Once Upon A Time...

Once upon a time there was a little girl who dreamed she could capture the world.
She wasn't sure how but her eyes often seemed to sparkle sitting down at her thinking spot, taking it all in, looking brightly into her future.

As she grew so did her goals. Aspiring to be a Marine Biologist, attending the college by the coast that she laid awake many nights and imagined herself in.

Life took some turns and she didn't get there.
It didn't stop her from being happy.
She grew up, she got married and she had a beautiful, little boy who without a doubt captured her heart at first sight.

Her life moved on.
A little older sitting at her thinking spot she smiled, she kept dreaming.

Hurt, pain and loss didn't deter her.

She stood there remembering the recent loss of her Grandpa. Knowing her wouled want her to smile through the tears and carry on.
She forged ahead.

Again blessed with another beautiful little boy. Her life was rich as a mother.
The daily tasks of tending to her sons brought her joy beyond measure.

The years continued to pass.
Friendships grew, people came in and out of her life.

Sickness, scars and pain found their way along her journey.

She found herself older again, staring at the ripples and her reflection in the water down at that now trusty haven she had come to reply on.

She tearfully recalled her faithful friend of the 4 legged persuasion who had followed her since she was in pigtails.
How he always gave her a mannerly nod when she glanced down at him and then they would playfully race back to the house. Two tongues wagging as they reached the front porch together.
Old Spud, best dog in the world. It never was the same without him down there by her side.

Her sons grew and there beside her on the bank they played, skipped rocks and learned to fish.
Sometimes the only thing they caught were fits of laughter and many memories.

The little girl now a woman.
She stood on the trusty pier, mourning the loss of her Grandma and her marriage.
Wondering where she was going now.
Seeking answers, hoping to suceed at life.
She pressed on.

Caampfires by the thinking spot, melted chocolate s'mores on everybody's face.
Life was simple and good.

I stood down there again the other day.
It has become quite a spiritual ritual that I indulge in pretty often.
I love to go down there at the beginning of each new season.
Breathing in the air, watching the world change before my eyes.


As I stood there the other day, I realized I am still that little girl.
Sometimes scared, very hopeful and thankfully still seeing the world with a sparkle in my eyes.

My life so far doesn't match the dreams of my youth but I wouldn't change a thing.
Take away my favorite spot and and that opinion might change but as I sat in the corner under the shade tree I almost destroyed at about age 13, trying to swing on its new limbs, I see that life is what I make out of it.

I could wallow in regrets and past hurt, but why?

Why not wear my battle scars proudly and continue on my journey with a smile.

My steps may become slower, my face weathered as the years pass, but my heart will always wear pigtails and dream big.

Thank goodness Dad and I built that pond.
It has been a stable part of my life, its hasn't changed. It is like an old friend whom I can bear my soul to without ever saying a word.

Keep moving forward,finding your spot in this in this world and he glad for every moment, good and bad.
They are what make us who we are.

Here are my thoughts!
Happy Day All!

TC ;)

From Behind The Mask

So Luke and I were looking through some of our old stuff yesterday.
We found some old favorite books, drawing he and his brother had done, a cute dress I forgot I had, his first Duke hat and many other things we took out and said 'WOW, I totally forgot about this!" in sheer joy.
At the bottom with various notes and random keepsakes I found a forgotten mask. I do believe it was my famed Batgirl mask that I used to wear when the boys were small. I had to stop telling them I was Batgirl because Seth took it upon himself to "Tell" for show and tell, when he was still in the single digits that his Mom was truly the real Batgirl.

Of course the teacher met me at the door to inform me of his creative share.
Her face tensed as I laughed and told her her in fact yes I was the Dark Knight's female sidekick.
Whoops, some people have no sense of humor sometimes I guess.

Anyway,back to me and Luke and our find.

I put it on for old time sake. His eyes lit up and we giggled, and briefly I was again that silly Mom who used to wrap in a blanket and jump off the back of the couch.

