than to eat reasonably. Many overeaters won’t understand that, but that has always been the case with me.
That is a sad commentary, but is probably true of anyone fighting an addiction.
I haven’t talk actual pounds, because I don’t want to share that yet. But someday I will. The number of pounds I want to lose seems overwhelming to me.
One more thing. Yesterday was my birthday. I was under control food wise all day. Then at about 8:00 pm I started feeling sorry for myself that I hadn’t had birthday cake. Cake is not something I crave. Even when I have cake it is all about the icing for me. I wasn’t hungry but I was pretty crazed about cake until after 11:00 pm. Kept thinking I would go out and buy myself something sweet. But I resisted it. It took more effort than I care to admit to not go for a late night run to the store.

Technology Progress

This is an area in which I continue to feel weak. But I am definitely making strides.

I have completed an ebook with a writing partner. Every step of the way I have been forced to step up to technology challenges that frightened me.
Just this weekend I had to download and edit an epub file. I had to call for help. But I was able to mauever through the explanation and complete the task.
My internet server also went down yesterday. I spent hours on the phone trying to get it fixed. But I did it all by myself.
I will soon publish my second ebook. It will be a valuable book for teachers and future teachers. I’ve had parts of it in my computer for years, but was frightened of stepping up to the publishing process. My improved (but still limited) understanding of the technology process has helped give me the courage to take that step.
My writing partner is encouraging me to understand each step I take using technology instead of just memorizing the steps of the process. She has me “teach’ my understanding of the steps back to her. That helps. We can’t teach something unless we understand it somewhat.
We have written this entire ebook living two thousand miles apart. We’ve used email, conference calls, webinars,dropbox, ebook publishers and much more.
Here’s a confession. In November, when I started writing a blog, I had never even read a single blog post.
Now I’m on facebook, write two blogs and am finishing the writing on my second ebook.
I give myself a gold star in this category.

Sorry I didn’t post my progress on the last day of the month. My internet break down was preventing my breakthrough update. 😉

Mar26

You Can Do It!

Posted on March 26, 2012 by daunaeasley

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How to Talk to Teens

Have you ever tried to talk to an apathetic teen? I have. It is sometimes quite maddening. Once they are feeling down they will put up all kinds of barriers. They seem to dare you to try to make them feel good.

One of their favorite words is, “Whatever.” It means, “Whatever you say or do doesn’t get through to me. You can talk all you want, but you can’t breakthrough to me.”

It makes you feel like those old Charlie Brown TV shows. You could see the teacher talking in the background, but all Charlie Brown could hear was, “Mwah, mwah, mwah.” When they are in that ‘whatever’ mode they seem to be deaf to encouragement.

Whatever

But having taught teens for decades I have my own rules for ‘whatever’. My rules go like this.

Whatever you do, don’t stop talking to them. They may appear deaf, but they are not. The world has turned them upside down temporarily, and they are reaching for help. When they appear the most deaf, the most uninterested in what you have to say, is exactly the moment they need you the most.

They can’t let you know your words are helping. It’s some kind of teen honor code or something. But don’t be fooled; they need your words. Much later they may be able to tell you how much your words meant to them. Or maybe not. But I’ve worked with teens for decades and I am telling you whatever you do, don’t stop talking. Here is exactly what to say.

“I’ve been thinking about you.” Tell them specifically when you were thinking about them. When you were in the car? While you were grocery shopping? During a meeting? Tell them the details about when you were thinking about them. They need to know that you think about them when you are not with them. They want to know they matter to you. It’s true for their parents. It’s true for their teachers.

Then say, “It seems like something is on your mind.” or “It seems like something is going on in your life.” “I’ve been noticing you’ve been extra quiet. I want you to know that I am always here for you. You can always talk to me about anything. But if you don’t want to talk about it yet, I respect your privacy. Just know that I’m here for you.”

Caution. If they have shared something with you in the past and you have gone cuckoo about it, they won’t share again. It is always best to under react to keep the lines of communications open. Teens have told me things that would curl the toes of the devil himself, but no matter how I’m feeling inside I always under react to an initial revelation. Later when the situation has improved or changed I might let them know how worried or bothered I was for them. But I NEVER allow my initial shock to show, so they will feel comfortable approaching me in the future.

Dauna Easley’s Whatevers

Here are my own ‘whatever’ messages I want teens to learn from me.

Whatever life hands you, you can handle it. Life is a roller coaster filled with ups and downs but you are equipped to hang on and triumph.
Whatever happens, you are creative enough to respond to it. If you lose a job, you can find or create a new profession with your talents.
If a new opportunity presents itself, you can do it.
Whatever challenges come your way you have the perseverance to overcome them.
You are strong. You are talented. You are capable. I believe in you. You can handle WHATEVER comes across your path.
I’ve been thinking about you; and I know you can succeed whatever comes your way.

