I have gotten fully drained in a conversation, even on the phone…

Then I decided to pick up a book and read about it.

Here’s what I learned…

Types of ‘energy vampires’ that you find in everyday life:

◊  The Chronic Talker has a ‘motor mouth’ that doesn’t stop talking, hardly breathes. Staying with her and listening to her is super exhaustive.

◊ ’Garlic’ that you should use for this type of vampire: “I’m sorry, I have to go to the bathroom.

◊ The Sob Sister – A whiner who loves a captive audience. She is not interested in the solution, she just wants to vent and vent.

◊ The type of garlic that you should use: “I love you very much, but unless you want a solution, I’ve just got five minutes to listen.”

◊ The Blamer – This is the person who is always saying: “If it were not for you, we would not be in this mess.”.

◊ Garlic: don’t apologize or agree with the person. Gently but firmly, say: “when you talk like that hurts my feelings, please stop.”

◊ The Controller – This vampire likes to tell you (and and everyone else too) what to do.

◊ Garlic: Never try to control a controller. Speak up but don’t make it a big deal of it. Just state your needs by saying, “I appreciate your advice and warnings, but I would like to solve this on my own.” Then say it again, because with this type of species, and repetition is the key.

◊ Go-For-The-Jugular Friend: Wildly ambitious, this type of vampire cuts you down to build herself up.

◊ Garlic: try to remove that person from your life if you can’t, do not react to her zingers because what she wants is to see your expression of horror. Instead, visualize a protective armor around you, so her toxic comments can’t get to your gut.

Do livro: “Emotinal Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions” autora Judith Orloff

♦

♦ First tip: do not waste time looking for things of value on the dusty shelves and countertops. I stay far away, because I’m totally allergic to dust… (and overspending).

Experienced sellers expose things that have some value, as visible as possible to the public. They’re right, aren’t they? I would do the same.

♦ Do not expect perfection in this kind of place. These types of markets sell second hand or even third hand things. So don’t point out defects in objects, trying to get a discount, it makes it sound like you’re saying that the seller is a dishonest person.

♦ Learn to haggle – Many people get tongue tied when it comes to negotiating. Keep it simple…

Do it this way, it’s very simple, say: “This is what I’m prepared to pay. You can part with it for X dollars? And then give your starting price, which shouldn’t be ridiculously low.

Never say “I don’t want to pay that much” or “I really I don’t need it,” as though it would compel the seller to lower the price…

Sellers are much more willing to lower the price, to someone they feel, that really are interested in their wares. So act as if you really want it rather than dismissing it as overpriced junk.

♦ Last tip – Get on the vendor’s good side, especially if you visit these places frequently.

If you have a kind of  ’friendship’ with him, you can get the best discounts… after all, and you’re a customer who always comes back…

They will even separate items that they think you’ll like.

If you only go once in a while to these places, talk to him about similar tastes and stories of the item you’re interested in before you start negotiating.

And don’t forget: if the subject here is $$. A bargain is not a bargain, unless you need it.

Sure, you all know I like to reuse and recycle… that is ancient.

But these jars have a special value in American history, and the challenge of introducing the past into present is something very fascinating to me!

Especially, when eco-friendly, beautifully displayed and very useful.

And the jars of this chandelier, here called “Mason Jars”, were introduced in 1858, by a simple citizen, John Mason, who invented the type of cap to twist and close. A simple idea but so useful as well, that even during the Great Depression in the ’30s, his company did not have to fire even one employee, as queues of the unemployed over the whole country were waiting for a plate of food.

In the story of the past, the writers themselves, those who are living, could never imagine…

But what do I mean by that, anyway…?

That this history has painted my heart?

Yes of course, but it also seems that the past, has the same amount of imagination that the future has.

To which I add: they reduce their ‘footprint’ on the planet, much less accumulation of things, force us to live with only what we need and love, letting go of all the rest.

You can buy a tiny house for only $ 20,000 or $ 495 for the plans and build it yourself.

Below, there is a video showing how to do it.

With the continued rising cost of energy, depending on where you live, they are also easier to be kept warm, or cold.

As no one is getting younger, it is less painful to keep clean.

Building permits are not necessary.

In Texas, one of the companies that builds them, uses recycled wood.

One of these builders in California, lives in the house below. And you can buy one just like it for $45,997 or build it yourself for $19,950.

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/epu/

Now the video:

Isn’t it so much better to live in simplicity?

What is now crocked will be straightened.

What is now faulty will be fixed.

Your body will be different, but you won’t have a different body.

You will have this one.

Does that change the view you have of  it? I hope so.

God has a high regard for your body. You should as well. Respect it.

I did not say worship. But I did say respect it. It is after all the temple of God.

Be careful how you feed it, use it, and mantain it.

You wouldn’t want anyone trashing your home, God doesn’t want anyone trashing his.

After all, it is his, isn’t it?

(Max Lucado)

Where you can not only have a picnic at night, enjoying your favorite beverage, along with friends and loved ones…

Looking at the stars or watching a nice movie…

Now is the time to find out where it’s happening near you!!

