On Vacation

You know, to get OUT OF TOWN is wonderful. I fret and fret about getting everything done before I leave: left over work reports, housecleaning, getting the car tuned up, etc. Of course, I never do get everything done. I don't know why I keep stressing about it. However, I did come to a compromise of sorts, getting most of the high priorities done.

Now, here I am, enjoying being with my son and his wife, while they attempt to keep up with daily living and ready themselves to move 2/3 of the way across the country. Makes me sad. Instead of driving for a few hours to see them, I will need to fly. I hate flying, I get so airsick and the meds just make me lightheaded and woozy. Such is life.

We have been busy this week, yet I've had time to read, watch a little TV (I still haven't figured out exactly how to manipulate the remotes correctly, but I keep pushing the buttons I think I'm supposed to and sometimes I get lucky!

I did some glasswork at the pottery place, keeping a watchful eye over my DIL's dear friend who was in the first stages of labor....and yet continued to paint her pottery pieces! It was distracting, she said.

Then, early in the dark hours before dawn today , her new little daughter was born! The baby is so beautiful and although only hours old, is so alert and wide-eyed, trying to focus on the world around her. Her mom says she is nursing readily and hungrily, so she won't stay 5 lbs for long! New babies are crystal pure miracles for our world. Their new moms have their souls opened to the miracle of all miracles....meeting a new soul with an innocent personality, mind and body, just waiting to be nurtured and loved, given strength and peace to face the good and the bad. I thank my God for babies, for that miracle of birth. Only a new mom can appreciate it. Dads can delight in it, fear it, try to deny it. New moms appreciate it from their inner being. It is hard, awesome work to birth a baby. Congratulations new parents!




The weather is also wonderful A cool ocean breeze cools the air, yet it is definitely summertime here. I would so love to retire here. I'm looking around at some little place, wandering to job opportunity websites. We'll see......

I thank God for all he's allowed me to experience. I am thankful for my children and the beauty, wisdom and knowledge they have brought into my life. Happy Sabbath!

Adults say the darnedest things

An angelic little guy was asked by the camera-holding adult: "How old are you?" Sweetly he held up his hand, grouped his fingers together and said "Two".
Then the adult asked: "And what will you be next year?"Angelic little guy answered:

"A duck."

--from America's Funniest Home Video

Monday This'NThat

The one day I don't have to be anywhere for anyone! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee! What a relief! I took a long walk, ah. The days and days and days of rain and cool weather have the flora lush and exaggerated in growth!

My heart breaks for the men who were kidnapped in Iraq. I don't even want to imagine what it must be like for their families and friends. For children and adults everywhere who suffer under tremendously degrading, life-threatening circumstances, I pray that somehow God will bring relief, resolution and peace.

Need to get busy.

I found 5 rolls of perfect wallpaper at the local thrift shop to redo my bathroom! All I need is someone to help me hold up the pieces so I don't wallpaper myself!
I also found the cutest 'cat' toilet brush holder!

Landlord came and is fixing the bathroom fan, broken kitchen drawers, medicine cabinet so that it actually Closes! Wahoo!

Some sun, some sun!

Lilo kitty is upset by the landlord coming in. There she goes: hiding under the bed as usual when she's scared. Okay, I've rousted her out. Oh-oh, she's inspecting the new open drawer spaces, revealing open cabinets to explore.
She thinks: Yea! A new playground!
I think: Oh, great. Cat hair to clean out. I hope she doesn't get stuck!

"Off" Time

What do I do with my time off work?
I still work.
I get more tired.
I plan creative things to do at home;
I never get to them.
I plan to do necessary home chores,
I scarcely do them.
I get stuck on the couch;
Sleeping, eating,
napping, snacking.

I need to move,
Get up and move,
Come on now,
I can do it.
Just do it.
No wait, the eyes are heavy,
the music soft and slow.
Okay, maybe---------later.
ZZzzzz....................

For every...

child I hug,
child I join in play,
mom who needs someone to talk to,
call to child protective services I have to make,

I heal and reveal...
my inner child,
love to my sister,
sorrow to my children,
hope to the parents,
nurturing to the small children.

