As the sun starts to rise Christmas morning it glistens off the light dusting of snow as if the ground was covered with diamonds and pearls on this glorious day.
Or, I live in Texas and I woke to the gentle sound of a thunderstorm and much needed rain waters the dying grass....
Before I "make the bread for the monkeys" - I do love the way things are said in my house- I wanted to leave you all with one thought. No matter where you are or what it looks like outside, greet the day with the childlike wonder of a toddler knowing Santa left presents under the tree or as we all should knowing Jesus was born for us today!
Embrace all the wonderment, joy and love this day brings - Merry Christmas and God Bless my friends!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
The world needs more...
Bears. The world needs more bears.
This was a conversation had with good friends last night over a drink and Shepherd's Pie at a local pub. Everyone know pubs have the best meat pies and if you don't know what I am talking about you are either missing part of your life or you are a vegetarian. To each his own, even if you are missing out.
Where was I? Oh right, the world needs more bears. This came about over a discussion on what you should and should not need to get a license in order to do legally. My little group last night was made up of intelligent (not all the times, we all have our pretty moments thanks) women who have successful lives, families and friends. What is it about bears? Well, if there were more bears maybe the not so smart people would wander into the woods and the bears would take care of the problem for us. That lead to a discussion of Philmont and then we just went all over the place from there. Our conversations are often stream of consciousness so there is no telling where a simple topic might head. Back to the bears. Before someone gets all upset that we meant bears to literally eat people, really I take it to mean 'Bears' to separate the men from the boys, or women from the girls.
My great Aunt had a huggy bear on her bed that always was there for a hug. My brother had a Wooly Bear (admittedly I don't know how to spell Wooly) that hugged him as a child and mom still has in the spare room. I had a stuffed black bear that the same great Aunt gave me and I gave to the kiddo when he was young; yes, I still have it. The tall one used Pooh Bear as his huggy friend growing up - we still have a statue of him. I am not a touchy person, never have been and don't think I ever will be, but even I will admit sometimes a bear hug from a loved one makes all the difference. It's called a bear hug for a reason.
I live my life by the saying Sometimes You Eat the Bear, Sometimes the Bear Eats You. This is how I get through those very rough times, trials of life, work, kids, faith, you name it. There are days when I am convinced I am bear food and others when I have a new bear coat, boots and purse. The Bear is always a part of my life, challenging me to go one step further, knocking me down at times, giving me something to strive for, a challenge to 'eat' (rhymes with beat); the bear is always there.
So yes, the world needs more bears. Bears in the 'woods' for crowd thinning, Bear hugs to get through life, Bears to challenge us. Remember friends, Sometimes You Eat the Bear and Sometimes the Bear Eats You. Either way, we need more bears.
This was a conversation had with good friends last night over a drink and Shepherd's Pie at a local pub. Everyone know pubs have the best meat pies and if you don't know what I am talking about you are either missing part of your life or you are a vegetarian. To each his own, even if you are missing out.
Where was I? Oh right, the world needs more bears. This came about over a discussion on what you should and should not need to get a license in order to do legally. My little group last night was made up of intelligent (not all the times, we all have our pretty moments thanks) women who have successful lives, families and friends. What is it about bears? Well, if there were more bears maybe the not so smart people would wander into the woods and the bears would take care of the problem for us. That lead to a discussion of Philmont and then we just went all over the place from there. Our conversations are often stream of consciousness so there is no telling where a simple topic might head. Back to the bears. Before someone gets all upset that we meant bears to literally eat people, really I take it to mean 'Bears' to separate the men from the boys, or women from the girls.
My great Aunt had a huggy bear on her bed that always was there for a hug. My brother had a Wooly Bear (admittedly I don't know how to spell Wooly) that hugged him as a child and mom still has in the spare room. I had a stuffed black bear that the same great Aunt gave me and I gave to the kiddo when he was young; yes, I still have it. The tall one used Pooh Bear as his huggy friend growing up - we still have a statue of him. I am not a touchy person, never have been and don't think I ever will be, but even I will admit sometimes a bear hug from a loved one makes all the difference. It's called a bear hug for a reason.
