Having an education is awesome!

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."-William Butler Yeats
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I think education is the best gift I've been given. It's funny because in the beginning it was thought I might not be able to be educated. To this day, I'm really glad my parents didn't listen to people that said that and sent me to school like everyone else. I think knowing that people thought I wouldn't be able to do something made me want to do it more. I never want to stop learning because then life wouldn't be as fun. I think it's something that everyone deserves to have. Even if learning isn't easy, its still worth it. Knowledge is something no one can take from you. It's the best thing to have!

Jazz for a Friday

I like listening to jazz particularly on Fridays. When I was really young sometimes my family would get dressed up on Fridays and go out to dinner someplace nice. I really liked it when it was a place that had live music. I liked going out to dinner with my family, it was always something special. Not because of I heard this piece of music today and it reminded me of that. Happy Friday everyone, I hope you always have a little music in your life.

Happy story about lawn mowing

Usually I don't really think of lawn mowing as a terrifically happy thing to do. (Although I do have to admit that when I was younger I used to like riding around with my Dad on this tractor thing he used to mow the lawn. He'd go really fast and it was fun.) Anyway,  I just read a story about these two men in Alabama who helped an older lady mow her lawn. They have an organization that mows lawns for free for the elderly and other people in need.  One of the men that helps mow the lawns said that he wanted to "restore the importance of giving back to the community." I hope more people give back. Maybe it's not by mowing lawns for old ladies but just give back in general. In short, I'm all for spreading the love! To read about the Good Samaritan lawn mowing men click here. 

Words of wisdom for the day!

"Don't brood. Get on with living and loving. You don't have forever." -Leo Buscaglia
Read more at: http://mobile.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/leobuscagl143453.html

So folks my advice for today is: Keep calm and keep loving!

Why puddles and mud are fun!

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful!"E. E. Cummings
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I love this quote because when I was a kid I used to like jumping in puddles when it rained.  Sometimes (when I think no one is looking of course) I still like jumping in them for some reason. I guess the kid in me never went a way. (I hope it never does!) So here's to puddles and being kids at heart!

Making Stormy Weather Seem Sunny!

The singer Ella Fitzgerald was born today in 1917. As it was rather cloudy out today, the fact that Ms. Fitzgerald once sang a song called "Stormy Weather." (Actually, she probably sang it on multiple occasions, but I digress.) I like the fact that there's a song about storms. To me, everything seems better with a bit of music added to it! So as long as there's a song at least in my head, even storms aren't so bad. So here's to music and better weather!

A song I rock out to....

The singer Kelly Clarkson was born today in 1982. Although I don't usually like breakup songs, I find I rather like the song "Walk Away" by Ms. Clarkson.  Maybe I just like the beat -somehow it does make me feel good and yes, like the people  in the song's music video, I have been known to dance to this particular song when I feel like dancing randomly.  Dancing, in most circumstances, just feels pretty damn good! So now I'm going to walk away and dance just because I can!

Happiness through Shirley Temple

The thing I like about Shirley Temple is not just that she was cute but because she was able to make people feel good especially when they may not have had a lot of things to feel good about.  The song she sang that I like most that she sang once is called "On the Good Ship Lollypop." I always liked a good lollypop!

Just a wish for a Friday

I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Friday! Because everyone deserves a happy Friday!

The power of a good book

"I've never known any trouble than an hour's reading didn't assuage." Arthur Schopenhauer
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When I was younger it seemed like I always had my nose in a book. Sometimes with certain books I"d lie awake for hours at night just so I could finish the book because I just couldn't wait to finish it. I still like the feeling of escape that books provide. At least for that little while when I was reading I could be someplace else and not think about anything that might be happening in reality. Then when I finished the book I was reading, things didn't seem so bad. My life has been made better by so many good books. I know that if nothing else, I can always find happiness through reading. 

The best thing about not knowing

"Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know." Andre Maurois
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I think not knowing things is more fun than actually knowing. I learn more when I don't know something. Even if it means I don't know where I'm going (which happens frequently), I always manage to get where I need to be. So not knowing isn't so bad. I guess also, if one doesn't feel like answering any questions, 
"I don't know" seems as good a response as any! So here's to not knowing!

