this is it!

so there are only a few days left until the big 5 - 0. So far the only thing I really dread about that day is the sound of those two numbers, sounds like "nifty" only with an f. When people say it out loud, I don't like it! I really am happy with my life right now. Other than the glance in the mirror when I am not prepared and I see this aging woman looking back at me. I am ready to start the second half of my life. This blog will come to an end....I realize now that in my original post I mentioned something about blogging EVERY day for a year. I forgot that part, I quickly thought of blogging every few days (or every now and again!) sorry for the deception! Or, maybe you are greatful I didn't ramble on even more!

I ran across an article listing 10 things that could predict if you will reach 100:
10 Surprising Clues You'll Live to 100 | Yahoo! Health

I can only claim MAYBE 5 out of ten....some I can work on....some not...
But, chances are I have several more decades to enjoy life; family and friends. So, to recap some of the great things about being in this stage of my life:

*There is a freedom that comes maturity. I know when to say "no". I know when life is too crazy, and I know how to take steps to simplify it.

*There is a contentment that comes from living your life the best you can. I believe that most people are doing just that, the best they can.

*Truth eventually comes out.

*Good will always win in the end.

*I have learned how to find peace within myself. That is a big one....

*I appreciate good health. Sometimes a health scare is a blessing.

*I am thankful for my family. I love my husband and kids....and the darling grandkids, they are the very brightness of living!

Thanks for sharing this journey for the past year. I have made it through a half century of living! Here's to the next half century! I hope you will share it with me.

Harvesting the Fruit.....

Don't you just love this picture!

 

 

Today I was taking a nice, peaceful, perfect Autumn walk. Enjoying the colors, the comfortable tempurature, the crunch of some fallen leaves. Mmmmmm....my favorite time of year. It got me thinking about the seasons and how people liken them to the different seasons of one's life. Is it equally divided up into four blocks of years? Or is it out of balance like the seasons I have always known, living where I do? (that would be 1 month of Spring, 4 months of Summer, 1 month of Fall, and 6 months of Winter!) Let's say you are granted 100 years and you divide them into 4 seasons of 25 years (I don't mind skimping on the Winter). So, from birth til age 25 is the "Spring" of your life. 25-50 is the "Summer" of your life. 50-75 is the "Autumn" of your life. And the rest.....well....I hate winter! With only about 18 days left of my "Summer", does that bother me? No. I Love Autumn! And I think I will Love the "Autumn" of my life! Not so crazy busy runaround hot cramming in everything you can Summertime. Maybe a bit less hurried, kind of like the difference beteween me on my walk and the young mother that passed me with her fancy jogging stroller in her fancy jogging clothes breathlessly responding "hello" when I said "hello" to her. Will I miss that ? No. I love that with my four children are adults (well, if you count the 17 almost 18 year old as adult!) my role has shifted from parenting them, disciplining them, to being good friends with them. There for them if they want advice or a listening ear, but letting them live their own lives as they get to the Summertime of their life. I LOVE this. Hopefully I can help them out now and then with that Summertime stuff. My husband and I were talking about that, and how even though life is not always perfect (but sometimes it is!) we are enjoying some of the Harvest of our dedication to raising our children. Thus the picture above.  One of my darling children created that!

Now....for a little BON JOVI!

 

"You're born then you die, It's all gone in a minute,

I ain't looking back, cause I don't want to miss it,

You better live now cause no one's going to get out alive.

Can I be happy now, can I let my breath out,

Let me believe, I'm building a dream,

Don't try to drag me own.......Can I be happy now.....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4HzLXuS-nM

 

 

Welcome to Autumn....hope you will enjoy it with me

 

 

P M A !!! Life is Sweet!

That's "PMA" not "PMS" as I was explaining to my daughter...."PMS" wasn't even a known term at the time "PMA" was in wide use! I had been thinking alot about Positive Mental Attitude lately. Back when we were teens, my sister and I would ridicule the notion of "PMA". What crap, what garbage, what fakes people were who tauted such ideas! We would seriously discuss how we were so much more "deep" and had real feelings and this PMS stuff was just a thing to hide behind....

Skip to me in 2012. That PMA stuff is a really good thing! Sometimes I have heard people say its just a "Pollyanna" attitude. Ignoring the real issues, the real problems, real life. I now disagree. I think it can make all the difference in the world to living a happy and peaceful life. I was even backed up by someone I heard while listening to the radio today. "It is more difficult to be positive than it is to be negative." Maybe that's like you using more muscles to frown than you do to smile. I really think we need to look for the positive, look for happiness, create our own peace. Of course there will always be sad times, tragic times, difficult times. But, I think keeping things in an Eternal Perspective and learning to calm yourself, learning to feel peace within your heart, that's what true happiness is. And, things always change, that's the one constant. So, if  you are not having a good day, or there is something tragic or depressing going on in your life, change will come. Also, a friend of mine taught me something important. She asked me if I am the kind of person that believes that if things are going well that only means pretty soon something bad will happen. I admitted that I did believe that. She said that a therapist had told her that there is no basis to believe that. Think about that for a sec.... there is no basis to believe that just because things are wonderful something bad has to even it out. So, now when I am enjoying life and the thought "oh no! what bad thing is going to happen" creeps into my mind, I kick it out of there!!! I am going to keep having positive thoughts, and enjoying life. I will deal with the bumps and bruises along the way....but, I am having a GREAT TIME! I invite you to do the same.

Only Keep It If You Absolutely Love It!

