Google +, YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumbler, all my other social media peeps and my blogs,
Ordinarily, you are my first go-to to check with, for everything relevant and important to my life. Yes, you are often first on my list when I wake (even while waiting for my first cup of coffee). And you are many times the last on my mind when I go to bed. But I have decided to do something NEW, IMPROVED and DIFFERENT!
Instead of finding out from you first or telling you first, I’m going to concentrate on the old-school methods of communication. I’m going to pick up the phone and call my family and friends that live too far to visit. Instead of calling people too close to call, I’ll actually go see them. And instead of sending an email, text message or some social media message to my wife Susan that is in the room right next door to me, I’m going to actually walk over there and tell her I love her first, before everyone else finds out about it. We can like social media, our gadgets and technology, but they are all really just things. Things are made to be used, but people are made to be loved.
What exactly is the “thing” on doing the right thing? To be naked-honest and glass-clear truthful, we should NEVER need any other reason to do the right thing, other than it’s just the right thing to do! But alas and alak and yak, yak, yak, we all are, after all, emotional creatures. All of us are faced with having to do things we don’t want to do. And how do we handle it? What do we do? Do we ‘put if off’ until whenever/never (my apparently most favorite and most common practice?) and take a page out of the script from ‘Gone With the Wind?’ Do you remember Scarlet O’Hara? She was a character in ‘Gone with the Wind,’ a 1936 epic historical romance, set during the American Civil War. It was a Pulitzer-winning novel by Margaret Mitchell that was adapted to film in 1939. Scarlett O’Hara (played by Viven Leigh), was a manipulative Southern belle that carried on a turbulent affair with a blockade runner named Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable). How did Scarlet handle doing things she did not want to do?
“I’ll think about it tomorrow…”
Well, experience has shown me that putting off until tomorrow hardly NEVER, if EVER, works out for me. Oh, there’s some stuff I loathe to do (like taxes) that I would put off forever if possible. But I will put off and put off until, usually the last moment. And then the ‘dreads’ overtake me, lack of sleep leaves me drained, caffeine turns me into a freaking fiend, I get cranky and quite frankly, like Rhett said to Scarlet, “…I don’t give a damn!” When I get this way, I don’t even want to be around myself! Why in the name of dumb-ass’ do I, DO this to myself, over and over again? Oh surely I expect some different result like Scarlet did for “tomorrow?” Well, isn’t doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result, a definition of insanity? I’m not insane! I may be ‘nutty’ and do crazy things sometimes, but I’m pretty well-grounded in reality, I think? I am at least, acting like a child. And I am aware that some believe I never grew up anyway. 🙂
But maybe if I can remember being a child, MAYBE I can get a clue as to how a kid does the things that they don’t want to do? So, I went and played some mental videos made when I was a little kid that are now stored in my head.Our parents and care keepers knew that we would not long survive if all we ever ate was mac-N-cheese and ice cream (not necessarily in that order). They tried their best to give us a balanced diet. Most of us kids might think that the only thing in common between the words delicious and nutritious is, they just rhyme. But colors and textures are a BIG deal to children. Some, we like and some, not so much. Still, we were given food for colors and textures because, we need vitamins, minerals, etc., variety, fiber and good-wholesome-healthy food. So, I’m sitting there at the dinner table, after having been plucked up and away (rudely I might add), from my personal play. And what did I see? There was no mac-N-cheese and no ice cream. Are you kidding me? What is this stuff, I wondered? And what did I hear?
But I Don’t Want it!
“Now you sit there and eat your dinner young man or you can’t get up until you do!”
Well, I have sat at the dinner table for a long time, many times. And sometimes, I did not eat my dinner. So, I went to bed hungry. It was my choice, but the worst part was that my stubbornness cost me my play time. It did not take my mom or I very long to figure out that this was not an effective way, to get me to eat what was good for me or to do what I didn’t want to do. It was all a waste of time and energy. Oh, and by the way, the ‘push-away’ and the, “That’s ucky,” look, didn’t work for me either.
Geez Mom, Stop Watching Me!
Like this little guy, I tried to eat the stuff set before me. I didn’t like it. I watched mom watching me. OK, it’s in my mouth and crammed into my cheeks like a chipmunk’s cheeks full of nuts, now what? I’m not about to swallow it. But do I spit it out when mom’s not looking and where do I spit? Do I hide some in my other hand, put it into my pockets, throw it on the floor or kick it under the rug when she’s not looking? When if ever, will she ever stop looking at me? What else can be done? Strategy is required, especially when Brussels sprouts were on the menu. Let’s try ‘The Face,’ perhaps it will work?
Noooooooooo!
Just saying “No,” didn’t work for me.
Neither of the following worked for me either: “I don’t wana,” or “But I don’t like it!”