I live my life by the saying Sometimes You Eat the Bear, Sometimes the Bear Eats You. This is how I get through those very rough times, trials of life, work, kids, faith, you name it. There are days when I am convinced I am bear food and others when I have a new bear coat, boots and purse. The Bear is always a part of my life, challenging me to go one step further, knocking me down at times, giving me something to strive for, a challenge to 'eat' (rhymes with beat); the bear is always there.
So yes, the world needs more bears. Bears in the 'woods' for crowd thinning, Bear hugs to get through life, Bears to challenge us. Remember friends, Sometimes You Eat the Bear and Sometimes the Bear Eats You. Either way, we need more bears.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Everyone Deserves a Lifetime - EVERYONE
***Updated December 14, 2012 - And today, innocent victims had their lives taken from them by a senseless gunman who decided it was better to slaughter innocent children and adults then take their own life. It wasn't cancer that took these lives, it was a selfish human who decided it was okay to take innocent lives before their own. With all the danger in the world out of our control, what made this person decide they could play God and introduce more? Somehow, this blog post just seems more poignant than ever. Everyone deserves a lifetime, EVERYONE. Bless those angels and their families. ***
This year, I participated in the Susan G. Komen 3 day for the Cure. It was a 60 mile, 3 day journey with one goal in a mind, a cure for breast cancer. I met so many wonderful women, men and kiddos out there walking, supporting us, and cheering us on; that alone was worth the pain that we felt the end of each day, or the tears that would come on with warning and not want to stop. I felt my Grandmother's presence with me along the way, sometimes she was asking me what I was thinking without a car and sometimes she was on my shoulder telling me that I could make the next mile.
While on the journey, I had plenty of time to think about what is important in life as the mantra for the walk is Everyone Deserves a Lifetime. What is a lifetime? It is the days you are alive? The simple minutes and hours you spend breathing on this earth? It is the time after childhood when you have to take care of yourself..."when I am grown up and can do whatever I want" so to speak? Is it a collection of good moments that you look back on and smile? Or is it those rough moments you learned from or just survived? Is it the people you meet, those you remain in contact with or those who fade away. What is a lifetime?
I like to think a lifetime is all of those things and more. Our family, the friends, strangers, acquaintances; the good times, the bad; the kid years and adult years; the past you learned from and the future you dive head long into whether you want to or not.
All that to say, a lifetime is personal to each one of us, and I know everyone deserves one. Go live yours - it is always worth it and you more than deserve a great one.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Just Try It - It Could be the Key!
I find the upside in most everything, even when I am having the proverbial day from hell (which yes, we all have from time to time). The key to finding the upside is to know when to just give in and let it happen, or to give in and dance on tables.
Saturday, I got to go to the Jesuit Christmas Bazaar twice (once instead of a long run which we did the next morning instead!). It was a fun time, hanging with friends with our holiday mimosas first. If you don't know what a holiday mimosa is, I feel sad for you so I will share - you start holidays with at least one mimosa. It is a rule in the rule book. Trust me, it's there.
Anyway, walking around I saw all kinds of cool crafts that I know I could replicate with the right amount of time, which I do not have of course. One thing stood out the most though, I almost wish I could have found a place in the house for it as even I, the cheery 'appreciate the little things in life for a smile' person needs a reminder sometimes.
My friends - when the holidays get un-holiday-like and you feel like giving in, I want you all to take a moment to stop and say "This too shall pass. It is Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on the Table." And then I want you to do it, safely, and maybe the table should be on the floor but, take a moment to drink champagne and dance on the table. Life's too short not to try!
Saturday, I got to go to the Jesuit Christmas Bazaar twice (once instead of a long run which we did the next morning instead!). It was a fun time, hanging with friends with our holiday mimosas first. If you don't know what a holiday mimosa is, I feel sad for you so I will share - you start holidays with at least one mimosa. It is a rule in the rule book. Trust me, it's there.
Anyway, walking around I saw all kinds of cool crafts that I know I could replicate with the right amount of time, which I do not have of course. One thing stood out the most though, I almost wish I could have found a place in the house for it as even I, the cheery 'appreciate the little things in life for a smile' person needs a reminder sometimes.
