It has been over a year since last I blogged. Time goes by so quickly. Everyone is growing up and older. Life is good no matter what the mirror tells you. Deep inside time has stood still . You have memories of just yesterday.  We have purpose here on this earth even though so much of our time is made up of routine. We should remember kindness more than anger, a smile more than a frown, love more than hate. These are the emotions that make us better and memorable to others.

No not quite but almost. This weekend we are having a 60 birthday party blast for all the graduating class of 1970. We are all turning 60 this year so 3 guys from the class thought it would be fun to have a big party. I am looking forward to this blast. We are decorating Fri night for the party on Sat around 12:00.  Cake, BBQ, snacks, etc. 

Yesterday My Son turned 34, oh baby.

Well I think 34 was quite a shock for my son. He really thinks he is getting old. Little does he know. He is in a terrific age group. Old enough to know better but so much time for doing terrific things including growing up with his brand new daughter, 4 months old.  Love my son. Thankful for him everyday. Also my girlie Alecia, age 32. Baby huh?

Also this week my co worker's husband passed away, he was only 63. Had a lot of health issues. His life was cut short by some people's standards. Sometimes our bodies just stop working no matter what the docs and medicine try to do to prolong it. I pray his wife and family gain strength to carry on.

Today I have my sweet 4 yr grand girl and will be getting my sweet 4 month old as well. The 4 year old will go home tonight. She is such a sweetheart. Smart as a whip. An angel when it is just the two of us. Go figure.

A new year 2012.

Wow another year has slipped right on by. I was blessed with a 3rd grand girl, Nora. My health is holding up. Went through all the testing that is important. Glad to be caught up with all that. Children are doing well. We all have jobs, a place to live, food on the table and love in our hearts. God has been so very kind to us. I wish all those in blog land a happy new year with blessings so abundant. I know so many are going through hard times and I pray for you all. My main thought for the new year is to be kinder to those around me whether it be at work, or just on the road. Everyone has a row to hoe and sometimes it is easy ground and other times full of pebbles and roots. Stay alert and be kind.

Nose job

For a few years now I have this red spot on my nose. Sometimes it would get better but come back. Occasionally it would plump up, almost like a pimple. Finally went to the dermatologist. She said it needed to be biopsied. Got a phone call in a few days, basal cell. Consult with dermatologist, he explained the Mohs microscopic procedure. Well had this done last Thursday. My nose looks a little like a war zone. Stitches out in 2 and 1/2 weeks. Amazing how people look at you with a band aid on your nose. Band aid is too much so sorry world I have to greet you with "whiskers" on my nose. Too bad they do not make pink (to match skin tone) colored sutures. Thankfully all the CA is out and now I can heal. By the way sunscreen and a hat is now my best friend. Word from the wise, go to dermatologist once a year and get body check. Only he or she knows for sure.

Long time, no blog.

Since last post I have a new baby grandgirl named Nora Brooke. Mom and Dad are adjusting well. She is the sweetest little thing. I am so thankful to have such wonderful children and grandgirls. Children are truly a beautiful gift.

Facebook

I was thinking about facebook and how it has gotten me in touch with so many people, those I never even thought of since high school and that has been a long time ago. I usually only comment about their status or pics but I would really miss them if it all went away. I know it is really not the normal way of doing things but we all live in different states and have such busy lives that FB keeps us in touch. If those of you have not started a facebook page I suggest you do so. You never know who will show up and when.

May in Georgia

Getting ready for another excursion. This time going to Colorado, Grand Lake. Cannot wait. Life around here is dull but then again stuff is always a changing. Daughter lost her job, losing their house, they are moving in with mother in law, and they have sold just about everything. I am truly hoping this will be a fresh start for them. I truly believe in good coming from change. Make lemonade out of the lemons life throws at you. Weather here is already too hot even though we did have a wonderful cool spell with warm sun, now the sun is way too warm. High 90s yesterday. Colorado I am so ready to see you.

Water rushing beside Shadowcliff at Grand Lake, Colorado.

Great Vacation Week

Becky and I had a wonderful time. On Friday we saw as much as we could in LA, unfortunately it got dark on us and we missed some great places. We did enjoy Griffith Park, seeing the Hollywood sign, riding through some streets with cool looking houses in the hills, going to the Chinese theatre and seeing the old and new celeb stars and footprints, etc. 

Next morning on Sat took the shuttle to the pier. Got on board the Norwegian Star. Very chilly. On our way to Cabo San Lucas which we loved. Saw Lover's Beach and Divorce Beach. Really hot. Spent 2 days there. Then on to Puerto Vallarta. Took a catamaran out to Yelapa. A very small fishing village which relies on tourism. A full day there and back so no sightseeing in PV. Will have to go again sometime. Maybe fly in and stay somewhere and go out again to Yelapa.  We really loved it there.

The cruise was terrific. Who could not love a cruise. Weather was chilly a few days but overall beautiful.

We each said our goodbyes and hopefully will plan another trip together late summer. She in Seattle and myself in good old Georgia. I would love to plan a trip to the Canadian Rockies. Sounds really good especially when weather gets in the 90s here.

