playing pretend

I have had the pleasure and joy of having Peyton and Piper all to myself the past two days.  We have watched movies, played dance studio, been dog trainers, and played spy kids.  That has been my favorite.... Maybe because I get to be "Super G" the one that sends them out on missions....It is so fun to have grandkids and "get" to play pretend again.  I found some walkie talkies in a drawer I was cleaning out and suddenly we were transported to the spy world.   It is a beautiful day outside....70 degrees.  Too nice to stay inside for sure... so they are finding the "magic crystals" and the "laser phone" and the "queen's jewels" and the other spy kids (stuffed animals).  And I am having a blast! 

Too bad we grownups cant play pretend more often...

Christmas

This Christmas season has turned out to be very difficult once again.  I say once again because for some crazy reason I struggle during the holidays.  Every year I think it will be better... wonderful husband who loves me, no financial worries, no huge credit card debt to worry about after shopping, pretty good health, great job....

So what is my problem???!!! In the past few years I think it has mostly been about missing my kids.  I have only been empty nested for about 5 years.  Before that I had all my kids around at Christmas time.  Now they have their own lives and are building their own traditions. That is ok I guess.... My secret desire (not so secret after this..) is to have that house in the country, with the wrap around porch, snow softly falling, and everyone arriving for Christmas!  (I think I watch WAY TOO MANY LIFETIME MOVIES!!!) 

Now the reality is this.  I live in Arizona.  The desert. I live in a house with a pool not a wrap around porch. And for most of the year that is absolutely perfect for me.  Just not at Christmas.

Today is the memorial service for my coworker that died so unexpectedly.  My reality lesson is this. GET OVER IT!!!  I am so thankful for this minute, this very minute, for sitting at the breakfast table with my husband drinking tea.  For having the opportunity to kiss him good-bye as he left for work.  So today I will embrace this holiday season and I will like it! I will be thankful that my kids are happy and healthy.  I will be appreciative of ALL the amazing blessings I have in my life. And I think I will stop watching so many Lifetime movies...... Peace.

What I have learned this week...

Last week a person I worked with died unexpectedly.  I was going to say was taken from us, or went to be with God... but the reality of it is that she died.   I heard that she was on the phone with her husband and just stopped talking.  He called the paramedics who found her unresponsive.  She was taken to the hospital, put on life support but really had already died.  Such a tragedy.  She had just had a baby about 2 weeks ago.  She had three other children as well.  She was a sweet lady.  She was good at her job. 

I didn't know her all that well.  I had worked with her a little. She had "friended" me on facebook. But I had never accepted...

Being present at cesarean sections is a part of my job.  It was a part of her job as well.  She always said "Happy Birthday little one"  every single time.  She appreciated the honor of being present at that family's special time.  I admit that I had started taking that for granted.  I was doing my job.  Sort of going through the motions....

So what she has taught me is this: Being a part of the birth of someones child is NEVER a bother. It is an honor and priviledge.  Being genuinely nice to people is something that I want to be remembered for, like her.  I also will be nice to people who irritate me, because I don't have any idea what they are going through in their lives.  So if I can bring a little smile or light by being just nice then I have accomplished a great thing.  And I will accept people who "friend" me on facebook...

I have her name written on a notepad on my refrigerator.

My heart goes out to her family.

So take a minute and look around and just be thankful. And be nice. 

Birthdays....

I used to think Birthdays were for celebrating the day you were born.  Today I am celebrating (and thankful for) another year of life. 

This last year has been a challenging one. It seems my body decided to throw some curve balls at me.  What the heck is "grade four" arthritis?  Does that mean it is at the top of its class?  You know the best you can get?  Apparently not. 

Also the words "Oh by the way there is a 'mass' in your brain and you should probably follow up with a neuro surgeon" sort of take you by surprise... kind of like you are in a dream and not really hearing what is being said...

Also the words "It's a torn ligament in your foot and you probably will NEVER play tennis again (exaggeration on my part) sort of feel like a punch in the stomach when you were trying to become the best, baddest over 50 player at your club....

So today is my birthday. Happy Birthday to me. 

What I have decided about this 52nd year is that I am overthrowing this revolution.  I am the queen of my self and I am going to tackle this arthritic, brain tumored, foot aching body with a vengence.  So look out body.... I have some tricks up my sleeve and am on my way to reclaiming what is mine!!!

By the way... the brain tumor is benign.. Just hanging out in there for the ride I guess....

Happy Birthday to me!!!!

I love a good storm.
Except in Phoenix.

The wind blows.  Now in most places a little wind creates the beginning of a dramatic storm.

In Phoenix it creates dirt.  Not just a little dirt but huge amounts of dirt.

