Mystery of the Box

Diva Andrea sent me a pictures of these boxes she had just received in the mail.  What do  you suppose they contain?

Yep, they contained seven pairs of new shoes from Amazon.com.  I do believe I've rubbed off on the girl!!! 

Happy New Year's Eve!!!

New Year's Eve is upon us!  Hard to believe we will be ringing in 2012.  I'm celebrating today by shopping with Diva Shelly; we may end up the day by going out by at this point that's up in the air.  As much as I'd like to cut the rug fantastic, my cough is still inhibiting my ability to be a cool Diva....more like the hacking, gurgling Diva, which isn't a chic look and may inhibit my ability to walk on 4-inch heels.  I did have some early weekend fun last night when I hit the Lucky Eagle Casino with Diva Bobby in hopes that we would hit the jackpot.  Sadly, that didn't occur but we had a good time losing money together. 

Have a fabulous New Year's Eve my friends!! Don't drink and drive - get a taxi.  Remember, no one's party face looks good when it's smeared with drunken makeup and hanging out of a totaled car!!  Be save and enjoy!!

Happy Last Friday of 2012

There was a bit of confusion last night when sister Julie was trying to text her younger sister Diva last night.  The following is a progression of emails exchanged between the two of us.  Be careful when you text....you never know who to whom you are texting Love You!!  And Julie, you would have had me at Jube!!!!     -----Original Message----- From: Carl and Julie To: Alicia Sent: Thu, Dec 29, 2011 5:23 pm Subject: no texts HI Alicia A bit testy on the way home today? I was texting you from my cell phone. Don't you have my name built in on the phone showing it was me?? I am the 3rd born Shepard (6 minutes after Jay).  anyway. have a good evening !! Love Julie (a.k.a. Jube) (typo was June but I have fat fingers). -------Original Message------- From: Alicia Date: 12/29/11 20:17:41 To: Carl and Julie Subject: Re: no texts Jube I never got any text from you? Did you send it the wrong number? My number is 360-747-XXXX....did you send it to my old number? What was said? I never received anything so I didn't respond!!! Love ya, solve the mystery for me!! A   -----Original Message----- From: Carl and Julie To: Alicia Subject: no texts  ha ha ha. I just realized that in bed that I had 2 entries for you. I sent "you" a text.. "I love you....." You said "who are you" (I'm offended a bit) "Jube" You said "you must have me confused with someone else, you're weird". "I am the 3rd Shepard sibling, Julie, aka, Jube" You said "don't text me anymore" I couldn't figure out why you weren't picking up on the fact IT WAS ME!! Love you I will correct my phone # Julie

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Despite two doctor visits, including the ER, my current bout of coughing and wheezing has not yet subsided.  Therefore, I hit another doctor up tonight to get some additional treatment or perhaps even a Valium just to make my life easier.

Along with being prescribed more steroids and an antibiotic, the doctor said I now have thrush.  What is thrush you ask?  It's a yeast infection in the mouth!!!  Please Lord, why is this being inflicted upon me??  Apparently certain illnesses, stress, or medications (like the steroid inhalers that I use) can disturb the delicate balance, causing the fungus candida to grow out of control, causing thrush.  Thankfully I got it in the early stages so the oral rinse I must now use three times a day should make quick work of this new condition.

However, now that I'm on antibiotics for my cough, I'm worried this will lead to a yeast infection of the vaginal areas, which is common with antibiotics.  I truly hope this situation doesn't come to pass as a girl can only take so much!!  If that which doesn't kill me makes me stronger, I'm in serious Arnold Schwarzenegger contention at this point!!

Here's to making 2012 a much healthier year, which much less stress, than 2011!!!

Beware the Root of the Product!

Diva Andrea and I were talking about hair today, which led to a discussion of certain products and how they are grotesquely made.  These two items were our topic of conversation:

Kopi luwak or civet coffee, is one of the world's most expensive and low-production varieties of coffee. It is made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet (a slender nocturnal carnivorous mammal with a barred and spotted coat and well-developed anal scent glands) and other related civets, then passed through its digestive tract.  A civet eats the berries for their fleshy pulp. In its stomach, proteolytic enzymes seep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids. Passing through a civet's intestines the beans are then defecated, keeping their shape. After gathering, thorough washing, sun drying, light roasting and brewing, these beans yield an aromatic coffee with much less bitterness, widely noted as the most expensive coffee in the world with prices reaching $160 per pound.  Yes, it's actual weasel shit coffee!!!