You know wearing it I felt slightly different, well not because it didn't match my jeans and tank top and looked pretty silly as an accessory to my flip flops.
I felt like a different person. Not a feeling I really ever feel.

I took it off my cherished treasure and I was simply Teresa again.

It set my mind in motion and how hard it would be to live behind a mask.
It seems to be a trend among some people to wear a clever mask and transform into a person they really are not.

I guess it's easier to be accepted as a "character" or play a role of who you wish you were.

I know I am not accepted b y all, I know being I who i really am i am often perceived as the goof, the silly girl, the class clown, but that's just part of who I am.
If you look past all that and truly know me, I am more.

I suppose certain people might like me more or accept me if I started strutting around with my nose in the air, spouting out a list of selling points, my best features and my current do gooder acts.

I refuse.
Hey, I am Teresa, TC to some and T to many and various other nicknames but they all equal the same person, just me.

I step on toes at times, I trip standing still, I snort when I laugh and I get too loud and animated when I am excited but by golly its who I am.

I never have to worry about dropping my guard or letting my mask slip to reveal a very different person.

I wonder about those people who wear a mask to the world.
So they come home, remove it and look into the mirror and wonder who they are?
Do they wish they could be whomever they were born as?

I am me, I am not wealthy, not very graceful, not snobby but I am so ok with being me. I am loving, caring and genuine.
It saves a lot of time, I don't fake an accent, put on a front or ever worry I will be found out.

If you find you are wearing a mask, take it off for a while, you may be surprised at how much people like the REAL you and most important you just might like you better as well.

Be proud, be you. Never feel ashamed of who and where you are from, how you were made, let the sincere person you hold inside out, to be free.

Now I must go, its almost dark and well I did find my Batgirl mask.. Off to Gotham City I go!!!!
Happy Day All! Here are my thoughts!

TC ;)

Going Blind

I wish for a one day we could all be blind.
Let me explain.
If we were to all have our sight taken from us for just one single day I think we might become humble in the way we truly view the world and the people that exist in our world.

Our society has conditioned us to only accept people based on a few superficial factors.
Without sight we wouldn't be impressed with the car a person drives or the pricey clothes they choose to wear.

We wouldn't be allowed to judge another human being by their looks, the ones that appear flawless and most important those that don't.

We wouldn't be permitted to view disabilities, scars, burns or any other factor a person has fought to overcome.

How would we view the people we encounter and interact with?

We would be given a chance to see them for their inner light that shines, the beauty of voice, the touch, the feeling that person gave us.

I closed my eyes before I started writing and began to paint a picture of different people I know, leaving the alone their visible appearance.
Sadly some of those people's striking good looks faded and what I saw wasn't pretty.

Then I began to look at the people who I hold close, they became even more beautiful. Not because of the color of their hair or perfect smile, but their true beauty became so clear in my mind's eye.
I was surrounded by people who have touched me by their words, a laugh, a pretty smell, kindness, an innocent giggle and a firm, loving hand to hold.

I remember sweet little Mozelle Stout who I got to know when I worked at a nursing home.
I could hear her beautiful voice singing a hymn long before our eyes ever met.

I had to be near this woman who filled the hall with such a sweet sound.
I followed it, I felt like running to it.

There in her wheelchair was such a gorgeous soul. Did I see her wrinkled and weathered and her legs unable to carry her any longer?

NO!
I saw a perfect person before me who even at her life's end still found a reason to sing.

Did she turn me away because I slipped on the wet floor and being accident prone, because I didn’t have a nurse's badge, because I didn't fit the image of a 30 something, single Mom. OH NO!

She grabbed my hand into her feeble, loving hand and asked me to sing along.

It became our ritual, we sang, we sang everywhere, and she laughed the most innocent laugh as we got too loud.

I went to her before I left that job, her kind eyes tearing up she said "Keep singing angel."

Don't worry Miss Mozelle I won't ever stop!