Everywhere.  The pool turns into a mud bath.  The patio becomes the sahara desert. The kitchen has a fine layer of grit on  the granite counters.  The floors are slick with the dust covering.

Then and only then does it rain.  A huge rain would be fine because at least the outside dirt would sort of wash away.  But it isn't usually a huge rain.  It is 23 big drops.  Just count em.  Just enough to turn the sweepable (is that a word?) dirt into mud. 

I guess I shouldn't complain because at least the temperature drops from the 100's to maybe lower 90's.  Sometimes even the high 80's.  But then there is the humidity.

Another thing the wind does is fly crazy critters into the pool.

Last night my husband was going to take a quick dip to cool off before bedtime.

He came flying in the house, grabbed a flashlight and shoes, and rushed back outside yelling "I've got to take care of something!"  Hmmm do I put on shoes and go investigate.  NO WAY. 

I just hope whatever it is doesnt sting, bite or attack. 

He comes in with a grin and says it was only a snake in the pool.  ONLY A SNAKE!!!!!

Guess I'm done in the pool for this year.....

Little girls.... sugar and spice..

Yesterday I was a little testy as anyone who checked the posting would know.  Little girls in the house is quite a unique experience.  I once had two little girls in my house but they were accompanied by two little boys and a whole mess of other kids. 

But,  two little girls in the house changes things.  Changes where your hair brush is, or your favorite lip gloss.  Changes where you might find your shoes, their shoes, or any other piece of clothing. 

Changes how you might watch television, or what music you might listen to.  Now I like Taylor Swift but enough is enough.  Changes what you might eat.

Yesterday the 6 year old blondie had a melt down.  I admit I had NO IDEA how to deal with it.  All I wanted was a little cooperation with getting things ready for mommy's return (yahoo!!!)  But she decided to cry loudly with her head under a pillow, wrapped in a blanket and screaming something about not wanting to pick up toys and something about wanting her sister's ball cause she didn't like the color of hers.  I believe there was a list of other things but I really couldn't understand all the words, screams, and sobs mixed together.  (Was I once able to understand this kind of language??)

I sat on the bed and was perplexed.  Then I realized what the problem was.... Breakfast and lunch.  Little blondie had a bowl of sugar marshmellows for breakfast and a bowl of sweet applesauce for lunch.  I usually pay closer attention to her diet, but not yesterday.  When I had this revelation I fixed up a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk and asked her if she would eat it. 

She immediately stopped the weird sob,scream, words and ate.

And GLORY BE she was a changed child.  Within 30 minutes the room was picked up and she was sweetly chatting coherently. 

So all this "sugar and spice and everything nice"  is just a bunch of hooey.  Little blondies need PROTEIN to maintain their sweet demeanor. 

No more marshmallows and applesauce.  Now it is MEAT, BEANS, anything with protein. 

grandkids.....

I have found that after a certain amount of time my beautiful, sweet granddaughters.... well, they get on my nerves.  OK.... MY LAST NERVE.  Their lovely mother is away at a wedding, now gone 5 days but who is counting.... She gets home in "one more sleep" as the girls say. 

I am ready for her to get home.
I am ready for my house to get quiet.
I am ready for "alone" time with my husband.

Don't get me wrong, I am cherishing having them here now.  I  think that it is just going to take a little adjusting.... Right? 

One more sleep,
One more sleep.....

smile

I was thinking about how most of my adult life I have been the "responsible" one.  I think I am ready to be irresponsible.  I think I have earned it.  I am ready to venture into the world of irresponsibility.  I am not sure what exactly that means.  I think it means I don't have to be the ONE taking care of everything and everybody. 

At what point in your life do you get to be irresponsible?  I know, I know... I have been preaching responsibility to my loved ones, children and grandchildren...  And for sure there is definitely a season for responsibility.

I think I am heading into my season of irresponsibility!!!  So look out world, here I come!!!

Beginning....

Where to begin?  I decided to try blogging.  Problem is though, it has taken me many tries to get to this part where I actually "blog" something.  I think that sharing my daily life will be entertaining as well as umm  sort of therapy for me.   But... first I had to figure out how to begin.  So I asked a 10 year old and   ta da!!! I am now actually BLOGGING...   I am not sure what to do after I finish typing but I am sure she will help me. 

About me:  I am a 50 something year old  woman in the very prime of my life. At least I think so.  I am married to a wonderful man.  A love story that i will share.  I have an amazing career (also a story to share).  I have the coolest kids/stepkids ever! and yes another story to share. AND 2 of the most beautiful grand daughters in the world (pictures to come!!!) 

So my story begins....