How do you explain to an innocent 9 year old girl what happened at the horrible massacres that happened in the mall and grade school this past week??
This weekend I had the privilege of spending some alone time with my granddaughter. We went shopping and saw a movie and then had Mexican food! It was a very stormy,windy, rainy,day. We got our movie tickets first,and then ran for the closet mall entrance. With movie tickets and credit card still in hand we sat down on the nearest bench in the entry way leading into the mall. As I was opening my purse to put our movie tickets away for later,I became aware of my Granddaughters earnest words expressing her feelings about the past weeks shootings in a school and mall. I told myself "be quite and listen she needs to talk." We probably sat on that bench for 10 to 15 minutes while she talked. I can't even remember everything that was said,because I was so struck by her candor and I was so focused on keeping my mouth shut. I do remember we ended the conversation with we have a God that loves us, and someday when we go to heaven we won't have to worry about any of this kind of awful stuff happening.
We went shopping and bought a couple of cute things for her to wear.We laughed ate popcorn and candy. She ordered a virgin mango margarita at the Mexican restaurant and ate tamales. We had a good time.
It makes me sad though that part of my Granddaughters innocence was robbed from her by the selfish, self-centered act of two mentally disturb people. I can have some peace knowing that this world is not the end of our lives,and that when we die our lives really just start!!! That I got the rare privilege to share that with her in a very,very simple way is the best Christmas gift that a grammy could get.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Vulnerable
December 14 2012
This past week I went to a movie,shopping and out to lunch with a dear friend.We have been neighbors,walking buddies attend the same church,and best friends for over sixteen years.I have shared more of my heart with her than with almost anybody else I know.She has always been very supportive and non-judgemental. She lives a life that most other women would envy. Beautiful home with all the bells and whistles,nice car,frequent trips to the beauty salon,nail salon,massages,pedicures,laser treatments etc.etc.she also has many friends that she can call any time for coffee.She spends every winter in Palm Springs for 6 weeks,I think you can get the picture.Like I said I've shared my heart with her and been vulnerable.Sometimes I've felt like she must have things in her life that aren't perfect, I wish she could share them with me,not because I wanted her to have something wrong,I just knew that noone has that perfect of a life.At lunch this week she shared with me how this time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas are really had for her,because she has no family that lives here.She was very earnest in expressing her feelings to me.I felt bad for her,and tried to put myself in her place and imagine what it would be like to year after year not to be able to have my grandchildren and children to my home for the holidays or almost never.It is just a heartbreaking thought for me to think about.Yes there are phone calls,and skyping ,and she visits them once a year in their home,but it is just not the same as them coming to visit her! To me it would be such a sense of being abandoned.I felt so bad for her,and so dumb that I have so joyfully blabbered every detail of every moment and even bragged about how much fun we have with our family.I'm so glad that she shared her pain with me.I will think twice before I envy her again. I will also curb my bragging. I am so thankful for the family that I have,no it's not perfect all the time,in fact we have had our fair share of heartbreak,but we still do have each other.I'm thankful also to have such a good friend that has put up with me all these years.
This past week I went to a movie,shopping and out to lunch with a dear friend.We have been neighbors,walking buddies attend the same church,and best friends for over sixteen years.I have shared more of my heart with her than with almost anybody else I know.She has always been very supportive and non-judgemental. She lives a life that most other women would envy. Beautiful home with all the bells and whistles,nice car,frequent trips to the beauty salon,nail salon,massages,pedicures,laser treatments etc.etc.she also has many friends that she can call any time for coffee.She spends every winter in Palm Springs for 6 weeks,I think you can get the picture.Like I said I've shared my heart with her and been vulnerable.Sometimes I've felt like she must have things in her life that aren't perfect, I wish she could share them with me,not because I wanted her to have something wrong,I just knew that noone has that perfect of a life.At lunch this week she shared with me how this time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas are really had for her,because she has no family that lives here.She was very earnest in expressing her feelings to me.I felt bad for her,and tried to put myself in her place and imagine what it would be like to year after year not to be able to have my grandchildren and children to my home for the holidays or almost never.It is just a heartbreaking thought for me to think about.Yes there are phone calls,and skyping ,and she visits them once a year in their home,but it is just not the same as them coming to visit her! To me it would be such a sense of being abandoned.I felt so bad for her,and so dumb that I have so joyfully blabbered every detail of every moment and even bragged about how much fun we have with our family.I'm so glad that she shared her pain with me.I will think twice before I envy her again. I will also curb my bragging. I am so thankful for the family that I have,no it's not perfect all the time,in fact we have had our fair share of heartbreak,but we still do have each other.I'm thankful also to have such a good friend that has put up with me all these years.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Amending previous blog.
