First Theme Day

First Theme Day!

Well, believe it or not I'm not much of a movie goer.  Since my Mom's stroke it has become a bit tricky to get to a movie, but I do remember a movie that inspired me to write.  Julia and Julia - if you remember it's about a gal who starts a blog based on cooking from Julia Child's cookbook - in a similar format as a  blog-a-thon.  I didn't even know what a blog was before I saw the movie and then I spent a lot of time thinking about how much I'd like to try putting a blog together and then finally I looked into it and well here I am.  I really enjoy doing this and the blog-a-thon has really kept me motivated.  Tonight's blog is short as I am exhausted and not feeling very well.  

Good Night,

Patti 

P.S. the picture is of my birthday dinner (my sister, not Julia or Julia, but Julie cooked it for me).

Life is not synchronized unless you can swim

Well, life isn't easy right now with my Mom's dementia (from stroke) worsening and trying to keep her happy at home while my sister and I struggle to hold down our jobs and keep our house together all the while living with the daily joy and frustration of raising a high school senior. whew! my head is spinning from that run on sentence, but it is the truth.  And honestly I need a rest.  Just a few quiet moments - and not the ones I have when I can't sleep.  Real moments - So my point is... I am trying to synchronize my life with all the craziness and chaos - with the voice of God.  In Synchronized swimming it takes a lot of holding your breath and core strength to create what the swimmers do in the water.  On land in my life - it takes a lot of core strength and I need to stop holding my breath.  I have found that if I can stop and take in some deep breaths I am graced with a bit more patience.  The only way to really find the synchronicity on land is to breath.  

P.S. if anyone wonders synchronized swimming is a sport and an art. 

Thanks for Reading

Patti

:O) 

It's so funny to me that I, a public servant, am not comfortable with people. I work really hard to keep that a secret and sometimes it is absolutely exhausting.  But truth be told, one on one I am really good at listening to what someone, anyone, needs to talk about - get off their chest - share or vent. And I am willing to do that with about anyone; co-worker, friend, unhappy person from the public or you. I feel it is my gift. I don't give advice unless it is solicited and even then I'm wary.  What I find is if I listen long enough the person talking usually figures it out for themselves. (and then usually give me a big thank you for helping them - when really they just helped themselves). When I have to speak in from of groups of people - I have to work to catch my breath - you will rarely find me at a party - I enjoy intimate gatherings with friends.  I'm not really sure why I'm like this and it certainly isn't my favorite aspect of my personality, but it is part of who I am and its okay.  I really enjoy writing here I feel like I can share and hopefully make some friends without too much stress or anxiety.  Thank you for reading my blog :O) 

Five Minute Friday

Sometimes it's not easy to tell the truth.  Maybe it will hurt someone or you will get in trouble or someone will be disappointed in you, but I know from experience that the truth is the only way to go.  When you tell the truth you never have to worry about what you said or remember what you said, because you will know.  It is the truth not some story to memorize.  The truth keeps you free from fear of being found out., because you are real.  Truth is like a cool breeze on your warm face, it just feels good.  When I have told a fib or an outright lie - no matter how good my intentions are I feel terrible, sometimes I even feel sick to my stomach.  It's just not worth it - always be clean with your words, be honest in your deeds and you won't go wrong.

I wrote this prayer several years ago, but I needed to be reminded as I go through this time in my life - so I decided to share it here in case anyone else has forgotten who they can run to.

Father,

I thank You for the Blessings

That You have given me

Even though sometimes

A blessing is hard to see

But right this very minute

And even with the pain

I have to get down on my knees

And thank You once again

For I had truly forgotten

The power of a prayer

Until I felt so broken

I wondered if You cared

I fell to bended knee

My forehead to the floor

I called to You my Father

“I can’t take this anymore”

I can’t do this on my own

I’m not strong enough to cope

I am frightened, scared and lonely

I’m afraid I’ve lost my hope

I need You, my Father

To lead me through this fear

To give me courage and wisdom

To let me know You’re here

And as I lay there weeping

In my head I heard

The very faintest whisper, Lord

Like the wings of a bird

And I knew in that moment

That You were by my side

Giving me your comfort

Reminding me You would guide

You had never left me, Lord

It was I who turned away

And I never will forget

All I have to do is pray. 

 –Patti Goldenson

I live on two things in my life hope and faith, without them there would be no point.  Last weekend I went to the Relay for Life in my hometown and let me tell you - if you feel hopeless go to an event like that - the whole place is about hope, faith, endless support and love.  It was moving and touched me in such a deep way.  I lost my father to colon cancer, my mother has breast cancer and a young friend of mine if fighting a very rare form of cancer.  Cancer is everywhere. I don't know anyone untouched by it whether themselves or a family member or friend.  It can be overwhelming, but going to the Relay last weekend made me realize that no matter how big cancer is the hope we have and what we do with it is much bigger.

With hope and faith,
Patti

I love animals! They make me feel better when I'm down - are ready to play all the time - they like to snuggle - and they don't talk back.  I had a bunny named Boonie - I got him on a street corner in downtown LA.  I was shopping for fabric for costumes for the annual water show and I ran into this man holding a rabbit the size of a hamster.  He told me that they were "mini-bunnies" and wouldn't grow much larger (if you have any ocean front property in Utah that you want to sell, I'm your girl).  He was so cute.  I had to hold him then I had to have him - so I bought him for $20.  Boonie went with me everywhere - at work I had a little hamster bed and he would wonder around my desk or get in his bed.  I carried him in my hoodie pocket, I carried him everywhere.  My sister suggested I take him to the vet to get him checked out and see if he needed any shots.  I met with the doctor and much to my chagrin and total embarrassment he explained that this was not a mini bunny it was a very young bunny, much too young to be away from his mama.  So I became Bunny Mama and learned how to feed him and care for him - the vet said they call them Santee Alley Bunnies, (named after the shopping alley in Los Angeles) and that they generally don't live long.  I told him that Boonie was different and that he would live.  And he did. A nice long life.  The vet said that I loved him into long life and my "mini-bunny" ended up weighing about 10 lbs and being 2 feet when he raised up on his hind quarters.  He was huge!  I love and miss you Boonie - I know you are sitting at the foot of God.