I love Homecoming Week, yes I do, I love Homecoming Week how 'bout you?? Yes, I was a cheerleader...if they wouldn't let me play the game I'd cheer them on ;) All the excitement and pride that is with the kids and parents in our community right now just has me giddy!
There is something about homecoming that brings a community together, I LOVE THAT! Kids dressing up, making signs, the parade, the team colors, cheers and all the people that come home to see their school play...wow, wish we could have that every week.
Why can't we? What is it about that one week that people can put their best foot forward and feel part of something? I want that all the time, not just for my family, but for that of the whole community. I notice when people have something to look forward to they pull together and do better. I believe that is why there are so many fun little things communities put together for people...but the key is to participate. Yes, it is up to us to participate in life.
I am looking at our schedule, and often find I don't have enough time to fit it all in. We had our churches fall festival, what fun that was! Mr. Man and I did the local vineyard's grape stomp...yeah, I was pushing the limits on his idea of fun, but with the promise of food and a GREAT cheering section, he actually had a blast with it and could even convince a few others to join in with us next year. Still planning a trip to an apple orchard/pumpkin patch and needing to find the prime time to take our fall photo's. We look forward to an upcoming family wedding, more football games (even if our team stinks) and hopefully that hay ride we talk about every year. The local Beer and Brat Night for the adults followed by the Brick and Block Walk for kids, by the time we fit all that in, the days will be shorter and we'll be looking forward to the holiday season! See, who has time to sit and think that there is nothing to do or that they don't feel part of something??
I guess to me fall IS all about homecoming, coming back from the sunny fun days of summer, coming back to being a family and community and time to think about cozying up at home and supporting our town. Yes, with eyes of pride. I am happy our schools see the importance of this and help us parents instill these values and traditions in our kids. I don't want mine to lose that excitement about the every day things in life. EVER!
Life is good, get on with it
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Fall is in the Air
Can ya smell that?? The crisp fall air, maybe even the smell of a few campfires soon to be leaf burning piles, the fresh apple pie. Friday nights the sounds of cheers and the band coming from the high school. Pretty leaves, Honeycrisp apples, yes, fall is in the air!
What is it about this time of year that most people seem to love? The kids are back in school, (ROUTINE!!!!), the air has dried out, the days seem to be cozy yet still draped with the remnants of summer. We have NEW activities to look forward to, yes and change of seasons lets us look forward to new things, beginnings and endings. Those pretty fall colors, the comfy feeling of those favorite lived in jeans and just right fuzziness of that favorite sweatshirt.
We are now gearing up for Homecoming week in our town, and that always signals Fall is really here to me!! Our family is still cramming in so many traditional activities, but finding it harder to do so with the mounting responsibilities of a family getting into those teen years. I have also learned that we need to switch up some of the old ways of doing things and replace them with similar, yet different ways. The pumpkin patch we used to attend, my kids have outgrown so we've found an orchard/patch to go to that is scaled down in the "kiddie" activities yet just as fun to still go and pick apples and pumpkins and take the few silly fall photos that they love. Now instead of being just a family activity, it's branched into "can I bring a friend?" It seems as though it's still a desired thing to do with their family, but they want the security of having a friend, to know it's still "cool." I can respect that. The best part of that to me is that I get to know my kids' friends and they often become like family as well and we get to share in fun memories with others.
What does YOUR family do to celebrate fall's arrival? I'd love to hear about what you do and maybe add some new into our fall!
Life is good, get on with it!
What is it about this time of year that most people seem to love? The kids are back in school, (ROUTINE!!!!), the air has dried out, the days seem to be cozy yet still draped with the remnants of summer. We have NEW activities to look forward to, yes and change of seasons lets us look forward to new things, beginnings and endings. Those pretty fall colors, the comfy feeling of those favorite lived in jeans and just right fuzziness of that favorite sweatshirt.
