Best Laid Plans

Well, as usual, I try to make plans for Spring Break, and as usual, they come to naught. Not because I make grand plans or anything, but because invariably the kids’ schedules for school tend to creep in somewhere. So this week, we shall be travelling around the area playing tourists. First stop: The Japanese Gardens!

Pretty, isn’t it? It is a hidden jewel, but one worth enjoying. A picnic lunch after walking around, and then a trip to the zoo, just a few blocks down from there. And yes, tradition holds the kids take a picture of their mother with the flamingos. Tradition also holds I never show it to anyone 😉

Things I have Done That I Will NEVER Do Again

I have written about my Things to Do Before I Die List™ before. There are romantic places, some innocuous things like camping, and even looking at fossilized bones. I have a weird personality.

But there are some things I have done that I will never, EVER do again. Frankly, I’m amazed I had the courage (or stupidity) to attempt some of them.

#1– Go scuba diving.

I went once when I was 16 or so with my cousins, and it was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Fast forward to my honeymoon. I tried putting on the mask, and claustrophobia set in. I just can’t do it. It’s sad, because Hubby and our friend The Nomstress and her hubby love to go scuba diving. I guess I’ll just be content sitting on the beach, drinking a daiquiri and being waited on by Paolo.

#2– Dive in a shark cage.

I was not drunk. I was a guinea pig. My uncle wanted to do it, and none of my cousins (cowards) would go into the cage with him. My only thought was, “I’ll show them who’s brave…”, and in I went. The whole experience lasted maybe five minutes. In retrospect, I was not as aware of the danger as I should have been. I was in an area of Puerto Rico where once you go ankle deep in the water, you are an active member of the food chain.

Oh look! Sardines!!

Chalk that one up in the “Stupid Tricks” column.

#3– Dance contest.

And yet, alcohol was not involved. I was asked to be the designated driver for a group of managers who were in town for a district meeting. Being the only one familiar with the DFW area, it made sense for me to drive. Well, my manager friends decided to go to a club downtown, to a club that specialized in dance contests. It was like a sing-along bar, only dancing, not singing. And we all had to participate. The song? Madonna’s Vogue. Did I know what “Vogueing” was?? Nope. But I did win a free soda for being the only sober person dancing. That one goes under “courage”.

Believe me, there are many more. The list is pretty long.

And people wonder why I live a boring life 😉

Prayers for a Friend

I am a firm believer that there is nothing I can’t handle, as long as God is with me. I am blessed that I have so many friends to pray for every night and every day. All prayers are heard, though not all of them are answered to my satisfaction! But they are answered, and for every closed door, there is an open window. I just have to look for it, usually in the most unlikely places. But trust me, the window is always there, open and waiting.

A few weeks ago, an online friend of mine who suffers from cancer had to have a brain tumor removed. He is a true warrior, in every sense of the word. He is also one of the most giving people I have ever known. There was never a stray anything that he didn’t take in. After the last major hurricane hit his area, he personally gave of his time and money to fix his neighbor’s homes, providing shelter while repairs went on. He wasn’t afraid to argue with anyone, and he was always offering of himself to anyone that needed a hand.

I have lost touch with him in the past couple of weeks, and fear for the worst. I know he is a fighter, and not even death makes him afraid. But I will pray for him to get better, so that he can finally come out this way to meet us, as was his wish to travel cross-country. And if God has closed that door, then I pray to find the window, where I can look up to the sky and see him arguing with the Archangel Michael.

Because that’s the way he rolls 🙂

Guilt is a Great Motivator

Last night as I was going through clothing I haven’t worn in a year to donate to charity, I had an epiphany of sorts: I tend to keep clothing that doesn’t fit, either because I plan on losing a bit of weight to be comfy in it again, or because I am far too lazy to lose a bit of weight, and need comfier clothes to accommodate me. I felt a bit guilty over having an “escape route” for my laziness, and finally realized it was time to change that habit.

Luckily for me, Lent is coming up. And as is my custom, I don’t give up just one thing. I give up many, many things.

I give up drinking booze.

I give up sweets, including chocolate.

I give up fatty foods.

And I even give up caffeine.

Check it out! I come with a warning sign!

Usually Hubby steps around here on eggshells during Lent. He’s a smart cookie, though. He gives up cooking for Lent. But since he won’t be back until after Lent, he will get a reprieve. Last year I lost almost 17 pounds. This year he will come home to a more svelte wife. And if he’s smart, he will be carrying a bar of chocolate when he gets off the plane 😉

The Dress is Here!!

And it’s beautiful!

And MAROON!!! Ok, burgundy is the “official” color.

Yes, I will wear it and have photographs done, before passing it on to someone who I’m sure will make the dress look even more beautiful. Eldest tried it on, and now she wants one. One she can also give to a girl who needs a red dress.

