Family and Friendship

The Annoying Husband

Backstory

A friend started telling about recent hassles with her husband. She referenced numerous irritating habits and grievances. Once she started looking at him through fresh eyes, things changed dramatically.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

The Annoying Husband – #644

How about that husband of yours? Sure gets on your nerves at times, doesn’t he? You get annoyed by some of the things he does. And what’s really frustrating are the things he doesn’t do.

Lots of promises, no action. Reminds me of the joke, “When a man says he will do something, he will do it. He does not need to be reminded every six months.”

Well, you can go ahead and be annoyed, or you could take a different look at it. Those things that annoy you, do they really matter?

There are millions of people yearning for a life companion and they can’t find one. Ask how fussy they would be about perfection, if they had a person who loved them, who they could talk to and share with.

Next time you are busy getting annoyed, think about the way he makes you feel; he way you feel when you look at him, or hug him, or watch him with your children.

Are you overlooking the good points and dwelling on the needy? Maybe a change of your attitude would make a difference. If you love him, be sure to tell him today. Right now. Give him a break from complaints – voiced or thought of. Substitute loving acceptance and see what happens. Could make life happier for you both.

Something to consider.

P.S.

There’s also a simple approach that can positively affect the family culture too. Introduce frequent use of “please” and “thank you.” It even works on teenagers – sometimes.

[Show #644]

New Dishes

Backstory

Do you still get a kick out of a new toy, like when you were a kid? I have to admit, I do. And I really get excited when the toy arrives in my kitchen.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

New Dishes – #353

I have new dishes! It’s been a long time since I got new dishes.

They are square and stark white and the food looks really good on them. They’re very different from the Corelle that filled my kitchen cabinets when the kids were growing up. Those indestructible bowls and plates made it through the roughest of days and the wildest of baby food tossing. So did the plastic glasses festooned with cartoon characters. They encouraged consumption of many a gallon of milk.

The good dishes were always kept in the china cabinet in the dining room. But they didn’t just sit there and get dusty. I used them for company, for Sunday dinner, for special date night dinners with my husband. They’re beautiful. Silver trimmed with blue flowers on them. I still have them and they still get used.

But the new square dishes are our current favorite. Food seems more exotic on them somehow; even when it’s kielbasa and sauerkraut or spaghetti and meatballs. Maybe it’s the shape, or that there is no design on the glass fighting for attention with the food on the plate.

For whatever reason, the square dishes are now very “in” and I am enjoying them.

P.S.

A table I visited recently went in the totally opposite direction. Family members visit thrift shops and buy mismatched but beautiful plates, bowls, dishes and serving pieces. The pieces are so inexpensive that they toss them and buy new every few months. Their dinner setting is a cacophony of colors and styles. They too find joy in their new dishes.

[Show #353]

Pen Pal

Backstory

Handwritten notes? In the day of briefest possible communication like tweets, texting and Instagram? Here’s the story of how that came about.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Pen Pal – #331

“Do you think Grandma would like to be my pen pal, ” my 10-year old grandchild asked her mom. We live several hundred miles away from each other and I don’t have a chance to engage in grandmotherly things like attending her ballet classes or watching her play softball. And now, she had come up with the idea of writing to each other.

Well, we’re both on Facebook, we both have computers, we both email each other, but here she was wanting to do something more personal and to me something very precious. I agreed in a moment and we began a stream of communications that kept the postman hopping.

I bought her return labels for her envelopes with her name and address on them and the greeting, Hi Grandma! She sent me messages of one or two sentences or whole pages worth of observations and questions and endearments full of sweet 10-year old innocence.

Yes, some wound up on the refrigerator where I secretly hoped that visitors would read her charming text. Others were packed lovingly in a box to be returned to her in 10 or 20 years to reacquaint her with the young girl she once was. Perhaps by then to have a daughter of her own with whom to share.

I am so pleased to be the pen pal of this special little person.

P.S.

Well, she IS now 10 years older. No daughter to share this with yet, so I’m keeping the ribbon tied box for when that event comes along. Once scrolled to paper, her words are mine forever.