We are now gearing up for Homecoming week in our town, and that always signals Fall is really here to me!! Our family is still cramming in so many traditional activities, but finding it harder to do so with the mounting responsibilities of a family getting into those teen years. I have also learned that we need to switch up some of the old ways of doing things and replace them with similar, yet different ways. The pumpkin patch we used to attend, my kids have outgrown so we've found an orchard/patch to go to that is scaled down in the "kiddie" activities yet just as fun to still go and pick apples and pumpkins and take the few silly fall photos that they love. Now instead of being just a family activity, it's branched into "can I bring a friend?" It seems as though it's still a desired thing to do with their family, but they want the security of having a friend, to know it's still "cool." I can respect that. The best part of that to me is that I get to know my kids' friends and they often become like family as well and we get to share in fun memories with others.
What does YOUR family do to celebrate fall's arrival? I'd love to hear about what you do and maybe add some new into our fall!
Life is good, get on with it!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Living Loud!
I love to read and just finished an amazing book, Heaven is for Real. It only took about 2.5hrs to read this story of how a boy met Jesus and was able to retell his irrefutable details of this to his father. Shocking yet amazing along with reassuring all at the same time.
In recent years, my kids and I have lost several close people to us. My kids' grandmother passed from cancer 5yr ago, I lost my aunt from cancer 3yr ago, my grandmother and grandfather only 13 days apart 2yr ago and my cousin from a car accident 2yr ago. Now the ones who had been sick or "old" we can deal with or at least try to grasp the concept, my cousin who was only 14 and so abrupt, well, that one was harder and still has an impact on all of us.
Jacob was, as my aunt often put, "the kid who brought the noise." At any family events you knew where he was, follow the giggles or the sounds of wrestling moves. He could fire off a comment at lightening speed to anyone who tried to joust him. He had a BIG grin...that knowing grin...that up to something grin. He also attracted people to him whether it be family, friends or just the little kids from the sports teams he was involved in. It was if he had so much life to live in a short span that he just had to get it all out. He had to make an impact on all of us...and that he's done!
We've all lost someone close to us, we miss them, we wonder what might have been. This book helps me see that what I've always believed that we just transition on to that better place. Now, I don't want to really get there any time soon, but it is comforting to know that I WILL be with the people that I care about again!
To all those who have gone before us too soon...thank you for touching our lives. Jacob, you taught me to bring the noise, to live life LOUD. Life is worth living and enjoying all it has to offer. No moment spent with family or friends will ever be regretted...no picture snapped will ever not be cherished. All that other "stuff" in life, is just stuff, live in the now, don't pass up those chances to live and experience what life has to offer.
Life is good, get on with it!
In recent years, my kids and I have lost several close people to us. My kids' grandmother passed from cancer 5yr ago, I lost my aunt from cancer 3yr ago, my grandmother and grandfather only 13 days apart 2yr ago and my cousin from a car accident 2yr ago. Now the ones who had been sick or "old" we can deal with or at least try to grasp the concept, my cousin who was only 14 and so abrupt, well, that one was harder and still has an impact on all of us.
Jacob was, as my aunt often put, "the kid who brought the noise." At any family events you knew where he was, follow the giggles or the sounds of wrestling moves. He could fire off a comment at lightening speed to anyone who tried to joust him. He had a BIG grin...that knowing grin...that up to something grin. He also attracted people to him whether it be family, friends or just the little kids from the sports teams he was involved in. It was if he had so much life to live in a short span that he just had to get it all out. He had to make an impact on all of us...and that he's done!
We've all lost someone close to us, we miss them, we wonder what might have been. This book helps me see that what I've always believed that we just transition on to that better place. Now, I don't want to really get there any time soon, but it is comforting to know that I WILL be with the people that I care about again!
To all those who have gone before us too soon...thank you for touching our lives. Jacob, you taught me to bring the noise, to live life LOUD. Life is worth living and enjoying all it has to offer. No moment spent with family or friends will ever be regretted...no picture snapped will ever not be cherished. All that other "stuff" in life, is just stuff, live in the now, don't pass up those chances to live and experience what life has to offer.
