Cat Tales with Laura and Inspirations with Laura

Strength To Carry On

Sometimes we do not think we have the strength to carry on. We must look deep inside our souls when we do not believe we have the power to carry on. I find inner strength when I am busy and working. If you sit around and think of all your aches and pains, you will have more aches and pains from inactivity. Keeping busy gives you a cause and a purpose for every day. If you do not have plans for your day, make some, and do not sit and think about all your problems that take away from your inner strength. People that dwell and fixate on their problems will not live as long as those that do not. God gives you the power to carry on every day if you let him into your life daily.

Strength In Life

We see lots of people that are very strong in life. Some people have had to endure many tragedies in their lives but have the strength to carry on no matter what comes their way in life. Your life is what you make it to some degree; if you choose to be weak and lifeless, you will die. It would be best to interact with people in life to find your inner strength. Good friends bring power into your life daily. Going to church and visiting with your church friends can strengthen you. Pray to God without ceasing, as he can give you strength. God answers my prayers and gives me power when I am weakest.

Strong People

Some people can lift hefty weights or carry big loads. Some people do carry heavy loads every day of their lives. They may care for sick parents, children, and friends and have health issues. Never expect anyone to take a heavy load alone, or they will begin to feel weak and feel that no one cares about them or the people they are caring for. Strong people seem to endure whatever life throws their way. We all have a breaking point eventually and will need help from other strong people, especially God’s loving support.

Lean On God’s Strength

Ask God to strengthen you when you feel weak as water. God can perform miracles if you let him be your compass. God is my everlasting compass and lighthouse to guide me through all of life’s turbulent storms that can come up with absolutely no warning. You can feel fine one day and may be very sick the next day. Call friends and talk to them; hearing their voices will make you feel strong again. Pray to God to give you back your inner strength, and praise God when he does. Keep up your faith and your strength in life. God bless you and yours with the ultimate power.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, tips

Being Left Handed

A Young Left-Handed Person

My Grandfather was left-handed and helped me learn how to cut with a knife. Both of my parents were right-handed. Getting left-handed scissors in school years ago was almost impossible. A little left-handed boy taught me how to tie my shoes in Kindergarten. All of the desks in school were set up for right-handed people, making it challenging to write with no place to rest your arm on.

Junior High And Senior High Years

I took sewing, and I never liked to sew. I was good at it, but I never cared about sewing. I just learned lately that they make left-handed sewing machines. I had a left-handed sewing machine years ago, and then maybe I would like sewing now. Years ago, they only made suitable-handled watches. I have a left-handed eye now, and I love it. I took pottery in Junior high, and they had the old-fashioned kick wheels which work for right or left-handed people. In high school, they had motorized ones that were set up for only right-handed people. They could have mounted the motor upside down on one but did not. They had two old-fashioned kick wheels, so I had to use one of those. My right-handed pottery teachers had a hard time teaching me how to make pottery since a left-handed person spins the wheel in the opposite direction.

Adult Years

Machinery repair and use are not easy for a left-handed person. Taking an oil filter off is easy if you are right-handed. A left-handed person usually has no place to put the tool to take off the oil filter. Chainsaws are set for right-handed people, and left-handed people get all the wood chips thrown all over them. Weed Whackers throw all the grass on your clothes if you are left-handed. Power tools are also made for right-handed people. I finally purchased a left-handed circular saw which makes cutting much easier since I don’t have to look over to see where I am cutting anymore. A right-handed person designs clock winding. I should have had a left-handed guitar since I never learned how to play a right-handed one since the strings are backward for a left-handed person. Most vacuum cleaners are designed for right-handed people because the motor is not in the middle. It is on the right side, which makes it off balance for a left-handed person.

Paying Or Signing For Things In A Store

The pens are permanently attached to the right side, and I have to try to move them over to the left side. The cord is too short, so my signature looks terrible. Pulling my credit card down usually takes two attempts since the slider is on the right side.

Cars And Trucks

The instrument panel is opposite where I would like it to be. The shifter is on the wrong side for me. I have learned to live with driving vehicles designed for right-handed people. I have learned to live and adapt to living in a right-handed world.

Tags left handed in a right handed world, tips

How To Turn A Bad Thing Into A Good Thing

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date October 1, 2021
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A Bad School Day

Suppose the class bully made fun of you today and made you feel lousy; help out your other classmates that he is bullying. If two or three of you ban together, he will most likely stop bullying all of you since most bullies are scared-eyed cats. Do not let a bully someone. If you see an injustice happening to someone, stop it as soon as possible. If you got a bad grade on your test today, study harder and realize it is a subject that demands more of your attention to get the quality you want to receive. If a student or teacher mistreats you, get help from a higher official.

