Things I've Learned - - - in all these years.....

• I can't force anyone to like me.  Either they do or they don't.
• The only one who can allow someone to take me for granted is me.  If I allow it, it's because I truly love you and I feel there is a reason that you feel that need to do it.  If I don't allow it, it's because I've felt it's time to take a stand.  I can only take so much.
• Pain will always be part of life - either mental or physical.  It's how you deal with it that makes you grow or flounder.
• Moving forward is always the best way to deal with grief, sadness and depression.  Drowning in a quagmire of sadness will take you years to get over.  That doesn't mean that sadness and depression are not part of life - but, use your strength and move forward with whatever means are necessary.
• I am the one responsible for my choices and decisions.  They haven't always been good.  But, I'm the one that has to live with those decisions.
• Sometimes you have to make hard decisions.  Make sure you think hard and long before you do it.
• Decisions should be made with both your head and your heart.  Don't use just one or the other to decide.
• I love with my whole heart and I've raised human beings that do the same.  
• I'm a nurturer.  I don't like people to feel sad. 
• Working hard is good for you.
• Sometimes relationships are broken beyond repair.  But, before you throw it away, make sure it can't be mended.
• Sex is always better when love is involved.  
• See as much of the world as you can in the time that you have.  There is amazing things to see beyond your back fence.
• I have a very hard time dealing with egos the size of Alaska.  I'm sorry, you're not that perfect, neither am I.  I am very good at what I do - I won't accept doing anything half assed.  There are too many people in the world who think they know it all.  One day, they will learn that they don't.  
• On the other hand, there is a whole lot of things out there that I have no clue about.  That is why the above people need to stop and realize that they don't know everything.  
• I love to learn new things.  My retention now is not the greatest, but, I love to learn.
• The best lesson I learned when I sold my house that I raised my kids in was to purge the crap.  If you're not using it, if you haven't seen it in years, if it's gathering dust - you don't need it.  Get rid of it.  Clutter will take over your world.  Get a handle on it.  
• On the other hand - you don't live in a museum, you live in a home.  Home is to live in.  Take your shoes off, put your feet up, drink a cool, soothing beverage.  It's your refuge and you should spend time enjoying the down time.
• Time spent with your children will always be more important than time spent cleaning your house.  Spend time with your kids and spend thirty to sixty minutes after they go to bed cleaning up.  
• The smartest thing I ever did was marry the smartest man in the world.  He is a man who loves with his whole heart and loves being loved.  Nobody has ever been more amazing and trusts me more than this man.  That means the world to me.
• I love my stepdaughters.  I have three.  I have two that I talk to regularly. I love their children - they are my grandchildren. I love the relationship I have with them.  I have one that I've lost to betrayal and lies.  But, I love each and every one of them.  
• Being a grandmother is probably the most awesome things in the world.  Watching the people you made make people of their own is amazing.  Watching two of those babies come into the world was the biggest blessing and gift anyone has ever given to me - thank you Crystal.
• I've raised beautiful, amazing, lovely people.  I don't know what I did to deserve them, but, they are some of the most amazing people I know.  They are my kids, they are my friends, they are my everything.  I would give up my life in a minute if it meant saving theirs or their children's.  
• Family first.