Good Morning VIP friends:

I hope you are all doing well this morning. Today is Tuesday and well it is going to be a great day. I have to work from 8:30 am to 5 pm and it is going to be a great day. I think I have a meeting today with our group. Which means like a half hour off the phones. Which will be nice but yesterday was not so terribly bad. It was actually a pretty good day. Chloe is settling in and the cats are too. Now to just keep them off the counters. They will not stop. Going to have to put Tin foil on the edges so when they jump up there they get freaked out and get down.

@Patti241 - That is better than us.
@gouldsgranite - I am enjoying getting the new home set up. Still figuring out where to put everything though. That is awesome. Love last minute plan changes.
@Ronnie_happy2ranch - My daughter just the other day took a bunch of her things from her childhood. She never had any of it and well now being pregnant she is wanting some of it. That is awesome that you decided to keep the van. I am sure you will have a lot of fun with it.
@Dianedoessmiles1 - The cats and Chloe are doing well. They are settling in. I am struggling a bit because I am not sleeping well. What a cute kitten. I am sure your cat was jealous. That does happen here too.
@cruising132 - That looks amazing. I remember asking questions about your quilting retreat.
@Kurtize - Last minute I found so many things I did not think of that I needed to do. That was rough. I am sure you are much more organized since you have moved more.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday.

Tabatha

Good Morning VIP friends:

I hope you are all doing well this morning. Today is Wednesday and it is going to be a good day I think. I have so much going on today. Oh the pain I have been in lately. My hips are hurting so darn bad. I need to get some exercises going. Just not sure when would be a good time to do those since I need extra sleep before work otherwise I am not really able to make it through the whole day. It is rough right now because of the cold. Chloe went to the vet yesterday and got a good check up. She is a bit chunky as the vet said but she is not too concerned because it is winter, but once the freezing temps break we really have to get her out and walking. Don't cut back on her food, but no more table scraps.

@Kurtize - I agree that I am giving up winter for Lent. That is the only reasonable thing to give up.
@Dianedoessmiles1 - Yes, I shoo the cats off the counter several times a day. When I need to do something on the counter I wipe it down first . That is cool that she only brought the kitty into the lobby. Definitely helps not upset the other cats.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

Tabatha

@Tabatha_Cain Hope today went well. Glad Chloe Had a good checkup. Oscarette been putting on a little bit of weight too. Not much, but a little bit. Though I thought he really loves his snacks, but it's too much on him. Bright idea hit me! By him the same food for hard food but in a different flavor. He went absolutely crazy for it. LOL LOL and hey doing it this way will save me money why not.

I AM:
I am perfectly aligned with my internal guidance.
Action for Happiness:
Really listen to what people say, without judging them
Fitness Quote:
Whatever the problem is the answer is not in the fridge.
National Day: More can be found at nationaldaycalendar.com
NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY
National Caregivers Day on the third Friday in February honors the healthcare professionals across the country providing long-term and hospice care.
#NationalCaregiversDay
Around the nation, dedicated healthcare professionals serve those who require long-term or hospice care. They provide vital services, reassuring patients and the families who care about them. Often loved ones require care we are unable to provide due to our inability physically or not having the skills or means to provide the care. Expert caregivers are trained to provide round-the-clock services in safe environments. Their care enables the family to focus on their loved one's healing process. In hospice care, a caregiver allows the family to spend time with their loved one without worrying about medical responsibilities.
Caregivers deliver a variety of duties from personal care to medical services with compassion and professionalism. Their days may be long and demanding, but they provide support to those who need it most.
The celebration recognizes caregivers who provide quality, compassionate care every day.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY
Take time to thank a caregiver for their dedication and care of our loved ones.
Give them a card of thanks. This may seem like a simple gesture, but it will mean a lot to the caregiver.
Let them know with a kind word of encouragement. Your recognition will inspire them to continue their quality work.
Tell their supervisor how much you appreciate the services. Compliments are rarely voiced. Take the time to make yours heard.
Employers can provide a special appreciation luncheon.
Use #NationalCaregiversDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CAREGIVERS DAY HISTORY
Providers Association for Home Health & Hospice Agencies (PAHHHA) founded National Caregivers Day in 2015 to dedicate a day to caregivers everywhere. The first observance occurred in 2016.
In 2016, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the day to be observed on the third Friday in February annually.
Caregivers FAQ
Q. Are caregivers nurses?
A. Some caregivers are nurses. However, a professional caregiver may also be a Certified Nurse Assistant or other professionals who are trained to provide a variety of services.
Q. Is there a day to celebrate those who receive services from a caregiver?
A. Yes. National Assisted Living Week takes place each year on the week of Grandparent's Day.

