Always in Celebration!

I can think of so many captions for this photo.  For example...the much used what happens ________stays __________.  In our case, what happens at the restaurant stays at the restaurant.   I love the moment this photo captures.  Friends for a long time sharing a secret or two.  We gathered to celebrate this lovely girl's birthday!  Along the way of wining and dining we were evacuated from the restaurant due to some type of kitchen mishap/fire.  Since we are all capable of making the best of the moment...we continued on in true celebratory fashion including a cute couple, waitstaff and a few hunky firemen. 

Life happens.  My husband and I have dodged several bullets where our health is concerned...we are ever vigilant and more determined to eat properly, move more and stress less.  Some of our friends are undergoing extreme health issues and all we can do is support them with good healing thoughts.  Others are experiencing financial difficulties.  Us...the husband and I...we have alternated taking three cars to the shop...thank goodness not all at the same time and some are company cars!  Our tenants completely trashed the house Carl lived in before we married...it will require costly repairs...this too shall pass.  Two friends have had sons rushed to the emergency room on the same day (totally unrelated incidents) one is recovering and the other...still waiting on word of his condition.  We pray for good things.  I think of my friend, eighteen months a widow and still feeling incomplete and as she says "I feel crippled without him"  Another friend seeking a new path since the love of her life has passed.  We lose family, friends, loved ones, our health and yet life continues.  Amidst the sadness and trials there are babies born (lots) save the date cards accumulating and signifying that two people will begin to share their lives together for better or worse...anniversaries and birthdays to celebrate...milestones of every sort.  This life is a testing ground, it is rife with trials and tribulations...it is also full of joy, passion and good will.  We each bear different burdens and we each can and should lift each other.  Paraphrasing something I once read or heard..."never look down on a person unless you are helping him/her up.

  I will adjust to the many changes and challenges around...put my shoulder to the wheel and push on with a happy song in my heart.  It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood...celebrate the moment...hug someone...smile lots...revel in gratitude for the many blessings we all experience !  Peace and Love  Y'all!!!

Tap, Tap...is this thing on?

I thought the above sign appropriately described my conspicuous absence from bloglandia.  I do not know who said it first however I attempt to live by the words "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all".  On the outside I have been my usual cheerful, kind self...inside I have been a raging lunatic...that is what the so called "change" will do for you.  Lately I have been telling friends and family, call me and ask...I won't remember or if you don't like my mood...wait for it, it is changing as we speak.  The following cartoon speaks volumes, I  mean volumes...

Mostly I have been living with these alien feelings, however I have been researching possible alternatives to being miserable.  On a funny note...every symptom unequivocally and emphatically stated that all THIRTY FOUR (34)  are a result of declining estrogen...NO SH%*!!!  I have ordered an herbal remedy based on the recommendation of a friend and provided I don't strangle anybody in the meantime...it should be delivered around the 18th of April. I don't think those "people" understand what declining estrogen means and they should probably drive it to my doorstep yesterday! 

Lately, I find myself particularly annoyed with the male population...I am sure declining estrogen is their fault in someway.

My husband sheepishly asks me if I still love him.  And I very gently scream at him..IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU...leave the thermostat alone, get another blanket and don't touch me...poor guy...he is a champ.  And YOU, yes you in the gigantic big truck...get off my a$$...do you really need a truck that takes up 3 parking places, uses enough gas to fuel a third world country to go to your office job...if you are not in heavy construction...WHY???   Oh yeah and get off the phone and drive.

There, there I feel ever so much better now...where was I...oh yeah, attempting to write a blog post.

This week and this morning particularly have just been a Bear!  I am positive that dawn arrives each day with new possibilities...I just have to ride the storm!  Life is Good and this too shall pass!  Anyone else feeling the need to rage against the world, feel free...I will commiserate!  In the meantime, I am going to walk around in the sunshine and gain a more peaceful perspective.  Cheers!

Free Spirited, She Is!