My friends - when the holidays get un-holiday-like and you feel like giving in, I want you all to take a moment to stop and say "This too shall pass. It is Time to Drink Champagne and Dance on the Table." And then I want you to do it, safely, and maybe the table should be on the floor but, take a moment to drink champagne and dance on the table. Life's too short not to try!
Friday, November 30, 2012
The everyday family of it all
I have a new job which has had me at the office before the sun and leaving after the sun is down. To say it isn't taking a toll on me and my family would be a lie, so I won't say it. I will say that many of us do what we have to - it is called life and it is always worth living.
Yesterday was another very long day of a very long week, and not just because of the hours. As I left the office in the dark of night through a very empty garage, I had every intention of going home, drawing a very hot and bubbly bath, opening a bottle of wine and tuning out the world care of my music. I was worn out by the events of the day, those in my control and not; the fact that I missed another workout; the long list of things still left to do; it goes on and on - I was just worn out.
I never made it to the tub and I am very glad.
As I was heading to the car, the family called (minus the kiddo who was at a basketball tourney doing what he does) and said they were heading to Whataburger if I hadn't eaten. I knew they were closer than I was so I said I would just grab something on the way home and started on my way. I had no desire for Whataburger nor the desire to make them wait. Then I got a text. The tall one had decided that he wanted Chinese so they were heading to the buffet in town. They didn't have to tell me that, but they did, so I decided I would go meet them and at least sit with them if they weren't done.
I walked in 25 minutes later as they were finishing up to smiles. They told me to grab food, they could wait while I ate. The tall one and I talked about what exciting things had happened that day at school. The man told us about his week (he travels most weeks so Thursday night we catch up). I told them about my day. We laughed, ate, laughed some more and joked around, we even had a discussion about the Periodic Table. Random. Anyway, once that all ended, we went home. The tall one did homework, us parents took a moment, after laundry, to watch some TV before the man went and picked up kiddo from school. The I got to see what exciting things happened in his day and watch him go off to do homework.
I thought I wanted my bubbles, wine and music. I thought I drove to the buffet because I didn't want to go into an empty house. I thought I just needed to let the day wash over me and maybe have a good hard cry (something I don't like as I have this thing about me crying being a weakness - silly, I know) to the sound of Christina Perri. I thought wrong.
Turns out, I needed the routine of my family. The nightly discussion of what exciting things happened during the day (instead of asking about the day, I ask What Exciting Things Happened at school? and it has worked this year, every time), the knowledge that the man is back within hugging distance. The homework that will only last an hour and yet always drags to 2 or 3. The rush of this kid being here and that kid being there. The dogs begging, the laundry going, the everyday family of it all.
Next time you think you want to escape from your rough day and hide, find your family (friends are family too) at a diner and see what a difference it makes.
Yesterday was another very long day of a very long week, and not just because of the hours. As I left the office in the dark of night through a very empty garage, I had every intention of going home, drawing a very hot and bubbly bath, opening a bottle of wine and tuning out the world care of my music. I was worn out by the events of the day, those in my control and not; the fact that I missed another workout; the long list of things still left to do; it goes on and on - I was just worn out.
I never made it to the tub and I am very glad.
As I was heading to the car, the family called (minus the kiddo who was at a basketball tourney doing what he does) and said they were heading to Whataburger if I hadn't eaten. I knew they were closer than I was so I said I would just grab something on the way home and started on my way. I had no desire for Whataburger nor the desire to make them wait. Then I got a text. The tall one had decided that he wanted Chinese so they were heading to the buffet in town. They didn't have to tell me that, but they did, so I decided I would go meet them and at least sit with them if they weren't done.
I walked in 25 minutes later as they were finishing up to smiles. They told me to grab food, they could wait while I ate. The tall one and I talked about what exciting things had happened that day at school. The man told us about his week (he travels most weeks so Thursday night we catch up). I told them about my day. We laughed, ate, laughed some more and joked around, we even had a discussion about the Periodic Table. Random. Anyway, once that all ended, we went home. The tall one did homework, us parents took a moment, after laundry, to watch some TV before the man went and picked up kiddo from school. The I got to see what exciting things happened in his day and watch him go off to do homework.
