Category: humor

humor, inspiration, life lessons, love, mindfulness, parenting

Re-entry Isn’t Easy…

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It’s good to be home – with too much laundry, too little food in the fridge and a whole lot of warm fuzzies in my heart for this remarkable family o’ mine.  The delight of feeling cool air on my face,  the awesome humility that one feels when looking at the silhouette of mountains which stand boldly reminding me of how inconsequential I am in the phenomenon known as the world.

Seeing the boys in the morning as they would arrive in the kitchen for coffee, still bearing a resemblance of the little guys they once were – hair messed, eyes puffy, faces still soft with sleep.  Tender silence and soft chatter about the plans for the day.  They’d go off to golf with Andy while the girls (women really, but everything is relative – pun intended) and I lagged behind, holding on to the morning without the requirement of tee times.  A trip to the gym, a morning at the spa…blackberry picking and wine tasting, time for some reading and napping and talking.

Later in the day, I’d lie down in our room just to listen to the banter of these six amazing people, their laughter like music on the air.  The back-and-forth of their teasing – relentless though it seems to me, a pleasure for them.  We’re as dysfunctional as any other family – with regrets and memories that still itch under the skin – and love that can both soothe and singe.  And when we parted with whispered “I love you s” there remains the unspoken comfort that wherever they go, we are all together regardless.  Fiercely protective of each other, defending our family craziness with defiance and moving forward with the certainty that there will always, always be us.  And I cry as always, for my body can’t hold all this love and there are no words to explain the tears.  One will hug extra hard, one will tease me until I laugh and one will email me later to check in with the crazy woman they have for a mother.

“This is part of what a family is about, not just love.  It’s knowing that your family will be there watching out for you.  Nothing else will give you that.  Not money.  Not fame.  Not work.”  — Mitch Albom

And for my boys and their loves, for Andy – I love you all more than my heart can possibly hold.  Welcome home.

friendship, humor, life lessons, love, mindfulness

Heading Outta Dodge

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Tomorrow morning, the eight of us head for the hills – well, the Shenandoah Mountains actually.  Our annual summer getaway is upon us and I can’t wait to have the boys and their ladies with us for a few days.  We try to pick a place that doesn’t kill a day on travel, since it’s  four/five short days wrapped around a weekend.  We’re renting a house overlooking one of the golf courses (where much small money gambling and large trash-talking dialogues will occur a few times while we’re there).  I’ve got facials booked for all the girls (not that any of them have anything other than perfect faces, but they all work so damn hard, that this mama bear thinks a little pampering is in order).  Some pool time, couple time, mountain time, perhaps a zip-lining expedition for the more intrepid members of the pack – a not unreasonable amount of wine, laughter and room for everyone to just be.  We’re a pretty laid back group – no rules, no requirements – other than to kick back and enjoy the view.

So chances are you’ll hear from me, but perhaps not every morning.  I’m even going to try to take some pictures (which in and of itself is a particularly scary prospect).  But  more than anything I am going to take in the deliciousness of being with my family.  As corny as it sounds, I covet this time fiercely – and anticipate our getaways all year-long (and this excitement comes from a mom who has two of her three living within fifteen minutes of our house – yes, I am a bit nutty).  So enjoy the rest of your week and weekend..and as much as I look forward to going, I look forward to regaling you with more tales from the karma truck once it makes its way to points not yet seen.

discretion, friendship, humor, inspiration, life lessons, love, mindfulness

5:15 AM & Almost As Inspired As David

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I want to thank Ivon Prefontaine (teacherastransformer@word.press.com)  and David Kanigan (davidkanigan.com) for nominating me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.  The irony of course is that David’s blog has inspired me from the first day I started blogging six months ago, and Ivon has been a recent, delightful and thought-provoking discovery.  That either finds me worthy of being in this category is super-surprising to me.  I don’t think I’m in their league, though like a persistent, pain-in-the-butt sibling, I keep knocking on the door… And then David whispers through the door “what’s the password”, I say “please?” and he laughs…Seriously, thank you both very, very much..

Ok, seven things about me that you don’t know…

1.  I’ve got a safari on my bucket list.  My sister is going on my fantasy trip next year, and I’m totally pumped for her.  And a little jealous too.

2.  I’ve got a lot of places I want to see – and I’m embarrassed to say that many of them are within the US.  It’s strange to talk about seeing other countries when you haven’t even seen your own.  Road trip anyone?

3.  I can cry just thinking about the music from “An Affair to Remember” with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr…”Dahling, I was looking up…”…let’s not even talk about the last five minutes of any rom-com, drama, cartoon or action movie.  This makes me a lousy movie date.

