with love, and thanks, to my friend Nicola

today the following was in my email at school from a wonderful woman who is my friend, here, in germany.

i say that, because, when we got here, and team leader was immediately thrown into work leaving me and the kids utterly ALONE,
i quickly realized that i probably wouldn't be making too many "new friends" while we lived here...no crying, i had to be the grown-up for the sake of our kids.
i quickly realized that i had, all the friends i needed, everything already in place in my life before i stepped one foot into this new life.
i quickly realized a whole lotta stuff when we moved.

while nothing changes how much i miss ya'll back in the states,
after i met her, a few fabulous kindergarten folkies who get my "utter essie-ness", and a sped teacher with whom i basically share a birthday-
i quickly realized i was wrong.
there was-is room in my heart for a few more friends...

enjoy
umarmen und lieben
essie

ps (heh, always WATKINS)
i loved the whole thing, but, 22, 16, 12, 9, 3-wowzers.

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A GREAT RECIPE...


1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk,
smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God
about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following
statement, 'My purpose is to_______________ today. I am thankful
for__________________'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less
food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild
Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot
control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every
argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five
years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following
statements: I am thankful for_________________. Today I
accomplished_________________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many
blessings...You'll be smiling before you know it.