Post Christmas

Another wonderful Christmas is in the books. It was filled with too much food, too many presents, too much family and friends (just kidding!!)
My adult children spoil me way too much with their gifts. Maybe it is a little payback from all the years of spoiling them. Too many things to list, and, frankly, I can't stand the posts on Facebook where people are showing photos of all their gifts, especially the ones with designer labels! Come on, people, we get it! You have a perfect life, with a perfect family, with loads of money and no stress. Oh, wait. That is exactly nobody's life!!! I remind myself regularly not to compare the everyday, play-by-play of my life with someone else's highlight reel they are posting on Facebook.
Here is one thing I will boast about, however. My son and daughter-in-law to be gave me the cutest darn personalized pillow I have ever seen. They found a lady who takes photos you send her, along with information about each person's interests, and she creates a drawing of each person and then turns the panel into a pillow. The photo doesn't do it justice! It has all nine of us, plus three dogs!! I am depicted as a skinny runner! I love it!! It truly is a treasure and if anybody lays their darn head on it, they are in BIG trouble!!!

Happy Christmas

And here is the reason I want to live a long, healthy life. Being with these three, however loud, messy and busy they are, makes my life rich and full. I love them more than words can express. May they always know this.
Riley Kids, I love you to the moon and back!!

The "Do Over"

"Christmas is a necessity.  There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."  ~Eric Sevareid

So about now, Mary & Joseph are on their journey to Bethlehem and by tomorrow night, they will be settled in a stable so Mary can give birth to the baby Jesus.  What significance does this have for us today? I think the baby Jesus is our annual "do over". He comes, once again, and gives us a shot to be better people, be people of faith, be people of hope, be people of love. 

There are not many times in real life when we get a "do over", but this may surely be one of them. The baby Jesus, in all his innocence and magnificence, gives us a chance to stop and think and take action of some kind to be the person we truly want to be. 

Would you rather be right or happy?

Would you rather be alone or willing to compromise with those you love?

Would you rather be angry and righteous or calm and accepting?

In so many situations in life, you have to ask yourself the question, "Is this the hill I want to die on?"

Don't squander this year's "do over"!!

Happy Adoption Birthday

Two years ago today, we adopted Callie from a shelter in Irvine. I kept thinking about getting a dog. My husband said NO! My daughter started sending me photos of dogs in the shelter. No...no...no...YES!! OMG, she is so cute! I wonder if she is a sweet dog! Let's go and find out! It truly was the best Christmas present ever. Thanks, Amber, for giving me the push I needed.
She could have been trouble. She could have eaten my shoes. She could have not been potty trained. She could have been mean to the grandkids. Instead, she was (is) a really sweet dog that has enhanced my (our) life in more ways than I can count. I don't care if you call me "Crazy Dog Lady". I love her and she loves me. Sounds like a perfect relationship! Don't be jealous!
Happy Adoption Birthday, Callie Girl! We love you!

Pay It Forward

Christmas is four days away. Hopefully, your shopping, wrapping and baking are almost finished. Whether they are or not, I have a challenge for you. In the next four days, pay it forward for someone else. What does this mean? It means you do something good and nice for someone else, without any chance of them paying you back. The hope is that your kind act will spur them to do another kind act for someone else. Pay for the person's coffee in the drive thru line behind you. Leave a $20 bill at the fast food restaurant and tell the clerk to use it to pay for the next few people's meals until it runs out.Drop flowers at the rest home you pass every day on your way to work.
An unexpected act of kindness, however small, can be all the difference to a person that may be feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or sad at this time of year. Don't say you don't have the time or the money to make a difference. Do something small. Do something great. Just do something. The funny thing about paying it forward is that you do it selflessly to be kind to a stranger and you end up with a feeling of joy and a smile on your face.
Think of the possible ripple effect of your one kind act! Seek good and you will find it. Be kind and you will find kindness in your own life at every turn.

