Make Your Own Fun

Friday morning. It's the last official day of my vacation. It's been fun. I have pretty much had a lot of 'me time'. I've read, blogged, eaten yummy food, worked on crossword puzzles, gone to movies. I am a big believer in the mantra, "You must make your own fun". I think my mother used to drill it in my head. Up to a certain age, let's face it, someone else is responsible for your fun. Then as you grow you are given things to occupy your mind and at that point I believe we all must make our own fun. I find it very difficult to get bored. There's always something to read. There's always something to draw. There's always something to ponder. I am so thankful I have this deep within me. As times get harder, with gas prices rising and pretty much everything getting more expensive I will be forced to chill and make my own fun.

The kids are leaving Disney today and I'm sure it will be a shock getting back to reality. I'm so glad they had the opportunity to go and have such a neat time. I will be cleaning today and getting my clothes organized for my trip to Florida next week. I will take my laptop with me so I can keep up the blog. I so enjoy reading every one's blogs. I can see how people eat up time with blogging.

I will begin my tanning process. Of course, it's self-tanning lotion. I bought L'OREAL Sublime Bronze Tined Self-Tanning Lotion. Don't forget Streak-free. That's what it says. We'll see. I have been going the self-tanning route for a long time now and I'm yet to find one that is really streak-free. I will let everyone know how this works. I realize I don't have throngs hanging on this experiment, but I always love FT (Fashion Tips) and I guess I assume that everyone else does. I have always been in the school of "Tan fat looks better than white fat".

Okay, I'm off to clean for a while. Later.

Harrison Ford and Elvis

I loved the Indiana Jones movie. It had just the right amount of action and before I go on much longer...I have realized that I must love to look at Harrison Ford. He's gotten old, but he still looks great to me. When Elvis got fat I still loved him. I thought he was wonderful.

Lavinia had said the movie was two thumbs up and I have to agree. I might buy my husband a Fedora. When I was a little girl in the 50's so many of the men wore them and I guess it takes me back to a happy little polka dot time in my life.

The crew at Disney is getting tired. They are having so much fun, but not used to all the walking and seeing so many new things. I am so thankful they got to go before Avery gets too much bigger. I can't wait to hear about all the things she has to say about the experience.

I will start with the self tanning stuff. I need to get ready for Florida. This week has flown by and I don't want to be too pale. I'm going to start a new book tonight I just can't decide which one.

My cousin called and I told her I had been thinking about her. She is a wonderful person. She's so much fun. She paid attention to me when I was little. She is 5 years older and when you are 9 and your cousin is 14...she is so cool. The thing is, she was cool. She was and still is so special to me.

Again, loved the movie and I highly recommend it.

My vacation is going too fast! How did it become Thursday already? I'm having a great time relaxing and have been reading some too. I'm finishing up The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. It's a great read. I saw him with Diane Sawyer a few weeks ago. He's dying of pancreatic cancer and has 3 small children. He has the most wonderful attitude and his book has so much wisdom in it. He's a professor at Carnegie Mellon and has had the neatest life. I recommend it highly.

Husband and I are planning on seeing the Indiana Jones movie today. I am so anxious to see it after reading about it on Lavinia's blog. I loved seeing them years ago. Now I want to see the older version of Indy. What is more fun than anxiously awaiting a movie, getting your buttery popcorn and a coke? Wow, I'm getting excited just thinking about it. I'll write later when I get back.

I also wanted to share that when I was reading my morning devotions something jumped out at me. Philemon verse 7(yes, that little bitty book before Hebrews) Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. I would say that my friends refresh my heart and that is such a good thing. This whole week is turning into a refreshing time and I am so thankful.

I'll be back.

Hump Day Ramblings

Happy Hump Day Everyone! I have my Diet Coke and I'm ready to share. That's what one of my professors in 1973 used to constantly say. Every time she would talk, "I'm ready to share" then when she called on anyone, "Please, Trish, share with us!" I heard it so many times that I always think of her when I hear that word. Those were the days. I was 23 with a toddler. I was going to work in the mental health field and I guess, save the world. Well, I took all the counseling courses and therapy courses and decided maybe that was enough for me. One thing that really stands out about that period in college was the way the professors were just chillin'. Several would sit on their desks with their legs folded and I guess it was easier for them to share.

