catnipoflife

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

Awakenings: Washington Monument

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

This Day in History: December 6, 1884

The Washington Monument was constructed as a memorial to George Washington, the First President of the United States of America. On this day in 1884, in Washington, D.C., workers place a nine-inch aluminum pyramid atop a tower of white marble. It is the most prominent landmark in Washington, DC standing as the centerpiece of the National Mall. The monument is indeed monumental measuring 555 feet 5 1/8 inches high. Fifty flags surround the base of the Washington Monument symbolizing the 50 states of America.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

God bless America and all that she represents!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

2 Comments »

THREE Stars: Blog of the Year 2013

boty-banner6starClick HERE for the rules!

bth_dividers

What a day this has been!

Blog of the Year Award 3 star jpeg

catnipoflife received 3 stars today!

bth_dividers

Heartfelt thanks go to Taylor Fulks, Lori Foroozandeh and Raani York! It is through the inspiration of such wonderful bloggers that keeps the catnip in catnipoflife! My cup runneth over with gratitude!

bth_dividers

This brings catnip’s star count to 5!

Blog of the Year Award 5 star jpeg

A star for you…

CONGRATULATIONS!

…to the following, here is your first star (may be your second, could even be your third) but it is the first from me!  Each of you carries your own special talents and words of wisdom. Thank you for your inspiration, which always seems to arrive when needed. And do not pay any attention to the order the names are presented, God bless you all!

Blog of the Year Award 1 star jpeg

Lesley Fletcher @Inspiration Import

Mary Helen @greatpoetrymhf 

Diane @The One Thing I Know for Sure

Rosemary Adkins @ Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler

Deirde Tolhurst @Thoughts and Prayers

Granny @angelswhisper2011

Laurie @laurie27wsmith

Julie @cookiecrumbstoliveby

Don’t forget to Click HERE for the rules!

7 Comments »

Worst Christmas Gifts Ever

With the Christmas season comes shopping and hopes of selecting just the right gift, as well as receiving the right gift. The thoughts on behalf of the giver are not necessarily synonymous with the thoughts of the receiver. Of course, ’tis the season to be jolly, enjoying the humor, but foremost being thankful…even if the gift is not what you wanted or expected.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

The Regifter

Of course, not in the picture is the obvious regift. While one might initially be delighted to get an elegant Italian dress shirt, beware. There may be initials monogrammed on the cuff gone totally unnoticed since it had never been taken out of the box and unfolded. Priceless? I would use a different descriptor. Thoughtless.

The Statement Maker

In a bizarre twist on the regift, a husband gave his wife the same Gucci purse — literally the same exact purse — two years in a row.

Wife: “I loved that purse, it was the best gift I’d ever gotten. I loved it so much I didn’t want to use it because I had two small kids and you know, it would get dirty,”

Husband: “Sure I rewrapped the purse and gave it to her again. Since she hadn’t used it, heck I thought I might as well just give it to her again — now maybe this year she’ll use it.”

The Non-Gift

We have all seen the ads of the car with the big red bow. I suppose there are actually those who gift a car for Christmas. A bit of caution here: One husband did. More than likely the idea came from one of the eye-catching ads. That big red bow did look pretty cool. Turned out it wasn’t anywhere near a perfect GIFT. The wife is still making payments of the Christmas gift they BOTH drive. Is he always this dense? Maybe it was that darn bow!

What’s the worst gift you have ever received? Better yet, have you surprised someone with a ‘trick’ gift that was awful?

9 Comments »

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

While we may not necessarily be excited about the snow, we will always enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra!

6 Comments »

Awakenings: The music goes on…Leading up to the 50s

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Have you ever heard of Moondog, Albert James “Alan” Freed or Rock ‘n’ Roll? If you have heard of one, you should know them all! The man and the term have always been associated with the 50s. Did the hip-shaking pandemonium that ensued start with this so-called Moondog? Not for a skinny minute moment! Let’s look back to the decades before the 50s exploring the music that led to the discovery of Rock and Roll, Rock & Roll, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Rockin’ and Rollin’.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Some may think Rock and Roll, Rock & Roll, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Rockin’ and Rollin’ were only attributed to the decade of the 50s. Have some fun! Ask a family member or friend, even a stranger, when rock and roll originated and from what music genre it evolved.

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

2 Comments »

Awakenings: The music goes on…Still Swinging in the 40s

See on Scoop.itAwakenings: America & Beyond

Entering the era of the 40s does not leave the Swing behind but instead, finds it going as strong as ever! Early in the decade swing, jazz and big band tunes rocked the radio and jukebox of young and old alike. The big band ensembles generally consisted of 12-25 musicians playing a variety of instruments whose music was often depicted as a form of jazz. Popularity waned due to musicians’ strikes and gave way to ‘crooners’ later in the decade.  One of the most famous musicians of the 1940s was Glenn Miller. Click the little jukebox at the right and listen to Glenn Miller’s “Jeep Jockey Jump” and check out the other music clips.

Sharla Shults‘s insight:

Then, there was WAR!

Many musical scores tried to capture the pain and suffering of World War Il, while at the same time, instill a feeling of hope within an atmosphere of hopelessness. The music remained upbeat even though the impending future of the country was uncertain.

What a great era for music!

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.com

4 Comments »

The Only Limit

PushLimits2

There are times when each of us feel we have done all we can do, we can do no more, we have reached our limits. We are tired, absolutely pooped, ready to give up, give in, settle for less.

We feel we have come to our road’s end with no branches leading in a new or different direction, no ‘y’ in the road, only a dead end. But even at the end of a dead-end road, there is something beyond. 

The only blockade is that which we allow in our own minds. The voice that says STOP, you can go no further, you have reached your limits.This is the moment when you push through the things blocking your way and forge ahead.

PowerNow, I ask you, Have you reached your limits?”

Goals

The only limit is the one you set yourself!

FollowYourPath

The limit you set
is that of your own
whether high or low
its time will come

Within your limits
new horizons await
inner thoughts
say never too late

Be on the lookout
ever watchful you see
for what lies ahead
is what’s meant to be

Look to tomorrow
unafraid to explore
push your limits
farther than the day before

6 Comments »