WHAT IS YOUR FANCY? 
SILVER, GOLD, PLATINUM, DIAMONDS, RUBIES, EMERALDS, PEARLS, RINGS AND THINGS, ETC., ETC., ETC.!! 

One of the most famous jeweler of all time is TIFFANY & Co., encompassing 200 years of history. We remember a famous movie in 1961 called "Breakfast at Tiffany's”. The movie opens with: 

​          Audrey Hepburn (Holly GoLightly) stepping out of a cab holding a cup of coffee, dressed in evening     
          clothes. Was she a socialite, adorned in elegance, or in fact, was she a lady of the night getting off from
          work? 

          No matter, for she is iconicly gorgeous as she peruses the enchanting Tiffany windows. Almost as     
          famous as the jewels it might house, is the legendary little blue box, known as "Tiffany Blue Box." It is
          beautifully tied with a white ribbon and known all over the world.
​
This special hue is described as a medium, robin egg blue color and was created personally by Charles Tiffany in 1837. 
It is a registered trademark by Tiffany & Co. and synonymous with the company. ​

​It is a proven fact that Jewelry makes a woman FEEL POSITIVE and creates a FEELING OF CONFIDENCE. Perhaps some consider it to be frivolous, but nevertheless, we consider it JOYFUL. Whether it be a young girl's first gift from her beloved or a woman of royalty or wealth considering a piece for her collection... 
                                                                     Let's face it ladies, 
                                                             WE ARE ALL SMITTEN! 

I sometimes think if I had to do all over again, I would become a gemologist I would travel to Africa,  and learn about the mines, continue on to Paris, Milan and London and create collections, one for every day of the week. Remember, the dedication on the home page and in the book, "The Feeling?"
 
                                                    It said, DREAM A DREAM...... well, 
                                                                  WHY NOT???

Discussion: 
We are introduced to Rachel and Michael Sanders and their idiosyncrasies. Trained from childhood not to give in to negative feelings, Rachel still knew something was wrong! Commanding attention were the flip-flops in her stomach.  Was she imagining something or was this all consuming feeling the real deal?

Click below to download Chapter One of The Feeling

OLD FRIENDS VS. NEW FRIENDS 
It is a wonderful thing to have faithful old friends, those that match the devotion of this puppy. How many can say that they have a friend that they walked into kindergarten with? How many can say that the 10-year-old across the street is still on the phone with you? How many can say that the 14-year-old in high school has gone through marriages and children with you? How many can say that the friend at your important jobs is still there in retirement? 

I am one of the lucky few. 

These friends have gone through fire and water with you. They are like a boomerang because even if you argue, they come back. Secrets galore and what went down on Yourstreet, USA always stays on Yourstreet, USA. They have weathered childhood, teenage years, marriages, children, work environments, sad losses of parents, divorces, careers, relocation, and retirement and still hold your hand. They understood your moods happy or not, decisions bad or good, and with no judgment stayed by your side. They know you well and are your extended siblings. THEY ARE YOUR OLD FRIENDS...
​

Whether you like it or not, they tell you the truth, and not always what you want to hear. But, always with your best interests at heart. Like Oscar Wilde said: "A good friend will always stab you in the front." 

​They are to be cherished, because this brand of friendship is far and few between. ​

They are there for lots of good times, card games, holidays without relatives, rounds of dinners, opening up new ways of life and more interests, to bring to the table. Some of them have made the grade and will graduate to the old friend category as they are steadfast and caring. And some just fade away as there wasn't much substance to begin with, just someone to pass the time with. 

Cut them some slack, as they don't know your history. We start off on the surface and it could progress 
stages of to safe and valuable. They have potential. It takes time to qualify, as there are friends for all your life. New friends are strangers, and need time to ferment like good wine. Give it a chance, put the time in! But, do release any toxicity. 

I have been fortunate and some new friends have entered my old friend category. They were just what the doctor ordered at new times in my life. 

We go by the Girl Scout Slogan, "Make new friends but keep the old. One is Silver, the other gold." 
Good friendships are to be valued, old or new. Here's some advice: ​

What is the purpose? 

It not only designates the numbered year but is the day we say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new. It is a new beginning and a national holiday in the United States. 

1904 was the first year this was celebrated in Times Square, New York. In 1907 the first ball was dropped in this location from a flag pole. 

Our current Times Square ball is a sphere, 12 ft. in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds. It is covered in 2688 Waterford Crystal triangles varying in size. It is worth more than One million dollars. It has 672 LED nodules. 

It begins its descent at 11:59:00 p.m. EST, and lands at midnight to signal the start of the New Year. It is estimated that one million people attend these festivities in New York City. This year will mark the year 2024. ​

What is the purpose? 

It not only designates the numbered year but is the day we say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new. It is a new beginning and a national holiday in the United States. 

1904 was the first year this was celebrated in Times Square, New York. In 1907 the first ball was dropped in this location from a flag pole. 

Our current Times Square ball is a sphere, 12 ft. in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds. It is covered in 2688 Waterford Crystal triangles varying in size. It is worth more than One million dollars. It has 672 LED nodules. 

It begins its descent at 11:59:00 p.m. EST, and lands at midnight to signal the start of the New Year. It is estimated that one million people attend these festivities in New York City. This year will mark the year 2024. 