Our Card 2013

 Here's our Christmas card 2013 ~ front and inside. We planned this shot forever ago and the kids thought it was pretty cool. They are young enough to think Grammie and Pa are still cool! Their favorite thing is when we say, "OK, make a silly, funny, crazy pose now!" Hence the inside shots on the bottom. It was fun to add the photo from the original time we did the "Cool Yule" card. Where did 24 years go?!?!

I wonder how many people out of the 110 I sent even looked on the back?! It wouldn't be complete without our Callie Girl!

6 More Days

Saw this sign today and it made me pause and think a little. So many people I come in contact with lately are harried and rushed and stressed. Surely this is NOT what the season is supposed to be. Yes, most of us have a "to do" list as long as Santa's" nice list", but ask yourself this:
Is Christmas something you get through or enjoy getting to?
Is Christmas something you will be glad when it's over or something you relish and enjoy?
Is Christmas something that makes your heart pound from stress or from joy & happiness?
As a child, we felt Christmas Day would never come. As an adult, it comes at us like a high speed locomotive.
Just don't let it run you over!
Breathe!
Remember, there will NEVER be another Christmas 2013 again.
Make it a good one.

Crazy Dog Lady

It's two years this weekend that Callie girl came to live with us. I used an app to add Christmas decos to her photo. I made a dog print ornament. I am officially that "Crazy Dog Lady" you hear about all the time!!! But here's the thing ~ she greets me at the door with total excitement. She is ALWAYS happy to see me. She snuggles up and loves to hang with me whenever she can. As I write this blog, she is behind me sleeping on my office chair. She takes up more of the seat than my rear end does, but I am happy to share it with her.
“Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” I AGREE!!
Biggsuzi

Santa 10K Run

It was much too early for the alarm on a cold December morning. The sun was trying to break through, but it was deceiving in its warmth. The wind began to blow. Santa Anas were on the way. Waiting is always the worst. Cold, nervous and people bumping into you without saying, "Excuse me!" Why would anyone sign up for this? Why did I sign up for this?
Then the starting gun blasts and I am off. Hillier than I thought and some of it on trails. I hate trail running. I am always worried I am going to fall on the uneven area. Dodging people who are out there just for fun and don't care a bit about running. Pacing myself next to a lady who looks about my age and is going strong. One, two, three, four, five miles ticked off on my watch. I only have one more to go and I think I am on a really good pace. I make the last turn and see the banner with the best word in the English language ~ FINISH!! There is a little gas left on the tank and I sprint to the end.
When I look down at my watch, I realize it is faster by over three minutes than any other 10K I have run and I have a new PR!! Suddenly, it all seems worth it. They place a cute Santa medal on me and I grab a water.
My thoughts turn to, "When's my next race?!" I really love this and I am a runner!!!
Biggsuzi

Only Four Gifts

I read a wonderful story a few weeks ago where the woman was lamenting the "more, more, more" "I want...I want...I want" side of Christmas. She came up with a solution for her family. She sat them all down and said everyone was getting exactly FOUR presents.
Something you want...
Something you need...
Shoething to wear...
Something to read...
Of course, the children protested and said it wasn't enough. Turns out it was enough and just what they needed to put the spirit of the season in perspective. They have been doing it this way for many years now.
I love the way she worded it, not just four presents, but four distinct things. It got me thinking. What would I pick for each category? Actually, these four categories pretty much sums up what any of us need/want.
I know there will be, once again, a mound of gifts under the tree this year. Paper will be strewn across the floor and it will be hard to remember who gave what. Hopefully, among the abundance there will be, something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
Sometimes simple is better and simple actually becomes enough.