I cut out most sugar and fast food this week and saw some good movement on the scale. I cooked most of my meals and ate well to satiety or fullness all week.

Good Morning VIP friends:

I hope you are all doing well this morning. Today is Sunday and we are in person at church today. Joe is running cameras and I will be helping in the kids wings teaching kindergarteners to message of God today. I do love teaching the kids. When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher and well got married too young and ended up a mom so was not able to go to college like I wanted. I chose the wrong path, but I have my wonderful daughter because of it so it was not all bad. Yesterday at work was horrible. We were so so busy I could not even get up to go to the bathroom. We used to have 12 seconds between calls and some genius in headquarters decided we did not need that 12 seconds every call so they got rid of it. So the calls come back to back. Well when you have to go to the bathroom and then phone won't stop ringing and you are not allowed to decline calls what do you do. Well I declined a call so I could put my self into break mode so I could go to the bathroom, but while trying to do that I almost had an accident. I ended up taking 41 calls yesterday which is more than I did on Monday which is our busiest day of the week. I was so mad. I have figured out a way to fix it though. So although I may get in trouble well I will just get a note from my doctor stating if I need to go to the bathroom then I need to go by whatever means necessary.

@Dianedoessmiles1 - Yes Chloe's issues is human food rewards. We sometimes would share our fries with her if we had leftovers. Chloe is very food motivated. So a french fry and she will pretty much do anything. I am doing well. As you can tell above slightly irritated with my employer, but I did get a raise so I guess it can't all be good.
@changewewanttosee - Yay. That is so so good. Cutting out sugar and eating out is so so hard. Congratulations on your accomplishment. Imagine what you can conquer next.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.

Tabatha

I AM:
I am immersed in a bubble of happiness.
Action for Happiness:
Be gentle with someone who you feel inclined to criticize.
Fitness Quote:
No one is perfect. Just focus on becoming as good as you can possibly be.
National Day: More can be found at nationaldaycalendar.com
NATIONAL BANANA BREAD DAY
February 23rd annually recognizes a well-known food holiday, National Banana Bread Day.
#NationalBananaBreadDay
Bakers know that to make sweet and delicious banana bread, they need to use fully ripe, mashed bananas. The resulting quick bread is moist and almost cake-like. And while some recipes call for yeast, most don't. Either way, the finished product makes a tasty sliced snack. Toast it and add butter for an even more satisfying treat!
In the 1930s, baking soda and baking powder made banana bread and other quick breads standard features in American cookbooks. Pillsbury’s included banana bread recipes in its 1933 Balanced Recipes cookbook, too. The release of Chiquita Banana's Recipe Book in 1950 further secured the banana bread's acceptance.
Surprisingly, bananas first made their appearance in the United States in 1870. For a long time, Americans saw the tropical fruit as merely that - a fruit, not an ingredient. It would take a few decades before they started seeing the banana's potential.
Early Banana Bread
One early recipe came from The Vienna Model Bakery. It advertised banana bread as something new in the April 21, 1893, edition of St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A new restaurant/bakery chain owned by Gaff, Fleischmann & Company, The Viena Model Bakery was known for its baked goods and was likely one of the first to produce banana bread in the United States. The recipe was made with banana flour, made by drying strips of the fruit, then grinding it to a powder. This process had long been used in the West Indies.
In Hawaii during World War I, a surplus of bananas resulted from very few ships available to export the fruit. To prevent waste, alternative uses for bananas were developed. For example, bakeries started incorporating the fruit into their bread.
This recipe was printed in The Maui News on April 12, 1918, for banana bread:
2/3 banana
1/3 flour
Yeast, coconut milk, or water
There was also rationing of staple food items such as flour. Banana flour was a suggested substitute. It was touted as a health food and recommended for a vegetarian diet.
This, of course, is not the quick bread we know today. A recipe submitted by Mrs. Dean in the February 18, 1918, issue of The Garden Island paper for a banana muffin might more closely resemble the quick bread we think of today.
1 cup cornmeal
3-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 sifted banana
3/4 cup rye flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon Crisco
Mix dry ingredients, add banana, milk, and egg, and Crisco.
Quick Bread and Muffin
The difference between a quick bread and a muffin in baking has a lot to do with the type of fat and how it is mixed, creating a different crumb or texture to the bread.
In 1927, Unifruit (a wholesale produce company) offered a free cookbook called From the Tropics to Your Table. The book offered recipes full of bananas as ingredients, including banana muffins and breads. This little cookbook would have been handy during the Great Depression, which was just around the corner. At the time, families utilized every scrap of food, including overripe bananas. They cooked overripe bananas and other fruits and vegetables into breads, stews, and other dishes when flavor and texture were not as appealing raw.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BANANA BREAD DAY
Bake your favorite version of banana bread to celebrate.
With so many varieties to try - banana nut, chocolate banana, and more - you can make more than one!
Invite someone to join you or give a loaf or two away.
Visit your local bakery and pick up some banana bread. Don't forget to give them a shout-out!
Use #NationalBananaBreadDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL BANANA BREAD DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this quick bread celebration. We suspect it was founded by someone who thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread!
Banana Bread FAQ
Q. Can I bake banana bread muffins instead?
A. Yes! That would be a perfect treat for the day.
Q. Can banana bread be frozen?
A. Yes. Wrap it well and place it in a freezer-safe container. It should keep for at least three months.