One thing about education, I don't believe any of those courses were ever a waste. I used the counseling skills when I got into social work years later and sometimes when I look back at my childhood I was somewhat sheltered. That whole 'expressing myself' era opened up a new world to me. I can't remember if I blogged about my college experience, but here goes. I started college in 1973 and didn't get my degree until 1998. Yes, folks, that's 25 years of being in and out of school. I think it would have probably helped if I had known what I wanted to do, but then again, some days, I still wonder. First I was going into the mental health field, then I decided to be a history teacher. I have always loved history so away I went with that. Of course, during all these years I was working and would have to fit my classes into my work schedule. Then finally I decided I wanted a business degree. I cried and cried at my graduation. Probably everyone thought I was a loon, but who cares in the big scheme of life. I was so overjoyed. Then I started working on my masters degree and my job was a bear. I was on-call 24/7 and it just didn't work. So here I sit still wanting to go to school, but I still have a super demanding job and I guess my education will have to wait until later. I loved school 50 years ago and I love it now. Learning new things is so stimulating. It's hard for me to understand people that don't care about learning and growing.

My husband is going to call and come pick me up for dinner. Yes, those of you following my life know that I am at my daughter's while they are at Disney. I'm house/pet/flower sitting.

It just starting storming and now we are going to wait since our dogs and my daughter's dogs are so scared of thunder. I have no idea where we'll eat. We always go through the "where do you want to eat?" and then the other one says I don't care until we here the selection. If we don't go that's okay too. I'll just eat something here and chill. It's so peaceful. Later.

Be Brave and Have Fun, my new anthem

Day 3 is winding down and it is going pretty fast. Jo and the family called a little earlier. Avery was so excited to tell me she rode on an upside-down roller coaster. She loved it and is so proud of herself. Jo said she was anxious and started to cry in line, but Jo doesn't want her to be like me. I was such a fraidy-cat. I look back now and I should have tried more things, but I was so afraid of getting hurt or doing something wrong. She's 8 years old and she needs to experience things. They are loving their trip. Great meals and fun galore.

I fixed a burger and baked potato. I put a slice of sweet Vidalia onion on it and yummy for the tummy. I was just reading StevieWren's list at 9 years old and it really got me thinking. That was the year my daddy was diagnosed with colon cancer, I started my period, and a boy in my class left me a box of pencils that he stuck in my desk. Looking back it probably had a right to be challenging, but looking back so many of them were. By then I was a tall, skinny kid with freckles. Now I'm shrinking, thick and have some wrinkles. I'm thankful I can remember those days though. Signing off for tonight. I probably will not be able to write this much ever again until I'm on vacation.

I hope everyone is doing great and I need to call my cousins.

Do we have to suffer to be cute?

I see why everyone loves vacations so much. I don't take many, but I am having fun. Relaxed, simple, fun. I ventured out to the bank, post office, and Barnes and Nobles. This may sound like a boring trek for some, but I work so much usually that it was great just chillin'. The kids are having a fabulous time at Disney. They are at the water park today and Jo said so many of the women she has talked to have been from the UK. She told me she is kicking herself for not bringing her bikini. She said so many women don't have tiny little bodies and she would have felt fine in hers. I told her that the older I get the more I realize comfort is the key for me.

I'm not saying I don't want to look nice, but if I must make a choice, at this stage I will usually go with the comfort. I spent many too many summers never getting in the pool and finally last year I said to myself,"Who really cares that you do not have a supermodel bod?" I had fun in the pool last year in Tucson. I joke and tell Avery, "You must suffer to be cute!" but that's really a joke these days. In the 60's I slept with juice cans in my hair. I ironed my hair. I wore spike heels. I am tender-headed and I sat through having my hair pulled through caps to be 'frosted' (now of course, highlighted) and all to try and be cute. Wow!!!

What crazy things have you done trying to be too cute? Yikes, how could I forget girdles in the 60's and I was only about a size 7. Please someone out there tell me I was not the only person willing to go through torture.....

BTW, Lavinia, pinwheel sandwiches are made from some type of soft bread that rolls up and you put ham, cheeses, spices in them then slice them. Lovely for a tea or party.

Way Early Tuesday Morning

Here I am wide awake much earlier than I'm used to, but it's all good. Latte and Padme were restless and it is much too early to let them out in the yard to do their business and start barking for no reason. I thought I would get on-line and just enjoy the moment. I'm on vacation and I can sleep when I want and blog when I want.:) I have placed the laptop on the dining room table and enjoy looking at my daughter's pictures. She has VanGogh prints lined up against the wall as she waits to decide what to do with them. I think it's kind of neat. It looks like a gallery and I really don't think it's hurts a thing. They have lived in the new house for nearly a year and she gets quite frustrated that it's not totally decorated.

I tell her that it's a work in progress and who could expect her to have it all in order when she's off to work 5 days a week. She stayed home with Avery until she was 4 and we are thankful she had that opportunity. Now she enjoys working outside the home(most days).

Last night I watched marathon episodes of Jon & Kate plus Eight. I find it addictive. I have no solid plans for today. It's supposed to be a sunny day and I may go to the bookstore and buy some tea. My sister in law sent pinwheel sandwiches home with me and that may be my lunch.
Later.

