Spoiling Kiddos

I've had a wonderful time lately spoiling some kiddos. Shopping trips and lunches cannot make up for the questionable choices their parents make but it can at least give them a brief respite from their reality. What little girl doesn't love being pampered and loved? It is a joy to get them more prepared for winter weather with warm coats, long pants, cozy shirts and stylin' boots. Of course, clothes cannot change their circumstances but it can give them a boost of confidence when they face the world. Despite of what they go through daily, they are all unique individuals and it truly is a joy to spend time with each of them. So a special thanks to J, A and K for letting me share some moments with you. Much love!

Gone, Not Forgotten

Such a short time ago, so short there was barely time to deal with the news, our loved one was diagnosed with cancer. Before we knew it, he was gone. Those brief days are already becoming a blur, the photos of his last birthday celebration too painful to look at. This has opened up much discussion around the family - we are making decisions about the future. Instead of being filled with grief we are actually filled with the relief of closure - 14 years in the making. At long last we can examine feelings left raw and bleeding for all these years after we physically or emotionally lost two people in 1995. Now they are together, now they are at peace. 'Til we meet again, rest well V.B.B. and E.L.B.

Life Is Too Short

Yet more cancer is invading our family. Just a few weeks ago, all was going along smoothly. Everyone was involved in their own lives, their own schedules, their own stuff. Then we get the call. A family member has suffered a stroke, has been taken by ambulance to a hospital, and then flown by helicopter to a bigger hospital. Our hearts skip a few beats, the tears start and then the panic. After tests, tests, tests it is discovered that this family member has suffered a bleed in the brain - but it was caused by a cancer that the oncologist refers to as "aggressive." It cannot be stopped. Chemo will make it spread. Either out of kindness or because they don't want to overwhelm us, they only tell us of four locations the melanoma is: brain, lung, pancreas and lymph nodes. What they keep from us is the cancer is also in the liver, the kidneys, and other organs. So all our lives have now changed course. Instead of being involved in our own stuff, we have a single focus, a firm resolve to spend as much time as possible with our beloved family member. Caring for physical needs, responding to emotional needs, searching for direction, treasuring each precious moment - as painful as they are. We want more time but at what cost to the one who is suffering?

This has narrowed our focus as to what is important. The things we surround ourselves with are, after all, just things. We can become petty and vindictive, desperately trying to hold on to the "stuff" when in reality we just want to hold onto the person and rail at the unfairness of it all.

So live your life in such a way that if a loved one is snatched from you too soon, you will have no regrets that you left things unsaid or undone. Because now, more than ever, life is too short to sweat the small stuff!

Bunnies!

Look at these sweet little bunnies we found hiding in the brush pile. We moved them to a safe spot since the brush pile had to be burned today. Aren't they just the sweetest things?

That's Entertainment!

We enjoyed a night with friends recently at the play "Defending the Caveman." It sure explains some things about the opposite sex that you may not have known before now. I especially love the last line of the play!

I'm looking forward to a Brandi Carlile concert this Monday night. Should be an enjoyable evening. Then next month, some of us are attending a Celtic Woman concert.

Most entertaining, however, was watching the guys organizing their base camp on Easter and setting it ablaze. Three pyros hard at work was something to behold. Following close behind was the intensity behind the gun battle that waged just prior to crawling around in the dirt. (We got some great pics and videos)

What Happened to Spring?

In my last post I was extolling the virtues of Spring. What happened? One week we're all be-bopping around in shorts and flip flops and now it is back to Winter! We were jarred awake last night by a huge storm. It sounded like a tree was going to land on the house any minute due to the massive wind. We were lucky and escaped unscathed. Not being as lucky, a daycare facility a few miles away lost a lot of their roof and the fence around their yard. Ah, the unpredictability of Spring.

In other news, we had a great time out with friends last night. We hadn't seen them for a while so had some catching up to do. Good times, good times.

Spring!

