Lots of Blessings

Here I am again, but Bill and Robin have already told you all the stuff i was going to. Makes no difference actually. The whole point is to tell you how blessed we are as a family. As i say my prayers each night I thank God for all my blessings, and there are many. Safe in the car on our trip, being able to be with family even though we are a lot of miles apart. Having the best friends and family that is possible. For now the good health to be able to make these trips. And being able to afford the trip considering the economy. As most "little People" in the financial world we have been hit hard in our investments. So we just have to ride it out. As the song goes "you have to know when to hold them and know when to fold them". Well we have decided not to fold them. It will work out in time. Maybe this is a wake up call to all the greedy people to think more about the world and its people. The oil people sure are getting the BIG wake up call for their greed. As are the automotive people and the loan companies that let greed get to them. Unfortunatly it has also affected the world economy at the same time. Who gets the worse of it? The hard working people that keep this economy afloat. Now they have no money to spend and everything is affected. Surprised? I'm not. ok off the soap box before this is 6 pages long. May this be a happy and healthy New Year for us all.

Party, Party, Party!

You would think we were party animals reading the title. We are, at least last night anyway. First we went to the Red Hat Ball. All those lovely ladies in their beautiful dresses and hats. Some were so decorated you would think they would break their necks. But most had more feathers than a Peacock. No kidding! I just sit there staring at them because they are so elaborate, and beautiful. Mine just has a red and purple band and a couple of feathers. Now you would have to see one to believe it. I have no idea where they get the bright Red and purple feathers. They are gigantic, some at least two foot long. That must be a heck of a bird to catch in a exotic land somewhere and pull feathers from. LOL.. Then there is the dancing. When there is a slow one the husbands, or friend, get up to dance. But when the line dancing starts there are only one or two men. One of our ladies is 86 yrs young. She is up there doing the "Boot Scooting Boogie", " Electric slide" and all the other line dances you can think of. Others are in their 60s and 70s. They are amazing and so much fun to be around. I am one of the younger ones in our group. There are 2 sides of getting older and i love this side. I am doing things i wouldn't have done when i was young. I missed a lot believe me, you will too if you don't play as i am doing. Anyway the second party was at the condo with neighbors and friends. We played games, actually quizes, like telling the end of OLD advertisements, and i do mean old. And guessing the names of people in movies by the part they played. Some were before i was born so i didn't get a lot of those. Then we played dirty Santa. It's a stealing game, you put all your gifts in a pile, everyone gets a number. The # 1 player picks a gift, after that it's a laugh fest. When it's your turn you can steal from anyone who has gone before you. Some people hide theirs because they don't want it to be taken. But it is really fun. SO I hope your holiday parties are as fun as ours were last night. Have a wonderful Christmas, celebrate the birth of our Lord, and hope that Santa brings you wonderful gifts. And your New Year is filled with blessings.

YES I DID IT!

Can you tell i am excited! I got my blood tests results back. I am so proud of myself. My cholesterol is 172, down from 240. My Triglycerides are 152, down from over 300 plus. For me that is reason to celebrate. It means i am healthier than i have been in a long time. Not that it's going to make the damage I've already done go away. I am realistic enough to know that. But it makes me happy that i set a goal and reached it. I wish i had done it sooner. All of us have wishes, but you know what they are hard to make come true. You have to actually work very hard to make wishes come true. And still very few do. But those few mean a lot to the person wishing, It can be something as simple as mine today, or it can be something really really important. At the same time you have to be careful what you wish for. Some times you realise too late maybe you don't want it to come true, sometimes it's too late and not what you really wanted. Maybe setting goals is a better way to get your wishes. Only you have control over the goals. You are allowed to go back and say maybe i set that goal too high so i will set it a little lower so i can really get there. All wishes have to be realistic as all goals. But with the goals you can adjust the way, the style, the time, you want to reach it. So now i've said my little piece for today and wish you all a happy New Year. (Set your goals) and a very Merry Christmas.

Paying attention

We had both a Joyous and semi sad Holiday. Being with family was wonderful. Having to see those you have loved so many yrs get older and infirmed is sad. But as we grow older it is guaranteed to happen. Just have to be grateful for the yrs you have with them. I have family on my fathers side i have neglected. Not because i don't care but because they are, for the most part healthy and doing well considering their age. One aunt turned 86 yesterday, she lives in Mass. Another lives in Hawaii and has for yrs. Then there is one in High Point, Then I have a uncle who lives in Fla. He is with his daughter. But that doesn't mean i should forget any of them. She reminded me i haven't been in touch for a while and they were worried i wasn't well. Here i am 20 yrs younger and they worry about me. Well I am using my calendar to remind myself from now on. Life has gotten in the way I'm afraid. you know how it is, you say to yourself "I need to call, do, go see," And then something happens and you just plain ole forget because some thing else is happening. So it doesn't get done. I think we all need to be more aware of those relatives and stay in touch. It doesn't take much time out of your life. As for me i am setting aside a day and calling all of them from now on. Just like i took time to go see my ex mother in law in the nursing home this week. i really care about her, she is a great lady. And i really enjoyed talking to her. OK I'm getting off the soap box again. But I hope you make the effort to stay in touch. You will feel better. Til' next time, God bless