Sickness And Bad Health

Always remember there is someone in much worse shape than you. Learn how you can help others that are going through what you are going through. Find a new job or hobby that will help benefit your health and also help others. Always think positive thoughts and never throw in the towel. If you give up on yourself, others will give up on you, also. You are your own best cheerleader, so let those hidden talents come shining through and put sunshine into the lives of others. God is your ultimate cheerleader, so let him guide your life in a direction that will help you and God’s other children. God put you on earth to accomplish a goal, so do not have a pity party and accomplish nothing day after day. God wants his children to be active and productive, and by just helping out one other person today, you can fulfill that goal.

Travel Delays

No one likes delays but think of what you can see that is new in the area where you are delayed. Suppose they have a museum. Please take a tour of it. Go on a sightseeing tour of the town. Eat at a new restaurant in the city where you are. Talk to some locals and ask them for ideas about what you should see in the area. Get on your smartphone and see if they have anything that piqued your interest. They may have a store in the town with something you can add to your collection or an excellent shopping area.

Bad Purchases

If you purchased something that fell apart right away after the warranty was up, be grateful that it lasted till the contract was up. Buying a car or large ticket item that is a lemon is a bad experience. Try to get rid of the wrong car and trade it up for a better model, even if it is older than the car you are trading in. My first car was a lemon, and I changed for a better car with more mileage for only $700.00, and then I had a dependable car. Sometimes it is better to try fixing the item than trade for something different if you consider shipping, taxes, etc. Never repurchase the same brand if you have had trouble with that brand in the past. There will always be better purchases that will be dependable for you, and you will have fond memories of them in your lifetime.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, tips, Travel

Working Outdoors

Outdoors And The Sounds Of Nature

I love listening to the birds sing when I work outdoors. I like the sound of the leaves moving in the wind. I can hear trains and airplanes, helicopters, and tractors working in the fields. The grass sways back and forth on windy days. I love the sound of gentle rain. The sweet sounds of newborn animals in the early spring bring joy to my heart as a new generation of animals can enjoy life on earth. Being outdoors awakens the senses. I love Fall when the leaves turn colors. I love going to apple orchards and drinking apple cider. I love hearing the sounds of nature that God created for us to enjoy daily.

Mowing and Weed Whacking

I enjoy mowing my lawn as I find it very relaxing. I love looking at my yard after I have cut it. Weed whacking is a perfect form of exercise. I weed whack for about 1.5 hours and then rest and relax. I take great pride in the looks of my lawn as I think it shows how much you respected all of your relatives that have passed that lived on your farm. In my younger days, I used to mow with my grandfather’s old push mower with a grass catcher on the back of it. One had a workout using a push mower without a motor. My horses enjoyed the fresh-cut grass immensely.

Gardening

My Father and I used to have a massive garden as we sold fresh garden produce at Farmer’s market in Clear Lake, Iowa. I have a miniature garden now. I still raise a lot of vegetables that I freeze for the winter months and early spring. I love planning my garden every year and rotating the vegetables to different garden areas to prevent diseases. I use natural dust and sprays because I do not want to use chemicals in my garden produce. Weeding and tending to a garden is very time-consuming, but the rewards of your labor are well worth it. In the Fall, I work up my garden and work fertilizer into the ground, and I repeat that process in the spring.

Tree Trimming And Pruning

I love to trim my bushes and cut branches out of my trees with my chainsaw. I have a commercial chainsaw and a tiny battery chainsaw. I love the little chain saw, which is excellent for most trimming projects. I have an old-fashioned hand giant scissors-type trimmer with which I cut my raspberry bushes and other brushes. I love the looks of a well-pruned tree and neatly trimmed bushes.

Farm Building Painting And General Repairs

I want my farm buildings to look their absolute best. I ensure they are painted, the roofs are in good shape, and any repairs are done promptly. The way your farm looks says a great deal about you. If it looks neat and well taken care of, it shows you take pride in all your work. God wants us to take care of the land for future generations and leave it in excellent shape. Any tree we cut down should always plant with a new one to take its place. If we take nutrients out of the soil, we must replace them. We are all God’s stewards of the land and much more. We all must do our part to save planet earth for future generations.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, tips

Lines Of Miscommunication

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date September 24, 2021
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Talk Over Misunderstandings

If you signed a contract and felt an error, contact the person and see if you can resolve the issue quickly. The misunderstanding may be on your part or the other party’s. The agreement may not have been explained thoroughly. Maybe one contingency was left out of the contract unintentionally. Do not lose your cool and work things out on a civil level. Never yell and curse at someone, as the problem will escalate way out of control, and chances are you will never be able to prove your point.

