Here They Grow

Lately, it seems that there are more and more signs that my "babies" are not babies any more. Sure, the easy changes to spot are no more diapers or toddler beds. What is nagging me more are the other, more subtle changes I am starting to see.
Last week, Maddy said to me, "Hey, Gram Girl! I need to tell you something." First of all, I have no idea where she got "Gram Girl". Then she proceeded to tell me a story complete with her opinions about it. Wow! I had a glimpse of her a few, short years down the road as she runs out the door to be with her friends. They run away from us for many more years than they run towards us. I need to remind myself that listening intently to a her stories, sitting at the table to color with her, or putting together the same puzzle for the umpteenth time, is a blessing and not a burden; a blessing that hopefully both of us remember for a very long time.

What do You Think About?

I am often asked, what do you think about when you run? Now that I am running 6, 8, 10 miles, I am out there a good long time. Sometimes I strap on the iPod and listen to music, but mostly I just run and think and run and think. If it's an early morning run, I mentally lay out my day ~ errands, clients, phone calls, etc. It is a good way for me to review what needs to be done.
I also talk to myself with silly motivational things. "I get to run this morning." "I am awesome." "I can do this." I have always said that for some reason, we humans let the negative tapes run louder and longer than the positive ones. I am guilty of this myself during the day, but when I run, I try and only say positive things to myself. Believe it or not, it actually helps get me through it. I am not a trained runner or an athlete of any kind. I have to rely on my sheer will to go another mile when I really don't want to run any more. I try and remind myself how I feel, both mentally and physically, afterwards. It works! Now, if I could only apply this philosophy to the rest of my life!

Expectations

Is life complicated or are WE complicated? It seems that there are many daily challenges for everyone. They come in many forms: families, friends, jobs and more. We are not supposed to have expectations of others. My husbands says I am often guilty of expecting too much from those around me. I retort that I only expect what I am willing to give. Unfortunately, my level of giving and theirs may be quite different. Hence, disappointing expectations abound. Again, my fault.
How do you have a long term relationship with someone and NOT have expectations? What spouse doesn't have expectations of the other? (honesty, faithfulness, support )Who doesn't have expectations for their children? (happy, hard working, productive citizens) Who doesn't have expectations for a friend? (compassion, truthfulness, availability) These all seem so basic and not too much to ask (or expect), so why do we often feel people fall short of our expectations? How often do we fall short of other's expectations? How do we stop expecting and just take what others give?
Today I have lots of questions and no answers.

Shopping

When I found this cartoon in the morning paper, I had to laugh. I have a great husband, but he doesn't often go to the market by himself. Every week, I plan the menus for each day and then make a market list based upon those meals. Sometimes he comes along with me to be, as he calls it, "the guy who pushes the cart". On the rare occasion that I send him alone, heaven only knows what he brings home! Not only does he have a hard time getting exactly what I wanted, it's the extra things he picks up along the way! I figure, when he shops, there is a 20% increase in the food budget!! It's like taking one of the grand kids with me. My daughter claims the same is true for her husband. Oh, he finds these awesome gourmet cheeses, but they cost a fortune! Perhaps it is another basic, fundamental difference between men and women. Food shopping is just another task we women have to do week in and week out; just get it done. Men, on the other hand, don't go to the market as often and see it as almost an adventure; what treasures can I uncover this time? I call them treasures, because what they find usually cost a fortune!
As much as I don't love grocery shopping, I think I better keep doing it. Besides, he's really good at doing dishes and that doesn't cost me anything.

Simple Pleasures

What can be better after dinner on a June evening than ice cream? As you can see, these three darlings enjoyed every bite! Our joy was in watching them eat it up. I am, once again, reminded to stop and appreciate the simple moments, in ordinary time, that really are the "golden moments" of our life. They will grow up (faster than I care to realize) and will eat ice cream without messing up their entire face. Thank goodness these pictures are embedded on my heart!

What Do You See?

Found this in the book I am reading..."She was the most familiar person in the world to him and therefore had always been that much harder to see." This gave me pause to consider how we stop really seeing each other after a while. We rush about our day, our to do lists, our constant busyness and forget to see those around us. I am totally guilty of this myself. What is so familiar almost becomes invisible to us. No wonder people claim, "You just don't see me anymore!" The distance between two people, sitting right next to each other on the couch, can be miles. It doesn't happen overnight, but erodes slowly away. Can we ever turn back the clock and really see each other again? Do we want to? Will we like what we see? Will they? Harsh realities...

Adventure Day

Saturday, June 12th, was deemed Adventure Day. Maddy, Jack & I went to the Amtrak station in Santa Ana and rode the train to San Juan Capistrano. There we went to Ruby's for breakfast, followed by Zoomar's Petting Zoo and Pony Rides. You can tell from the smiles on their faces, we had a blast. Amber & Abbey were supposed to join us, but Abbey broke her collar bone on Wednesday night. It has been another rough patch for the Svoboda/Riley clan. I guess this is the lesson of life....some joy and fun interspersed with some sadness and challenges. The good part is, we get to be there for each other through both.