Argan Oil - Before modern times, the Berbers (also known as the Amazighs) of Morocco would collect undigested Argan pits from the waste of goats which climb the trees to eat their fruit. The pits were then ground and pressed to make the nutty oil used in cooking and cosmetics. However, the oil used in cosmetic and culinary products available for sale today has most likely been harvested directly from the tree and processed with machines.  Whew!  I was worried those Argan oil hair products I've been using were actually goat shit!!!

Rain Rain Go Away

It was a rainy and blustery night for my drive home.  It didn't make it any better that (1) my wipers were crappy, leaving a smear on the driver's side and (2) my contacts were dry, which meant I needed more lubricating drops in them.  I ended up making a pit stop at Walmart.  I asked the Tire and Lube place if they could install some new wipers - they could, which was a bonus because I don't have a clue on how to replace wiper blades.  As I waited, I put several drops of wetting solution in my eyes, which solved that problem.

The freeway was still a bitch, so to speak, on my drive home but at least I had a clean windshield and contacts on my side!!

Shady Lady for Two Divas

The annual company party is on January 10, which means my co-workers and I have a shortage of time to pick out what finery we will be wearing.  Today Diva Andrea asked me if I wanted to accompany her after work to The Shady Lady, a consignment shop in Centralia.  Ugh....I wasn't sure if I was in the mood.  However, I shook off my attitude and I agreed to go with her to the store.  I was in for a very pleasant surprise!!

The store is kind of a blend between second hand clothing, second hand designer clothing, and antiques.  We immediately headed toward the party dress area before making our way to a shoe section in the back.  I picked up a couple pair of fabulous high heels for about $10 each pair.  We also hit The Man Cave section of the store, where everything was half off.  Diva Andrea insisted on trying a pair of waders on before we made our way upstairs.

Diva Andrea working the waders.....or perhaps they were working her!

Whoa - there was some really awesome clothing on the upstairs level.  I snagged a pair of bronze boots for $18 along with a pair of shiny silver Wild Diva pumps for $10.  Yes, I was on a roll!!  All of the clothing was reasonably priced; they also had many consignment purses for sale (Guess, etc.) for an average of $12 each.  Great selection with inexpensive prices - my kind of place.

My shoe haul!

Andrea picked up some leopard Guess pumps along with a cute night-on-the-town top.  We paid for our goods and spoke with one of the owners (on the right.)  Her hair looked exactly as it's shown in this picture - long, very teased and sprayed on top to the point it was a hair webbing; when we left the shop we both asked each other "what was with the hair?"  It must be a Shady Lady trade secret.

In the end, we didn't find any suitable dresses but we did score on finding a new place to shop.  Thank you Diva Andrea for dragging my sorry ass over there in the rain - it was worth it!!!

Birchbox

I read about Birchbox from the Polish and Pearls blog - it's a site where you join for $10 a month and they send you a variety of beauty samples every month.  Of course I couldn't resist - you can cancel anytime so if my samples are sad, they will be terminated!!

Cleaning - No. Sephora - Yes!

Versace
Bright Crystal

I had taken the day off from work today with the hope that I would clean my boys' rooms.  Did that happen?  Nope!  I ended up cruising first to Jantzen Beach in Portland then Westfield Mall in Vancouver.   Picked up a little of this and a little of that, including some new makeup and perfume from my favorite shop Sephora.  I recently tried a sample of Dior J'Adore (LOVE those new commercials with Charlize Theron, Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly!) and was going to get that but ended up purchasing Versace Bright Crystal, which was more to my liking.  I also picked up a few odds and ends for the boys.  Once done at the mall, I stopped off at the Woodland Walmart to pick up some 50% off Christmas goodies for the boys.

I ran across the following t-shirt at Torrid.  Who would wear this?  I mean, I'm a sucker for tees with messages but this is a bit much!!!

 

I did snag this ornament at Macy's at 75% off - a steal for $1.50!!

While browsing the shops, I received the following text from my son Jordan, which made my day:

"Well i love you cuz ur my momma. I will always love you becuz of who u are not cuz of wat u do."

Isn't he sweet?   Sephora, shopping, and a sweet son - it doesn't get much better than that!!!

Just Sayin

And I Enjoyed the Popcorn, Too!!!

