Do you remember growing up with a blankie or something that gave you comfort during distress as a child.  Maybe a stuffed animal - something you could hold on to.  I loved Snoopy and Charli Brown and the gang and still do.  

Quite often as adults, we think we are too grown up for those things.  But, my question is “why”?  If curling up with a favorite blankie or stuffed animal can bring us comfort during stressful times why would we not want to?  Afraid of being ridiculed by others if they find out?  Appearing that we haven’t grown up?   My response - is “who cares”!!!  

Quite often, I look at my collection or even hold my stuffed Snoopy to get me through days of troubled times.  It takes me back to a simpler time in life and at least for a little bit, takes us away from the stress of our everyday adult lives.  Sometimes, we need a little bit of that.  I bought some Snoopy / Charli Brown material and intend to make me a tie blanket for myself in the very near future.  I will probably keep it in my office to put over my legs when sitting in my office desk and working.  So, I can look down and see it whenever I feel the need to de-stress a little bit.  Snoopy along with my essential oils and my Bible have become a mainstay in my life. 

​I sincerely hope and pray that you find something to give you comfort in trying times.  

I have read all the advice for blogs - to not get into politics, your beliefs (i.e. Christianity), etc.  Well, I am no longer going to keep silent, especially about my Christianity!  After all, are we not supposed to shout it from the roof tops!  

Have you ever read Our Daily Bread?  To me, it is very inspirational and a short version of a sermon for those of us that do not make it to church near enough.  Last night, I was reading the daily reading for July 6th (yes, I am behind) and it was just what I needed after reading my friends Facebook post.  

The verse of 1 John 4:19 "We love because he first loved us" is so meaningful.  In today's world we do not feel that love from fellow man anymore and so we tend to not show it ourselves.  Part of that, is of course to not let our guard down.  But, what if we all took the time to love one another - the world would be such a better place.  A simple hello or smile to a complete stranger could make a huge impact in their lives and ours too.  I am not saying putting yourself in danger - always be aware of your surroundings and situations but I do think we all have an opportunity each and every day to show love to someone else.  "Gods "go-first" love compels us to love one another in response to, and as a reflection of that, love".

Content for today's blog was taken from Our Daily Bread (July 6th) written by Kirsten Holmberg.  
  

Well, I liked the Post Card theory in that the blogs would be fairly short.  I wanted to blog about my adventures in life but keep it short and sweet (as my grandparents used to say).  I know that at times a longer blog is necessary but there is something to be said for just getting the information out there and allowing the reader to move on.  

I have had friends call me Victoriana over the years instead of my real name and I do like roses (although they are my 2nd favorite flower).  VictorianaCarnations just did not have the same ring to it that VictorianaRose does; therefore, the name was deemed PostCards with VictorianaRose.

Now as to the content, I wanted it to be about the things I enjoy in life, the food and travels that I experience as well.  After all, my career does take me traveling across the U.S. at times and why not share my experiences.  I am too chicken to travel outside the U.S. right now.  So, for now, it will be limited in scope but alas there is still quite a bit that I have not seen yet here in the U.S. or even in Oklahoma for that matter. 

I sincerely hope you enjoy my blog and find it helpful and maybe even inspiring.  If I have managed to do these things for you then please share with your friends as well.  

Sincerely,

VictorianaRose

Well - it is that time of year again to worry about severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.  My husband has retired from the church so we no longer have access to their bomb shelter :(.  They started warning us earlier this week that if everything lined up - the heat, the moisture, dry line, etc. it could be a very eventful afternoon / evening here in Oklahoma.  Praying it is not - earlier this week there was devastation across multiple states due to the storms and barely missed one of my brothers house by a mile.  

Nothing like waiting until the last minute but we did finally open our underground storm shelter (which we hadn't opened in years because we went to the church instead).  Thankfully, nothing hissed or came slithering out at us.  My husband took the spider / bug spray and went to town down in the cellar and swept it up a bit so it is ready to use if we need it.  Just in time too as we came back inside and the national weather service has  issued the tornado watch for the western half of the state and yes we are in it.  So, getting other things lined up as well - two of the flashlights are dead so sending hubby on a run to the store.  Also, I have a candle container with glass bulb around it for just these types of events so it is sitting out with the lighter as well.  