My granddarling Anna will soon be six.  She burst into this world in quite the hurry and has not slowed down since her arrival!  She started kindergarten this year.  My biggest hope is that the system will not steal all her joy, independence and free spirit.  "They" want her to conform...she has a hard time with it.
To say she has her own sense of fashion is an understatement.  My daughter prefers not to battle over clothing, hair and shoes.  As long as she is covered and it is not a safety issue so be it.  The assistant in her classroom asked Anna if her Mother looked at her in the mornings...apparently Anna's choice of shoes did not suit her...she wore her jazz boots...leather bottom, leather tops, neutral color, very comfy not distracting to anyone except the assistant.  Yeah, several of us were ready to string her up.

Anna dances through life...she is on a competition dance team with her first performance in February.  She flew through my kitchen after dance dragging a pink suitcase on wheels.  I told her I loved her pink suitcase and she assures me that it is HOT pink.  She proceeded to do her dance routine on the breakfast bar. 

Give the child some paper and something to write with...she is busy for hours, really!  When this little girl has had enough of the world around her...she takes herself to bed and snuggles in with a stack of books.

Her Mimi (great grandma and my mom) gave her money for Christmas.  Anna decided it was time to re-do what she calls "her" bathroom.  Pink and purple polka dotted shower curtain, pink rug, toothbrush holder, cup and towel set...with a huge Justin Bieber poster (a gift from her brother).  What five year old does this? 

I LOVE this girl.  I love her spirit.  I love being reminded to dance through life...to be creative and to take yourself to bed with good books when the world is too much.  Most of us knew what made us feel good and how to just BE before we let life take over.  Yes...there are jobs, families, myriad responsibilities...in the midst of all of "that" let us not forget to just Be, to explore, to enjoy.  I have a feeling 2012 is going to be an Amazing year...how about you, what do you think?  

Word for 2012

It has been a lovely Christmas season!  I have spent the greater part of a day and a half in rest and contemplation.  I have missed writing and visited my journal in an effort to choose a word of the year.  For those unfamiliar with that concept, here is a great link:  http://christinekane.com/blog/resolution-revolution-a-better-way-to-start-your-year/  basically you choose a word for the year rather than make a list of resolutions that never stick.  This is the fifth year of choosing one word to define my year and I find that it works for me.  After much contemplation and five journal pages I have chosen (or rather I believe the word chose me)  Exploration!  A theme that kept cropping up was fun, joy, openess, adventure and exploration.
I am always trying to improve myself with some success...now I think it is time to explore new places, new paths to creativity, spirituality and yes JOY and FUN.  Often I have to talk myself into doing something...once on a certain path I am certainly happy I chose it...however it is a painstaking decision too frequently.

So I fondly (or not so much) say good-bye to 2011 and embrace the New Year with Exploration in my heart.  Several health issues and foot problems have delayed a few goals...I fully intend to explore wellness and step into my dream of climbing a portion of Mt. Ranier (for my brother) traveling to Italy and to whatever new opportunities beckon me!  

I wish each of you a fabulous 2012!  Happy New Year Darlings!

Excuses or Whatever it is that I have been Up to Lately!

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do."

Edward Everett Hale, American Author, Clergyman

My dearest blog,

I am so sorry to neglect you so...the truth is...I have been cheating on you with another website.  It's true, Pinterest sucked me right in, however it did inspire me to have a craft day/brunch at home.  Which was a LOT of fun and included my daughters and granddaughter. 

You are in good company as I have also neglected the many wonderful blogs that I love to read.  So forgive me for leaving your "pages" blank.  I do not wish to make any promises or excuses to you...hopefully things will return to normal (whatever that is) eventually.  I have the greatest ideas for posts and even compose them in the car...trouble is...I cannot remember a thing once I get to a computer.  My memory, while never stellar, fails me quite frequently.

You have my permission to hibernate or drink hot cocoa or whatever it is blogs do while their "writers" are engaged otherwise...I think of you often!

A few observations I have made lately...

Someone is clearing a huge section of timber from the road near my house...I love trees and this sorta hurt my feelings!  I love all the lush green and abundant foliage.  It is such a peaceful, tranquil drive. 

