It Is What It Is

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Well, by this time tomorrow I will be just about ready to get off the plane from where I am traveling!  We leave before the A** Crack of Dawn to take a very early morning flight.  Say prayers that the traveling God's are on our side and everything goes off without a hitch.  I'm looking forward to my little trip and am a little anxious about leaving too.  I know that things will be fine at home while I'm gone- but I can't help feeling a little apprehensive and guilty all at the same time. 

Eldest on the other hand can't wait to see my tail lights leaving the driveway.  You see, I can't do anything to her satisfaction.  My leaving is a blessing and a curse thrown into one.  Blessing because I'm gone and she won't have to "deal with me."  (Her words, not mine.)  Curse because I'm gone and Dad runs an even tighter ship while Mom's away.  Her social life will be severely curtailed this week/end.  "Please talk to dad and explain...." (Again- her words.  How can you be glad I'm gone and then expect me to do your bidding at the same time?!)

This morning she called me while on her way to school to thank me for ruining her day because she didn't have a lunch.  "What?!!"  I actually, pulled her lunch out of the fridge, placed it on the table next to her purse, gathered the papers she needed to remember to take to school and wrapped up a cake she was taking in for a friend's birthday.  "The dogs got my lunch- thanks a lot!"  "I'm sorry, I thought I was actually trying to help you...."  Geesh, what was I thinking?  I know, I was thinking she's gonna forget this lunch in the fridge because she's running late.  I tell ya' the nerve of some mothers!

Au revior, Adios' and farewell...I'll have lots of photos and fun to share when I return. 

Graces- 8 of 52

 My 8th grace is actually a combination of things- but it starts with this bracelet.  I had been wanting a charm bracelet similar to this one for awhile. It was one of those wanting things you keep tucked in the back of your head or you mention in passing to a girlfriend as you admire their version of the charm bracelet.   I actually hadn't ever even mentioned that I was interested in this type of jewelery to Beloved.  During the holidays, my sister and I were having one of those conversations about  jewelery.  She had recently started a charm necklace and I casually said I would love to have one as a bracelet.  That was the end of the conversation. 

Fast forward to my birthday back in January.  Beloved along with the children gave me a bracelet along with several charms!  I was floored!  "How did you know,"  I exclaimed?  Beloved then told me that he had overheard my sister and I discussing over Christmas.  This bit of information surprised me on several fronts. 

1.  He listened and then remembered something so casually.  

2.  He researched and took the time to find this piece of Jewelery he knew nothing about.

3.  Purchased said jewelery and got the children involved in the process.  

I was blown away.  This gesture has meant more to me than probably any other gift he's ever given me.  Not because I really wanted this bracelet, but because it was so unexpected.  Anyone can go and buy a gift based on a request.  I never asked for this and watched and listened to clues about something that would have meaning for me.  That spoke volumes to me.  Also, it is absolutely adorable how cute he is about explaining the meaning of all the charms and how he picked each one and the painstaking process he went through deciding on the perfect charm. 

Additionally, I'm about to embark on a little "women's retreat" in the next few days.  I'll be leaving Beloved back at the homestead with the children and the schedules and the activities and all that goes with that.  I know he doesn't like it when I go away.  Not because he doesn't want me to have some fun with my friends, but because he says he really does miss me when I'm gone.  I'm glad to know 20+ years later, that he can say that unabashedly and be totally sincere.  It means a lot to me that he wants me to go.  I feel a little guilty getting to get away from it all and let loose while he's at home holding down the fort.  I feel blessed that he wants me to go and to have a fabulous time.

So, thank you for the grace of your thoughtfulness, generosity of spirit and love.  I can't begin to tell you how deep my love and appreciation for those virtues are returned. 

Come On, Everybody's Doing It

Well, it's official, we've finally jumped the shark as a family....We are now a family of 5 with 4 of them Blogging.....Allow me to share.

(Please oh please forgive the fact that with stupid typepad- they don't make it easy to link something, (unlike friendly blogspot....but I just don't have the time to move everything over...)

Youngest- well, I'm not going to share her little spot.  She's only 9 and most of her stuff probably won't make much sense, but she kept asking if she could start one, and I thought, why not, as long as we don't get too personal and we keep it among the family.  I'm not a crazy Internet police mama, but I just don't think I need to publicize her little on-line journal.  She's learning some great skills, and she' definitely self taught, so I say keep on keepin' on, Youngest!

Eldest- Now, I will share her site, not because I feel that much differently, but she's got a My Space and a Facebook and is pretty open.  She's also almost 18.  I don't know how long she'll be blogging, but I had to share what she's recently posted.  (She's now deleted all of her posts except this one, as she was using her site as an online Ranting Site...)  Now, I will preface her post with a big OMG- her writing/grammatical stuff makes me cringe!  Yes, she's getting ready to graduate high school and she's much to much a product of IMing, texting, etc...I did inform her that there is this little thing called spell and grammar check....

