And Now for the Rest of the Story

February 3, 2014

02/02/2014
H2O Challenge: Drink 8 glasses of water per day (10)
Exercise Challenge: Do at least 10 minutes of exercise per day (12 minutes)
Step Challenge: Walk 7,000 steps per day (5,240)
February Challenge: Walk 50k steps (31 miles) his month (9.38 miles so far) or 10,516 steps so far this month

Good morning!

Yesterday, I told you about our family friend, Katie who actually got on Wheel of Fortune. This was a feat in itself as Katie is an introvert and she didn’t even own a TV until she decided to try out for the show. What a wonderful gift she gave to my Auntie Marion, who is a Wheel of Fortune super fan! Her goal was to have fun and to win at least $1,000.  Katie taped the show last November and could not tell anyone the outcome until after the show aired. Katie DID make both her goals and if you would like to know exactly how she did, click on this picture from their party (btw there were about 50 people in attendance

Click on the photo to read the article and to find out the rest of the story!

 

Win or lose, our family is so grateful to Katie for huge act of kindness. I think Auntie Marion is still riding high.  I too, experienced an awesome act of kindness last week with the gift of a FitBit and I am also still riding high!

AffirMINTion: I am grateful for the awesome people in my life

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says she is grateful for her friends and me….. AND I LIKE IT!

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Can You See Your Dad in the Video?

Good morning Mintdom!

My dad is all of these dads in the video and more.  Before my dad retired, he was a high-powered executive. He went to White House dinners, met with CEO’s of large companies and traveled the world. Through it all, even as a self-centered teenager, I knew several things:

He loved my Mom

He loved his family

He loved his country

He loved his community

He loved his home

He loved me

My dad did not just say he loved, he showed it every day. My dad lived his love and devotion and all of these things remain the same today. Can you see your dad in the video – I can and much more

Happy Fathers Day , Dad  yesterday – I love you so much!

AffirMINTion: I want to follow my dad’s example

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to

Life is Good!

PS Yesterday, I also got to celebrate with one of my brother’s for Father’s Day – love you Jeff! Happy Father’s Day to my other brother – I love you too Jon!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says…. appreciate your dad and all he does every day… AND I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

A Celebration of Life!

 April 27, 2013

Good morning, Mintdom,

On Friday, I attended a celebration of life for a wonderful woman whose life ended too soon. I met Berty only once; however, I knew of her through her son and my daughter. She was a beautiful woman who lived her life to the fullest. The world lost some of its grace when she left. 

With the huge room filled to capacity, it is obvious that many people loved Berty; it showed in her friends that were able to speak at her life-celebration. Although her family and friends will always miss her, my prayer is that the many fond memories will ease the pain of losing her. 

My prayer for all of us is that we do not put off that phone call, lunch or note to our loved ones and that we let our friends and family know how much we love them through our words and deeds each day. 

AffirMINTion: I express my love to my family and friends each day.

 This is Berty and Al with a blanket that she received during one of the times that she was in the hospital. I love the embellishment. It looks like Berty – bright, cheery, warm embellished and happy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to. 

What are you waiting for? 

Life is good! 

A Mini Minty MoMINT 

My mom says… she is taking good care of me because I am under the weather… AND I LIKE IT 

Life is STILL Minty Fresh!

 

 

xoxo

Count Your Assets

March 11, 2013

Good morning Mintdom

I have the BEST, most generous family and friends. I am so grateful for all who helped me celebrate my 60^th birthday. You all or as some of you say, Y’all made me feel so very special. I spent so much of the weekend trying to come up with the words to say thank you. No words seem adequate. If I go along with Robert Quillen’s theory, and my family and friends are my assets, than my profit is sky-high! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. ::::whispering:::: and I got a Coach bag:::::

“If you count all your assets, you always show a profit.” – Robert Quillen

Speaking of birthdays, I want to wish one of my favorite assets, my friend Ben Heisler a very happy birthday. Ben is one of the smartest, funniest, hardest worker, most loyal, friends that I get to call my friend. Happy birthday, stalker… err friend – I hope you have an awesome day!

AffirMINTions: I am 60 and loving it!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says…being happy is a choice… and I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

 

xoxo

The Year of Fabulosity!

March 4, 2013

Good morning Mintdom!

Please indulge me for a few minutes this morning. I am bursting at the seams. I had a milestone birthday on Friday. I turned 60 years old – err 60 years young that is. I had a fabulous weekend of celebrating with family and friends. I have so many blessings and so much love in my life. It started with my sister, Nancy (well, it actually started in Fort Campbell, KY with my dad and mom) and ended with Nancy and my kids, grandchildren and my brother and his family at my favorite restaurant. I had awesome Facebook messages. I read them all and I am still working on thanking you all for them. I had phone calls, e-mails, visits, outings, hugs and a ton of love.  I have to be one of the wealthiest people on this earth. Thank you so much, I am grateful for each one of you.

