Friday, August 17, 2012

It's Been A While...

It has been a while since my last post - quite a while...months!!!  Well, let's see if I can bring you up to date with some of the things that have been going on in my life since that time.

Well, I celebrated another birthday - 61 years and loving it!!!  I can remember as a child thinking that anyone who was 50 years or older was REALLY OLD.  Now, I have passed that 50 year mark and I feel great.  Health-wise I have no real issues, I love my salt and pepper hair, I could probably stand to loose a few pounds (I really need to work on that).  So, all in all my life is great.

Of course, I have the loves of my life (my children and my grands) who always brighten my days.  My son married earlier this year and his wife (pictured below) is a real sweetheart.  She has a daughter who just fell right in place with my grands - it's like they were meant to be a part of my life.


I spent a lot of time working with my siblings and their children planning our family reunion, which was held in July.  This really was a time consuming process, since my sisters and I all live in different cities and our children are also located is different cities.  There was lots of emailing and conference calling to try and pull the reunion together.  I had my first experience in shopping to feed over 100 people - now that was a true experience for me, but I learned a lot from it (lots of returns, exchanges and doubling up).  My niece created our family logo - which is AWESOME:

Our focus this year was to identify the various generations that make up our family.  We had five generations represented this year and each generation was identified by selected colored ribbons (1st generation - purple; 2nd generation - green; 3rd generation - red; 4th generation - blue; and 5th generation - orange).  We had a great weekend - Friday Night Fish Fry, Saturday Picnic in the Park, Sunday Family Worship, Dinner and Closing Program.  It was so good to see so many family members.

On a sad note, my developmentally disabled brother who lived out of state with my younger sister, was very ill the weekend of reunion so he and my younger sister were unable to attend the reunion.  They were greatly missed by all who attended.  A video was made especially for the two of them to let them know how much they were loved and missed.  



He did have an opportunity to view the  video and we hope that he felt all the love that we sent through our messages.  Sadly he passed away 4 days after the reunion was over.  We miss you Jerry!!!   Here's a pic of him in his "Blues Brother" look.

LOVE AND MISS YOU BIG BROTHER!!!



Friday, February 24, 2012

Finding My Creative Self

I have such a huge respect for artists and the things that they can create.  I have always wanted to find some artistic ability inside me, but had never really taken the time or had the courage to search within myself to see if there was an artist inside me.  However, since returning to my childhood home and learning to appreciate being retired, I have had an opportunity to try my hand at some different art projects.  I must say, I have surprised myself with some of the things I have accomplished.  These little accomplishments have given me the courage to try new things.  

My initial art project was to use the pieces from a Jenga game and using simple paint, glue and magnets I created an interchangeable piece of artwork that I proudly display in my kitchen.

Recently, I have been using old magazines to make bowls.  They have turned out nicely and I find that the process involved in making these bowls can be relaxing and therapeutic.  So far I have completed five and my plan is to make as many as possible between now and early April, send them to my granddaughter in MS and let her sell them at their local farmers' market.

I have also learned to make beads from magazine pages.  I haven't really come up with a plan of how to use them, but they are fun to make. 

Of, course I still make my regular visit to the thrift stores, seeking out interesting collectibles.   Haven't found any deals recently, but I won't give up!!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

It's A New Year...Hello 2012

Wow, it's been over a month since my last post.  2011 went out with a bang and I am looking forward to 2012 bringing good things.  A lot has happened in the last month, some good and some bad.  But I see all of these events as life lessons.  So, I will take these lessons and forge ahead in 2012 with gusto!!!  I strongly believe that everything in life happens for a reason, there are no coincidences, there is no luck!!  Since I accepted that fact, my life has changed.  Oh, believe me I still cry and I still get angry, but I don't hold on to the things that take me to those places.  Well, enough of my soapbox ranting, lets take a look back at 2011 and be grateful for it.

Some of the memorable things that took place in 2011 in my life are...

  • I turned 60 years of age (WOW!!!)
  • I returned to St. Louis after being away for 10 years
  • I moved back into my childhood home
  • I learned to appreciate being retired (although I am broke)
  • I have spent lots of time with my son Derek and his children (being away for ten years is a long time)
  • I attended several track meets and watched Derek II run like the wind (he is awesome)
  • I saw my first grandchild go away to college (good job Derek)
  • I have reconnected with St. Louis family and friends
  • I went to my first Cardinals baseball game (thanks Karen)
  • I traveled back to Oxford, with my cousin, to celebrate my oldest granddaughter's 10th birthday (love you Jena - we had a great time)
  • I traveled back to Oxford to celebrate Thanksgiving with my children and grandchildren (thanks for the hospitality Adrienne)
  • I attended my first Christmas Eve celebration at Karen's house (the fried turkey was certainly memorable)
  • I have learned that all those "wants" I used to think were necessary to be happy were unnecessary
  • I tried to say "I love you" to as many people as possible
  • I DISCOVERED CLARITY!!!
 This is just my short list.  There are so many others, I cannot name them all.  I think the most memorable thing that took place in my life is that I have learned to be GRATEFUL FOR ALL THINGS GREAT AND SMALL!!!

SIX MAJOR SOURCES OF MY HAPPINESS
WELCOME TO 2012!!!