FRIDAY'S FAVORITE QUOTATION!

Friday's Favorite Quote for Friday, December 29th -the last Friday in 2006!

As the New Year approaches, and we think about change and personal transformation, this favorite quotation from Maya Angelou comes to mind:


We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through
to achieve that beauty!


May your journey to personal change be one that challenges you to be your BEST self!
God Bless! Love, Linda

WALKING, WALKING, and WALKING SOME MORE!!

Recovery from an injury is a slow process!

If you are impatient, this may seem like an eternity as progress comes in inches, not in feet or yards.

I am working SO hard at recovering my full strength and mobility after shattering my ankle.

Six months ago I was newly in a cast, and I often still had to use crutches.

The cast came off in mid October, and I started intense physical therapy.

We have five flights of stairs in our home and going up and down them multiple times a day was agonizingly painful and dangerous, as my footing was unsure.

There were times when I read about the athletic accomplishments of others that I felt side-lined and almost ashamed that there was so little I could do.

BOTTOM LINE: I DIDN't GIVE UP! Hard work, guts, and determination pays off- in recovering from injuries and in every other area of life!

I may have other illnesses or injuries down the road, but with hard work I can give it a shot at coming back at full strength!

Giving up is not an option I can live with!

Today I can walk ten blocks at a time without stopping and keep up a pretty healthy pace as I walk at the mall twice a week!

I just got back from doing TEN blocks in the freezing cold (and I do mean ffff..rrr...eeee...zzz..ing... cc..ooo...l...d), and I am THRILLED and GRATEFUL to be walking, walking, walking!!!!

VACATION FROLICS!!!!!

I am SO thrilled to have a break and be on vacation!

The first part of this "winter retreat" was filled with Christmas delights! I LOVE Christmas because it is filled with family fun and traditions and reminders of my faith and joy in the birth of Jesus! I LOVE Christmas because it's a reminder of what can happen when you view the magic and majesty of life through the wonder of a child's eyes! A few of the best 2006 Christmas moments for me include:

Going to Anna Seppa's Christmas choral concert- the beauty of those angelic voices and the majestic Church setting still remain in my memory.

Trying to find "just the right gift" for my loved ones.

Going to Zac and Kayla's Baptism on December 10th at Crossover Church! What an important and life-changing moment for these two special grandchildren. Looking over and seeing the tears streaming down Ryan and Amy's faces really touched my heart! Being there with family and three sets of grandparents and all of their parents there was such a perfect Christmas moment!

Getting dressed up in Christmas glitter, going out to Azteca for lunch and then to the NUTCRACKER BALLET with Jessi and Emma! I anticipated this event all year long, got the tickets in September, and LOVED every moment of doing this with my daughter and her daughter! Seeing Emma watch the magic of this ballet will stay with me forever!

Taking hours and hours to decorate our tree with an "old-fashioned" Christmas theme.
Our tree is decked out with old photos of my parents, celebrating Christmas in Hawaii, and family photographs, past and present! The day before Christmas eve I even put roses (with water tubes) in the branches!

Drawing my own Christmas card, spending hours in pen and ink and watercolor pursuits, with the final drawing showing Santa by a Christmas tree "checking his list! The list had the names of my grandchildren on it! Then it was glitter time!!! Each card was individually "re-colored" (after being color copied by Kinkos) and GLITTERED!! Kayla, my grandaughter, helped me with that! What a hoot!! Too much work you say? Not work at all for me! I get lost in drawing and doing art, and it revives my spirit! Put on Nat King Cole or Bing Crosby..I am as happy as a clam at high tide!!

Having lunch with Amy and Jacob and then heading to do some shopping! Seeing Jacob hop up on Santa's lap was amazing and a memory I will store in my heart!

Going to Ryan's 6th grade class at Riverside and doing an "art" Christmas project with his kids! We got wooden ornaments at JOANNS (one of my favorite craft stores :))
and Kayla and I had a blast in Ryan's class as the students made ornaments for their parents! He is an AMAZING teacher! What fun!

Celebrating Christmas at Clinkerdaggers with my dear friend Sharon Hartnett! The decorations there are wonderful and put me in a Christmas mood!

Having time by the fire drinking coffee with Bert as we laughed and remembered Christmas moments when the boys (Chris 45 and Erik 42) and girls (Jessi 29 and Amy 27) were little!

Going out for Thai food with my grandson Zac is a fun tradition we enjoy! It's a one-on-one time to catch up!

Seeing Charlotte's Web with Amy, Kayla and Jacob was so much fun!! That story holds SO many lessons!

