Uncategorized – Page 9 – Me, Myself and I

Measure of Success

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At times I think about my life adventures and wonder have I succeeded. I am not monetary wealthy, or famous, or recorded in history for some great deed or discovery.

1. Outcome, Results

The first definition does not define or describe success very clearly. If the outcome and results are what you wanted then you would have success. So I read on, definition number 2:

2. A favorable termination of a venture.

The second definition is a clearer description. This definition can also be trap. The trap of if things do not turn out the way I wanted, then it is a failure, and not a success. I do not believe that is true. There are several ventures or goals I have set and did not get the results I was desiring, but were not necessarily a failure.

I think how we determine a favorable outcome of our venture determines our success. When I was in high school and a few years after, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I married, had a child, then was divorced. Working and parenting took up all my time as a single parent. I could not go to college, but I wanted to. During those years I was surviving. Almost two decades later I was able to attend college, I had remarried, had three more children who were in school, and I decided to become a school teacher. Finally I was attending college working towards a degree. Then life happened again, I was getting divorced, single parent with two teenagers at home, not enough hours in the day to finish college with a bachelors degree to teach. BUT, I did graduate with two associate degrees: associates of liberal arts (the planned degree) and associates of science (surprise degree). One of my happiest memories was graduation and seeing how proud my children were about me graduating.

Some may consider this to be a failure as I did not graduate with a bachelors degree for teaching. I consider it a success: I attended college, worked hard and GRADUATED. My degrees have opened doors for employment and a better wage than minimum wage. My attending college and doing homework with my young children when they were doing homework, has given them the desire to strive for a college education. All my children have attended college, three have graduated and one is still working on their degree. My small success has inspired their success. When they graduated I was happy and proud of their accomplishments as they were of mine.

I do not believe success can be measured by the bank account, assets or the size of house we live in. I believe the measure of success is the happiness we receive with ourselves at what we have done. You are successful in life when you are happy with your life. I know some very wealthy people who are not happy. They are on a constant search to find happiness in some activity. Others who do not have much of anything are some of the happiest people I know.

It is the things we accomplish that bring us success.

amtolle

“Hump Day”

When I worked a Monday thru Friday, 8-5 job, everyone was happy for “hump day”. “Hump Day” was Wednesday, the work week is half over, it is downhill to the weekend and fun.

Today, I barely keep track of which day of the week it is. But I still recognize when a project is reaches the halfway mark of completion. I get excited that soon I will be able to use, display or give what I have been working on.

Recently it was refinishing and repairing an old dresser for my daughter to use in her nursery. The dresser was gaining new life and looking good. I was impatient in wanting to share my work with my daughter and her family.

This week is also week 30 of gestation for the triplets my daughter is pregnant with. We are almost there to delivery. I will not say I have not been nervous with my daughter having triplets as there are medical complications that can occur.

My son and his wife had twins, and due to twin to twin transfusion, they lost one of the twins a few hours after birth. This loss occurred 18 months before my daughter became pregnant. And there is still grieving of the loss of a child and grandchild.

When I learned my daughter was pregnant with triplets, this granny hit her knees with prayers. I was not too proud to ask for prayers. For with any pregnancy there needs to be prayer for mother and child. For a woman carrying triplets I figured there needs to be three times the amount of prayer.

One of the major risks of with triplets is premature labor. I am thankful to say, my daughter has had no contractions to date. Her and the babies are doing well, they are very active and growing. We are know that it is with God’s help that my daughter and the babies are doing well.

We are counting down the days to their delivery: 27 days until September 14.

The nursery is prepared. The things they need to bring home and take care of three little boys is in place. We are thankful for those who have helped this to happen.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers, positive thoughts and energy. We have truly been blessed. Please continue.

amtolle

Inspiration for the Coming Week

He lays me down beside the still waters. Psalm 23

On Sundays I try to have a day of rest and relaxations. I still have to feed and water the livestock and care for my small garden. There are daily responsibilities such as cooking dinner for my husband. I try hard to not plan any projects or work on Sunday.

I read, relax and recharge for the next six days. One way I recharge is to read some quotes that have and do inspire me to continue forward.

“All great things have small beginnings.” by Peter Senge.

As a sheep farmer, I started with a few bottom of the market sheep. I have worked, learned and made decisions that have improved my flock. Sometimes, I feel like I am not going to achieve my goal of being a seed stock producer for Dorper Sheep. This Peter Senge’s quote helps to encourage me to continue with my goals and plans.

Perhaps your first car is not what you really wanted to purchase, but you did purchase a car. As you work at making good financial decisions and improving yourself, you will be able to purchase the car you desire.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Mark Twain

Before we can move forward, we have to be moving. Getting started is the hardest part for most people. We question if what we are about to start is a wise choice. It is hard to steer a vehicle that is not moving. Regardless of the direction you are steering the vehicle, if it is not moving you are not going anywhere. Get started, and you choices will steer the direction of your dream and obtaining that dream.