A gentlemen paid for dinner for 12 ladies because he had been very blessed in his life...I was one of those ladies and did not know until after he left the restaurant.  Carrabas - total bill $400.00

The Floozie girls (above mentioned twelve) adopted a single parent family for Christmas and had a spectacular luncheon to celebrate and wrap gifts!  Many in the group engage in numerous acts of kindness and altruism.  Those who are blessed should be willing to bless others and everyone is blessed in some form or fashion!

On the street where our business is located I pass by a strip of brick buildings, shops of various types and a church or ministry.  The ministry often has tables set up with  produce, bread and other items
that are free to the neighbors (many of which are living in poverty)  It always makes me feel good to know that at least on that day (s) people will have a meal.  A first for me, I was able to witness the prayer circle that preceded the food being placed on the tables.  It sent a jolt of indescribable peace and happiness through me.

So dear blog,

We often read or hear about the sad and bad that occurs...I know and I believe that Good People and Good Stories outweigh the bad!  As for me and my house, we will continue to lift the hurting World up in prayer, continue to express gratitude for our many blessings, do what we can when can to improve our corner of the world and we will continue to act in kindness and love.   With your help, my blog friend and those other "bloggers" out there we will spread a message of hope, goodwill and cheer!
Love ya bunches, Connie

"That best portion of a good man's life; his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."

William Wordsworth, English Poet

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."

Aesop,  Greek Fable Writer

AND one more...

"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."  Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese Poet and Novelist

P.S. Lisa, if you are reading...this post exists because you asked!  Thanks!


 
  

My First BFF

Dear James,

I was just thinking this morning about how you were my first BFF (best friend forever)  I really, really miss your quirky sense of humor...that is something we all had in spades!  A little piece of me feels missing...you, at least get to be surrounded by those I loved best! 

As your older sister I felt responsible for you.  In many photos together I can be seen with my arm slung around you.  One memory that has come to my mind today was a kool aid episode!  We were standing in front of the fridge fighting over the kool aid pitcher and we both dropped it...I was trying to be the big sister...you were trying to assert some independence...it was probably my fault.  You know how ballistic Mom can be...fortunately she decided to wait for Dad to come home for punishment...although Dad's disappointment was often more horrible than Mom's outrageous screaming and smacks with the wooden spoon.  Dad talked to us very solemnly and asked who was responsible...neither one of us would "fess up"  After one of his very long I am disappointed talks...he put us both on restriction.  I felt so bad after all I was the taller, bigger and older sister.  I went to our Dad and spilled my guts!  That was the end of the punishment for both us although I do think I had to listen to one more I am disappointed in your behavior speech.  I always thought, geez, could you just spank me already?  I did my best to look after you...there are some things even a dedicated big sister couldn't fix. 

You were such an inspiration.  How many people can boast of your cross country accomplishments?  You never did boast though.  Actually, you still are an inspiration...we never did get to do that hiking together...Carl and I hike parts of the AT...we feel your spirit residing there and it is comforting.  After all, on the trail and in the woods was where you came alive and were happiest! 

Mom and I were talking on our way to visit Steve...he is still a pain in the rear baby brother (insert smile) and she simply stated...Gosh I miss that boy so much!  You took such great care with her...she didn't get on your nerves much or make you tired.  She makes me tired. 

It is that time of year when I wax nostalgic and get weepy...it seems we never have enough time!  We do not know how much time we have on this Earth...memories should be created at every turn...after all it is what we are left with when all else is gone. 

I love you always and miss your presence in this world...til we meet again...the big sister

James aka as "PapaSquat" September 30, 1961 - November 17, 2003.  Somewhere on the northern part of the Appalachian Trail. 

P.S.  I STILL have not been to Mt. Ranier! 

Almost Wordless on Wednesday

How many people actually enjoy having their picture taken?  Apart from the odd one or two and those who make their living in front of cameras!  This would be one of the reasons I stay behind the camera!  That said, I absolutely LOVE this image photographed by my five (5) year old granddaughter.  I think the camera was set on Aperture mode...I think my granddarling captured something special...my relaxed and playful side.

"Smiling is my favorite"  Buddy, the Elf.  I use my smile often and most folks respond well to a smile.
Even if I feel like crying on the inside...I just fake it til I make it.  Usually I can talk myself out of a frowny mood.  I just smiled at you...Pass It On!!!