While chatting with a good friend of mine the other day, we ran into a subject that I had just been reading about in a magazine. An article by Jennifer Braunschweiger "Lose the clutter, find your style".  "I've always believed that clothing reflects who we are. But if we hold on to stuff, it starts to reflect who we used to be. How can we grow if we can't let go?" she says.  A surprisingly simple strategy for stepping into your best look now.  "My rule: If I put it on and then take it off, I have to give it away. No holding on to anything I won't even wear out of the house. If I wear it to work and feel uncomfortable, then out it goes as well. I have learned that forcing yourself to wear something is very different from tossing it on the "keep" pile. ...a closet isn't a museum or an archive. It should be a simple storehouse of clothes that reflect who I am today..." My friend told me that she was going through her clothes, item by item, and deciding once and for all if she truly loved it. If she didn't, then out it went. Since I had just read the magazine article and had been thinking of doing this myself I decided to post about it in case anyone out there is in need of the same kind of makeover. Okay, I have only begun, and have only put in the "out" pile about 4 things, but I am going to continue on! Hey, if the closet is empty, I guess that means I will have to go get more things I love to fill it back up! Ms. Braunschweiger did say that when it came to a very nostalgic item that she just couldn't bear to give up because it brought so many good memories to her, then she would put it in long term storage (like the attic) so that it wasn't taking up room in her closet. Take your "out" pile to a good will type place so that someone else can benefit. Or, take your good stuff to a consignment shop. Pennies on the dollar, but better than just taking up room. My BIG Birthday is one month from today.....I think I should have the goal of having my closet cleaned out by then......

Failure....a ladder to Success?

I was sorting magazines into a "keep" pile and a very large "recycle" pile. I must have been inspired to do so. I ran across a couple things I meant to keep and I came across a little gem of an article by Jason Wright. He writes about all of the jobs he has had, which he considered failures, before being the writer he is today. His jobs went from working at Mr. Donut in high school to various jobs like modeling for a clothing catalogue, B-Horror movie actor, Singing telegram deliverer, various salesman jobs, founder of a few companies, etc. etc. He sums up with this:

"Do I regret these jobs: No. I believe the success I have today is a result of these failures. Each failure taught me to identify a new weakness and massage it into a strength. I'm tired of conventional wisdom telling us to forget our failures. My experience says embrace them. Next time you have a free moment, grab a pencil and a piece of paper; draw two columns. List your failures on one side and what you learned from them on the other. If you don't think you learned anything, think harder; no failure or test comes without a lesson. Trust me. If you'll identify your missteps instead of burying them under life's giant shag carpet, you'll find a free lesson every day. And each failure, whether miniscule or colossal, will refine you and make you wiser. Yes, I am a professional failure, but it's a badge I wear with honor."

(Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. He is also a political commentator and the co-founder of PoliticalDerby.com, a popular website for political junkies.  http://www.jasonfwright.com/bio.html )

Wow. I think I will make  a list like he suggested with two columns. But, I think I differentiate between "failures" and "mistakes". As I tried to come up with "failures", I find it hard to label something as such. Maybe a failure is associated with a project or job, something that you embark on and have to abandon. A mistake is something that us humans just do all the time, and we have been taught that we need to learn from these things, try not to make the same mistake again. A failure is something that is a crash and burn.

fail·ure

[ fáylyər ]

1. lack of success: a lack of success in or at something
2. something less than that required: something that falls short of what is required or expected
3. somebody or something that fails: somebody or something that is unsuccessful

Synonyms: disappointment, letdown, catastrophe, bomb, fiasco, disaster, botch, miscarriage, flop

 

mis·take

[ mi stáyk ]

1. incorrect act or decision: an incorrect, unwise, or unfortunate act or decision caused by bad judgment or a lack of information or care
2. error: something in a piece of work that is incorrect, e.g. a misspelling or a misprint
3. misunderstanding: a misunderstanding of something

Synonyms: blunder, gaffe, faux pas, lapse, misstep, blooper, miscalculation, clanger, bloomer

 

 

 And as I try to make my list, I am realizing that I have a tendancy to try and forget failures. I can think of endless mistakes, but FAILURES? I am going to see what I can come up with. Let me know what you think.....about this idea of failure being the ladder to success and if you think there is a difference between failures and mistakes (don't tell me what you think about MY failures!).

Things I don't regret!

     In my first Half Century of living I have some things that I don't regret (love those things)! I don't regret sticking up for my little sister while we were little kids, like when my friends would say, "tell her your mom is calling for her" and I wouldn't do it. Stuff like that. I am glad I wasn't purposely mean. Maybe she would tell you otherwise. I don't regret changing my major from Commercial Art to Communicative Disorders (mostly because I wanted art to be a joyful, not stressful, part of my life). I don't regret getting a college degree. I don't regret Marrying my wonderful husband of 28 1/2 years. I don't regret having my four astonishing children! I don't regret choosing to stay at home raising my children even though it meant many many very lean years.... I don't regret staying up late and squeezing every minute out of the day (even though it meant hardly ever enough sleep). I don't regret making time for family and friends. I choose to focus on the things I absolutely do not regret and not give much thought, other than learning from them, to my regrets.
     I read something from the editor of a magazine I really like (check out "More" for women of style and substance  www.more.com ),

 "Age pokes holes in every youthful delusion, so that reality eventually seeps in. What a relief!" --Leslie Jane Seymour

Things I regret

I regret not standing up for the new girl in 5th grade when everyone was against her on the playground. A girl I knew went and stood up for her, they are still friends to this day. I regret blaming things on my Mom when I was in Jr. High when really I chose to not talk to her and let the situation be an excuse for me to not tryout for the track team. I regret always thinking I needed a "Boyfriend" throughout Jr. High and High School. I regret Not getting involved in High School activities due to the previous regret and due to being too serious and studious. I regret the crap that I let before mentioned boys bestow upon me - - I wouldn't put up with that stuff now. I regret not telling them how I truly felt. I regret not being a better sister while I attended college, my sister lived minutes away with a new baby and I could have visited and babysat, etc. I regret being hard on my little children at times, I hope I learned and changed soon enough. I regret being able to identify PMS in myself until it is usually too late! Of course this list is not complete, but I choose to not focus on my regrets

