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Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Positively Tuesday


by Mauverneen

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Charles R. Swindoll

Well it’s Positively Tuesday again. The one day a week to try and not say anything negative. At all. All day.
This is what I wrote four years ago, just after I started this blog....''.I am tired of hearing so much complaining – nobody likes their job, or their boss, or their co-workers, or their weight, or their hair, or their neighbors. The news is depressing, I am horror struck at times at some of what is happening out there, the looming election does nothing but get everybody riled up, and of course nobody is ever happy with the weather.''
Not much of that has changed. The news is still depressing (which is why I rarely watch it. Reading the headlines is usually enough.) And of course the election is over - in fact, we've had two elections since then and everybody is more riled up than ever.
Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
It’s Tuesday – pay somebody a compliment, hold open a door, let someone go ahead of you. Share a joke, share a smile. And don’t forget to be nice to yourself – treat yourself to dessert, a new pair of shoes, a movie or a good cry if you need one. There is pleasure in simple things; rain on the roof, the smell of brownies in the oven, a baby’s laughter, a bubble bath, good food, good company. Music.
I have more than I have not. I try to remember that. I’ve had my share of hard times and bad luck but I prefer the good times over the bad and rehashing the bad only makes me relive it and frankly, once was enough. This is not to say I never complain. Unfortunately I do my share. But it’s Tuesday. I’m Positive. And it feels good to feel good.
I'd like to share the following cartoon. by Joe Fournier, of the Chicago Tribune. It pretty much sums up my attitude of late.



Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Positively 2017

by Mauverneen




      A New Year, a new start. It doesn't necessarily mean we should be making resolutions we won't keep, but ANY day is a good day to try to be a better person, or a healthier person or a more patient person. And even if we don't make resolutions, I think we all have high hopes for the coming year. I am sure we all hope for more time to do whatever it is we want to do; travel, exercise, read, pursue a hobby, or just relax.
      A new year can be a good time for changes or starting new projects. Which brings me to my point. I have been thinking how this blog has changed over time - evolved, if you will, from a simple idea of trying to be positive one entire day of the week to more of a travel blog. But what could be more positive than travel? So, it seemed appropriate. But... as it became more travel-oriented, it also became less regular. I enjoy sharing the awesome places near and far that I may go and the fun experiences I have but I feel as if I have neglected the original purpose of Positively Tuesday. So... I thought a new year would be the perfect time to reorganize. Getting organized being consistently on my list of resolutions - new year's or otherwise! 
      Positively Tuesday is not going away. But it is going to be more of what I originally intended - a reinforcement of the notion that we can put aside negative thoughts, negative words, negative feelings for at least one day out of every week. I think it is what we need in 2017. A positive outlook, a friendlier atmosphere, a little more kindness in our lives.
      And for those who, like me, feel that travel and new experiences are some of the most positive things we can possibly do in life, I will be sharing that on my NEW blog: Mauve On The Move - coming soon.
      So - Here's to the New Year - I wish you all a Positively Positive 2017! May it bring new experiences, new friends, new joys! And may we all find the time to do the things that bring us peace and happiness.





Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Positively Christmas-y

by Mauverneen








We had our first snow of the season - and it was a beauty! Two to four inches was predicted but we ended up getting more like seven. It truly was a winter wonderland. The snow was so beautiful no one seemed to mind.

My daughter and I were planning on meeting at a downtown Joliet theatre to see the movie ELF. Not my favorite, but a Christmas theme, and it would be fun.


The Rialto Theatre is a beautiful jewel. Built in the 1920s it was a vaudeville/movie palace. When I was a kid, it was one of several movie theaters in town. Then it closed for years, eventually was renovated, reopened, and is now used as it originally was - for live performances. And occasionally, movies. (more about the Rialto)

Trees inside the theatre


My daughter Rachel and St. Nick



The movie was fun, the popcorn was good and afterwards we walked two blocks in the snow to a restaurant for dinner. All in all a great way to get in the holiday spirit.



Every community has a holiday display this time of year and New Lenox, IL, is no exception. This year they have gone all out and truly outdone themselves. Their display at the Village Commons is  a wonderland of lights. Lots of people have been showing up and driving the circular road to take a look. And a good number of them are getting out of their cars and taking a walk around the pond. Either way, it is enchanting and beautiful to look at.  










An ornament you can walk through!

This is the largest lit Santa in the country. 36 feet tall, it weighs over 5,000 pounds and has 18,500 lights! 




Not too far up the highway, in Lisle, IL, the Morton Arboretum is having their extravagant light show, Illumination, for the 3rd year in a row. It is fabulous!








And, over in Naperville, they are having a Christkindle Market - a German Christmas Market. Food, gifts, the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted, and ornaments, ornaments, ornaments!


Well, that should put us in the Christmas spirit!
~

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.
                        However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!


  Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com
 
                      and visit my website: http://mauverneen.com

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