Happy Memorial Day from South Carolina!

This has been a great Memorial Day so far. I'm back at Jo's after a lovely get together at my sister in law's, Julie. She is a genius decorator and has a beautiful garden. We sat out on the patio for a while and I loved listening to the fountains and feeling the breeze. She has been working in her garden and it is so pretty. We had a yummy luncheon. I will include the menu, as I enjoy seeing what others have for their fare. We had fried chicken, Swedish meatballs, tortilla chips, spinach/artichoke dip, bean dip, delicious cookies, special candies, chocolate pie and to top it off, hot Chai tea. It was so good. It was such party food because their daughter had helped cater the day before and we had the leftovers. Yummy and not too much work.

After the meal we sat on the sun porch and had our tea. We looked at magazines and talked. Her cats were purring and it was so peaceful. The men went into the family room to watch a movie. I enjoy talking with her and it was a super relaxing time. Latte and Padme are asleep. Latte is an Akita. Padme is a beagle mix. She has lots of allergies and is on steroids. She like me--Plus size. But I can get up on the bed at night and poor Padme....well, I have to lift her up on the bed and she seems to weigh more than my granddaughter. They are sweet dogs and the cat, Moo Moo, is a Manx (I think that's the name, you know, no-tail) Jo has had him for years and he doesn't do much more than sleep and poop. I love cats and I guess most of them don't do much more than that.

The privacy fence has made this whole experience so much better than it could have been. Taking those dogs on the leash and walking 'round until they get the urge just isn't my idea of a fun time. I love, reading, writing, watching tv, shopping, even if it's only window shopping at times, looking at decorating books, trying new restaurants and coffee shops. Well, this is turning into a novella. I hope you are having a special day too. Cheers!

Sunday Evening and All is Well

I'm here at Jo's house. Church was great. Our pastor is doing a series on Worship and it was so uplifting and sweet. I love our church. It's medium sized to me. Not to big yet and not too small, of course, I don't know if they really can get too big. I think the more worshiping and coming to the house of the Lord is exciting. We don't have to know every single person. I think that's where cell groups are so good. You can share prayer requests and get to know others in the church on a more intimate level.

They arrived at Disney and A is having a blast. They have zebras and giraffes right outside their window. I am enjoying the quiet and plan on reading and reading lots of blogs. Tomorrow we will go to my sister in law's for Memorial Day feast. She is the one that actually got me started on blogs and the very first one she showed me was Brenda over at Coffee Tea Books and Me. I have read it for the last 6 months or so and added many others to my daily reading.

Blogging has been great. I have always been curious about others and their lives and this is a perfect way to satisfy my curiosity. Another reason I love it so much is because my mom always said, "You just can't have too many friends." and blogging gives you some remote friends. I really enjoy it. This has been a busy weekend, but now I'm ready to settle in and just enjoy the quiet.

Saturday at the Movies

This was a special day. A and I spent the whole day together. She's only 8, but she is a good conversationalist and keeps me laughing. She's such an old soul. We went to a birthday party at a bowling alley. She bowled a 98 and was thrilled. She's only been twice so I was happy for her. Then we were off to see Narnia-Prince Caspian. We both loved it and didn't want it to end. It's a lot of fighting, but I have told her about the symbolism and I think it's great to see good win over evil. So much of our world tries to make evil into something attractive and desirable. Hooray for C.S. Lewis!

So now I've taken her home and they'll be leaving early in the morning heading for the Magic Kingdom. We'll be heading to church and then out to eat. I start my adventure with the animals tomorrow so that should be somewhat challenging. I'll sign off and head to bed. I hope everyone is having a delightful weekend.

School's Out School's Out!

Just got back from A's awards ceremony for the 2nd grade. She did great. She got all A's Honor Roll for the whole year, Music award, Bible Memory Award, 50 points award for Reading, and a Social Studies award. Needless to say, we were very proud and thrilled for her. She is a sweet little girl and smart too. She had Field Day also, but she is not too fond of P.E. (much like me). We always say we are "Indoor People". We're getting ready to go have some lunch and do a little shopping. The Admiral got off work early and so we are planning a fun afternoon. I hope to go by a bookstore and look at something for my vacation week. I will be at my daughter's house while they go to Disney World and I hope to read, write and relax. Hooray!

Jo and her husband are finishing up their privacy fence before taking off. That way I won't have to worry about walking the dogs. I can just open the backdoor and voila they can run out and do their business. That is what I'll be doing in addition to the reading, relaxing deal. I have Latte, the dog, Padme, the dog, Moo Moo, the cat, and Picasso, the fish. I will have a detailed schedule for them, according to Jo. So I will keep myself business with bathroom duties for the animals, cleaning out the cat box and feeding the fish. It will be just like a trip to a spa in Southern France.