“This is Freaking Me Out!”
The look of horror or this really creeps me out look, did not work for me.The sad, ‘Puppy Dog Face,’ didn’t work for me and maybe it was because, I never learned how to effectively make this face, since we didn’t have a dog?
Boo Hoo! “Pleeze don’t make me!”
My Mom was not too impressed with my, ‘If Looks Could Kill,’ look either.’
You Can’t Make Me!
What else could be done?
Like I said before, this couldn’t work for me because, we didn’t have a dog. And it does not appear to have worked out for this kid either, IF he thought his dog was going to get rid of all the evidence! How about, “Geeze Mom, the dog won’t even eat it, why should I?” I never tried this technique, but maybe it could work?
And the empty plate is a happy plate did not work for me. I could have cared less if the stupid plate was happy or not because, I was NOT happy!
I Don’t Care if the Plate is Happy!
“Oh, alright, if I have to, I guess?” This MAY get me to eat my dinner, but I still wouldn’t like it. The little boy below looks all happy about eating his food, yes or no? At least he and I would be moving in the right direction, but still not there yet!
OK, But I’m Not Happy About it!
But our mom was brilliant when she came up with the following concept!
“As soon as you finish eating, you can go play!”
The Original ‘Plug N’ Play (or Eat to Play)!Over the Teeth & Gums Play Time Here Ize’ Comes!
“Well Mom, why didn’t you say that before?!!“ Now we’re on to something! So I tore into that food so fast and ate every bite. I was a blinding-blur as if I had somehow discovered a way to speed up time! I don’t recall the food even hitting my stomach, before I was out the door! It didn’t make the food taste any better then and it still doesn’t now! But it sure got me to eat it then and it still can today!
I could not recall, each and every bite
I was focused upon my next delight
This trip down memory lane is a public service announcement and has been brought to you by – Doing the Right Thing
Do the right thing, even eating a Brussels sprout
Don’t waste your energy and shout
Don’t waste your time and pout
Kid’s Have Got It figured Out-
Do the things you have to do, so you can do the things you Love!!!
P.S. This post was written before the date it was first posted online. I am currently involved in, endeavoring to, to do the right thing and in trying to take my own advice here in doing the things I have to do, in order to do the things I love. 🙂
Our Peeps Report are edited pictures from my iPhone which show the current weather (current at the time) of Our Peeps (our people).
Many people use the weather channel app on their smart phones to daily check their weather. You might think this is silly and/or that I have way too much time on my hands or that I regularly engage in stuff, when I’m really supposed to be doing other stuff?
But think of it this way, the fact that I look up your weather, and it shows up on my phone, probably means I’m thinking about you!
So it begins with home, here at the Gathering Place.
HOME – The Gathering Place
How did the following group make the list? It contains, Family and Friends. And while mentally trying to escape winter here, I may be thinking about the weather there?
from Left to Right and Top to Bottom Bloomington, IL – Columbia, MO Murrietta, CA – Raleigh, NC
No one seems too tropical or flip-floppy today, from group #1! 🙂
How did this next group make the list? It contains, Family and Friends. And while mentally trying to escape winter here, I may be thinking about the weather there? No one seems too tropical or flip-floppy today, but I would consider the 67 degrees in Florida! 🙂
Usually, Rochester, NY is around one degree different than where we are in Macedon, NY. Rochester is included because, we used to live there and still have friends there including, the salty sea dogs that are probably on their boat in the Bahamas right now, complaining about how hot it is, complaining about how boring and how blue the beautiful water is and complaining about the cool drinks they are sipping on? Sorry, but I refused to look up or share here, the weather in the Bahamas. It’s probably too tropical or just too depressing. 🙂
You also, could have made the following list because, I talk to you actually, every day (most of the time). Sorry if you were not first on the list though. 🙂
from Left to Right and Top to Bottom Oakboro, NC – Rochester, NY Port Orange, FL – Centerville, VA
How did the last group make the list? It contains, all Family and we are getting ready to visit them in about 2 weeks and meet the new grandchildren for the very first time.
Where we’re going – from Top to Bottom Kyoto , Japan – Sydney, Australia
By the way, today, it is already tomorrow in Australia and Japan! This fact always messes with my head. A mind is, a terrible thing. Ooops, right, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Sorry about that, I left out a couple of words. 🙂
So how could YOU (if you are even interested) make it to Our Peeps Report? That’s to me, a great question! Is it that “Inquiring Minds Want to Know,” or is it “Perspiring Minds Want to Know?” I often get those two confused. 🙂
Well, what follows is how you can make it on Our Peeps Report
How to Make it On Our Peeps Report
1. Marry into our Family
2. Petition the Weather Channel people to allow unlimited locations on their app (application) for smart phones. They currently only allow 10.