Don't you just love Spring? It's my favorite season. The crocus have been blooming for a few weeks and birds have been searching for the ideal location to set up house. I did learn the hard way not to leave the car out of the garage however. It was targeted by rogue robins...splat! So straight to the carwash on that day. I passed a park on the way home today and it looks like everyone has caught Spring fever. Lots of skinny white legs in shorts to reflect the glare of the sun. Sadly, I don't think this warm weather will last too long but while it's here get outside and take a walk, sit out on the front porch, open your windows to blow some of the stink of winter out. Enjoy it. It's SPRING!

Selfish Decisions

It makes me both sad and angry when selfish parents make decisions that will permanently scar/affect their children and then try to justify their choices. Having been affected in my life by decisions that my parents made makes it hard to see something coming and be powerless to stop it. Life is hard enough for kids growing up, why make it harder for them because you are only thinking of yourself and how things will affect you? Don't kid yourself...this child WILL be changed and when they are an adult, they will NOT forget what you did. Let's hope they can at least forgive.

Lazy Shopping

Okay, I have to admit it. I love online shopping. I have to psych myself up to do any other kind of shopping - groceries, clothing, etc. but I love to sit at the computer in my office and surf the internet for a great deal. Today I found a couple of good deals on some computer software and ended up saving a good amount of money plus enjoying free shipping (added bonus). I don't know why I find it so much easier to shop online. I suppose it is partly convenience but, more than that, I can compare prices between competitors so much faster. I like being able to track my purchases as they travel to the front doorstep. I like the excitement of opening up the box when I arrive home and exploring my newest bargain. In addition, I don't have to put up with the rude teenagers at the mall or the indifferent gum-chewing sales clerk who has never learned about good customer service. I can sit at the computer in my comfy clothes, sip a cup of tea and surf away. So, here's to a good online bargain and to shopping 'til I drop...lazy style.

More Pet Peeves

* People who over-sing familiar songs. Geez, JUST SING THE NOTES! Is there any reason to add 15 extra notes for each written note on the page?!
* Teenagers who shop at the mall and act like they are the only ones there.
* People who do not say 'thank you' when you hold the door for them.
* Pet owners who do not pick up after their poopy pets.
* Chain e-mails.
* People who talk loudly on their cell phones while dining in a public place...especially if they are ignoring someone they are with while they talk on the phone. Rude!

Meds, Bathtubs and Ceiling Fans

I don't think I'm alone in thinking those medication commercials on TV are freaking crazy. You should time how long it takes for them to speed-list all the warnings of the medication they are advertising. The side effects sound worse than the benefit of taking the med. Of course, if you don't mind diarrhea, night sweats, headaches or an erection lasting longer than 4 hours to take a drug for erectile dysfunction, you're all set. I especially like the commercials that show people smiling, blue skies, life-is-good-type stuff while listing all the side effects. I guess you are supposed to be so distracted watching the happy naked couple sitting in bathtubs on the hill overlooking the ocean that you don't hear the list of horrible side effects. Yes! If you take this drug you too can get naked, sit in separate bathtubs with no water, smile, hold hands and look at the sunset! Am I the only one who thinks that particular commercial is ridiculous? What would happen if required warnings were listed for every product we buy? What about warnings for cleaning products listed while the happy housewife Swiffers away dust on the ceiling fan? Something like, 'consumers are advised that while using the Swiffer all-in-one cleaning brush, eye protection should be worn along with gloves and a face mask. Children, elderly persons and pets should leave the area while the brush is in use. Consumers are cautioned that the ceiling fan should be turned off during the cleaning process. Occasional loss of fingertips and hair extensions have been reported.' Gee, I'm sure glad I don't have a ceiling fan!

Little Pet Peeve

Okay, when I started this blog I thought I would try to keep it on the positive side. But, alas, I'm already changing course. Last night I had to run an errand. On my way, I passed multiple cars who were driving with their headlights and fog lights on. There was NO FOG! I just find it weird when drivers drive with their fog lights a-blazin' on a clear night. Is this supposed to be cool? Did they just forget to turn them off after the last foggy night? What is the point of this excess illumination? Am I missing something? Shoud I be driving with MY fog lights on? ...Just one of life's little pet peeves.

