2013 Presidential Inauguration

What a beautiful day in Washington, D.C. !
 

Photo Credit - Glyn Lowe Photoworks (Flickr)

 

I love pomp. And pageantry. I love the historical traditions of it all. From the day the inauguration is held to the oaths of office. It's one of those days when I feel my most proudest to be an American. Oh, how I wish I could have actually been there in person to experience it all firsthand, to feel the excitement in my bones.

Then again, its nice to be watching from home where I can absorb lots of background info from all the commentary by the media on every news channel. I feel like a sponge, soaking up every bit of data they throw my way. Like: which president had the shortest/longest inaugural speech; whose bible was used during the recital of the oath of office; whose ceremony was held indoors due to weather; what the first ladies wore and who designed their outfits. I need to know it all!

But most importantly, I am so proud of America for choosing a great man to be our leader. That he was chosen because of what he stands for. What he hopes to accomplish for the good of the American people. And that it has nothing to do with the color of his skin. He's an American. I'm an American. As he said so eloquently in his speech, "WE THE PEOPLE". We are all part of this nation....whatever our race, whatever our ethnicity, whatever our gender and whatever party affiliation we may have or who we voted for in the last election. We all care about this great country and want what's best for it.

Photo Credit - Egadapparel (Flickr)

 

And here we are 150 years from the term of perhaps one of our greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln. From a time when a man of color could only dream of being free from slavery. To a time when a man of color can be elected to be the leader of the world's greatest country. And elected because of his beliefs, and not because of his race. Mr. Lincoln must surely be smiling from up above.

Most of all, I'm proud of us. We've come a long way baby!

 

Congratulations, Mr. President. And congratulations, my fellow Americans.

 

Until We Meet Again - Those We Lost in 2012

♪♫ "Oh, i could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings...." ♫♪

Ah, those eyes! That smile! Images of a teen heartthrob that will always stay with me.

♪♫ "...And for once in my life I'm alone,

and I've got to let her know just in time before I go."  ♫♪

That voice! That sweet grin! I can still remember the words to those iconic songs even in my sleep.

Gone too soon. All of them. I  believe they all still had so much more to contribute to this world. But for some unknown reason, God chose to take them home. I have to satisfy myself with feeling blessed that I had them in my life as long as I did and that their legacy lives on in the lyrics, the recordings, the films, the tapes, the stories, the sports and news archives.

Ladies and Gentlemen, my list:

10 Iconic Individuals We Lost In 2012

10.   Whitney Houston

9.     Johnny Pesky

8.     Andy Griffith

7.     Jack Klugman

6.     Phyllis Diller

5.     Neil Armstrong

4.     Davy Jones

3.     Kitty Wells

2.     Dick Clark

1.     Robin Gibb

Honorable Mention: Sally Ride

Did you lose someone special in 2012? Was there a notable individual who impacted your life who passed away?

Photo Credit - Angelofsweetbitter2009 (Flickr)

TOP 10 SONGS OF 2012 - IMO

Like everyone else around the world (i.e. those who use the internationally accepted Gregorian calendar), it's time to look back at 2012 and get all misty eyed as we take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce of what was. Get the tissues out.

We're about to be inundated with the media's and everybody else's top 10, 12, 47, whatever lists. There's going to be lists like:

** Top 10 Celebrity Breakups (or makeups, divorces, stork visits, etc.) **

** Top 10 Headlines ("Mayans: World To End!" "US Falls Off Cliff! "iPhone 100...Geeks Rejoice!") **

** Top 10 Baby Names (If its in a movie, it's on a million birth certificates...can you say "Bella"?) **

I think you get my drift. So ok. I don't want to be left behind. I'll jump on this bandwagon. How's this?

TOP 10 SONGS OF 2012 - (in my opinion)

10.  Back in Time - Pitbull

9.    Brokenhearted - Karmin

8.    Legendary Child - Aerosmith

7.    Keep Your Eyes Open - Need to Breathe

6.    Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5

5.    Back to the Start - Anthony Gomes

4.    Sweetest Sin - Saints of Valory

3.    Pontoon - Little Big Town

2.    Everybody Knows She's Mine - Blackberry Smoke

1.    Already Yours - Amy Gerhartz

    ME -><- AMY

Mind you, this is not a scientific analysis or based on the Billboard charts. These are just the songs that I found myself humming along to a LOT during the past year.

And there you have it. My first stab at joining the masses.

How about you? Got a top 10 list for 2012? C'mon give it a try. Movies? Trends? Sports moments? What ya got?

What Works?

On the flip side from my last post, I read another quote recently: "Nothing will work unless you do." - Maya Angelou.

That I believe. Do you?

I whole heartedly believe in working hard to achieve a goal. Sure, it'd be great if it all came easily. Lord knows, I've prayed for easy solutions and outcomes. Because let's face it, work is hard!

We all know people who want to take the easy road. If they have to work at something, they'll do their best to find the easy work-around. Maybe they're lazy? Maybe that's what they learned growing up so it's the only way they know? Maybe the easy way worked once and they're waiting for lightening to strike again?

Let me share a story: I have a good friend who likes to enter sweepstakes. She's been pretty successful and often shares her good fortune with family and friends. Many call her "lucky". Some have been jealous. But she'd be the first person to tell you how hard she works. She doesn't depend on luck. She invests a lot of time, effort, and, yes, WORK into her hobby. And it pays off. As I believe it should. She's not firing off an entry blank here and there. She's at it day and night. Follows the rules to the letter and supports the sponsors. But her critics still claim she's "lucky". They pout and say they never win. Well, as she often replies, "You can't win if you don't enter." Which to me means, how do you expect to get anything if you don't put any effort into it?

I truly believe if you put your heart and soul into something, then you'll reap the fruits of your labor. Sometimes you might not get exactly what you want or what you hoped for but you may get what you need (see "You Can't Always Get What You Want" - Jagger/Richard).

For me, the satisfying feeling of accomplishment is multiplied ten-fold when I've succeeded at something I tried really hard for. So yes, not much will work for me unless I do. It's up to me. Make it work!

Ranch Homes - Not just for the 50's anymore

Read an interesting article today.

"Why 1950s-style ranch homes are all the rage again"

I live in a ranch style home. No, it wasn't my first choice but it was what we could afford 20 years ago when we were house hunting. And we're still here because it's all we can afford. But it also works for us. I really don't like trudging up and down stairs. And no, it isn't because I hate exercise (tho its not my fav activity). Mostly because of my back condition; i have to tread lightly when it comes to stairs.

However, I do have stairs leading to a finished basement. And that bothers me. It's rough going for me to carry laundry up and down the stairs to the basement laundry so that's become hubby's job. I also worry when little ones are visiting and they head down to the basement family room. (Had hubby put in an extra hand rail....worried grandma here!)

My next house will be completely on one level. An open floor plan will be nice...just in case I end up in a wheelchair...don't want to have to contend with narrow doorways like the ones in my current home.

What do you think? Are you a fan of ranch homes? Single level homes? Are you sick of seeing people erecting mcmansions like I am?

Rock the Vote!

It's Election Day! One of the most important days of the year. The day Americans exercise their most sacred right as a citizen: The right to vote. It's a moral obligation.

"Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual--or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country. " - Samuel Adams 

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.” - John Quincy Adams

Do it!! Get out there today and cast your ballot! VOTE!!!