Tomorrow we begin another week of work, striving and reaching for our goals. Today, we rest, relax and recharge.

amtolle

International Youth Day

International Youth Day is an United Nations holiday to bring awareness of the needs and accomplishments of youth world wide. Initially the focus was on educational issues facing children and teenagers. Today, the focus is on all aspects of challenges and needs of youth.

I live in the United States where education is free for children and teenagers, and mandatory. In countries with high poverty, education is not readily available for children. The ability to read and calculate math is important in doing well.

Yet, there are some teenagers who do not finish public education in United States. Some I have spoken to say they are tired of learning, studying, and learning is hard. If the youth do not have parents that think education is important, the youth do not graduate from school.

In poverty countries, this is even harder. Culture is not built around education. The need of children to work, bring in an income to help the financial support of the family is more important than education. Yet, education would help the child to obtain a higher income. The daily needs of the moment are more important. How can a parent send a child to school, when the child needs to work in order to put food on the table that day?

Cultural differences hinder children obtaining an education. Some cultures do not see where girls need an education. They are to be wives and mothers, and a school education, reading and math are not needed.

The youth of today face different educational challenges. Most of education is with and based on technology. I was an adult with children before I used a computer. Their knowledge is limited to having a tool of technology in their hand. The youth of today is very comfortable in using the tools. Higher paying positions are dependent on knowing how to use the tools of technology. Greater is the struggle for youth who grow up in poverty to climb above the poverty they were born into.

For us in the United States, education is free and easily accessible, but for others education is a dream.

amtolle

National Son and Daughter Day

An unofficial day celebrated in the United States. The National Son and Daughter Day was first recorded in 1936, in Missouri. J Henry Dusenberry came up with the idea after overhearing a young boy asking why there was days to celebrate moms and dads, but not children. Soon Missouri was celebrating National Son and Daughter Day.

In August 1944 the St. Joseph News-Press/Gazette printed an article about J Henry Dusenberry and National Son and Daughter Day. Several clubs and organizations promoted the celebration. In 1972, a Florida congressman presented a bill to congress to create a National Son and Daughter Day as an official holiday, but the bill was not voted on.

People continue to celebrate a day for children. Children are believed to be life’s greatest gift, and the future in many cultures. Some places of employment allow employees to bring their children to work as a celebration of the holiday.

For some parents, it is a day to separate from everything else, and spend time with their children, focusing on them only and creating memories. I think it is important to celebrate a day for sons and daughters. Today, both parents usually work, children are in daycare, school and after school programs, leaving very little time for just family. Having a day that celebrates children, helps parents keep in focus on what family is. Children are with us a short time, then they are adults living a life of their own.

As parents we should slow down, take the time to keep in touch with our children, young or grown. Let our children know they are loved, create or remember memories and events. To connect.

amtolle

National Book Lovers Day

August 9 is National Book Lovers Day, a day for those who love reading books. I enjoy reading. The tablet is fine to read from, but I gain more joy holding the book, turning the pages, and the smell of a book.

I think my love of books started before I was five years old and started school. The first book I remember is “Eskimo Boy”, author forgotten. My dad read this book to me, the only book he read to me. Last Christmas, I gave this book to my oldest granddaughter as a gift, telling how my dad read it to me. The story is of a young Inuit boy on becoming a man. The boy goes on his first hunt with his father, only things go bad when a walrus attacks their boat and kills his father. Now, the young boy must become a man, and provide for his mother and siblings. The problem, he is afraid of the water. But the hunting is in the water and without the blubber from the sea mammals his family will freeze and starve. A very moving story.

I have a library of books I have collected over time. Mostly about horses, but some antique farm books on the types of livestock and how to treat different ailments. One of my treasures is a very antique copy of “Pilgrim’s Progress”. It used to be the book everyone learned to read from. Another old treasure is a pocket dictionary that belonged to my fourth grade teacher who I kept in contact with as an adult.

Books are more than education or history. Books can take us to faraway countries with different people and customs. Or they can take us to imaginary countries, peoples and adventures. And for the sentimental or romantics there is poetry.

Growing up, books took me away from the troubles of home. I could disappear in a book and forget the troubles of the day. I would read late at night until my eyes closed in a land faraway. Awaking in the morning, with the hope things would go well. In high school, books opened the door to knowledge, learning about science, animals and different ways of doing things. Most of my adult life I was reading books to gain knowledge in what I was doing. Today, I have relearned the pleasure of going to a different place, different people and customs.