Ready to Mail

There are many of parts of Christmas that I love, but one of my favorite parts is always the cards. I have been making and creating silly photo cards long before they were popular. Back in the day, I had to actually print 100+ copies of a photo and make my own creations. Now, with the help of so many awesome websites and the internet, you can simply download your photo and have them do all the work.
Being a record keeper, I have years of information about how many cards we send and to whom and how many we receive. Usually, we send between 100 and 125, but each year we only get about 60 - 65. It always makes me wonder if I should whittle down the list and stop sending some people our card. Maybe they receive it and wonder, "Why is she still sending me a card?" I know some people never send cards to anyone, but when they see me, they always comment on how much they enjoy our card. Should they stay on the list? Life changes. People that were in your life regularly long ago, are now only a Facebook friend. Do they still want to be on the list? Should they be? I am not looking at this as a scorecard, just practical thinking.
For this year, they are ready to mail with only a few deletions and additions. So, if you get one and wonder why you did, just smile and be glad it's not another bill in your mailbox!

Eggnog

I honestly don't recall my family having many traditions or special moments during the holidays while growing up and that is probably the reason I strived so much as a parent to make special moments for my kids. Christmas pajamas, all the baking, especially wreath cookies, one present for each that the tag said "LAST", meaning it was the best gift, driving to see outdoor lights, the silly Christmas card photo, and on and on.
People are always writing about the stress of the holidays. Too much to do in too little time with budgets and nerves whittled down too far. The "happiness experts" always recommend doing less not more and deciding what really matters to you and letting go of the rest. We women all know that is easier said than done. Truth is, women are the ones that do Christmas. We are the shoppers, wrappers, bakers, drivers, and creators of most of it. Yes, it is exhausting. Yes, we want it to be perfect, all the while knowing, perfection is a lost cause. Satisfaction comes from "good enough" actually being good enough. Not all presents are hits.  Not all meals are made from scratch and three courses. Not all people are grateful and loving. And, you know what? It's okay. Coming from this woman, who's middle name has always been Perfection, this is a revelation! Oh, I'll still stress some over the holidays, but, hopefully, a little less than usual. And that's why, right now, I'm just gonna sit on the sofa and have some eggnog. Screw the calories!
 

Oh, Christmas Tree

 “The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!” -Charles N. Barnard

For some reason, I struggled to get up the energy to decorate the tree this year. The house is all finished, inside and out, but the tree stood empty, except for lights since Monday. Then....my little elf came over and said, "We need to decorate this tree, Grammie!"

And so we did!

Post Thanksgiving Thoughts

Food abounded everywhere....turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, green salad, corn, peas, rolls, butter, and on and on. What did this little one want?? Just a turkey leg and black olives!! This was only the first plate of olives she ate that day!!! There were several!
Look at the shear joy on her face. Happy with her choices and happy with the day.
Gotta love it!!

30 Days of Thankful ~ #30

Yes, 30 Days of Thankful made me stop each day and remind myself of things that enrich my life. I am thankful for keeping my commitment to myself to write every day during November. It made me more aware than usual of the many layers of goodness and joy that make up this little life of mine. It forced me to see the flower in the vase, not the dust on the table. Some days, that is tough to spot. Bad looms larger than good, but no matter how small, there is good in every day.
It's not that happy people are the thankful ones. Thankful people are the happy ones.
And, now....I am thankful for turning my calendar tomorrow to the wonderful, full month of December and all the love, joy, happiness and Christmas cookies it holds!

30 Days of Thankful ~ #29

 “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

 Today, I am thankful for wine. Oh, not in the over indulge, get drunk kind of way. I am thankful for enjoying a good bottle with my son-in-law over a good meal. We talk about the wine. We get excited when we find a new bottle to try. We figure out what we are tasting in the wine itself. We are anxious to share it with each other and discuss its merits or flaws. We are not connoisseurs by any stretch of the imagination, but we are willing to learn what we can about different wines, regions, etc. We keep the labels from bottles we have especially enjoyed.

You don't have to be an expert to know what you like. It's kind of like life itself. It is not the destination, but the journey that counts. Making memories along the way, one glass at a time.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #28

Many countries have some sort of day of thanksgiving on their national calendars.  However, only two countries celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday that is celebrated in the United States.  These countries are the United States, of course, and Canada. 

