Confident Expression

http://www.wimp.com/speaktypography/



I /naturally/ speak 'with authority.'

From the time I was a toddler, so I am told, I knew my own mind and valued my opinions enough to just say what I thought. Given that my self-esteem was going to get a lot of shocks from my bad situation(s), I thank God He made me so confident of my own identity and self-worth. I truly believe it was His Provision for what I would be up against. Because of His Grace to me, I became a voice for Him. Though sometimes victimized, I am and always was, far more than just a victim. By His Grace, I pray I always will be.

Sometimes being myself isn't appreciated. lol

Most people on joining a group naturally do a kind of 'initiate's dance.' They quite reasonably recognize they are 'low man on the totem pole' and actively defer and mimic the local authority.

I can't do that. I understand how it works but the behavior is unnatural to me. Seriously, it comes off unpleasantly artificial when I've tried. Some even thought I was mocking the usual process!

So, I just aim for being respectful, dealing with others on equal terms. People see my confidence and know I could be a natural leader, which makes some current leaders nervous, but I never come in with the idea of taking over. [I don't want that much of a headache. True authority comes with a lot of responsibility, and I don't shoulder that load lightly.] Unless I like the current leadership, I may not even stick around. If I *do* decide to join in, then I believe in you, and I will support you. Don't worry so much!

I was continually criticized in one group online for seriously holding opinions. How dare I know my own mind! How non-hive of me! Hey, those convictions/ideals/beliefs/interests weren't approved by our clique! You better be willing to justify them effectively or we'll snark/ridicule you off the thread!

The implicit idea was that if I defended what I'd researched, speculated, liked, or believed, I'd then be granted respect for my variations. Too often the other side reneged on that deal. Now I don't feel obliged to defend facts I've quoted or philosophical/religious ideals. I did the work. I considered the question open and all questioners equal. I came to a conclusions based on evidence and experience. You can too. If you really want to know more from me, better approach me with respect, or I'll tune you out. You're just not going to get anywhere with me by  offering snarky/contemptuous 'challenges.'  I've dealt with too many closed minds to waste my time trying to ping pearls of truth off pigheaded skulls. I'll respect you IF you respect me!

Unsurprisingly, a lot of other people in that group who were trying to fit in sounded like... the alternative. It was total submission, and suppressed free communication. It was an indication of how little respect was shown to independent thought that people felt like it was safest to express their beliefs/opinions/interests in uncertain tones, so that if an empowered 'other' challenged them, they could surrender the mental ground immediately and avoid being thought 'controversial.' [Controversy is ssooo subjective, referring to real trolling sometimes - but also used as shorthand for societal nonconformity.) Those who didn't surrender right away sometimes adopted a 'begging' tone, asking the other to mercifully consider their position. It rarely worked.

This is how people become sheeple.

Not me.

Dream Home?

When the subject of dream homes came up, I often haven't had much of an opinion. I think I liked French Provencal for a while as a tween, and leaned toward Neo-Classical for years, but only as an ideal. I have seen the inside of enough well maintained Federalist-style homes to realize that too much formalism is not something I'd want to live with daily. I loved the big Victorian-era mansion/farmhouse where I lived as a little one (with our friends), and for years I thought that's what I'd go for if I won the lottery or something, but I also loved that old log cabin mill-house in the country. I have fantasized about about cave homes, island getaways, hobbit homes in the hills, big tree houses... (but never that weird giant wasp ball in Riven ;)

I've been thinking about what kind of home I'd choose lately (if it was all up to me and I had lots of money) - largely because a FB friend has been exploring the idea for herself and sharing a dizzying array of photos featuring idealized settings in various styles. The stone and log cabin-y ones appeal to me most right now, with the tree-houses taking a close second. You know, like this one...

[ photo below is The old red grist mill, near Eminence Missouri
like>>>Most Amazing Pics in the World for more pic......]

or this... [image below taken from]

maybe with a waterfall like this nearby ^_^
[photo below from]

 

[image above from Ray Kellett Photography taken off FB from]

and the inside would be relaxing, spacious, inviting, sturdy, with plenty of textural interest... 

[photo below - Cottage
http://dreamdecorator.blogspot.com/2013/04/cottage.html

 

Dream Decorators ]

[photo above from

www.wholesaleloghomes.com

 

Teton Heritage Builders]

[image above from Loghome.com taken from ]

 hhmmm... I would so like a house like this, especially with less of the 2nd floor lost and a metalwork chandelier. (I'm not into hunting trophies.) I really like the stonework, the log cabin esthetic, and the backdrop of woods and misty mountains. Very relaxing! 