Life is good, get on with it!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Journey
Yesterday I posted about happiness is the journey, not the destination and that gratitude is an attitude. I cannot take credit for those exact quotes...but it is part of the motto of my life and how I view it. Yes, ME, cuz last time I checked, this is MY blog.
I have often been questioned and put to the test so to speak on how I can really believe that. Now, it's not to say I don't have bad days or times where I'm upset, cripes, I am human. I just choose not to dwell after I've thought through what may be upsetting me. I am a person that needs to verbalize or pen my thoughts to reorganize them and put them into a "new light" if you will. But yes, I do believe in taking the high road, so much easier.
Now, getting to this place in my life wasn't the easiest...I've been through my fair share if crapola. I've found my waders, shovels and horses to carry me through this stuff. Naturally along the way I come across those who feel the need to try to knock me off my path and try to reroute me or even go as far to try to chastise me into feeling like I shouldn't be this happy. Pollyanna syndrome, yes, I've been told I have that. Thank you. I do think life is great, I can find good in about anything...but I am completely aware of what is going on around me. I simply choose not to dwell on the negative or "what if" in life. I cannot live my life to the fullest if I am always upset over what I don't have, what someone else has over me, what could happen, what hasn't happened...you get the point. I've broken 7 bones...still able to walk, run and do anything I put my mind to. I have a job that I am on my feet to upwards of 12hr/day...I still am thankful for that job, for the body I have to allow me to stand so I can provide for my family. My job is one that I work hard to have, I am able to make people feel beautiful, not just look good! I work for myself so I can schedule work around my kids' lives. I've been a single mom to three kids...all the while living in a house and being the sole means of income to that house. I've managed to have a reliable vehicle to transport my kids to and from their activities. Yes, it's been a long road, but I've found that great place. I want that for my kids. To teach them life isn't just a happy pill or place you get to, that yes, you have to work, you have things to overcome, but you can do it all with a smile on your face. To fault another for being happy?? Really, what is the point? Be happy for yourself. No one can take that from you, nor should you rely on anyone else to make you happy.
Now, how did I get to that state of mind?? Simple. Gratitude. Yes, being thankful for the small things, it is what took over the being upset over what I didn't have, thought I wasn't able to have, or what crappy thing happened to me. I also had to take ownership over my feelings. Only I, Me, MYSELF can control how I feel. I don't want someone else to have that power over me. I own it, it is mine. Jealousy can play into this. Now, not saying I don't envy, but I feel that envy can be a good feeling, IF put in a positive light. I can envy someones style to better myself after, I can envy someones experience so I can work towards having a similar one for myself or family. If you use envy to create goals and not to covet things, man, the power of positive outcome is great!
Start daily...find one, just one thing you are grateful for. Could be that it quit raining, maybe it's you got the laundry put away, maybe it was that little old lady who let you go ahead of her in line cuz you only had two things. Write it down...daily, for a month. Then take a look at that month and see how blessed you really were. Wow, I bet you'll forget about all those little trivial things that "ticked" ya off ;) Yes, people tick me off for a moment, like when dropping my kids off at school and they seem like they just don't get how the taking turns goes, but if I take a deep breath and smile, knowing that I'm paying enough attention to avoid an accident, wow, that was good. Maybe that slow poke who had to pull out in front of you is helping to slow you down to avoid that pile up on the highway or another car that may have blown a stop sign. We don't know why certain things happen, but rethink it and find out something good about it.
Yes, those piles of clothes and dishes, they can make a person mad that it seems never ending. But as I see it, I have a house for them to pile up in, I have a family to dirty them and a chance to converse with them on how I'd like their help in getting a grip on it. It is an inconvenience to have to get out of my warm house to go pick up a kid from their activity, but I have my child to do so. I have my kids who want to bring their friends over to hang out at my house so I know what they are up to. These same kids still ask to go and do things with me (I sure hope that doesn't change, I know it'll slow down).
