Just Hanging Around

As you know if you read my blog, I am an avid reader. I always have a book going and get nervous when I look up and there isn't a new one waiting on the "unread" stack in my bedroom.

I saw this idea in a magazine and had to make some. I had the girls act as if they were climbing up and snapped their picture. After printing the shots, I cut them out, backed them on a piece of manila folder, laminated therm and punched a hole on top. After adding the ribbon (wish I had real tassels, but couldn't find any), it looks as if they are climbing up the page. it makes me smile every time I open my book!

Some day they are going to say "NO" to one of my crazy ideas. I hope that day is a long way off!

Spaghetti Abbey

"No one is alone eating spaghetti, it requires so much attention."  She is a funny kid who makes even simple things (like eating spaghetti) a Golden Moment. Stop. Notice. Breathe. Smile.

Falling...

"Sometimes when things are falling apart, they are really just falling into place."
I admit, I stole this from a friend's page on Facebook. I have really felt like things have been falling apart lately ~ in all areas of my life. I am now waiting for the falling into place part to occur.
Let's hope it's soon.

Silver/Gold

Remember the old song from childhood, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold." Well, I have long said it is difficult to make friends later in life because it is too tiresome to catch them up on decades of your life and all its intricacies. We make, what I call, pocket friends. You tell them a few tidbits. You share a few stories from the past. You tell them about your life as it is right now. They get pockets of your life, but not the whole picture.Too long...too hard to tell.
I am here to say, I made a new friend. Our paths crossed in the most arbitrary way and could have easily never happened. But they did. I am convinced it is for a reason. We are close in age but, at first glance, very different. I have been married for decades with two children. She has been single most for her life with no children. She has been in the one field I have always said is definitely NOT for me ~ medical. She is from Chicago and a new transplant to CA. I am a CA gal for forever.
All these differences aside, there is something that I really like about this woman. I think she feels the same. Our chats cover a variety of topics and I find myself laughing at times and provoked to seeing things differently at other times. We both have scars from life's curve balls. We continue to pick ourselves up from the dirt, dust ourselves off and keep going.
We met each other for a reason. Can't wait to see what that reason is.
Keep going...one foot in front of the other...

Grandparent's Day

"A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." ~Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart knew what he was talking about when he made that statement. I have been given gold. I have been given diamonds. I have been on five star vacations. Today, at the Tustin Western Little League ball field, I was treated like royalty. It was Grandparent's Day. They gave us presents (buy me some peanuts & Cracker Jack). They valeted us from our cars to the ball field in a golf cart. They fed us a great lunch prepared by all the moms. They took our picture with our little MVP.
Not sure about you, but to me, that sounds like just about a perfect day!! On top of all that, the Royals played GREAT!!! Thanks, Jack, for letting me be a part of your life.

7 Secrets

Not sure why, but this really spoke to me today. Simple things in our every day life that we don't even notice can be reminders to keep on putting one foot in front of the other...every day....no matter what seems to be standing on our way...

The Unexpected

"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."

When I found this photo of a flowering bed, I paused to marvel how beautiful it was. Wouldn't it be fun to have such an unexpected treasure in your garden? Some may think it's silly or out of place, but that is one of the reasons that I love it. Beds don't belong outside, let alone one that is lined with plants and flowers! I found the entire look enchanting.
While we may never run into such an unexpected item in any gardens we visit, it makes me realize how important it is to have a little hope and faith in the unexpected. Life can be a tough rode for most of us. The thought that something good or beautiful or unexpected can pop up at any time, gives us the fuel to continue on the rode. Not seen from where we are now, but just around the next bend, can be something wonderful...even a flower bed!!
Push on and keep your eyes open!!