Better run. Later

Prayers for a devastated family

I just learned that Steven Curtis Chapman has lost a daughter due to a horrible accident. The poor family must be beside themselves. We need to all pray for them. I truly can't imagine the pain they are all feeling. He had adopted her and she must have had such a wonderful life with them. All the pictures I have seen of them look so happy and warm. May God surround them in this sad time. His music has been such a comfort to us and I pray we can lift up prayers for he and his family, especially the son in the accident. May the Lord show him that it was truly an accident and that as long as we're in this world there will be so many tragic things, until He returns or takes us home, as the song says.

Thank You, Princess Diana

It came to me this morning that Princess Diana was the first fashion icon that I saw not wearing pantyhose with a dress. I remember everyone talking about it and I thought to myself, "If she feels good about it, then I will." Of course, that was back in another decade for me, like my 40's. Back when I didn't mind showing my legs that much. Well, I still have appreciation for all the women that followed her lead and now we don't have to sweat our guts out in the blistering southern heat with pantyhose sticking to us. Hooray! This may seem like a small thing, but when I think of all the years I would deal with them, I have to marvel at the freedom it has brought to shed those boogers. The winter is another story. We are wearing them for comfort and to keep our legs warm, but what on earth were we thinking about in the middle of summer? Is there something else that we could break free from that we just haven't thought of?? Perhaps. I will spend a few brain cells to ponder it.

Apology from Whiney Girl

I must apologize for the last blog. I was really whining about my hair. Then I got a call that we had to get ready for an emergency surgery and it put my hair in perspective. I seemed to hear a little voice saying,"Vanity, vanity thy name is Patricia!" I might as well get it out there. I struggle with accepting how I look and thinking I need to look a 'certain' way. You would think after 40 plus years of trying to decide where the balance is I would have it down. Well, I don't. I know the Lord loves me whether I'm chunky or skinny, but somehow I can't accept myself as thick. I don't want to be obsessed with it, but I find that if I'm not I just get out of control with the sweets. Well, so much for all that. I did feel guilty about putting it out there that I had this major problem with my hair. When it grows a little more I will just slick it back and stick a little hairpiece on the back and away I'll go. After all I don't have a photo shoot tonight or anything. BTW I'm happy for David Cook. The other David will have a great singing career. Until tomorrow.

It's Hump Day and a Bad Hair Day

I just don't get it. When did I hit the age that my hair wouldn't do anything right? It's now thin, stringy and pretty much goofy. Yes, I'm thankful I have hair, but if I didn't I would have to get a wig and perhaps I could find some cute do! At what age do you say..Okay, I think I'll just go with some kind of old lady type do? I want it to be cute and casual and bouncy, but noooo. If I don't put about 5 various products in it boom..it's flat to my head. It was never thick, but it did have some body and I could do something with it. But I guess I have to concentrate on the fact that it's still here. This has been another day in Dreamland. My husband, the Admiral, has called me wanting to know how A is, oh about a zillion times. She and my daughter, Jo are sick and he's concerned, but I do have other things going on. You ask.. Why is my husband called "The Admiral"? Well, he used to call himself the Captain (as in Capt.Jean Luke Picard from the Starship Enterprise) then Jean Luke got promoted. Can we say visions of grandeur? I just play along. It's easier that way. Please say a prayer for A and Jo.

The Grand Opening

This is a pretty big day. Yes, me starting a blog. Who would have thought? This, shall we say, is a challenge for someone of my age. Not that I'm old, of course not. I just have had a few more birthdays than some of the other bloggers that I enjoy reading. Sometimes I feel like I'm younger, but then I am reminded as I try to do some of the things I used to do in days gone by. Thank the Lord I can still go to work every day and I feel as though my job is meaningful and it is so rewarding. I help people to see again and that's such a blessing. My friend, Brenna, at Expressions of Grace encouraged me to get going and said it wasn't too hard. I will take it in steps and I hope to make my blog somewhere that is fun to visit. I'm going to my daughter's house all next week to stay with her animals while they go to Disney World. I'm so happy for A, my granddaughter, she has never made a trip to the magic kingdom and we want her to go before she's too old to appreciate all the stuff. Of course, there's so much for everyone I am happy for them to get to go. I plan on reading, and relaxing. Later.

The Dream Continues

I finally got this thing started. I am anxious to see if it will really work. I have loved reading blogs for about 6 months now and have been afraid to jump in. Well, here I am...ready or not. Some of my friends have told me that I need to blog and now I have decided that I will take the leap. It's a rainy night in Georgia and I will be getting ready for some hot tea and settling in to watch American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. I'll be back tomorrow or maybe later.