Tale of (type) Two Diabetes

I am pretty regular at getting a physical each year. My siblings and I have made a pact to bug each other to get the proper screenings and physicals, like a colonoscopy, now that we are aging... I believe that genetics play a big part in how our bodies behave and age. I also believe that lifestyle can definitely effect your quality of life and make a big difference in how our bodies behave and age. You find many overweight people without health problems, and you see some thin people with plenty of health problems. Over the last 10 years or so I have had routine bloodwork done and seen my "sugar" levels creeping upward. About 6 years ago I wanted to change my high cholesterol and sugar levels as much as I could through diet and exercise (please read my post "Dieting Epilogue" from January 2, 2012 for my life long struggle with weight gain, diet and exercise) so I went on the Shape for Life diet which is pre-packaged food that has the right combinations of fat, carbs, and protein and is endorsed by Drs. to really change your "numbers" and get you healthy. I did lose weight and my numbers came down. I wore a smaller size for a couple of years. Unfortunately, over the next 4 years I slowly put back on the weight, plus more! Well, I went in for my physical in July. Had my bloodwork done. The Dr. said, "just in case this is a fluke, I want you to go in for a glucose test." So I did. Then the Dr. told me  that I had Type 2 Diabetes. This was July 30th. Many of my relatives have Type 2 Diabetes; my grandmother, my aunt, my uncle, my Dad. Probably more. I know enough about Type 2 Diabetes that I have always thought "if I end up Diabetic, I know its possible to do something about it through diet, exercise, and proper medical care" so that's what I am trying to do. Nothing like a health scare to kick you into action. I know this has to be a lifelong plan. It has been very difficult to schedule meeting with a dietician due to insurance, and a change in our insurance plan. I have been trying very hard to read and implement what I have learned on my own into my eating and exercising. I have gotten over the squeemishness of pricking my finger. It is a frustrating and depressing thing, really. I am writing this post in my blog about what I have learned so far.
This is my progress to this point; I have not eaten a doughnut (my absolute favorite food group) since July 30th. The most I have eaten in the dessert category is pretty much a vanilla wafer! oh....and a small portion of chocolate mousse! Extreme...but I have to say I have fear in me! I have continued to try to exercise at least 5 times/week for about 45 minutes.
I finally met with a dietition and went to an education class for Diabetes on September 10th.  I feel a bit more sure of what I should be doing.  Hubby went with me which I think was a great support, and great for him to hear and learn about everything. He is trying to be very supportive. As of today....9/18/12, 7 weeks after being diagnosed, I have lost about 12% of my body weight! And my A1c (Average sugar level kind of thing) went from a 7.3 to a 6.1 which is getting down where you want it to be.
I have not told everyone about this diagnosis. I have seen how people can respond to people who are diabetic. Being food police. Getting after someone for not behaving how they think they should be behaving. I also have had some people not want to eat what they want to eat if I am around. This just makes me feel worse. I have a great team of professionals behind me. I am doing the proper treatment. I am following up on this. It's my life, I want to be around others and not have them feel guilty or bad if they eat something I am choosing not to.

Type 2 - American Diabetes Association I have type 2 Diabetes, and yes, it IS a big deal. It is a progressive disease. No one knows exactly why type 2 dietbetes develops in some people. But several factors have been shown to increase your risk of developing it. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to occur in people who:

• Are overweight
• are 45 or older
• are physically inactive
• have a parent or sibling with diabetes; there is a genetic link
• are african american, native american, hispanic american or pacific islander
• have abnormal cholesterol levels
• have had gestational diabetes, or have given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth
• have high blood pressure

Although I did not have all of the above factors....I had several.

Complications of diabetes:

• Heart disease and stroke
• kidney disease
• eye diseases
• foot and leg problems
• sexual problems
• stomach and intestinal problems
• problems with skin, teeth and gums

I did not have any symptoms of diabetes. It could have been 10 years before I saw any. I am very glad I went in for my physical.
Sooooo.......eat healthy, get exercise, and make sure you get regular physicals.

exercises while walking....

As I have mentioned in a previous post (see November 13th 2011 post) I like to try to just "be" while walking. It is harder than you think, and when I haven't practiced it, it is very difficult to get into just"being". Today I decided to focus on the sense of smell.....I challenged myself to notice 10 smells (only positive ones!) as I walked along. It helps me to focus on something other than the stresses and concerns and mundane things that constantly bombard my brain. I challenge you to do this exercise. Let me know how you do. I was only able to identify 6 smells today on my 40 minute walk. I am going to try to increase that number on subsequent walks. Maybe go out of my way to get close to a flower, plant or tree....stopping to smell the roses. This is my scent count today:

• grapes (perhaps my FAVORITE fall smell! Just starting to waif into the air....hoping for more time with this glorious scent!)
• cigarette smoke (I know! Not often considered "good"- in small quantities -and I think the right brand- evokes happy memories in me because when I was a kid it was a smell at places we would go to on vacation, motel rooms, lagoon, fun times! Go ahead and call me sick!
• more grapes
• something like dryer sheets
• paint (I know! again! Not everyones fav. but I like it)
• something floraley.....maybe perfume....

I might need to clarify for myself that the scents should come from nature. And that it is cheating to count a scent more than once. Challenge yourself ! It will help keep you focused on just being. I will try to fine tune this skill.

Autumn is in the air......

It's almost Autumn, my favorite season... Even if it means the end of Summer and it means getting closer to winter, it's still my favorite time of year! Even if it means that during my favorite season THIS YEAR, I will hit the half century mark... even if.... even if.    Anyway, I love the air. Its easy to get up and head out for a walk in cooler temperatures, I love the colors, I love the holidays during this season, I love that school starts. I was always excited for school to start when I was a student and so the getting ready for school stuff still envokes nice feelings for me. Even though it was always difficult sending my young children off, I did enjoy the tighter schedule (for the first bit) rather than the looseness of Summer (which I was craving come the end of the school year!). I've made a few trips to Mt. Plesant recently with friends and family. I think just getting in some last minute R & R before school starts. My Baby is a senior in high school! (my eyes are watery) She has desires to go far away for college next year! (PANG) My next youngest is starting her senior year in college! Wow. I feel the need to spend more time with my family. That is what we did, had a bar-b-que for Labor day with all the kids and grandkids. Very fun. They are the best. I love them all! Today I was on a road trip with my hubby....went to Flaming Gorge, he told me that this is where the above photo was taken of him! a mere forty some years ago!

"The Magic of a Smile" : )

 I just wanted to share a wonderful article I ran across while reading from my new favorite website.....  "The Lundberg Company"   www.garyjoylundberg.com  I was working on a presentation that I am going to be giving to some young women next week and wanted to share with them my story of when I was in High School and I wanted to set a goal of being more friendly. My goal was to smile at 10 people each day while at school. I really had to consciously work at it! But, I could tell it made a difference. I loved this story from Joy Lundberg about smiling....        http://www.garyjoylundberg.com/2011/03/10/magic-of-a-smile/    may it bring a smile to you and all those around you, Today!