Anyways, back to the important part.  She knocked Beloved and me right out our chairs.  She really opened up and shared her heart.  I won't sugarcoat, I'm a tough Mom on her.  We are at odds a lot- but I guess (and pray) all those quarters in the therapy jar are paying off...check it out- www.lifesahardship.blogspot.com .  (Can't you just tell by her title, how truly special she is....)

Next up on deck, Beloved at www.only4atime.blogspot.com.  Ok, he's totally getting into this blogging thing.  I mean, he's really embraced it!  Actually, when we were in college, he wrote a lot.  He would write the most amazing letters to me, after he had already graduated and I was still in school.  Like everything in life, times change and you fall away from the things that you sometime enjoyed and just don't take the time for anymore.  Writing was that for him.  I'm glad he's expressing himself this way again.  He can be extremely serious or downright funny, check him out and you decide.

I don't suppose Middle One will jump on- he's in a pubescent lazy funk....if the dogs start blogging, I'm outta here!

Office Gossip

Today I had the unexpected pleasure of lunch with one of my colleagues.  I am a pharmaceutical rep and work in a specific geographic territory.  My other "team members" work in different geographic areas, and never the two shall meet.  However, once in awhile, one of my closer located team mates, has to  come into my area to call on a satellite office of one of her physicians.  Today was that day- and surprisingly enough, I was working in the town that the office is located. 

It's fun to be able to sit down and just gab about mutual work stuff and not bore your lunch partner to tears.  Her complaints are my complaints, things that make her say "Uughhh!"  Make me say  "Uughh" too. 

Well, during our lunch time gabfest, she told me a little sump'n-sump'n that she found out inadvertently and it's something that I can't repeat to anyone because if it is found out it will be known that it came from her or her source and that would mean big trouble for the both of them.  This bit of information is of monumental purport ion-stuff that really smokes my engine!  I'm totally ticked and I can't say a darn tootin' thing about it!  So, dear readers- you get to listen to me complain about this- without giving any details!  A certain person has been given access to certain information regarding other people.  That's all I can say.  I know- it sounds like a whole lot of nothin'-but believe me if you knew the details- you'd be just as p*****off that I am!  I mean, righteously ticked off!!

Don't you hate when you hear stuff that makes you mad and you can't spout off about it?  I mean really, where's the justice!?

Graces- 7 of 52

MY SWEET VALENTINE

Well, I've been a little lame in the posting department and I had this super great post planned for Valentine's Day and then because I couldn't find the photo I wanted to use- I just didn't do one.  I was planning on posting a photo of Beloved and I from one of our early dates (I think officially it was # 2 or #3)  We went to a Valentine Date party at his Fraternity house.  It was a photo of us in all of our fancy date party finery.  I can see the photo in my head as plain as day- but I've torn through photo album after photo album and couldn't find that dadgum picture. 

Then it occured to me, you know, just because you didn't do a Valentine Post, no reason you can't remind Beloved that he is indeed one of your graces in life and he's your forever valentine!

 

So there you go, never take your graces for granted!  I sure don't!

Graces- 6 of 52

I have arthritis in my left knee.  Sometimes I forget that I have arthritis because the pain is nonexistent and I can walk with my normal gate.  Other times, the pain is debilitating and I walk like an 80+ year old person.  I can definitely tell the weather by my how my knee is feeling.  If there is any kind of a front moving in, it hits my left knee before the weather has actually changed.  This is why my 6th Grace is for a little yellow and white pill, called Celebrex.

Celebrex is my salvation from knee pain.  If it weren't for this drug, I would be living on painkillers in order to get through the day.  This little pill deals not only with the pain but also the inflammation making the pain go away.  So, once I get the pain controlled, I don't necessarily have to  

 

take the pill everyday.  If I have a flare up, I pop my recommended dose and go on my merry way.   I'm in no way getting anything from this testimonial regarding Celebrex.  I'm just saying, that because of my use of this product, I'm able to function and do things like this....

      And hopefully, someday my backside and thighs will look like that too!  (Now there's something to be grateful about!!)

(And now for the disclaimer and fair balance...Celebrex may not be for everyone, you must consult your doctor before deciding if Celebrex is right for you.  So, don't be scamming free samples or stealing from your friend's medicine cabinents....thank you!)

Father Daughter Dance

This past weekend was the annual Father/Daughter Dance at our school.  As usual, Daughter was jumping out of her skin with excitement and Dad was thinking of ways to bribe daughter to avoid attending.  (joking....)  Seriously, Dad gets a little nerved up about attending these things- and always ends up having a terrific time.  This year, I believe he even danced a few more times than last year.

 

There's C showing off her curled up hair and wearing her great-grandma's pearls.  This year she went for a more "dressy but casual" looking dress with leggings, no socks/tights in her party shoes. 

 

There's Daddy putting on her wrist corsage.  The ladies at my favorite floral shop actually asked me when I was picking it up- "Now, your 9 year old is not going to the Turn-About dance is she?"  (One of the local high school's dance was last night too...)  "No."  I assured them- but really... they thought that was a possibility? 

