Nana

Nana. Love that name. Can't wait until the two new grandbabies can call me that.

My oldest daughter and my middle daughter both had sons within one day of each other. Montgomery and Malachai. So, now I had a wonderful dilemma - who to visit first?

A great problem to have, don't you think?

My decision? First born, first visited. Montgomery, then Malachai.

Had great fun with both, however, and am enjoying all of the new baby and family pictures on Facebook.

Birthday

Today is my 56th birthday. It has been a great day. Church, VBS meeting with lunch provided, a visit to my daughter at her camp, a bouquet of black-eyed Susans, a great conversation with my granddaughter, thirty plus birthday wishes on Facebook and a homemade chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. I am blessed. 

Happy Birthday, Moon (Moonbear)

Teddy Bear Quilt and Memories

I've been working on a baby quilt for my niece's little one. It's a quilt that my mom had started before she passed away last year. Memories of mom in her sewing room have made it hard to begin. This weekend must be the perfect time, though, since I've got the top almost pieced together. I've included pictures of the boy and girl teddy, with some of the details. There's more to do, but I feel good about the progress so far.

Quilts, Baby!: 20 Cuddly Designs to Piece, Patch & Embroider
Tadpole Quilts for Baby (Leisure Arts #3518)

Too Many Likes

I've found, recently, that there are many things calling for my attention. Learning about being a landlord is important, as we're supposed to close Friday on our first investment property. Learning about eBay is important, as I am trying to sell multiple items that I no longer need. Learning about blogging and online writing is important, as this is a gift that I want to use to be an example and encouragement to others. Continuing to organize at home is important, as I am unable to function in a space that is cluttered and messy. Finishing the Teddy Bear quilt for my niece is important, as it has meaning to our family as a remembrance of Mom.

As you can see, many things are competing for my attention. I'm doing a mediocre job of focusing on any one of them for very long. It's always a bit amazing to me that I can be supremely organized and 'together' at work, yet things seem to fall apart at home. I know that this sense of discomfort comes from the stretching that is part of moving into something new and different. I will settle in eventually, but for now will need to learn to deal with the agitated feelings and the lack of attentiveness that overwhelms me.

Of course, with all of these new areas of endeavor, I won't have to worry about boredom. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, may become the norm.

Voice

I've discovered that my voice is unique. My natural voice is not girly sounding, but gruff and flat most times. My writer's voice is quirky, changing as my mood changes, sometimes as quickly as I can type the words.

Quicksilver, my mom used to say. You can't quite catch it or hold it in your hand. Sometimes, a writer's voice is like that. Hard to pin down. Hard for the writer to allow the true voice to shine through the writing, no matter the subject.

I try hard to make my writing true to who I am. Hopefully, I succeed. In order to continue to be true to that real self, I need to continue to pursue that true me. With God's help, I will succeed.

Inspiration

I've been reminded that inspiration can come from many places and in various ways. The sound of the wind chime in the flowering crabapple tree; the sight of a great blue heron flying over the road in front of my car on the way home from a stressful day at work; a mother cat caring for her newborn kittens; watching the sonogram dvd of my grandson; a friend enjoying homemade chocolate chip cookies; laughing out loud at the irreverence of Mark Twain. Unrelated, perhaps, except for the lightness breathed into my soul.

Another way to find inspiration is through the writings and words of others. In looking for wise and witty things to post on my social media sites, I found reminders of the creativity, intelligence, common sense and greatness of mankind. Here are some of my favorite quotes (for tonight anyway):

"The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want." -Ben Stein

 

“The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still, small voice of conscience.” -Mahatma Gandhi

"'Normal' is just a setting on the dryer." -Barbara Johnson

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." Alphonse Karr

"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom." -Bob Dylan

"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom." -Albert Einstein

And, the one that made me laugh out loud:

"It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly American criminal class except Congress." -Mark Twain

Find inspiration. Laugh out loud. Release stress. What could be better?

Mother's Day

Being a mom is one of the hardest, and most rewarding, jobs in the world. The work begins from the moment you leave the hospital, wondering why in the world they trusted you with this perfect baby, especially since you have no clue about what to do next. Lots of sleepless nights, with worries about fevers, scraped knees, driving the family car, and friends keeping them out too late. Unreasonable concerns that you've screwed them up beyond repair because of your own lack of skills and the possibility of your complete emotional instability.

The compensation, however, is worth all of those worries. The smile that greets you in the morning, the hugs for no reason at all, the boquets of dandelions, the handmade cards and presents, the visits home from college (even if it seems like it's only to do the laundry) - all much more gratifying than money.

And then, there are the grandchildren. A time to mother without the same responsibility. You get to have fun and send them home, usually sugared up and tired from climbing trees, swimming in the creek, or driving to the mall for practice and then buying that pair of shoes that were necessary for the prom.

Do something nice for your mom. Her smile is worth the effort.

Coming up in the World

It's seems like a small thing, but we had DSL internet connected today. We live in the country, and cable is still not available to us. Satellite brings our TV signal, but the cost of satellite internet is prohibitive.

A month ago, I responded to a flyer from Verizon, and was pleasantly surprised to hear that DSL was now available to us. After some glitches, we are now connected. Although it may not be as fast as promised, according to the technician, it is supremely faster than the dial-up connection we were using yesterday. With a wireless modem, we can all connect at the same time.

Small blessings are sweet, aren't they?

Closing Doors

Over Easter weekend, I went to PA to visit family. Dinner was wonderful, but the company was priceless. Sunday service at the Wellsboro Free Methodist Church was a pleasant surprise, as it was a contemporary service with a compassionate pastor who shared a word that spoke to my heart and had a practical, daily life application.

