Life Lessons

A friend emailed this list to me. This is such a great list. I sent it out by email as well, but thought it was a must post list! We should read it often!

As I was getting ready to post the list here I thought I would look for the original online. I'm glad I did. The email said Regina Brett was now 90 years old....she is not. Here is the original column.


Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
by Regina Brett
Sunday, May 28, 2006, 10:13 AM

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Tahoe - Our Last Full Day

Our last full day in Tahoe was Father's Day.
Happy Father's Day my love. I hope you had a wonderful day.

It was also M's birthday. TC made a very yummy chocolate cake and we ate it all day.

After celebrating Daddy Day and M's birthday we went on a hike. That's two in one trip! A first for us.

This was #8 - Vikingsholm and Emerald Point in best easy day hikes Lake Tahoe by Tracy Salcedo. We did not walk the entire hike listed in the book. We walked to the Ehrman Mansion then back.

Ehrman Mansion has beautiful grounds. You can purchase tickets for a tour of the inside (which we did not do this time).

We sat on the beach. The girls and I imaged what it must have been like to take a boat out to the teahouse. We went to the little museum. They have the suitcase of Helen Henry Smith. As a little girl, Mrs. Smith spent 14 Summers in Tahoe at this mansion and going to the teahouse. It was fun to see what kind of things she brought with her every Summer. Her fancy pink dress for tea, books, her camera, her teddy bear, her miniature silver tea set...etc. O was amazed that another little girl brought her teddy bear everywhere just like she did.

As we were admiring the beautiful grounds and the girls wishing they could go out to the teahouse, we saw Mrs. Smith!

I snuck a picture. I couldn't help it. To think this women spent so many Summers at this house, sitting on this beach, going for tea in that teahouse on the little island. I wanted to talk to her. Just sit for hours and listen to her stories.

I asked CK if she wanted to meet Mrs. Smith. If she did, I would take her to say hello. We could introduce ourselves. CK thought for a moment and said no. O immediately said, "I do!" Okay, I told her let's go. I thought CK would then change her mind, but she didn't. I didn't push it. It was up to her.

O and I walked over to Mrs. Smith. She was talking with a few rangers and other people. Family or friends I imagine. I said, "Excuse me, Mrs. Smith?" I told her we were here visiting and my daughter and I wanted to say hello. She was very kind. She asked O how old she was and if she liked the house. O spoke in a soft clear voice, answering her questions as she looked up in ah at this old women who spent her Summers at the teahouse. Mrs. Smith told O the house was like a castle. All O could say was "Ooooooh." O told Mrs. Smith she liked the teahouse. Mrs. Smith said that was fun. They would have tea and little tea sandwiches there.

I didn't want to keep Mrs. Smith too long. We said thank you and good bye. She said "Come and visit us again."

I am very proud of O. She did very well. What a treat to meet Mrs. Smith.

There was a lot of wildlife on this hike and on the grounds of the mansion. Beware of this wildlife on the grounds. They are NOT afraid of people! It was great to photograph, but if you aren't feeding the geese they will nip at you!

The three little hikers.

The three hikers, overlooking Emerald Bay. What a view!

Monday we cleaned the house, packed up and all went home. Another wonderful Tahoe vacation.

We look forward to going back in August. We'll be able to spend time with friends who we don't get to see and celebrate a wedding! I'll make sure to post that trip as well.

Tahoe - At The Park

Saturday TC and I went on our annual girls shopping trip into town. It's always a nice outing and time to visit.

While we were in town the dads took the girls to the park down the street. Here are some of the pics C took. Nice job!

Our Annual Tahoe Hike

Every year we take a different hike. We choose a hike from best easy day hikes Lake Tahoe by Tracy Salcedo.

This year we took hike #9 ~ The Lighthouse. It was a very easy 2.5 mile round trip hike. Of course, beautiful views along the way. At the end there is a very small lighthouse that is the size of an outhouse.

Here are pics from our hike.

Wildlife spotted along the trail. Well, not the bear. That was in the museum/store.

Our four little hikers. Well, little T...she gets a backpack ride.

The two families.

Tahoe - First Day and a Half

This is our Fifth Annual Tahoe vacation with the B family. We can't believe it. As always, we are having a great time. So great, this is the first chance I've had to post some pics.

Some flowers from the front yard. You should have many more Nonna! TC and I think there are many beautiful flowers still to come.

I realize the top two are weeds (or wishing flower), but I was playing with my camera. Not bad for weeds.

The four girls in the front yard. Not the best lighting, but I haven't had time to retake this shot.

Our friend in the kitchen window. M spent the first hour putting spiders outside. This one we let stay. He hasn't bothered anyone. Very hairy.

Fun at The Lake.
The water is VERY low. We'll see if the guys do their annual jump from the pier.

Just a couple fun shots at The Lake. The three girls were sitting under the flag so I thought I would take a fun shot.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first tooth lost in the Tahoe house! Such a beautiful toothless smile!

What better dessert than s'mores, or snores as little T calls them.

Playing on the front porch in the evening.

Reading a funny book.

The Love of Shoes Starts Early

This is how the girls and I spend our evenings when Daddy is working. At our new favorite store...DSW Shoes! Well, this is only our second time at DSW and the first time I bought a pair of shoes. Not bad. I'm trying to be good.

The first time we went into DSW Shoes the girls did not want to go in. Then we walked in and they saw all the shoes. You should see these two girls in this store. O started it by trying on every pair of shoes she possible could. As fast as she possibly could. The higher the heal the better!

Tonight when I said I wanted to go in and look around again, they couldn't wait! I just had to post this picture. Red 3" pumps of course!

My little shoppers. I love it!

My Early Bird

Last night I could not fall asleep. It was about 1:45am by the time I got to sleep.

What time does my wonderful younger daughter wake up? 5:30am!! With her stack of "Fly Guy" books reading to me in my bed. I'm so glad she enjoys reading and is doing so well, but 5:30 in the MORNING! Can we wait until 7am? Please.

BTW, she still doesn't think she can really read. Silly girl.

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school. (Yeah, Summer vacation!) I can not believe how fast this past year went. When they say each year goes by faster and faster they are right. What a year it has been!

CK finished Second Grade. She was in a Second/Third Grade combo class with the best Second Grade teacher ever! Strict, loving, & kind...a year full of challenging work. It was perfect for CK.




O finished Kindergarten! Yes, I cried! I took LOTS of pictures during the Kindergarten last day of school concert so I wouldn't cry. No reason to take so many still shots when Daddy is there filming, but I couldn't help it. I can not believe my baby is now a First Grader! No more Kindergarten...ever... (sniff, sniff). The up side...FULL days next year! YES. (gotta look forward to something)

O had the best Kindergarten teachers ever! A team of two wonderful teachers who taught her so much. A year full of learning, fun, art and play. I was blessed to be able to share every Friday in the Kinder class helping. I learned a lot myself and being able to share "Fun Friday" with O was very special.




We are so proud of both our girls. They both do well in school and have grown so much this past year. I can't wait to see what next year brings. First and Third Grade, oh my!

Happy Summer Vacation!