Wordless Wednesday

Riding High

You know how sometimes you are SO EXCITED to do something? You know it's going to be an awesome adventure. Throw your arms up and say, "Yeah!"

Then you're strapped in, ready to go....but, wait, maybe you're not all that ready.

Is this REALLY what I think it is? Am I going to like this? Can I still get out of it?
Is this over yet? Can't you see I'm working hard here not to cry??!!
Did I have fun?

Committee Work

I am not a good committee member, unless it is a committee of one ~ ME! This, once again, became very apparent to me as I worked on a project with several other people. I am going to do my best not to reveal what type of group this was, as I really did enjoy some of the people on it. This issue is more about me than them.
I like to be in charge, or, as my daughter will tell you, large and in charge! Hence the nickname that has stuck for decades, Biggsuzi! I make decisions easily and quickly and waiting for others to arrive at a decision feels like a long, painful drive down a road on which I don't want to be. My impatience rears its ugly head and I start to tap my toe under the table in annoyance. Let's move on, I want to shout. It is not a major life decision but the color of a napkin. Pick already!!
I like to be the giver, the planner, the boss. I don't like to be the receiver, reactor, or a follower. My family, long ago, decided it was far easier to just let me go and make the plans and be in charge. I like it and I am good at it. I look at the map and they look out the window.
Trouble is, most of life is a cooperative effort and not a one man (woman) show. I have had to learn to "play nice with the other kids". I must admit, good things have come out of working in a group that might otherwise not have been. I know this in my head, but forget it in my heart. I struggle with it often. Like the magnet on my fridge says "I am not bossy. I just have better ideas!"
Still learning....

What's In Your Closet?

We all know the commercial that asks, "What's in your wallet?" Well, I propose to ask a similar question, "What's in your closet?" I have become painfully aware in the last few months that we have too much stuff! In most any one's closet, there are items that we hang onto, for heaven only knows what reason. You know what I'm talking about. We all have something. This picture is of a pair of shoes that I bought eight to ten years ago. At the time, I fell in love with them. They are Charles David, 4.5 inch heels that cost about $200. I bought them first and built the outfit around them. I felt sexy and beautiful when I wore them. People always commented on them. They killed my feel after fifteen minutes. I didn't care. I have not taken these shoes from their shelf in at least six years. I am never going to wear 4.5 inch heels again. My runner's feet protest in anything above a 1.5 inch heel. I have taken to ballet flats of every color and Tom's shoes. Why are these shoes still in my closet? Why do I hang onto the batik (remember that word?) sheer top I bought in Hawaii when I was 21? I will never wear it again either.
Maybe this is a metaphor for what we hang onto in life that we need to let go. What do we hang on to because we just do? What behaviors do we continue even though they don't get us any closer to where we really want to be in life? What relationships do we hang onto even though they make us feel worse about ourselves rather than better? What do we need to throw away to make room for something better?
So, what's in your closet??

Wordless Wednesday ~ Friendship

Fall Faves

Yes, it's still hot outside, but I find myself longing for fall, with it's cooler temps and soft breezes. I also am starting to get the itch to bake and make soups and stews, something that just seems wrong when the sun is blazing.
My mother was a terrible cook. She didn't mind serving us the Friday night required mac n cheese from the freezer in the aluminum tin. I, on the other hand, have always been on the quest for great macaroni and cheese to serve my family. I came upon this recipe this summer and can't wait to try it. After all, it combines two of my favorite things ~ bacon and the crock pot. What could be better? Now, I admit, it is far from health food, but, once in a while, don't we need solid, stick to your ribs kind of food? Isn't that why they call it "comfort food"?

INGREDIENTS

3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 12 oz)

1/4 cup butter or margarine, cut into pieces

1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

3 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese (12 oz)

8 oz (half of 16-oz loaf) prepared cheese product, cut into cubes

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup chopped packaged precooked bacon (about 8 slices from 2.1-oz package)

DIRECTIONS

1 Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time. Place macaroni in slow cooker; immediately add butter and stir until melted. 2 Add evaporated milk, half-and-half, 2 1/2 cups of the Cheddar cheese, the cubed cheese, mustard, salt and pepper; stir to blend well. 3 Cover; cook on Low heat setting 2 to 3 hours, stirring once halfway through cooking time. During last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese and the bacon.

Macaroni and cheese is a great dish for adding herbs and other ingredients to give it a unique or new flavor. For example, during the last few minutes of cooking, stir in about 1/4 to 1/2 cup salsa, cubed ham, caramelized onion or chopped cooked vegetables (such as broccoli or asparagus), or 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley.

Packaged precooked bacon is a quick way to get great bacon flavor, but instead, you can cook 8 regular bacon slices until crisp, then drain well and crumble.

Blue

Colors are often associated with feelings ~ green with envy, feeling blue. Well, in this case "feeling blue" has nothing to do with feeling sad. It's more like the Bluebird of Happiness! What could be better than birthday cupcakes that taste so fine and stay on your tongue and lips long after they are gone?!
Maddy's eyes are so big and Abigail's are as blue as her lips! Now how many people can say that?!?!
Lesson: If you're feeling blue, eat a cupcake with blue frosting and snap out of it!!!