I am so blessed to have such great kidlets 🙂

Ladies in Red

Some of you out in the Blogosphere may know of The Bloggess, Jenny, and her Travelling Red Dress. It is a wonderful project done for the purpose of bringing a woman’s inner beauty into the open, celebrating one’s life, or a milestone, or just to give a woman the feel of magic. There is even a Facebook page to bring women with red dresses together with women who need them.

Yes, I admit I am a maudlin sap. I can’t help it. And most of you know me well enough to know that I don’t subscribe to feminism as defined by Gloria Steinem. My feminism was defined by June Cleaver. But the magic of the Travelling Red Dress is one that transcends all walks of life. It has a purpose, and there is never a downside to having a Red Dress moment, because as soon as you slip it on, you are filled with magic and love and hope, and guess what??

ALL THAT STAYS WITH YOU, FOREVER!!

And so, I am taking a step, and getting a Red Dress, and I will wear it, and believe in the magic, and then pass it on to another who needs the magic. And so on, and so forth, until it falls apart.

And then I’ll get a new one. And start the cycle all over again!!

PS: Yes, I will model it here. And if any of my readers are interested in having it, send me an email, or leave a comment on this post. All I ask is that you send it along to another gal who needs the magic, too 🙂

New Year, Better Me

No, not a new me. Forget that. That would entail plastic surgery and a dye job. Every new year brings many resolutions. Some are physical like exercising more, and eating better. Others are spiritual, and still some are emotional, like keeping in touch with relatives and making sure to communicate with family.

My friend Fly Over Here had a wonderful post about why she doesn’t make resolutions. I tend to agree with her: the future is always in flux, and we can’t plan too much ahead because of it. Sure, I want to see the stuff on my List of Things to Do Before I Die™, but I am realistic enough to know that I won’t be able to complete it. For me, it’s enough to have a list. Tying myself down to a goal like losing 10 pounds or reaching a 10 mile walking goal is unrealistic for me, when I really don’t want to do that. Making a priority of my family and making sure my kids have learned the right life lessons? Yes, THAT is a worthy goal, but one I keep to every day.

So, resolve to keep yourselves happy and thankful, even for the small worries and the rough patches and the sad tidings. Life comes full circle, and the trick is to make sure that you are happy when you come to the end of it.

As Hubby told me, Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body,but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “WOW!!!! WHAT A RIDE!!!”

So, Happy New Year, and many blessings to y’all!! 😀

Today is the Day!

Yep…I’m 45!!

And I made you cupcakes!

I’ll return tomorrow with some less fluffy content, though by my standards around here, it ain’t by much. In the meantime, enjoy your day, and remember: birthday calories never count! 😉

UPDATE!!

Look what our friend SG brought me:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Thankful Changes

Oy…finally!! We are moving into Autumn quite nicely! Today brought a cold (cool? Cooling, maybe?) front through South Texas, encouraging the leaves outside to start changing somewhat. We don’t get the glorious colors of Autumn in New England here, but neither do we get the blizzards and power outages and ice-covered roads. Soon enough, the squirrels that run on my rooftop will go hibernate somewhere, and my dogs will no longer perk up and go insane at the sound of pitter patter.

Another wonderful thing about Autumn is my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. I’m not sure why it is, but I love it. Cooking vast amounts of food, trying to be overheard above the din of football and kids, visiting with family, taking the time to give to others less fortunate and being thankful for everything in your life, is what makes this day so special.

Of course, there will be a lot of preparations, and tears for what we have lost, and have gained, and prayers for those who cannot be with us, and for those who are lost and afraid. But also smiles for our loved ones, and teasing and laughing and lots and lots of unbuttoning of jeans.

I pray y’all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and know that I am very grateful for each and every one of you 🙂

Project Runway

No, this has nothing to do with the show. So, if you found this blog because you were searching for the latest Heidi Klum favorite, or Tim Gunn savaging of young wannabes, you’re out of luck. This is about my birthday, which is coming up in a couple of weeks.

I don’t have much luck during my birthday. I don’t make a big deal out of it, either. But it’s a bit hard to take when family forgets sometimes. It’s even worse when you get a used appliance for a gift (“Well, you liked my travel iron so much I decided to give it to you for your birthday!”), or even when you get a gift you had given someone, still in its original gift wrap.

But this year will be different!!

I have decided to celebrate my birthday, on my own. New dress, new shoes, new attitude. I will celebrate that I’ve had another wonderful year on this rock, and be grateful for all of the ups and downs, the good and bad. I will walk the runway like I own it, no matter that there is a run in my stocking or even if the heel breaks off my shoe and I become fashion roadkill.

True fashion roadkill, on many levels....

None of that will matter, because I’ll have made it to the runway.