Call In A mediator If Necessary To Clear Up A Major Problem With A Business.

I was trading in a ring at a Jewelry store one day, and he did not give me credit for my trade-in. I asked him about it, and he said I did not add the figures right. I added and re-added my figures and always came up with my figure. I finally had to have a friend come with me. She finally had to tell him we would call a mediator to solve the problem. After he was told a mediator would be coming in, he could add in my favor in a big hurry and gave me the money for my trade-in ASAP. Never give up when you know you are in the right on business matters or other matters.

Miscommunication Occurs Everyday In The Business World

Remember, the customer is always right if they are upfront and honest with you. If they order food from you and say they cannot eat it, you better sample some yourself and see how you like it before you refuse to return their money. My friend and I ordered soup at a restaurant out of town years ago, which tasted burnt. She looked in the pan and said yes, it had burned in the pan. She gave us back half of our money, and we never returned it. My friend ordered french fries once that were limp and soaked with grease, and she got her money back when she told them to eat one.

Miscommunication In The Family

It might be over money matters, health problems, high bills, your kids, etc. Are you listening to your spouse or hearing what you want? The main fault of miscommunication is not hearing or understanding what the other party is trying their best to tell you. Never argue when tired or worn out, or more issues will occur quickly. Talk things over calmly and rationally. Please do not get into an I said, and he said, standoff because no one will win at that game. Always have your listening ears on and your mouth shut until you have heard the other person’s concerns or problems. Miscommunication does not have to occur if you know all of the facts and understand why things happened as they did. Do not let miscommunication end or break your relationships with family, friends, and others you meet on life’s Hi-Way.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, tips

Fall Cleaning And Equipment Storage Care

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date September 20, 2021
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How To Get Your Equipment Ready For Storage

I drain all the gas from my weed whackers and chainsaws. I run them dry, then put them away until I get them ready for the next season. I put fresh oil in my snowblowers and garden tiller. I always check the anti-freeze in my lawnmowers, tractors, and vehicles to make sure the anti-freeze is at least -20 below. I check it with a little bulb and tube with balls in it, and the more balls that rise to the top, the better off you are. I ensure everything is greased and the tires have the correct pressure. I put fresh oil in my power generators, so I can run a few things in my house if the power goes out. Make sure the batteries are fully charged in all your equipment, and start them up occasionally on warm days to keep the batteries up. Batteries will lose their charge quickly in cold weather. If you do not use the equipment for a long time, put a battery charger on it so you will not have to purchase a new battery on the coldest day of the year.

Furnace Care

Have your furnace cleaned and checked over every year before winter starts. If you do not, your furnace will likely quit working on the coldest day of the year. Put a new furnace filter in your furnace often, as a dirty filter causes your furnace to work harder and wear out much quicker. If you have a humidifier, put a fresh filter in it as a limed-up filter will not let the moisture through to your rooms.

Waxing Your Equipment And vehicles

Waxed equipment will not rust out quickly. I put high-quality wax on my gear and vehicles. A top-quality resin will stop rust from forming and protect your vehicle from salt that they put on the roads in the winter. I also wax the windshield as it helps displace water more quickly. If you have leather seats, put a leather conditioner on them so they will not dry out and crack. Remember always to clean the undercarriage of your equipment, as rust can form there very quickly.

Fall Cleaning Inside And Outside

Clean out your kitchen cupboards and remove items just taking up space. Move and clean under furniture, and put lemon oil on wood furniture so it will not dry out and show cracks in the wood. Clean out the medicine cabinet and get rid of expired medicines. Wash all of the bedding and curtains. Wash and wax wooden floors. Get your carpet shampooed. Clean curio cabinets and the chest of drawers and storage areas. Give your bathroom a complete cleaning: dust bookcases and dust off books. Clean your basement floor and storage sleeves. Sweep out your garage and dispose of unwanted chemicals at your local landfill. Sweep and clean out farm buildings. Make sure all of the light bulbs are working in your outdoor facilities. Clean the windows in your home and your buildings. Get painting and repair work done outdoors before winter sets in. Remember to weed things out and remove something every time you do fall cleaning. Uncluttered and maintained homes and buildings look fantastic when taken care of correctly. I hope you are ready for winter to descend upon us.