I AM:
I always have a reason to smile.
Action for Happiness:
Tell a loved one about the strengths that you see in them
Fitness Quote:
Welcome to the grind. The battle Royale between you and your mind, your body and the devil on your shoulder telling you this is just a waste of time.
National Day:
NATIONAL TORTILLA CHIP DAY
National Tortilla Chip Day on February 24th celebrates a crunchy chip that provides a multitude of ways to enjoy it! The day also shares the chip's history and many ways to enjoy this delicious snack food.
#NationalTortillaChipDay
Everyone loves tortilla chips! We most commonly served them with salsa, chile con queso, guacamole, cheese dips, or other dips. Tortilla chips are made from corn tortillas cut into wedges and then fried. The tortillas are made from corn, vegetable oil, salt, and water. Typically made with yellow corn, tortillas can also be made with white, blue, or red corn.
Even though tortilla chips have always been considered to be Mexican food, known as tostadas, they were first mass-produced in Los Angeles in the late 1940s.Rebecca Webb Carranza receives credit for making the crisp chips popular. She and her husband operated a deli and tortilla factory in Los Angeles. And its creation happened almost by accident!
Inspiration struck when the tortilla manufacturing machine discarded the misshapen tortilla. Carranza realized they could be cut into triangles and fried. She then sold them for a dime a bag at the El Zarape Tortilla Factory. Carranza received the Golden Tortilla Award in 1994 for her contribution to the Mexican food industry.
The United States is one of the primary markets for tortilla chips.
Another favorite dish made with tortilla chips is nachos. Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya created the dish we call nachos around the year 1943. The tortilla chips are served with melted or shredded cheese. Additional toppings are often added, such as meat, salsa, refried beans, tomatoes, diced onion, lettuce, olives, jalapenos, guacamole, and sour cream.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL TORTILLA CHIP DAY
Celebrate by eating tortilla chips!
Make some nachos.
Make homemade tortilla chips.
Invite friends and family to enjoy tortilla chips with your favorite toppings.
Visit a local restaurant with the best fresh-made chips. Don't forget to give them a shout-out, too!
Use #NationalTortillaChipDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL TORTILLA CHIP DAY HISTORY
Nacho sure who originated this day, but we're pretty sure they loved tortilla chips! We'll let you know when we know more.
Tortilla Chip FAQ
Q. How many calories are in a tortilla chip?
A. One tortilla chip contains approximately 10 calories.
Q. Are there grain-free tortilla chips?
A. Yes! Visit National Grain-Free Day for some ideas.
Q. Who celebrates National Tortilla Chip Day?
A. Anyone who likes tortilla chips celebrates the day. You might even find deals at restaurants and pubs to make the celebration even better!

@Gouldsgranite, that all sounds so LOVELY!!! WOW!! What an adventure!! COOL!!! Brrr on the iced over, but WHAT A VIEW that must of been!!! Aww being with the fam and GKs!! PRECIOUS TIMES!! So happy you've been able to do this!!

Please careful along your road of travel!! And as you can post!! Loved reading it.

I AM:
I take full responsibility for my development.
Action for Happiness:
Thank three people you feel grateful to and tell them why
Fitness Quote:
Motivate the mind, the body will follow
National Day: More available at nationaldaycalendar.com
NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY
Each year on February 25th people across the nation have a bowl and spoon ready to be filled with clam chowder as they prepare to participate in National Clam Chowder Day.
#NationalClamChowderDay
A clam chowder in its simplest form is a soup or stew containing clams or fish. The most common type of chowder includes milk or cream as well as potatoes, though the Manhattan clam chowder has tomatoes.
The origin of the word "chowder" is up for a little bit of debate. The French word for cauldron is "chaudiere." The English word "jowter" means fish peddler. Both are on the hook for possible origins.
In chowder, along with the clams, it is common to find diced potatoes, onions (often sautéed with pork or bacon drippings) and celery.
Following is a list of the basic clam chowder variants:
New England clam chowder
Manhattan clam chowder
Rhode Island clam chowder
Delaware clam chowder
New Jersey clam chowder
Hatteras clam chowder
Minorcan clam chowder
Long Island clam chowder
Puget Sound clam chowder
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY
Make your region's best clam chowder. Better yet, have a clam chowder taste-off!
Invite friends and family to cook up a variety of chowders from all over the country and try them all.
Let us know which one you liked best. Maybe you'll find a new appreciation for chowders.
Use #NationalClamChowderDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY HISTORY
While we dig for the origins of this piping hot holiday, we don't mind if we have another serving or two to keep us warm. How about you?

