Category Archives: Just a PERFECT Thought

Hiking to Lone Pine Lake

16 Friday Jan 2015

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Hiking Mt. Whitney…

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A friend of mine asked me to go on a short hike to see Lone Pine Lake. For those that don’t know where Lone Pine Lake is…it’s in Lone Pine, CA. Where is Lone Pine, you ask…about four hours east of Orange County in the Sierra Mountains.

I have visited Lone Pine for years and have not visited Lone Pine Lake. My friend said it was a little hike to get to the lake. I was game. It sounded fun. I hike all the time. Boy was I in for a challenge.

Lone Pine Lake is about three hours up the mountain to Mt. Whitney. As we hiked, I saw other hikers with hiking apparel; such as, proper boots and walking sticks. I started to get worried as I wore my Doctor Martens and skipped breakfast. But I was ready for the hour hike…so my friend told me.

Two hours into the hike and straight up the ten thousand elevation mountain…I started to wonder how and if there was really a lake. I could not see where a lake could possibly be since we were hiking up the side of the mountain towards Mt. Whitney.

Two and half hours into the hike, my blisters were bleeding. My stomach was screaming with hunger and my patience had run out. I wanted to turn around because don’t forget…if it took us three hours to get up the mountain, it would take us another three to get back down.

As I was about to turn around…admitting to complete failure…I saw it. The beautiful and majestic lake. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was one of the most breathtaking views I have encountered. Did it make up for the bleeding blisters, hunger pains, weak legs, aching knees, and full bladder….maybe not, but it was worth it…

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
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Visiting Humboldt County – Arcata

12 Monday Jan 2015

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Visiting Humboldt County – Arcata
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I have wanted to travel, but either I couldn’t find the time or I didn’t have the money. As I get older I see how important it is to go out and see new things and visit new places. Although, I have to admit that I am a creature of habit and tend to journey into familiar territory and Arcata, California in Humboldt County is one of my favorite spots.

This is the land of the Redwoods. Life is simple. Life is pure. The air is clean. What I like best about visiting Humboldt County is the beauty of the Redwoods next to the tranquility of the sandy beaches. It is truly majestic and quite breathtaking.

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Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
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Issues Facing People with Facial Differences

09 Thursday Oct 2014

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Issues Facing People with Facial Differences

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As a society, we have become more aware of bullying. There is cyber-bullying and everyday bullying. We have had this issue in the past, but today it has been more focused on and brought out for our awareness. We may listen to the stories with a sad heart, but how can we do something about it?

What happens when bullying plays a counter-part with facing people with facial differences? We stare, point, and say mean things under our breath. Such as, “Poor thing”, “I wonder what happened to her?” “How sad”. Our intentions aren’t bad, but it is still mean.

I’m not talking about children, but adults. We have all said it or at least thought it. However, we need to learn to accept people with differences. It is our responsibility as parents, mentors, and teachers to teach our own children to be kind. Just as we teach therm not to judge others by the color of their skin…we also need to teach them not to judge others by their differences.

We all hurt and love the same, so don’t judge. Kindness can go a long way.

If you want to read more about The Cleft Foundation, visit their website: http://www.cleftline.org/

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi

Why did you make me do it…

10 Saturday May 2014

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Why did you make me do it…

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He yells at you. He throws things at you. He raises his hand to you. You cry out and ask “Why?”

He says, ” I love you so much…why do you make me do it?”

You question yourself. “Did I make him mad? What did I say? I am to blame.”

You are not to blame. Love does not hurt and this is not your fault.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi

Silent Abuse

03 Saturday May 2014

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Silent Abuse…

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I recently read a post on Face Book regarding how abuse comes in many forms. I would have to agree. Abuse may be silent, vulgar name calling, throwing things at a person, mind manipulation, mental punishments, pushing, cheating, withholding affection, and breaking their spirit.

At first it is silent, but as the years pass, each act of violence destroys a persons’ self-confidence and pride. They began to feel worthless and hopeless. They believe what their abusers are telling them; they are a piece of crap. And one day, the silent abuse becomes physical.

Until that one day, when the one being abused stands up to the abuser and says, STOP! I will not take this anymore and I am worth it!

Stand up for yourself and fight back, I did.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi

A Survivor

04 Friday Apr 2014

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What is a survivor?

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A survivor is someone who doesn’t let someone else push them around.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi

Home Sweet Home

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

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HOME SWEET HOME
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We have all wondered how much more our economy and as people can take. The mortgage crash of 2006 has severely affected our country and other countries. So many families have lost and are still losing their homes. It may just be a home to some. It may just be hard times, some may say. However, true these statements are, the fact of it is that a house holds a lot more than merely a roof over our heads.

A house is our home. A home is a place where we raise our children. A home is a place where we keep our memories. A home is a place where we grow as a family. A home is a place to feel safe in. A home is a place where we gain our future. A house is a lot more than just a dwelling. Our home is our house.

If you are losing your home, do not give up. Write letters to your lending company. I do not mean one letter, but letter after letter after letter, until you are heard. Study your mortgage documents so you understand what the legalities of your documents mean. What kind of mortgage do you have? Was income verified and documented? Do you have a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate? Is your mortgage owned by one investor or several investors? Find any discrepancies you can in your documents.

The Government is working to create new programs for homes in distress and the longer you can hold on to your home, means the better chances are for you to save your home from foreclosure. Fight back and do not give up. I didn’t and against all odds, I am finally home once again.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi

A Sad Heart

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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A Sad Heart…

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Who ever thought being a mother would be so hard? I thought it was a rough day when I walked her to her Kindergarten classroom and now I’m saying goodbye at the airport as she goes back to college.

The tears never cease to amaze me, but with the tears comes an overwhelming sense of pride for who she has become and is continuing to become with each passing day.

As I wave goodbye until next time, I am proud of myself, for she wouldn’t be who she is today if it weren’t for me, her mother.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi

Going off to College…

16 Sunday Feb 2014

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Going off to College…

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I think one of the hardest things in life is leaving your child behind to begin a new life.

As mothers, we live and breathe our children. We nurture and protect them as infants, watching them as they take their first steps, walking them to their classroom in Kindergarten, going to their graduations, the prom, drivers’ education and watching them as they start their new lives at a University.

It seems as if life goes by in an instant. We know they are going to grow up, but time seems to speed up and they are grown before our very eyes. We are happy for them to start their new lives, but it is a bittersweet occasion. We spend eighteen years of our lives with them and in an instant, they are gone.

Can we really prepare ourselves for this? It has been six months now and I still wonder around the house, lost. Where did the years go? I ask myself this daily.

Enjoy each day and enjoy the moment because it goes too fast.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi

Why are you Thankful?

28 Thursday Nov 2013

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Why are you thankful?

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Being thankful has many different meanings for different people. I am thankful for so many reasons this year. I am thankful for getting our house back from the bank. I am thankful for having a great job. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my health.

My gratitude for this year has grown tremendously. This has been a year of growth and learning to not take for granted those wonderful people and things I have been blessed with in life.

Every day is a gift. Love is a gift. Hold on to what you have and don’t let go. You may think that others have more than you, but once you lose what you had, you will realize how much you really did appreciate it.

Happy Thanksgiving…Ask Ms Mandi