Loree and Tamara attack the office!

Dear Family and Friends,
Well a whirlwind hit the office today, more normally known as Loree and Tamara these two walked over from their house and went to work on the files, statements, file cabinets, boxes and the malaise that had settled over the office. What a difference tonight. The office has a nice scent of flowers instead of "bachelor and dogs live here". Things are in order and they are only partially done. What a boost to the morale. Clients were pleased to hear someone other than me on the phone and the nicest thing they did, at 4 they went to the bank with the largest deposit yet this year. Not that it was huge or anything but still it represented 5 checks, that's a record for this year so I was able to cover some bills and pay on some others. What was I doing during all this activity? Well enjoying it for one thing, nice to have warm bodies in the office again and if you know Loree she likes to be warm so in the afternoon when I thought it was too hot she was just right. I was clearing my desk of conditions, value checks, appraisals that needed to go out and making serious progress.
This evening I broke away to go observe Keanna enjoy her tumbling class. She is so cute and its a blast to watch her in action. Nikki and I got a chance to catch up on events and on how the baby is doing, mostly kicking! I've included a photo of Keanna in action.
Just now Sylvia sent an email with a very thoughtful message. I've cut and pasted it here as I think it speaks to me and perhaps to you too.

Lessons in Life by Regina Brett
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45
lessons life taught me.

It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

01. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
02. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

03. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

04. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does
05. Pay off your credit cards every month.
06. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to
disagree.
07. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying
alone.
08. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

09. Save for retirement starting with your first
paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the
present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no
idea what their journey is all about.
14. If you want friends, you have to be a friend.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But
don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in
today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer,
write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood, but
the second one is up to you & no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in
life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the
fancy lingerie. Don't save it--TODAY is a special
occasion.
22. Be prepared, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear
purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:
'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone, everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your
business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will
change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because
of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you
stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood; make it
memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting
everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw
everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it
now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful
or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you
loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you
need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show
up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

I'm going to be reading and rereading this over as it contains a lot of wisdom.

Today I was speaking to an reviewer who was sitting in New Jersey and I mentioned losing Nan. After a few seconds she replied that she lost her mother almost the same time and then we shared how we were coping and she decided she would find a grief recovery group for both her and her dad who was alone for the first time in over 50 years. It was a precious chance to lift each other up, across the country and by accident since we were discussing business at first. People still need people, perhaps now more than ever and if we will be open we can help others.

Tonight I had my Garden Burger at Mimi's Cafe in Antioch and in the past I've avoided going there as that was a place Nan and I often enjoyed time together over a breakfast or soup. Yet tonight it was OK to be there alone and I enjoyed my tasty meal and then drove home.
The day has had many blessings not the least of which is emails from friends and insightful thoughts they contained. Thank you for being engaged in my life. You do make a huge difference. And a special thanks to Loree and Tamara who did a very tangible things to the office and the business today.

love to all

tim