I pray to God it is enough.

I told myself I'd Never....

shop for tiny baby things for grandchildren I may possibly have in the future! However...I found two NEW items for nearly nothing at the local favorite thrift store and could not resist. Now granted, these things may not be wanted by the future parents. After much inner argument, I bought the prettiest pink-with-darker-pink-rosebuds fitted crib sheet I've seen. If I have no 'girl' grandbabies, I'll send it on to someone who needs it. I also found a Christian Dior newborn WHITE, hooded layette sak that would be perfect for leaving the hospital, or baby's first morning at church, or an early baby dedication. It is so soft and beautiful.....good for a girl or a boy! Of course, I'll add these items to the blue elephant toy collection. And....I even passed up buying a very beautiful, large, blue elephant when shopping yesterday! So, I can say 'no'... sometimes!

Two wonderful items:

Overheard:

Is there ever a day when mattresses are NOT on sale?

Weekend Relief but not Retirement

Well, well, well. I made it through the week. Got the many meetings accomplished, necessary paperwork done, and attended the semi-parties on Friday. You know, those dull office parties where people retire, some people leave, and the rest are just so tired they want all the talking to STOP!!! And of course, in the back of minds is the nagging thought that the 'end of year' paperwork needs to be turned in by 5 p.m.

Well, I gave up that hope of a clean finish/break a few years ago when I realized the world didn't end, the secretary was gone by 4 p.m., and that she didn't get the info to the boss till the next week anyhow. People get so stressed about some things that don't matter.

Now I must admit I do have some lingering anxiety/worry that I Do need to complete the stuff by the end of next week, but I have a bit less hectic schedule..I only work 3 days! A bit self-imposed, but hopefully a few more dollars, too. Then I can salvage 2 weeks 'vacation' for getting my hair cut, doing the annual dr. appts, and a bit of mall browsing. Then I'll get out of town to help S and DIL pack to move....boohoo, so far away! I also anticipate getting back on my daily walking/exercising regimen that has sadly diminished over the last 6 weeks.

Today, I opted out of going to church, choosing instead to stay in my bathrobe till noon and then maybe, oh, I don't know; take a nap? Then I think I'll shower, dress and find a friend to go out to eat.

Today is the big parade day downtown. I'll stay up late and watch the rerun most likely. Not like the 'real thing', but better views of the floats and less people to contend with.....which I've had enough of for awhile!

It's another of those 'change' points, as well, for me to deal with personally. Even though, as I mentioned up top, that recognition events for those retiring/leaving leave me bored and sleepy; this one made me a little sappy, since I'd learned a lot from the lady....and she's younger than me!!!!!!!!!!!

She did make sense when she talked about how we work our whole lives looking forward to retirement and then when we get there, we say, 'Hey, what a minute! What the heck am I supposed to do? Or........'Oh great, I need to take care of my parents!' of course, she is a conscientious type and is a care-full helper to all.

The point is, I'm disgusted with myself for not planning to retire....or at least be able to have the option of cutting back on the fast pace of the work-a-day world. Oh, I know, the young ones will think I'm losing it......well, slowly I am, but am glad to take a step back and let them come up to take on the challenges. Let me sit back, laugh more, enjoy the antics of the world passing by, rock more babies, hug more, and just 'be.'

And for now......I think I'll take that ...Ho-Hum..............nap.

Stress and Blogging

I've had many topics in mind for blogging, writing them as I drive or walk: my love affair with nature (I'd just read a racey novel and thougts of interesting metaphors made me laugh), the pets in our lives, the priorities of life, eating obsessions, empty nests, etc., none of which would be interesting to publish.

Work has kept me frantically busy and stressed out; constructive work and blogging has not been a part of that. Today, in fact, I need to do Work on my computer and get household chores done (like laundry, so I have clothes to wear next week!). I'm nervously checking my favorite blogs, surfing. Now it's time to get down to the work business. My formal last day before June break is June 9. I hope to have time for some blog reflection after that.

I just read an article in AARP about those over 50 doing more and more blogging. I want to check out a bunch of the blogs they suggested, maybe revising mine, as my kids have done to theirs.