 

Don't they make a cute couple?  Well, another dance checked off the list.  I wonder what will be the cut off for C?  Many of the girls who have older sisters did not attend with little sister and dad.  Soon, it will be C and some young man posing for these photos.  Enjoy her while you can, soon she'll be embarrassed to be seen with either of us.

 

I couldn't resist, Julie was right- this is fun!!

Conundrum

I'm existing in a conundrum these days.  A conundrum you say- whatever is that and why are you living there?

Conundrum : a question or problem having only a conjectural answer : an intricate and difficult problem

 

I'm living in a conundrum because I did something that I can't take back or change.  I'm trying like hell to make it right, but it seems that whatever path I take to make amends, is the wrong one and I end up making things worse. 

 

I'm the first person to admit when I've made a mistake.  I'm all about making it right. I want to fix it and forget it.   I would never intentionally hurt or damage someone that I care deeply about.  Recently, I have done just that.  Try as I might, the words are not enough.  It can not be fixed in a quick and efficient manner.  I have had to step outside myself on more than one occasion to "put myself in their shoes."  The shoes don't fit and I don't know what else to do.

 

 

Apologize- 

: a formal justification,  an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret; a poor substitute. 

 

Reading that definition has shed some light.  "A poor substitute."  When you've done something wrong- the act of the apology is most certainly a poor substitute for the act.  Are apologies for the wronger or the wrongee?  Do we has humans ever really accept those apologies?  Can we ever forgive?  Truly forgive?

 

Forgiveness-the act of forgiving, willing or able to forgive; allowing room for error or weakness.  There's something to think about- "allowing room for error or weakness."  I think that when you're dealing with an apology and forgiveness is needed - weakness is shown by both parties.  It must be in order to move forward.  One must bend forward while another is bending backward for things to work out.  Which leads us to trust.

 

Trust- responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone or something assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b: one in which confidence is placed. 

"Responsibility for the safety and well-being of someone."  That portion of the definition really struck me.  When I thought about trust, those words never came to mind, but really isn't that what it's all about?  If you trust someone, you want to make sure that they're okay all of the time.  Safe and secure.  You feel confident in your ability to make that person feel safe and secure.  It's sometimes difficult to feel that way in the world we live in today.  It's what you wish and pray for everyday, for yourself, your children, your spouse. 

 Once the trust wall has taken a hit, it takes a hell of a lot to fix it.  Fix it and  forget it.  Unfortunately, in this case, that is not going to happen.  Not right now, probably not tomorrow and certainly not next week. So, in the meantime, I'll keep working on my conundrum. 

 

 

Graces- 5 of 52

As I've stated before, I love books.  For my 5th grace I want to focus in on Audiobooks and why I love them.   First of all, I spend a lot of time in my car on a daily basis.  Personally, I'm over talk radio and you can only listen to the same top 40 songs so many times.  I am grateful for Books on Tape or Audiobooks- whatever you call them they give me my reading fix while I'm driving without jeopardizing other drivers or myself.  (I'm slightly embarrassed to admit, that I have driven and read at the same time-I do not endorse this behavior in any way...)  Which is why I love audiobooks.   

 Some of my most favorite reads have been listened to....I wrote a post about "To Kill a Mockingbird."  Recently, I listened to all 32 cd's of Ken Follet's "The Pillars of the Earth."  Wow- what a fabulous story and I felt like I enjoyed the story more because the characters were so real to me through the narrator's interpretation of them. 

I love listening to mystery/thrillers.  Brian Haig's Major/Colonel Sean Drummond is an outstanding Listen to...I probably have listened to more of John Grisham's than read them. 

Another favorite thing for me to listen to are books that I have previously read and really enjoyed and would be inclined to read again- but because I found them on tape- listening to them is like reading the book again for the first time.  (I know that doesn't' really make sense- even though I know what will happen- I still enjoy the story unfolding via the narrator. )

I also am grateful that my local library has such a great selection of audiobooks to choose from.  I know folks who love going to sites on the Internet, (i.e. Audible.com) to download books to their MP-3 players.  I'm not that fancy, I like regular old CD's- even cassette tapes- but my car doesn't have a tape player any longer. 

I also enjoy checking out authors I've never read via the audiobook.  Especially, the books that everyone has supposedly read- but I'm behind the times a bit...case in point- I've never read anything by Dan Brown.  A good friend gave me "Angels and Demons" on CD for Christmas and it's on deck next for a great listen to...."

Books on tape- I'm grateful!

Hey, ya'll.....

I know I've been missing in action for a few days.   Things have been a bit busy.  I thought I'd share a few pics from the weekend-  Indoor soccer season is in full swing and so is Indoor Lacrosse.

 

 

The team together again- with a few new faces....

 

Coach Josh rallying the team!

 

Run, Forrest, Run....Now the soccer shots I was able to take between the holes in the net...the Lacrosse, not so much.  I honestly felt myself getting nauseous trying to watch the action through the net.....

 

Playing Defense, well actually just standing there watching the action....

 

Warming the bench, 5th player in on the left....

 

Enough already with the net, it's very annoying!!