I saw her obituary and it hurt to know she had left this earth but she left me with a lesson and an incredible song in my heart.


Close your eyes let your heart do all your seeing for you.
When you open your eyes you may not have 20/20 vision but I think you will start to see people for what they are and not their perfect body, botox, meaningless material possessions, you will see how amazing they are and most important how they made you feel.

Maya Angelo said you will forget what people say, but you will never forget how someone made you feel.

Close those eyes today people, and after you view the world in a new way, take a long, hard look at your own reflection and see if you like who you are.

Happy Day All.. Here are My Thoughts!

TC ;)

~Labors Of Love~

I was outside starting my day last week, of course a cup of black coffee in my hand, the Spring sun warming my face even at that early hour of morning.
I was walking towards my swing ready to sit back and gain my daily perspective.
I heard a faint sound coming from across our little two lane road.

There in his crisp plaid shirt, well worn jeans, boots and a straw hat was my great uncle guiding his tiller carefully through his large, garden area.

This is a sight I have watched since I was 6 years old and my parents bought my great grandparents home next door to great uncle Edsel.

I used to stand in our fruit orchard and watch him in the early mornings smiling as he tilled the newly thawed ground and prepped the area for his big, upcoming vegetable garden.
Now here I am many years later watching him again. Now viewing it from a different perspective, not just in location which is across from Mom's house and Edsel's.
I am seeing it for the deeper meaning it has to me since becoming an adult.

Sure he could zip down to the grocery store and buy whatever he wanted, even pre cut and pre sliced, but he doesn't.

It’s a task he truly loves.
He loves going out there and digging, tending and working hard.
It’s worth every ache and pain to see the end result of his labor.
A labor of doing something he loves.
Its very simple, no fancy tools needed, he is at peace when is out there. If he catches someone looking on in his line of sight, he raises one hand., gives a friendly wave and a smile and then presses on.

I began thinking of how consumed we have become by convience and the quick way to do things.
I thought over the moments and. memories that I treasure and I quickly realized not one of them contained the easy, quick formula we have so sadly adapted these days.

Maybe I am simple minded but to me its those back to basic acts that I find so endearing and remember the most.

As a parent I could easily pay money to generate the happiness of my children, its everywhere, so why not, right?

The problem there with me is when they are my age will they remember the dollars spent or the memories made?
I can buy something today and by next week they won't even think twice about it but if I put some effort and work into doing something for them that has little or no cost they remember it vividly and with a happy heart.

As a rule usually every summer we skip down to the pond, put up our tent, gather fire wood and attempt to fish.
It has become a seasonal tradition that the boys love.
Thinking now about our camping last summer I laugh recalling Seth and Dylan with an axe, Luke digging worms and me erecting a tent without pegs (it worked btw).
Sitting by our nice fire, the dew fallen, catching fish in the almost darkness, using cheese puffs when our bait ran out, it’s a labor of love.

Sure we could pack up and hit a fun park, heck I could pay someone to take them for me, but no its kinda basic but the end result is worth the splinters, Smores burns( hot coal and hot foil hurt!) and a sleepless night in a tent with them.

They will be standing somewhere someday and it will hit them just as it did with me.
Our needs and joys don't have to revolve around elaborate costly things.
We can find the most incredible insight and love in those acts that might make us sweat, make us tired and dirty, but that were done out of just pure love.

I guess I am simple, flashy doesn't do it for me, thought does.
I am most impressed by simple and in saying simple I don't mean I am dim or slow witted and all it takes to make me happy is an empty box, but an expensive dinner and lavish gifts has less value to me than 2 hand made cards from the boys and a pecan pie from Mom to celebrate my birthday.
Labors of love, try them.. You won't ever forget them and years from now it will still make your heart smile. Here are my thoughts! Happy Day All!

T ;)

~One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering. Author Unknown

~I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.Laura Ingalls Wilder

~The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

~Live simply that others might simply live. ~Elizabeth Seaton

~Just Be~

How was your weekend? Mine? Pretty laid back and quiet.