To love more

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."-Rumi

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Quotes/Relationships/R/Rumi/Your-task-is-not.aspx?q=purpose#TeyHMh5RtyoYfZQ2.99
I want to love more and so, true to this quote, I'll work on seeking and rooting out things in me that stops me from spreading the love. I think it's a task worth taking!

Happy Patriot's Day (aka Boston Marathon Day)

I just wanted to take this opportunity to give a shout out to everyone running/finishing the Boston Marathon! Even though I've never run a marathon, I did track and field in high school and for all my complaining, it was something I enjoyed. I found that it wasn't so much about the winning, it just felt really good to finish a race. Plus, it's lovely when everyone's cheering you on. That's really all that mattered. I hope everyone who runs the marathon feels that way. Just keep fighting til the finish! You'll get there!! I'm rooting for you!

Feeling safe

Although I do think it's a good thing to be adventurous I also do find that I like feeling safe.  I think I like hugging people so much because for the few seconds I hug someone I feel a profound sense of safety because I feel like nothing bad can happen in those few seconds. Anyway,  I heard this song the other day and it reminded me of that thought. I hope that everyone has someone or something that helps them feel safe, just because I think it's something everyone deserves to have.  The song below is appropriately called "I'll Keep You Safe".

Smile with Charlie Chaplin

The actor/comedian Charlie Chaplin was born today in 1889 and he composed a song called Smile. One day when I wasn't feeling so great I came across a clip of this song performed in a concert in England and it cheered me up. I hope it has the same effect on others. Keep smiling everybody, things  get better!

More love less paperwork!

"What the world really needs is more love and less paper work." Pearl Bailey
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html

I like this quote because it's tax day and although I do feel like everyone should pay taxes, I also think there should be more love and less paperwork in the world. This is why my mission is to spread the love!

Maggie Demonstrates with ADAPT!

I just got home from a trip with the ADAPT national disability advocacy group. We went to Washington, DC for what we call a "national action"  where as a group we went to different sites around the DC to advocate for the Disability Integration Act. This Act, which is pending in the Senate builds on work done by national ADAPT, will require insurance companies and states to provide funding for services (like personal care attendants, medical equipment, and other social services) in the community that would allow people with disabilities to live in the community rather than nursing homes.  The law makes sense because it costs less to have people live in the community versus living in care facilities and research shows they live more full and healthier lives while living in the community. We demonstrated in front of the White House, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Justice.  We also held a Fun Run to raise awareness for the Act and we met with different legislators on Capitol Hill to urge them to support the legislation and on the House side to promote new legislation that supports the Disability Integration Act.

What we did means a lot to me because people my age with disabilities are living in nursing homes and if this legislation passes they may not have to and their quality of life can be improved. I've never been to a protest before much less participated in one. It was a really exhilarating experience because we're passionate about this issue. It's something I'm glad I was part of because I have friends who lived in nursing homes and have since moved to living into their communities and I have seen how much better their lives our now because of their integration into their communities. If you would like to help get the Disability Integration Act  passed and you live in the US, please call your Senator and ask them to support Senate bill 2427 which was introduced by Senator Schumer (D-NY) in December, 2015. You can also still donate to the Fun Run until June. If you would like to donate to the Fun Run please follow this link: http://adaptfunrun.net/runner/message/757.

Happy birthday to my Mum!

It's my Mum's birthday and as a result, I thought I'd share some of the things I love best about her.

• She has great fashion sense and somehow seems to miraculously know what will fit and look good on her children.
• She's a great cook!
• She is a great listener and someone I know I can always trust.
• If I'm not feeling so great she always seems to know just what to do to cheer me up!
• She goes above and beyond to make sure everyone in our family is happy and doing well.

Although there are many other reasons why I love my Mum, most of all, I love her because she's my Mum!

Dancing!

I feel like every day is a day worth dancing for and laughing for that matter.  So here's a clip I thought was funny and full of dancing! (Just because it made me smile!)

