Jeezled Up

By Bernadette A. Sahm

Our whipped up

Jeezled up society

Hatred and anger

Unkind unforgiving

Lawless days and nights

Endless fights

Wrong for right

Right for wrong

Sad simmering

Inside out outside in

Living in a constant state of hate

Robbing yourself and others of peace

Unhappy unhealthy

Constant strife living jeezled up

We see you

Shake our heads

Don’t you know

You are harming yourself

Much more than hurting others

They say anger is hurt inside out

Based in fear and insecurity

It comes off so weak

Living whipped and jeezled up

Bernadette on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

#anger #fear #unhealthy #whippedup #jeezled #hate #stateofourunion

#sad #hurt #wrong #right

How Did We Get Here So Fast

by Bernadette A. Sahm

Working grinding, paying bills

Cheap thrills

Raising kids

Puppy loves

Never ending

Seems like it’s enough

Then one day

You stop and think

What comes next

Where do I want to be

What is it I want to see

How much time do I have

Birthdate to death date

Kids are grown and gone

House sells

Bye bye career jobs

Moving on and moving out

Beach bound

Retired life

How did we ger here so fast

But then again it really was so very long

Moving pieces

Moving ahead

Moving on

How on earth did I get here so fast

When it really was so very long

#retirement #life #lessons #reflections #living #loving

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @Bernadettesahm @bernadetteamoyer

Most Proud …

What are you most proud of in your life?

I am most proud of my marriage of 28 years and 34 years together! It has not always been easy as we surely have had our share of up and down life experiences.

The best and most proud part isn’t just how many years we have been together but rather the fact that we are so happy together. We really like and love one another. We enjoy being together and we like many of the same things.

We grew up in the 1970’s as teenagers and fondly remember the rock and roll music of that time that we still enjoy today.

We share many of the same views on life. Recently while dining with friends, I was told how many couples they know that aren’t happy and yet remain together. Sad.

It takes commitment and the desire to live together happily and I am most proud that we have achieved that in our many years together!

#marriage #longterm #commitment #happiness #pride #proud

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm on Instagram

Working On

What have you been working on?

What have I been working on, you ask. Myself and my happiness and being the best possible version of myself.

One of the best parts of retirement is the time you have to invest in yourself and in doing what makes you happy.

Finding the balance between alone time and socializing. It never occurred to me just how special this stage of life was going to be … the luxury of working on what you alone want.

I’ve been working on my writings and blog postings. I’ve been working on making yummy and healthy home cooked meals. I’ve been working on being a really good dog mom to our two precious Bichons. And last but most important to me is my marriage and 34 year relationship with my husband Brian.

Each and every day our goal is to maintain our peace and happiness. A large part of that is achieved by living so close to the beach and exercising every day. Enjoying the great outdoors no matter the season, and showing gratitude for all that we have together as a married couple.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

A Million Dollar Give-Away

If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

When we play the lottery I often think about this question, who would we give a million dollars?

Most probably a well run non profit that feeds people who suffer from food insecurity. In a country as “fat” as ours, I don’t believe we should have a single person who doesn’t have enough food to eat. I already support our local resource community that feeds the people!

The second most important donation would go to my Catholic High School that we donate to several times a year. They continue to do a great job education young people. I also feel that much of the career success I have enjoyed was a direct result of my Catholic education.

On a personal level some part of a million dollars would help an adult child get into purchasing their first home.

We would enjoy having a million dollars to help support and enhance the lives of others who would benefit greatly from a nice financial gift.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and instagram @bernadetteamoyer and bernadettesahm

He Gone

by Bernadette A. Sahm

You can’t open any news source without learning that celebrity couple Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have split after 19 years of marriage. Like most people I am a bit shocked and saddened as it appeared they were a happy and loving couple.

This celebrity news has caused more than a few “couple conversations” with my husband. We have been together for 34 years now and married for 28 years. It is not always easy, but we are committed and stay in love. I hate the term “work at it” as I would rather say we try to keep it fun and happy. We enjoyed each other’s company and like many of the same things. We grew up during the same time period.