Ewww....just realized that my countdown clock is now 99 days and counting!

"A vacation is one-third pleasure, fondly remembered, and two-thirds aggravation, entirely forgotten." --Robert Brault

Over the weekend I went on our annual camping trip. It was beautiful. We have gone to the same campground almost every year for 28 years. I think we took a couple years off while the hubby was in school. I look forward to going, and although it takes a ton of preparation, and tons of clean-up (I am still working on laundry) once home, it is definitely worth it! The campground is not that far from home, but the temperatures are about 30 degrees cooler than the hot high 90's felt at home. My phone does not get service there.....although (dang) other phones do. It's amazing how kids immediately find sticks to play with, run around and find "secret hideouts", entertained by just the nature around them. I heard one young teen comment that he was "bored". I suggested to him that there is a difference between being bored and just not being busy (playing electronics). I notice that everyday concerns float away and it is easier to focus on the beautiful creations surrounding me. Wildflowers everywhere! Noisey blue-jays harrassing our camp. The sound of trickling water in a small stream. A mama moose and her baby. The meditative mesmerizing dancing of the campfire. The cool air and climbing into a warm sleeping bag. Having no clue what time it is! There were several small people camping with us...I mean little kids...and a few disagreements, fights and tantrums made me think back over all the years of camping. Surely we experienced the same things when our kids were small. But, as I commented to my hubby, "It's true that you forget the bad and only remember the good." We just have good memories of our camping trips, I think our children have only good memories, too. Thus, my title: "A vacation is one-third pleasure, fondly remembered, and two-thirds aggravation, entirely forgotten."  --Robert Brault

Make time to go on vacations with your kids! They don't have to be expensive or exotic!

Some MORE favorite anti-aging beauty products!

2nd Edition of my favorite anti-aging beauty products! I Love these products because they are Fast & Easy and produce results quickly!

Lash Building Serum; several versions out there. Most need to be purchased at a Beauty Supply place. Mary Kay Cosmetics www.marykay.com has a brand new one out that retails for $38.00 (which is a great price!). Makes your lashes longer and fuller (and helps fill in thinning brows) without the side effects of prescription things like Latisse. Takes a few weeks to see the difference.

Great Hair Day - by Joan Rivers;  This product is amazing for effortlessly and discreetly adding a little color to hide thinning hair! Can be pricey, but I found mine on ebay and it has lasted well over a year, probably good for a few more ! You just stipple it on your scalp with the included brush, a great secret I am willing to share!

Ammonium Lactate Lotion; suggested by my dermotologist, this lotion -which can be found under a few names such as Lac Hydrin and Amlactin is Alphy Hydroxy and is for moisturizing scaly dry skin. It was suggested for me to use on the back of my hands for reducing the appearance of age/sun spots and also for a spot on my face. I can see a difference and will definitely continue to use it! For sure use Sunscreen Protection with this one!

NutraNail GEL Perfect 5 minute Gel-Color Manicure; This two step at home nail color is wonderful! "Sets Rock Solid in 5 minutes to a Patent Leather Shine" does not need a UV/LED light! It stays on 'til you take it off, at least on my toes. It stays on better than nail polish on my fingers but, because my hands are constantly in water and working around the house, it tends to chip or wear more than my toes. Comes in a nine or so colors! Found mine at Ulta Cosmetics. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3850069 **You HAVE to remove it with a remover made to remove Gel Nail Colors.

Mary Kay Nurishine Plus Lip Gloss; I Love this lipgloss, it is so much less sticky than any others I have tried...It is fast and easy to apply, and makes your lips look and feel marvelous. Apply alone, or over lipstick.......I always have to have on of these on me!

Hooray for Grandkids!

It is absolutely true what everyone says about being a Grandparent.....it is really THE BEST!! Let me share just a little bit of the JOY felt in the last few days from spending a little time with the cutest grandkids in the world. I had just arrived at my Son and Daughter-in-law's home to babysit for a little while.....I had quickly put a hair clip in my hair to hold back my bangs right before I headed to their house. I just wanted my hair out of the way, did not even glance in a mirror.  My 2 1/2 year old grandson climbed up on the couch beside me, touched my hair and said, "Cute Hair, Grandma!" and so once again I melted over this cute little guy. He said it several more times, in a very sweet genuine way. A few minutes later, he said to me, "I missed you Grandma....." Grandpa and I had just taken him to get a happy meal the night before. I said "I missed you, too!" and then he said "I love you, Grandma!" and repeated missing me and loving me several times. I can't help but tell him that I love him all the time. Really, how many people in your life show and tell you so sweetly that they love you? Those babies really have the unconditional love we all should strive for. This same little cute guy went up to his dad the other day and said, (I think they told me his hands were on his hips) "Dad, I am going to give you a lesson. Jesus wants us to be Happy!" What else do we need to know? He has it all figured out already. (shout out for the good parents here) Really, he has it figured out.......and tries to teach us all this truth...Jesus wants us to be Happy. And if I remember right, he finished with "the end" walked away from his Dad, and then came back and repeated his "lesson" again....ahhhh....what a cutie!

Good & Not So Good Company!

Check out this Who's Who of Celebrities also turning 50 this year!
http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/50-stars-turning-50-18599.gallery#!wallState=0__%2Fmovies%2F50-stars-turning-50-18599.gallery%3FphotoId%3D76702

VOTE!

I went today and voted in the primaries. Early voting........ make sure you vote early or on Tuesday June 26th! It took about 15 minutes total, including driving time. Since my hubby is in a public office we hear alot of complaints from citizens (people are more inclined to complain that to give praise of any kind!). The first thing I want to ask when someone is complaining, "Did you vote?" If they didn't vote I would say they really don't have much to stand on when complaining. I figure that voting is the absolute least a citizen of the United States can do. We have the right to vote, to have a say, it begins at the most local level! Get out there! If you have concerns or opinions or an important set of values, find out who is running, what they stand for, etc. and Vote! If you don't vote, you are showing indifference. Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote!