I celebrated Christmas today by first watching several episodes of Chopped then going to the movies to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  Great yet rather disturbing movie; Rooney Mara did an excellent job and I'll be surprised if she doesn't get nominated for an award for this role.

And yes, I did go to the movies by myself.  One rule I live by is to simply go for it; if I want to do something, I simply do it and don't let conventional wisdom or rules bind me!!



Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas Eve!!

My Christmas present arrived in the mail yesterday.  A company where I previously worked was sold and this resulted in a tidy sum of money being sent my way.  Most of it went into my retirement account but I saved a few bucks out to pay off bills and celebrate Christmas.

After dropping the bills in the mail, I celebrated by getting my hair colored (dark blond, light blond, and light brown weave) then having it shaped into a layered bob.  I love it!  My hair is so thick it took three hours to get the job done.  Karina the stylist shaped it into a great style but of course I had to run home and re-wet it so it could be fixed the proper way - with lots of volume. 

After primping, I spent the afternoon at my BFF's house where we celebrated Christmas Eve with her family along with my brother and nephew.  The dinner was fabulous (prime rib to die for) and we chatted up a storm.  I even snagged two gifts for myself!

I'm now at home awaiting Santa's visit.  I watched the second half of Sleepless in Seattle and now I'm watching the second half of It's a Wonderful Life.  I'm almost as happy and content as my best friend's cat shown below!!

Diva's New Do

Scurry tuckered out!

One of the funniest scenes I've ever watched!!!

Divas at Work Make Life Fun!

Today we celebrated Christmas at work - we exchanged gifts, we laughed and we hugged.  It was great.  I gave the girls matching robes; Diva Andrea gave me a Diva wine glass along with a Diva Den door hanger.  Too cute!  Diva Adriana, who forgot her gifts at home, told me what my gift was - a watch set with a variety of colored straps.  Can't wait to wear them!

Aren't they cute?

My new Diva glass!!

It's me, isn't it?



Christmas Cookies Diva Andrea tempted us with this week

TGIF!!!!

Christmas of Yesteryear

There was a nice surprise in my neighborhood tonight as well as last night.  Usually every year the local fire truck will cruise through the streets with Santa on top, waving to everyone. This year Santa was in a lighted float, waving and yelling "Merry Christmas!" to everyone.  It was cool and heart-warming. 

Christmas holds so many great memories for me.  With the large number of kids in the house, our Christmas tree was packed with presents underneath.  The site was simply magical at night before bed or when we got up in the morning.  The tree glowed with each colored bulb, sagging with a variety of ornaments of all kinds, which all worked in conjunction to set off the wrapped surprises underneath. 

Every Christmas Eve we were able to open one package, which usually ended up being pajamas.  We put those on then quickly got comfortable to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Charlie Brown's Christmas, which included all the Dolly Madison commercials.  We'd snack on Mom's Potato Candy, which tasted similar to a Mounds bar, or we would eat up some more cookies which we had iced in shades of blue, white, red or, brother Jay's speciality, camo.

After the shows we were sent to bed, where we tossed and turned and almost gritted our teeth with anticipation.  We'd finally fall asleep then waken ourselves with the mirage that it was morning, creeping downstairs to ask Mom if it was time yet.  It usually wasn't so we were sent back to bed but not before we had snuck in to the living room to take another peek at the glorious tree.

Just when we thought we would explode, the announcement was made that it was time to open our stockings.  Each of us had our own stocking that Grammie Eilene had made for us.  Mine with red with rick rack ribbon and for some odd reason my name was spelled incorrectly - Alecia.  We all ran over to the fireplace, where our stockings were bulging with the weight of goodies.  Underneath the mantle lay an assortment of cocoa packets, sugar cereal and Pop Tarts, which was an indulgence.  Grabbing our stockings, we then ran into our parent's bedroom, climbed on the bed, and began opening the stockings.  A variety of toys and goodies fell out, which usually included a Life Saver Christmas Book as well as a mandarin orange stuffed into the toe of the sock. 

At last it was time to attack the tree.  Usually Dad or an appointed sibling served as Santa, handing out gifts one at at time to everyone.  We waited patiently as we watched our brother, sister, or parent unwrap their gift.  We enjoyed every reaction, especially when it involved the gift we had given to them.  Would they like it?  Love it?  Laugh about it?  We went through this process for each and every gift, one at a time.  This seemed to take forever but we wallowed in every moment.  The feeling of enthusiasm about our Christmas gifts and simply spending time together is indescribable.