Tags Fall, Fall Cleaning, tips

Blurred Vision

Blurred Vision In Life

Sometimes we do not see the whole perspective in life. We see just what we want to see. We will never see the entire picture by focusing on what we want to see, Branch out in life and do not stay focused on just one thing, or you will have blurred vision. As the old saying goes, do not put all your eggs in one basket, or you may lose everything. When looking at a painting, look at every detail, or you may not see what the artist wants you to see. Most photographs capture a moment in the artist’s life. Study his image and see what he saw when he painted his portrait. Illustrations and pictures have stories to tell from years ago or of present times. Do not wait for the perfect time to do something; that day may never come. Do not put off doing what you can do today until tomorrow, as tomorrow may never come. Enjoy life and its mysteries and the beauty in life.

Continued Blurred Vision

If you see something you want and can afford, purchase and enjoy it. Do not save all of your money for the next guy, as he may spend it right away. I met one woman on a vacation who kept spending her Father’s inheritance on jewelry and had no idea the quality of the jewelry she was buying. Never buy something just to be buying something. Some people never learn from their mistakes and are doomed to repeat them repeatedly. Some people keep throwing good money after bad money. If you have no idea how the stock market works or betting on horses, etc., do not try it, as you will lose your money quickly. Think before you act in hast, which will help you clear up your vision.

God And Blurred Vision

Many of us do not thank God often enough for what he has done to help us daily. Praise God every single day for your many blessings. Our eyes must only be focused on the Lord, for this is how we should live. We must see the World through the Lord’s eyes for clear spiritual vision. We should live a life of faith and courage but also a dash of direction and meaning that will help make the World a better place for us having been here. God will guide you away from blurred vision if you ask him for guidance in your daily living. Thy word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto thy path. Psalm 119: 105. Read your Bible daily along with reading daily devotions and pray without ceasing and “praising our savior all your day long” from the song Blessed Assurance. Get away from blurred vision in your life as soon as possible so you won’t miss out on sunny days ahead of you.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, tips

My Cat Winchester

Winchester Was Given To Me

I loved how Winchester looked and acted the first moment I saw him. He let me catch him immediately, and I put him in a cage. I put him in the bathroom next door, and my other cats could smell him and get to know him through the safety of the closed door. Winchester got all of his shots at my Vet right away. He became annoyed with my Vet after he was poked and prodded, and he tried to bite him. When I released him from the cage, he was annoyed with me, and he scratched me through my pants, luckily, so I did not feel it or bleed. He forgave me quickly, and he acted gentle and docile again.

Winchester Gets Neutered And De – Clawed

I had my Vets assistant bring him into the office that day. I knew he would never forgive me if I took him to the Vets office that day. He recovered in the bathroom next door for about a week before his front feet healed. He would stick out his front feet every morning to show me what the Vet had done to him. One day he wrapped his front feet around my leg and tried to claw and bite me. He had figured out who took him to the Vet that day.

Winchester, The Escape Artist

Three days after he was de-clawed, he escaped the bathroom. He had figured out how to turn the door knob so he could get out. I put him back in the bathroom again, and he escaped like the Great Houdini. He is a brilliant cat.

Winchester Standing His Ground With My Cat Mr. Gray

Mr. Gray tried to intimate Winchester and scare him into submission. Winchester got as close as possible to the ground with his ears flattened and looked like a wild lion on the prowl. He swayed his body back and forth, and Mr. Gray gave up quickly. Winchester was not going to let my big boy Mr. Gray scare him. Winchester is a long, sleek-looking cat who can stand his ground with the best of them.

Winchester Loves Cat Trees

Winchester loves sleeping in the cat tree beds or looking out at the birds. My cat trees are by windows, so my cats can observe any wildlife passing by. The cat trees have balls that dangle from them to entertain my cats. My cats take turns in using the cat trees by the windows. Winchester has a favorite one that he calls his own. He likes chicken, tuna, cat treats, and dry cat food.

Winchester And Faith

Winchester liked Faith right away. Faith is closer to Winchester’s age. Winchester and Faith would play footsies under the bathroom door. They seem to have a great relationship and keep each other company. Faith will lick Winchester on the head, and he will return the favor. Winchester is a gorgeous and brilliant, and loving cat. I am truly blessed to have Winchester as one of my cats.

Tags Benefits of Having a Cat, Introducing a New Cat Into Your Home, Whats Upsetting My Cat ?

Caustic Reaction

Watch What Words Come Out Of Your Mouth

If you are mad at someone, tell them why. Do not let the anger keep building up in your system. Please do not blow up at them suddenly one day, as they will wonder what is wrong with you. Do not use vulgar language and explain to them calmly and rationally what they did that you could not stand. Never write a letter to someone when angry, as you may regret it later. Do not just sit and wait for the other person to apologize, as they may not even know that they did anything wrong in their mind.

