Author: annemariedemyen

Wife, mother, grandmother dogmother - lover of nature, peace and tranquility. RETIRED. Life is good!

November 23rd – Healthcare

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

I am off for another medical test today. I am grateful that throughout my life, I have for the most part been able to avoid medical procedures and surgeries, but time obviously catches up with all of us eventually. While I have healthcare on my mind, I decided this would be an opportune time to share some ‘words of wisdom’ on health, healthcare, and the medical profession.

“If your body’s not right, the rest of your day will go all wrong. Take care of yourself.” – V.L. Allineare

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s books.” Irish Proverb

“In minds crammed with thoughts, organs clogged with toxins, and bodies stiffened with neglect, there is just not space for anything else. ” – Alison Rose

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.” Arabian Proverb

“Your mind needs exercise just as much as your body does, that’s why I think about jogging every day.” – Unknown

“The person who takes medicine must recover twice, once from the disease and once from the medicine.” – William Osler

“Excuses don’t kill the fat, exercises do.” – Unknown

“Though the doctor’s treated him, let his blood, and gave him medications to drink, he nevertheless recovered.” – Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace

“We’d been assured it wouldn’t be painful, though she might experience ‘discomfort’, a term beloved by the medical profession that seems to be a synonym for agony that isn’t yours.” – Leon Shrivner This one I can relate to! When I was in the hospital a few years ago, I had drainage tubes in my back which were kept covered by a huge bandage, held in place by tape that I was obviously allergic to. Every time, the bandage was changed, the tape took off parts of my skin and much of my soul with it. One clever doctor decided the best way to remove it was to rip it off with one swift pull. I let out a shriek and clung to the ceiling in pain. The doctor looked at me, dazed and confused, and said “That didn’t hurt”. I assured him that it did indeed hurt. 🙄

That’s it for today, folks. Take care and have a great day!

November 22 – Faith

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

Faith is one of the most powerful gifts we can possess and yet one that we seem to struggle with our entire lives. Personally, I tend to access this power when things are either great in my life or when they are terrible. When things are great, it is relatively easy to have faith. When things are terrible, it takes more effort to have faith but having attained that mindset, the results can be nothing short of miraculous. I have seen the miraculous. Today, I share some ‘words of wisdom’ on faith. I hope they can inspire us all, regardless of our current circumstances.

“Your faith can move mountains and your doubts can create them.” – Unknown

“Faith, it’s all about believing. You don’t know how it will happen. But you know it will.” – Unknown

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“Let your faith be bigger than your fears.” – Hebrews 13.6

“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” – Margaret Shephard

True faith is not a leap into the dark; It’s a leap into the light.” – Eric Metaxas

“Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness.” – Unknown

“That’s the thing about faith. It works.” – Lauren Oliver

That’s it for today, folks! Take care and have a great day.💞

November 21st – Erma Bombeck

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

Modern technology and social media have brought us easy access to countless ‘Life Coaches’ and ‘Influencers’. Many of them offer an abundance of style and substance. Few, if any of them, offer the wit and wisdom of the original – Erma Bombeck. For those too young to know, or too old to remember, Erma Bombeck was a successful writer, television hostess, newspaper columnist, and advocate for equal rights. She died in 1996 at the age of 69 from Polycystic Kidney Disease. Fortunately, her words live on:

” Cleanliness is not next to Godliness. It isn’t even in the same neighbourhood. No one has ever gotten a religious experience out of removing burnt on cheese from the grill of the toaster oven.” – Erma Bombeck (My husband set a vinyl coated shopping bag filled with butter and milk on a hot burner of our new stove yesterday. It may not have been a religious experience, but I might have mentioned God’s name a couple of times when I was cleaning that up. AD)

“My kids always perceived the bathroom as a place where you wait it out until all the groceries are unloaded from the car.” – Erma Bombeck (I had one sister who used to hide in the bathroom every time we did dishes. If we had cell phones back then, we probably would have missed her teen years completely. AD)

“Some emotions don’t make a lot of noise. It’s hard to hear pride. Caring is real faint – like a heartbeat. And pure love – why some days it’s so quiet, you don’t even know it’s there.” – Erma Bombeck (Beautiful AD)

“I was trampled to death by a man who believed his luggage would be the first piece off. If he were an experienced traveler, he would know that the first piece of luggage belongs to no one. Its just a dummy suitcase to give everyone hope.” – Erma Bombeck (Except for that one time when your husband left you waiting by the carousal with a purse, a laptop, and an overnight case for two minutes. Then your two pieces of oversized luggage were the first to come flying out. AD)