Life changed, parents divorced, siblings married, divorced, then married again, children then grandchildren were born.  But there is still that single thread of family and enthusiasm for Christmas that remains.  It's a time all of us still treasure and bring to our own households.  The one thing about my own children that continues to baffle me - how can they continue to oversleep on Christmas?  Every year I find myself channelling my childhood, waking up early and nudging my children awake so we can celebrate the best time of the year - Christmas.  Along with the Pop Tarts!

With this many people, how can you not have fun?

Shoes of the Week

The Good

The Bad

The Ugly

Hey - What's In the Bag?

Diva Adriana told me about a website titled Post Secrets which publishes anonymous postcards that include a variety of people's secrets.  It's very entertaining to read.  Tonight the following postcard was on the site:

This is so my family, especially Diva Julie!  Several of us think this same thing when we see bags on the road or in weird places.  We just know there is a dead body or just body parts in the bag!!  It's a sick sense of fantasy and I don't even want to delve into the depths of our collected psyche to determine why we think such a thing.  But we do!! And apparently there are others on the same wavelength!

Feather Me Nails

When I was getting my nails done yesterday, a fellow nail tech sat down and began to take over my manicure. She had with her a bag of brightly colored feathers she had just picked up at Michael's. She explained that she was going to give herself a feather manicure, which she had seen on-line and wanted to try out. Well, of course I was curious about this new "feather" manicure so I researched it on Youtube. The following video shows how very easy a feather nail manicure can be, so much so that I'm going to try it out when I get a chance. The host of this video has a blog titled Polish and Pearls, which is saturated with nail tips and tricks. There's nothing I like more than a new way to be creative with nails, hair or makeup!!!

Panties and Prostitutes

For some reason this Victoria's Secret advertisement really bugs me. It kind of seems like some sort of hooker commercial. Scantily clad chicks saying "Tell me you want me", "Tell me you love me " and that sort of drivel. It's almost like Victoria's Secret 900 line - pay me money and I'll beg you to tell me what I want you to say. Ick.  Don't get me wrong - I'm far from a prude but this commercial is unsettling...and not in a good way.

It's Me Time

This morning I bid adieu to my boys as they left for their father's house for winter break. Sigh - this is the very first year I haven't had them for the Christmas holiday.  While I will miss them greatly, I'm also looking forward to two weeks of time to myself.  No kids, no husband, no boyfriend - just me, myself and I (well, along with the dog) luxuriating in the splendor of peace, quiet, and doing exactly what I want to do, on my time schedule, with no one to answer to but myself.  Visions of cleaning and organizing dance in my head, sick as that sounds, along with the ability to eat whatever I want whenever I want - no dinner schedule to which to adhere.  Ahhhhh......more than likely this will get old but for now, I plan on enjoying every moment of it!!  If only work didn't get in the way!! 

Meeting, Greeting, and Lots of Eating!!

Well, I survived another family Christmas party!  The whole tribe met up today for potluck, goodies, and gift exchange.  Highlights included Diva Eilene's reading of her Christmas poem, which we haven't heard in a few years, along with a new annual tradition - the fashion exchange.  We girls all bring our unwanted clothing, shoes, makeup, and jewelry then we dig through it all to take what we desire.  I wound up today with a soft pink robe, pair of red high heels, CHI hair product, and perfume samples. 

We ate a lot, we visited a lot, and we laughed a lot.  It was a memorable gathering and makes me even more happy that I've been blessed with such an awesome family.

Perhaps just a little too tight

Nice hat Jube

Digging for treasure

Reese scoring a pair of
high tops from the Diva

Diva Eilene reading her Christmas poem

Mike doin a photo bomb

Yes I'm in there somewhere...kind of like Where's Waldo...Where's Diva?

The Best Gift is Family!

Today is my family's annual Christmas party, My very large family Christmas party. We look forward to this get together all year long and I can't believe it is here already.  And of course I haven't wrapped the presents yet, decided what food dish I will be taking, or figured out what I will be wearing.  Sigh.  I did make a variety of candy/cookies last weekend that I will be sharing, although my homemade almond roca didn't make it through the week.  It appeared to be my boy's favorite!

Here's to a day filled with merriment, stories, laughter and love!!!