Feet

“Your feet will bring you to where your heart is.”
I have always loved baby feet. Now, I know I am stretching it a bit to call these "baby" feet, as the owner is three and a half and, when you call her a baby, you are sure to get the stink eye look from her! Why can't they understand they will always be my babies??
Feet...not thought about much unless they hurt and usually not very pretty on most, even with a pedicure, are an important reminder to consider the small stuff in life. Thinking about the big picture can be daunting sometimes and immobilize us to do nothing. Breaking things down into smaller steps to make changes allows us the idea that we can do what needs to be done, one step at a time. People ask how I run 13.1 miles and I always answer, I just put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Thinking about the entire race can seem like an impossible goal, but keeping myself moving just until the next tree or the next turn breaks it down into small, doable pieces. I need to apply this theory to my life as well. Some days, some weeks, heck, some years are hard. The trick is to keep moving...moving ahead, moving on, moving forward. It also doesn't hurt to have some sweet baby feet to tickle now and then!

The Mirror

I look in the mirror

And what do I see?

Some old lady looking back at me!

How did this happen?

Where did the time go?

I used to be cool & in the know!

Wrinkles, age spots

Is there a new one today?

If I count them, I won’t say!

Inside I’m still a babe

Witty, attractive, in my prime

Truth be told, running out of time!

What’s the next step?

Do I give up & let the gray show?

I’m just not ready to let it go!

Do you just stop caring?

Blame it on all the years?

Some of these thoughts bring me to tears!

I won’t give up!

I’ll fight it every step of the way!

Make it all count, every single day!

If I hang out at rest homes

Eye candy I’ll still be

Suddenly the young chick, hey look at me!

Wordless Wednesday

Anniversary

Today we have been married 36 years. When people hear this, they often seem amazed, impressed, or even astonished. In today's disposable society, it seems to be quite a feat. I detest the term "wedded bliss" because there is no such thing! I don't know of a marriage out there that would first use the word bliss to describe their marriage. It is work ~ plain and simple. Just as the vows we recited to each other all those years ago promised, there have been times of "richer and poorer, sickness and health". When you stand before your spouse-to-be, your family and friends on that wedding day, you may think you understand these promises, but it isn't until later, when life rolls along (and sometimes over you!) that you are really asked to re-keep those promises. Therein lies the essence of marriage. You have to choose your spouse and your marriage over and over again.
Sometimes, you don't choose it. You sit across the dining room table and think, "What am I doing here with this person? I hate the way they breathe (or fill in your own verb here)!" These feelings are as loud and true as the ones you felt on your wedding day. This is when many people leave and look to start again with someone else who will be smarter, funnier, more serious, etc., etc. Who, married for a long period of time, hasn't considered an escape hatch or wondered what they are missing? Knowing you are not alone with these feelings is comforting. We all have these moments.
So, if I get this less than satisfied feeling, why do I stay? I stay because, for all his irritating traits that make me crazy, he is still the finest man I have ever met in my life. We don't agree on many things, but he is a silent force that will take care of his family and the people he loves, no matter what it takes. He will never be the guy who writes on Facebook, "I love my wife!!" He is the guy who makes sure the windows and doors are locked at night to keep us safe. He is the guy who will quietly go to Pei Wei for dinner when he really was hoping for Mexican food. He is the guy who will leave the others to enjoy the last of their dinner and glass of wine and go push the babies on the swings just because they asked. He is the guy who may not read my mind for what I need, but, when asked, he will do whatever it is I want. Not because he is a pushover, but because he loves me. He knows me better than anyone on this earth and, somehow, amazingly, still loves imperfect me! Now that is wedded bliss!!

I Scream!

Sometimes, all it takes for a day to be a good one is ice cream!
It reminds us that being happy can mean the little things in life are special if we take the time to notice.

It can really put a smile on our face!

And remind us to share the joy!!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Bday Boy

Go To Snack

I used to make this snack for my family when the kids were young all the time. Somehow I had forgotten about it and haven't made it in ages. To give you an idea of how long it's been, I have never made it for the grand kids and Maddy's almost seven!! That is about to change! All it takes is three ingredients that are most likely in your pantry and refrigerator already ~ Triscuit crackers, cream cheese and salsa.
Take a cracker, dab it with a little cream cheese and then top the cream cheese with a bit of salsa. Done!! The down side is they do not keep well and can't be made ahead of time. The up side is that they are usually consumed before they make it to the serving platter!
Try it and let me know if your family likes it as much as mine.

Magic

And in the magic of a small moment, they realized how very colorless their lives would be without each other.

Happy Is as Happy Does

There was an interesting article in Sunday's paper asking questions that would help you see if you know how to be happy. Everyone claims they want to be happy, but often, we are actually thwarting our own happiness in simple ways. Do cheerful people generally a) do only activities they enjoy b) look for little ways to boost their mood during the day or c) don't give happiness much thought? The answer is (c). The pursuit of happiness can actually backfire, say experts at the University of Denver. People who place a high value on happiness have, on average, 17 more symptoms of depression than those who don't. Constantly searching and seeking to achieve happiness may actually find us further from it, rather than closer.
My husband is an example of someone who lives his life, good or bad, easy or difficult, and, when asked, would probably say he is pretty happy with all of it. Oh, it has been far from perfect. Frustration and disappointment are part of life's package, but he doesn't dwell on any of it too long. He just keeps going and expects each day to be a good one. He doesn't pursue happiness. He is just smart enough to recognize it is there for the taking.
You'd think after 40+ years of being together, I'd have picked up that lesson from him. Still working on it....