Overwhelmed.........

I finally had got back on track for exercising.....3 weeks of only missing an occasional day. Then several overwhelming days and.... I better get going again. I am writing about being overwhelmed, not exercise. I have had several events and projects that I have been involved in planning, orchestrating, implementing....whatever. Seems that I have really become accustom to living just one day at a time.  Planning ahead gets confusing. I am not complaining! Ask me what I am doing tomorrow and I will have to really think, check the calendar and still not be sure! There's something about getting older that makes me feel more anxiety about planning things. I use to really enjoy it, I still do but find a bit of stress included. I think it is sad when you think, "well, when the next two weeks (or however long) are over then I will feel better". Do that all the time and life just slips away. Summer (I always count Summer as starting when school is out) has been underway for 3 weeks now. The days just spin on by with the usual busyness. The photo above was suppose to represent being overwhelmed by waves......but now, I am looking at it as a need for a vacation! I feel this need to party....to listen to Islandy music, relax by the ocean, sip diet coke with lime. As I ramble.....I went to see Tim Hawkins comedian last night.....he was great! Enjoy a little bit of his humor! See below:

Tim Hawkins is hillarious!

Cookies, anyone?

I began my love of baking (and eating!) cookies when I was about 9 years old.....I remember I would ask my mom if I could make some and she always seemed willing to let me, and then there was a rule put into place: If I asked to make them, I had to clean up the mess. If she asked me to make them, then she would clean up the mess. Early on I learned that you DO NOT exchange baking soda for baking powder. YUCK. The cookies in the photo above are a heirloom recipe of my grandma's. She got the recipe from Mrs. Hanson.  I love them. They are a bit "bland", but soft and I could eat several dozen in a sitting. Luckily, the recipe makes about a million. I have about 8 different sugar cookie recipes that produce cookies of different characteristics. Want a sugar cookie that holds an imprint well? I have it. How about one that tastes pretty good, and holds a pretty good imprint? I have that one too. Want one that just tastes absolutely the best? I have it. Want one that is poofy? Got that one too. How about one that makes the best frosted valentine hearts? Yep. A fairly decent collection of cookie cutters is in my pantry. As a young mom, I learned that one of the things I could do with one arm and hand while holding an infant in the other arm was make and bake cookies. And eat them. Contrary to what one might assume, I am much heavier now that I don't bake cookies almost everyday than when I did. So there. My recipe files contain approximately 91.67% cookie recipes. I can look through my recipes and am reminded of family and friends based on who shared each recipe with me. I love to make cookies for almost every kind of get together; wedding showers, baby showers, open houses for birthdays, celebrations and farewells. The more cookies, the better! Cookies freeze well, at least for a couple weeks or so. So bake up a batch or two of cookies and stick them in the freezer! I use to sneak into our basement storage room when I was young and raid the freezer there.  Frozen cookies taste great! Oh, and I almost forgot....when my kids set up "lemonade stands" in the neighborhood, they would also sell homemade cookies. It was a successful business venture. While living in student housing, one of my friends and neighbor told me that her pediatrician told her that a homemade oatmeal cookie was very wholesome! Add that to some ice cream and you have a well rounded snack!

Thank you to those who serve our country!

Just a thank you on this Memorial Day to all of those who have served our country, and to those who paid for our freedom with their lives. I can never repay those who have given me freedom. Free agency is the crux of our existence. Those of us who possess it are extremely blessed. As a proud mom of a US Marine, I feel grateful and humbled at the sight of our American Flag and all that it stands for. Our country has been there for other countries longing for freedom. We don't go to war to conquer and take land, we go to defend freedom. All the servicemen and women, all of their families, sacrifice time, money, comfort, convenience, and lives. Separations are a way of life to them. Being able to do stupid or grand things is a right we have been given, paid for by our brave men and women in uniform. Sleep well America, my Marine has your back!

A little bit of LOVE

A friend of mine asked if I owned the movie "the Vow"...which I did not. This prompted an inventory of the chic flick love stories that we did have in the house. We do not buy every movie that comes out, so our collection is probably pretty small in comparison to other collections. But, I did realize that there was a lack of movie types that I like, and I was missing some of my favorite love stories (some I have on VHS!) so I decided I needed to quickly order a few from Amazon! I typically don't like to watch a movie more than once. But these favorites I can watch many, many times! Just wanted to post my all time top favorites:

*Bridges of Madison County* my #1 favorite!! ( I took the time to watch it yesterday...ahhhh....)
Hope Floats
Somewhere in Time
One Fine Day
Where the Heart Is
Sense and Sensibility (Emma Thompson, and Kate Winslet version)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Take the time to re-watch some of these! Share some of your favorites!
P.S. I Love the sound tracks for each of these movies, also.

have a nice day!

I have a pet peeve concerning my family. For Years while the kids were growing up I would tell them to have a nice day, or a good day, when they left the house. I would tell this to my husband. At some point I realized that no one would return the sentiment. So I would ask everyone, "Why don't you tell me to have a good day, too, why don't you just say, 'you too!' ?" Their response was the same as it will be if they read this post. "Can't believe you make such a big deal about it!" "I don't know" "oh, my gosh....." etc. etc. So I tried not to say it to them anymore. It was difficult. For probably 5 or more years now I have not said it. I notice I slipped up the other day. No response from the recipient. During the years I have noticed that my family members will tell other people to have a good day. I have heard them respond to people at banks, store, passerbys who extend the sentiment to them by saying "you too!". I don't get it. Whenever someone tells me "Have a good (or nice, or great...) day" I make sure I tell them thanks, and  to have one in return.......Psychological evaluation, anyone?  I really want them to have a great day! I am not just absently saying it. Do they not want me to have a good day? See the post below on how you can try to have a great day:      (and yes, you can wish me a good day too, I will thank you!)

How to Have a Good Day: 11 steps - wikiHow

How to Have a Good Day: 11 steps - wikiHow

Discipline & Crazy Rules!

