2012

Christmas has come and gone.....now the new year is just a step away. 2012, the year I will turn 50. Or maybe just barely, as the Mayan calendar would suggest. I am pretty realistic these days at setting New Year's Resolutions. I usually pick one, or two. A couple of years ago I chose to work on reducing my road rage. I did fairly well, I could use a tune-up though. I have thought of a few possibilities for this year. One is to read more. I have not even tried to read for at least a month. I let everything else take precedence. Anyway....my advice here is to make realistic New Year's Resolutions. Pick 1. (ok, maybe 2.) And don't choose going on a diet. One of these days I am going to give my experienced opinion on diets. Bet you can't wait.

(some) Things I have learned from Mom....

Life is not fair.

You can choose to not trust people...but is that how you want to live your life?

Blue food should not be considered appetizing.

Boil water with onion in it and it will smell like you are cooking a delicious dinner.

Mothers know everything. And they do have eyes in the back of their heads.

Take it like a Lady. ( I have trouble with this one, sometimes I think you will feel better if you don't take it like a lady!)

Exercise by going for a long, fast paced walk daily and then you need your knees replaced.

....of course this is the short list....I will probably post several more lists over time!

here is the newly installed bookcase!

.....and the "after" with a majority of our books!

My New Library!

I am soooo excited! I am having a bookcase installed right now......I have had all our books in boxes for several years. And before that, they were just kinda here and there, all over the place. I am hoping that this bookcase, which is very large, will be able to house almost all of our books! Organized! Well, I will try. My idea is to have all the books in one room, a sort of reading room, where one can go to study, work on a project, and be able to pick and find books. I love books, I don't read enough, but I love to read. I love paper, and though I have a 'kindle' I still like to have a physical book. I will try to categorize them and giving them the chance to be accessible and well used. I will post pictures later!

old bones....or old something....

I worked on decorating and helping prepare food and serving and cleaning up a party last night for a group of about 200. I did not do the most work. When I finally sat down last night, I knew how exhausted I was....then I couldn't get back up! I was so sore during the night that I should have taken ibuprophen.....I am still so sore! I need to get back in the exercise groove, or something!

New Hire

I hired a personal assistant....best thing in the world during this busy season! She will do whatever I want her to: dishes, ironing, errands, computer work, wiping down cupboards, organizing, etc. etc. etc.! My daughter came home from college for the winter break....I told her I would pay a couple of hours here and there for her help.....it is so nice! I have started to do some of the stuff I have been wanting to, but couldn't 'cause the everyday stuff makes me feel guilty unless it gets it done. Everyone should have a personal assistant!

Multi-Tasking

At a high school band/orchestra concert: a Mom holding a sleeping child and crocheting. Three birds with one stone.

Creative Party Favors

Today I attended a Christmas Luncheon with my husband.....at a local refinery. Local "VIPs" were invited, it was in a lovely white tent with beautiful tables, lighting, centerpieces, and the food was delicious. The favor at each plate was a small bottle of crude oil. Yep.

pintorest eat your heart out!

My Favorite Anti-Aging Products!!!!

I have been a Mary Kay beauty consultant for over 23 years. I started using Mary Kay skin care products because my skin is SO sensitive, I was having very little luck finding anything that did not make my skin scaly and rashy and sore. I had gotten to the point of putting vasoline on my checks at night so they would not be too flakey during the day, and using oatmeal as a soothing mask. Those days ended in '88. So, my list is pretty much Mary Kay products, but they work! The following are my MUST haves!

1. Even Complexion Essence. I can tell if I skip this step on any day. It evens out the appearance of your skin tone by reducing dark spots and discoloration.

2. TimeWise Targeted Action Line Reducer. Firms and tightens lines and wrinkles (around eyes, around lips, creases on forehead, etc.)...See visible results within MINUTES! (Seriously!) and see lasting results over time.......

3. TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set. Use twice a week to fight fine lines and refine pores. Makes your skin very smooth!

4. Foundation Primer. I loved this the first time I tried this! It goes on so smooth, an invisible smooth canvas for foundation. You gotta try it.

5. TimeWise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation. It seems like extra work, but really isn't to apply this foundation and then to top it off with Mineral Powder Foundation. If I am in a really big hurry I just use the Mineral Powder Foundation.

6. and then.... Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. This is THE BEST STUFF for removing eye make-up. Absolutely necessary for someone with super sensitive eyes. And it does not bug contact lenses.