I am not the first person to walk through this journey and I know I won't be the last. I am thankful that I am allowed such blessings in my life and have found that way of thinking that works for me and my family. Since I have thought more positively, tons more positive things have happened in my life. You get what you put out there...and I wouldn't wish bad Karma on anyone either, so when what comes around goes around, I truly hope it is all good that you have put out there. Yes, bad things happen to good people, but that just means you are finding ways to strengthen yourself and learn a new direction. Different isn't bad, it's just different, and it can even be good!
Life is good, get on with it!
I have often been questioned and put to the test so to speak on how I can really believe that. Now, it's not to say I don't have bad days or times where I'm upset, cripes, I am human. I just choose not to dwell after I've thought through what may be upsetting me. I am a person that needs to verbalize or pen my thoughts to reorganize them and put them into a "new light" if you will. But yes, I do believe in taking the high road, so much easier.
Now, getting to this place in my life wasn't the easiest...I've been through my fair share if crapola. I've found my waders, shovels and horses to carry me through this stuff. Naturally along the way I come across those who feel the need to try to knock me off my path and try to reroute me or even go as far to try to chastise me into feeling like I shouldn't be this happy. Pollyanna syndrome, yes, I've been told I have that. Thank you. I do think life is great, I can find good in about anything...but I am completely aware of what is going on around me. I simply choose not to dwell on the negative or "what if" in life. I cannot live my life to the fullest if I am always upset over what I don't have, what someone else has over me, what could happen, what hasn't happened...you get the point. I've broken 7 bones...still able to walk, run and do anything I put my mind to. I have a job that I am on my feet to upwards of 12hr/day...I still am thankful for that job, for the body I have to allow me to stand so I can provide for my family. My job is one that I work hard to have, I am able to make people feel beautiful, not just look good! I work for myself so I can schedule work around my kids' lives. I've been a single mom to three kids...all the while living in a house and being the sole means of income to that house. I've managed to have a reliable vehicle to transport my kids to and from their activities. Yes, it's been a long road, but I've found that great place. I want that for my kids. To teach them life isn't just a happy pill or place you get to, that yes, you have to work, you have things to overcome, but you can do it all with a smile on your face. To fault another for being happy?? Really, what is the point? Be happy for yourself. No one can take that from you, nor should you rely on anyone else to make you happy.
Now, how did I get to that state of mind?? Simple. Gratitude. Yes, being thankful for the small things, it is what took over the being upset over what I didn't have, thought I wasn't able to have, or what crappy thing happened to me. I also had to take ownership over my feelings. Only I, Me, MYSELF can control how I feel. I don't want someone else to have that power over me. I own it, it is mine. Jealousy can play into this. Now, not saying I don't envy, but I feel that envy can be a good feeling, IF put in a positive light. I can envy someones style to better myself after, I can envy someones experience so I can work towards having a similar one for myself or family. If you use envy to create goals and not to covet things, man, the power of positive outcome is great!
Start daily...find one, just one thing you are grateful for. Could be that it quit raining, maybe it's you got the laundry put away, maybe it was that little old lady who let you go ahead of her in line cuz you only had two things. Write it down...daily, for a month. Then take a look at that month and see how blessed you really were. Wow, I bet you'll forget about all those little trivial things that "ticked" ya off ;) Yes, people tick me off for a moment, like when dropping my kids off at school and they seem like they just don't get how the taking turns goes, but if I take a deep breath and smile, knowing that I'm paying enough attention to avoid an accident, wow, that was good. Maybe that slow poke who had to pull out in front of you is helping to slow you down to avoid that pile up on the highway or another car that may have blown a stop sign. We don't know why certain things happen, but rethink it and find out something good about it.
Yes, those piles of clothes and dishes, they can make a person mad that it seems never ending. But as I see it, I have a house for them to pile up in, I have a family to dirty them and a chance to converse with them on how I'd like their help in getting a grip on it. It is an inconvenience to have to get out of my warm house to go pick up a kid from their activity, but I have my child to do so. I have my kids who want to bring their friends over to hang out at my house so I know what they are up to. These same kids still ask to go and do things with me (I sure hope that doesn't change, I know it'll slow down).