My cell phone will stay on the charger all afternoon so it will be charged up and ready to go with us as well if needed.  I have a room in the house designated where we will go in case we cannot get to the storm shelter.  Couple of water bottles filled and ready to go with us as well.  

Another person had a good idea - they said to grab your drivers license, social security card & birth certificates so will gather those up and put into a baggie to go with us if needed.  I think I will get a small carry safe that is fire proof to put these documents in so that it can just be picked up and taken any time we have to go down.  

Below is a link from ready.gov and another one from fema.gov that will help with preparedness.  

tornadoes

how_to_prepare_tornado_033014_508.pdf

As always it is better to be prepared and not need it than have it hit and go what do we do.  I have lost everything I owned to an inland hurricane (just as horrific as a tornado) and hopefully never have to go through that again but everyone was uninjured and that was because we had a place to go and were prepared.  So my advice to everyone is BE PREPARED!!!  The most important is our lives so protect them!  

NATIONAL DONATE LIFE BLUE & GREEN DAYNational Donate Life Blue & Green Day is observed annually in April.
Every April, we are encouraged to wear blue and green and promote organ donation. According to Donate Life America, nearly 124,000 people in the United States are awaiting some type of organ transplant. Organ donor registration is critical. There are many types of organ donation. National Donate Life Blue & Green Day is a day to find out more.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Learn more about organ donation and use #DonateLifeBlueGreenDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
Donate Life Blue & Green Day was founded by Donate Life America.  For more information on their organization and organ donation visit their website at donatelife.net.


This information is provided by National Day Calendar.  Yes, I am an organ donor!  I had no idea this was the National Day and was already wearing blue today - so, guess it was just meant to be.  

​If you are not already an organ donor please consider being one;  You may save / extend someone else's life!  

1) I am originally from Oklahoma and currently live in Oklahoma.  However, I have also lived in Illinois and Arkansas (most recently).  
2) I am the youngest of 6 children and the only girl.
3) I share my birthday with my youngest brother (who is 5 years older) and our great grandfather.  Aug. 29th was a popular day in our family :).
4) I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oklahoma Wesleyan University - Summa Cum Laude
5) I have worked in the Food Production industry for 20+ years.
6) Growing up we lived in small town across the street from my grandparents.  
7) In my youth I loved to go fishing with my family.  I still love the outdoors but not really into fishing so much now.  
8) My first name was spelled wrong on my original birth certificate.  Or, maybe my parents changed the spelling of my name - may have to ask my mother for sure.  But, I do have both birth certificates from where it was changed.
9) I believe in the right to bear arms
10) I do conceal & carry!  

Well today on my lunch break I went to the post office.  On my way, I became aggravated when traffic slowed to a snails pace - after all, we were in a 45mph and doing 30mph.  Muttering under my breath as I pulled  into town and noticed that the oncoming traffic are all stopped and a couple of them are pulled over.  Odd - I do not see any police or anything then it dawned on me! I bet there was a funeral procession up in front of me.  So, now I feel bad and thinking well I am much better off than they are so I should be thankful!

​It reminded me that I need to slow down and think about positives instead of being grumpy and negative.  Now let me just say that I did not get the happy go lucky with a positive outlook on life gene.  But, I am trying and some days I am more successful than others. 

​So, my advice is slow down and observe your surroundings and smell those flowers :) or enjoy that cup of coffee.  Life gives us some great reminders if we take heed! 

According to History.com that "Ringing in the New Year dates back 4,000 years to the Babylonians, who celebrated it at the first full moon after the spring equinox and that Julius Ceasar made January 1 the first day of the year in 46B.C., but England and its American colonies wouldn't do the same until 1752."

Most people take this opportunity to make resolutions to change things in their lives but resolutions alone are not enough to make these changes.  So, instead I am doing things a bit different - I'm using this opportunity to reflect on the past year.  What things were good - I have another beautiful grandchild and my husband was able to retire and join me over in Arkansas finally.  Remarketebly,  it was a good year.  So, here is to 2017 - may it be everything that you want it to be with God's blessings! But remember, it takes effort to make "change" happen. 

Happy New Years!