Really, for any better results I will need to go have surgery, botox, collagen injections, what have you. I reserve the right to go to the next level.

Christmas Commercialism

There have been times when I have been confused by the Commercialism that
surrounds Christmas. It goes on for months. So much money. So much glitter. Christmas Rap music. Disney Christmas, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, advertisements showing everything we ‘need’…..But I have decided that it can be a good thing to help us remember the reason for the season. I think it is better to have all of the commercialism than to not have any attention surrounding Christmas. Along with the Commercialism this time of year we get together with loved ones more often, we give more to charities, we choose and give gifts to friends and family, and we are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas with all of the symbols that
we have incorporated into our culture. Remind yourself what the symbols of Christmas are. Look for them in all the commercialism around you.

All of these things remind us of Jesus Christ.

"Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God, the Father. He was the Creator. He is our Savior, and He will be our Judge. Under the direction of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the earth. Through His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by giving His life on the
cross, that is, by performing the Atonement, Jesus Christ saves us from our
sins as we follow Him. Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ saves us from
physical death. Because He overcame death, we will all be given the gift of
resurrection."

There goes my memory, again!

I do not remember if I already posted the following quote, so I am posting it....figure if I don't bother to look in past posts for it, no one else will!

"I don't want my children to spend all their adulthood getting over their childhood"

I don't know who said that, but I REALLY like it.....it would have been nice to hear that years ago, but maybe someone can read this and apply it much earlier in their life. I do think that I tried to avoid such dysfunction as much as possible though....Sorry kids if I messed up too much!

Messy house! I must clean! I keep telling myself this......I keep coming up with things I would rather be doing....Excuses, Excuses! I have Christmas music going, I have done a couple loads of laundry and taken out some trash. I have also thrown away the pumpkins that have been sitting around outside. I have several partial pies that have been sitting on the counter since yesterday and dishes piled up. I need to get a little more motivation and dig in. Any suggestions?

Living Rich

Early in my marriage, I decided that I would rather be poor and live rich, than be rich and live poor. I am not talking about acting stuffy and stuck up. And I am not talking about going into debt to pretend you're rich. What I mean is that instead of being the kind of person who has vacation homes, recreational vehicles, travels frequently, wears expensive clothing, drives expensive cars and lets you know repeatedly that "they just aren't making it" or "can't afford" to go to a movie, I would prefer to be someone who enjoys what they have, even if it is not much or expensive, and live with a sense of "abundance". As Americans, we typically do live a much more affluent lifestyle than people in other countries. I know that I am very rich in blessings. When my husband was a student at a university, we lived in student housing. Lovely place. Cinder-block walls. But, I tried to make it homey..... There was a young couple that lived by us. They drove nice cars, they had a beautifully decorated Christmas tree (because the wife had grown up in a home where every room had a beautifully decorated tree and then each kid got their own tree when they left home) They had nice furniture. Their parents were paying for their education. But they were poor. They always told you so. I know people who actually have a million or more in the bank, but the neighbors talk about helping them out at Christmas time each year because of their dire situation. I would rather people saw me for me and not for my financial situation. Jane Seymour (Somewhere in Time, Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman) wrote a book in the 80's called "Guide to Romantic Living". I asked for that book for my birthday back then. I loved it! It really went along with this idea of living rich (other than the multiple husbands). I honestly saw my surroundings as being beautiful because they meant something to me. Inherited or handed down. Pick some fabric and sew a pillow to go on the yellow couch. Use plastic patio furniture for the dining area. Having things surround you that have meaning, not just because it is the current trend, but because you love it, or it came from someone you love. Paint is a glorious thing. Sometimes the holidays can put a cramp in your wallet. Gifts can be just a handmade card, or a poem you have written, or a small treat you have baked. It really is the thought that counts. I always save wrapping paper, ribbons, etc. and use them again. Cut up old Christmas cards to make tags for presents. Give a gift certificate for a service you will provide or baked item, etc. Rich means valuable. Live a valuable life.