Mar20

Choices

Posted on March 20, 2012 by daunaeasley

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Yes or No

The world is full of an endless variety of people. We come from all cultures, socio economic categories, and experiences. We further differientiate ourselves by our talents, gender, interests, and professions.

But within all those categories, I believe humans honestly separate themselves into two main groups. I’m talking about ‘yes’ and ‘no’ people. These two types are universal. You will find them within every sub category. They identify themselves by the choices they make.

When given a choice of any kind, ‘yes people’ have an instinct…an automatic response…to say yes. They have to build a significant case against any choice before they feel comfortable ever saying ‘no.’

Given the same choice, or frankly any decision, ‘no people’ will put on the brakes. Their automatic instinct is to say ‘no’ unless someone can convince them to overlook their reservations. They have to be talked into a ‘yes’ and that can only be accomplished with some reluctance.

Think about yourself. Which one are you? ‘Yes’ people often find themselves overbooked, juggling too many responsibilities, maybe even resentful of being asked to take on more projects than they can fit into their lives.

‘No’ people, on the other hand have more free time but may miss an opportunity to grow because they deliberate too long before they are willing to take a risk. They may later regret not moving forward.

The Choice

I’m a ‘yes person’. I’ve learned this about myself. I will find myself sometimes completely overwhelmed because I want to say yes any time I can possibly say yes. So three months ago when someone who is an old friend emailed me and asked me to co-author an ebook about caring for our elderly parents; while all instincts inside of me were pointing to, “Are you crazy?” I still found myself leaning precariously toward yes.

I started making my checklist. Is this a smart idea?

I never thought I would write about my mom and dad. Can I do this? Would I even want to?
I have nothing written about my parents. It would be so much work.
Me? Writing an ebook? Have I ever even read an ebook? No. (Terrible thing to admit).
My computer skills are less than stellar. Could I write an ebook with my lackluster computer skills? Probably not.
My co-author whom I admire greatly lives all the way across the country. I live in Cincinnati. She lives in Seattle. We would have no face-to-face contact. Are you kidding?
She is talking about webinars and conference calls. What? Those words give me chills.

Decision Making

After weighing all the pros and cons, quickly sketching out a couple of stories, feeling completely overwhelmed and out of my element, quaking in my desk chair about the technology, I made the only choice that made any sense. I said “Yes.”

The Result

We did it! I’m incredibly proud of the stories we’ve written. I know our experiences will help others who are trying to help their elderly parents make choices about their golden years.

I was in a steep learning curve every step of the way. Yes, I have already written a book. But this was my first venture into ebook territory. It was truly foreign soil for me. I had to maneuver webinars and conference calls which finally no longer scare me.

My partner, Marky Olson and I, encouraged one another every step of the way. It seemed like each time one of us was a little discouraged the other would have just the right words to say. Am I glad I took the risk? Oh YES! Our ebook will be out soon. We are now in the process of maneuvering through the decisions about the print version of our book.

My best advice? Say ‘yes‘ whenever you can.

But maybe that’s just me. I’d rather risk a failure saying ‘yes’ than regret missing a wonderful opportunity by saying ‘no’. No doubt, I will fail more than most. But I’ve already admitted I’m a ‘yes person’. I suppose you’ll have to decide for yourself.

Mar17

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 17, 2012 by daunaeasley

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What I Like (or not) About St. Patrick’s Day

There are green things I like and some green things that…well, turn me green. It’s the day to celebrate our photosynthesis friend so I thought I’d take some time to spell out my preferences.

Green Things I Like

Beans, traffic lights, spring grass, peas, mint ice cream, trees, shamrocks, broccoli, four-leaf clovers, money…lots of green money and pistachio pudding please.

Green Things I Don’t Like

Leftovers, brussel sprouts, slime, green complexions, jealousy, turnip and collard greens, and guacamole. Being pinched for not wearing green. Ouch. I also don’t like too much lettuce in my salad bowl. Thank you very much.

Irish Things I Love

Potatoes (any kind), luck, leprechauns, and my grandkids.

Mar12

Winning the Lottery

Posted on March 12, 2012 by daunaeasley

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Turn Your Losses Around

Do you buy lottery tickets? Truth is I don’t. But my brother does. Recently he sent in a losing ticket to the Ohio Lottery center. They receive 25,000 losing tickets each week and draw out eight people to come to a TV show called Cash Explosion.

