Life is GREAT!

Those of you who know me know that I've been in a REAL funk lately...for a few weeks now. Well...in the last couple of days, I've decided to put it ALL in God's hands and what will be will be. I have my own thoughts as to how I'd like my life to move forward...I've spent many hours/days in prayer...and now it's up to God. God is GREAT, and He's never let me down before so I don't expect he will this time either. He's in the small stuff...the smallest details of our lives, working miracles. In light of our economic environment, I try to remind myself on a minute by minute basis that I am one of the lucky ones...I have a JOB, and I don't worry too much about paying the bills. In addition, I have a great family and some very good friends who love and care about me. Life can always be better but it's never as bad as we sometimes try to make ourselves believe.

Until next time...

A Chapter Ends

Well, two more nights on an air mattress in an empty house and then...new beginnings. It seems like I've been moving for months. If I never see another cardboard box or piece of bubble wrap ever again, that will be just fine with me. I've been living without all my "stuff" for almost two weeks now. First it was rooms full of boxes, now it's just empty rooms. It is rather melancholy as I sit here and look around at what was once my/our dream house. This is where I thought I would grow old with my husband, where I expected my family and friends to come together and celebrate many more joyous occasions...Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, watching 4th of July fireworks and gorgeous sunsets from our deck. I will always treasure the time we spent here...as a couple, and as a family.

Until next time...

I Survived Turning 50

Well...I'm back from Hawaii...sicker than a dog...but, VERY happy I got to spend my 50th birthday in Hawaii with the people I love most.

The day itself was a fun, very laid back kind of day. Just the way an "older" person would want to spend the day. The day really got started with a lazy walk on the beach and then a Catamaran ride. Then it was back to the hotel, change clothes quickly, and go for what I thought was a "snack" before dinner. Yeah right...waiting at Jimmy Buffets restaurant were my beautiful KeeKee and her family, my fav aunt and uncle, my wonderful mom, and my cousin sarah and her family. I'd post the picture of me in the hat my aunt made for me but Kirsten has it (send me the jpeg KeeKee). It's totally hillarious. And, what about the pink t-shirt from Rick and Kirsten that says "It's a crime to be this hot at 50". Nice...guys.

Anyway, the day was everything I'd hoped for and then some...thanks everyone for making it so special. For me personally, moving into the next decade definitly starts a new chapter in my life. One that I am SO looking forward to.

Until next time...

"not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You’re as old as you feel." - Elizabeth Arden

Turning 50

I've always associated 50 with longevity. My grandparents and great-grandparents were married for 50 years...now that's a LONG time to spend with one person. I wonder what it's like to wake up every morning for 50 years and see the same face staring back at you.

I must say I'm truly looking forward to 50. I feel more fit, attractive, capable, and in charge of my life at almost 50 than I have at any other age. The one concern I have is menopause and what affects it will have on me. You see, I recently started having hot flashes. It's the weirdest sensation ever. It's like a slow crawling prickly heat that completely envelops you. Before you know it, you're sporting tiny beads of sweat in the most obvious places. You can literally feel yourself turning red. It's completely embarrassing. You're sure that while it's happening everyone in the room is noticing. This assumption is validated for you when someone looks over at you and says..."having a hot flash?" I really need to do some Internet research to find out how to minimize these episodes. I've heard lots of Soy. Vanilla Soymilk will become my new best friend.

Then there's the night sweats. YUCK! There is nothing worse than waking up completely drenched in your own sweat and kicking off the blankets, only to find that 30 seconds later your freezing to death and can't get back under the covers fast enough. Oh wait...first you have to get up and put on a "dry" tank top.

To top it all off, there's the memory loss. You're having an intelligent conversation with someone and all of a sudden, you stop mid-sentence because you can't remember what it was you were going to say. Common words and recent memories completely escape you. It's VERY frustrating...I wonder if there is such a thing as menopause anonymous meetings???

It's just not fair what we as women have to go through to be done with having babies. Geez! You'd think that after having to endure child birth (some women for some insane reason do this over and over and over again...like Octomom), and years of having periods, that someone somewhere would cut us some slack. Whoever said women are the weaker sex??? Men...you have no idea how easy you have it.

Until next time...

The Seven Dwarfs of Menopause: Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful, and All Dried Up. (Too bad I couldn't snag the pics...there are hillarious)

A Shopping Nightmare or Dream

There is nothing more annoying than making a purchase only to find it 1 month later for $75 less at a higher end discount store 1,000 miles from where you bought it...go figure! How does that happen??? UGH! I recently bought this rockin watch at Macy's for $135 only to find it at Nordstrom's Rack this past weekend for $60. I was NOT happy. Being at Nordstrom's Rack this past weekend was like hitting the lottery for a shopaholic. They had Coach sunglasses for $65/pair, Juicy perfume for $40/bottle, etc., etc. If you wanted a pair of designer jeans, this was the weekend to be at Norstrom's Rack. Lucky jeans were $35/pair (normally $100-$125), Rockin Rupublic were $125 (normally $250-$280), and True Religeon were $100 (normally $250). However, the day was not a total shopping loss as I did manage to score a SAWEET Ed Hardy belt for $40 (normally $85), so I was VERY happy.

Until next time...

"We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops." - Henny Youngman

The Most Amazing Valentines Day

Even though it's late, I feel compelled to blog about my Valentine's Day weekend. I flew to Seattle to see a friend who is near and dear to my heart. I had the opportunity to meet his 15 year old daughter, Kailey, who is a pure joy to be around. She is so cute and so precious. Even at 15 you just want to reach out and pinch her cheeks she's so darn cute. For me to say that you know it's true...I have three beautiful grandkids so I KNOW what cute is. Valentine's night he made tacos (and we ate them...go figure), we watched Forget Paris (if you haven't seen it, rent it...it's hilariously funny), and ate popcorn (diet popcorn at that...it tasted kind of like cardboard but oh well, I picked it out). Sunday morning we went to church together and then Bible study. What a great way to end the weekend. Another great part of the weekend was all the laughter and all the connecting we did. So far it's been an amazing journey...

Until next time...

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. - Psalms 16: 11

Serious No More

I've decided that my blogs are way too serious and it's time to whoop it up a little. So, here goes...I recently got a new iPod. She's pink...and her name is Isabelle. THANK YOU KeeKee! The fact that I've named my iPod frightens me a little and makes me think that someone has WAY too much influence over me. However, only because I "allow" him to. You see, I have a friend (a very "good" friend) who names everything. He recently named his daughter's new car "Mellow", which I think (but could be wrong as it does happen once in a while), is short for Marshmellow (I believe the vehicle is white...at least I hope so with a name like that). The one before that was named Panties...don't ask...I didn't. But go figure. He also had a hot tub named "Molly"...I think. He probably has a nickname for me as well...I just don't remember what it is...oh wait a minute...maybe I do...oh....nope...false alarm...I am almost 50...16 days and counting...YIKES!

Until the next time...Make Tomorrow a GREAT DAY!