GRATITUDE

O.K. I am not so great at this blogging thing.... but I am going to keep at it! I just wanted to encourage everyone to have a Gratitude Journal. I know that it has been a number of years ago that this became a popular thing to do, I write things in mine from time to time, more consistant at times and then losing it for several years. It is a really nice reminder to flip through and see all the things I have written in it so far. If you do keep a Gratitude Journal...keep adding to it! If you do not keep a Gratitude Journal yet, start one. It can be a plain notebook, or a fancy one, or something you create yourself. Don't make it complicated. Mine is a purchased one by Sarah Ban Breathnach (she has some cool self discovery stuff, also). It has several lines for each day of the year. You could fill in each day and make it last for a year, or just write things in when you think of them and it can last for years and years. It also includes 150 often overlooked blessings; try 'the desire for knowledge', 'not losing your temper' and 'an unexpected compliment' for example. Plus some nice quotes on each page.....I will end with this one:

"Offer grace for the bounty of goodness. Raise the song of harvest home, the glass of good cheer, the heart overflowing with joy. We have so much for which to be thankful. So much about which to smile, so much to share. So much, that in this season of plenty, we can embrace the season of relinquishment. All we have is all we need." --Sarah Ban Breathnach

Miss Manners

I think that 80% of my extra pounds is due to having good manners. 10% is from my gene pool, and the other 10% is actually due to my over indulgence and lack of exercise. Let me explain. I am not one to hurt someone's feelings if they ask me to try something, or if they offer me something they have made.... so I go ahead and eat it. Even if I am full. Even if I really could pass it up. I have been in gatherings many times when people don't eat. Or eat very little. "Oh, I am just sooo full" or "Oh, eating this much for lunch I just won't be able to eat dinner" or "No thanks, I don't eat that" etc, etc. I have known people that I have never actually seen put food in their mouths. I have known people that are just plain rude about food. I have heard that my ancestors from some of the European countries always offered food when someone came into their home. This custom has been passed down. Most of the people in my family have the tendency to offer food. ( I will be blogging about dieting soon; name a diet, I have done it!) The photo shows Danish Ebleskivers, I have seen it spelled many ways so don't correct me! A handed down recipe in my family, we LOVE them!

A Super Quick Recipe

This Recipe is easy and REALLY good!

Put chicken breasts in baking pan. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix together sour cream and cream of chicken soup, pour over top of chicken. Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese on top (lots!) . Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Serve topped with asparagas, or with sauted mushrooms. Enjoy!

The Countdown Begins!

My Hubby and cute daughter made me my traditional birthday cake....YUM. When I was a kid I usually had Cherry Chip birthday cake. That is what birthday cake tastes like to me! My Hubby made me one on my birthday the first year we were married and frosted with pink and blue. (He reminded me today that I also received a pink and blue track suit that year.) Since then he has made me my Cherry Chip cake every year and had the kids help frost and decorate it. Pretty cute.

Bring on the year! I had a wonderful birthday today, very relaxing and just doing what I wanted...I hope that you will join me as I countdown this year to the big 50! I have negative feelings about that number. 30 and 40 did not really phase me. 50 has always sounded pretty dang old. On me. I know plenty of people that have passed that number and it matters not to me! I love them and think they are wonderful and definitely not old. But I really don't want to turn into that second half of a century. YUCK! So, I will try to gain a new outlook in the next 365 days. I do feel that I have learned a lot in the last 49 years. I truly do feel that I would rather have my experience and wisdom rather than my youth. "Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards." That is why I won't hesitate to share any wisdom I think I may have with everyone.....maybe someone can learn from my mistakes, or from the things that I think I did right. Hind sight is always better than foresight. I ran across a fun lady who is a Midlife Fairy Godmother. Check out her site: www.midlifefairygodmothers.com I think she has some powerful insite on living our lives as women. I am throwing this out there: I have access to a charming home in a small rural community if anyone would like to join me on a retreat this year. I am willing to do many! If going for 2-5 days and just relaxing with no work sounds enticing....let me know and we will put it on the calendar!

Advertissments

I am addicted to getting eyelash extensions. Yep. I have been getting them now for almost a year. They may make me look foolish. I don't care. I have an appointment every 3 weeks where I go and Ashlie works on my eyelashes for an hour and fifteen minutes. The process is actually relaxing, and the only ongoing maintenance thing I do for myself. Check out the process on youtube (just look for eye lash extensions)....it is interesting. Check out www.gotlashes.net! ALSO, I am now addicted to some YUMMY Candied Ginger Body Scrub by "the Body Shop". No, silly, I don't eat it, although it smells sooooooo wonderful! It is soooooooo good that I jumped in my car today and bought some for my sisters and daughters! (that is correct) You ought to run, not walk, to your nearest Body Shop store and get some! www.thebodyshop.com

Bouquets for You!

Just a shout out for all of you fantastic volunteers, those who give of their time, energy, money, and resources! Whether its at a school, at church, in the community, a hospital, supporting charitable causes.....where ever and how ever, this world is full of wonderful people. It is amazing how much can be accomplished when people work for a common goal.

