Friday, January 30, 2015

Word of the Year



A couple of years ago, I noticed in Debbie Macomber’s newsletter that at the beginning of each year, she selects a word to focus on for that year. In 2013, she used “Submit”. 2014 brought on “Light” and this year it’s “Bouquet.” See her You Tube video to learn more about “Bouquet” and how “Light” played out. As someone of Debbie’s great influence tends to do, she inspired me to come up with my own words.

“Strong” was my word for 2013, as in finding inner strength since that was a very difficult time period in my life right after a messy divorce. I focused on picking myself up, starting over, and creating a new life for myself no matter what obstacles I faced, and there were plenty!

When 2014 rolled around, I was on my way to being back on my feet so I centered on the word “Empower”. I really loved rocking that word! I worked hard to get my self-confidence back and knowing I could take care of myself. There’s a lot of “Empower”-ment once that happens even when, as you invariably will, run into bumps and bruises along the way.

I figure I’ve spent the past two and half years focusing on getting myself together. Now it’s time to turn my attention to less self-centered matters. “Forgive” is my word for 2015. I’m going to be working on forgiving those who have hurt me and especially trying to forgive myself for every bad I have ever done. Somehow, I think “Forgive” just might be the hardest word of all to see to fruition! We can’t control other people, but we can adjust our expectations. There’s this great saying by John Maxwell: “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.” Letting go of any bitterness and/or regret you may have will ultimately make you a happier, more positive person who can accomplish anything!

Got any ideas for your 2015 Word of the Year?

Southern Smiles,
Casey Crow

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

National Fun at Work Day with Mr. Hottie



Whoops!

That gorgeous man you work for  just passed your desk and spilled your coffee.

"Let me help you," he says, leaning over so he can get a whiff of your perfume and look down your blouse.

You return his stare with a strategic glance at the bulge in his pants.

Now what?

Before you can  count your Starbucks rewards, he's got you on top of the desk, making mad, passionate love to you. Your heart is pounding, the burning ache between your legs driving you mad...

"...Miss Bennett-Jones, wake up!"

Uh-oh, it's that dork with the plaid socks and squeaky voice in the cubicle next to you. Seems you were day-dreaming.

"Miss Bennett-Jones, meet your new boss."

Hel-lo!

Mr. Hottie stares at you with those sexy bedroom eyes and says, "Having fun at work today?"

All you can do is nod and smile big when he spills your coffee...and what happens next ain't a dream.

Happy Fun at Work Day!

~Jina
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Friday, January 16, 2015

Moonpie over Mobile




Moo
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It's not Times Square on New Year's, but my town of Mobile, Alabama drops a Moon Pie on December 31st and has done so since 2008. It's  a 12-foot-tall lighted mechanical banana colored Moon Pie. We made national news again and I saw several Facebook post about what a Moon Pie has to do with Mardi Gras. Well, we are home to the ORIGINAL Mardi Gras (contrary what those folks over in New Orleans think -- big rivalry, mind you). 

Moon Pies have been made at the Chattanooga Bakery since 1917. Earl Mitchell Junior said his father came up with the idea for Moon Pies when he asked a Kentucky coal miner what kind of snack he would like to eat, and the miner requested something with graham cracker and marshmallow which had been dipped in chocolate. When Mitchell's father asked how big it should be, the miner looked up in the night sky and framed the full moon with his hands.

Throwing Moon Pies originally began in Mobile, where they are still the catch of choice for the parades there. But why a Moon Pie? A lot of people that aren’t that familiar with the Mobile style should know that before 1974, food has always been involved as a throw ever since 1949, when Crackerjacks, (peanuts and caramel nuggets) were thrown by a lot of krewes as a treat for the revelers. Crackerjacks, were brought about because they were a cheap alternative to beads.
However, people kept getting beamed with the end of those rectangular boxes. Mobile city officials banned the candied popcorn about 1972. A lot treats and articles preceded the Moon Pie icon as the krewes searched for a replacement. 

The first to throw of Moon Pies were the krewe of “Maids of Mirth” in 1974. Soon other krewes followed. They first came in chocolate dipped graham cracker cookies with a marshmallow center. Now, the famed cookies come in also banana, coconut, orange and vanilla. Peanut butter is pretty popular down here, too, and I hear there's strawberry and apple.

Hope you enjoyed your Southern history lesson. (Thanks to Wikipedia and "The History of the Mardi Gras Moon Pie" by Aaron Lane, Planet Radio, copyright March 7, 2011 for the help). 

Happy 2015!

Southern Smiles,
Casey Crow


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

A picture is worth a thousand words...and then some

Potpourri of fave graphics I've done...fun mash-up of these four pics:

Cinderella takes a bubble bath with the Rogue from Rome while trying to follow her New Year's Resolutions!

Enjoy!

~Jina



 

 
 
 
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Saturday, January 10, 2015

Hello summer!

Winter. I hate it! I can't stand it! I live in a state that borders frickin' Canada, and they have a tendency to leave the back door open. Brrr...


Well, I'm not one to suffer and whine. I try to DO something about my little problems. So, several years ago, I bought a timeshare in Florida. Yup. A week right on the beach after the holidays and during my birthday week. (Some people have a day. I stretch it to a week.) I love to spend my special day kayaking on the St. John's River.

Okay, so the river I use is a whole lot calmer than this. To me any water sport is an adventure. Just ask my daughter why she'll never canoe again. (It has to do with getting lost in a swampy area with long tendrils of hair-like vegetation hanging from trees, making the impending darkness seem even darker.) Like I said...an adventure! Don't worry. We found our way out before nightfall. Visions of gators and snakes were totally unfounded.

As I type this, I'm still at home. A storm is about to hit and our plane is scheduled to leave just as it really gets going. I don't need to tell you what awful words will exit my mouth if we're grounded...

But here's my point. (Oh, yeah, I did have one...) It has to do with the title. I've heard enough about the law of attraction to know I need to think positive. I positively will be enjoying warm weather and sunshine right. f*cking. now! Hee hee. I think I need it. Can you tell?

How do you feel about winter?  


 

Friday, January 2, 2015

New Year's Resolutions




Happy New Year y'all. Have you made your resolutions yet? Planning to lose weight? Get more organized? Read the Bible more regularly? Train to run a marathon?


Motivation guru Tony Robbins says to write down your goals, and since resolutions are annual goals, let's take a moment to write them down.  Honestly, I couldn't tell you when the last time I made a resolution. Years ago I learned that if I didn't make them, I wouldn't break them and since I'd broken every one I've ever made, it was best to avoid them altogether. But this year, I'm stepping out and writing down my goals. Personal: 1.) Continue to be the best mom I can be. 2.) Maintain my workout regiment. 3.) Eat healthier (this one is hard because I like to overdose on processed sugar ~ hence my reason for working out so hard). Professional: 1.) Finish the WIP. Publish it. (no pressure huh?) 2.) Become more diligent with my writing. I'm too realistic to say I'll do it everyday since I have three jobs, but writing isn't something to do at the end of the day if you have time. It is something to incorporate into your daily schedule.


So what are resolutions?


Remember. January 1st is the first page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!


Southern Smiles,
Casey Crow