Holiday Spirit and the BJD's

Last night my old gang, the Blue Jacket Divas, met up at Yan's Chinese Restaurant and Lounge to break bread (or fortune cookie), swap stories, play an ornament exchange game, and sing karoke.  It was so wonderful to see each other!  Life gets in the way and we don't take the time often enough to see each other and catch up.  We used to all work together; unfortunately, all of us but one are gone from that company of blue jackets but it is a common ground that has held us together.  That, along with our sparkling personalities and love of laughter!

I love you gals!!!  Merry Christmas!!!

The BJD's whooping it up!

Perla and I doin the karoke

Diva shirt from Diva Janel

Remember - Just On the Tips!

On Jezebel.com, they were discussing the Photoshopping and digital imagery of Cover Girl mascara ads starring Taylor Swift.  The ad itself even includes a disclaimer that "lashes have been digitally enhanced."  WTF?  Anyway, one of the Jezebel readers posted a picture of her lashes (at the left) along with the steps she takes to ensure longer lashes.  You might find her input worthwhile.


So, for fancy lashes, I do a couple extra steps. Steps with asterisks aren't necessary for nice lashes, but they add that "my office Christmas party is after work today" va-voom.

*1) Curl lashes. I like the Revlon curler you can get for $5 at Target. I have not found fancier curlers to be better. Lash curling takes a bit of getting used to, but it's not very difficult or scary. But do replace your curler every so often. You'll know it's time when it stops working as well and starts making you lose more eyelashes.

*2) Comb lashes. I like the Sonia Kashuk comb you can also get at Target for $5. Be sure to use a comb with metal, not plastic, teeth. It will work better and last longer. Step 2 is to fix your lashes if the curler tangled them at all, but you should repeat this step any time you have clump trouble. Just make sure to do it before your mascara dries!

*3) Apply primer. I like the Lancome Cils Booster a lot, but cheaper primer is probably fine too. (I don't pay store price, though; I buy it on eBay.) When applying primer, don't comb it all the way through your lashes; that'd get too clumpy. Just focus on the very tips. That's the key to adding length without adding clumpage. I use a toothpick to remove clumps, but if this makes you nervous, a lash comb will handle it (but will take off some length, so this is not the preferred strategy).

4) Apply mascara. Again, brand doesn't matter much; I like the kind with the little fibers in it, but especially if you're wearing primer, it isn't key. Today I'm wearing Maybelline Full 'n' Soft, but I really can't emphasize enough that that's largely irrelevant. The mascara just needs to be fairly fresh (not older than a couple months, TOPS) and have a brush that you like. The Full 'n' Soft has a good brush, but it's a matter of taste. Lash Discovery has a great tiny little brush for catching any missed spots. Like J said, wiggling the brush is good. I also recommend only starting at the bottom once, then applying additional coats just to the tips. This is so key for adding length while avoiding clumps. (Again, I toothpick out any clumps that do occur. Not for the faint of eye-heart, I guess, but I've been doing this for a decade and I haven't blinded myself yet.)

5) Apply more mascara. You might use a lighter formula for touch-up coats so you don't add bulk. The key here is lots and lots of coats but just on the tips. JUST ON THE TIPS. (...Just the tip? Ew.) And the toothpick.

This all sounds very complicated, but really isn't. The only other thing is practice. If you want to get good at mascara, you do want to work on your technique. For me this was a worthwhile use of my time because I have very strong features but smallish eyes, and learning to create killer lashes meant that I could give myself the big doe eyes that I think suit me better. And this is why mascara is so key, I think -- if you have giant eyes, you're fine with one quick slick of mascara, but if you don't have them and you want them, there is truly no other makeup trick that will give you bang for your buck like mascara. There's a myriad of little tricks you can do with shadow and liner that will help a bit, but mascara is where it's at.

Replace your mascara regularly! Apply multiple coats, focusing on the tips, and use a toothpick to remove clumps! Practice practice practice!

Friday I Love You!!!

Good Comes in Unexpected Packages

How did I get so lucky?  Yesterday when I arrived home my Jordan was putting the dishes away, which apparently was the start of something good.  The rest of the evening he spent cleaning the kitchen, sorting, washing and folding laundry, and picking up his room.  He even gave the dog a bath!  After all that, he sat himself down and typed up a To Do List for himself for Friday.  The boy was a whirling dervish!  Rather than question the motives behind this, I'm just going to sit back and reap the benefits!!