Apologize For Your Actions

If your actions were wrong, apologize. Do not wait for the other person to apologize, as they did nothing wrong. The old saying actions speak more potent than words truly applies in most instances. You must practice what you preach if you want people to respect and care for you. Suppose you damage someone’s property, even if it was just an accident offer to pay for the damages. Never damage anyone’s property intentionally, as it will be acidic for you for many years. If you damage a home or hotel you do not own, trying to rent or buy another home will be a significant problem for you. Your landlord will garnish your wages, and the hotel owner will also. Do not be a nosy neighbor in your neighborhood who has to know everything going on with everyone in the community. You will ask Jane or John he will know what is up with them. Eventually, what you say about your friends or neighbors will get back to you, and you will lose valuable and beautiful friendships that have developed over the years. You will be left out of the loop altogether.

People That Live On Stirring Up Trouble

People who love to cause trouble in other people’s lives are genuinely caustic. Sometimes there is a town gossip, and whatever you tell her, she tells the whole town. She does not care that it will damage others people’s lives as she wants to build up her low self-esteem. Some people love to make a mountain out of a molehill until it erupts into a volcano. If you hear a person trashing someone, put out their flames and extinguish the fire before it harms anyone else. Never let anyone like that destroy your excellent relationship with someone. Some people seem to keep stirring the pot until it boils scorched. Their friendships and relationships with others will be as dry as a cactus on the desert ground. Friends do not want friends that live on drama and gossip, stir up trouble, and never apologize for their biting behavior.

Stop Caustic People

Be a good friend that builds other people up and never puts people down. God always builds people up and wants the best for us; we should want the best for those we know. Compliment and praise people for a job well done or for helping you.

Tags Inspirations with Laura

Mishaps That Can Happen On Your Vacation

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date September 6, 2021
No Comments on Mishaps That Can Happen On Your Vacation

Lost Luggage

On one of my trips, a couple lost their luggage. Their luggage had fallen off of a transport wagon. It took until about the end of our trip for their luggage to catch up with them. Our travel company paid for some of their clothing. One time two women traveling together lost all of their luggage completely. They had brand-name clothing replaced with clothes and bags from Walmart. They were not very happy. I had a new suitcase that was utterly destroyed by my airline. To my dissatisfaction, they finally replaced my briefcase with a less expensive one.

A Mans Suit Was Completely Ruined In A Restaurant

They had complementary drinks one evening, and the man ordered a beer. The waitress poured the cold beer into a glass she had just gotten out of the dishwasher. The glass exploded all over him as the man picked up the mirror to drink his beer. The restaurant did not believe the man until I said I had witnessed the whole event. The poor man only got 25.00 from the restaurant and had to wash out his suit by hand that evening. He had to let it dry out of the bus window the following day.

The Case Of The Ruined Pizza

A couple had ordered a pizza, and pigeons did their business on it when the waitress placed their pizza on the table. The couple asked the waitress for a new pizza, and the owner came out and said it was an act of God. The couple had no lunch at all to eat that day. Their evening meal was beautiful.

Getting Locked In The Bathroom

I got locked in a bathroom three times. The first time my friend told the woman who had a business that locked me in her bathroom to let me out, she did in her own sweet time. I almost missed my bus. The lock would not release the second time, so I kicked the door open. The third time it was a self-cleaning stall. The water commenced to fly around the booth, and I had to keep moving to get out of its way. My friend finally found a matron that let me out.

Having Things Stolen From You While You Are In The Shower

A couple told me that while her husband was in the shower and she was asleep,e stole his Rolex off the nightstand. A woman had her diamond earrings stolen while she was taking a shower. Put your valuables in a safe while you take a shower.

Take Your Purse With You When You Eat At A Buffet

A woman left her purse under her chair while she went through the buffet line. She discovered that when she was ready to leave, her wallet was stolen along with everything she had in it, including her passport. She was waylaid in that country for eight days before our tour guide could even get her home.

Never Let Any Valuables Out Of your Sight

Be cautiously waiting in lines for pickpockets to be out there. Never wear a Fannie pack as they can be unhooked easily by people, Do not let strangers near your luggage. Backpacks are unsafe in large groups as people can unzip them easily and steal your camera, etc. Watch your items go through the cameras to be inspected at the airport, as one man had his camera stolen from his tray. Be on guard for smooth operators. I hope you do not have any mishaps on your vacation.

Tags Travel