Mini Mish Mash

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1. I apologize that I am behind in visiting my favorite blogs. I am working overtime doing this and that because on Sunday I will begin a week's vacation in Aruba. This will be my second trip there, where the weather is a predictable 84 degrees every day and the vibrant and varied shades of blue include lizards and iguanas and frozen smoothies.

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I am going with JB, Jess, her mother-in-law, her best friend, and Mr. Ryan. And for a few days my SIL Mike. My plan is to fall asleep by the pool, float in the ocean, read a couple of books, float en mass on the lazy river (awesome) maybe write some, eat, and all around frolic with totally wonderful people.

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When I told my clients I will be away, several of them said "Again?" How come it doesn't feel like 'again' to me? To me it feels like, ah, a well deserved week in the sun.

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2. I think I got this idea from Martha Stewart: when you are painting a room, write the paint colors and paint numbers on the wall next to a light switch. When you put the switch cover back on, it won't be seen and you will have an easy peasy way to remember what paint you used.

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3. Two of my favorite phrases: "Wag more, bark less" & "Never cut what can be untied"

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4. This barn is part of the voc tech high school near my house. I took this photo last year in late April or early May. I love the way the light looks in those months, to me it's transparent and fresh.

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5. This book of mine is still not getting the promotional attention from me that it needs and deserves, but today I came across a review on Amazon that made my day. I love it when the book touches someone I don't know in the way I so hoped for while I was writing it.

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Bailey, who ever you are, thank you so much.

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I love this book, February 8, 2010
By Bailey
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This is not your run-of-mill love story. It is a love story that is different from any other that I have read. Truly original.
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Alex and Lily's story is told with class and charm. I won't spoil the story for you by revealing too much plot. I will tell you that I reread the last 20 pages four or five times and that tears were shed each time.
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I picked up the book and couldn't put it down until it was finished. It only took a few hours to read but I'm sure the story will stay with me for a good, long time.
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Do yourself a favor and read "The Light Stays On". It is a rare gem.

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6. Have you ever tried saving just $ 20 bills? I had a piggy bank that couldn't be opened without breaking it in pieces. Once and sometimes twice a month I put my first $ 20 in that bank and I only put in 20's, nothing smaller. When I finally cracked it open, I had $ 2200. Honest to God. Two thousand two hundred dollars.

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I am a big fan of saving even small amounts and letting them accumulate. These days I still save 20's, tucked into a paperback book in my office bookshelf. I save the bills, spend them, and then save again and spend again and save again. It is my secret slush fund, there for me on a whim or in a jam.

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6. One of my clients is a ten year old girl who was bullied last year because she is large and overweight for her age and because her hair is wild. I see her at school where we meet in the Anger Management Room because it is the only spot available. There is no furniture in it so we sit on the floor, talk, play checkers, sometimes draw or make up stories.

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Last week we were talking about being angry and ways to express it. I chuckled, looked around the empty padded room, and said, "Wouldn't it be great if we had a dozen eggs when we were mad and we could just throw them at the wall?"

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She chuckled back and didn't miss a beat. "Yeah," she said, "but then this would be the Egger Management room!"

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I love my clients....

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Have a good day, friends. And please keep praying for Renee. Pray for her comfort. Pray for her family. And pray for those of us who have to let her go.

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Love

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kj