Going to Jacob's Christmas program at Montessori and seeing him as a reindeer singing his songs..it warmed my heart! How fun to hear him say to his teacher "My WHOLE family is coming to my program"!!

Talking to Emma about Santa's upcoming visit and seeing the wonder in her eyes as she told me about what she had asked Santa for...well it just doesn't get better than that!

Drinking coffee at Starbucks with Jessi as we shared our lives. Seeing Emma sleep peacefully in Jessi's lap brought back so many of those memories for me when I did that with Jessi!

Having Christmas dinner (with turkey and trimmings) for the Farrell family at our home! What a fun family time and seeing the presents opened and enjoyed was WONDERFUL!

Christmas morning and breakfast with Jessi, Rog, and Emma was amazing, and it was so fun to hear Emma recount that Santa had stopped at the house the night before and knew her name!!!

Listening to Christmas music, watching White Christmas and Miracle on 34th Street, and reading my Bible to recount the real Christmas story! All of these helped me to have a "Christmas Heart!"

The "magic moments" of Christmas go on and on, every one of them a moment to cherish!

SO WHAT ARE MY "LIFE LESSONS" ABOUT CHRISTMAS AS I APPROACH 60?

It's easy to get caught up in the pressure, stress and "I'm SO busy" state of mind that can turn Christmas from a JOY into a series of obligations. My learning has been to only do that which is meaningful to ME at Christmas time!! Throw away the imaginary "timetables"..send your cards or letters early or late or not at all. Take time for cherishing the real spiritual reasons for this season! Go and sing Christmas carols to your neighbors all by yourself, if no one else wants to go! Set aside your "adult mentality" and role model your excitement about this special time of year from the children around you!

What if you knew this was your last Christmas? How would you cherish it then?

May the wonder of this Christmas stay with you throughout 2007 and may you anticipate
all the miraculous blessings God has in store for you in 2007! Love, HUGS and God Bless! Linda

WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME!

I remember as a small girl singing the "Christmas Song". It went like this:

C- is for the Christ child, born on Christmas day

H- for herald angels in the night

R- means our redeemer

I- means Israel

S- is for the star that shone so bright

T- is for three wise men, they who traveled far

M- is for the manger where He lay

A- is for all He stands for

S- means shepards came

And that's why there's a Christmas Day!!!


As I approach sixty, the true meaning of Christmas for me is still found in these
profound but simple lines! I hope you and your families had a very blessed Christmas! God Bless! Love, Linda

FRIDAY'S FAVORITE QUOTATION!

Friday's Favorite Quote for Friday, December 22nd

December 22nd has a special meaning in my life. It is my parents' wedding anniversary! They were married Decembember 22, 1941 and were married 50 years, before my Dad passed away.

They loved each other, and they loved me!

Today's "Friday's Favorite Quote" is something I heard from my parents every night of my life...until I left for college. Even in college and beyond, and in the worst moments, they would look at me and say these words. Today's favorite quote is for you Mom and Dad...


Mommy and Daddy

Will ALWAYS love you

No matter what!



I miss them every day, and especially at Christmas time! They taught me about unconditional love, and I will always love them ... no matter what! One of my "life lessons" as I approach sixty is fully appreciating the love my parents had for me, their absolute devotion, and how God blessed me by allowing them to be my Mom and Dad.

OH...YOU BETTER WATCH OUT! : )

There has been a sighting on the South Hill !!!!

Neighbors are talking, children are whispering....."WHO is in that bundle of jacket, scarves and hat that circles the blocks of 12th and Thor, even before it is light out???"

Who is that masked woman(hard to tell how old she is because she is SO bundled up) who takes the same route three to four times a week?

Some Guesses At This Holiday Time?
Secret Santa? Mrs. Claus?

No...you better watch out....it's an exercising NANA! aka..Linda doing TEN, read my lips, TEN blocks at 4am this Sat December 16th.

And she's even humming.."Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why...Linda Salisbury is walking and coming to town!

God Bless and Holiday HUGS to you all! Love, Linda

FRIDAY'S FAVORITE QUOTATION!

Friday's Favorite Quote for December 15th

Dedicated to my beloved husband and life-partner Bert


when i say,

"i am
going
home"


i mean
i am going
to
where
you are.


Bert- Thank you for loving me for 25 years, for being my best friend, supporter, truth-teller, sweetheart, and the love of my life!

FRIDAY'S FAVORITE QUOTATION!

Friday's Favorite Quotation- for December 8th

EVERYTHING
is a
gift.