[photo below from]

Outside there would be flower planters like this...
[image below from]

and benches out in the lush yard...

[this bench image from New Funny & Amazing Pictures @ http://pics15.com/random

]

and a enclosed garden with walls of stone, where the herbs and roses grow...

[photo above from Old Moss Woman]

Summer Tips

Saving these possibly useful tips for warm weather times.  I got them on FB, but saving here so I can locate them later on, as earlier posts are definitely harder to find on Timeline since the last change. [They now decide which ones are highlights and hide all others :P ]


====================================================

more summer drinks to try!

SPRING CLEANSE YOUR BODY

If you really want to cleanse then DRINK, DRINK, DRINK. Here are 8 home made vitamin water recipes to help you keep the water flowing!

As a rule, you should try to avoid as much as possible industrial food and beverages

1) The classical : lemon/cucumber:
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

2) The granite : Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / 0r Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

3) The digestive : Fennel/citrus
First: infuse 1 to 3 grams of dried and crushed fennel in 150 ml of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool.
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + lemon juice (put the leftover lemon in the mix) + a small thinly sliced orange + 12 fresh chopped mint leaves + the infusion of fennel seeds. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

4) The antiOX : Blackberry/Sage
Note that a part from the berries, sage leafs is the herb that has the highest antioxidant content.
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of blackberries that have been very slightly crushed + 3-4 sage leaves. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

5) Watermelon : watermelon/Rosemary
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of watermelon cut into cubes + 2 rosemary stems. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

6) The exotic : Pineapple/Mint
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes + 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

7) The traditional : Apple/cinnamon
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of apple cut into cubes + 2 cinnamon sticks + 2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

8.) The zingibir : Ginger/tea
In advance: heat 1 teaspoon of ginger in two cups of tea, let it cool down.

Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water with two cups of the ginger tea + 4-5 pieces of fresh ginger cut into cubes. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Join us here for more every day fun, tips, recipes, weight loss support & motivation

>>> http://bit.ly/Motivate-Me

========================================================

These seem to be good tips! Specifically, I have used tips 1, 5, 6 with success.
Usually what is handy is Benadryl cream or aloe vera gel/sap both of which work very well. One aloe vera bottle also has lidocaine in it used for the very bad bites and medium burns, When those were out or got lost I have tried using tea & bananas on bug bites, and it did help. We've only used the baking soda trick on wasp & bee stings.   

Due to how terrible the Mosquito's are this year I am posting this so many of you will know how to treat the area if you or your child are bitten by a mosquito, not everyone is allergic to mosquito bites but for those who are it can be a miserable time. The best and Natural way to treat an insect bite is to use one of the following:

1.) Place a used dry teabag on the bite.
2.) Rub Raw Honey on the bite.
3.) Apple Cider Vinegar, use a cotton ball and apply to the bite.
4.) Baking Soda, this is the cheapest and being a dry powder can be stored in your pantry for years. Take a small amount and add a little water to make a paste and apply the paste to the bite.
5.) Take the skin of a Banana and rub the inside part of the banana peel on the bite.
6.) Take a leaf off of an Aloe Vera plant and rub the bite with the leaf of the plant.

I hope these $$$ Saving and Natural Eco-Friendly Ideas help!

For healthy recipes, tips, motivation, fun and friendship join us here http://www.facebook.com/groups/skinnynow/

 =============================================================

Lime & cloves is worth trying at the picnic table. Here are some other suggestions. We have actually tried planting citronella plants, marigolds, rosemary and lemon grass and they all cut down on the number of mosquitos hanging around, especially the citronella. Nothing is an ironclad cure, of course

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Pest_Control/Mosquitoes/Repelling-Mosquitoes.html

Have a mosquito problem??? At your next outdoor gathering try this SAFE and EFFECTIVE method of keeping mosquitoes at bay! Simply slice a lime in half and press in a good amount of cloves for an ALL NATURAL mosquito repellent... Make sure to SHARE THIS with your friends!

==============================================================

 You should drink at least three 8 oz glasses per day, they say the longer it sits, the better it tastes. You can eat them as well but they are intended as flavoring and still work, so that is a personal choice. The Vitamin C turns fat into fuel, the tangerine increases your sensitivity to insulin, and the cucumber makes you feel full. Try it for 10 days and see what you think!