I taught my children to love books and reading. Books teach vocabulary. Better vocabulary can lead to a better position in the workforce. So, myself and my children have all read the dictionary. Yes, the dictionary a fascinating book of words and definitions for things, animals, actions and descriptions. Old dictionaries are fun to explore vocabulary of a different time and the definitions and usages of the words.

My children are passing the love of books to their children. It is nice to discuss old classics such as “Pride and Prejudice” or “The Hobbit” as well as new releases. Things to enjoy and things to learn, within the pages of a book.

amtolle

Out with the Old, in with the New

When I delivered the dresser I refinished for my grandchildren, my daughter asked if I wanted the bed that used to be in the spare bedroom. She did not need it or have room for the bed since they no longer have a spare bedroom. I said sure. We could use a new or at least newer mattress, ours is old and worn.

This newer bed was complete, bed frame for support, box springs and mattress. I would no longer need the bed frame we were using. The bed frame was made of stout wood, 2 inches X 12 inches, a little big for a bed frame. Instead of going under the mattress and box spring, the frame was on the outside, with the box springs and mattress on the inside. In the dark, I and my husband have bumped a shin bone on the frame, and the house would hear the sound of pain. With a new bed, I would be able to get rid of the old one. It should not take long to remove some bolts, and take the bed frame outside. I have plans on using the wood for another project, so keeping the boards in one piece was desirable.

Getting rid of the old one was more of a job than I thought. The bed frame was handmade by my husband’s son when he was in high school. It was his son’s bed frame. His son made the bed frame from wood boards held together by bolts and nuts. As I began taking the bed frame apart, I recognized the bolts as something that would go on a piece of farm machinery. The bolts were 1/2 inch in diameter. He had put the bed together, then painted it covering all the bolts, the bolt threads, and nuts. In removing the bolts, I had to remove the paint first. Some of the bolts were stripped or cross threaded, meaning taking longer with more work to remove the nuts.

After three hours of work, I was ready to cry. I had wanted to surprise my husband with a new bed. I still had two sides still bolted together. There were other things that I absolutely needed to get done. And I was in the middle of a project I was committed to finishing if we were going to have a place to sleep tonight.

I sat down, and had a good cry. Ok, now the emotions are released, time to get back to work. Sometimes it is good to release emotions in a safe way, to free up the energy to accomplish what we are working on, instead of using that energy to contain the emotions. We all have emotions and things that get to us. It is good to take a few minutes to acknowledge the emotions, breathe, regain ourselves then move forward.

I finished dismantling the bed frame, placing it outside to be moved to a storage shed. Swept the floor and mopped. This bed had been there for seven years, years of dirt in the middle where the broom did not reach, to clean and mop out. Now the floor was ready for the new bed.

My husband arrived home after I had cleaned the floor. He assisted with placing the new bed frame, box springs and mattress in our room. Things go so much easier with a helper. My husband is a good helper. He told me he would have helped remove the old bed frame, and it would have been easier with two instead of my alone. Sometimes, I want to surprise him, and I “bite off more than I can chew in a reasonable amount of time”.

How often we try to live life on our own. We do fine sometimes. Then there comes a time we think we can handle the situation on our own, and we “bite off more than we can chew.” I know I have done this several times in my life. Usually when I am sitting alone, crying due to things not turning out the way I had planned, I look up and see where my help is. Does it change the outcome? No, but helping me to get back on my feet, facing forward and moving through the problem I created, He is always there to help and assist.

Sometimes it is work to remove the old things and ways in our lives that are not good for us. Sometimes it hurts, makes us angry, and we want to give up. But if we stop, look up to the one who is always there to assist and help us, things get better.

I am glad the old bed is gone. I am looking forward to a good night’s rest, and no more banging my shin bone on a hard wooden frame.

amtolle

Some “Fear” is Good

Fear. An emotion we deal with, each of us, at some point in our lives. Sometimes we seek out “fear” such as riding roller coasters or visiting haunted houses and watching horror movies at Halloween. The fear fuels excitement and adrenaline. A few seek out this type of fear for the thrill of the adrenaline rush it brings to their senses.

Then there is fear of animals. I am afraid of snakes, all snakes no matter the size. I have a solution when I see a snake, a shotgun. My fear of snakes started before I was five years old, when a relative threw a snake at me and it went down my shirt. After that, I have not ever desired to be around snakes. Others have fear of spiders, or dogs biting them and even horses.

Then there is the fear than hinders our lives. I have anxiety traveling in a car. I was in a car accident that almost killed me. Since then I have trouble traveling in a car with traffic. If I am the only one on the road there is no problem. A lot of cars traveling fast, serious anxiety. My anxiety is based on a lack of trust. I do not trust other drivers to keep their vehicle in the lane they are driving in. Some have such strong fears they are unable to leave their home. Each time I drive or ride in the vehicle with someone else driving I have to work at controlling the fear. With my diligence in working through this fear, I have hope of eventually conquering this fear in my life.

