The dog equivalent of an icecream cone with sprinkles.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Connections
So, once upon a time I started a blog. Then I started reading other people's blogs. First I met this radiant lovely, Melissa, of Stay Forever Sunday. Next, independent of meeting Melissa, I met this incredible talent and dandy of a lady, Julie of Tangobaby.
When Julie sought subjects for her I Live Here: SF project, I instantly thought of Melissa. They were both interested in working together. I virtually introduced them via email.
Here are the MAGICAL results of their connection:
M&J on Tangobaby
M&J on I Live Here:SF
M&J on Stay Forever Sunday, twice
M&J plus B on Stay Forever Sunday
I dare you not to smile!
Beauty in Imperfection
I have to admit, I have been feeling a little bit down the past couple weeks. I've been struggling to keep up with just about everything which only exacerbates the blues. Usually I turn to writing to find my way out. Not until now have I been able to reveal this imperfection of mine to all of you. Trust me, there are many other imperfections where that came from. I am perfectly imperfect!
In spite of the blues, I am the eternal optimist, the seeker of the silver lining, the lady looking for the lesson to be learned. So, where is the beauty in the blues?
There is beauty in feeling, in being able to feel. Finding my way through the feelings is a gift.
There is beauty in recognition. Being able to identify my feelings and accept them instead of dismissing, ignoring, or avoiding them is a huge step.
There is beauty in vulnerability. Talking about this, seeking support from my husband and dearest friends, and letting them help me takes courage.
There is beauty in knowing I am imperfect. We all are. It is what makes us human. It is what makes us each uniquely who we are.
Inspired to celebrate your "imperfections"? Visit Marvelous Kiddo where Leigh is giving away a Beauty in Imperfection ring by Barbara Polinsky. Enter to win here!
In spite of the blues, I am the eternal optimist, the seeker of the silver lining, the lady looking for the lesson to be learned. So, where is the beauty in the blues?
There is beauty in feeling, in being able to feel. Finding my way through the feelings is a gift.
There is beauty in recognition. Being able to identify my feelings and accept them instead of dismissing, ignoring, or avoiding them is a huge step.
There is beauty in vulnerability. Talking about this, seeking support from my husband and dearest friends, and letting them help me takes courage.
There is beauty in knowing I am imperfect. We all are. It is what makes us human. It is what makes us each uniquely who we are.
Inspired to celebrate your "imperfections"? Visit Marvelous Kiddo where Leigh is giving away a Beauty in Imperfection ring by Barbara Polinsky. Enter to win here!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Elder Relations
My Grandma had her birthday yesterday. I was at the library doing school work all day. By the time I got home and settled it was after 9:00 P.M. That was not the time to call Grandma who was certainly asleep by then.
Before entering the library today, I called Gram. We had a long conversation about her birthday, various family members, school, and how we think about each other often, but rarely get to see each other or even just talk on the phone.
I remember my mother talking to her grandma every Saturday night after 4:30 Mass. My mother always said she wished she had started doing that a long time ago. They would chat for 30 minutes or so and catch up on recent happenings before saying "Talk to you next week!" To have that connection is so important, I think. I know it benefited my mother and my great-grandmother.
Yesterday I wrote about aging and included a bit about our youth obsessed society. Not only is there an obsession with looking young, there is also a tendency to ignore the elderly. We hide them away in nursing homes or a "55+ community" (Note: I do NOT consider 55 elderly) and visit them only if we are related to them and even then only sometimes and sometimes not at all.
Then there is the fact that people are living longer, fuller, healthier lives. Magazine covers pronounce "50 is the new 40!" We also have major medical advances happening all the time which prolong life. You can receive retirement benefits at 65, but often people keep working partly because they want to, partly because they have to, partly because they have so many years ahead, at least 20 or 25 and often 30 or more!
My mom is a few months away from 56 and my father is a few months into 66. They both work, walk the dog, go out to dinner, and are involved in civic organizations. They are very much a part of society. My father's grandparents didn't live to be much older than he is now. My father's father passed away last summer. My father's mother, at the age of 86, is suffering with Alzheimer's, but still alive and responsive in her own way. My mother's grandparents lived into their 70's and 80's. My mother's father is 80, and her mother 76 and they show no signs of slowing down. History coupled with medical advances indicates that my parent's will be around a very long time.
So, why are we as a society not paying more attention to or showing more respect for the older generation?
Gram and I will be talking again this time next week. Maybe I'll ask her.
Before entering the library today, I called Gram. We had a long conversation about her birthday, various family members, school, and how we think about each other often, but rarely get to see each other or even just talk on the phone.
I remember my mother talking to her grandma every Saturday night after 4:30 Mass. My mother always said she wished she had started doing that a long time ago. They would chat for 30 minutes or so and catch up on recent happenings before saying "Talk to you next week!" To have that connection is so important, I think. I know it benefited my mother and my great-grandmother.
Yesterday I wrote about aging and included a bit about our youth obsessed society. Not only is there an obsession with looking young, there is also a tendency to ignore the elderly. We hide them away in nursing homes or a "55+ community" (Note: I do NOT consider 55 elderly) and visit them only if we are related to them and even then only sometimes and sometimes not at all.
Then there is the fact that people are living longer, fuller, healthier lives. Magazine covers pronounce "50 is the new 40!" We also have major medical advances happening all the time which prolong life. You can receive retirement benefits at 65, but often people keep working partly because they want to, partly because they have to, partly because they have so many years ahead, at least 20 or 25 and often 30 or more!
My mom is a few months away from 56 and my father is a few months into 66. They both work, walk the dog, go out to dinner, and are involved in civic organizations. They are very much a part of society. My father's grandparents didn't live to be much older than he is now. My father's father passed away last summer. My father's mother, at the age of 86, is suffering with Alzheimer's, but still alive and responsive in her own way. My mother's grandparents lived into their 70's and 80's. My mother's father is 80, and her mother 76 and they show no signs of slowing down. History coupled with medical advances indicates that my parent's will be around a very long time.
So, why are we as a society not paying more attention to or showing more respect for the older generation?
Gram and I will be talking again this time next week. Maybe I'll ask her.
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