Celebrate Life!

 

February is a really busy month for us. Besides Valentine's Day, this is also my birthday month. Another busy month for us is August since it's when we celebrate Greg's birthday and our wedding anniversary.

For my birthday this year, we invited the part of our family that lives nearby to our house for a meal. The party wasn't just for me, but it was also for my cousin whose birthday is also in February. To make the get-together more fun, we called the celebration a "Winterfest Birthday Celebration." We got the idea of  "Winterfest" from the celebration in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee that lasts from mid-November to mid-February every year. Having something like this helps to counteract the starkness of this time of the year.

"Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated." ~Osho (In short, celebrate life!)

We decorated our house with a wintery...

Christmassy theme.

We had a pizza meal ready for everyone to enjoy.

The three guys patiently waited to get their food...

while the ladies filled up their plates. (Ladies first!)

Dessert was a festive birthday cake, along with ice cream.

Then, it was time to open birthday gifts-

My gift was wrapped in paper with a cute snowman design.

My cousin seemed to like his birthday gifts.

Our outdoor cat, Kit-Cat, kept everybody entertained.

It was time for everyone to leave, but we made plans for future times to be together.

Greg and I celebrated Valentine's Day with little gifts to each other.

A couple of days later, we went to Rogersville, Tennessee to celebrate my birthday some more.

(We don't celebrate our birthdays just one day. We stretch it out few several days! The more, the better!)

The reason I wanted to go to Rogersville was to go to the Hale Springs Inn...

to have lunch at...

the Sweet Tooth Cafe which is located inside the inn.

The food there is delicious! Each dish is named after either a local person or place. I had "The American Hotel Bacon Melt,' along with a "Simpson House Strawberry Salad."

Our terrific waitress, Jalyn, pleasantly surprised me when she said that since I was celebrating my birthday that I got my choice of a free dessert even though it wasn't the exact day of my birthday. I ordered the salted caramel cheesecake which was absolutely delicious! I told the owner, Jo, that it was one of the best desserts I'd ever had, which was the truth! I shared part of my dessert with Greg and he liked it although he usually doesn't like caramel.

After our wonderful lunch, we looked around downtown Rogersville which has some nice little shops-

We enjoyed this pretty shop which has a message on a sign outside that we think is really important for all of us to follow-"It's a beautiful day to shop local."

The next day, we met part of Greg's family for lunch at Freiberg's German Restaurant in Johnson City, Tennessee since they were in our area on personal business.

Greg, Outside of Freiberg's with One of  His Brothers

The food is great! I had schnitzel which was something new to me.

Enjoying Being Together

Afterwards, since we were in a celebratory mood, we went to Bass Pro Shops in Bristol, Tennessee since we've never been to that one before. Greg and I are not into sports at all, but Greg wanted to go check out their coffee, and I was interested in seeing the beautiful wildlife displays and scenes that they have.

Bass Pro Shops

For our final stop in our several-days birthday/Valentine's Day celebration, we decided to go by the...

Blackbird Bakery in Bristol, Virginia to get a couple of goodies which we enjoyed at home with warm drinks where we rested and made plans for our next adventures. (No more sweets for a while, though!)

"Every day of your life is a special occasion." ~Thomas S. Monson

Positive thought: "A good life is a collection of happy moments." ~Denis Waitley

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, March 6, 2022, Becky

Valentine's Day!

 

This is a mini-blog post about something very special, Valentine's Day, which is, of course, about love. This is a mini-post because Greg and I have a lot to do this month since we'll be celebrating birthdays as well as Valentine's Day!

So, I just wanted to say a few words about Valentine's Day on this post, and I'll have my regular blog post on Monday, February 21 which will be about our February adventures.

The "Bible" says to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31), and the "Bible" also has many other references about love.

In fact, Greg's and my wedding vows had this beautiful verse from the "Bible," 1 Corinthians 13-"Love is patient and kind....Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

It's also important to love yourself as well as others.

If you need some self-love and inspiration, try watching the video of  Mariah Carey singing "Hero." It's simply fantastic!