Early Morning Psyche Ponderings

The Good Morning Fairy decided to visit me today at 4am....the bitch woke me up and refused to let me return to sleep.  I gave up, came downstairs and cleaned the kitchen, then proceeded with my normal routine of coffee, newspaper, and Internet. 

While surfing the net, I ran across an interesting article by Wray Herbert regarding Awakening Your Inner Materialistic.  What he had to say hit home for me because just yesterday I had spent some time dealing with internal anger issues about a financial slight I had perceived in my job.  I had received an unexpected blessing but instead of being grateful, I spent too many minutes comparing what I received against what other, and in some cases who I perceived as "less deserving" people, had been given.  But this article gave me the wakeup call I needed in order to move past my materialistic jealousy.

Hebert outlines that people who are preoccupied with possessions are not very happy people. Consumerism is linked to anxiety, lousy relationships and poor mental and physical health.  Unless you live in a cave, you have been relentlessly bombarded since before Thanksgiving with images of goods that are novel, luxurious or necessary for personal fulfillment. Is it possible that these ubiquitous messages might awaken the inner consumer in all of us, leading to all those unsavory social consequences?

That's the idea that Northwestern University psychological scientist Galen Bodenhausen has been exploring in the laboratory. He and his colleagues suspected that even the purest anti-materialist might, under the right circumstances, respond to situational triggers, and that this mindset might have an immediate, untoward effect on well-being. This happens because a materialistic mindset activates certain values -- wealth, achievement, power and status -- while suppressing others, notably concern about others. This in turn leads to dissatisfaction with one's life, and to social disengagement.

Apparently when people start to seek value outside of the self, in extrinsic things, this mindset leads to a cascade of unpleasant effects: Self-comparisons and competitiveness result in dissatisfaction and anxiety, which in turn diminish trust and the desire to connect with others. In short, a not-so-wonderful life.

It's not clear from these experiments how long these distressing effects last. But in a way it doesn't matter. The ubiquity of these consumerist messages in everyday life -- and especially during the holiday season -- almost guarantees that, even if any single effect is not enduring, another cue will inevitably follow, reigniting materialistic thinking again and again, every shopping day until Christmas.

Hmmmm...interesting.  This article gave me a kick in the pants that my personal value is not measured upon the extrinsic rewards or possessions for which I receive.  And that when unexpected blessings come my way, I need to welcome them with open arms, being grateful for any shape and size in which they appear.  I also need to be appreciative of the blessings that others receive rather than spend time in comparison.

Deep huh?  Enough of that!!  Go forth and have a fabulous Hump Day filled with red high heels, metallic eye shadow and a splash of pink lipstick, Divas!!

Can You Love Too Much?

Is it wrong to love too much?  Perhaps not healthy?  This topic came up over the last couple of days.

One of my dear friends, Diva Shannon, stopped by my house Sunday with two of her girls to give me a Christmas gift.  We chatted and talked about life, including my divorce and dating escapades this year.  She made the comment that "you just love too much and give too much of yourself."  It was a thought-provoking observation.

Then yesterday I was in an unusual business situation.  A previous co-worker, someone who departed work in uncomfortable and acrimonious circumstances and who had made a few unacceptable comments to me, had requested help from me in her new position.  Due to the business interaction between her company and mine, it was a request I had to honor.  Although I didn't agree with the way she behaved, I knew she needed information in order to perform her job.  Do I give it to her begrudgingly?  Or should I share my knowledge with her generously and with a sense of humor? 

It was much better to share information with someone who needed a mentor than it was to hold a grudge.  I enjoyed my time with her, catching up on our personal lives while helping her to better understand the duties she had to perform each day.  She was grateful that I helped her, which gave me a sense of personal satisfaction.

So does this mean I love too much?  Or forgive too easily?  Or give too much of myself to the detriment of my well-being?  And can someone actually love too much?

Perhaps it is a lesson learned from my personal experience.  Life is too short and too precious to hold a grudge.  Forgiveness, which does take time, is a powerful tool that affects your own life far more than it affects the person for whom you are forgiving.  But let me give a disclaimer: although I believe in forgiveness, I also believe that one will never forget, which means you must use a discerning eye when relating to someone who has wronged you in the past.

In retrospect, I must agree with Diva Shannon - I do love too much.  But I don't see a downside to that; by giving unlimited love, I am thereby not limiting the amount of love I receive in return.  I don't want to be Scrooge when it comes to loving and giving within my nature.  And that's a good thing!