I AM:
I am happy every day.
Action for Happiness:
Make uninterrupted time for your loved ones
Fitness Quote:
Success starts with self-discipline
National Day: More available at nationaldaycalendar.com
NATIONAL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE DAY
When we observe kindness in others, we are often inspired to offer kindness ourselves. Someone set a good example for us to follow, and we must continue those good examples for others in our lives. National Set A Good Example Day on February 26th encourages us to set a good example that inspires others.
#SetAGoodExampleDay
Everyone influences others. The influence could be positive or negative. Even from a young age, we experience good and bad behavior. Parents can positively influence their children at an early age. Additionally, many others, such as our extended families, educators, mentors, community leaders, and even organizations, can positively influence us in many ways. Some of the ways we can easily set a good example include:
Demonstrating kindness.
Being compassionate.
Acting with fairness.
Practicing tolerance.
Being just.
Treating others with respect.
These good examples reflect a person's values and positively affect them and others. Setting a good example can be applied in every setting, including home, school, work, and in the community at large.
Set A Good Example Day encourages individuals of any age and from any background to contribute to the well being of others. A simple act of kindness, consideration, or good conduct enhances the person and the whole community.
HOW TO OBSERVE SET A GOOD EXAMPLE DAY
National Set a Good Example Day encourages everyone to demonstrate thoughtfulness, courtesy, graciousness, and common sense values and virtues in their daily lives.
Get caught helping another person. Wear an attitude of respect for other human beings. Develop the tools in yourself to be efficient, productive, and responsible, and let others see you using these tools. You can also:
Celebrate others who set good examples. Let them know how their leadership impacts your life.
Be a good example. Demonstrate positive virtues every day so others can benefit. They will be more likely to set a good example themselves.
Recognize good examples at work, home, school, and in your community.
Share the good examples you find valuable in your life.
Follow the conversation and learn more by using #SetAGoodExampleDay on social media.
NATIONAL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE DAY HISTORY
The Way to Happiness ® Foundation International founded National Set a Good Example Day on February 26, 2022, to celebrate those who are setting good examples for others and to encourage more people to do the same.

@Tabatha_Cain the best thing for my fibro (since 92) is slow stretching and my BFF Biofreeze (or anything you may have that is similar) and only in a severe flareup (I try to keep that under 10 a year, meaning I'll do this 10 times a year so I am wicked choosey when,,, a muscle relaxer (Flexeril). I found youtube a few videos by Jill Hillman who does slow yoga helped me so much and still does when a flare up hits me hard!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub8afedu5GQ&t=45s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0cl5Tmj5E

I hope the day off helped some. Aww baby showers! LOL they are so much fun!! One thing we did at my GD last baby shower that was a HUGE HIT was "Bring disposable diapers for new born and up at least a full package or more, we'll enter your name to WIN a 25$ GIFT CERTIFICATE!! People went WIDE FOR THIS!! LOL it clearly paid off to offer the 25 GC!!! Hehehehehe!! She had enough for the first 6 months!! Another thing we did was so much fun, its strange no one else had done this, to guess when the baby would be born the person closest to the date AND TIME (because of course we knew the due date!) would win a $50 GC!! LOL I knew she went early with the first, I calculated that one and her size, etc. and I WON!! She wasn't due until the 10th of May, but I figured he'd be a few weeks early and I WAS RIGHT!! TO THE DAY!! April 26th! I had also guessed 3:03 AM ,, he came at 1:?? AM!! LOL DOUBLE WINNER!

I AM:
I enjoy the mental reset that comes when I practice gratitude.

Action for Happiness:
Give positive comments to as many people as possible today.