“Once you get a spice in your home, you have it forever. Women never throw out spices. The Egyptions were buried with their spices. I know which one I’m taking with me when I go.” – Erma Bombeck (I am taking my Egyptian spices. AD)

“In two decades I’ve lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet. ” – Erma Bombeck (I can so relate. AD)

“I do not participate in any sport with ambulances parked at the bottom of the hill.” – Erma Bombeck (I avoid all of them out of an abundance of caution. AD)

“When your mother asks ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is merely a formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” – Erma Bombeck (When my then eighty-five year old mother came to visit my kids and I in our new duplex, she told me that I had arranged the furniture in my bedroom wrong. When I didn’t rectifly the situation, she rearranged the furniture herself. AD)

“Why would anyone steal a shopping cart? It’s like stealing a two year old” – Erma Bombeck (I don’t know why but I thought that was hilarious. AD)

That is it for today, folks. Take care and have a great day! 💞

November 20th – Crying

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

Grandson Dom had a long and trying week, waiting for his Mom and new brother to come home from the hospital. After days of shifting between Dad and school and other grandparents, he spent the last twenty-two hours of his ‘days in waiting’ with us. For the most part he did very well, under the circumstances. He did have a moment shortly after I tucked him into bed on Thursday night. He called out to me and when I went into his room he told me that he wanted his Dad to come for him and he burst into tears – which upset him all the more. I sat down beside him and told him it was fine to shed a few tears, and considering the week that he had been through, it was probably a good idea. I convinced him to lay down, have a bit of a cry and to call me when he felt better and I would come back and open his door. He had his little cry, called me when he was done, had a good night sleep and woke ready to have a good day with us until his Dad came to pick him up.

This little episode inspired me to share some “words of wisdom” on crying – for anyone feeling the urge and especially for Dom – who probably has a few more adjustment to work his way through in the coming days.

“Sometimes things get so messed up, crying is the only thing you can do.” – Joe Connelly

“Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

“Tearless grief bleeds inwardly.” – Christian Nevell Bovee

“Crying is never a sign of weakness. From the time we are born, it has always been a sign that we are alive.” Unknown

“Crying is cleansing. There is a reason for tears, happiness or sadness.” – Dionne Warwick

“Laugh til you weep. Weep til there’s nothing left but to laugh at your weeping. In the end, it’s all one.” – Frederick Buechner

“People cry not because they are weak. It’s because they’ve been strong for too long.” – Johnny Dep

“There are people who laugh to show their fine teeth; and there are those who cry to show their good hearts.” – Joseph Roux

That’s it for today, folks. Take care and have a great day!💞

November 19 – Grandparenting

by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

“I find it funny when people brag about being younger than me… Like having lived less is an accomplishment. Makes me to want to pat them on the head, lol. I’m comfortable with who I am – Michelle M. Pillow

Making Pizza
Making the Rules as You Go 😂
Playing with his ‘big brother’ present💞

22 hours later, Dom has gone to find Mom and baby brother Logan are home from the hospital!

& The freezer is defrosted & cleaned!
& The new stove is almost good as new. 🙄

That’s it folks. Hope your day was a great one!

November 18th – Politics

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

My challenge for November is to find ‘words of wisdom’ that I find particularly insightful on a variety of subjects. Some subjects are obviously more challenging than others. That being said, these are the words from the wise and the erudite that I have chosen to share on the subject of politics.

*** Erudite – “having or showing great knowledge or learning” (new word for the day)

“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.”

– Nikita Khrusshchev

“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”

– Groucho Marx

“Instead of giving politicians the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.”

– Doug Larson

“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”

– Plato

“I don’t think we should go to the moon. I think maybe we should send some politicians up there.”

– Ron Paul

“We believe that to err is human. To blame it on someone else is politics.”

– Hubert H. Humphrey

“Voting is like choosing your favourite mosquito out of a swarm.”

– Unknown (but it was probably a Canadian)

“The problem with political jokes is that they get elected.