For those who love Minions

This really made me laugh and so I decided to start a Monday with a Minion!!!!

Birthdays are Best days

I was born today and it's funny because I don't feel older. I never understood why people don't like getting older. I want to be old and celebrate it! I'm going to be one of those ol' ladies that just does her own thing and has fun! In short, I want to always have spunk!

Ode to college students from Tom Lehrer

The singer/comedian Tom Lehrer was born today in 1928. As Boston is largely a college town, I had to share this song that Tom Lehrer sang in one of his concerts. It's called Bright College Days and today I dedicate it to all college students!

Funny joke for a Friday

I saw this joke and for whatever reason it made me laugh. Happy Friday everyone!

One Friday a traffic policeman stops a Maisie and asks to see her driving licence.

'Lady, it says here that you should be wearing glasses when driving.' 
'Well,' replies Maisie, 'I have contacts.' 

'Lady, I don't care who you know, you're still going to get a ticket!'

Live on the sunny side of the street!

The singer Billie Holiday was born today in 1915. I found this recording of her singing "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and it really cheered me up. I hope there's always a bit of sun in your life. Or, at the very least, that you have reason to smile each day.

Happy quote for today!

"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles." William Hazlitt
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When times are tough be tougher!

"Tough times don't last, tough people do, remember?" -Gregory Peck

I like this quote because I really believe that people can go through so much and come out the other side.  When I was going through something hard, although I may not have felt the greatest,  I found it helped to think that as long as I can think I'm tougher than whatever it is I'm facing, things aren't so bad. I'm a firm believer in the idea that it's the thought that counts! If you're facing something tough I hope that you know that I believe you're tougher! Don't let the bastards grind you down! (As my Mum would say!)

I want to be a rainbow

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."-Maya Angelou
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mayaangelo578763

If I could come back in another life, I think I'd like to come back as a rainbow. I like rainbows because they signify that there are better things to come after the rain. There's always something to hope for and that's what rainbows mean to me. If I could wish something for everyone I'd wish that everyone could find all the rainbows life has to offer, short of that, I hope that people just to never give up hope for better things to come. 

A beautiful wedding for my friend

This weekend I had the great privilege of attending the wedding of my friends April and David.  I've always liked weddings as they are truly joyous occasions. This event was especially so. I've known April for a long time as she used to be the leader of my Bible study group before she moved out of state. She's always been an inspiration to me and so it is really a delight to see her so happy. Although  I don't know David as well as I know April, it's just so nice to see two people so much in love.  I think what I like best about weddings is getting to congratulate people just for being happy and for being in love.  To me it's a way of sharing that love.  Love is best shared and April and David show that in everything they do. April is a pastor and that shows in everything she does. Just as I think she was meant to marry David, she was meant to spread God's word and love to everyone.  I want to take this opportunity to wish them both every imaginable happiness.

A song that makes me want to party!

The singer Marvin Gaye was born today in 1939. Whenever I think of him, I think of the song Got To Give It Up because it's such a fun song. Plus, it's perfect for a Saturday! Wherever you are, I hope you give today up to fun! To put you in the mood, listen to the video below. Happy Saturday everyone!

Prank

Since April 1st is April Fools Day I thought I'd write about a funny prank my parents did once. I'm writing about this out of love for my parents and how funny they are and how they've always instilled in me the importance of laughter. Anyway, when I was really young, my parents and I lived in a small neighborhood in Michigan. There was a couple that lived next door to us who were very nice and had an immaculate lawn that they apparently were very proud of. So one day, my parents saw these very gaudy pink flamingo lawn decorations at our local gardening store. They proceeded to buy these decorations and then they waited until it was dark and then they stealthily stuck the decorations all around our neighbor's front yard. I'm not sure how long the lawn decorations stayed in the yard but according to my parents, our neighbors didn't figure out that my parents were the culprits for a whole year.  I wish I had pictures to document this event but let it suffice to say it was very funny, even if my parents never did it again. I love my wacky parents so much! Happy April Fools Day everyone!