Fitness Quote:
Unstoppable

National Day: More available at nationaldaycalendar.com

RARE DISEASE DAY USA
Each year on the last day in February, Rare Disease Day brings awareness and education about rare diseases and the suffering they cause.
#RareDiseaseDayUSA
A rare disease is defined differently in different parts of the world. In Europe, a rare disease is one that affects fewer than one in 2,000 people, and in the United States, the standard is 1 in 200,000. Driving home how infrequent some of these conditions are, the observance sometimes occurs on the rarest date of the year - February 29th. Even so, the day is more predictable than many rare diseases. They can be difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to understand. While a majority of the conditions are genetic in origin, still others are the result of infections, environmental or degenerative factors.
Often people with rare diseases face a multi-faceted uphill battle; with few sufferers, there are fewer voices to bring awareness to their needs for research, medical and financial support. As a result, their physical, social and oftentimes mental burdens add up.
Rare Disease Day brings those voices together to help lift some of those burdens and bring awareness to light.
HOW TO OBSERVE RARE DISEASE DAY USA
Help raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives.
Learn more about a rare disease impacting someone you love.
Find out how you can make a difference in their life.
Donate to a rare disease organization to support research into cures and treatments.
Use #RareDiseaseDayUSA to post on social media.
RARE DISEASE DAY HISTORY
First observed in Europe in 2008, Rare Disease Day was established by Eurordis, (the European Rare Disease Organization). In 2009, NORD was asked by EURORDIS to sponsor Rare Disease Day in the United States. NORD accepted and 2014 celebrates the 6th annual RARE DISEASE DAY USA.
Rare Disease FAQ
Q. How many people are impacted by rare diseases?
A. It may seem like rare diseases have a lesser impact on the human population, but when you consider how many rare diseases there are, the impact adds up. By the numbers, 1 in 10 Americans is impacted by a rare disease.
Q. Why are rare diseases difficult to diagnose?
A. There are several factors:
Symptoms may be similar to another condition.
There are no available tests to diagnose the disease.
The treating physician or medical team may not be familiar with the condition.

🐰 🐰 wishing luck this month to all who read this.

I AM:
I am creating the perfect me.

Action for Happiness:
Set an intention to live with awareness and kindness

Fitness Quote:
A healthy and happy body is worth the effort.

National Day: More available at nationaldaycalendar.com
GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING
From sundown to sundown on Global Day of Unplugging, a 24-hour period kicks off, to unplug, unwind, relax, and do things other than using today’s technology, electronics, and social media.
#GlobalDayOfUnplugging
Look around the average American household. Smartphones, computers, gaming systems, and smart TVs may not fill every nook and cranny, but gradually these devices are taking up residence and bandwidth in our homes and brains. According to Pew Research, the typical American family contains approximately 5 connected devices. Media, friends, entertainment, education, work, and more are all at our fingertips. The amount of information available to us is at an all-time high and the amount of connectedness goes with us everywhere.
Disconnecting or unplugging from all the digital static offers us an opportunity to reset. It also allows us to make more human connections with the people around us. Digital connections lack the tactile essence of the real world such as sounds, smells, and touch. Eye contact, for example, lacks depth in the digital world. In person, however, we gain a sense of someone even if we don't know what it is yet.
Another benefit of unplugging is better sleep. When we push away from the computer, put down the smartphone, and turn off the computer, we're more likely to stretch our legs. Going outdoors into the fresh air, we might actually get more natural exercise causing our bodies to sleep better.
Other things about unplugging that might surprise you are that you'll find more time to do the things you keep saying you have no time to do. For example, reading that book or visiting with an old friend, cleaning out the closets, or hiking a trail. What's on your list that Global Day of Unplugging will help you get finished?
HOW TO OBSERVE GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING
Make a plan with a friend or two ahead of time.
Turn off smartphones, computers, personal assistants, gaming systems, and televisions.
Start your day by singing in the shower.
Read the newspaper.
Meet a friend for breakfast.
Go to the library and use the Dewy Decimal System.
Have a conversation uninterrupted by a notification.
Leave your mobile tech at home.
Make sure to sign theUnplugging Pledge, too!
Take a break from technology and use #GlobalDayOfUnplugging to post on social media the day before to spread the word.
GLOBAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING HISTORY HISTORY
Members of the Reboot Network founded Global Day of Unplugging to encourage others to have a more unplugged life. More recently (2023) the announcement came out of a change in the name and the timing of of this celebration. For all the details, read the Press Release.
Unplugging FAQ
Q. How does someone unplug if they use a computer for work or school?
A. Set aside an hour or two during the day to unplug. Another option is to begin setting aside a day a week to get away from all electronics.
Q. What are the benefits of unplugging?
A. Unplugging comes with many benefits. The most obvious is the energy savings that come with unplugging. However, we also benefit by being able to focus on human-to-human connections, better sleep, and an opportunity to focus on our own well-being.