JOY . . .

I truly believe that you can find JOY in every day . . . and in doing that life is a bit easier.

Still working on this - (the painting and doodles - not finding joy) . . . I do that every day!

We celebrated my mom's 90th birthday this past weekend.

Not exactly as we had planned - but it was really nice.  My brother decided to make the trip to celebrate her birthday even though we postponed the full party.  (We now have to find a date where we can use the taco truck we had arranged . . . maybe we will use that to celebrate the day we can get everyone together again.)  We were able to get most of her grandchildren and great grandchildren to participate in a "Zoom" birthday party?   We all sang Happy Birthday and she blew out her candles.  I had baked pie for her birthday, but Avery she had to have a birthday cake - so thanks to Avery - she had a cake also.  

Talk about JOY . . . it was the kind that brought tears to our eyes.

Clay being Clay - he didn't stay long, but it made the weekend so special for her.  

I asked people to send mom birthday cards.  This was really fun!

She ended up getting more than 70 cards!  It took her awhile to go through them all.

There were fancy cards, old cards, handmade cards, recycled cards, photographs, cards from family, cards from old friends, new friends, and people she didn't even know.

JOY!

I love this photo of Mom and Dad on their wedding day 70 years ago

April 15, 1950

A lot of life lived in 90 years.

The secret to living well and longer is: 

eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.

pluviophile . . .

"I know the rain is cold my dear, 

but dance in it a little while you wait for the sun."

                                                                     ~ a.j.lawless

Yesterday was a tough day for me.  I try to deny that I have tough days . . . because I think
I need to be strong all of the time, but how unrealistic is that? Today was much better.  Maybe I just needed some rain to wash everything away . . . and start fresh.  I was driving later in the day and it seemed like I haven't seen the sky look so blue in quite some time . . . and oh the magnificent clouds.  The sun was shining on the back of them . . . it was one of those moments when you feel that heaven is just beyond those clouds.  Our world is full of magic if we just take the time to notice.

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Walking in the rain

Talking with Lily . . . how this girl get me.  :)

Getting Easter stuff ready for my grandkids

Laughing with my mom

Getting packages ready to mail

Praying!
Mother Nature

gonna be all right . . .

This is another doll that I started some time ago.

I just need to figure out what I am going to do with her 

now that she has this crazy smile stitched on her face.

Never give up on anything that makes you smile.

GOOD THINGS TODAY . . . 

Were there any good things today?

There had to be - right?

It doesn't take much to be a "good thing" . . . a cup of coffee, 

a smile from someone,  a good book,

finding joy in the every day stuff . . . right?  

So, why has today been hard for me?  I do know why . . . and I am stronger than that!

So . . . 

Coffee . . . and it tasting better when Richard makes it

Finishing a book - which ended so much better than I thought it would

Walking in the rain . . . even if it was just sprinkling

Working through a rough day . . .

Recording a lip sync video of myself for a project.  LOL  (Bob Marley , Three Little Birds)

"Don't worry, about a thing, 

"Cause every little thing is gonna be all right."

Happy Birthday Logan!

How can he be ONE already?

ONE cute boy!

Happy Birthday Logan!

How wonderful life is

now you're in the world.

Good Morning Lily . . .

I have the joy of keeping Lily during the week . . . since her mom still has to go to work.

Since it looks like our schools may be closed for awhile, I thought Lily should have her own space while she is doing her school work. 

An old table we sanded down and threw some stain on is working out perfect.

I surprised her yesterday by  hanging up some tapestries.  

She has trouble staying focused at times - and this seems to have helped. 

"Children are not a distraction from more important work.

They are the most important work."

~ John Trainer

Be . . .

I found this on my desk after I came back from lunch.

My friend Jessica gets me . . . and this note made a huge difference in my day.
Find your joy for today!
BE HAPPY!

today is a good day . . .

Life seems to be a little more simple to me these days.

Don't get me wrong . . . it is crazy, hectic, and sometimes way more complicated than I would like it to be, but something in me over the past year has shifted.  

Life 

is

Beautiful!

God's timing . . .