I have never minded birthdays in the past. This year was the exception. I was not in the best frame of mind during the weeks leading up to my birthday. I was a little grumbly about turning that number; however, I now believe that this is the year of Fabulosity! I am SO looking forward to all of the fabulous opportunities (and discounts LOL) that I will have this year. This is just my first 60 years and I am looking forward to my next 60 years!

Here are a few of the remnants of my fabulous birthday weekend! Thanks for indulging me. I will get back to my fabulous regular life now (Nancy).

 

 

 

 

 

 

AffirMINTion: I am Sixty and Fabulous!

 

 

 

 

 

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

 

 

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says… I am fabulous too… and I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

xoxo

 

Minty Mondays: It’s All Relatives!

“Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.” – Author Unknown

 03/26/2012

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom and I had relatives over yesterday and it was a lot of fun. My mom says… she loves fudge, especially with nuts in it… AND I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

 

 

 

 

xoxo

 

Good morning, Mintdom,

“I don’t care how poor a man is; if he has family, he’s rich.” – Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford, “Identity Crisis, “M*A*S*H

Yesterday was a day filled with relatives and I loved every minute of it. It started out with a phone call with my daughter and son-in-law, Dallas; he is one of the nuts in our family that Minty loves! This photo is a little dark but it is Dallas with a chicken on his head. Do you get the picture? LOL! Their little family is becoming quite self-sustainable with their gardening, canning, and now they will produce their own eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On another note, my parents just put their home on the market (actually, my sister, Nancy did). They are moving back to Minnesota and they came over, along with my other sister, Becky, yesterday as they had an open house. I want to spend as much time with them as possible. If you know anyone that is thinking of buying and/or selling in Loudoun County, VA have them check out www.AugustaNationalTerrace.com !

I think one of the BEST parts of my day was that my cousin, Roxanne came over while my parents were here and brought tea and crumpets. I think I fell in love with tea yesterday! I love my cousin, Roxanne. We grew up being a little envious of each other. She is a year younger than I am and was envious that I was older and the cool cousin from Washington, DC (she grew up in Wisconsin). I was envious of her because she was so smart, talented and self-sufficient. Of course, now she boasts about being a year younger than I am AND she is still smart, talented, and self-sufficient, which I now thoroughly appreciate and now lives in the very cool city of Charlottesville!

Roxanne also brought two dogs, her dog Opal and a dog she is caring for, Mr. Worster. It was quite the contradiction between the tea and crumpets and managing three dogs! LOL!

To top of my relative day, I spoke with another cousin who lives in Minnesota. I spent a couple of summers with his family when I was a teenager. We stayed up all night and played cards, and then of course slept half the day, the next day. He and his wife have been a GREAT help to a close family friend who is dealing with Cancer. They have been at the hospital almost every night for nearly a month. It was nice to connect with him.

Yes, I am definitely rich in family and very grateful for it. I am also rich in friends. One of my very busy friends took the time out yesterday to visit the Open House. I could not feel more blessed.

AffirMINTion: I am rich in the love of family and friends.

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

Minty Mondays: A Hero is Born – Tomorrow!

02/20/2012

 A Mini Minty MoMINT

 “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve

 My mom says that her brother, Jeff is a hero because he never gives up… AND I LIKE IT!

 Life is Minty Fresh!

 

 

 

 

xoxo

 

02/19/2012 – No Data

02/18/2012 – 6,258 Steps

02/17/2012 – 4,044 Steps

02/16/2012 – 7,662 Steps

02/15/2012 – 5,067 Steps

02/14/2012 – 3,080 Steps

02/13/2012 – No Data

Good morning, Mintdom!

Tomorrow, my youngest brother, Jeff, will turn 50 years old. It is so hard to believe. I remember when he came home from the hospital, shaking head, and that was 50 years ago – I barely feel like *I* am 50 much less having a ‘little’ brother who is 50.  Last night our family and close friends celebrated Jeff. He is an amazing young … ooopps I cannot say that anymore. LOL Seriously, Jeff is a miracle. While he was in high school, had a serious medical issue that left him legally blind (he sees a quarter out of each eye and only in black and white) along with other challenges. These challenges have not stopped my brother from doing what he wants to do in life. It did not stop him from graduating from high school or the University of Santa Barbara. It has not stopped him from getting married and being a GREAT father to his children. He is unable to drive a car; however, it has not stopped him in business or from traveling all over the world, even in places like India and Russia where it might be difficult for lots of us! Best of all, I have yet to hear my brother complain or feel sorry for himself.

