It Is What It Is

Graces- 4 of 52

My friend, C.

 So, everyone needs a C in their life.  She's the friend you know you can turn to for just about anything.  She's my eternal comic relief.  If there ever was a person destined for Reality TV stardom, this woman has it in the bag.  (Are you listening Jeff Probst from Survivor, or how about  Big Brother?!)  C would instantly be the most popular person on the island or in the house.  She would for sure win- because no one would vote her off, just because she is so freaking entertaining. 

Is there a game show for Pop Culture references?  Again, C would win hands down.  She remembers everything that was ever on television, in a movie or a book. 

She has this uncanny ability to sum up any situation or person with a perfect pop culture reference- and totally nail it!

Her sense of humor aside, this gal would go to the wall for you.  Personally, I'm glad she's on my side!  She wears many hats- mother, wife, daughter, sister, organizer of all events, cheerleader of all things, supporter of needs,  friend extraordinaire! 

One of my favorite movies of all times is Steel Magnolias.  C - you're my Weezer!  (I say that with love and affection!)

XOXO

Surprise!

"I get by with a little help from my friends."
- John Lennon

I promise this is the last time I will mention my birthday.  And honestly, this has less to do with my birthday than it has to do with how lucky and blessed I am to be in the friendship of some very fine women. 

 

This past Friday, these adorable gals staged a surprise birthday luncheon for me.  Can I just say how utterly and completely surprised and humbled I was by this event?!  I've never been given a surprise party before.  Talk about rockin your world.  I'm still so taken back by the thoughtfulness and generosity that was shared with me.

So this group here, weren't they all having a spectacular hair day?  Really, everyone looked so beautiful that day.  The gal in the middle, that's L and she was the mastermind behind this little shindig.  She set the whole thing up- and what a fine job she did.  Totally surprised me- even got the Beloved involved. 

 

That's K and L- they've been friends for a long time.  I was so happy to see them there.

 

G, M and C- hidden is M-

 

Still hidden, M. 

I know these aren't the best photos, (again with too much tablescape and not enough faces) but it's important for me to showcase these fabulous gals- because they mean an awful lot to me.  Not just because they came to a birthday lunch, but because this little group has somewhat become my posse- and I'm proud to call them my friends.

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
- Abraham Lincoln

Isn't that the God's honest truth?  I want to also thank them for their generosity of spirit and for all the beautiful gifts they gave to me.  Again, I'm speechless and humbled.

Ok- now this is where it gets unbelievable-

 

Let me tell you about the dessert!  Well, sneaky little L- contacts Beloved and asks about my favorite sweet stuff- he says, well, she likes chocolate, you can't go wrong with cheesecake, but lately she's been craving peppermint ice cream.  Beloved thinks L is trying to come up with something to order off the menu.  NO WAY- guess what L did?  She researches recipes, can't find exactly what she's looking for- so guess what she does?  She comes up with her OWN recipe for "Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate ganache and peppermint."  Let me just tell you- it was spectacular!  I've been picking at it all weekend- and my diet has gone to hell.  (Holding up that cheesecake was no easy feat- I swear to Goodness it weighed about 10 pounds-before a bite even entered my mouth!)    So- to thank you- I want everyone to see just how special you are....(she's hates having her photo taken...)

 

"I count myselt in nothing else so happy
As in a soul rememb'ring my good friends."
- William Shakespeare

44 and Holding

This is the face of a 44 year old me- a self photographed -head on shot. 

 

Tomorrow this face will be 45.  I know that I have been waxing on about getting older.  You're all probably sick to death of hearing me talk about it- frankly- I'm sick of myself.  You will be glad to know that I've come to a decision- I'm embracing 45 in all it's glory.  I'm going to wear 45- loud and proud.  You know why- because I earned it!  I earned every bit of every little thing makes me the woman I am today. 

How did I come to this attitude adjustment?  Well, I had a little unintended heart to heart with a good friend  this morning.  I must say- she filled my soul with insight that I had been overlooking and/or diminishing it's importance.  These things were all notions that I knew in my heart of hearts- but sometimes you need to have it shoved in your face to get it.  I'm blessed abundantly in my life and I wouldn't wish to be at another age or time.  I'm where I'm supposed to be- right here right now.

P.S.  I will however, still talk about ways that I'd like to improve the outside package- so be looking forward to more adventures in Botox, the hope of Restyline and maybe a lift here or there.  ( A girl can dream can't she?) 