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~1 Corinthians 13

Have a sweet, happy Valentine's Day!

Positive thought: "Believe that there is still good and love in the world." ~Becky Arnott

Thanks for visiting! Until Monday, February 21, 2022, Becky

Lessons Learned, a Fresh Start

 

As I looked back on my life in 2021, I wondered what lessons I had learned so I could have a fresh start for the new year in 2022.

To begin with, I learned to think for myself, not to take someone else's word for something that may or may not be true, but to search for the truth that is best for me. And, I learned to stand up for what I believe is right. 

I learned a lesson from someone I know who thought she needed a big change in her life- she moved to another state by herself, and she seems to be very happy that she made that move. So, if there's something you think might make you feel happier, and you think it is the right thing to do, go for it! Remember to live your dream!

Just recently, I decided I needed another white poinsettia for decorating, so I went back to the store to get one. However, when I got there, there were no more flowers in the area where I'd gotten the other one. I started thinking that one might be in the clearance area, so I went there, and sure enough, there was a lone flower that had been tossed on a shelf by itself. I couldn't believe my good fortune! I felt like it was waiting there just for me.

White Poinsettia

I learned that sometimes you're given a second chance on things, and if you are supposed to have it, it will be yours.

After we moved to our new house, I decided that I'd really like to have a pie safe for our kitchen. I went to several local stores, antique barns, etc. looking for one, and I even had several people looking, as well, but to no avail. On a treasure map (also known as a vision board) I'd made, I even had a picture of a pie safe, and I looked at that picture every day, wishing for a pie safe. However, I found out that they had become scarce, that there were not many around anymore.

One day, I decided to look online for the pie safe on a site that featured local antiques and furniture. Instead of a pie safe, I saw a pretty cabinet that looked similar to our built-in cabinets in our kitchen. It then dawned on me that something like this cabinet would be much better in our kitchen than a pie safe would have been.

Newly-painted Cabinet 

We went to see the advertised cabinet, and we decided it was perfect for our kitchen. It was a diamond in the rough; it needed some work so we got it at a great price. Greg sanded and painted it, and now we really like it!

The pie safe would not have looked right there at all. Also, pie safes in good condition are very  expensive now. 

Although a pie safe was on my treasure map, and almost all of the things I have on there have manifested, the pie safe was not one of them thanks to a quote I have on the map, "All this or something better now manifests for me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways with good to all concerned." I'm very thankful for that quote. Sometimes what you think you want is not in your best interest.

It's good to be more spiritual, to look for the good in everyone, to sincerely compliment others, and to make them feel better about themselves. This includes friends, family, and even strangers.

(It's not up to us to hate, disrespect, demean and punish others that we decide are unacceptable. People that do that are setting themselves up for some really bad karma!)

However, it's good to either drop or limit your time with people who are not good for your well-being. We don't need to hate these people, but we do need to take care of ourselves, and to pray for them.

Greg and I have decided that we are only going to allow people into our lives that are kind, supportive, and respectful. Life is too short to do otherwise. We are now going to a beautician who cuts hair well, and is really nice, too. We decided to drop a seamstress who, although she does a good job, seems to have a lot of anger.

Something positive that we are now doing is leaving little papers different places that we visit. These papers have helpful messages on them like website addresses, positive quotes, etc. We do this anonymously, and we hope it's helping others.

Here's a good idea for the new year from Pal's-

Rhonda Byrne, the author of the best selling book, "The Secret," has an important idea for everyone for a better life, to only think of what you want, not what you don't want. Sounds good to me!

Positive thought- We need to look back and try to learn lessons from our lives, and to turn anything we see as negative into something that is positive!

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, February 6, 2022, Becky

A Fun Trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee!

 

Greg and I recently went on a fun trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee which is less than three hours from our home in Virginia. Beginning in childhood, Greg and I enjoyed going to Gatlinburg with our families, and we have continued going there throughout our adult lives. Over time, many of the shops and attractions have come and gone, but even today, it is still the same charming town.

