Here Comes the New Year

2010, What a big number !! When I was young the thought of the year 2000 brought a cold foreboding feeling of the distant future. Now, it's ten years after that. Makes a person start to think of their own morality.

I have days when I feel young and in disbelief that I'm 50. And other times, I feel every bit of those same 50 years. My 15 yr old son helps keep me young though. For him, I try to stay up on the things that go on in his life. My 3 granddaughters also keep me young, just trying to keep up with them !

I'm now at the age where retirement looks much more appealing. The freedom to be available to do anything I want, when ever I want. I could very easily be a traveler. Seeing places and visiting with old and new friends.

Until that day, I'll just have to live " One day at a time", as the saying goes. Or one year at a time. 2010 brings with it a few milestones for me. My son will be 16 this year and have his drivers license. My daughter will be 27. I will have been married 27 yrs. I have a Mission Trip this summer I am going along on with my son for a week. ( A week with teenagers traveling on a bus, help ! )

Well, Happy New Year !! My resolution, Enjoy everyday to the fullest !!

Memories

We had our Christmas with the family last night. The "angels " then stayed overnight at grammas house. I bought them each a new Christmas coloring book, and after opening gifts and dessert, we watched " How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Dave and I reminisced about the first time we had seen it, ( dang that makes me feel old ). The first time the Grinch was on we lived in Worthington MN. We were getting ready to go to our Christmas program at St Matthews Church, and it came on. We watched about 5 min worth.
I can also remember the magical first time I saw Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and it was in COLOR !!! Mom and Dad were shopping at Tempo ( predates KMart or Target). The floor models of color TVs were turned to Rudolph. Ahhh, I can still feel the excitement.
Right now, my angels are watching "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" . I hope I'm making memories for them to remember like I have.

Pie vs Cake

Today is my husbands birthday. His dessert of choice for this special day? Coconut Cream Pie !! He will eat cake occasionally but never has been a big fan. So, pie it has always been. My daughter is the same way. Her pie or dessert of choice is Dutch Apple pie ( or just plain Apple Crisp ).
In today's world, cakes come from a box and frosting from a can. A store bought cake is an option, but pricey. A pie, however, takes time and effort. A store bought crust is usually used, but pies are all about the filling.
The a fore mentioned cream pie, has been a trademark of mine so to speak. When I worked in a large state hospital facility, I was asked to bring my pie for every special occasion. When the word spread I brought my pie, people came from all over the campus to get a piece. A long departed friend had a slice one time, and he said it was the best pie he had ever eaten.
So, the hubby gets his pie, and a round of HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU'S , on this, his 54th birthday. Here's to you old man !!!!

SNOW

Well, I got my snow. I've watched a few Christmas shows, and things are perking up. I have 3 Christmas programs to look forward to.
But, back to the SNOW !!! It started as I left work Wed morning from work. It was still snowing at noon when I took a nap. At 4:45pm when I went to pick up my son, it was still snowing. OK, now it was a learning experience. My 15 yr old son has his learners permit. We ran an errand after I picked him up. ( He was practicing for a Math League competition, trying to tell me with excitement how he learned about logarithms, UGH !) I told him, " Pay attention. Watch how people are driving. Your driving home." And he did. He was tense, it was slippery under the new snow. He did slide through a stop sign on a side street. But, that's a learning experience too.
After we arrived home, and he pulled in the driveway, he exclaimed " Never again ! ". I said,"Ya your right, never again will it be your 1st time driving on slippery snow covered roads." I also told him, " You live in MN, if you're going to drive you have to learn to drive on slippery roads." He'll be just fine. And, he'll be driving home from school today !

Advent season aka - Christmas

Hard to believe in a few short days, Christmas will be here. The Christmas 24/7 has started on the radio stations, people talking about already having their trees up. UGH !!! I'm still digesting my Thanksgiving meal and just finishing up the leftovers.
I have started thinking about the family get together and what food to bring for that. My son has picked a song to play for the get together. I did purchase 2 new Christmas CDs ( I usually purchase 1-3 a year), both artists that my son likes ( and so do I ).
It still doesn't FEEL like Christmas. No snow on the ground is my guess. It's all so brown and green yet. Depressing. I need to find the feeling in me I guess. Maybe I need a marathon of Rudolph / Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Frosty. Break out the popcorn and candy canes, I think it's working !!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so many things to be thankful for. Home, family, life, job, community, health, and freedom.
-In these hard economic times, I am SO thankful I still have my job, and if my current position was eliminated, I would still have a job somewhere because I have enough seniority.
-My community tries to do the best for everyone, although at times you don't see it personally.
-Health wise, I have been smokefree since 1986. It's been long enough now, most people don't remember when I did smoke.
-My home may not look like much, but it's mine, owe less than half of its taxable value, and can make the house payments without playing Russian Roulette with the bills.
-My FAMILY is the most precious and important thing in my life here on earth. I would cease to exist without them all. I have to let them go as they get older, and that's a hard one. But they live on in my heart and memories.
-My freedom is something I try not to take for granted. I can write a letter to the editor and say how I feel. I can choose to be who I want and live where I want.
-I guess all of the above expresses why I'm thankful for my life.
As long as there is love in your heart, you can accomplish anything !!