– Henry Cate VII

That’s it for today folks! There is plenty to say about politics these days so there was no shortage of material to choose from – unfortunately a lot of it just isn’t fit to print in a family friendly blog. 🤷‍♀️

Family news update – Logan and Mom have scored a couple of more days in hospital due to a couple of minor complications, so Dom will be coming for some Grandma and Grandpa D. time tonight. Fortunately our new stove arrived yesterday so Dom and I will be making pizza for supper. 🍕

Take care and have a great day! 💞

November 17th – Puppy Love

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

There are few things that make a house a home like having a pet to share it with. Dan and I have had a dog from day one together. Nowadays, it is Dan and I and our Cavalier ‘Kat’.

Today in honour of Kat – and Casey and Scraps, I offer a few ‘words of wisdom’ on the mighty, marvelous dogs that we have shared our home with.

“If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

– Will Rogers

“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.”

– Dean Koontz
Casey dog💞 RIP

“The dog lives for the day, the hour, even the moment.”

– Robert Falcon Scott

“Be the person your dog thinks you are.”

– CJ Frick

“A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad.”

– Robert Wagner

“Grandma, if you want a dog to come to you, you can’t yell at her. You have to sound like you want to give her a hug.”

– 2 year old Maddy B.
Maddy & Kat – hugs and puppy kisses💞

“Happiness is a warm puppy”.

Charles M. Schultz

“Dogs do speak but only to those who know how to listen.”

– Orhan Panuk
Kat – “Yes I have your blanket.” 😏

That is it for today! Take care and have a great day. 💞

November 16th – Healthy Living

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

I started my day with a trip to our local pharmacy to get my third Covid shot and my annual flu shot.  I had my pneumonia shot a few weeks ago and just finished a bottle of antibiotics.   Bottom line, I should dodge any nasty bugs that are out and about this winter.  🧖

Everyone has their own level of health and fitness and we all have our own challenges in preserving or improving it.    Hopefully, these ‘words of wisdom’ can inspire us all to make some healthy life choices today.

“The groundwork for all happiness is good health.”

    – Leigh Hunt

“Love yourself enough to live a healthy lifestyle.”

   – Unknown

“The best investment you ever make is your own health.”

  – Unknown

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.”

  – Ann Wigmore

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.”

  – Unknown

” Health is much more dependent on our habits and nutrition than on medicine.”

   – John Lubbock

“Exercise not only changes your body, it changes your mind, your attitude, and your mood.”

  – Unknown

“Take care of your body.  Its the only place you have to live.”

   – Jim Rohn
Genie & Maddy 💞

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞

  

      

November 15th – Heartbreak

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

Regardless of how much we appreciate our lives here on Earth, we all experience times when our hearts are broken and our souls are shattered. I have experienced such times in my life. The death of a loved one is always hard but the most difficult for me has been the times when loved ones have deliberately destroyed that what is most important to me. That seems to be a recurring theme in my life. 🤷 Unfortunately, the only way to get through it, is to accept it and hope that everything truly does happen for a reason. It does help to know that there are others who understand and who share their ‘words of wisdom’ on grief with us.

“No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world does not stop for your grief.”

Faraz Kazi

“The shattering of a heart being broken is the loudest quiet ever.

Carroll Bryant

“I’d rather love a million times and have my heart broken every time, than hold a permanently empty heart forever.”

– H.C. Payene

“I know my heart will never be the same, but I’m telling myself I’ll be okay.”

– Sara Evans

“It is strange how often a heart must be broken, before the years can make it wise.”

– Sara Teasdale

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”

– Marilyn Munroe

That is it for today, except to share our family news. Our two little ones have made their arrival. Alaska-Rose Charlize was born early Saturday morning weighing in at a whole 4lbs. 14oz. Logan Micheal was born early this morning weighing 7lbs. 8oz. Both are beautiful, perfect, and doing well. While it is a blessing that both have arrived safe and sound, it is sad and unfortunate that, since our family remains estranged, it is unlikely that they will be meeting each other anytime soon.

Take care and have a great day. 💞

November 14th – Anyway

by annemariedemyen, posted in Wisdom - November 2021

My wisdom for today comes from a verse that has become a favourite of mine. My only regret in life, at this point, is that I did not come to realize such wisdom decades ago.

The Paradoxical Commandments

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centred.
   Love them anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of ulterior motives.
   Do good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
   Succeed anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
   Do good anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
   Be honest and frank anyway.  
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
   Think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs but only follow top dogs.
   Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
   Build anyway.   
9. People really need your help but may attack you if you do help them.
   Help people anyway.
10.Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
   Give the world the best you have anyway. 

           - Kent M. Keith

Take care and have a great day! 💞