3. Visit the Gathering Place and we will temporally include your hometown while you are here.
Please note: You may only stay here 5 weeks, 6 days and 23 1/2 hours. You and your stuff must be off our property by this time! Due to the “Guests from Hell” that actually stayed with us for 6 weeks, this rule must be strictly enforced – NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! 🙂
4. Send a certified check or money order for $1,000,000.00. Your weather will appear on my phone as soon as all funds are available for use in our bank account. In other words, when your check clears! 🙂
5. MOVE HERE! 🙂
Please further note: Just because you are not on Our Peeps Report, does not mean you weren’t. It could mean that due to the Weather Channel’s restrictions of only 10 locations, I might have had to drop some for Japan & Australia, which are important while we are there. It also does not mean that I don’t at least temporarily look up your weather because, I’m thinking about you. And it could also mean that YOU ARE COVERED under Our Peeps Report regionally. I mean, ‘The Report’ pretty much covers most of the country and wherever YOU ARE! 🙂
Dear Family, Friends and Friends we have not met yet,
To those of you you that know Susan and I already, we wanted you to hear this from us first and not somehow find out about it, years later and maybe wonder WHY, we never told you or offered to help You!
Susan and I now have five grandchildren and four sons near and far and two are right now, in two other countries. At this time in our lives, we are thinking about building a legacy, particularly for the kids. We wanted not just to leave them a lump sum, but something that will continue to build for them and their future families and on, year after year.
Along the way, we want to continue to expand ‘The Gathering Place,’ our home, and make it better for all that may come here.
OK, so you now know our WHY, but what does this mean to you? That’s a great question! The answer follows.
Just this last Christmas, with very, very few exceptions, Susan shopped online for everything! This is becoming the norm’ everywhere today. Most of us are connected with multiple devices and on social networks. The weird weather we all seem to be having this winter makes it difficult or undesirable to shop at the brick and mortar stores. Besides that, most of us have little time to shop. Many of us are not particularly fond of shopping and especially when we get there and the store does not have what we are looking for. I do not know about you, but I don’t like waiting in long lines and dealing with stupid, rude, impatient and obnoxious people. What if there was a better way? THERE IS!
Just I-Magine not only SAVING money, but getting PAID to shop for the the things you are going to purchase anyway. Just I-Magine that not only would you be helping yourself, Susan and I, our children and grandchildren, but many others too! Well, this is exactly what it is and what it can do for you! What’s the catch? NONE!!
So this is all you need to do and all Susan and I are asking you for – just click on the following link or scan the colored design (the QR code Quick Response code) with your smartphone. Both of these actions will take you to our shopping mall – Dahni’s & Susan’s Mall. Once you are in the Mall, have fun! Look around, just browse or shop from the comfort of your favorite chair in your own home. Use our mall to order for pickup at many of your favorite stores. Just I-Magine walking into a crowded store where the lines are full. Your order has been paid for, pulled, ready and is waiting for you. On your way out, turn around and look at all the faces in those long lines, staring at you! Or, have your orders all shipped directly to your home or business with many things qualifying for FREE shipping. We even offer you many exclusive items that you cannot get anywhere else.
Think of Susan and I as your personal concierges, because we are your personal consultants. We are available to help you, any way that we can. If you cannot find what you are looking for or if you have ANY questions, when you get to your mall just look for my name, Dahni Hayden. Either Susan or I or both of us will help you. That’s it!
We will not bug you or beg you to do anything! You do not have to purchase anything! But do not say we did not tell you what we are doing, WHY we’re doing it and what it could mean to you! It’s up to you to click or scan below. It’s up to you if you ever save money or get paid to buy anything from us! If you have any questions, it’s up to you to get them answered to your satisfaction!
But if you are going to shop anyway, why not save time, get paid to shop, have a personal shopper (or two), help yourself, help us and help others while you shop? Oh, and when your friends and family sign up as customers and listyouasthereferral, we’ll pay you on their qualified purchases! This all seems like a ‘no-brain-er’ to us! It’s all too good, not to be true!
In the simplest terms this is, what it is:
“We are like a huge product brokerage company. We pool our buying power and buy online through a system that we own. We get discounts on products that we normally buy anyway and commissions on the backside and we all share those commissions with other people, just like you. Why not you?”
Yes, we’re open, 24-7 and 365 days a year + leap year. Come on in! It’s your place, wherever You are! It’s like a a B & B (Bed and Breakfast), only it’s not by reservation, but by INVITATION and it’s not a business, it’s our home. Think of it as Your place, where you can B & B & B (Be Yourself, Be Blessed and Become Better!!) 🙂
gatheringplace.blog 