The Gift

A year ago, my family and I were traveling to Florida to take our Christmas cruise out of Tampa, celebrating being cancer free! On the way we stopped by to see our friends the O'Steens. To say the least the visit was wonderful and the cruise was an event. If this gives you any idea, whenever we see advertisement for a cruise we all GROAN.

This year we are thrilled to be in MarDo, a funny name for Oak Ridge. Our girls think it would be wonderful if they (the town of Oak Ridge) would name it after Marshall and me, our personal joke, that has caught on. I've been off from work since the 17th and for the first time in my life, I haven't filled every minute with...... I've enjoyed just being. It's amazing how peaceful and restful I feel right before Christmas. Now don't get me wrong I haven't been sitting around doing nothing, actually I've been doing what I love to do piddle. My Christmas shopping was basically done before Dec 1, much done on line.

One thing we did this year that helped me was, since we all have a google account, I created a google document that we could all access to create our Christmas list, everyone used this to begin shopping. Before Christmas Mar and I created a Christmas budget. I hope we  stayed true to it. I've noticed that the closer it gets to Christmas the more impulsive shopping I do.

Ginna arrived last night, Lucy hopefully tonight and Carrie tomorrow. I love being with family.

The Right Question

Being over 50, having raised three children, married for almost 30 years has set the tone for pondering. Ponder what, you may ask? My life, my struggles, my goals, my habits, my purpose, my next steps. Don't worry I'm not going through a midlife crisis. I have no plans of running up the credit card to purchase my dream car or dressage horse, though tempting. I'm just thinking and pondering.

Recently a friend shared with me a book which had made a difference in her life, The Right Question, Ten Essential Questions to Guide You to an Extraordinary Life. I can be leery of "secular" books that aren't driven by certain principles but ..... respecting my friend and her own journey, I ordered it from Amazon. I'm reading it with pen and journal in hand. It's hitting home to me. Here's a excerpt from the first chapter:

Every day, each of us makes a multitude of choices that will impact our lives. Some of these choices are minor and will only impact the next few minutes, hours, or days, while others will completely change the direction of our lives. Some choices are easy to make, some are more difficult. Some will lead us straight to success, while others will bring us face-to face with failure. Some will seem earthshakingly important, while others will seem completely insignificant. But what's imperative for each of us to know is that, no matter how large or small, easy or difficult, each choice that we make, individually or collectively, alters the direction of our lives.

As I enter this next phase of my life, I am challenged to ask the "right question", "Will this choice propel me toward an inspiring future or will it keep me stuck in the past?"

A lot to ponder. I'll keep you posted.

A Must See

In the past six months I've heard so much about an autistic woman who has a phenomenal story. She has written a book and now there is a movie about her called Temple Grandin. The other night I learned it was at Red Box and with a little time on my hands we rented it. Marshall agreed to sit in the room with me but he had "things" he needed to do, once it started we were both captivated and will recommend it to everyone!

Wine, Sunshine, Sisters

 

Happy Birthday Mom

 Wednesday marked my mother's 85 birthday. I went to visit and celebrate until the "warning tornado" halted the festivities! It didn't matter too much because Thursday her daughters brought the wine and gifts, and God sent the sunshine. Here are a few pictures that need no explanation.



Doesn't take much to make Mom laugh!

  

She loves being together.

Entertainment.
An aid came by with a new portable potty and Diane couldn't resist.





It's obvious the greatest gift we can give her is time together. She loves listening to us talk and laugh even though she can't really engage. We are very thankful to still have her, even though much of her mind is gone.

I do hate Alzeheimers.









Joining the church

This week Carrie called and invited us to Charlotte on Sunday, she was joining her church, UpTown. I realized this is the first time, I think, she has joined the church since she was living with us, though now I remember she probably joined Redeemer in NY. Anyway, it feels like a big deal. Joining the church means you want to be apart of it. You want to support it with your time, money and basically you want to invest in it. We look forward to seeing the place where the Gospel is being preached. Being apart of a church is a very important part of a Christian's life. Tomorrow will be a special day.

1 John 1:7 (New International Version)

⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[a] sin.

After 30 years

As mentioned in an earlier blog today was the first time in 30 years that I've been to the State Fair. We had a wonderful time. We got to Raleigh at 10:15, picked up Jeff and Ginna and headed towards "the people". Marshall had made a comment that maybe everyone has already visited the fair since it ends tomorrow. Well that was the farthest thing from the truth! We paid our $10 for parking and entered with plans to spluge on a few dietary no no's.



Yes, we tried the Deep Fried Snickers!



It was lots of fun and thankfully my emotions were in tack and I really didn't think at all about 30 years ago, I'm just glad I am where I am in my life.

We spent about 3 hours walking around sampling all the "forbidden" fruits and rode and very mild ferris wheel, which left everyone's stomachs in tack. I am thankful for a fun day and time with the soon to be marrieds. We might take the train next time.







Getting ready to take in the sites!

Ginna and Jeff on the Ferris Wheel

The State Fair

Thirty years ago was the last time I visited the state fair in Raleigh; it wasn't an experience I gave to my girls. So why now am I heading to the fair this Saturday? It begins with some background .

It was October 30th 1980, I was a junior on fall break at UNC Greensboro. Several friends and I traveled to Raleigh to experience the sounds, smells, and exhiliration that the fair promises. I don't really remember too much about what I did, but I can imagine it was lots of fun. We drove back to Greensboro in the late afternoon and stayed at my friend Mary's apartment, I think I was planning to eat dinner with her and hang out. Upon returning I got a phone call from my brother David. "Dorothy, come home quick". My friend drove me home. We drove up to my house and I noticed several unfamiliar cars parked out front. With a deep sense of dread in the pit of my stomach, I walked in the front door. It was there, I learned my dad was dead, by his own hand. That was the last time I went to the fair.