4.  But I’m a cheap date – which doesn’t mean I can be had.  Well, if you asked my husband..

5.  Andy and I are coming up on our 20th anniversary – which I will write about later.  Given that this wasn’t either of our first trips down the aisle, I’d say it’s an impressive number.  More importantly, I’d say we have at least another forty or fifty to go…

6.  Yes, as the admission above suggests, I plan on sticking around for a long time

7.  I have never been as transparent with my thoughts as I have within this community.

 

So…hoo’s next??  (Sorry I couldn’t resist and was looking for a chance to use this picture)…

I am hoping to list blogs that I have not written about before.  This is the fun part…Here are seven more blogs I find inspiring, rewarding, funny, thoughtful and rife with talent…

anakegoodall.wordpress.com – Anake posts incredible images and music – I anticipate each post with curiosity and enthusiasm

clotildajamcracker.wordpress.com – she is a hoot and very popular..you’ll read her and understand why..

magnoliabeginnings.org – Maureen’s journey is honest, open and welcoming.  You can feel her heart in her words, and I just love that.

lifeinthedashlane.wordpress.com – Lee is amazing – smart, frank and so full of life she practically jumps off the page.

awindowinthewoods.com – Suzanne is a talented photographer, sharing pictures that delight and remind us of the wonder all around.

shoesonthewrongfeet.com – I delight in the stories of day-to-day life with two very active, curious and gorgeous little boys as seen through the eyes of their adoring, busy and on-the-move mom.  You don’t have to be a parent to enjoy her posts and pictures!

newsofthetimes.org – Jenni is provocative, engaging and challenges her readers to think and engage in a dialogue about timely news making issues and topics.  I may not always add my two cents, but I will always read her perspective (and those of her followers) with interest.

My thanks again to David and Ivon – I make no promises, but will try to get close to the bar you have set..

 

 

anxiety, friendship, humor, inspiration, life lessons, love, mindfulness

Carry The Weight

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I’ve written about my view that no one gets past the age of thirty without carrying some emotional baggage.  I think I also noted that after a while  you can choose which bags you may still need to carry and which you really need to leave on the side of the road (please don’t donate them – nobody needs what’s in this luggage).

So here’s a question for you to begin your day – if you had the chance to carry all the splendor of light on your back, you’d clearly have to let go of some stuff.  What are you going to let go of?  It’s time.

anxiety, discretion, humor, inspiration, life lessons, management, mindfulness, motivation

Good Morning Monday

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“[T0day] is a new day.  You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.” — Emerson

By Sunday night, the glow of the weekend begins to fade and the anticipation of another week begins.  Stomachs get tight, hands begin to rub temples and the list of all that needs to be done begins to grow into an unwieldy paper dragon flying around in your head wreaking all sorts of havoc on those synapses which had fired so calmly for two days.

 

I admit, I obsess – more often than not about the things I ‘should’ be doing with little regard for anything that I already did.  It doesn’t make for many internal feel-goods, I must say.  More importantly though I make myself crazy (with a nod to the reality that I’m already a garden-variety nut).  When I was working full-time this was just an accepted form of doing business.  Everyone had lists that seemed to procreate at night, so the next morning there were even more items than when you left.  A year later, I’m still a work-in-progress.  Learning to align what is important to me  with that which really has to happen is a tough assignment.  And it’s one we all have to assimilate at one point or another or we’re denying ourselves the one thing we know we have – right now.  Now, don’t dismiss me with the thought that I have no idea what’s on your plate, the pressure you’re under, how hard you have to drive yourself.  Not true – I do know.  I also know that you are far more important than anything you’ve got going on today.  And if you don’t at least try to take a bit of care of yourself today, at some point you won’t need to consider tomorrow.

So if you’d be so kind as to put one thing on your list this morning – and place it first.  YOU.  Find a little space today for you.  Close your office door for ten minutes (if you have a door).  Stay off of email for a few minutes and stretch your legs.  Let the call go to voice mail.  Not for so long that you begin to sweat and itch.  Just long enough to let your body catch up with your mind.  Long enough to close your eyes and smile with the delight that for ten little minutes you were unencumbered.

Happy Monday everybody..

friendship, humor, inspiration, life lessons, mindfulness

A Tiny Pause For A Big Thank You

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If you have never visited the site of DrBillWooten@wordpress.com – I enthusiastically encourage you to do so.  Dr. Bill provides me with a daily dose of thought-provoking quotes paired with amazing pictures that enhance the inspirational impact of his posts.  He was kind enough to include me in his list of Sunshine Bloggers, and I am very appreciative.  Rather than respond to the questions – for which I still haven’t answers, I am excited to once again acknowledge some blogs which I now routinely visit.  I’m trying not to repeat the names of ‘old friends’ (six months being the definition of ‘old’); I trust you know how much I think of your writing, your heart and your humor.

First and foremost there’s kizzylee@wordpress.com – She included me in a game of tag, and I think I’m still ‘it’.  I may be a failure at the game, but kizzylee hits it out of the park every time she shares her perspective on life and family, challenges and joy.  I think she writes as she must speak – fluid stream of consciousness that is a joy to follow.

Momentumofjoy@wordpress.com – Joanna doesn’t ignore the tough stuff, she just refuses to give it any power over her approach to life.  She has amazed me with her writing, but also on a personal level with her knowledge of me (without ever having met or spoken with me).  She shares her gifts with heartfelt generosity – I am but a lucky recipient.  You will leave her blog always the better for having visited.