P.S.S.  This just in- (as I was writing this post) Eldest informed me that a Senior boy from her school told her boyfriend, "that I was HOT."  What do you think about that?  I'm not sure what I think about that.  My first ever, Hot comment!  Talk about a birthday present!  Thank you, Senior boy and Thank You, B for allowing me to embrace my inner Hotness!  (I'm slightly embarassed and laughing all the same!)

Random - Youngest

 I've been a little preoccupied with work for the last couple of days and haven't taken the time to write a decent post- so I thought I'd post some random photos.  Today, I'll focus on Youngest.  In the future, I will be sure to give equal time to the other two- Lord knows, I'll hear about it!

This is youngest a couple of years ago on a Brownie Field trip- riding horses.

  Me, Beloved and Youngest after the Christmas Program at school.

  Youngest with friend at an ice skating party.

 More silliness!

  "Lucy, I'm hoooome!"  Youngest with dance team member from a competition.  Youngest loves the stage and loves to perform.

  OH MY GOSH- It's a gaggle of Lucy's!!

  Mainly because I couldn't flip the dang photo around, I thought I'd mix it up and switch the side the photo would appear- (I'm such a novice...)  Anyways- I loved that tutu- I'd wear it if I could!

Singing a solo in another Christmas  Program....

Dance class at Halloween- she's the dead Prom Queen...

 

We've got another 8 or so years before this little chickadee flies the coop-  She's by far the most amiable of my three children.  (I don't have favorites- but if I did...she'd rank right up there-) if only she didn't end up in my bed everynight.  Hopefully, by the time she graduates, that will have stopped.

I think we'll keep her.

Graces- 3 of 52

 

See that last line- "Senior Graduation Fee 2008-09."  Yep- not only have I had to pay for 4 years of high school- I have to pay to get Eldest Graduated.....and guess what?!  I couldn't be more ecstatic about it!  Yes- my baby- (my eldest baby) is graduating from high school this May.  It hardly seems possible that this time has come.   I can remember my elders always telling me, just you wait, once you're an adult, time flies.  That ain't no joke, my friends!  It seems as though she just started high school 4 months ago- and now in 4 months she'll be a high school graduate! 

I used to joke (but I was dead serious) let me just get this kid through grade school and then Junior High- and well- she's gotten herself through high school.  Beloved and I are extremely proud of her and grateful for the woman she has become.  We are looking forward to see where that next adventure takes her- I know she'll follow that path with grace. 

Comments- I NEED Your Help!

 I have received some feedback that it is difficult to post a comment after a posting.  I have tried on a few occasions to post a test comment, and have not had any problems.  I have gone to the  comment control area of my host site and opened any areas that would restrict or make posting difficult. 

Can you please let me know if you encounter any difficulties and what they might be?  I believe, that without a typepad account, you should be able to type in your name (first name only,) then your e-mail address, type your comments in the "Post" area and then hit submit.  It will then bring up a security word screen, whereby you type in the letters in the box and hit submit again.  It may not show your comment right away.  If you have any difficulty along the way, won't you please let me know? 

I would hate to think that folks are trying to comment and then hit a snag and just move on and never try again.  I know it's an extra step, but if you can not post a comment, please e-mail me at debshull@yahoo.com.  I appreciate your patience, diligence and the fact you want to let me know what you think!  Nothing makes me happier than knowing folks are reading what I wrote and feeling the need to share their feelings about it! 

Thanks again- please keep trying!

I Can Admit When I Need to Eat Crowe

In addition to the fact that I'm celebrating a mid-decade birthday this year, I will also be celebrating my 20th Anniversary with Beloved in August.  We've been together about five years longer than that.  That's quite a long time to be with one person.  It's interesting to look back on the last 20+ years and think of how far we've come as a couple.  We've both changed as people and I'd like to think for the better.  One thing I often wonder is after all of this time, how welll does this other person know me?

Yeah, sure we've been married for this long time and of course you're going to know things about this person you're sleeping next to - but do they really know me?  Do I really know them as well as I think I do?  (I'm being fair here- it's not a one way street.)   Sometimes, as you're just plodding along, working the calendar, moving onto the next thing, you forget to talk.  I mean really communicate.  Perhaps, other couples make it a priority to really make time for "couple" time.  It's not that we don't want to or that it's not important, it's just that sometimes life gets in the way.  (Doe that make sense to any of you?)  I mean, sometimes, when we're just trying to exchange information, our kids end up interrupting and we end up not even finishing our exchange.  So where am I going with this, right?