30 years later I'm ready to see the fair, again.

Movie

I can't remember the last movie I've been to in a theatre. We rationalize and say, "we will wait until it comes to Red Box", and then never rent it or forget the title. Well the dry spell was broken. Friday I got a call from the husband who invited me for dinner. On our way to Kernersville, we saw where the $3 movie theatre was showing Secretariat, a movie we had heard raves about. Today, we attended the 4pm showing. With popcorn and diet coke in hand we really enjoyed movie. I was very inspired on many levels. It's a must see!

This is the scripture used at the very beginning of the movie.

Job 39: 19-24

"Do you give the horse his strength
       or clothe his neck with a flowing mane?

 ²⁰ Do you make him leap like a locust,
       striking terror with his proud snorting?

 ²¹ He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength,
       and charges into the fray.

 ²² He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
       he does not shy away from the sword.

 ²³ The quiver rattles against his side,
       along with the flashing spear and lance.

 ²⁴ In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground;
       he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

 ²⁵ At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, 'Aha!'
       He catches the scent of battle from afar,
       the shout of commanders and the battle cry.

Saturday

One year ago I was preparing to walk the Women's Only 5K with daughters by my side. This year with a head full of hair and daughters still by my side, I ran it (well most of it) in 44 minutes. I felt thankful and pleased to have a cancer free body, and legs and a heart that would allow me to move at a faster pace. I am also very thankful for my personal trainer Kellie who has encouraged and pushed me when I didn't think I could go on. As we turned the corner of Green Valley and ran the hill to the finish line, I kept quoting to myself, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength". That finish line was a beautiful sight!

Weekend To Do

I can't really begin to describe the joys of Fridays. Rising early before the chickens each day and promptly in bed before the clock strikes 10, creates a routine that leads me longingly into the weekend. I love the idea of very little "structure" and letting things happen. Don't get me wrong, this kicking back is met with a mile long to do list, one of my favorite past times, creating lists and checking off what I have accomplished. I know it sounds crazy but sometimes I will add items to my list that I've already done just so I can check them off.

Recently at work I was admiring a co-worker's clip board that was much cuter than the legal pad I used. She explained it's "eye candy". She was right. The next afternoon I went to Tuesday Mornings and got some eye candy.

In the mail this week, Carrie sent me a gift she made that's even prettier eye candy, with  horses from the recent Anthropology catalog! Now I have two. I must get to work and fill my lists with my many to dos.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Afternoon delight...almost

I got home from work a little later than I had planned. Class rings, college visitor, and a parent conference with a table full of teachers, delayed my  departure. As the clock struck 4:45, my bags were packed and I was  in my little pickup for the ride home. When I got home nothing was planned, my kind of afternoon. I gathered my new catalogs and headed for the hammock. I enjoyed a few moments of rest before the NOSEE'EMS began to bite my bare legs and feet.

My quiet solitude quickly ended and the comfort of inside won out. It was a wonderful plan and I will do it again in a couple of weeks when the weather turns cooler and it's safe from those itchy critters.

The old saying.

Put one foot in front of the other......

Today I ventured out to Off 'n Running, a specialized store for "runners". Every Monday they have a half -hour plus  run for beginners around 5:45pm. Kellie, my personal trainer who I have been working with for a month, met me there and we ventured out with a few other runners. I really don't consider myself a runner. Maybe because I don't really feel like a runner. In my mind a runner is one who runs effortlessly at a pace that looks fun. I kinda feel like I'm running with lead chains buckled around my ankles and breathing like I'm in the Swiss Alps. Today it definitely felt like that.

We ran from the store to a near by grave yard that was set among acres of hills and steep inclines. You don't really think about how steep they are until you are running. I took many walking breaks and felt a little defeated as my "running" partners seemed to glide along. As I began to feel sorry for myself, my eyes began to notice all the people in cars driving down the road not expending any energy and probably couldn't run the 8 minutes I did without stopping. These thoughts renewed my drive enough to run with a little more "umph" up the last stretch. I don't really look like a runner but I am a runner. I'm putting one foot in front of the other and working that heart muscle more than I was a month ago.

Flowers

Summer is waning and so are my garden flowers. Before the first frost arrives I cut a bouquet for inside pleasure. I love the look of fuchsia colored zinnia's and tender blue shoots. Flowers bring a smile to my soul and remind me to surround myself with reminders of His creation. What will you see today that will remind you of Him?

My quest.

If you have known me long my quest for fitness and good health has been a long time pursuit. From diet to diet, to joining the gym, to trying the latest fad. To no avail the goal seems to be met with failing to reach it, whatever it is. Last year when I was battling cancer Lucy was competing in her second triathlon. I remember saying to her and myself, "I want to do one of these when I get well". Well, well I am and I'm challenging myself to something more than just letting life go by. With the pending wedding and the goal to not look like a 51 year old over- weight mob (mother of the bride). I'm donning my tennis shoes and setting out to beat the odds.

My first race is Oct 2, the Women's Only. A race for the cure for breast cancer. Last year this was Carrie, Lucy and me walking. I plan to run much of this year.

Why Blog?

Two years ago Carrie began her CCC in NYC blog. I followed it as often as she posted. Over the last two years reading blogs has become a favorite past time. I've gleaned new skills on many DIY skills and read the hearts of many blogger friends. As I was catching up on my Blog Reader this early morning, I began thinking I'd like to start one again. So there you have it. No profound revelation. I don't really know what I'll write about but I will enjoy the journey.