My son Luke . . . 

Sitting here looking at this picture of him I don't even know where to start and have been going back and forth on how to share this photo.  I mentioned in an earlier post that the end of last year brought some changes.  One of those changes was my son going into rehab. 
Obviously this is very personal . . . but feeling like I want to share it. 
There are of course a lot of negative perceptions commonly associated with substance abuse and addiction.  But what about when the addict is someone you love?  What about when the addict is your child?  What about when you can see past the addiction and see the hurt and pain and it nearly kills you because you can't help? 
I have spent years trying to figure out why this happened to him.  He really was not an "at risk" kid.  I have been through guilt and embarrassment.  We tried tough love . . . We enabled him (I can be very good at that.)  I have tried to figure out where love and support ends and enabling begins.  I think anyone who has been in this situation wishes they could figure that one out. 
The last few years . . . he was trying.  I could see that he was trying, but I could also see that what he was doing wasn't going to work for the long haul.  I do believe he could see that also . . . but hadn't really faced it.  Last summer he told us he was going into a rehab.  They recommended he stay 30 days . . . he told them he wanted to do 90.  He ended up staying for 60.
He is 7 months clean and sober.  I wish I could say it was easy . . . for him . . .  and for me.  There is a reason they say . . . "One day at a time." 
I will never give up hope . . . and then there is this feeling of being afraid to get my hopes up. 
What gets him through?   Prayer and surrendering his life to God.  Does he struggle?  Yes.  Is he fighting?  Yes.  Do I worry?  Yes.  Am I learning to turn it over to God?  Yes.


So about this photo . . .
Luke has always wanted to perform his music in front of people, but never was able to get the courage up to do it.  This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago at the church he attends.  He also was a part of the worship team at another church this past week where he attends Celebrate Recovery.  I thank God every day for his recovery.  I also turn my son and his journey over to God every day.  It is his journey . . . but oh what it has taught me. 

"I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart.  
And the peace I five is a gift the world cannot give.
So don't be troubled or afraid."     ~ John 14:27

Happy New Year!

The past couple of years I have chosen a word for my year.  Sort of way to get me thinking and keep me motivated in areas that I think I need take care of.

In 2017 I chose the word FAITH . . . oh how it was tested and how I grew in my faith.

Last year I chose the word CHANGE . . . with some specific things in mind.  About half way through the year I felt like I had let myself down and was not making the changes that I so wanted to and needed to make.  Life has a funny way of working out . . . and the last part of the year was filled with so many changes that started me on a journey the has changed the course of my life.

Some day I need to go into more details about that.

So this year - 2019.  

I have decided to not be quite so serious (Life is serious enough without making it more so.)  

So I have chosen the word CREATE.  

I need to create more . . . I need to get back to this blog . . . 

and I need to use creating as part of my journey.  

So this year I will write . . . and sew . . . and stitch . . . and paint . . . and take pictures . . . and doodle.

Along with that . . . I will find joy in the small stuff.

I will play and be silly.

I will LET GO AND LET GOD!

I will be messy.

I will PRAY - and enjoy this life that God has given me.

Happy New Year!

three girls and a boy cat . . .

 Little girls are full of magic . . . 

 . . . and silliness!

They make life pretty special!

Then there is this guy . . . he is around a year old now.  We adopted him back in February.

He has been making us smile and laugh ever since. 

Find JOY in every day!

random tuesday . . .

It was the kind of week where a guinea pig invaded the house . . .
. . . because I am a grandma and babysitting guinea pigs goes with with the territory. 

It was the kind of week where having a blast just seemed like a good idea!

It was the kind of week that makes me believe in monsters . . .
. . .  doodle monsters anyway.  :)

It was the kind of week . . . where we found out that the end of Deuce's tail was damaged more than we realized
and he now has a whole new look.

Adopting a kitten . . . . $25

Getting the kitten's tail fixed . . . . $125 

His new look . . . . priceless

(The vet had to cut off a piece of bone from the end of his tail that was preventing it from healing properly  - then stitch it up.  We are hoping it heals this time - or he may have to have part of his tail amputated.  