A bittersweet chore while there was to pack up those personal items from Mom's estate that were coming back to NY with me. It felt extremely strange to be boxing up things that meant so much to her, and that expressed her personality so completely. I did well holding back tears, until we opened the hope chest in the basement and went through all of those things she saved.

Memories were packed in the chest. Baby clothes, old report cards, photos, cards sent to her, items her grandchildren had made for her, graduation and concert programs, doileys she had made, her wedding gown and gloves, and many other things of value to her alone.  

This was the most difficult part of the weekend, as it made our loss complete. She was a wonderful lady, a loving mother and grandmother, a faithful friend. I miss you, Mom.

Time Goes By

It's very late on Tuesday evening, the result of menopausal insomnia. I am watching CSI New York, and taking a very long time (dialup you know) to download a video of my six-year-old granddaughter reading a bedtime story to her mom and dad. Amazing!

I've become enamored of the social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Perhaps you would have expected that from me, since I consider myself a 'techy', but it's more than I anticipated. I love being able to watch a video of my granddaughter the same evening it's recorded. I love seeing all the pictures: birthday party, the first day of school, the Halloween costume, the Christmas presents, and those unguarded moments while she's swinging in the park or riding her bicycle.

The digital age has made it much simpler for me to keep up with what's happening far away, while making it seem like I'm in the same room. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that.  

A Grandparent's Legacy: Your Life Story in Your Own Words
Twitter Power: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time
The Facebook Era: Tapping Online Social Networks to Build Better Products, Reach New Audiences, and Sell More Stuff

Getting Healthy

I've been working on losing weight for about a month, counting calories and attempting to exercise. I've been using an iPod app to track my foods and exercise, which seems to be keeping me focused.

About a week ago, I purchased Wii Active, and 5 days ago I started the 30 Day Challenge. As of today, I've lost eight pounds; two since I started doing the Challenge. My goal is to get fit so that I can keep up with the two new grandbabies that are on the way. It certainly won't happen if I do nothing.

I've tried multiple times in the past to get my weight down. This time, with all of the techy tools, I'm hoping to stay on track and meet my goal. Swimsuit weather, here I come! 

Apple iPod touch 32 GB, Case, and Charger Bundle

Earrings, Shoes and Handbags

I'm such a girlie girl when it comes to things like jewelry and accessories.

I love shoes, all kinds of shoes. Pumps, flats, sandals, clogs, sneakers, boots, and wellies are all part of my footwear repertoire. They mirror my mood. Dark if sad, bright if happy. Pink heels seem to be the power shoes.

I love purses, as well. I would love to own a purse for every day of the month, or year, in colors to match the shoes. A Coach label or two wouldn't hurt.

My favorite girlie accessory, however, has to be earrings. I have pierced ears, so there are lots of options. I recently purchased a pair of hand made, flamed glass, zebra striped earrings from Cat Scratch Glass on Etsy.com. I love them. They are beautiful, lightweight, unique. They could have been custom made, they reflect my personality so well.

I like things that most people don't have, but these are too beautiful to keep to myself. Check out the storefront at http://www.etsy.com/shop/catscratchglass .

Fashion Police

I spent the last hour watching Joan Rivers and the Fashion Police on E. I'm not into the Oscars, so it was nice to see the fashions from the red carpet.

I am amazed at some of the dresses that are worn for this event. Many of them were beautiful. Some were stinkers, though. You really should look in a full-length mirror, and ask someone else's opinion, preferably someone whose paycheck you don't sign. For some, perhaps it's time to change stylists.

Overall, lots of glitter and bling. Love Joan Rivers. It was fun to watch, and much less time consuming than the actual awards show.

Morning Pages

Since writers are supposed to be writing, preferably daily, I've decided to go back to morning pages. That means that I start my day with three full pages of free writing. Handwritten, no computer. Perhaps it will help me relieve the stress that seems to be keeping me restless and awake at ungodly hours of the morning.

So far, so good. It's only been one day, however. I have accomplished more at work today, though, than I have been able to do in many weeks. So, perhaps there is a correlation. I'll keep you posted.

Adventure

Some count hiking the Adirondacks, or driving without the gps, adventurous. This doesn't fit my definition. Mine would have something to do with the massive pile of paperwork that sits on the table next to my desk.

I say next to, since my desk isn't big enough to hold the amount of packets of information threatening at any moment to overtake me. That's what being eight weeks behind does for you. Not that I can do any more in a day than anyone else. I take one pile at a time, and work on it until it goes into the out box.

Why do I count it adventurous? I suppose it's the challenge of trying to do more in a day than humanly possible. I have this never-ending vision of being able to blink and having everything finished when I open my eyes. I know, I know. Perhaps it's too much caffeine. Or too much optimism. Who can say? I promise to keep trying though. Blink.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. (New Century Version)

Self-Help?

I'm in the process of reading a book by Larry Winget, Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get a Life. He pulls no punches. Very blunt. Always to the point. I'm enjoying it immensely.

What does that say about me? I guess it means that I prefer straight talk to sneaking up on the subject. Truth hurts, at times, but the hurt goes away. Only the truth allows me to change into a better person.

One of my favorite quotes so far in the book is: "If we just do what we love, love what we do, and express ourselves freely, we are serving others in accordance to our purpose. All that is left is for us to open ourselves to receive." -Arnold Patent

Jottings

So, I am going to try again to write a blog. What is the topic? Nothing in particular. Hence the name. It will be an eclectic mix reflecting what is currently going on in my life. Hopefully, it will help someone else.