Wow! Can I really remember how to do this???

It's all Rachel's fault!
She was the one that got me to start this and I didn't even remember my password or user name! Luckily for me I never signed out! So I was able to get in tonight.

Sometimes life is challenging!
I have a friend who never says he has problems. He calls them situations! I like that positive attitude although that is not the way I always handle life.
Last night one of our two cars died. We haven't gotten the autopsy report yet but I am pretty sure it is dead! The big deal is that we still owe quite a lot of money on it. The good news is that it gives me another opportunity to remember that it's just STUFF! Then today while I was at the gym working out I lost one of my favorite earrings! I know, it's just an earring...but it was one of my very favorite earrings that I wear everyday! So again, it's just STUFF...

Years ago we lived in San Jose, California. One day we went to the beach with family that had come from out of town. We left early and were gone all day and on this occasion we had taken both of our cars. When we returned home that evening we discovered that someone had broken into our home in our absence. They had taken the beautiful homemade quilt that my sister-in-law had made for me, off of our bed, laid it on the floor and then proceeded to put their "loot" onto the quilt. They had taken all of the jewelry in my jewelry box and just dropped the box on the floor. They took some things that didn't mean much to us at all and then they took other things that could never be replaced. There was my engagement ring, my high school ring and Roger's. There was my Grandmother's pinky signet ring that my Dad had taken to a jeweler who replaced my Grandmother's initial "J" with an "S" for me. Among the other things taken was a bracelet that belonged to my Mom that I loved and wore often (except when I went to the beach!) It was a very difficult experience. I mourned the loss of those keepsakes that would never be replaced. Then finally one day in an effort to get over this experience I started reminding myself that it was just "Stuff". Whenever I think about those things that were taken from us by someone who would never know or care about the importance they held for me, I try hard to remember that it is just "Stuff."
So tonight as I think about paying for a dead car and not being able to wear those earrings that I love, I am comforting myself by saying "It's just stuff!"
I still have all the things that really matter!

Thanksgiving!!!

I love my grandchildren...the two legged variety!
I created this blog and then haven't written on it since I did so I thought I would take a minute and write.
We had Sara, Dan and the kids here for at least part of the holiday and it was great. Grand-pa really had a great time decorating the gingerbread house with the kids! Oh for them to live closer!(Hint, hint!)
We also got to talk to Daniel and see Mandi's "tummy" for just a few minutes but it was so fun to see the kids' reaction to seeing "Puppet" on the computer screen. (Did I tell you I love modern technology?!!!)
Tonight we went over to the "big city" to see the dancing Christmas lights. It was fun especially since the last time we went was 2 years ago and Rachel had only seen them on "Youtube" so she really seemed to enjoy them.
Life is good...stressful sometimes, but I am going to try some new things (or really just revive old things) this week to see if I can't overcome some of the stresses that I allow to overtake me.
If you're reading this you are probably family and just know that I love you! Some day's that's as good as it gets!
Let's start thinkin' Christmas you guys!!!

Come along with me....the best is yet to be!

Well here we are! I have once again succumbed to the peer pressure put upon me by my children, in this case my two beautiful daughters, and started a blog adventure! I have discovered that just making choices like what background to have or font size and color are enough to make my already grey hair a little lighter. For whatever reason, choices at this time in my life seem eternal. So now I need to understand that while many choices in life can not be undone with the click of a button, in the case of a blog they happily can be. I am enjoying the tropical images and feel of my new blog and hope you will also as you visit. But don't get to attached...you never know when I will decide to take advantage of that wonderful prerogative and make a change! In the mean time enjoy the warm breezes and the sound of the ocean as I embark on this adventure, not knowing ahead of time where it will take me. If you have the time and the desire leave your worries behind you for a while and come along!