[Show #331]

Smile

Backstory

Mom used to encourage me to smile. She wisely taught that you can get away with a lot if you present things with a big smile. I got a lot of traction with that advice, so I thought I’d pass it on.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Smile – #305

The other day, we did a show about losing weight and the struggle it can be. It was meant to make you smile. I hope it did. We know that a healthy body is important enough to work on it. But it can also have ironies that are humorous to say the least.

I like to smile, don’t you? I heard once how many facial muscles it takes to smile and a lot, lot more to frown. So, the decision to smile a lot is a good one, an easy one. One that brings rewards such as smiles returned and a feeling that perhaps you are lifting the day for someone who has not had many smiles that day.

What makes you smile? The face of a child, a kiss on the cheek, an email from a friend, an unexpected compliment? Maybe a youngster adorably struggling to learn a new skill? Well, I hope there are many things that bring a lift to your lips.

Smiles taste good and look good too! They’re like an instant facelift. They’ll do more for your sex appeal than stilettos or a hairpiece.

Are you smiling yet? Take a look in the mirror, next time you do. See how appealing you look wearing your favorite smile.

Here’s hoping you have cause to smile often today and every day.

P.S.

And if you have a bad day and can find absolutely no reason to raise the corners of your lips, may you come in contact with people who are smiling. Borrow one of theirs. You can always give it back.

[Show #305]

The Strength of Women

Backstory

Recent months have made such extra demands on women. New virtues of courage and resilience were called into focus by busy moms, lonely grandmothers and those sequestered alone,

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Women’s Strength – #267

Women have strengths that amaze. We bear hardships and carry burdens, but we hold happiness, love and joy. We smile when we want to scream, cry when we’re happy and laugh when we’re nervous.

We fight for what we believe in and stand up to injustice. We don’t take no for an answer when we believe there is a better solution. We go without so our family can have. We cry when our children excel and cheer when our friends get awards. We nurture and juggle responsibilities effectively. We keep everyone on schedule and get them there on time.

Our responsibilities as a mother never end. We are always there when needed and everyone depends on that. We are the glue that holds everything together. We are strong when it seems there is no strength left. We know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They drive, fly, walk, run or email you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

We women have one flaw, however. We forget our worth. Never forget your worth.

You are amazing.

P.S.

The joy you get when you hear a teenager agreeing with one of your long-preached truisms. The pride in her voice when your daughter tells of something you did right They don’t go around singing your praises, so you have to watch for the rare opportunities when you catch a glimpse at how much you are appreciated by those you love. As I said, you are amazing!

[Show #267]

Dad Teaching By Example

Backstory

Celebrating Father’s Day with a vignette from real life. Dads can talk the talk. This one walked the walk, with his young son at his side.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Dad Teaching by Example – #525

The 7 year old went up to his dad, worried and concerned. “Daddy, this is a lot of money, isn’t it?” he asked. He handed his dad a hundred dollar bill that he had just found on the street. He was worried that someone planned to use that “big dollar” to buy food and would now go hungry.

Dad advised him not to tell anyone about the find. He had a plan. He and his son went back to the cul-de-sac where the money was found, knocked on doors and asked if anyone was missing money. The child was advised not to mention how much money. His dad explained that knowing the amount of the money lost would help them identify the real owner.

At the third house, a rather frazzled woman came to the door, surrounded by four very young children. The little boy asked if she had lost any money.

“I hope you mean a hundred dollar bill,” she exclaimed. “I have been frantic looking for it. That was suppose to buy this week’s groceries.”

The money was returned and the boy even received a small reward for his honesty and his efforts to return the money.

But his biggest reward was the knowledge that his dad knew he had done what was right. He got a first-hand lesson in honor and integrity. He had already been taught what was right, and when the universe put him in a position to make a choice, he held tight to his principles.

Job well done – by both father and son.

P.S.

Kids were asking hard questions while sheltered in place. Dads had a rare opportunity to give encouragement, hope and laughter. Here’s to the dads who created moments of heroism and love for their kids in this unique spring of 2020.

[#525]

« Previous Page