Coffee and pen in hand lets get down to the Thought For The Day!
Get comfy, put your feet up and hopefully I can bring you a smile today that will get you through Monday!

I've been struggling with something and pretty sad.So I decided to put it out of my mind today and to write about happy things.

If you know me then you know the one the one thing you can say about me is that I'm different.
I always have been.
I came out of the birth canal folded in half and the first appearance I made into this world was butt first. I am sure my Mom is so proud!
I think that set the tone for my whole life. I don't see things like other people. My perspective is usually very different. Some people have called me a dreamer, silly, goofy and even dumb.
I disagree. I think that in any situation you can find some joy and in that some people think I am not serious. I don't care what they think, I will find my joy!

I tend to celebrate my faults, they are a part of me and who I am.
I enjoy my quirks and don't care of anybody likes them or not.
I snort when I laugh.
I fall "UP" stairs.
I read backwards.
I stop and dance no matter where I am if the music is good( wouldn't you love to shop with me!)
I reapply perfume about 3 times before I go out, by gosh at least you will remember how good I smell!
I talk very loud when I am excited, no matter where I am, So what if the ER nurse, the older gentleman in the grocery store or the guy beside me at the gas pumps hear me!
I skip, yes I said skip!
I would rather you give me a bubbles and a bubble blower than a dozen roses, so that way we can enjoy them together.
I cry for people I don't know if I think they are hurting.
I'll smile and tell you I am fine just so you won't worry even if my heart is broken.
I'll be myself !
I won't change no matter how hurt or sad I get sometimes. I will be goofy and silly to hide the sadness.
Its who I am.
Take it or leave it.
Be proud of of who you are, stand tall( well in my case I hope I am not wearing those cute wedged mules I fell off of and broke my foot in).
Embrace the blessing of not being like someone else.
Leave your unique mark on this world!
Be you and if you see me in the grocery store ask to dance with me!
Here are my thoughts! Happy Day All!

TC ;)


~We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves. ~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

~Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not. ~Henri Frederic Amiel

~Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you? ~Fanny Brice

~The most exhausting thing in life is being insincere. ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

~Roots And All~

I saw my little boy today. No I haven't lost it, yes I see my sons every day but today I briefly saw my little boy.
Let me explain.

Seth, my oldest son who is now a teenager has seemed to transform before my eyes from that little chubby cheeked blonde to a taller than his mother (he loves that by the way) young man.

I am so proud of my kids and while Luke is still young,Seth is changing more everyday and I often look at him and wonder where the time went.
I lay awake some nights hoping and praying his dad and I have given him the tools to be a moral, upstanding man.

I would be lying if I said I don't wish at times that he was 4 years old again and one of his greatest joys was a garden hose and an unsuspecting Mommy.
Our kids have to grow up but sometimes we are blessed with a memory that is brought to our present like a refreshing, familiar breeze that only a precious time in our past can do.

I can still see him, his blonde hair, those cute cheeks, his dirty kneed overalls, a smile almost as big as him and a look of true satisfaction glistening in those baby blue eyes.

"I got something for you Mom." I was sitting in the swing out in our yard. I had no idea what he held so carefully behind his back.
I hoped it wasn't another lizard. As he performed his big reveal I laughed, cried and smiled at the sight before me.
There in his dirty little hands was a beautiful, carefully picked bouquet of weeds. Roots and all!!!!
Those were the prettiest weeds my eyes have ever seen.
I took them in my hand, and those weeds, roots and all into my heart.
He just beamed as he sat beside me.
"You like them Mommy?"
"Yes baby, I will never forget them."


I fell asleep yesterday and I awoke to the much deeper more manly voice of my son.

"Mom, you asleep?"

I looked up and saw the familiar smile of my son.
There was that gleam I had seen quite a few years ago.