Cancer...a BAD word

What is it about the word cancer that can immediately strike a blow to your heart? I heard that word today about two different family members. My favorite aunt is battling cancer right now. She's bald, having lost her hair after her first chemo treatment weeks ago. This is the aunt who is everyone's favorite...the fun aunt...the one who we all want to sit next to at family gatherings...the one who took me in when I was an unmanageable teenager and ended up saving my life. I rail against the unseen cancer that is ravaging her body, against the unfairness of it all. The other family member is a favorite sister-in-law, fresh from her diagnosis of melanoma, which hopefully has been caught early enough to be cut from her body and leave no traces behind. We've had too many affected by cancer in our family! A mom, a mom-in-law and an aunt lost their battles against this horrible thing that is cancer. A sister, 4 aunts and a sister-in-law all fighting now or having fought their own battles in the past. Is it any wonder that the idea floats around in my mind not "if" but perhaps "when"? When will it be my turn to hear that hateful word? You hear some use that cliche "forewarned is forearmed" but how do you arm yourself against cancer? Who knows what decisions in your childhood or youth have triggered something that is even now gaining strength inside your body? I think we have to just embrace each day as it comes, treasure each moment as a gift, cherish those we love. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff!

What Did I Learn Today?

I learned that stress can make you cranky. (Okay, I already knew that)
I learned that being understaffed can result in mistakes being made. (Yep, I knew that too.)
I learned that old people can say what they want and we can be amused at their boldness.
I learned that old people can get angry when they don't want to be told what to do. "Sir, you are standing in front of the door preventing it from closing and are smoking in front of the 'No Smoking' sign." "Well, where am I supposed to go to smoke? I should have a place to smoke if I want to...I fought in Vietnam, for Christ's sake."
I learned that one can indeed get tired of football games on T.V.
I learned that I have the most wonderful spouse in the world. (I most definitely knew that one already)
I learned that I don't have to do it all (or even close) and life will still go on.
I learned that honey vanilla chamomile tea is a yummy way to relax and enjoy life going on.
What did you learn today?

Woof Meow

One day last week a coworker brought in their "pound puppy," a beautiful golden retreiver. He is a sweet dog though they will never know why he has a limp and is deaf in one ear. They were wondering if he was mistreated or perhaps fell out of the back of someone's truck. I've decided to pretend that he retired as a stunt dog after the train he was supposed to jump onto picked up too much speed when the director yelled "action." It does make you wonder about some of the dogs at the local animal shelter. What is their story? Did their family give them up once they were no longer cute and cuddly? Did they leave home one day to have an adventure and forget how to get back? I find it so sad that so many people are only willing to have a purebred dog and never give pound puppies a chance. If you have been thinking about adding to your family by getting a pet, consider your local animal shelter or rescue group first.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

We had a great time today. J, A and I went to see a movie then to Red Robin for lunch. After a great shopping expedition we headed to Krispy Kreme for donuts for them to take home to their dad and stepmom. After I got home, T and Vix came over for a quick dinner. What a fun, fun, fun day!

Yahoo!

I'm so excited! I'm taking J & A to the movies tomorrow. Then off to lunch and a little "spoil-them-rotten" shopping. I'm very happy their dad and stepmom are willing to let us see them with everything going on with their mom. Can't wait, can't wait! I'm also going to give them an atlas with some stickers so they can keep track of their Grandpa D whenever he checks in while he's on the road - twofold benefit...they get a geography lesson AND they stay connected to Grandpa D. Life is good!

Favorite Things

What are some of your favorite things? Here are some of mine:

• Laughter
• Family
• Green lights when I'm running late
• Vanilla lattes
• An unexpected bargain
• Efficient restaurant service
• Movies that end happily
• Bronco touchdowns
• Spring flowers
• Privacy
• Ocean air
• Comfortable chairs
• Nachos
• Good manners
• Christmas carols
• Babies
• Honesty
• Hugs
• Animated conversations
• Unpretentiousness