I am not the first person to walk through this journey and I know I won't be the last. I am thankful that I am allowed such blessings in my life and have found that way of thinking that works for me and my family. Since I have thought more positively, tons more positive things have happened in my life. You get what you put out there...and I wouldn't wish bad Karma on anyone either, so when what comes around goes around, I truly hope it is all good that you have put out there. Yes, bad things happen to good people, but that just means you are finding ways to strengthen yourself and learn a new direction. Different isn't bad, it's just different, and it can even be good!
Life is good, get on with it!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Heavy Heart
That is my feeling for today. Last night I learned, from my daughter, that a young man (11) managed to take his own life that evening. To see the look of hurt and bewilderment on her face, then the tears was enough to break my heart. Now, my kids did not personally know this child, but could feel the pain that goes along with anyone who may have.
How to explain this to my kids, how to prevent it from happening...how to learn to cope through this. Ugh, parenting IS tough. Deep breath, as I am a parent, I have my kids to hold and hug, I have them to muddle through an explanation of what I cannot comprehend myself. Whew. That is good. My youngest son turned to me last night while I was trying to explain and asked "do we really need to talk about this now?" to which I replied, "Yes, we do. It's not an easy subject, I don't expect you to fully understand as I don't myself and yes it will make us feel uncomfortable. But I love you and we will talk about this, now." There is no good time to talk about such a topic.
While I love FB and all the fun that goes with it, I also dislike what isn't good about it. Last evening I posted "what's on your mind" What was just a simple post turned into the frenzy of "I gotta know" I fell victim to this. It is a way to reach out, a way to keep in touch, a way to "vent"...but it is also a way to speculate and to bully. As much as we don't want to admit, we've all been part of this. Yes, guilty I am. Last night I had to just turn away and made my kids stay off the computer as well. To see kids reaching out and getting the message that they are out there for each other was heartwarming...so see people speculate was heart wrenching. We don't know, we weren't there...
At this time I ask all of us to take a moment and rethink what we say and how we say it. (I am continually learning this with everything in life) Sit down and have these discussions with our children. Go over bullying and all forms of it. Go over speculation and rumors, go over lashing out. Talk about kindness and practice it at home. Reach out to those around you. Smile more. Respect life and other's lives. Put yourself in an others shoes. Take that added minute to think before we speak. Dwell on the good and find a way to cope and move on from the bad. As parents think about stressors we may inadvertently put on our kids, do not put unrealistic expectations out there. Do not demand perfection. Set the bar high, but go along on reaching and pushing through that bar WITH your child. Take the time to be there with them and for them. Teach that happiness is a journey not a destination. Gratitude is an attitude.
My thoughts and prayers go out to this young man's family, friends, neighbors, classmates, teachers and staff at the schools along with those who responded to this call. To all of you out there, positive thoughts for understanding and guidance as we continue our journey.
Life IS good, get on with it.....
How to explain this to my kids, how to prevent it from happening...how to learn to cope through this. Ugh, parenting IS tough. Deep breath, as I am a parent, I have my kids to hold and hug, I have them to muddle through an explanation of what I cannot comprehend myself. Whew. That is good. My youngest son turned to me last night while I was trying to explain and asked "do we really need to talk about this now?" to which I replied, "Yes, we do. It's not an easy subject, I don't expect you to fully understand as I don't myself and yes it will make us feel uncomfortable. But I love you and we will talk about this, now." There is no good time to talk about such a topic.
While I love FB and all the fun that goes with it, I also dislike what isn't good about it. Last evening I posted "what's on your mind" What was just a simple post turned into the frenzy of "I gotta know" I fell victim to this. It is a way to reach out, a way to keep in touch, a way to "vent"...but it is also a way to speculate and to bully. As much as we don't want to admit, we've all been part of this. Yes, guilty I am. Last night I had to just turn away and made my kids stay off the computer as well. To see kids reaching out and getting the message that they are out there for each other was heartwarming...so see people speculate was heart wrenching. We don't know, we weren't there...