For a moment I saw a little boy covered in fresh dirt waiting with excitement to surprise his Mom.
Those ol baby blues haven't changed. He may be taller and now sporting facial hair but as he once again waited for his big reveal, I saw my little boy today.

From behind his back came a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers he had picked when he and his buddy were headed home from a hike through the woods.
There was that smile and once again I smiled and cried. Hearing his voice trail off out the door. "Love you Mom".
No roots this time but even so they are firmly planted in my heart.

The little things. Its what life is all about.
I can't imagine my life without them. They surround me and thankfully I am lucky enough to note and appreciate these gifts I have been given.
Roots and All!!!!!
Give simply today, it will make a huge impact.

Here are my thoughts! Happy Day All!

TC :)


~ Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
-- Mother Teresa

~ Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith

~ I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

~Fly Away~

Today's thoughts are about letting go.
I doubt I have written about this before because its something I struggle with myself.
People come into our lives in so many ways, friends, love interest etc.. and sadly we are faced with a point in which we have to look at the big picture and realize we must make them part of our past for one reason or another. Its not easy and the longer we drag it out it becomes more painful.

I have always struggled with letting go and in my own mind it means I quit and gave up, But its not that I quit, I am no quitter.

It means I am learning to see what this person has brought to my life, what have they done to change my world, have they brought me continuous pain, heartache,sadness.. And when given another chance did they change? If the answer is no, then its time to let go. Easier said than done. I would know.

I was in a very long relationship with someone who I thought I knew.I refused to give up, I held out hope every time I gave him another chance only to find myself sinking deeper in sadness. Why are we afraid to let go? My reasons are that I guess I am scared, scared of facing it alone, scared of not having happiness again, scared of a lonely night, but wait, I had those when I was with him anyway.

We broke up, its crushed me, I won't lie, I was at a very low point. I didn't think I would ever be happy again, I let another person control my happiness factor when in truth the only person who can do that is ourselves. We are the ones who hand over control to another person to either make us or break us.

I will let you in on another secret, I didn't give up, I waited, thinking some magical day he would see the error of his ways, feeling empowered by the great love we had and come dashing back to me a changed man. He never did, he never will. He won't change and look at the time I wasted waiting on him. Look at the chances I missed because I thought he was the end all be all.

A person came along recently and made me see that, (thank you btw) that there are good people in this world, not everybody is the man I dated, and it feels good to take off my blinders and see the world I live in for real, not his vision.

Lyd called today, and right before she called, my ex b/f called, he wanted to have just lunch, just hello, just see each other.. I entertained the idea. Lyd thank goodness reminded me of all the hurt and pain, and the days of happy I can never ever get back no matter what pretty picture he paints for me.

I am proud to say I declined, why open up a closed wound, why not take my battle scars and move on instead of letting him drag me back to the past I have fought so hard to put behind me. That door is closed. I am thankful and I am thankful I finally let go, it hurt like everything, but how can I ever move on if I keep revisiting my past and wondering what if every time I have a good memory of us.

I don't like to dwell on hurt and pain, but in order to not backslide I have to keep it present in my mind where he is concerned so that I will keep him in his place.. my past.. and in order to do that, I had to let it all go. We can't go back, we can't bring those good times back, we are forever changed, but we can create new ones, we just have to let go and give other people a chance...


Of course letting go isn't fun, who likes to close a door, but you have to in order to ever see the window open and smell the fresh breeze blowing in and the newness of a breathe of fresh air in your face before it closes.


I have no idea where my life is headed, and that's cool, I am happy in the now, not happy in the yesterdays and last years. Its time to live, live today, I let go.. and thanks to someone for helping see that its possible, I doubt they even know they did it, but I am very grateful, grateful for again having restored hope.

Let go everybody, that road block could be preventing some unique, genuine people or things from getting through.. and making you happier than you have ever been!

Happy Day All.. here are my thoughts!

T ;)

~Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.~Herman Hesse

~In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.~Albert Schweitzer

~There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life.~ Unknown

~One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us.~ Michael Cibenko