Something that has really disturbed me over the years is watching parents discipline with crazy rules. My kids know what I mean, because I have pointed these rules out to them for YEARS. Let me give you an example: 4 year old roaming the neighborhood without any supervision. Parents find out they have caused some sort of problem so they ground them from a holiday, say, HALLOWEEN, even though it is 8 months away. When Halloween came around, yup, no trick-or-treating for that kid! I am not making this up. Or, children can't play with face cards, but they can be left unattended everyday, while both parents work, equipped with computers and cable TV. Or, absolutely no sleepovers ('cause you can't trust anyone!) UNTIL you are 13 (really? when do you think it's more dangerous?)or until 18-22 years old and then your boyfriend can spend the night regularly because it is too late to go home. Or, you are in church and the kids in front of you are smacked up side the head because they poked each other. Or, children used sidewalk chalk on the porch and so they are given a scrub brush and comet to clean it off immediately. (Probably rained later that afternoon.) Or, telling your kids "I don't care what you think". I believe that most behaviors have built in consequences. Good behaviors, good consequences. Bad behaviors, bad consequences. I rarely had to discipline my kids (probably because they are perfect) as their actions usually had some sort of "punishment" of its own. I don't think I ever grounded one of my kids; ok, maybe once or twice. I figured that it would only be punishing ME! Since this is a favorite subject of mine, I will probably revisit it from time to time. Any thoughts from anyone?

Oh No! the big 5 - 0! is almost only 200 days away!

I snapped this photo looking out a pane of glass in my front door.....our amazing, fantabulous 90 something neighbor! Yeah....I want to be on a four wheeler at that age. She is truly an inspiration! PS: they don't know I took this photo....Shhhhh....

Miracles

I think that Miracles surround us. I was talking to my teenage daughter the other day about some pretty deep stuff. There had been a rash a young people dying in the area we live in. It has always seemed to me that "The Reaper", for lack of a better name, sometimes takes the lives of people in specific categories. I don't often read the obituaries, haven't got to that phase in my life, yet! But on occasion you will see a bunch of 30 somethings, (right now, there has been a whole lot of middle aged men's mothers being taken- so treat your mom well!), or perhaps an unusual number of children, and a few weeks ago there were too many young men and women taken. Some my daughters knew. Anyway, back to our discussion. I was saying to my daughter that I have to believe that there is something else after death. If only to keep my sanity. (Yes, it is questioned if I still have it.) And I think we live better lives believing in life after death. But, I then told her that I have had too many experiences throughout my life to not believe in something beyond this life. Too many experiences that have shown me how close those who we love, who have passed on, are. This brings us back to Miracles. Experiences that I have had lately have definitely reinforced my belief that God has a plan. For each of us. If it is our time to leave the Earth, we will go. If it is not our time to leave, then we stay. Miracles occur to facilitate this plan. My fourth grandchild was born 6 days ago. She wasn't due for another 3 weeks. Her daddy had just arrived home after a 3 day drill with the Marines. Her mommy's placenta started to detach and there was a frightening amount of blood. I know that because mommy and baby received a blessing things went exceptionally well. Baby Girl was meant to stay with us. A Miracle. My Son and Daughter-in-law's second miracle baby. Not yet 2 years ago, their first daughter was due a week before daddy was returning home from Afghanistan. We all believe her spirit was keeping track of her daddy and she wasn't being born before he came home! 12 hours after daddy returned home, mommy went into labor, a week over due. I have had my own miracles occur with my children. They were meant to stay. To fulfill God's plan for them, and me. If I believe this, then I believe that sometimes people are not meant to stay, to fulfill God's plan for them. Faith and Miracles.

Just a little Reminder........

I just got back from 2 days of training on putting more energy in my life....and everything has energy! I just wanted to share some bits and pieces: 5 things to help minimize depression:
1) SLEEP correct amount for you...
2) EAT WELL whole foods, healthy foods, variety, drink plenty of water, cut sugars
3) EXERCISE releases endorphines
4) Put something GOOD (uplifting) into your brain. ponder.
5) Do something You ENJOY everyday! Do something you LOVE, make a list of these things...

I know all these things. Its always a good thing to be reminded of them.

Has not worked a day in her life! Awesome! Bring it On!

http://www.redstate.com/breeanneh/2012/04/12/hilary-rosen-takes-on-ann-romney-and-every-other-stay-at-home-mom-in-america/

Bwahhhhhh......

(I swiped this photo from my daughter)

So, I have taken a large chunk of time and not posted on my blog. Blogging is an interesting phenomena. I definitely do not have the hang of it. Every now and then I think about something I WOULD like to write about......Lately I have thought of: how if everyone dressed very modestly then it would sort of equalize all of our body types! But then, I could only picture Amish people, and I am sure that is not very realistic for most. I also thought about how I usually can hardly hold my head above water; I can't seem to get around to ironing, reading, changing sheets, blogging, checking out pinterest, volunteering, exercising, cooking nice home cooked meals, etc. etc. I also spent a couple of days in Vegas.....I could write about gambling.....I also went on a lovely vacation with my family for several days (I am still running 4 hours behind in going to bed an waking up even though we have been home for over a week now). I could try to write some fantastic observations from our trip. Maybe it's this whole gettin' old thing. Maybe I am a spoiled brat. Any Thoughts?

Politics.....

I do not understand what possesses the members of my family that run for public office. Seems to be a bit contagious around here! From local city government, to University and High School elections, I just don't get it! It must be genetic (from their father)! To be willing to put yourself out there on the line, to put up with so many complaints and dirty politics even in the most local of elections and public office. What possibly makes someone want to do this? I have thought of a few possible reasons. Maybe feeling like you can make a difference by serving in a public office or position. Maybe, but I just can't imagine it, enjoying the interaction with all the people (I keep our home phone line just so I can screen calls from numbers I do and don't recognize! People call to complain about the strangest things!). One must also have some insane love of competition. These are the only things I can think of. May I also add that it isn't just the person that runs for these things that are affected by all the craziness. There are many innocent bystanders and victims. I try to be a supportive wife and mother, but do end up in trouble sometimes by the things I say and do. I do admire the tenacity and willingness to serve that these people possess. I am one that would think: too much work, too risky, could be embarrassing, I want people to LIKE me, I would prefer to get some sleep, etc., etc. When people have stupid concerns, questions or complaints I would probably tell them off. Yup. Watching what goes on on the inside has taught me that we really should appreciate people who are willing to do this. It's a necessary, but nasty, job. Someone has to do it. Glad it isn't me. Thank you crazy polititians. I think it is a necessary part of our great country's legacy of FREEDOM. The part I am willing to do is to VOTE!!! You better exercise your right to vote, too! or, run for office.