PaperKeeper@wordpress.com – Bonnie calls it as she sees it – but always with a smile on her face and in her blog.  I am a relatively ‘new’ visitor, but am thrilled that I have made the connection!  You will be too.

AGratefulMan@wordpress.com – Russ makes me want to be a better person.  Don’t ask me how he does it – it’s just reflective of who he is.  Genuine, funny, deeply caring, observant…I could go on, but I’ll sound like a mush (ok, I am a mush).  Russ is a grateful man; he is also an amazing one.

TeacherAsTransformer@wordpress.com – I think many of you already know Ivon’s beautiful work and equally impressive photography.  If you have not had the delight of reading his blog, please visit – you’ll be so glad you did.

SusanDanielsPoetry@wordpress.com – I found this site through HelpMeRhonda@wordpress.com – and I am continually amazed at Susan’s talent and her prodigious ability to make words leap into your heart or challenge your perspective.

TracyLouisePhotography@wordpress.com – The most amazing images from an amazing talent (who is so self-effacing she doesn’t even realizes how talented she is)…You’ll be awed – and she’s self-taught!!

There are more, but I want to save some up just in case I get lucky again and get to share more with my friends.  Thank you again and have a superlative Sunday!

 

friendship, humor, life lessons, mindfulness, music

Which Way Wednesday

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This day started way too early, or the night decided to continue far longer than is reasonable.  I’m left with one of those days when my head feels three feet thick despite multiple cups of coffee,  my body moves as if it’s slogging through a swamp – forget about lightness and grace – just getting from Point A to Point B is a challenge (oh, the gym is going to be fun today – not).  It isn’t yet 7AM here…I could go back to sleep…nope, can’t do – too much java.  What to do?  Listen to JT…and pretend that the wind is blowing cool air, the pool isn’t a sickly green from algae that won’t leave (Andy insists I should pretend it’s a lake – but it looks radiated at the moment) and this isn’t a headache I have,  just the weight of too many ponderous thoughts…Let’s just go up on the roof.  Enjoy the music and don’t even think about relating to some of the hairstyles.

Which way Wednesday?  Whichever way you choose, I hope you choose to make it a good day..

discretion, friendship, humor, life lessons, love, mindfulness, work life

Take Me As I Am – Whoever That May Be

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There’s always a little voice inside my head that questions whether I’m good enough.  As I’ve gotten older (please note, I did not say “matured”), it occurs to me that I’ve got to get on the stick and kick this hefty can down the road and out of sight.  It’s rusty, dented and contains so much stuff that I will likely never resolve, so I might as well get rid of it.  Besides, I like the look of this guy…

It feels so defiant to say ‘take me as I am’.  So risky.  At least for me.  Of course it also suggests that I am completely sure who I am – and I guess that is sort of  a work-in-progress exercise.  I’ve never been an either/or person, the world to me is so resplendent with colors and shadings that absolutes are the bigger challenge (one exception – the words of one of my first bosses  “Today, you have full authority to do the right thing” – I try to remember that daily.  Other than that, all bets are off).

So despite my continued lack of personal clarity, I marvel at my friends who love me in spite of myself.  Jo and I go months without seeing each other and literally pick up conversations mid-sentence.  When we finally saw each other Friday night, all Andy could do was shake his head with a smile and say “I totally get it”.  I know her eyes, can see what they’re telling me; I can tell by what she doesn’t say, exactly what she wants to say.  This friendship from childhood provides a secure knowledge and confidence that the elemental aspects of who I am is understood on the most intrinsic level. Whether or not you are sure, someone with a historic reference  is sure I’m more than ok.  The joy of rediscovery.

The prism through which friendship is viewed, can be seen from a different perspective with new friends.  Carrie, Donna, Lori, Rhonda…I have been blessed with these women through serendipity (waiting for a manicure, Andy’s bowling team and through our blogs respectively).  As Carrie and I spoke yesterday over mediocre Greek salad (a nod to my Jenny Craig efforts – I am craving a milk shake about now), I realized how our friendship developed without pretense or guile – we passed those markers somewhere along the road and no longer have any patience for either.  I have connected with women who are wise and strong, experienced and romantic, tender and tough enough to have withstood their share of challenges and pain.  They don’t suffer fools, but they embrace you if you hurt.  They hug hard (figuratively and literally) and protect fiercely.  If I am defined in part by my newer friendships,  I’m feelin’ pretty damn good.  The joy of renewal.

The knowledge that I have gained from less-than-positive choices runs deep and is beginning to hurt less.  Learning the difference between providing a service to someone v. sharing in a friendship is a tough lesson for me to absorb.  This first year away from the firm has been painful in that regard.  On the one hand I am surprised at myself – I know a little bit about human behavior, what drives office dynamics and what distinguishes mutual understanding –  ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’  – from friendship.  I was unceremoniously dropped and the pain of landing on my butt was unexpected.  A year later, I wish I had chosen to be the one who walked away.  I certainly would have felt more graceful.

How cool to still have the time and luxury of finding me – if I choose to look – and to do so with the confidence that I may never know?  Better still is the feeling that I can look around and find the best, most flattering definition I will ever seek.   My friends.