Ingredients per 8 oz serving

Water
1 slice grapefruit
1 tangerine
½ cucumber, sliced
2 peppermint leaves
Ice – as much as you like

Directions
Wash grapefruit, tangerine cucumber and peppermint leaves. Slice cucumber, grapefruit and tangerine (or peel). Combine all ingredients (fruits, vegetables, 8 oz water, and ice) into a large pitcher.

Stir & Enjoy!

For more healthy recipes, tips, motivation and fun, join https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingskinnywithcourtney/

=======================================================

Susan:
I can't drink grapefruit juice, but I was talking over this very recipe with a few ladies online and we figured that exchanging that for berries, pineapple slices. or mango might work.

======================================================

=====================================
I think I will try this. We've been using simpler and natural cleaning alternatives right along, for family health reasons. A commenter mentioned that adding garlic cloves and cayenne pepper to the mix also discourages ants.
Yes, we already used vinegar - I just never steeped citrus peels in it. other suggestions I may use later (saved from comments on the original site) - tea tree oil, thieves' oil, other citrus peels like lemon, mandarin orange, & tangerine...

Natural Cleaner

Orange peels and vinegar in a quart jar, let stand for ten days, strain and put in recycled spray bottle. Easy, inexpensive, smells good, and is tough on scum.

Dilute with equal amount of water. For stronger version be aware of asthmatic effects.

Also a pinch of salt salt makes a decent abrasive if you need some extra scrubbing power.

 ======================================================

I wonder if this will actually work? Worth a try this summer...

Yay!! It's Spring!! Time to get ready for Mosquito invasions.

Here's an easy & pleasant repellent recipe you can make at home:

Combine in a 16 oz bottle:
15 drops lavender oil
3-4 Tbsp of vanilla extract
1/4 Cup lemon juice.
Fill bottle with water.
Shake.

Ready to use. Make some extra to gift to your neighbors, family & friends. (Trust me.. it'll be appreciated!)

Share this on your wall so you'll have it handy when it's needed.

HAPPY SPRING Y'ALL!!

=======================================================

 

Its good plan for a picnic too!

MY NEWEST LUNCH OBSESSION!!!!! Utterly brilliant, people. Not only does SALAD IN A JAR save space in your fridge, it also reduces food waste and gets non-salad eaters (me) to mow down daily.
THE ARRANGEMENT
From BOTTOM to TOP:
Dressing
Shredded carrots
Cherry tomatoes
Sunflower seeds
Hard boiled eggs
Baby spinach
DIRECTIONS
1) Arrange ingredients in a large mason jar
2) Store in fridge for up to a week
3) When ready to eat: shake jar, place on a plate, and eat!

You can make any arrangement you want… you can add red onion, cucumbers, radishes or peppers. Always remember to put the dressing at the bottom and the lettuce at the top—a MUST.

****NOTE**** If your making a few salads at a time for the week, you MUST remember to vacuum seal the Mason Jars. (Mason jars can be bought at Wal-mart, and various grocery stores) They must be vacuum sealed to remain fresh and crisp

Here are two different ways to vacuum seal a mason jar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhb1gfVSB9Y
Non Foodsaver vacuum seal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMDfyRjfBbc

Music of the Sphere

Drudge report shared this article about a neat discovery. Our sun makes music! :D

It makes a harp like set-up or wind instrument sounds. Imagine, if you can, a harp of fire 60,000 miles long!

Cloud Tree

Daily Weird has a neat one today :D

Got Any Recipes for....?

Should I worry that I find this very funny?

Rollerball

You can just see the tiger saying, "So roll already, you boring pet... or do you need us to bat you around?" :D


Reminds me of our old Gehnny pig. Put her in the rolling ball and she just looked at you funny. Try to roll her and she'd do this 'weebles wobble' routine and rock it to a stop.

This was Gehnny. A pet store gave her to us because they'd gotten her back and she wouldn't tame completely. They were literally debating about feeding her to an over-sized boa constrictor when I happened to wander into the pet store. The clerk arguing for her life persuaded us to take her home. She was quite a character. She did eventually tame down, but in the early days she demanded much attention...like a tiny roly-poly potentate. By the end of her life she had actually become a very sweet guinea pig who adored being snuggled.

100 yr old photos

(from Shez)

http://www.newsweek.com/id/214585

The pics in this link are all color photographs that were taken 100
years ago in Czarist Russia. I was blown away at the color and
definition. they look like they were taken yesterday. The
photographer used a technique using red, blue and yellow glass plates.
he took 3 separate photos of his subjects, one with each glass plate.

How they were made....
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/making.html

Okay..so a little bit photo-shopped..but the data was really there! Very, very cool to see these scenes so clearly from a 100 years ago!