Do you give yourself any time to listen to your own thoughts? Are you so busy with everyone in your family, so busy doing good things, that it is foreign to you to hear one of your own thoughts creep through? This goes along with my thoughts on learning how to "Just Be". It is one of the many reasons I love to escape, as I did for 2 days last weekend, to Mt. Pleasant. The distractions of home, family, house, bills, church, friends, school, work, community -- though good -- are less and so it affords me the moments to let my brain and heart just wander and be themselves. What is most important to me? What dreams and goals do I have? What blessings are mine? It is calming and peaceful. My mind can naturally sort itself, organize itself. I think it is important to find ways for our minds and hearts to bloom. I use distraction as a way to keep myself from things that are disturbing, sad, anxiety ridden. Not always appropriate, but it can be effective. On the other end of the spectrum, I like it when I can be somewhere where I can explore my feelings....the spirit can whisper about the truly meaningful, valuable, and worthwhile things in life....

Shoes

I love shoes, I have figured out a few things concerning the aquisition of shoes. First of all, when it is not fun to clothes shop due to my body size, I can always turn to shopping for shoes. People will still say, "I love your shoes" even when the rest of you is forgettable. I have learned another thing about shoes in my old age. Cheap shoes don't help your feet at all. I have fallen victim to cute, cheap shoes over and over, only to have discomfort and pain. I truly believe one needs to wear decent, supportive shoes to avoid foot problems. Even COSTLY foot problems. I now promise myself that I will wear supportive shoes 95% of the time, 5% of the time reserved for cute shoes.

Light....

Reflections of light: Light has a huge impact on me. I prefer to leave windows unobstructed by blinds, curtains, etc. I would leave every window uncovered all the time, day and night. I do have to close some with blinds from time to time...... I do not understand when people leave their windows closed up all the time. I see houses that are always closed up. I would feel depressed and claustrophobic. When the weather is like it has been the last few days, grey and dismal, I feel more depressed. I tend to turn on as many lights as possible. I love having flourescent lighting, especially when working on a project. Unfortunately most don't agree with my love of flourescent, so I just have it in one room. Most houses could use more windows! Can there ever be too many? There are many references about light in the scriptures. I believe in the literal power of light and the opposite power of darkness. I believe that when you surround yourself in light, any kind of light, you drive out the darkness. If you tend to leave your windows closed and covered, I challenge you to open them all up and invite the light in!

Leave Me Alone...

I have been in kind of a slump the last couple of days. Could be the grey weather that permeates our days lately. Could be that, well, it's that time. In any case, if I could I would go away by myself and travel to some tropical location, eat delicious food, read, go on lovely walks along a beach.....ahhhhh.....

You would think that after about 38 years of "that time" I would have it figured out. You would think I would immediately know what is causing the problem. I am getting a little quicker at figuring it out, but usually still go through a couple of days of feeling horrid, icky, wicked, depressed, and weird....and wondering why. When I was a teen I just thought I was possessed or something. No amount of praying, reading scriptures, or faith would help me feel better. I thought I must be so bad that I was a lost cause. This was before we ever heard of the term PMS. After I had been married a year or so I started to hear of this condition. What a relief! I wasn't crazy after all! If only I had known that years earlier. Since then, I realized that what I really need to do is just be away from all human beings for about 2 days mid month and then again 2 days before day 1. Like that has ever happened. I think the beach scenario would be best for everyone involved.

About the time I do have it figured out, I am sure I will be in menopause and will have a whole new set of hormones (or lack of) to figure out.

CHICKENS!!!!

i LOVE our chickens! They are really my daughter's chickens, but she lets me gather their eggs whenever I want.....it's like finding treasure everytime! She raised 5 chickens from chicks (they were a day old when she got them). They started out by living in our laundry room for about 3 months to make sure they were kept warm. A rather dusty and noisy situation. She has four different types: Americauna (2), Plymouth Rock (1), Black Cochin (1) and Dark Brahma (1). They all have lovely names: Grace Kelly. Mrs. Darcy. Meg White. Dolorian. and Sandra Templeton. They are so soft and fluffy! They all have very sweet personalities, and will follow my daughter around. My daughter and my hubby designed a chicken coop and then built it. It is beautiful! The chickens are about 10 months old now. It was so exciting when they started laying eggs. I had this secret wish that I would be able to witness one of the chickens in the process of laying an egg. Not too long ago, as I was checking on the chickens I could tell one was kinda busy! It was extremely 'cool'. The chicken was standing, and an egg could be seen descending...kind of a quiet "ur ur ur" sound with the egg emerging with each "ur". These eggs are beautiful! You know eggs from the grocery store are ancient. They can be months old. We get to eat really fresh eggs around here! They are usually from one day to seven days old. YUM! They are better scrambled, in an omelette, in all baked goods.....SO much better....than store bought! I always tell the "girls", "thank you for your good work!" and I tell them to treat each other nicely! (That whole pecking order thing is so true.) Oh, but I do love them, they just make me HAPPY!

Recipes from Facebook!

Who says that Facebook is a waste of time? Just over the last few days there have been many recipes and meal ideas from several friends. I thought I should jot them down here so that I will have food planned for awhile. *Soup, Stew, Chili (with cornbread) *Hot dogs & tator tots *Homemade pizza *Bar-B-Que glazed chicken with a baked potatoe and a salad *Chicken Tacos *Chicken Alfredo *Shepherds Pie *Clam Chowder *allrecipes.com *Hamburger Pie (hamburger "crust" with mashed potatoes, green beans, cream of mushroom or chicken soup mixed in with cheese on top) *Taco Burgers (brown a pound of ground beef, add a jar of salsa, put on buns with a slice of processed cheese on top! *Chili Chicken and Coconut Rice (sounds yummy....I need the recipe!) * Chicken ala King * I need to leave now......but will post the other recipes that I have received on Facebook in a bit.....