At this time I ask all of us to take a moment and rethink what we say and how we say it. (I am continually learning this with everything in life) Sit down and have these discussions with our children. Go over bullying and all forms of it. Go over speculation and rumors, go over lashing out. Talk about kindness and practice it at home. Reach out to those around you. Smile more. Respect life and other's lives. Put yourself in an others shoes. Take that added minute to think before we speak. Dwell on the good and find a way to cope and move on from the bad. As parents think about stressors we may inadvertently put on our kids, do not put unrealistic expectations out there. Do not demand perfection. Set the bar high, but go along on reaching and pushing through that bar WITH your child. Take the time to be there with them and for them. Teach that happiness is a journey not a destination. Gratitude is an attitude.
My thoughts and prayers go out to this young man's family, friends, neighbors, classmates, teachers and staff at the schools along with those who responded to this call. To all of you out there, positive thoughts for understanding and guidance as we continue our journey.
Life IS good, get on with it.....
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Endings and beginnings
Labor Day Weekend...always a time to signal the end of one season and the beginning of another. Celebrations. We've had our fun, long days of summer, longing for some cooler weather and a new start to a new season. Wanting change and to move on to the next is a natural part of life. Funny how we can see it in the seasons, but maybe not with life itself.
This Labor Day was marked with a sad, yet understanding of what we many not want to end but longing of new beginnings. It is when we lost a part of Mr. Man's family. His mother's only sibling passed from cancer. We all know someone who has fought this disease...some buy more time than others. After three years of treatments and positive smiles, Ranaye went to be pain-free. I am happy for her. Now, some of you ask, really...how can you be happy? Easy, I really believe our life here is only a short stint, that there is something more out there for us and once we are free of the constraints of what is here, we can truly be! Now wait before you pass judgement, it doesn't mean I am not sad or will not miss her. Just that I do understand that there is more to life than what we see every day here. I remember the good, her smiles, generosity, her positive attitude and willingness to find the good in anything and her ever acceptance of what came her way. I know that my life moves forward and that I can take what this beautiful lady has taught me and enter twine it into my life here and now. If I sat and dwelled on what isn't any more I really wouldn't accomplish much nor would I be keeping her spirit alive. We all grieve differently, I wouldn't tell anyone how they should grieve, but I don't view death as finality and celebrate the spirit's new beginning!
Ranaye, may your spirit soar and be free...free to be. May you always continue to smile and shine upon us. You will not be forgotten and always remembered for your positive outlook and ability to find the good in all of us! God speed.
Life is good, get on with it!
This Labor Day was marked with a sad, yet understanding of what we many not want to end but longing of new beginnings. It is when we lost a part of Mr. Man's family. His mother's only sibling passed from cancer. We all know someone who has fought this disease...some buy more time than others. After three years of treatments and positive smiles, Ranaye went to be pain-free. I am happy for her. Now, some of you ask, really...how can you be happy? Easy, I really believe our life here is only a short stint, that there is something more out there for us and once we are free of the constraints of what is here, we can truly be! Now wait before you pass judgement, it doesn't mean I am not sad or will not miss her. Just that I do understand that there is more to life than what we see every day here. I remember the good, her smiles, generosity, her positive attitude and willingness to find the good in anything and her ever acceptance of what came her way. I know that my life moves forward and that I can take what this beautiful lady has taught me and enter twine it into my life here and now. If I sat and dwelled on what isn't any more I really wouldn't accomplish much nor would I be keeping her spirit alive. We all grieve differently, I wouldn't tell anyone how they should grieve, but I don't view death as finality and celebrate the spirit's new beginning!
Ranaye, may your spirit soar and be free...free to be. May you always continue to smile and shine upon us. You will not be forgotten and always remembered for your positive outlook and ability to find the good in all of us! God speed.
Life is good, get on with it!
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