For me, summer is from May to October in Houston and the words: ‘Summer Nights’ are the most beautiful in the Texan dictionary ever…

Resting, especially on weekends, is not to be considered idle or lazy.

Lying down, sitting on the grass, listening to the crickets, the sea, watching the stars, or enjoying an outdoor movie, can hardly be considered a waste of time.

And most of these things are free!

Below are listed some websites where, depending on the place you live, may be useful:

• www.moviesintheparklr.net

• www.piedmontpark.org

• www.crowncenter.com

• www.intelius.com/summermovies

Have a beautiful weekend! ♥

Of course they are easy to make… like babies, but hard to deliver.

But let’s not be frivolous, because…

With each promise, there is a price to pay…

Okay…

Yesterday, early in the morning, me and 2023 others …

from 120 countries…

Promised in our Naturalization Ceremonies and Citizenship, to be good American citizens…

We promised to act according to our hopes and not with our fears.

And I sincerely hope that the promises of God shine above the obstacles and problems of each one who was there…

Because life, for sure, did not promise to be wonderful.

If you want to know details of the ceremony, just ask me!

And soft drinks are full of sugar, don’t kill your thirst and are so fattening! Juices also are either too sweet or else very expensive.

The most common thing to do is squeeze a little lemon into the water. I love lemon, but now I’ve found out I’m allergic to it, I have to stay far away from it. But even so I have to turn my drink into a total delight.

And you know how I do it?

I cut pieces of strawberries, apples, cucumbers, herbs, grapefruit, peach, edible flowers (pesticide free!) And throw them into water (leaving them in the refrigerator to soak up the flavor).

Separate flavors, of course, I don’t make a fruit salad in the water.

You’ll be surprised at the flavor that ‘appears’!

And you can also do it with sparkling water. Twisting the herbs beforehand intensifies the flavor.

Try these flavors for sunny days:

♦ lemon and thyme

♦ lemon and rosemary

♦ Cucumber and thyme

♦ orange and lemon

♦ raspberry with roses

♦ mint, cucumber and lemon

♦ basil, lemon and mint

These combinations not only quench thirst, but also refresh the spirit of beauty and wonderful aroma. ♥

You can put the herbs in water, freeze them and then throw the cubes in fizzy water. mmmm… I love it.!

Another wonderful thing that I’ve have done for a few years: I boil water in a pot, throw in 4 or 5 tea bags and put it in the refrigerator.

The Celestial Seasonings brand makes me undecided about which I like more:

The “Bengal Spice” (with cinnamon, chicory, cardamom, cloves, vanilla, ginger)

The “Wild Berry Zinger” (hibiscus, rosehips, chicory, oranges, strawberries, framboezas, cranberries, blueberries and orange)

The “Honey Vanilla Chamomile” (with lemongrass, chicory, licorice, orange and chamomile).

Or “Mandarin Orange Spice” (rosehips, blackberry, hibiscus, chicory, orange and chamomile). Phew!

These teas are so delicious that when you open the box you’ll want to eat them!

Of course in the winter, drink the teas warm.

(They don’t know that I’m making a big commercial here for them).

Okay …

“I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man.” (H. D. Thoreau)

You want to know who God is?

See what he has done.

You want to know his power?

Take a look at his cration.

Curious about his Strength? Pay a visit to his home address:

1 Billion Starry Sky Avenue.

He is untainted by the atmosphere of sin, unbridled by the time line of history, unhindered by the weariness of the body.

What controls you doesn’t control Him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble Him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue him.

Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it.

Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not, he plunges beneath it.

Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it.

How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth!

God can do all things. (Mat. 19:26)

The Great House of God, Max Lucado

Be it a dog, a cat, a horse, a parrot or a human being.

There’s no difference. This alleged difference, is nothing more than a human concept for man’s own advantage.

There are so many that enslave, mistreatment and neglect their animals I think, that if they had a religion, we would be  the devil in human form.

Shocking, sad, but it’s the truth.

Think about it…

We don’t hatch eggs, pull carts, much less are quick enough to chase a squirrel or rabbit, and yet… We are the Lords of the Animals.

For just that reason we are responsible for them, even in natural disasters such as hurricanes.

And what if in such a situation you needed to stay in a temporary shelter?

What would happen to your pet?

Some shelters do not allow them to enter.

And they can not be left behind alone at home.

If the authorities send you away from where you live, you need to: take your pet along, or plan, talk to friends, relatives, veterinary clinics and animal shelters, who are far from imminent danger.

And prepare the following:

♥  Food – ration should be enough to least seven days (and kept in a  water-proof recipient).

♥ Water

♥ Medications that your pet is taking and a copy of vaccines.

♥ A crate or kennel where he feels comfortable and can stand up, turn around and lie down.

♥ Collar with identification and leash.

♥ Cleaning supplies – paper towels, plastic bags, newspapers, and if it’s a cat, his box.

♥ Toys, bones to chew and needs for their beds.

Emergencies cause animals to get very stressed. Take a carrier he is already used to, his favorite toys, and some extra things to help relieve tension and the insecurity of the situation.

I give Bach Flower essences to mine and I would take along a bottle RESCUE.