Now, mind you, I have been trying to do a little more cooking this week. BUT....I have noticed: tons of dishes, tons of prep, tons of time.......not really motivating. I don't know if it has really saved any money. More nutritious? Perhaps.

just breathe......

Listening to the breathing of a loved one who's breaths are broken by a 15-20 second long phase of not breathing, then labored intakes of air, followed by another phase that makes me not breathe as well. The human body is so amazing. At times it is so delicate and frail, not much can take away a life. At other times the body is shockingly tough. Abuse, disease, neglect doesn't seem to put a chink in it. The winding down of a life well lived.

Listening to the breathing of a newborn just a few hours old. Sweet, soft, rythmic. So quickly perfecting this new skill as she enters the world. Holding me in awe of the miracle of life. A life that will have nearing a billion breathes.

Did your spirits pass each other and converse? Did she share advice and wisdom with this sweet inocent spirit? Take notice of this wonder of breathing. Breathe in deep. and slow. and slowly exhale......

Miss Representation Extended Trailer

Please Share!

Please share the Miss Representation extended trailer www.youtube.com posted below! It makes me want to scream and cry! What the HELL are we teaching our (especially) kids and society in general? The Miss America Pageant is on tomorrow night, this is the supposedly "Good" pageant....the Miss USA Pageant is the one associated with Trump & considered the trashy one....but after my involvement at one of the state Miss America Pageants this past year I can only say I was shocked and disturbed! I cannot believe that in the year 2012 we are still only looking at a female's appearance to determine her worth. Come on ladies! Don't put up with it! We are worth SOOOOOOOOOOO much more!

Write this down! Take a little note.....

Nowadays, more than ever, I need to write things down. To do lists are a constant. I have yet to figure out a consistant, efficient way to write these lists. I also have employed a technique now and then over the years for expressing hard to handle feelings. Write a letter to whomever you are having difficult feelings towards. Compose it over the course of several days or weeks if you need to. Profread it. Make sure it says EXACTLY what you need it to. Now hang onto it and decide if you want it delivered to someone, or if you just need to shread or burn it. I have done this on several occasions and I am tellin' you that it works! Today I was at a class, "unleashing the power within"......if interested I can give you more info..... and we were taught to write about a negative feeling that we are having and keep writing, whatever comes into your mind, for up to maybe a half hour. If you pause, keep your pen on the paper. You will know when you are done. If you write about a person, or persons, and feel you need their forgiveness for holding onto these negative feelings about them, then visualize them (DON'T go and put these negative feeling on them!) and subconciously ask for their forgiveness....than ask for our Heavenly Father's forgiveness....and forgive yourself. Then crumple up the writing and burn it. Watch the smoke rise to the heavens and let go of the negative feelings. I think this is a great idea and I am going to give it a try. I think we get so far away from actually using a pen or pencil anymore due to our electronic devices that it is becoming a lost form of communication. Any of you that still write letters and mail them, Good Job! It is always nice to receive something in the mail that is not an advertisement or bill. Let me know if you try the writing suggestions and how it works for you....

Wow! Time really does fly by! I could swear that I posted just 3 days ago....but it has been more than a week! We are awaiting the birth of our 3rd grandchild.....a girl! Everytime we hear from one of the parents we wonder if it's to tell us that she is here! Very fun. They are keeping the name they have chosen top secret. I think that is very fun, also. I hope that the daddy does not choose a name like the ones he suggested for his new sister when he was 5 years old. He wanted us so badly to name his new sister "Sally" or "Abudada". I have no idea of where he got the last one. The first one could have come from a video tape (probably one of two that we owned at the time) I cannot even remember the name of it, but there was a "Sally in a red dress" and it was a children's sing along type video. Hope your New Year is going well......

The Dieting Epilogue

I began dieting when I was in the fourth grade. That is 9 or 10 years old. This was just a few years after Twiggy had exploded around the world as a super model. My friend, Andrea, and I (probably the two most developed 4th graders) decided we would bring a boiled egg and carrot sticks to school for lunch. This launched years of dieting and feeling dissatisfied with my body. After that there was:

cosmopolitan magazine diet

$13.00 a week for food and 500 -800 calories a day diet in college (then pneumonia and fiance breaks off the wedding, depression diet)

(My hubby married me at this low weight....and has NEVER said anything to me over the years to make me feel bad about my weight...he could have said I tricked him.)

weight watchers

nutrisystem

richard simmons

jenny craig

(My daughter in first grade wrote this about her mom: My Mom loves salads and loves to clean. Yeah, right.)

low carb

low fat

isogenix

herbal life

shape for life

....these are just some of the diets I strictly adhered to for weeks and months at a time. Then lets add exercise:

Hips,thighs and butts

Aerobics hit the scene!

My first Gym membership

Walking

Speed Walking

How to flatten your stomach

More Aerobic classes!

Walking every morning at 666 am, oops! a typo...that was suppose to be 6 am.

My second Gym membership (oh, maybe if I go twice a day)

Water aerobics.....man, why do we keep getting strep?

various excercise classes

Always walking

Health Glider

treadmill

stationary bicycle

I do not believe that 3500 calories equals a pound. Gained or lost. Just look around at people. Genetics DOES play a part! Metabolisms are not equal! I come from sturdy pioneer genes that survived the trek West! I gave birth to 8 pound babies and would only have lost maybe 6 pounds! Never mind the placenta and all the other stuff!

Don't even think about adding up the money, time, effort spent.

I can tell you calorie counts, nutrition facts, I spent years keeping track of every bite and every minute of exercise. I have drowned in water consumption. I have crawled on the floor with zero energy. I have NOT vomited. I now weigh more than I ever did being 9 months pregnant in my four pregnancies. And I am happier. I threw away the scale years ago because I did not want it to dictate my feelings. I also did not want my daughters to go through the same things with weight and low self-esteem.

Let me just say this, quit wasting your life away. Moderation is the way. Eat and exercise for health. To feel good. Go play with your kids. Quit fixating. Quit self-loathing.

As you can tell, I could go on and on about this subject. Maybe I will at a later date.