Writing a "thankful" blog for the past 28 days has forced me to pause and recognize how many wonderful things exist in my life. We all have trials and hardships, everyone we meet is fighting some sort of fight, but, right here, right now, on Thanksgiving Day 2013, I am just thankful. Like a kid counting how many presents bear their name under the tree, I am counting my blessings today. 

Today, I am just thankful...

BIGGSUZI

30 Days of Thankful ~ #27

While reading my latest running magazine, I came across an article entitled, "A Season to Streak". Before you get excited, it has nothing to do with naked running!! I, too, pictured Will Ferrell running down the street!
It posed the challenge that you run from Thanksgiving Day until New Years Day, every day, at least one mile. What?!?! That's crazy, I thought but I couldn't get this holiday streak out of my mind. Sign on and gut it out, it proclaimed. Generally, I run three or four times a week. The distance I shoot for adds up to 15 to 20 miles per week. Sometimes, it is more. Sometimes, it is less. I have never run 35 days straight, which is what it is on this year's calendar from Thanksgiving to Jan 1st. Should you run these "old bones" 35 days straight? Do I want to run 35 days straight? Is it a risk for injury? Is it possibly a GREAT challenge??  Then something appeared in my newsfeed on Facebook talking about the same streak. It even had a cool countdown to print (see above). That's it!! I decided it was a sign. I am supposed to challenge myself to do this!! I figure, some days I may end up on the treadmill in the house at 11:30pm at night to make sure I get my one mile in that day. Whatever! I am going to do it!!
Today, I am thankful for new challenges. Challenging myself scares me and, yet, exhilarates me even more.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #26

Some people are always longing for "the good old days". There are blogs out there that are quite popular titled "The Pioneer Woman" that promote getting back to simpler times. Well, I for one, want no part of being a covered wagon pioneer. I love my modern conveniences. I appreciate that my lights turn on at the flip of a switch. I appreciate that my car starts when I need to go somewhere. I appreciate that I have television, 24-hour news available and radio stations galore. I appreciate my oven with its timer. I appreciate automatic sprinklers so we never think about watering the lawn. I appreciate flying to visit a friend or a new city. I appreciate my washer and dryer. I appreciate the ability to phone a friend halfway across the country just to say "hi".
The women in this photo were probably 25, look 35 and felt 45!! So much for the "good old days"!
Today, I am thankful for every little modern convenience that we so often take for granted.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #25

 OK, confession time. I have been lying about my age for years. Yes, I always tell people I am a few years older than I actually am! Invariably, it gets the reaction, "Wow, you look great for your age!!" It puts a smile on my face, which is obviously causing all these wrinkles I am suddenly noticing in the mirror! Complaining about our age gets us nowhere. If we are lucky, we all get old. With it, comes age spots (shoulda used more sun screen!!), wrinkles (ditto on the sun screen), aches and pains and joints that creak. I plan to run head long into my "golden years" as long as I am able, even if I am creaking while doing it. I want to be that "old lady" that is at the end of the pack still running in the race. I may slow down, but I will finish the race.

I am the redhead in this cartoon. Feeding me in the rest home is optional. Covering the gray roots is mandatory!!
Today, I am thankful for getting older.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #24

Sometimes, nothing really is something. Curled up on the sofa, reading magazines with my little "hot rock" curled up beside me, socks on my feet and a soft blanket over me. What could be nicer on a cool, fall Sunday afternoon? For a girl who is always doing something, busy, busy, go, go, it is a welcome relief to do nothing. And I do it so well!
Today, I am thankful for a cozy day that just begs me to relax and renew my spirit.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #23