Of course, we all know stories of how Thanksgiving began. But, how many of us actually think of that on this holiday? 
Generally, it is a day of the Macy’s Parade, football, family, and lots and lots of FOOD. 
It is a day that we are not hampered by buying presents and putting our financial situations in Jeopardy (for months and months) due to the holiday pressure. 
It is a day that we do not think of dieting. That can wait till tomorrow. 
It is a federal holiday, and we do not have to fight for the day off. 
Because it is always on Thursday, we can try for 4-day weekends. 
It is a day that we get to see family and friends. Those we love and also those we tolerate. 
If you ask most Americans, they will tell you it is their favorite holiday. And why is that? 
Your menu will most likely have leftovers. You can share them with your guests or else....tomorrow you don't have to cook. 
It is a great day to be Merry.......You can get up late. Most dinners start after 3 PM and onward. 
You can watch football, and it is expected of you. 
All in all, it is a holiday that you just get to be you, with no expectations! 
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

​

​Two weeks into your Mother’s monthly cycle, one of the eggs (that will become you) starts to grow. It is automatic. It is a fluid-filled sac called a follicle. Your Mother’s body will not desert you, as it will release a hormone that thickens the lining of her uterus and is now ready to protect the egg. Thank you, Mother! 
Next, nature steps in, and you, (the egg) travel to the fallopian tube and reside there for approximately 24 hours. Here’s where the excitement starts…You are waiting for one single sperm to fertilize you.  
 Just ONE, mind you! It’s AMAZING! 
 
There are millions of sperm.  
 The winner, a sperm  
 (THE sperm)  
 penetrates the egg.  

A big change occurs, and NOW, no other sperm can enter the egg. You have been fertilized and at that very instant, your genes and sex are set. If the sperm has a Y chromosome, you will be a boy. If it has an X chromosome, you will be a girl. Life has begun. Amazing! 

You, the egg, will comfortably stay in your mother’s fallopian tube for about 3-4 days. (Thank  goodness for the well-earned rest) However, within 24 hours after being fertilized a division of cells starts. Slowly it begins the journey to the uterus for implantation or attachment and you are where you are supposed to be! By the 10th-12th day, you are given the title: 
 EMBRYO.  
 You are now considered a whole human being. 
  
 IT’S AMAZING!!!!! 
  
Within 3 weeks, your first nerve cells have formed. Shortly after, your brain has started to appear.
 At 4 weeks, forms of your face and neck develop...The lungs,  heart, blood vessels, stomach, and liver are coming into being.  

You need nourishment and the evolving placenta will do that for you. 
At 8 weeks, you are actually a tiny bit more than half an inch…Everything is forming. Your eyelids, ears, tip of nose, arms, legs, fingers, toes.  
Are you, YOU, … yet? 

At the end of the 10th week, you have graduated, as you are now considered A FETUS!  
This title is yours until birth. 

At 12 weeks, Fetus, You, measures approximately 2 inches. You can move! You can hear, and you have a heartbeat!  
Your sex organs are now clear. The end of the first trimester. 

16 weeks…You measure 4 – 4.6 inches. You weigh about 3.5 ounces. Wow, you can blink. Your heart and blood vessels are fully formed. You are unique as your fingers and toes now have fingerprints. 

At 20 weeks, you are halfway through your 40-week process. You have found comfort and can now suck your thumb, it feels good to yawn, and stretch. You are moving. 
Those people outside want to do an ultrasound. They want to know if you are a boy or a girl. (The secret is now out.) They are excited. You guess that they are what are known as parents.   

24 weeks…You feel a jerking response when your Mom hiccups. Your inner ear is fully developed.  
A network of nerve cells provides consciousness. 
  
28 weeks, third-trimester beginning. 
Good chance you will survive now! 
What have you been doing? You have spent 95% of the day sleeping, mostly in REM sleep. It is likely that you are dreaming. Your brain will develop and so will your memory. 

32 weeks and you are almost 4 lbs. and its fun to move.  
Layers of fat are forming under your skin.

36 weeks. You are about 18.6 inches and about 6 lbs.  
Your brain has developed quickly. Your lungs are almost fully developed. Wow, your head is now positioned down your Mom’s pelvis. 

40 weeks…..is the optimum for your birth. 
​

Lungs are the last organ to develop, but they are formed now. 
You are starting to feel pressure as you are squeezed and heading down the birth canal. You have been cushioned in Mother’s womb and suddenly this is the beginning of your journey. 

You have heard your Mother’s voice and your Father’s too. There were other people who talked to you. You are so happy that no one disturbed your trip of becoming YOU…They allowed you to develop. You wanted to live and are grateful that no one stopped you…You are almost there…Your Mother is helping and pushing you out. Soon you will meet her. 

Your head is out and slowly your whole body is delivered. People are helping to clear the fluid from your mouth and throat and your lungs are filling with air.  

You take your first precious breath! 

You cry, telling the world that your respiratory and circulatory system has made the transition from life inside your Mom’s womb to YOUR life outside.  

​OMG!  
It is shocking.  

They are cutting the umbilical cord.  
Will it hurt?  
No, there is no pain because the umbilical cord does not have nerves.  

You are brought to this wonderful human being who is your mother and being held skin-to-skin.  She is beautiful and holding you with so much love. You are covered with a blanket and they put a  pink hat on your head. Your Dad is looking at you with amazement and swears to protect you.  

YOU ARE AMAZING! YOU ARE UNIQUE! YOU ARE BORN!   
  
HAPPY  BIRTHDAY!! 
  
“I made it! “ 
“Life is beautiful! 
​

VARIOUS TYPES OF HAPPINESS

1.  There is Selfish Happiness:
      "The only thing more important than your 
        happiness, is MINE!"

2.  There is Sports Happiness:
      "My tennis opponent was not happy with my serve.
        He kept returning it!"

3.  There is Animal Happiness:       
       "My horse was so happy, because he lived in a 
        stable environment.!"

4.  There is Career Happiness:
      "If you cross "The Godfather" with a lawyer, you get
       an offer you can't understand."

5.  There is Smart Happiness:
     "I have chosen to be happy, because it is good for my health!

 AND THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE, FOLKS! "