It's just that
some things
don't look
gift wrapped.


Have a wonderful Friday! God Bless! Love Linda

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING!!

The expression.."when the going gets tough, the tough get going" is one of the expressions I constantly heard from my Dad. He used to say it so often that it sunk into my bone marrow. Giving up and giving in just wasn't an option. Hard work and taking the risk to fail was the answer. So....Dad...even though you're no longer here...this one's for YOU!

This morning, in the dark and freezing cold, I got up early, bundled myself up, and WALKED SIX BLOCKS!! That's right..SIX BLOCKS!!

NOT THE PREVIOUS THREE BLOCKS..

SIX BLOCKS!

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

FRIDAY'S FAVORITE QUOTATION!

Friday's Favorite quote for December 1st

God has understood
your tears,

He has visited
your prayers -

Be confident He
will come and
care for you.

God Bless! Love, Linda

THURSDAY THIRTEEN- THOUGHTS ON HOPE!!

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the rekindling of HOPE in people's hearts..that childlike hope that reminds us that we have much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to. I pass along this Thursday Thirteen List in the "hope" that it may renew your own HOPE!!

1)Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.

2)God makes a promise- faith believes it, hope anticipates it, patience quietly awaits it.

3)If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose the courage to be, that quality that helps you to go on in spite of it all. And so today, I still have a dream! - Martin Luther King Jr.

4) Children, at Christmas time, teach us all about hope!

5) Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense regardless of how it turns out. - Vaclav Havel

6)There is a crack in everything, that's how the light of hope gets in - Leonard Cohen

7) Just when I started to lose hope, you told me you loved me and I could believe in life again.

8) Faith and hope were ignited the day I learned that God loves me!

9)The word which God has written on the brow of every person is Hope. -Victor Hugo

10)Christmas is all about hope, God's hope for the world and our hope in the goodness of people. -Billy Graham

11) Hope never abandons you; you abandon it.

12)Hope is the anchor of the soul, the stimulus to action, and the incentive to achievement.

13) The best bridge between despair and hope is sometimes a good night's sleep!

So..in this magical time of Christmas, my prayer for each of you is that you will see life through the eyes of a child and that your HOPE will be renewed! God Bless! Linda

A NEW VICTORY....THE EARLY MORNING WALK!!!

I NEVER imagined that I would be injured and just walking would become a luxury. I've always been the "tough as nails" kind of person who would just "guts" her way through aches and pains. However, this summer, I shattered my left ankle, wore a cast for four months, and only recently started intense physical therapy (four hours per week!). Walking briskly took on a whole new meaning. I found myself, as I read blogs of people running and walking, yearning to get out there and put some pavement under my feet and go at a quick clip! Like my dear friend Eileen Thompson, who has also suffered a life-changing injury, I had a new view of how precious walking is. Suddenly, I appreciated as never before, the feet God had given me that had carried me without complaint for almost sixty years. I appreciated the ankles that had loyally bent and twisted however I had wanted. I knew that I had, once again, taken important parts of my body for granted! While it may not seem like a big deal compared to those who do miles and miles of running, it has been a true JOY to start taking early morning walks in my neighborhood. Often I do it in the dark. Today I did it as the light was coming up! I bundled up in my fleece :) jacket, put on a warm vest and scarf, and took off at what is now a good pace for me. Years ago, without much training, I ran Bloomsday in one hour and twenty minutes. I felt really proud and even cocky about the shape I was in. Today I walked THREE blocks and there isn't a cocky bone in my body! I am only GRATEFUL beyond words! As I left the driveway, and my way was lit by the thousands of small white lights I've put on our trees, I told God how sorry I was that I have often taken my sacred body for granted, and that I am so happy to walk again! Those three blocks were a VICTORY for me!!! God Bless! Love, Linda

FRIDAY'S FAVORITE QUOTATION!

" What would you do......

if you knew you

could not fail?"

THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS!