Hope you had a happy Tuesday!

Make tomorrow a great day!

happy new year . . .

I love new beginnings . . . big or small.

I love starting a new school year at work . . . using a new journal . . . moving into a new house.  (I haven't done this in years, but the first few years of our marriage - Richard was in the Navy - so we moved often).  I always liked unpacking and making a new place our home.  He accuses me of recreating this feeling on a regular basis by rearranging or redecorating . . . or reorganizing closets just because I get in a mood. He's probably right.  So a NEW YEAR . . . I have to love it - right? . . . I do, but to be honest this New Year hasn't really felt like a new beginning to me.  Maybe because I had my mom visiting me for a couple of months and I had to say good bye to her . . . and right after that I got sick.
 . . . or maybe some years are just like that.  

So I find myself 17 days into this year without the usual feeling of a new beginning. 

A few years back I started choosing a “Word for the Year”.

Now that I am feeling better, maybe that is a good place to start my new year . . . choosing a new word. 

Last year I chose the word FAITH.  I was feeling like I needed to worry less . . . and let my faith get me through things.  It may have been a case of “be careful what you wish for” 
. . . because I definitely had to draw on my faith.

I watched my son deal with some things in his personal life which hurt him and tested him.  I am happy to say he got through it and because of his own faith he keeps moving forward.  It is hard for me to watch my children hurt – even if they are adults and I know that life can be hard and I know they will get through it and life will eventually get better for them again.  Sometimes all I can do is love them, let them know that I am there if they need me, and pray!  I prayed a lot last year!

Then there was Richard.  A few years ago he was diagnosed with throat cancer.  Unfortunately he had a recurrence this past year . . . and according to his doctor, “It came back with a vengeance.”  
Did I mention I prayed a lot last year!

Two rounds of chemo and 45 radiation treatments later . . . beardless, weighing 30 pounds less, and not being able to taste anything . . . he made it through that.  His scans continue to come back clean and we are thankful each and every time they do.  His strength and determination through his treatments was amazing.  He has gotten a little wacko since his treatments ended . . . we are dealing with that.  I am finding that the hardest thing about dealing with him having cancer has come after the treatments.  This seems to be true for both of us.  Life can be hard and I know we will get through it and life will eventually be better again . . . WAIT!!  Life is better again!

Let’s see . . . after that Richard tore his rotator cuff and had to have surgery.  In light of the cancer – this seemed like a small thing, but it is has been a little trying not having him able to do the things he normally does.  It was during this recovery that he made the comment that he hopes this next year is better than this past year.  I have to agree, but . . . This past year ended with Richard being cancer free, we have a beautiful new granddaughter, his beard grew back, I have amazing children and grandchildren who I see regularly, and in spite of whatever life throws at me I have a faith that gets me through.  Now more than ever I realize we have to celebrate the good days and love each other through the bad ones. 

So my word for next year . . .

CHANGE

I have some very personal reasons for choosing that word . . . and if I get in the right mood I may just tell you all about them. 

love when they are all together . . .

Spring Break . . .

 Spring Break meant a week off from work.  It also meant dying Easter eggs, going to the park, planting, painting flower pots, and holding babies.  

The days spent with my granddaughters are the best days.  Throw in some beautiful Spring weather and I have come to believe . . . that life doesn't get any better!

"Just living is not enough . . . 

one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

~ Hans Christian Andersen

be thankful . . .

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this week.  Although I seem to be hearing more about Christmas than Thanksgiving.  I am trying to ignore that and enjoy this last week before the real holiday craziness begins.  I thoroughly enjoy Thanksgiving . . . no huge build up, no shopping necessary (other than food), and I am surrounded by the people I love.  

I also get the whole week off from work!!!!

I am thankful for so many things.  I think we all need to remember what we are thankful for all of the time . . . not just when there is a holiday to remind us or when things are going good. 

The recent turmoil in our country has made me thankful for the way I was raised . . . I was raised to care and be compassionate - not to hate.  I was raised to be optimistic and look for the good in people and in situations.  I was raised to believe in a loving God and I have a deep faith that gets me through when things get difficult.  I was raised to be joyful . . . and no matter what life throws at me . . . 