I've noticed lately that I don't always get things right.My memory isn't as good as it used to be.My mother always praised me on what a good memory I had. I'm forever leaving little reminders for myself and now days when I think of something I need to do at home I do it right then!! For years I've b,ought calenders that have big numbered squares so I can,write the highlights of each day down,and I keep a journal as well however I don't write in the journal everyday.My hearing isn't as good as it used to be either.My Grandchildren get the giggles when I repeat back something they've told me and it's all cray cray.Ageing is very interesting.All the things that the medical profession tells us to do are true,but when were young we just believe we'll beat the odds.Things like:
1.Eat your veggies
2.Exercise
3.Stay out of the sun or wear sunscreen
4 Don't smoke
5 Women drink only 1 glass of wine in a day.
6 Floss your teeth
7.Keep a healthy weight
8.Exercise your brain
9.Eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast
10.Meditate
All this to say----My handsome,prince of a son-in-law celebrated his 40th birthday this year!!!!
My handsome,prince of a SON turned 45 this year!!!!
This amends my previous blog. I'm not really sure what the ages of the rest of the fa,ily are. Just kidding
1.Eat your veggies
2.Exercise
3.Stay out of the sun or wear sunscreen
4 Don't smoke
5 Women drink only 1 glass of wine in a day.
6 Floss your teeth
7.Keep a healthy weight
8.Exercise your brain
9.Eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast
10.Meditate
All this to say----My handsome,prince of a son-in-law celebrated his 40th birthday this year!!!!
My handsome,prince of a SON turned 45 this year!!!!
This amends my previous blog. I'm not really sure what the ages of the rest of the fa,ily are. Just kidding
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Summer Highlights
It's October already!!! Where did this year go? We had a busy summer, so I'm just going to highlight some of the things we did.
1.Ella tuned 9 in May, we went roller skating in Portland!! It was a beautiful day!
2.Aimee's mother hosted a graduation dinner for her at wonderful Italian restaurant in Sellwood. Another warm day!
3.My handsome,prince of a son-in-law turned 45!! We went to Mcmenimans in Portland!
4.June 8th Aimee graduated from St.Helens High School. Our whole family went and clapped and hooted loudly.
5.Mark,Aimee,Tom,Erin,Jake and Ella came for Fathers day.We grilled and hung out on the patio. Nancy was at her daughter's graduation from nursing school.
6.Mike and I took a day trip to Sisters,Oregon on May19th .Found a great place that does delicious Bbq!
7.May22,23,and 24th. we went to Newport and stayed at the Elizabeth street Inn we had beautiful weather again!
8.Doug,Linda Tanya and her girls came for a visit.We met at Bush park.
9.Tom,Erin,Jake,Ella,and Aimee came for the 4th of July,we had pulled pork sandwiches! We did a ton of fireworks in the street!!!!
10.Took Aimee,Jake and Ella to see Ice Age.
11.We went to Medford for Marks birthday!! Went to Crater Lake!!! Beautiful weather,we had a great time.
12.Aimee has decided to attend Southern Oregon University in Ashland!!
13 Had breakfast at the Morning Glory cafe in Ashland!!
14.Ella and I had lunch at La Margarita she had her first tamale!!
15.Day trip to Lincoln City.Ran into the Hills.
16. Went and got Aimee on August10th.
17.Everyone came for my Birthday. It was a really warm day.The kids got Christos Pizza,we ate outside on the patio,and drank lots of wine and laughed. We had Peach shortcake for dessert!!!
18.Erin,Jakeand Ella took me to the Original Pancake house for my Birthday Breakfast on Aug.15th.
19.Went to the Enchanted Forest with Erin,Jake and Ella!!! Mike got to go too!
20.Took Jake and Ella shopping and out to lunch Chipotle.
21.Jake and Ella stayed overnight!!! We went swimming at the Kroc center!!!
22. Took Jake and Ella to Izzys.
23.Erin,Jake,Ella and I had lunch at Caseys Hot dogs!!! Cool place,must take Mike.
24.Went to St. Helens and got Aimee.We had lunch at P.F.Changs and did some cloths shopping.
25.Ella came for dinner!!!!
26. Aimee is back from Europe!! Went and met her at Sheryls work. Met up with Mark around Roseberg.. She starts college on Monday!
27.Mike and I went to the beach for 4 days,we stayed at Inn at Spanish Head!!! Highlight of this trip was the Bijou!
28.My friend Lynn and I went on our yearly tour of homes. This year was Illahee golf course. We had a very nice time.
29.Went to Jakes swim meet. He came in first in the back stroke!!! We went out to pizza afterwards.
30. October20th went to Ella's volley ball game.So proud!!! She did very well.
So guess that's where the summer went!!! It's cold and raining this last week and my drive way is full of leaves. I've been cooking comfort foods like butternut squash and meat loaf,pulled pork,beef stew,pumpkin pie.I can already feel my jeans getting tight!
.
1.Ella tuned 9 in May, we went roller skating in Portland!! It was a beautiful day!
2.Aimee's mother hosted a graduation dinner for her at wonderful Italian restaurant in Sellwood. Another warm day!
3.My handsome,prince of a son-in-law turned 45!! We went to Mcmenimans in Portland!
4.June 8th Aimee graduated from St.Helens High School. Our whole family went and clapped and hooted loudly.
5.Mark,Aimee,Tom,Erin,Jake and Ella came for Fathers day.We grilled and hung out on the patio. Nancy was at her daughter's graduation from nursing school.