There are several good restaurants with delicious food like the-

Pancake Pantry.

We hadn't been there in several years, so I'm so glad we got to enjoy the same great food that we had gotten there in the past.

For lunch, this is what Greg had-

He is somewhat of a cheeseburger expert, so he thought this was one was really good!

When I went to the Pancake Pantry when I was younger, I almost always ordered the Caribbean pancakes, but this time I decided to try something new- 

strawberry crepes. Great choice! Almost to pretty to eat, though!

After our big meal, we walked around and checked out the neat shops like those at-

The Village

We really like a shop that's been in Gatlinburg for many years-

which has a large array of tasty candies for those with a sweet tooth!

And for something unique, educational, and interesting, be sure and stop by-

Ripley's Believe It or Not! (Love the arty, creative building design!)

(Notice the Space Needle in the background. From there, you'll have a bird's eye view of Gatlinburg.)

If you'd like something adventurous, try riding-

the skylift up and down a mountain.

Instead of walking around town, you could take the-

Gatlinburg Trolley.

If we'd had more time, we could have enjoyed supper-

on a rooftop!

We might just do that on our next trip, or on the next one after that. Gatlinburg will still be there waiting for us to enjoy and explore.

What a great place to just get away with loved ones and have a good time. You can feel the positive energy, the camaraderie of the people there just having fun!

Positive Message

Just outside Gatlinburg, we saw this American flag made out of wood on an old building-

 

It is a symbol that reminds us that we are entitled to "...certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

-Thomas Jefferson, from "The Declaration of Independence"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Positive thought- Keep the faith!

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, December 5, 2021, Becky

Living Positively

 

Living positively can be a challenge anytime, but especially in today's unsettled world. It can be done, however.

In this blog post, I'll tell you some things that have helped me in my positive-living journey. Some of these guidelines might even help you!

First of all, I always try to be true to myself. For example, if I feel that a certain fashion trend is not for me, I just don't buy the trendy items. Also, Greg and I are very low-tech. We don't go for the latest technical gadgets. We actually still read real books. We have decided to do what's best for us. Doing this has made us feel happier and more in control of our lives.

-"To thine own self be true."-Shakespeare

Nothing in nature is perfect, but everything is still beautiful. In the same way, you don't have to be perfect to be a beautiful person.

Express yourself! Be creative!

Have a hobby. Do something you'd really enjoy!

Celebrate! (Often!)

Enjoy yourself, wherever you are...

in your own back yard or...

on an adventure!

Pal's in Abingdon, Virginia always has the right idea!-

Surround yourself with happy memories.

Greg and I, with the help of a friend, turned our old unfinished storage room into a finished room, complete with some of the mementos (photos, souvenirs, etc.) that we'd kept from our childhood and beyond. We're still adding things from our recent trips, special occasions, etc. I love this room. When I walk into it, I feel like I'm getting a warm hug.

You don't need to fix a whole room like we did, but keeping things around that make you feel happier can be a good thing!

Always make it a point to only hang out with with others that are kind, supportive, and respectful.

It's nice to have someone special to love, whether it's a person or...

a pet.

We recently made a new friend, this super-cute dog that we met on one of our walks through town.

We try to eat healthy food, even when we eat out.

This parfait may look unhealthy, but it's actually made with pumpkin, yogurt, and honey, and is really quite good. (Also, don't be afraid of doing something new, like making this parfait! You might even start to feel like you're a gourmet chef!)

Every once in a while, though, have a special, decadent treat-

(It's the yin/yang theory [you know, balance] that a massage therapist once told me about. That's one great theory!)

Like at-

Blue Hills Natural Food Market in Abingdon, Virginia and...

Natural Foods Market in Johnson City, Tennessee

These health food stores have good quality items, and the clerks are knowledgeable and helpful. Also, we try to shop at places that share our values.

Happy Halloween!

Positive thought: "Be spiritual. I've found that things go much smoother, life is much easier when you are!"-Becky Arnott

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, November 7, 2021, Becky