Last week, I read a blog from a young woman who had a diving accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down.  Of course, you cannot compare the injuries; however, as I read her blogs, it was clear that she was unable to accept her condition even with the support of her family. On her 31^st birthday, she writes that every birthday is a bittersweet reminder of what she does not have. In fact, most of her blog centers on what she does not have or what she is unable to do. In the end, she made the decision to end her life by refusing treatment and food.  I thought about my brother, when I read this, and how his focus centers on the things he has, and the things he CAN do. He is an inspiration and a joy to be around!  Happy birthday, dear brother, you are one of my heroes and I am looking forward to the next 50 years

AffirMINTion:  I appreciate those around me every day!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

PS The headline for February 20, 2012 (the day before you were born) was for another hero of that time, John Glenn

Minty Mondays: Mattering

11/21/2011

A Mini Minty MoMINT

“The  purpose of life is not to be happy – but to MATTER, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.” – Leo Rosten  

My mom says that I matter and that I make a difference to her… AND I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!
 

xoxo

 

 

 

 

Good morning Mintdom!

In the past two weeks, I have attended a new church. So far, I like it a lot. The handout they gave out at the door included a little brochure called Gifts that Give Hope 2011: Help Build Hope Today. This brochure listed EIGHT separate opportunities to help others during the holidays. What struck me is the fact that SO many people in our community and in the world do not have the things that I have – most of which I often take for granted. There are so many people in need that it overwhelmed me. These people are from all walks of life and range from infants to seniors. The other thing that struck me was not just the request for monetary gifts and gifts, but also the requests for help in the warehouse (there is a warehouse!), help distributing to needy families, mentoring, and help people shop for gifts. There are gifts that are going overseas to our soldiers and to their families that are here. There are gifts for children in Haiti. There are gifts and activities for families that have parents in prison and there are gifts and activities for those that are in shelters.

In just the few moMINTS that it took to read this brochure, I felt convicted and grateful all at the same time. After the service, I picked up a couple of things that I will gather and give in the name of my two grandchildren. I am doing it, not because I feel guilty, I am doing it because I am so grateful for ALL that I have. I have my faith first. I am healthy and getting healthier. I have a wonderful family and amazing friends. I have a safe, clean (most of the time ha ha) warm, place to live. I have a GREAT job that I love and that is close enough to go home for lunch and to take care of one of my biggest blessings – Minty. I put that brochure on my bulletin board at my desk at home to remind me of all that I have and to remain grateful.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James

This is a sweet video but BEWARE – the music will stick with you!  LOL!  http://tinyurl.com/wechangetheworld

AffirMINTion: I CAN make a difference in the world

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!

What Would You Do…..?

09/21/2011

Good morning, Mintdom!

What would you do if some genie gave you an extra 5 minutes or an extra hour in your day? What would you do if you were given an extra day? Would you ignore those 5 minutes? Would you waste the extra hour? Would you squander the extra day? Here are my answers.

5 Extra minutes: I would spend cuddling with Minty – I so appreciate her. Sometimes I look at her and think that I could just eat her up because she is so sweet.

1 Extra hour: I would spend learning something – I am an eternal student

1 Extra day: I would spend with – I was going to say family and friends – but honestly, I would spend it with my parents.

Since I do not think that, a genie will ever give me any extra time, I believe I need to make the most of the time that I DO have. That is one of the reasons that I stopped watching TV this past month. It is amazing, all the things that I have done that I would not have done had I been watching TV. I did turn it on during the hurricane and for one of the presidential debates but that was it until Monday night when I turned it on to watch Dancing with the Stars. I like that show and my family watches it.

How would you spend that extra time? Would you spend your time watching TV, playing Facebook games, or sleeping? Time is our most precious commodity – what do you do with YOUR time?

“Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever.” Horace Man

AffirMINTion: I make the most out of the time that I have each day.

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?
http://tinyurl.com/whatruwaiting4

Life is good!
A Mini Minty MoMINT

“Time – Life. Therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life.” – Alan Lakein

My mom says…she is the mistress of her life… AND I LIKE IT!

Life is Minty Fresh!

Hmmm, how do I want to spend my day?

xox0

Minty Mondays: A 9/11 Lesson

9/12/2010

A Mini Minty MoMINT

My mom says… the beautiful 9/11 memorials are reminder for us never to forget that day; it also celebrates the lives of those who died that day and a reminder to all of us to cherish our lives and our loved ones… AND I LIKE IT!

 

Life is Minty Fresh!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

xoxo

 

 

 

Good morning Mintdom,

Ten years ago today, the day after 9/11, I spent on my couch, glued to the TV; in fact, I spent the next couple of days like that. Our office remained closed until after the weekend. For the next couple of weeks there were several scares, but eventually things got back to a normal routine, a new normal routine, with heightened security in our building and around Washington, DC. I was grateful to be back at work and living my life.

One of the lessons that 9/11 taught me was to cherish my life, my loved ones, and my country. Our whole life could change in a flash. What was a lesson you learned from that day, ten years ago?

AffirMINTion: I cherish my life, my loved ones and my country every day!

Make it a GREAT day, IF you choose to.

What are you waiting for?

Life is good!