Amy Bryan's Tumblr

Encouraging others to and living to make good choices, life is shorter than we realize when we are very young.

[amybryan]

SUP Keychain at zazzle

http://www.zazzle.com/sup_yall_keychain-256831804463528468

[amybryan]

No more blue mold...Science Experiment worked!

Our squash plants had developed a “blue mold” looking substance on the leaves.  I was not sure how to handle it and Rupert thought that we might have to just start over.  We use compost out of all our vegetable and fruit scraps (no animal products) and wanted to find something that would work with out using non organic materials.  I decided to try- organic fat free milk and sunshine.  (Real sun, not myself for those who call me that...:)]. I sprayed the leaves liberally with milk and asked our daughter to do that as well several days later when she was “house sitting”.  It worked!!  The leaves are again a vibrant green.  I wanted to share this in case any of you had this happen!  I think that the protein and sun combo helped.

[amybryan]

Charleston Visit

Rupert and I had a fantastic vacation this year.  We visited friends and family in Wilmington.  (I got to paddle board with my paddle club!!)  We then went to Charleston for time together.  We stayed at Charleston Place again and loved our time.  We left on Wednesday midday after Rupert took me back to Shem Creek to take pictures of wildlife.  (Dolphins are my favorite, but don’t feed wild dolphins or try to play/swim with them in their natural habitat.  They could get hurt by others or people fishing, boating etc.  This from the person who tried to swim with wild dolphins as a child...Maturity and knowledge, ya’ll.)  

[amybryan]

I was told recently by a professional that there is not a rule or law that sets an age limit on children staying home alone.  That really concerns me.  I was under the incorrect impression that children could not be left alone until age 10 or older and then for limited times.

Also, in our area, there is not a law or rule (?) that requires an adult to be at the bus stop to supervise students leaving for school or arriving at the bus stop in the afternoon.  With all of the recent headlines about people not honoring the stop signs on buses, this is of particular concern to me.

Just some things to think about and talk about as we make good choices for change.

[amybryan]

I need to look into this some more for added accuracy.

[amybryan]

I was told recently by a professional that there is not a rule or law that sets an age limit on children staying home alone.  That really concerns me.  I was under the incorrect impression that children could not be left alone until age 10 or older and then for limited times.

Also, in our area, there is not a law or rule (?) that requires an adult to be at the bus stop to supervise students leaving for school or arriving at the bus stop in the afternoon.  With all of the recent headlines about people not honoring the stop signs on buses, this is of particular concern to me.

Just some things to think about and talk about as we make good choices for change.  I definitely need to look into this some more for accuracy and ideas of decision makers.

[amybryan]

Good Choices

Let the choices you make today, be choices you can live with later.

[amybryan]

Moments

Be present in each moment.  Enjoy the people, sights and sounds.  

[amybryan]

What matters most?  Decide and move forward.  Learn from the past, remember and make good choices for a bright future.

[amybryan]

My paddle-board from when Julie and I picked it out.

[amybryan]

Beach Dash!

I signed my paddle board club up for a "Beach Dash" this weekend.  Of course, we'd talked about it first.  :) Ya'll know I have said that I only run when chased but this should be fun.  In the middle of the winter weather, we had a really good weekend just two weeks ago. 

 Our relationships and memories are really all we take with us...I am ready for paddle board season.  At least mentally!

I decided that this spring is the time to get back to who I am supposed to be- to be healthier and to have more fun with the people I love.

[amybryan]

Perseverance and motivation

What motivates people?  If we can create a new way to measure what success is, what we think of as being successful, would our society be improved?  Our view of the world needs to not be Pollyanna-ish but we do need to look for the good in ourselves and in each other.  My opinion.  

What is something good that happened today?  Did something surprise you?  Did you grow today? 

Did you give your best efforts or were you a little slack?  Be perseverent. (Is that a word?)  

Enjoy the moment, be mindful and improve.

[amybryan]

Be present

At the Duke game last night, I noticed that even though people were together, they weren't always together in the moment.  Most people spent a lot of time checking email or other things on their phones or devices.

 What happened to enjoying the moment with the people you care about? Being mindful that we don't have an inordinate amount of time...

We were in Cameron and some people NEVER get the opportunity to go to a Duke game in their lives.  (Yes, I do realize that some people might not have that on their list of things to do but, remember, my nickname is "Miss Duke".)  That hit home last night too.  

As I sat with my husband enjoying the game and his company, I realized that many people don't choose to be fully present in the moment.  Being present and mindful... some are too busy posting or saying "look where I am" instead of fully engaging in where they are and in what is going on.

[amybryan]

DANCE in the rain!

One of my favorite memories is of my daughter dancing in tremendous rain puddles with me in Wilmington.  Laugh often.  Believe in the magic of every day.

[amybryan]

What matters

I have spent a lot of time with the older members of my family.  Rupert's Grandmother, Mamie, is one of my favorite people - EVER.  The best compliment that I ever received was when Rupert's Mom, Liz, said that he'd married his Grandmother- meaning that I was so much like Mamie.  I have always thought that Mamie lives with a grace and elegance that all of us should emulate.  Lately, I have done so much thinking about what matters.  Relationships and sharing the stories of those we love.  Listening to the stories that matter and making sure that we share those.  Sharing what we have learned that matters...The only things that we truly have all of the time are our stories and memories that have been shared.  

Before my Daddy died two years ago, my brother asked him who would know his stories...(my Daddy shared this with me)  and my Daddy said that I would know them.  I would especially remember his Duke stories and history.  I miss him every single day but know that he taught me what was important in life, that sometimes it is difficult and not popular to do the right thing but that is what matters most.  To do what we believe is good and true and to help others around us to realize that too.  

I remember my Great Aunt Edythe's stories too, I spent a lot of time with her in her later years especially.  Driving to Woodland on most weekends to help her and to visit.  I would buzz by my Grandparents in RR and head on to Woodland.  Listen to the stories of the people you care about, remember them and share what is important.

Happy New Year to all!

AWYB

[amybryan]

Luminous

Be luminous...sparkle from the inside out.

[amybryan]

Happy and Healthy

What if we focused more attention on the positives in life?  Instead of complaining about things that we really can't control, look for the good in ourselves and in each other?  Just a thought for the day...make good choices. AB

[amybryan]

Half truths from Whole Foods?

I learned that Consumer Reports studied the amount of sugar in Whole Foods 365 Greek non-fat yogurt.  Instead of having 2 grams of sugar, it has around 11.3.  This is concerning since many of us are making (or trying to make) healthier food choices.  It also concerns me that people with real health needs to limit sugar, like Diabetics, have been misled by the incorrect number of sugar grams on the label.  To their credit, Whole Foods stated that their yogurt had been tested by a non-biased company and that they would look into this further.  (It makes me ask how many other labels are incorrect that we don't ever know about?  Back to basic foods...like uncooked fruits and veggies?)  My husband gave me the title today when we were talking about this over lunch- credit Rupert the that idea.