I thought I wanted my bubbles, wine and music. I thought I drove to the buffet because I didn't want to go into an empty house. I thought I just needed to let the day wash over me and maybe have a good hard cry (something I don't like as I have this thing about me crying being a weakness - silly, I know) to the sound of Christina Perri. I thought wrong.
Turns out, I needed the routine of my family. The nightly discussion of what exciting things happened during the day (instead of asking about the day, I ask What Exciting Things Happened at school? and it has worked this year, every time), the knowledge that the man is back within hugging distance. The homework that will only last an hour and yet always drags to 2 or 3. The rush of this kid being here and that kid being there. The dogs begging, the laundry going, the everyday family of it all.
Next time you think you want to escape from your rough day and hide, find your family (friends are family too) at a diner and see what a difference it makes.
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| The everyday family of it all |
Thursday, November 29, 2012
She's famous!
You know how you are walking along and see some of your childhood in a window and you smile? Well, my mom saw some of mine in a window in Amsterdam. In chocolate. We both smiled.
Don't forget about your childhood, coat it in chocolate and smile.
Don't forget about your childhood, coat it in chocolate and smile.
Or, you could find a friend made of feathers just hanging out on the street. Take the side roads, live like a kid that can't read (translation, has no desire to read) a map!
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012
But, there are no pads
Football is done, does that mean we have a break? Nope. The kiddo is managing/analyzing basketball and the tall one? He decide on rugby. RUGBY. For those of you who aren't familiar with rugby, let me simplify it for you down the the simplest level (which is about as much as I know) - it is football, BUT THERE ARE NO PADS. I support my boys and their desire to go out and try new things, sometimes it opens doors that you never dreamed of, but this one? Yup, the mom in me is freaking out a little bit.
For the past three days I have watched them leave for school at dawn wishing them a good day, reminding them that I love them (even though they might not love me right at that moment) and I ask the tall one to not get hurt. I used to do that for football, I used to actually ask him to smush someone as my thought was, if he is the smusher maybe he wouldn't be smushed as much. Leave me to my fantasy please. Now? Now I just ask him not to get smushed. Yesterday was his first real pushy practice (my words) and his buddy got a cut below his eye. On the first day. Because the helmet? Well, let's just say you are safer in a bike helmet. I can't wait to see him on the field, but, at the same time, I am dreading the first time I see him on the field.
This all got me thinking. Here I am worried about a sport with no pads yet, each day I send my boys out to the world and there are no pads for that. Let me rephrase, there are no literal pads for that. We prepare them with education, manners, love, discipline...all pads in their own way. So while they will get banged up in life, bruised, cut, and maybe broken every once in a while, the pads we have equip them with will, hopefully, help them to get back up and go back at it. Join the scrum again so to speak. Here's to confronting life with no pads...and succeeding at life with the pads we have. And to the tall one coming home intact from practice.
For the past three days I have watched them leave for school at dawn wishing them a good day, reminding them that I love them (even though they might not love me right at that moment) and I ask the tall one to not get hurt. I used to do that for football, I used to actually ask him to smush someone as my thought was, if he is the smusher maybe he wouldn't be smushed as much. Leave me to my fantasy please. Now? Now I just ask him not to get smushed. Yesterday was his first real pushy practice (my words) and his buddy got a cut below his eye. On the first day. Because the helmet? Well, let's just say you are safer in a bike helmet. I can't wait to see him on the field, but, at the same time, I am dreading the first time I see him on the field.
This all got me thinking. Here I am worried about a sport with no pads yet, each day I send my boys out to the world and there are no pads for that. Let me rephrase, there are no literal pads for that. We prepare them with education, manners, love, discipline...all pads in their own way. So while they will get banged up in life, bruised, cut, and maybe broken every once in a while, the pads we have equip them with will, hopefully, help them to get back up and go back at it. Join the scrum again so to speak. Here's to confronting life with no pads...and succeeding at life with the pads we have. And to the tall one coming home intact from practice.
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| #25 all padded up)... somehow, this no longer seems as dangerous |
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