A friend and I were recently sharing stories about our daughters and weddings. My friend’s daughter got married several years ago. I was telling her that I was so thrilled that my daughter found such a wonderful young man to marry. She said, “well my daughter always said that she prayed for a ‘rich’ man to come sweep her off her feet”. She continued by saying, “she realized however, that she was not specific enough in her requests because she ended marrying this fabulous guy, named ‘Joe Rich’*–so not only be careful what you ask for–but BE SPECIFIC”
*Not real first name

How many times over the past days as the Olympic athletes receive their medals do they praise their MOMS??!! What a great testimony to a career that often seems so routine and one that often we may feel goes unappreciated. Every time I hear an athlete praise their mom for the sacrifices she’s made, for encouraging them, and even when their moms have died–they feel like they are a part of their success. Sometimes, it just takes awhile for our children to appreciate us, don’t stop doing what you do so well! I have also been amazed @ the number of moms who balance their lives as an athlete and as a mom to small children. Our children are so lucky to be able to grow up in a society that allows women so many opportunites. MOMS’– take some bows!!!!

Finally, the tomatoes in my garden are ripening and we have been able to enjoy BLTs, tomatoes stuffed with tuna salad and sliced tomatoes with a dab of mayonaise. Ummmm what mouth watering goodness. We use them as a vegetable but are they?
In 1893 the US Supreme Court was forced to declare tomatoes as a vegetable because of the way they were used. Vegetables were taxed but fruits were not and since most people ate them with their main course, the government wanted the revenue from the sale of tomatoes. Technically, or botanically speaking, tomatoes are still considered a fruit, a berry to be precise. Just a little side note, egg plants, cucumbers and all squash are also fruits.
It is thought that Thomas Jefferson was the one who introduced tomatoes to the United States from South America. Tomatoes can be prepared with just about any method including grilling , stewing, baking or frying.
Tomatoes can pack a terrific nutritional punch. One average size tomato has about 35 calories, no fat and they are loaded with vitamin C and lycopene. Lycopene can lower risks of certain cancers especially prostate cancer. If you don’t have a garden, stop at the local Farmer’s Market and take advantage of all that this fruit/vegetable has to offer.

Saturday morning I was on the back porch painting when I heard sounds of neighbor children playing. Because of the thick growth of trees between yards, I couldn’t see anyone but I heard counting as in Hide and Seek. It was just so neat to hear these children play for hours outdoors and from the sound of things, they were having a great time. I commented to my husband about it and Sunday after church we heard them playing Red Rover, Red Rover.. Their laughter and good old fashion fun just made our day!

I am sure many of you have heard the story of the “Cracked Pot”.
Paraphrasing, it goes something like this:
Day after day a lady carries 2 pots of water from the river several miles from her place. When she arrives home, one pot is always half gone because it has cracks in it. Never the less, she continues to fill the same pot–never replacing it. Finally one wise lady (I’m sure is was a lady ), asks the million dollar question, “Why would you continue to carry a pot that is only going to produce 1/2 as much water yet still requires all the effort?” Her response was; because along the path she was able to water all the plants and they produced beautiful flowers that she could enjoy every day on her walk. The moral of the story was that we are all “cracked pots”–we are not perfect, but we hope that our friends and family appreciate us for who we are and enjoy the pleasures that we might bring to them even if we are not perfect. Also the point was made that sometimes what appears to be a worthless cracked pot may have unbelievable value!
Now for the real life version of that story.
In an interview with Michael Phelps’ mom, she recalled how Michael struggled in kindergarten because of ADHD. He frustrated the teachers because of his inability to ‘focus’. His wise mother put him in sports hoping that he could find a focus. He tried baseball–too boring unless he was the catcher; soccer-not enough action as goalie; etc. He friends made fun of him and bullied him as he grew up because he was kind of ‘odd looking’ with his long torso and big feet/hands. Of course he didn’t fit the ‘mold’ of a good student either. To top it off his parents divorced and he became estranged from his father. Then as we all know he found swimming!!! He had a coach who believed in him and became his role model. As moms do so well, I’m sure she sacrificed to give him every opportunity she could afford. Hearing this story, made me appreciate even more, those tears from Michael’s mother in the stands. Look what one “Cracked Pot” was able to accomplish–and look how much pride and joy have come to the people who believed in him.
Don’t be too quick to ‘throw out’ those cracked pots that we have the opportunity to get to know–they just may be TREASURES!!