I can always find my way back to that.  

I am thankful for the people in my life.  My family of course . . . near and far . . . still here and some gone . . . those related by blood as well as those that are family because they came into my life and belonged there.  I am reminded daily of the importance of family!  Family is obvious - right? . . . but what about the lady who smiled at me when I was walking into the grocery store (a complete stranger) - such a genuine smile - that it changed my day.  I work with a group of people that make going to work a pleasure . . . my friends (old and new) warm my heart with their thoughts and prayers and laughter and tears.

 I am more than thankful for my husband.  I look at him and know that he loves me and will always love me - not matter what happens between us -  he will always be there for me.  My children and their families are my biggest blessings!  I love when we are all together . . . and I love that when we are - the house is more full than it used to be and when they leave there is a happy mess made by children having fun.  I am thankful for children.  My grandchildren are amazing creatures that make me see the world . . . not necessarily in a new way, but in a way that adults tend to forget.  I am thankful for their magic . . . and that they share that magic with me.

I am thankful for this life . . . with all it's ups and downs and twists and turns.  It has taught me to be strong, and kind, and to choose happiness every day.  It has taught me who I want to be . . . and who I don't want to be.  It has taught me to never give up.  It has taught me the power of prayer and the importance of forgiveness.  Life has taught me to be thankful!

Happy Weekend . . .

It has been a long week . . . spending time with this little one puts everything in perspective.  

"Amma . . . can I jump in the puddles?"

"Of course you can Charlotte!"

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass . . . 

It's about learning to dance in the rain.” 

~ Vivian Greene

skeletons, unicorns, and pirate hats . . .

Life is busy!  Work is busy!  Home is busy! 

 I am tearing my house apart . . . painting, organizing, throwing out, and redecorating.  I am full of energy and ideas, although sometimes by body tells me to stop and rest . . . so I listen because it really is better if I do.  So it is taking a little longer than I would like . . . 

I am enjoying the process, but not the mess.  Although the mess keeps me motivated.

By this time I usually have all my Halloween decorations up, I am not sure if that is going to happen this year.  But it's me . . . and it's October . . . so I have to at least have a skeleton or two hanging around.  I pulled out one of my big skeletons the other night and Charlotte's reaction was . . . "Grandma, we have to take a picture." . . . so of course we had to.  There is always time for silly pictures and shadow peace signs with Lily, and watching baseball games.  The National Anthem is always better with a unicorn and a pirate hat . . . don't you agree!

Happy Tuesday!  

Enjoy the process!

feeling excited!

Life is not measured by the breaths you take,

but by the moments that take your breath away.

Happy Friday . . .

Life is interesting these days . . . to say the least!

I'm attacking it with a positive attitude and choosing HAPPY!

Happy Friday . . . HAPPY WEEKEND!

good things this week . . .

I have never used the coffee mug in this picture.  I few years ago I was going through a tough time and had talked to my boss about it.  The next day he brought me this coffee mug . . . it has been on my desk ever since.  I handled "plan B" as well as I could at the time . . . that plan has since been abandoned and I am probably somewhere around "plan H".  I leave this mug on my desk to remind me . . . that life isn't going to always go as planned . . . in fact there have been days when I wonder who's life I am living, because it isn't always the one I expected, but then I look at the people I love, remember where I came from, think about what is really important . . . and I realize I handled "plan B" well enough that the important part turned out like I planned . . . the rest of it really isn't worth my time and energy . . . probably never was.

GOOD THINGS THIS WEEK . . .
1.  Charlotte turning 4 . . . that is something to celebrate
2.  Early morning weather that reminds me Fall is not far off
3.  This new "Do Doodle" pad . . . (was this made for me or what!)
4.  walking . . . walking . . . walking
5.  Do, Do, Doodling . . .
6.  Getting some dolls cut out . . . finally
7.  Lots of reading
8.  Eating healthy
9.  New Halloween decorations
10.  And a unicorn on my desk . . .
Have a wonderful day!