Shadow- My "little boy"

Our 3 1/2 yr old cocker spaniel died today. He was diagnosed with lymphoma early this fall. Shadow was a black dog with the sweetest eyes and such a warm personality. He will be missed terribly.
Pets have such a way of burrowing into your heart. The love they give is so unconditional and free. I think that's why it's so easy to spoil them. They show instantly the excitement that fills their entire being. That was our Shadow.
It would be so easy to say, never again. But, the love you deny yourself is great.
Peaceful sleep little boy. I'll see you again in heaven.

The Day After

Well, it's Sunday and the Movie Marathon is over. Allen and I hit the couches after church,11:30am, and just now, 4:30 pm, have started moving around.
27 youth showed up, with each bringing individual snacks. They played games, watched 4 movies, lots of talking and munching, and just fellowship. Our new youth director did great !!
I heard kids talking about next year. Gotta sleep on that before I comment .


PS When I saved this picture to my computer, I labeled it, 2pooped2pee. I NOW know what that feels like.

Movie Marathon

Traditionally, for the past 20 years, our church has a movie marathon for the Youth Group. Well, TONIGHT'S the NIGHT !! Our new youth director will be experiencing his first movie marathon. The kids in church look forward to this every year and it's something for the younger kids to aspire to be part of when they are in youth group.
As I mentioned, this is the youth directors 1st marathon. Last year I helped the new, then, youth director ( she's since left ) . When we interviewed for the position again this year, that was one of my questions. Can you pull an all nighter ? So I will be helping again this year. It is fun to be part of and getting to know the youth better.
So on Sunday I won't be worth a done, struggling to stay awake. And it will all be done with a smile on my face.

Veterans Day

Today is a special day. We honor all the men and women who served our country so we might be free.
Locally, our VFW has started putting up flags in honor of each individual who has served. It was quite a sight to see the 1st year they went up. Each year the numbers have grown.

On one such day, my granddaughters were in the van and they were in awe of all the flags. I explained that each flag was for a person who was in a war or in the service, and they fought for our freedom. I explained that means you can be whoever and whatever you want to be. They seemed to grasp that well.

For all my freedoms I take for granted, I wish I could say thank you. But by making sure we teach our kids how important our freedom is, we are saying thank you. Ensuring that the sacrifice they made won't be forgotten.

Another birthday !!

My granddaughter, Karley, turns 5 today!! Amazing !! She was just a baby, the younger sister, always trying to play catch up to the older 2. Well, now she holds her own with her sisters, and has a smile that will melt January snow to slush.
I had lunch with her last Thursday. Karley just recently got glasses. I was young when I needed glasses also. So I told Karley how pretty her glasses are and how big she looks now. And, she does. Next thing I know, she'll be 10, then 15. Be still my heart. I need to learn to cherish each day I have with my angels, making memories. My immortality will be Grandma stories for years to come. I have plenty of my own grandma stories from my grandmothers to learn from.
Happy 5th Birthday Karley !

Whats the matter with people?

As I drove home from work this morning, I have a 20 mile commute to and from work, I noticed quite a bit of litter on the road. Mind you I was just on that road yesterday, and there was appr. 70% less. All that I can think of is the deer hunters ? I saw McDonald's paper bags, wrappers and white plastic bags.
Remember the commercial with the Indian looking at a landfill full of trash, turning towards the camera, and a tear was running down his cheek ? Well, that's how I feel this morning, disheartened that people still litter our beautiful country without a care.
My family has been very cautious about littering, and even pick up after others. I want my granddaughters and their granddaughters to have the same clear skies and clean water that I had as a child. Is that too much to ask for ????

PS That would be me behind the tree holding the bag !!!

Pride

I have 2 children, a 26 yr old daughter and a 15 yr old son. Both never cease to amaze me. Their compassion for others is inspiring. My daughter always is and has always been the first in line to help a friend. And as of Wed, I found out, so is my son.
Wednesday, the high school orchestra toured the local elementary schools, playing songs at each school. Over lunch, they were on their own as far as where to eat. My son, Allen, had a 10.00 bill to buy lunch with. A fellow student thought they would be going back to school for lunch, so had no money to eat with. Allen shared his money so his classmate could have lunch. And then with a 1.00 and some cents left, Allen went back up to get them each an apple pie for dessert. I told Allen, this is why I always send extra because you never know whats going to happen.
My heart bursts with pride and love. What insiring children I have been blessed with. Thank You God !!

Birthdays were better when I was younger

My 2nd granddaughter is 6yrs old today. So, her mom is 6 years older than she was the day Kylah was born. Which means, I'm 6 yrs older. That's when the the joy of birthdays end for me. When I start calculating how much older I am with each grandchild's birthday.
I'll just concentrate on making memories for them to remember when they get to be MY age. Like I remember birthdays with my grandma.
Happy Birthday Kylah !!!

Time Change

I woke on Saturday morning, and started changing all the clocks in the house 1 hr back. My thinking was to be prepared. I spent the rest of the day totally confused and second guessing my every move, wondering what time is it really was. I won't do that again. I spent all day Sunday trying to get myself used to the new time, after being off all day Saturday.
It might be nice if the time never changed. Keep it so the days are just lighter earlier. They seem to do just fine in Alaska. Maybe "Alaska" someone who lives there and get there opinion ?!