As I type this blog on my computer, I am reminded how important my hands are to me. They let me reply to emails, flip though the pages of magazines and, most of all, they allow me to hold the hands of my loved ones. The "littles" are not so little any more. Abbey especially, doesn't much care for holding my hand in the parking lot of stores or crossing the street. She is big and can "do it herself" ~ just ask her! I try and explain that she is holding my hand, not so I can protect her, but so she can protect me! Somehow, this explanation satisfies her. I remind them all that I hope they will hold my hand when I am really old and need them to help me. I hope and pray they remember these conversations in the future.
 A touch of your hand on a shoulder or a pat on the back, can make someone's day and you may not even realize it. Touch has magical healing powers. Touch connects us.
Today, I am thankful for my hands and their ability to touch, feel and show people I care.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #22

Some days, faith comes easy. Some days, it seems to be completely absent. Generally, when speaking of faith, people mean faith in God. I think faith also means believing that everything is going to work out. On the days when it seems you have come to the end of your rope, you have no answers, the light at the end of the tunnel is the oncoming train, the only thing that gets you through is a dose of faith. You remind yourself that things have been bad before and situations have seemed without answers, and yet...here you still are.
Bob Marley, the Jonas Brothers and Enrique Iglesias each have songs with the lyrics that say "Everything's gonna be alright." On the darkest day and in the darkest situation, believing, or trying to believe this, requires faith. When we are living in fear, faith is absent. When we live in faith, fear is absent. Faith empowers us in a way that fear never can. While living in faith at all times is the best way, it is still good to know that, even if we lose sight of our faith every now and then, we can, once again find it and embrace it.
Today, I am thankful for faith.
 

30 Days of Thankful ~ #21

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.

Langston Hughes

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/langstonhu108462.html#HKspk4xDcM4XCfrD.99

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." ~ Langston Hughes

My daughter asked me last week if it was difficult to find something to be thankful for and write about every day. She wondered if saying I was doing it for 30 days straight was too much. Would I run out of things? She also asked if I wrote the blog ahead of time. No, I answered, I write them each day. It always seems like something happens that makes me take note and be thankful. Writing it daily keeps it more in the moment.

This morning, I was awakened by the sound of rain falling. It was still dark outside and there was no sound other than the rain. I thought of getting up and looking out the window at it, but, instead, I remained in the warm bed just listening to it. It sounded so beautiful and peaceful. I imagined the wonderful smell of the rain and how clean the air would be today as a result of it. 

Today, I am thankful for the rain, rare as it is around here. Can I finally wear my new wellies??
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/langstonhu108462.html#HKspk4xDcM4XCfrD.99

 Today I am thankful for the rain, rare as it is around here. Can I finally wear my new wellies??

30 Days of Thankful ~ #20

I have been horrible. I have said hateful things. I have hurt people, especially those closest to my heart. Things happen in life that we wish never had. We are all hurt and disappointed and embarrassed by our actions at times. For all those times, I am ever thankful for your forgiveness. I probably don't deserve it, which makes it an especially difficult gift to accept. 
Forgiving someone else, frees both of us. Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life. 
Today, I am thankful for the forgiveness that I give to others and the forgiveness I receive from others. May they both help me to grow as a person. 
Biggsuzi

30 Days of Thankful ~ #19

For those of you old enough to remember, Art Linkletter had a show on TV many years ago called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things". On it, he would have a casual conversation with children about any number of subjects and more often than not, they would say something totally hilarious, unscripted and unplanned.
My grandkids would all make wonderful subjects for that show if it were still around today. They come up with some of the funniest, most clever things that have me rolling on the floor laughing most every day.
While spending the weekend with us, Abbey had her bath and asked if she could wear my Turbie Twist. It's a towel that is made to use after you wash your hair to help get the moisture out. I said sure and wrapped her hair in it. I guess at their house Maddy has one. Abbey said, "Yeah, at home Maddy always gets the Turbie Twist and what do I get?? Wet hair on my pillow!" Oh the injustice of it all!!
Today, I am thankful for the funny things that "come out of the mouths of babes." They make me laugh a lot and make me aware of simple joys.