Well, I found this 35 question love quiz on the Internet.  How well do you know your partner?  I cut and pasted the quiz and e-mailed it to my Beloved, hoping he would take the time to reply.  I quickly answered and sent my answers back to him.  The idea was to answer questions how your partner would answer.    Here's a sample of the questions, some were simple, others were more thought provoking.

What Color are my eyes?  (lets hope you get this one correct...)

If I were stranded on a desert island and allowed one luxury item what would it be?

What was your first impression of me?

What is my best feature?

What is one of my dreams?

What is one of my fears?

Can you read me by looking in my eyes?

Am I shy or outgoing?

What's my favorite type of music?

If there was one good nickname for me, what would it be?

The first thing I ever gave you?

My shoe size?

This is just a sampling, but you get the idea.  Here's where I was surprised.  I answered my questions, quickly and efficiently.  Some with one word answers.  I thought I had done a fairly good job completing the quiz.  Well, can I just say Beloved knocked it out of the park!  I mean, the guy had very thoughtful surprising answers.  He didn't just say the color of my eyes, he explained why he loved the color of my eyes.  He answered things about me that I never would have dreamed he'd thought about me.  I mean, talk about knocking my socks off.  He was sweet and thought provoking.  Ordinarily, he's a man of few words.  He once told me I gave him too much credit, he wasn't that complicated.  He proved me and himself wrong with his answers. 

I felt instantly bad for my short, quick answers.  I felt like I shortchanged him.  He didn't seem to mind and felt I knew him pretty well.  I guess I was the one  who was surprised - he knew me better than I thought and in some cases, better than I knew myself.   And that makes me look even more forward to the next 20 years and the adventures to come. 

Snow Day- I mean A COLD Day

 

Well, my kid's dream came true-school was closed tonight for tomorrow.  No getting up at 6:00 am to watch the closings and delays scroll across the screen, waiting patiently for your part of the alphabet to show up.  No sirree, tonight every single school district in the area had the decency to close tonight.  Personally, I think it's so those pesky superintendents can all stay in their warm little beds.  They didn't cancel school because of snow and ice, they canceled due to FRIGID temperatures and wind chill factors.  Happily, the children now have a 4 day weekend!  Yeah, me!

Bundle up and stay warm!                            It's gonna be a cold one!

Graces- 2 of 52 ( and a 2 for 1)

Since I missed week one of 52 Graces- I wanted to get caught up so I wouldn't fall behind.  That's a habit of mine- falling behind- procrastinating....(a topic for another day- let's get to the Grace.)

My Dansko Clogs 

Although, a bit beat up, they are by far the most comfortable shoes I own.  I would wear them everyday if comfort was the only factor in selecting a shoe.  I personally think they're kind of cute- but regardless of the cuteness factor, I would wear them anyway.  I wear them around the house just because it's more comfortable to wear them than go barefoot.  I especially wear them if I am going to be on my feet for an extended period of time.  If you have never tried a pair on, I highly recommend  that you do.  You may not get that good feeling right away, but give it time- they will grow on you.  You'll never want to take them off.

Now for part 2 of 2- I'm extremely grateful that I was able to make it home tonight and without incidence.  I am also grateful that my co-workers were able to do the same.  We were in Grand Rapids for a one day sales meeting.  My drive usually takes about 3 hours.  Tonight, due to weather conditions, it took 5 hours.  Thanks, to my buddy, Joyce for driving the majority of it. 

Headin' Out

I have to go out of town for one night.  It's tonight, I'm just about ready to go.  When I have to go out of town, it usually ends up being a bigger deal than it needs to be.  Part of that reason is because I'm the one who runs the schedule.  The big family schedule in the sky.  I guess writing times and places on the calendar is not enough- there are all those little things I take for granted that I know (and guess what Beloved does too....)  that not everyone else bothers to know or follow up on. 

For example, here's a sample conversation between me and mine-

Beloved:  So, do I have to pack lunches tomorrow?

Me:  Yes

Beloved:  Oh, great...

Me:  Really?...it's not a big deal

Beloved:  I suppose I have to worry about dinner?

Me:  No, I'm taking care of it.

Beloved:  Have you written down when everyone has to be everywhere?

Me:  There really isn't much.  Just school.  Youngest has Art Club after school and Eldest is picking her up.

Beloved:  Are you kidding me?!  I hope we have  a snow day tomorrow so I don't have to worry about all this stuff!

Thank the good Lord, there wasn't more on the agenda or we'd really be in trouble.  (please note extreme sarcasm- NOT!)

Wish me luck!  And here's wishing for a snow day so Beloved doesn't have to worry.