Waiting for vacation

There's something about the anticipation of a vacation. No matter how old or young, vacations bring out the best in us.  We're more ourselves.  We let loose, try new things, become adventurous and somehow become better people.  Kids count down to summer vacation and all the things they're going to do.  As adults we count down to a vacation to have a few days off from work and time to spend with our families...worrying about nothing except what weather will be like.  I've got a vacation booked and every time I log on to check on a detail, the website flashes how many days until I leave.  It's very exciting.  63 days until we don't have to worry about work, doing yard work, cooking dinner, or hearing an alarm go off at an un-Godly time of day.  The only bad thing about vacations is that they're not real life....and they end.  But not before they give us enough to make it through to the next vacation.  Hope today finds you thinking about your next vacation and the excitement of just being you for a while.

Opening Day

To say there's something special about Opening Day is ridiculous.  It's more than special.  It's tradition, a transition between the bleakness of winter and the joy of summer, it's a day when every team is hopeful that they'll be finishing their season raising a trophy in November.  Well, every team except the Cubs....and the Royals....and the Pirates...and this year, the Mets....

I love the Cubs.  And while opening day is exciting, I don't expect the Cubs to win the World Series any more than I expect to win the lottery.  I would love to, and would welcome it with such joy, but I don't expect it to happen.  So today when Ryan Dempster takes the mound and throws the first pitch of the season, I will cheer, I will be happy, and I will hope that the fun of the game overpowers the need to follow a winner.  Lovable losers exist all over the country, in every sport.  I hope everyone who follows them has a happy Opening Day.

Did you ever want to....

I'm a hard working person.  I do my best, respect the people I work for and with.  But seriously....did you ever want to just make ALL the decisions at your workplace just because you have no idea why some decision are made?  This week, I've had the overwhelming desire to just say, "HEY!  You're doing it wrong....let ME tell you what to do...."  But that never happens, does it?  And it's probably a good thing.  If I made all the decision in a week, by Friday I'd either lose my job or never want to question anyone ever again. Neither one of those is a good option.  Lead, follow or get out of the way was a slogan for a car company a few years back.  It's good advice if you can figure out which one of those things you should be doing.  Trouble is there are times for all three of them.  Here's our challenge...for a full week, write down every decision you question.  Then write down what decision you would have made.  A few months from now, get out the list and see where things stand.  Would you have made the right decision?  If not, it's time to figure out when to lead, follow or get out of the way.

If you've ever wanted to do it....

We all have something we've always wanted to do.  You know, one of those once in a lifetime things.  Some of my friends want to sky dive...others, run a marathon....still others just dream of living on a beautiful beach.  One of the things I've always wanted to do was swim with dolphins.  I've always been fascinated by their intelligence and playfulness.  They turn me into a little kid.  So last spring, for my birthday, my husband arranged for me to swim with dolphins.  We were in Bermuda, and it was an experience I will never forget.  Dolphins are amazing.  I was giddy just getting in the water.  Then I got to play with them.  One splashed me, one let me tickle its nose, and one let me kiss him.  You should see the pictures.  The huge smile never left my face.   If you've wanted to do this, do it!  You will never forget the feeling.  I was in the water with them for an hour and it's one hour that will always stay with me.  What's that quote?  "People will forget what you said and forget what you did, but they'll never forget how you made them feel."  Well the same goes for dolphins...(and dogs  :) )...and whatever the "thing" is that you've always wanted to do.
So what is it you've always wanted to do?  What's stopping you?  If you've always wanted to do something, you  owe it to yourself to LIVE....do it!!  Tell me what you've always wanted to do....and what happened when you finally did it.  I bet I know the answer.

A Social Network Christmas

What is it with the ladies' locker room?

I love going to the gym. I'm not a gym rat and I'm not chiseled to perfection.  But I do enjoy going.  I feel better, look better and it's a great way to unwind.  However, ladies, please be aware of your conduct in the locker room.  We have the young babblers who apparently think everyone cares about their teenage troubles.  We have the rude space hogs who think they own the whole room. Pick up your crap and move it!  I'm standing at my locker and your stuff is everywhere.  Then there are the paraders.  Seriously, I do not want to see your naked body parading all over the locker room.  You don't look that good.  The other day there was a woman, I'm guessing in her mid to late 40s, who I know thought that she was it.  As I was leaving she was (at first) standing buck naked facing her locker.  She was so skinny, I thought she was just a spine.  Then it got worse....she turned around.  And there she was...a spine with nipples.  Come on, picture it.  A spine with nipples...HUGE nipples because her breasts were emaciated.  This is an image that has burned its way thru my brain and will be there always.  Ladies, please be aware...some modesty is a good thing for all of us.  It's good for you and it is most definitely good for the rest of us.  When going to or coming from the shower, steam room or sauna...cover up.  I don't ever want to see anything more than I already have.

Why I Love Amazon.com

We're all looking to save money...I clip coupons, look for bargains, buy low, sell high, pay myself first and don't splurge all that much.  Until recently I was shopping a one of the warehouse stores and paying $35 a year for the privilege.  Then along comes Amazon Subscribe and Save.  Basically anything you can find in Sam's, Costco or BJs is at Amazon's Subscribe and Save section.  Here's how it works.... Visit the section and find what you need...say 2,500 Bounty Napkins.  You click on them and indicate how often you need them delivered to your house.  Every month, two months, three months or six months.  Then hit subscribe.  The item will be delivered to you FOR FREE.  And the savings on most items is between 3 and 4 dollars.  Some more, some a little less.  I really love this.  I love it so much, I've added Amazon to my blog.  Click on my Amazon store Robin's Amazon Store or go to the Amazon search box and see for yourself.  Amazon made it easy for me, so I'm making it easy for you.  It's all about saving money, saving time and ultimately, saving the precious minute or two you may have to yourself.

Let me know what you think.  And let me know how much you saved!