Worry

Every now and then, worry takes over my house. Waking up in the middle of the night (typical for a female in my age group), I try and calm the thoughts in my head. I often don't win. I lay in the dark and run through the list of things about which I am worried. Big or small, they are like shadow monsters on the wall. I want to look away, but can't. Somehow, they loom even larger in the middle of the night. I resent my husband sleeping serenely next to me. How can he be so calm when there is so much worry in the room?! Doesn't he feel it?! I often tell him, he doesn't worry because he knows I worry for both of us. He gets a pass and I get the worry lines on my face!

There was a TV show a while back about a family who had plenty to worry about and rightfully so. The dad had cancer, the house was in need of major repairs, and the mom had lost her job. The dad's favorite saying was, “Lots of things to think about, nothing to worry about.” That phrase has stuck with me since hearing it. 

We all have lots to think about and often it turns to worry. Worry is, when logically seen, pretty useless. Worry walks you around in circles, getting nowhere. Thinking about things often moves you further down the road and solutions present themselves. 

My goal is to think more and worry less. It is a lofty goal, especially in the dark of the night.

Biggsuzi

Pain Me

When I found this sign, all I could think of is our upcoming Mt. Whitney climb. When you tell people you are doing this, they reply many ways. Mostly, they shake their head and mumble that we are crazy. It is probably partly true. People who have done it say, it is the best thing and the worst thing they have ever done. How can that be true of the same experience? Guess we will have to find that out for ourselves.
Prayers for this journey happily accepted!

Pa & His Buddy

There is just something about this picture that says love (arms around his waist ~ hand on his knee). These two just enjoy each others company. It is a joy to watch. Usually, it's go, go go, busy, busy, busy, making this quiet moment even more special. I am so glad I stopped to notice!

Ode to #3

Oh, number 3, you make me smile and you challenge me. Smarter than you should be, never forgetting anything that is said or done (yikes!) You keep us on our toes, for sure!
There are many types of relationships in life ~ many types of love. I can honestly say, the love for and from my grandchildren is like no other. I love my husband. I love my kids. However, the "littles" that carry some of my genes, carry every ounce of my heart!!!

Jonas & Hanna

For the past six weeks, we have had a house guest from Sweden. He was here as an intern for my son-in-law during the summer hockey season. Last week his darling girlfriend joined him for the vacation part of their trip. It has been delightful to have them here and a little hard to say good bye yesterday. They were off to San Diego & San Francisco and even more adventures before their return to Sweden.
Jonas and I were a good match. I love to cook and he loves to eat! It just tickled me to watch him enjoy the dinners I prepared while he was here. Helping him navigate the freeways of Southern CA was at times challenging, but he always found his way to where he was going and back home by the end of the day. We introduced him to our family tradition of "high-low" at dinner time (sharing the high of your day and the low of your day) and he easily shared and seemed to enjoy it.
One night, he said his high was speaking with his girlfriend that day. It is easy to see why, because she is such a Swedish beauty, as well as a really nice person. My grandson could not stop talking about how pretty she was! She arrived bearing gifts for me ~ a Kosta Boda bowl (made in Sweden) and Swedish licorice. Not at all like American licorice, but so tasty!! Some I enjoyed so much I wondered if I can find it in the food section of Ikea (Swedish store). It caused me to have a discussion with some friends. What food would you take to another country to share as part of our culture? Interesting to think about because you can't take a hamburger & fries!!
On her last day here, my daughter and I took Hanna for her first ever pedicure. She was so cute and enjoyed it from start to finish. She even made a video of the experience to share with her friends back home. She could not get over the elaborate designs they painted on her toenails. Funny, something we take for granted around here, a pedicure, was so special for someone else. Made me realize to be grateful for small things like this. Proving, once again, the small things really are the big things!
Thanks, Jonas & Hanna for sharing our lives for a few weeks. Come back and see us again!

What's Your Story?

Or as the mister always says, "Everybody has a story." I am often so caught up in my own little world, my own daily sh** that is happening, my own story, I forget this. I love the Train song "Bruises". The lyrics say, "These bruises, make for better conversation. We all got bruises."
Our story does form who we are, what matters to us, what has hurt us and what has healed us.
We've all got a story. It doesn't mean it is written forever and can't change. Every book has another chapter. If you don't like your story, you can always turn the page and start a new chapter.
After all, you are the author of your story!

Ouch!

Not something any runner wants to have! I wore those old shoes one run too many and this is the price I paid!! Boo!!!
On the upside, the grandkids thought it was awesome!!! HA! At least it made somebody happy!!!