Life with a capital L

So much has been going on lately.  Had a few strange things happen that needed medical attention. So I have had blood work, stool specimens, colonoscopy, CT scan of abdomen, endoscopy, now more blood work and oh since I had been very neglectful of my mammogram and pap smear, had that done also in the mist. So far all is negative except for liver on CT scan. It is probably fatty liver since I have a lot of fat on this bod and so the need for more special blood work.  Enough I think.  Up, down and all around.

Now on to better and more interesting life stories. Remember how I met up with long lost friend of 30 yrs, well in Dec we planned a cruise and next Friday we leave for LA, rent a car for the day, explore the city, and leave on our cruise of 7 days on Sat.  We go to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Yummy.

Finished packing today. Will do all the nitty gritty in the next few days such as holding mail on line, paying all bills that come in, clean up house (maybe), etc.  Cannot believe I actually got clothes and all in a carry on. Hopefully I can put it in the over head bin on plane unless a kind tall stranger will assist which I will kindly accept.

FB can be a very good thing. Hooking up with long lost friends does not always happen but still I have found many from different places in my life. Remembering names is the hard part.

Life is quite an experience. So much is going on around us, happy to tragic. Send up prayers as the thought comes along.

The big 50 and over test.

Having the dreaded colonoscopy tomorrow. Wish there was a way where people would not dread this so much. I know how important it is but I have put it off for 8 yrs. Yes the prep is yuck but gum, mints, honey, and old time lemonade mix helps.

I guess since I am in the midst of this I am encouraging everyone to just do it.

Yesterday here in Georgia it was a gorgeous day. I went outside and did a little cleaning up around the flower beds. It was so wonderful to clear out some leaves and think about redoing some beds. I am the kind of person who really likes to plant bushes and flowers that stay green all year and come back year after year. There is nothing more gratifying than planting something and it takes care of itself. I have always loved camellias because they stay green and bloom when the weather is cold. I think I have a perfect place for one.

The deep freeze in the deep south has thawed.

Boy did we ever get locked in here in Georgia. I was glad I bought bird seed. Lots of entertainment. The roads were a mess. Some were cleared while others were not. Stayed out of work until Thurs. I was a little nervous driving the 4 miles to work. So many others have much further to drive. I do not think we have ever been closed for 3 days due to snow and ice. It was pretty warm today so the roads are looking much better.  Georgia is a strange state; I always say don't pack your shorts and don't put away your sweats. You can always count on weather changes.

Another snow day in the deep south.

Weatherman predicted snow with sleet. Waiting and all of a sudden here is is around 7:00 PM right on time. White all over outside. So very cold though. Hope the power lines hold. I bought kerosene for the heater but would rather have electricity. Good time to clean a closet or two. Hold it just got a voice mail from the office. We are definitely closed tomorrow. Yippee. I was off anyway but yeah for the others.

A new start with a new day.

Tomorrow is 1/1/2011. A new day. Should we shrug off the old and put on the new? The old makes us wiser and more apt to handle the new. Wishing all of you out there a joyous and happy new year.

What follows after Christmas, oh yea a new number.

Why does the new year always seem to sneak up on me. It is nothing new but I still forget. In a few days I will need to write a new number. These numbers come so very soon. 2011. Can you believe it. I my hope is that I will grow and become an all round better person. This time next year I will have a new grandbaby. Having a piece of your life continue is a wonderful gift. I pray for health and prosperity for all my family and friends. Let us have joy in this new year of 2011.

Peace

Peace is given to us by the grace of God. We may have a hard time recognizing it but still it is there. The world will always be in turmoil but God gives us his love through the gift of his son. One day the lamb and lion will lie side by side. To change our little world we must have peace with others in our heart. Learn how to abandon our wants and our own way then peace will surround our life, not a perfect life but all in all the best we can do while just passing through. 

Merry Christmas

God's gift, the greatest gift of all.  John 3:16

Susan Boyle "The Gift" and Hermits

Another day off from work. Planning on getting a bit accomplished but for now listening to Susan Boyle's new CD "The Gift" and drinking coffee. Really a great voice. I usually purchase a new CD around Christmastime. Last year was Andrea Bocelli "My Christmas". Lovely man. Costco has really great prices.

Today I will make the cookie of my youth, Hermits. My grandmother made these every Christmas. She would fill the jar and continue filling it as we ate these wonderful cookies made of spice, raisins and nuts. I make these for myself as well as my Mom. I am always hoping she will get a bit of Christmas nostalgia of her mother. Unfortunately they never turn out as she remembers them. Do you think it is not the cookie as much as the memory?  Maybe this year they will taste more like that Christmas when we were at my Grandmothers. I really wish my Grandmother was alive to critique them. I am sure she put something of herself in them that I do not have or at least have not found yet.

Happy week of Christmas.

more blogging and less facebooking

I have neglected this blog. Facebook is great but really can you be yourself, I say nope. You have friends, family, coworkers, etc. on FB and you really cannot afford to be too revealing. But blogging is different. No one knows my blog and hopefully they will not even know how to find it unless I croak and they get into my computer and figure it out. Oh well, I would not be that mean to write really bad things just my feelings here and there.

Today is a wonderful Saturday -- a little rainy, Christmas music, good coffee, wonderful ideas from many bloggers, making a list and eating my new found friend flavored oatmeal.

Have a wonderful day.

Grand girls doing what they do best.