Since I was a little girl, I have anticipated the holiday season all year long! I remember in June of the year I was seven, counting the days until Christmas! I grew up with so many magical holiday traditions. We always went to see Santa in the downtown window of Frederick and Nelson department store. Afterwards, we had frango ice cream with real silver spoons and beautiful white cloth napkins in their beautiful dining room. It smelled of real pine boughs and had a red Christmas carpet, put out just for that season. My Mom and I saw the Nutcracker Ballet every year, and I never tired of seeing the gorgeous ballerinas and the snow fall on the stage. The music of the Nutcracker filled our home for weeks before we went so we'd be in just the right mood! My Dad, Mom and I went to the same Christmas tree lot every year and spent lots of time and conversation on picking the perfect tree. I remember the fresh smell of pine after my Dad sawed off a fresh piece of the bottom of the tree so the water could be easily absorbed up into the branches. It was my job to crawl like a soldier under the branches to keep fresh water in the container. My Dad played Santa every year to help raise money for Children's Orthopedic Hospital, so we took him in our car to neighboring houses (like the Nordstroms :)) and got a sizeable donation for the kids at the hospital. Mom and I drilled Dad on the reindeer and their names so there would be no slip ups. We always watched the movie White Christmas and since there were no DVDs, we had to wait until it was on tv! I knew all the songs by heart and thought Rosemary Clooney (George's aunt) was the most beautiful woman! In my home growing up, the holiday season started before Thanksgiving and went through the New Year. The focus was always on two things- embracing the magic and joy of life and giving to others. Those holiday memories float in magically each year as Thanksgiving approaches.
Years later, I find that I LOVE reviving old traditions and creating my own new holiday traditions and memories. Long before Thanksgiving, I start to string small, delicate white Christmas lights from the myriad of tree branches in our yard! At night, we look like a fairyland :) Weeks before Christmas, I get paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs and plant them with the grandkids. They each are growing their own plants (secret gifts for their parents) in our sunroom. This year Emma is growing a pink amaryllis and Jacob's is red! The smell of flowers is delicious in there! Other fun and meaningful traditions with grandchildren include getting turkeys for the food bank and decorating ornaments for their Christmas trees. In the early fall, I count the weeks until the Nutcracker ballet tickets go on sale (usually in mid September) and anticipate where we'll eat lunch and what fun Christmas outfit I'll wear. This year I'm going with Emma and Jessi..and I can hardly wait! I love putting out our Nativity and telling the story of Christmas..that the real reason for the season is that it is the birthday of Jesus! I love that Amy and her family make a birthday cake for Jesus! I draw my own Christmas card most years and love working on it for weeks to get it just right! In my prayer time I ask God to help me appreciate all that I've been given and to help me see life through the eyes of a child..that same little girl who sat on Santa's knee so many Christmas years ago. And Christmas now, as then, is still about loving the magic of life, celebrating God's gift of His Son, and giving to others! May God bless each of you and may you relish this wonderful time of year and each of your traditions! Love, Linda

"MEMORY MAKERS" FROM THIS LAST WEEK!

As I approach sixty, I've become very aware of savoring every moment. I relish those moments where time almost stands still and a precious memory is being made. Here are some of my delightful "memory makers" from this past week. I am so grateful for all of them: Christmas shopping with Emma, having dinner with Jessi and Emma Thursday night and having a meaningful heart-to-heart talk with Jessi, going with Amy to her OBGYN appointment on Friday and having time there with Zac, Kayla, and Jacob, hearing Jacob read an ENTIRE book to me and reading every word correctly :), watching Bert take a nap and holding his hand while he slept, fixing a poached salmon dinner for my sweetie, going to SCC early Saturday morning to grade papers in the peace and quiet, taking Madison, Zac, Kayla, and Jacob to see Santa Claus 3, going to church today with Bert and singing my lungs out with the gospel choir, having a perfect cup of hot chocolate with pepermint sprinkles, hearing that Kayla had accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior, taking a three block walk in the early morning dark and having my ankle hold out, getting a wonderful and personal email from Kathi Best that helped me realize how alike we are, talking for an hour long distance to my friend Sharon Hartnett...the list goes on and on. In this busy holiday season, I want to be ever mindful of each blessing! I will carry these "memory maker moments" in my heart!

FRIDAY's FAVORITE QUOTE! (a new tradition)

Since I LOVE meaningful quotations...I'm starting a new tradition on my blog :) Each Friday I'll be sharing one of my favorite quotations...words to live by that inspire me and move my soul. My hope is that these "Friday Favorites" also have some meaning for you! Love Linda

FRIDAY FAVORITE for November 17, 2006

all i know is...
...you can get there from here.
you can.
you can walk through the fear.
travel past what is gone before.
wake up!
wake up and get up on the other side.
dare to become that of your dreams.
dare!
.........dare to believe in your own possibility!

maryanne radamacher-hershey 1996

WE ARE BLESSED!!