Feel Goods

Yesterday i did a good deed, and it made me feel good. Just a simple thing can affect your life so easily. Three of my Red hat sisters and i went to a Red hat sisters' home and cleaned it for her. She went up north to visit and the love of her life and companion died. It was a very important part of her life and it devastated her. She is coming home for Thanksgiving so we went over. (One of the ladies has a key) It took very little time since there were 4 of us. She is supposed to get a new puppy, but we don't know if it will before or after she comes home. It will help her heal. It is amazing what a pet can do for your life. It will make you laugh, it will comfort you when you are sad, it gives you someone to talk to. They are just a treasure to have. God knew what he was doing when he made animals and let us tame them to be pets. Some people go thru life with attitudes that forbid animals, whether from fear or just disgust who knows. Then there are those who claim not to want pets in the house, or don't like animals. But melt when a pet cuddles up to them. Then there are those of us who realise what a special gift that a animal is. No matter the mood, you can be guaranteed love with no strings attached. I had a Cocker spaniel when i was a kid. She was with me till i was a senior in high school. I wasn't real out going like i am today. Didn't have much confidence. I had great friends, you could say i was in the "in crowd" in fact because i was friends with them. But most of all i had Cindy. (my best friend also had a Cocker called Cinder) we both loved our dogs dearly. i could come home and lay all my troubles on Cindy and she would just snuggle up closer and love me. I could cry and she would kiss my tears away. I've had many pets since then but none were as important, and cared for me like she did. I'm sure my friend feels the same about Cinder. Teenage yrs are so traumatic anyway. Now don't get me wrong I've loved all my animals. Having to put Bandit to sleep hurt really bad. I had him 17 yrs. Teaser is my current love and he has given both of us so many happy moments. He's like the Bunny, he keeps on, and on. If we out live him that will be another really sad moment. He is another special one. OK, I set out to talk about feeling good. And don't want to end on a sad note. So to all of you who have pets be kind and love them like they love you. Do something special to make yourself feel good today. Life happens!

OLD? Who me?

I have a 44 yr old daughter and 2 granddaughters in college! What a wonderful situation to be in. I'd like to see the youngest graduate from college, he is 4, but chances are that won't happen. But I'm not upset. I also am not afraid. One of these days i will be seeing all those i love who have gone on before me. That includes my Lord God. Who could fuss or be scared of that? When some one asks me how old i am i tell them and am very happy to. I'm not ready to consider the alternative quite yet. I have too much to do in my life. I believe age is something to be looked forward to eagerly. The name of this blog is life and stuff. Well I am a firm believer that life happens. I may not be in the best shape health wise, but i am in very good shape attitude wise. Every day is an adventure and a learning experience. I look forward to waking up in the morning and finding out what life holds for me that day. Some time it is as simple as talking on the phone to some one i care about or love. Other days it is going out with friends and enjoying the conversation sitting around a table. Some times i find out i have a hidden talent, like painting ceramics different from the picture i look at. I found out I'm really not a good line dancer. Here i am at 65 with friends up to 83 yrs young laughing our way through the "Tush Push" Talk about entertaining!!! But we also sit around and brag about our children and grandchildren accomplishments. We hug each other when we meet and call each other names like "sweetie and honey" and say "Bless your heart" when appropriate like real southern ladies. Even though most are transplants from the Northern states. My view of "Damn Yankees" has been changed since spending time with them. Mostly because they have been transformed to southern ladies by the south. Years change us all i think. Our suroundings, our friends, our lives become the sum total of our life experiences. So that makes the yrs piling on well worth the experiences we have. So don't be afraid of getting old, it has many advantages. Well, this old gal is moving on to her next one, so you enjoy and cherish and learn as your life moves forward.

My weekend

I left here on Thursday to go to High Point for fall games of Special Olympics. I was a event manager at cycling. Those athletes never cease to amaze me. They ride those bikes like real pros. Actually they are pros in their chosen sport. They ride from one K to 40K and everything in between. It is a 2 day event, for some 3days in order to get positioned in their sport.
I get to see athletes from all over the state and coaches and parents. Those parents are great at supporting them. Then there are a 1000 volunteers doing many jobs from timing to cheering to scoring and more. And it is fun. You will never see a athlete stomping off because they came in 2nd or last. They finish and that is all that counts. Ribbons are just as prized as medals. They could teach us some lessons. Again this weekend i was touched and amazed. One of the athletes fell and the athletes behind him stopped and helped him get back on his bike, then they resumed the race. It made my heart smile and me feel good. I don't think i will ever stop being involved . I can't imagine not having them in my life. Ok enough about S.O. I also got to visit some old friends while there, including Pam, my sister. We had a really nice visit. She seemed to be doing well health wise. She talks about going to the Sr. Center and getting involved with card playing, etc. It will be good for her if she does. Robin was in Charlotte with her grandmother who is 91 and still a beautiful lady. She is not doing well but still has a great attitude. I am sur4e that is one of the things that keeps her with us. She is so loved by Robin. Actually she is the only grandmother Robin has left. So she always makes the extra effort to visit because she is such an important part of her life. When her time comes she will be sorely missed by many. I am so thankful she was a part of my life when i was younger. She still is thought of often by me. She taught me to be loving no matter what the changes in my life. Bill is also fond of her. They (the Catheys) always made us feel a part of the family, always welcoming us into their home when we came. I am so greatful to have people in my life that made me feel welcome and wanted.
have good days till i come back to run off at the mind. Take care.

