What do you regret?

As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do. — Zachary Scott

As we go through the road of life there are always bound to be detours due to circumstances that may or may not be out of our control. If we never re-visit those areas, there are bound to be regrets of views we never saw or places we didn't stop at. Sometimes it is fear that keeps us from returning.

I had gone to college right out of high school, didn't like what I was studying, and then ended up getting married and having children and not returning. I had always had in the back of my heart that regret of not being able to be like many of my friends and get a college degree. Guess what? I graduated from college recently with a degree in Entrepreneurship. It took a lot of hard work and time, but I was able to go back and accomplish something I thought had been a closed road for a long time.

I love to cross stitch, but after having kids, things just got hectic and I never found the time to go back to it. I have now found time again to go back to it because a friend just recently had a baby and I wanted to give them a gift that came straight from my heart and hands. Cross stitching also allows me to relax when I am stressed out as I have to concentrate on what I am doing and the repetitive motion lets me calm down.

I don't want to be one of those persons sitting in their rocking chair when they get older reminiscing about all of the things I would have loved to have done. Instead, I want to be the one reflecting back on all of the things I did get to do during my life. With the kids getting older, I still have a life to live. I want to be able to go to Hawaii and take a cruise around the world. I want to see my kids graduate from college and start their own families.

I am going to do what I can to make sure that I don't have too many regrets in life. What about you?

How much personal space do you have?

I was at Target the other day and I was at a counter that was set up as a register. There wasn't much room. As I was conducting my transaction and getting ready to pay, I noticed that the people behind me were basically breathing down my neck. I leaned over to cover the machine where you slide your card and pay, as a hint to them to back up, and they kept right on talking. Then I leaned over again to punch in a few numbers. They were still up in my space. I said something to my daughter, who has no shame in embarrassing people in public or calling it like it is, and she started saying how people needed to back up and give space. They never did so we walked out of the store bashing them.

Have you ever been in a public place where people invade your personal space? I know that what is acceptable in one country may not be acceptable in another, but come on. Learn the rules. There is no need for you to be practically on my back while it is my turn at the cash register. I would never get up in anyone's space. My sister is very defensive when people invade her space. She likes to give the evil eye. I'll admit that I walked backwards into someone before and never said sorry. When they started to say something, I told them, "If you weren't all up in my business then we wouldn't have this problem, now would we?" She backed up real quick.

I know I may sound harsh, but I get testy when people are hovering on you like flies on you know what. I know that people are building houses on top of each other because there is not much space left, but we are not at a point where we need to be standing on someone else's shoulders for more space. If you see someone is in the middle of a business transaction or looking at a jar of food in the aisle, you don't need to be their right hand man.

Right now everyone is sleeping, so I have all the space I need to write this post. Oh wait, I have to go elbow the dog, she is in my personal space.

What are your limits?

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them — Brendan Francis

OK, I admit that I can't fix a car. Never took auto shop in school and did not care to. So what do I do if my car breaks? I take it to a auto repair person. I accept the fact that I am limited in my knowledge and I moved on.

Many people don't know or accept what their limits are and then they can't move beyond them. When it comes to you, your personal life, your business, your hobbies, your family, or anything else in life, you need to learn what your limits are, accept them for what they are, and move yourself beyond them.

I have been on a treadmill before and was told by a trainer what my limits where supposed to be. I accepted the limits he gave me, but was not happy with them. I was at the gym several times a week and pushing myself each time so that I could go beyond those limits. I was so proud of myself when I got off the treadmill that I was walking around like a peacock strutting my stuff.

That is the kind of attitude you need in life. There are some things that you will never get past your limits, but there are many other things where you can move beyond those limits placed on you. I figured I was pretty much washed up in the college arena. I was older, had a lot more on my plate, and wasn't sure that I would get good enough grades. I would have be OK, not happy but OK, with getting C's in my classes. Once I knew those limits and accepted them, I realized that I had to push beyond those limits. I wanted straight A's. That was my goal. I didn't meet my goal, I got mostly A's with a handful of B's thrown into the mix, but I was happy with that. I pushed myself, even though I was doggone tired many nights, and I was able to move past those limits.

Have you figured out your limits yet? If you know what they are, figure out the steps you need to take to move past them.

Is that bacon I smell?

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon. — Doug Larson

My children eat LOTS of vegetables. My husband will order a salad in a restaurant before he would ever order dessert. My mother raised me to eat vegetables, including one green one that HAD to be included on my plate. I have to admit that I like to eat bacon too, but you will find me near the veggies at a party.

Imagine my surprise and horror when my high school age son told me that he knows people who don't even know what a vegetable is or what one looks like. I asked my other kids if they knew people like that and they said "Yes". I can't believe that a parent would not introduce veggies to their child. Not only are they good for you, but they are yummy. Well, except for Brussel sprouts. I have never eaten them and don't think I would ever try. They look gross.

I watched the Shaq TV series about him helping a group of kids lose weight. I was floored by what goes on in our schools when it comes to their lunches and lack of exercise. Poor Tyler Florence was doing his best to get the kids in the school to eat broccoli and they just kept throwing it away.

I think someone should invent a bacon smelling spray. The lunch ladies and parents can then spray veggies to smell like bacon and then kids, and parents alike, would eat more veggies and we wouldn't have a generation that is going to die faster and earlier than the generation before it.

Hmmm....I think it's salad night tonight in my house. I am going to have bacon bits as a topping choice. Eat up!