Thank you to all of you who have expressed concern about Bert's health. A quick update: he is slowly improving and with the help of medication his balance is getting better. However, I came home from teaching yesterday (one day after his being in the hospital) to find that he had gone to work. YIKES! When I saw him later and asked why he had done that (against medical
advice) he said, " You can't keep this guy down for long!!!" He HATES to sit around and was ready to get his life back in order. Personally, I think our pastor's visit and all the prayers coming his way have really helped his healing right along :) (Also, Bert credits Amy's homemade lasagna that she and Jacob brought over after he got out of the hospital :)) so..a BIG thank you to Jessi and Eileen for your phone calls and prayers and to all the rest of you for your "blog messages" of love and support! We are truly blessed!

ANOTHER LEARNING...about my hubby : )

Today, Tuesday November 14th, started out like any other day. I was up at 3:30 am and making coffee at 4 am..almost ready to head to school. Bert usually sleeps in until 6 or 6:30, but I heard him bump into something. He came downstairs, looked white as a bedsheet, complained about being very, very dizzy, tingling in his neck and arms and said, "I think I need to go to the hospital." I called 911, and in an instant we had a fire truck and two medic cars and my sweetie was hooked up to a monitor. Gary and Nancy Gosett, our dear neighbors and Ryan's parents, were there to pray for Bert and offer support. (Thank you both!) It turns out that Bert has a severe infection and it goes into his inner ear. As we were in one of the ER cubicles I leaned a great deal about my dear husband of almost 23 years! First, and not a surprise, I cannot imagine my life without him. He is my very best friend and the love of my life! We laughed and joked at the ER and even in tough moments he cares about me. As I watched him at our house, hooked up and surrounded by medics...I could barely breathe. But I know that Jessi and Amy will be proud of how calm I was on the exterior. I tell Bert every day that he means the world to me. I have a "clean slate" with him each day. I try each day to focus on everything that is so wonderful about him, and I let go of things that foolishly irritate me about him. I know that someday one of us will be called "home" and leave our earthly home here! I'm just so grateful that it isn't today!

A Little History!

I grew up in Seattle, Washington as an only child and my parents, Mark and Dolores McColm, were from the "old school ". They believed deeply in hard work, earning your own way, and having impeccable manners! My Dad was an extroverted salesman who came from a difficult and damaged family background. His persistence and perseverance against great odds fueled his life. He was a self-starter and what you see is what you get kind of guy! He didn't have a birthday cake until he was thirty, when my Mom made him one. One of my fondest memories of my Dad was when he washed my face after a meal and joked with me saying "What's going to happen?" And I would giggle until I almost peed in my pants! My Mom, who was much more introverted, loved me without measure. She loved to make us Mother-Daughter outfits for almost every occasion. While my journey with my parents had some ups and downs, they gave me a GREAT gift. I always knew that I was deeply loved. They had my back. They showed up in my life. I knew I could count on them. One of my life lessons, as I approach 60: I want those that I love to feel that same way about me. There is no gift that equals knowing that you are treasured and adored for who you really are.

Go For It With Gusto!

As far back as I can remember, I've always LOVED life! (and that really is in capital letters) Even being born with one hand, I remember never feeling afraid to be visible, to smile, and to embrace life. I've had faith in people, in their innate goodness, and thrown myself into being a participant in all life has to offer. Looking back, I have memories of a tap dancing little girl, riding horses at full speed, and laughing endlessly. Later on, I have memories of skiing when I was 7-months-pregnant with Jessi, skinny dipping in Lake Union in Seattle at 40, and jet skiing at Diamond Lake with my clothes on at 50. Along the way, I've also always brought home stray dogs, children, and students who seemed lost and homeless. The hardest part of having a broken ankle this last summer was harnessing my zest to swim, walk, play at the lake, and be active. I had to find new places to put my energy! I remember in high school when Mr. Hanberg, our student government advisor, told me, "Linda, You can't keep going like this! You'll burn out by 30!" Well, as 60 approaches and I still have two full time jobs, family activities with children and grandchildren, church and school activities, and more... I find a short nap from time to time helps to recharge my batteries :) At 60 and beyond, I STILL want to live every day as if it was my last! Full bore... All out... Go for it with gusto!!

What Really Matters!

I feel grateful that God loves me. Every day that I am alive is a true blessing.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog and my reflections, lessons, joys, challenges, blessings, and learnings in life. February 5th, 2007 I will turn 60. So as days, weeks, and months lead up to celebrating 60 years on the planet, I find myself growing, changing, and challenging myself even more... as I lean into who I am now and what I want to learn. I invite you to share this journey and look forward to your comments, learnings, and sharings.

Love, Linda