6.Mike and I took a day trip to Sisters,Oregon on May19th .Found a great place that does delicious Bbq!
7.May22,23,and 24th. we went to Newport and stayed at the Elizabeth street Inn we had beautiful weather again!
8.Doug,Linda Tanya and her girls came for a visit.We met at Bush park.
9.Tom,Erin,Jake,Ella,and Aimee came for the 4th of July,we had pulled pork sandwiches! We did a ton of fireworks in the street!!!!
10.Took Aimee,Jake and Ella to see Ice Age.
11.We went to Medford for Marks birthday!! Went to Crater Lake!!! Beautiful weather,we had a great time.
12.Aimee has decided to attend Southern Oregon University in Ashland!!
13 Had breakfast at the Morning Glory cafe in Ashland!!
14.Ella and I had lunch at La Margarita she had her first tamale!!
15.Day trip to Lincoln City.Ran into the Hills.
16. Went and got Aimee on August10th.
17.Everyone came for my Birthday. It was a really warm day.The kids got Christos Pizza,we ate outside on the patio,and drank lots of wine and laughed. We had Peach shortcake for dessert!!!
18.Erin,Jakeand Ella took me to the Original Pancake house for my Birthday Breakfast on Aug.15th.
19.Went to the Enchanted Forest with Erin,Jake and Ella!!! Mike got to go too!
20.Took Jake and Ella shopping and out to lunch Chipotle.
21.Jake and Ella stayed overnight!!! We went swimming at the Kroc center!!!
22. Took Jake and Ella to Izzys.
23.Erin,Jake,Ella and I had lunch at Caseys Hot dogs!!! Cool place,must take Mike.
24.Went to St. Helens and got Aimee.We had lunch at P.F.Changs and did some cloths shopping.
25.Ella came for dinner!!!!
26. Aimee is back from Europe!! Went and met her at Sheryls work. Met up with Mark around Roseberg.. She starts college on Monday!
27.Mike and I went to the beach for 4 days,we stayed at Inn at Spanish Head!!! Highlight of this trip was the Bijou!
28.My friend Lynn and I went on our yearly tour of homes. This year was Illahee golf course. We had a very nice time.
29.Went to Jakes swim meet. He came in first in the back stroke!!! We went out to pizza afterwards.
30. October20th went to Ella's volley ball game.So proud!!! She did very well.
So guess that's where the summer went!!! It's cold and raining this last week and my drive way is full of leaves. I've been cooking comfort foods like butternut squash and meat loaf,pulled pork,beef stew,pumpkin pie.I can already feel my jeans getting tight!
.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
May17,2012
Wow so many things have happened since I last wrote. My daughter had a nightmare of an experience with her dentist,then got the flu along with her two children they have been sick forever. Thankfully her husband had a flu shot so he didn't get sick and was able to take over. Life doesn't stop when we have tough patches.... that's the problem...there are still anniversaries,birthdays,mothers days,on and on. Well finally I think things are taking a turn.My grandchildren are back to school and my daughter got a root canal today that seems to have gone well. Thank You Jesus!!
On a lighter note last Saturday Evening I was invited to celebrate my oldest granddaughter Aimee's High School Graduation with her mother(my ex-daughter-in-law),her husband,and the Masoni's some friends of Aimee. Aimee's Mother planned the party at A Cena an Italian Restaurant in Cellwood a suburb of Portland. It was a small,cozy,spot with excellent food and service. We had lots of wine and laughter remembering Aimee's and Amy Masonis past school years. Time does heal. 7 years ago when my son and Aimee' mom went through a devorice there were such bitter feelings and sadness. I was so worried for my granddaughter....I determined that I would maintain a relationship with her mom for her sake and mine.Kids are the losers when their parents split up. They have to pack up every other weekend and travel to a differant home with differant rules and ways of doing things. I think when devorice happens kids should get the house and the parents should take turns living with them. I got on a tagent. Aimee has turned out to be an amazing,beautiful,smart young woman.She will be graduateing with honors!!! Thank You Jesus again.
On a lighter note last Saturday Evening I was invited to celebrate my oldest granddaughter Aimee's High School Graduation with her mother(my ex-daughter-in-law),her husband,and the Masoni's some friends of Aimee. Aimee's Mother planned the party at A Cena an Italian Restaurant in Cellwood a suburb of Portland. It was a small,cozy,spot with excellent food and service. We had lots of wine and laughter remembering Aimee's and Amy Masonis past school years. Time does heal. 7 years ago when my son and Aimee' mom went through a devorice there were such bitter feelings and sadness. I was so worried for my granddaughter....I determined that I would maintain a relationship with her mom for her sake and mine.Kids are the losers when their parents split up. They have to pack up every other weekend and travel to a differant home with differant rules and ways of doing things. I think when devorice happens kids should get the house and the parents should take turns living with them. I got on a tagent. Aimee has turned out to be an amazing,beautiful,smart young woman.She will be graduateing with honors!!! Thank You Jesus again.
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