And lastly there is good fear. The fear that bring caution and attention in what you are doing. While refurbishing an old dresser for my daughter, I learned to use a table saw. When using any electric power saw, I am a little fearful. I have known people who are missing parts of and sometimes whole fingers due to the fast turning blade of a saw. The saw blade on a table saw is totally in the open, waiting to cut something, even your finger. The fear of losing a finger, causes me to be extra careful while operating the saw.

Sometimes I am afraid of certain people, cautious, not trusting. I do not run from them, but I watch and walk away. The inside of me is telling me not to trust that person, and the situation is not safe. There have been times I have had the same feeling of not trusting, not safe when approaching a strange horse or dog. Feelings warning me of danger.

Fear should not control our lives or hinder us from joy. But sometimes we should listen to those small feelings of fear, to be cautious and safe in what we are doing or where we are at.

amtolle

Happy Birthday U.S. Coast Guard

August 4, 1790 Congress signed the Appropriations Act assigning funds to construct a “cutter system” to enforce the customs laws for the import and export of products into the United States. Alexander Hamilton, the First Secretary of Treasure, requested the “cutter system” in order to enforce the customs laws for funding of the budding nation. Ten cutters were ordered and constructed and the Revenue Cutter Service created, later becoming the U.S. Coast Guard. These cutters were the only maritime defense for the United States until 1798 when the US Navy was reinstated.

Through the years and history of the United States the Revenue Cutter Service had duties added and their name gradually changed. When Alaska was purchased, the Revenue Service surveyed the land and coast line. They became involved with life saving operations in the oceans and Great Lakes. Duties were added and serviced merged to the responsibility of the Revenue Service.

In 1915 when the Revenue Service and the Life Saving Service merged, the name became U.S. Coast Guard.

In 1946, Congress transferred the Bureau of Marine Inspections and Navigation to the Coast Guard. A single federal agency was then dedicated to saving life and enforcing the maritime laws of the United States. In 1967, all navigational waterways were put under the control and care of the Coast Guard.

Today, the U.S. Coast Guard patrols, protects and enforces the maritime laws of our oceans and waterways. They are foremost part of the military forces protecting the shores of our country. The U.S. Coast Guard works with the U.S. Navy in times of war.

Happy Birthday U.S. Coast Guard.

amtolle

Privacy with Triplets

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My youngest daughter is pregnant with triplets. Being a young married woman with a child, it was not uncommon for her to be pregnant. When she learned she was pregnant with triplets, her life changed.

My daughter is very private, no facebook, no twitter, no photos of her or her family on the internet. She does not discuss family at work. Family members understand they do not post pictures of her or her family on any internet or social media.

When she was confirmed pregnant she had to inform her supervisors of the future need for maternity leave. When she learned she was carrying triplets, the need to inform more people at work arose. She would have to have medical accomodations in performing her duties. One accomodation was a golf cart to transportation to different buildings, as she was no longer to walk long distances. Her medical accomodations let others know she was pregnant with triplets.

I have posed the situation with her that having triplets will draw attention to her regardless if she wants the attention or not. People notice twins, triplets are more rare, and will definately be noticed. Trips to the store or doctor’s office for checkups, will draw attention. When the triplets start school, they will draw attention.

How does a person maintain anonymity with triplets?

First, no announcements or photos from the hospital when they are born. They have signed documents with the hospital informing the hospital not to photograph, video or print any information concerning their children.

While there are organizations that could assist them with the additional expenses of having triplets, those organizations would want photos for advertisement and recognition of assisting them. They are not receiving any outside help other than family.

At work, everyone wants to see the triplets after they are born. My daughter keeps work at work and home life private. The decision to not take the triplets to work was made well before they were conceived, when she decided to not take her other child to work. She is aware that her coworkers are going to want to see the babies, and she has thought of ways to diplomatically tell them no.

As the children grow there will be more decisions made to keep them safe and not in the public eye.

Be honest, we do not live in a safe world for children.

The days of riding a bike around the neighborhood and being home before the sunsets are gone. As a child there were hours my parents did not know my actual location. Today, it is not safe to let children roam without a parent in eyesight.

My children has observed the mother hen keeping her chicks close, then with one crackle the chicks scurry under her protective wings, totally hidden from the intruder or danger nearby. They are as the hen in how they teach their children to be while away from home.

Children are precious gems in our lives. It is a shame we can not share their beauty with others without the possibility of danger. We have to keep our children and grandchildren close and sometimes hidden in order to protect them.

amtolle