Oh Sheets!

So......a confession. I am terrible about changing sheets. My mother changed every bed in the house (and there were 6 kids!) EVERY Friday. Without fail. As the children got older, we would be expected to remove the sheets....but when we got home from school, the bed was made. I love sleeping in clean sheets. My husband loves sleeping in clean sheets. It is a very rare thing in my home. "How long has it been since I changed these sheets?" is always answered with "Too Long!". My sister told me that while at a women's group meeting someone explained we don't need to change sheets as often now-a-days because we aren't typically physically toiling, or farming all day and we shower or bath much more often, etc., etc. Made me feel MUCH better. Makes sense. We don't need to change the sheets as often. There. That woman has made a big difference in how I feel about myself.

I was talking to my Mom the other day and she was saying that she was feeling guilty because it had been so long since she washed the walls down..........

Just Be.....

This is a hard skill to master. I have to remind myself to do this every so often. I find taking a walk (which I haven't done in a long time) and trying to empty my head of almost every thought is very helpful in trying to master Just Being. I look around, notice everything, breathe in slowly, purposely and deeply, can you smell flowers, or grapes, or the Autumn air?... breathe out slowly... listen to the sounds; birds, airplanes, rustling of the leaves, animals, insects....try to keep your mind from spreading out, refocus, force yourself to just be in the moment. We are all so busy! We speed ahead into the future wishing for things and events, or worrying about them. We drag ourselves into the past and mull around in regret and unforgiveness. Just living in the present is sometimes the most difficult thing to do. Yet, when we do live in the present, priorities sort themselves out, our hearts are open to inspiration, we can live each day satisfied if it were our last. Maybe that is impossible. There are many interruptions throughout our days. Is it selfish to create a little Me time? Something that was shared years ago by a woman in the neighborhood that I grew up in was this: X out some time on your calendar, so that things don't fill up every second. Then, when someone asks if you can do something during that time or on that day you look at the X and respond honestly, "I already have something then". Another way to control your calendar is to make it a habit to say, let me check my calendar and I will get back to you. Then you won't feel pressure to just always say "yes". Calendars fill up completely if we let them. I don't do yoga, but people I know that do it, love it! Any ideas out there for how to JUST BE?

Footloose

I sat down with my youngest daughter and watched "Footloose". The 1984 version. I figured if there was a new version out there I better refresh my memory of the one that came out the year I got married before I see the new one. And introduce it to my daughter. The fashions brought back many memories.....big hair, high waisted pants (the ones that actually defined where one's waist really is!), the music.....check out Kevin Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker. Along with the passing of time, there is another thing I know to be a guarantee. Ups and Downs. When you are down, you will eventually be up. I promise. Conversely, when you are up, as much as it would be wonderful to be able to stay there, eventually you will be down. Most of the time life is lived somewhere in the middle. That is the way it is. Celebrate the good, the happy, the notable. Celebrate the ups, celebrate the middle. Dance whenever possible.

WARNING: FREE ADVICE! and more......

I think that this is going to be a great way to give unsolicited advice! No one asks for advice, what better than a forum to just give it away! Awesome! First of all: PLEASE THANK A VETERAN today! We owe them so much, the sacrifices they make for us to all enjoy freedom is unimaginable. We take it so much for granted. I am so proud of my son who serves as a Marine. The sacrifices he has made already in his short 23 years is incredible. Thank you, Thank you to all who serve and to all who have served.

So a little about me........ I am married to a wonderful man who I would marry all over again, but will admit that there are definitely ups and downs in our marriage! I have four WONDERFUL children who I think have raised me better than I raised them. I am so lucky to have my two Beautiful daughter-in-laws. I am a Grandmother of two, with two more on the way! I have been a stay at home mom for over 25 years, a career I chose and take very seriously. I feel I have been blessed again and again in my life.

This is all new to me.....

Hello! I had a crazy idea today.....after checking on a few blogs I thought, for the first time, maybe I could BLOG! In One week, I will have a birthday. I will be honest. It will be my 49th birthday... EEK! And so the thought came to me that I could Blog, everyday for a year, starting on my birthday this year and ending in 2013 when I turn that dreaded number 50! I will try to figure a little about this blog thing this week (and get help from my talented daughters who blog) and be ready to start the COUNTDOWN on November 17th. Hopefully I can share my old age wisdom, observations, and interesting stuff. Hope you will follow!