Have not many of the events of the summer olympics given you the ‘goosebumps’–what fun we have had watching so many of the events.
In addition to the wonderful nail biting finishes it has been most reassuring for me to watch these athletes show so much patriotism. I am reminded by their comments, of how fortunate we are to be living in such a great country. Where we are given so many freedoms, where EVERYONE is encouraged to “FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS”, and where a victory is not only for themselves, but for their country!!!
It makes you not want to turn back to the news that loves to focus on how awful we have it here, giving everyone the impression that we are totally divided by political parties. I know it is election year so that brings out the worst in people, HOWEVER, the media tends to make us forget the BASICS. That no matter how we may disagree, we are first and foremost AMERICANS–NOT Democrats OR Republicans and that no matter what other countries say about the USA, when given the chance they want to cross the border or the sea to become citizens of the USA because of all the opportunities. How many athletes and coaches in the OLYMPICS have we seen from across the world who have become citizens of our country so they could pursue their dreams—AND how often have we opened our arms wide to share our wonderful life so that someone else can reap the same benefits that we have. Keep in mind we don’t want to give it away for free (nothing free ever makes you feel good about yourself), but if they want to work hard to achieve their dreams, we will back and support them 100%. A fabulous example was the man chosen by the US Team to carry the flag for the opening ceremonies. He was from Sudan and had just become a US Citizen. THANKS to the Olympic Athletes for this much needed boost of patriotism–we are so proud of you!!

In case you missed our comment to “Where is Everyone”, please note:
THANK YOU for inquiring!! Although it may look like we are on permanent vacation–this is not the case. We apologize for not keeping you better informed. Here is the “official” update:
We currently have 3 coders and 1 project manager who have been working with us for the past 4+ months to create, design and implement a new PEP-Perspectives site. Unfortunately as is so typical, we had requested a mid July completion date, but it is still in the process. Our time has been spent totally rewriting the text and redesigning all the components for this format. As you can see, the current site has been neglected in our pursuit. We keep fingers crossed that in 2-3 weeks, all of you will be receiving the email that notifies you of the beta-testing. This testing will determine if all the components are up and working. We are very excited as the new site will be easier, less confusing, better capable of networking and connecting our members and will have new aspects that make it more fun to be a part of PEP. Our overall mission to be a site that connects positive women, will remain the same, the functionality will drastically improve. Ladies, we think you are going to love the safe social networking component of the new design. We look forward to your input as we do the testing–THANKS AGAIN for your patience!
Keep writing and keep enjoying your August summer days!!

Are all of you on vacation? I have told so many people about your site and now it looks dead! Are you going to keep going? I was hoping for some kind of social site for women . One we could trust. One to go to to shop and write and talk …….. oh well I guess it’s taking a long time or you quit. Let your audience know and we will find a new place to land. Thanks

Summer Classes for Men at

THE
ADULT LEARNING CENTER

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Saturday, July 19, 2008

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays–Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll–Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and
Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?–Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor–Pictures
and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes–Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity–Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things–Starting With Looking In The Right Places And
Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch–Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost–Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday’s noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live–Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy–Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and
Other Important Dates and Calling When You’re Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:0 0 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven–What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to
the survivors.

It is almost impossible to not feel anxiety due to the current economic situation of our country. Every day the media relates ‘breaking news’ of companies that have not made their quarterly projections for revenue. You open up your statements of stocks/funds only to watch them consistently declining. In addition, almost daily there is another report of banks laying off employees due to lost income, mainly from their mortgage departments–making us wonder if even our cash is ’safe’. There is no way to ignore the facts, however, we still are in charge of our own “Perspectives” of how we handle these tough times. I heard a minister speak on this attitude last weekend. He challenged the comment of: “We have to survive these unstable times”, indicating we will merely ‘coast’. He suggested instead that we take on the attitude of doing more than that. He said we can choose to not only ’survive, but thrive’! He continued by saying this is not the first time in our lives that we have experienced challenges or obstacles. As US history, world history, and even more important–personal history has dictated; when we go thru troubled times, we emerge with a new confidence of taking control of our lives in a way that makes us prioritize what is important. It IS a big challenge, what are your thoughts, ladies? Does this sound ‘Pollyanna’ or do you have some bits of advice to share about how you might “Thrive”??