You never know

This is going to be a busy week for me and I am looking forward to every day of it. Today i go to ceramics class. I am starting a clown and have all sorts of ideas of how i want to paint it. I may do it like my costume is, and how i paint my face. Anyway tomorrow we go to the nursing home and entertain the residents. They love the clowns to come see them. We bring them balloons and make them laugh, we sing and dance. Their smiles are the best we get to see. Then we go out to eat in our clown outfits and make more people smile. It's good for my heart i know that. Then Wed. we learn to line dance some more. Still haven't learned the tush push. But we are getting pretty good at the others. Then on Thurs. i will be going to High Point for Fall games of Special Olympics. I will come back home on Sunday providing i am not to worn out. LOL! I had to go back in and fix my last blog. I said Bill and i have been married for 37 yrs and it is actually 39 yrs. It was just another wonderful day, as all are . We are so blessed in so many ways every day. Life happens all around us and we just go on enjoying each other. Like i said we are blessed. Guess as you get older you "get it" and understand what a real relatioship can be if you work at it. Robin and Doug are back from Denver Co. Doug had a meeting there for his company and they let Robin go. She said it was in the 70s and they went to some really great places and had great food. It was their Anniv. (Nov first) also, Thanks to Dougs company, they got to spend it together in a really nice place.
Ok, once again i come to the end, and i will say Ciao (that's italian for those who wonder) from this wet and cool sea shore today. Have a blessed week.

A little more

I had to stop yesterday because i was getting too long winded. LOL! I tend to do that when i am really focusing. Don't let me get on my soapbox, i will go on and on forever. So i don't try to talk about politics or religion. Just have too many opinions about both subjects. Now Bill on the other hand can and does write about any subject he happens to be on that day, including both of the above. He amazes me too. He is so talented in so many ways. Don't think i have ever seen him start something and not finish it. He always figures out a way. With one exception, plumbing. He now leaves that to the professionals. Need i say more on that? LOL! He also amazes me. He has a way with words that can entertain you, or make you think, or feel good, or just enjoy what he says. We will have been married 39 years on Sunday. I don't think there is a single thing we have missed experiencing in those 39 yrs. Births of grand children, deaths of grandparents and both parents. We both have sisters, and have experienced the highs and lows that go with most families. We have had our ups and downs as well, but made it better with each passing yr. I can't imagine my life with out him in it. Most of the adventures i have been on have either been with him or encouraged by him. Because of him i am a better person, Not afraid to be me, don't feel as if i have to meet any requirements for anyone but my self. I definitely am more self confident because of his encouragement. So today i say to anyone who reads this. I Love My Husband and respect him and am amazed by him. Just one more blessing in my life, and there are so many. Well again from the sunny shores i will say, until next time. Be blessed.

Amazed

I never cease to be amazed by my family. All good of course. I sent Meghan my granddaughter in her freshman college yr. some money. (I did the same for her sister Amy) I got a thank you note the very next week. She really appreciated it and said so because it was totally unexpected and it doesn't have to be spent any certain way. How many of us have $ come into our hands that doesn't have to be earmarked for this or that? Hardly ever, right? There is always something it needs to be spent on, bills, gas, etc. Now the amazing part, the thank you note. My daughter has always taught the children simple courtesy's. They took!!!! Lessons learned. And they will make a difference in life how they are treated. Good manners and thoughtfulness always make a more likable person.
Next is my daughter. She is always amazing me. She is the best mother i know. She is open to learning, doing and experiencing new things. Alway surprising her family with new receipes she looks up. Some aren't hits, others are and she shares them on her blog fo those of us who are always cooking the same old things. Not that they aren't good, but there's no adventure in them. Robin is full of adventures. Check out her blog you will see. you can reach her thru mine. She has two sets of children. Those 2 in college, and the 2 younger ones 9 and 5. The youngest a boy Eli, who leads her into all sorts of adventures. He is at an age he is very entertaining. Mugging at a camera, dancing around, saying those things that make you laugh, or say where did that come from? he is just a joy to be around. Sophie on the other hand is a very sweet girl, who is curious, asks questions, quietly plays by herself. Smart as can be, and very touchy feelie. A real special little girl. Now don't get me wrong, the other 2 older girls don't lack anywhere either. Both are good girls, working hard to graduate and go out into the world and make their lives a success. Maybe i should say young women instead of girls, because they are now. Also very loving, family is important to both of them. As it should be for all of us. We should never out grow our families. We have only one and only one chance to live this life with them. So always cherish and appreciate them while you can. too soon life moves on. The older you get the older they get and time catches up on some of us quicker than others. So live, laugh, and love as the sign says. You will never get enough of either one. So long from this beach mama until next time.

My Scrap Book