I’ve written a post for my other blog site that I know you will enjoy. I’m not certain if I’m allowed to copy a blog post from one spot to another, even if I wrote it. Since I’m a play-by-the-rules kind of a gal, even if I’m not sure of the rules, I’m asking you to visit my other blog site to read my post.

Here are a couple of teasers and a promise

I went to the filming of the Cash Explosion show with him.
He won money!
But I won something more valuable than cash.
I promise you’ll like my true story

When you visit my other blog you will see old black and white photos across the top. The two photos on the right are old pictures of my parents. The blog I want you to read is titled “How I Won the Lottery!” But there are some other great posts there also.

Find the blog site at:

caregivingelderlyparents.com

Mar5

Horn Honking Ettiquette

Posted on March 5, 2012 by daunaeasley

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The Good Manners Guide to Honking

Geese may honk.

Let me start by saying I never dreamed I’d have to write such a ludicrous post. But recent experiences and absurdities have clearly proven to me that someone is going to have to have the guts to clarify to the world in written form, simple courtesies that used to be obvious to people with good manners. But proper ettiquette behind the steering wheel seems to have flown out the exhaust pipe.

If you are a goose, you may honk at anytime.

For geese, honking is their only means of communication so human rules do not apply to them. Honk away if you are a goose.

If you are driving down the road and see a friend, you may give a friendly short honk and a wave. Even if you don’t know the person, a short toot and a wave with a smile is considered a friendly greeting. A long honk with another gesture demonstrates you have no couth whatsoever.

A short honk and a wave is always welcome

A wave is always welcome!

If you are driving in a traffic jam and choose to honk your horn in frustration, you are proving your parents lacked the initiative to teach you about courteous behavior. You are announcing to the world that you don’t know how to act in civilized society. Who are you honking at? Where should they go? Honks in a traffic jam only raise the stress level and blood pressure for everyone. Keep thy hand off the horn! Listen to music or a book on tape. Practice acting like an adult. Grow up.

Honking in a Traffic Jam Only Makes It Easy to Identify the Fools

Why are we honking horns to lock car doors?

Do you have a door lock on the inside of the car? Push it down. Do you have a button on the inside of the door? Push it. It takes only the tiniest pressure from one finger NOT to hit your remote key and make everyone else around you jump because they aren’t expecting a honk.

Honking the horn to lock your car door is like having an argument on your cell phone in an elevator. You are the only one prepared for the noise and intrusion so it is inconsiderate toward everyone else. My former car would flash the lights to let me know it was locked. My current car makes a honking sound if I use the remote. Is this progress? No. I won’t use the remote to lock my door out of consideration toward others. It is a small courtesy I can extend and I accept that responsibility.

Does it take a horn blare to lock a car? No.

Most Important Rule!

At an Intersection, The Person in Front Decides When to Go

That’s why they are in front. They waited their turn to be first. They have a brain and a driver’s license. Do not honk at them if they hesitate for a split second as they check oncoming traffic. Who do you think you are? In case you have forgotten your identity, I will remind you. If you are second in line and honking, you are a rude nincompoop.

Last week I was at the intersection next to the Columbus, Ohio Convention Center. A HUGE event was taking place. Large buses were stopping along the sidewalk to drop off hundreds, even thousands of young people. The light turned green. The driver next to me did not move forward because dozens of children were in the cross walk in front of us. He couldn’t possibly move forward without running over a child. A charter bus unloading more young people blocked his vision to even turn right if the cross walk were empty. And yet the fool behind him was honking the horn. I wanted to run this nut’s driver’s license through a shredder.

Unfortunately this is not an isolated event. When did we become so impatient that we have to hit the horn the second the light turns green? Why don’t we think of that as rude? IT IS OBNOXIOUS! It’s no different than knocking someone over on purpose and then walking on without an apology.

Yes, I admit, I like my remote key chain. I feel safe unlocking my car as I approach it without having to fumble for a key in an urban parking garage. But I want my next remote key to only flash the lights to signal that the locks are engaged like my last one did.

However, I also want my next car to have a new and now necessary feature. I want a button I can push from inside the car that will release the rancid smell of a skunk from my exhaust pipe to annoy anyone behind me who honks as I pause to check the intersection. A girl can dream. Go ahead and honk. Make my day. SPRAY!

Feb29

Breakthrough Update

Posted on February 29, 2012 by daunaeasley

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February Progress

Woo-Hoo!

Those of you who are my regular blog readers (thank you!) know that I’ve committed myself to making progress this year in three areas that have eluded ongoing success in the past. In other words I’ve tried and failed many times. But this year I want to breakthrough in these areas. The areas are 1. exercise 2. eating reasonably to lose a significant number of pounds. 3. Understanding technology.