They say Keith moved out from the family months ago and are just now making it public knowledge. My husband’s immediate response was “somebody didn’t want it” in regard to their marriage. It made me think that yeah, the only “secret” to a happy marriage is that both people have to want it.

When a man moves out of the family home and purchases his own private residence you can almost guarantee it is because he has found a new partner. I am willing to bet that Nicole has been replaced with a younger version. We have witnessed this show before …

I am a firm believer that when it is over, it is over, both people have to want it for a marriage to succeed. I can’t imagine what is more difficult to leave or to stay in a relationship that you don’t want to be in and are unhappy.

What I think is that he is gone and in my life experience Nicole will find someone or someone better!

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadetteamoyer @bernadettesahm

Life Without A Computer

Your life without a computer: what does it look like?

As a writer I like a good desktop and a laptop computer. Getting my writing out there is just easier and more professional using these devices.

However I was late to the computer game for writing and most often still take pen to paper for my first draft.

Computers help with many things like banking and news, learning how to make a certain dish too.

My phone is where I am writing this short bit but when I want to write about a more in depth subject, it’s definitely my lap top that I grab.

The computer whether it’s on my phone, an iPad or stand alone makes life easier. I believe I could function without these devices but maybe not as easily.

There was a time when only a desktop computer would do, yet today my preference is my laptop.

Like so many tools, a good computer can make a big difference in many day-to-day tasks!

Happy computing and happy I won’t have to do without mine …

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer and instagram @bernadettesahm @bernadetteamoyer

October Born

by Bernadette A. Sahm

Fall is in all its glory during the month of October. Birthday month of mine same for a child I once knew. Look how lovely the red, yellow, brown and burnished orange hues. My sweaters, jean jackets and corduroy pants all make a comeback. The air so clear, clean and fresh.

October reminds us how lovely it is to let the dead things go. I stock the pantry and freezer as its pie and turkey season. Pots of soup and stews, I love the hygge of this season of my birth. Cinnamon rolls and pumpkin spice coffees, it’s all so nice.

Celebrating October born, just so happy to be alive and living so full of loving and life. Living through this peace-filled time without strife. October warms me from the inside out. October the tenth month of the year just after September and before November and December.

Bernadette on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/bernadetteamoyer

Instagram @bernadettesahm

#October #Fall #Autumn #life #birthday #love #hygge

No No No

List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.

The premise of this question goes in direct opposition to what I believe … my belief is “do what you love, and the money will follow.”

All the jobs I have I enjoyed and in all of them I made money. I was a waitress at a high end restaurant and made good money. I was a real estate agent and consistently was in the top 25% for both sales and listings. I made good money.

Later I worked in nonprofit as a development director and made good money.

Do what you love and the money will follow!

Italian Irish Catholic

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

With a name like “Bernadette” I wasn’t going to fool anyone about my heritage! My Italian heritage comes from my mother’s side of the family. Her parents, my grandparents migrated here from Italy.

My fathers side was Irish and both parents were Catholic and I was raised in an Italian, Irish Catholic home.

A big part of my heritage is cooking and making food. My Italian grandmother was a huge influence here. She owned and operated a hotel and was always cooking and making food. I love to cook and often make Italian dishes and baked goods.

When I was younger I joked “I am Irish and Italian and have the temper to prove it!” Fortunately age has mellowed me.

My dad was so proud of his Irish heritage. I do celebrate Saint Patrick’s day with Irish drink and foods.

There is nothing more fun than attending an Italian Festival and/or restaurant and pub, same can be said for the Irish celebrations.

My Catholic faith has stayed with me and for many years I worked for Catholic organizations. There were many times through the years that my faith has not only saved me but sustained me.

I don’t even view it as “proud” but matter of factually that I was born and raised Italian, Irish and Catholic that’s just who I am, and has stayed with me for my entire life.