Best News First

I’m exercising regularly. Honest to goodness I try to workout six times a week.
Very, very occasionally I have a time restraint that prohibits my working out at my exercise facility which may lower it to 5 days a week.
I’m actually enjoying the work outs. !!
Goals this month: If I miss a work out I want to commit to exercising at home or by walking. Spring is almost here. Outside walks are now possible.
Some time this month I want to try to add in zumba. This is offered where I work out. I’ve avoided it because I’m just coming off an achilles tendonitis issue. I will start cautiously.
This is the area in which I feel I’ve made the most progress. I believe I am most apt to have made a permanent change in this area.
I feel like it is getting easier.

Positive Progress

I’ve lost weight this month.
I actually lost more than I thought I might when I made my prediction at the beginning of the month. Yay!
However, all the weight I lost happened in the middle of the month. Many pounds came off at once while hovering in the same spot for a while.
The past two weeks I’ve stalled in one spot.
As I hover I get more and more discouraged. It is hard to keep eating a reduced amount for ten days of seeing no progress. I find myself eating just a tiny bit more thinking, “What the heck! It isn’t coming off anyway.” 😦
I believe I have cut back my food intake enough that my body is trying to hang on to weight. My metabolism may be dropping off which is preventing additional weight loss. I’ve reached this weight before and plateaued.
I am also gaining muscles which I’ve heard weigh more than…uh…fat.
With the turn of the month I feel a new commitment. But after three months on this issue, I admit it is harder to get revved up. Power boost needed.
I want this to be easier. It isn’t.

Technology Progress

There is no doubt about it. I’m making progress.
But many, many things still elude me.
Earlier this week while working on this blog, it posted twice prematurely. I still have no idea why?
I attend webinars on technology issues but often feel like I learn nothing, because I don’t understand what they are saying. At the end of each one I have to fight tears. Therefore I skip webinars that are available to me.
In school, I always felt like I was ‘smart’ (whatever that means). It is hard to feel ‘dumb’ (whatever that means) about an issue. I want to run from it.
There’s no doubt I’m making progress. I’m now on facebook. I have half my timeline designed. It will be revealed tomorrow…without a photo. Baby steps.
I don’t know how to link anything. I can’t insert clips or videos. It is a steep learning curve.
I’m also writing two blogs which force me to learn new skills.
The ebook I’m co-authoring will be submitted the end of this week. I still have to learn how to make a page of photos with captions by then. Gulp.
It is an uphill struggle.
I somehow believe this area will always be a challenge for me. I want it to be easier. It isn’t.

Next breakthrough update? Coming at the end of March.

Feb27

Waiting for Spring

Posted on February 27, 2012 by daunaeasley

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Bring on the Tulips

Harbingers of Hope

How do I know we have really made it through the winter months? That’s easy. The tulips arrive. Tulips are my favorite flower.

In my family especially, orange tulips have a meaning of great significance. My four year old daughter Kelsey and I planted dozens of them one autumn. But they opened up the very day she was diagnosed with cancer the following spring. It made me furious! However, each successive year when they arrived it meant that she had survived another year. Those tulips started as an angry reminder and changed to a victory statement. They are such a sign of hope for me, that I have chosen to use them for my new facebook timeline photo. Check it out beginning March first.

I know, I know, it really isn’t officially spring just yet in my part of the world. But it is creeping up on us, closer and closer. It is only a couple of weeks away. I can sense it on the horizon. The birds are already singing in the early morning. I’m tired of waiting to celebrate. Just humor me as I leap forward just a little.

Things I Love About Spring

Baseball season! Yeah, I’m a fan. I especially love watching kids play ball. It is an excuse to be outside and gives me a socially acceptable place to yell (uh…cheer).
Longer days. More sun! Time to stop hibernating inside.
The smell of food cooking on the grill.
Blooming trees and flowers. Even the grass growing greener gives me a visual boost.

Hearing the birds sing as I leave my house early in the morning to go work out.
Going to the store to shop for flowers to plant this year. Considering the possibilities before I usually buy the same old stand-bys that cohabit with me because they don’t demand much care.
Cooking hot dogs and making smores around the fire pit with the young people in my life.
I have a spring birthday. Lucky me. I ignore the age as much as possible, but still love to be celebrated.
When we are blessed with a warm day with sunny skies, we know we are winning the battle…it is NOT just a fluke dropped into the middle of winter to tease us anymore.

I like to paint something. My front door, or my wood wagon that holds flowers, or my wood rocking chair for the front porch. Makes things look fresh.
Getting back outside to my screened in (but unheated) porch. Yay! Let me curl up with a good book on my screened porch.

In my part of the world we are winning the the tug-of-war of the seasons. Bring it on.

Let’s play ball!

What do you like about spring?