Saturday, January 29, 2011

I Danced With My Dad Last Night


Last night, I danced with Dad.  It was a short dance, and I'm not entirely sure I remember the tune.  It was a lovely dance, where I did not attempt to lead (bad habit I have) and Dad took me in his arms and lead me around the dance floor as if we'd been partners in Dancing with the Stars all season.  When we were done, he asked me if I liked to dance to songs like the one that played.  I told him I did.  Afterward, we sat on a couch and he asked if I would make a "cover for a wedding dress" for Sue.  Not sure who he was referring to, but I figured I'd find out if I just let him talk.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  I woke up. 

My Dad passed away in 1975.  But every once in a while, I get a visit in my dreams.  This was the first time we've danced during his dream visits.  I woke up feeling refreshed, a bit melancholy, but at peace.  Ah...there's that serenity I was looking for!!

Do you ever have vivid dreams about someone who's passed?  Do you ever wonder whether it's a spirit visit to tell you all's well or whether it's a need that you have to talk to that person that brings them to your dreams?  I can say that visits from my Dad almost always leave me feeling calmer about my world.  So I choose to think that my guardian angel realizes my need for reassurance and shows up just when I need him.  What could be better than that?!? 

I'm thinking I'm going to have a great day today.  I'm going to get a lot done.  Now if I can just figure out why I woke up with "United We Stand" by Brotherhood of Man playing in my head!!!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

What a Charming Word!

As I mentioned earlier, my word for 2011 is SIMPLIFY.  And when you select a word of the year, it's nice to have that daily reminder to keep your focus.  Back in 2009, I was introduced to the wonderful world of Lisa Leonard Designs when I received a gift of a charm with my 2009 word (Gratitude).  Each year, Lisa has a special charm that is created with the Word of the Year in mind.
So I couldn't resist this year's charm.  I'll probably be wearing it most days.  Isn't it gorgeous???
Thanks LLD!! 

Sunday, January 16, 2011

And...Tag, I'm It!

Oh how delightful it's been to read the responses to the current blog tag that has been virusing thru some of my fave blogs.  I do enjoy getting to know more about my favorites.  But then it happened...one of my faves sneezed the virus my way!  Thanks, Laura!!

So without further ado, I answer the following 19 questions to fulfill my part of the tag.

1. if you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
Barney is most assuredly a member of the family.  Our little cockapoo is nearly 15 years old and he thinks he and grandson #1 are peers. 

2. if you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
That everyone would stop judging others for thinking differently.  As my mother would say (although she never embraced these words), "Live and Let Live." 

3. what is the one thing most hated by you?
Boy, hate is such a strong word.  And it holds such negativity.  So hating anything is a waste of energy to me.  What I strongly dislike is being lied to. 

4. what would you do with a billion dollars?
I have no idea.  I guess it depends on whether it came in all at once, or a little at a time.  I'd make sure my family was comfortable, but I could do that with a million. 

5. what helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
My grandkids.  Never fails.

6. which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
Can't see how you can have one without the other.  I'm lucky.  I've got both!

7. what is your bedtime routine?
Check email one last time, wash face, moisturize, and read my affirmations and gratitude statements.  Head on pillow.  Out.

8. if you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?  We worked together.

9. if you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
I would have to say, I'd love to watch Leanne (fly on the wall observation) create a blog header.  I'd love to know what goes on in her head; what she envisions.  I've seen her in action once she's got her idea and it's amazing to watch, but I'd like to watch her as it develops in her brain.

10. what kinds of books do you read?
Lately, I've been reading books about law of attraction, the power of feeling.  My Texas friend says I like "chicken soup" books.  I'm kinda all over in interests.  Faves:  The Red Tent, Angels & Demons, The Help, and the Gregory Maguire books that show an alternate view of some stories we loved as children.

11. how would you see yourself in ten years time?
Retired, enjoying my family, enjoying trips with my PG, taking pictures, blogging, scrapbooking my mounds of pictures.  And that'll be in less than 10 years.  

12. what’s your fear?
Funny how certain words keep popping up in your life at times.  Because of all the reading I've been doing lately (see #10), I can honestly say that nothing comes to mind if I think about what invokes fear in me.   

13. would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?
Nope.  Especially if I had to deal with the TSA.

14. would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?
Isn't being married (in the right relationship) being rich in spite of the money in your pocket?  Okay, I'll answer the question.  Married but poor, because my life wouldn't be the same without my PG.

15. what’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
The first thing?  After a couple glasses of water during the night?  Guess!!!   After that, a cup of tea.

16. if you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?
Have him realize that you CAN put a dollar value on time and that wasting time is wasting money. 

17. if you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
Nothing comes to mind.  Hated my given name growing up, but it fits me now.

18. would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
Forgive?  Yes.  It only weighs on ME if I don't forgive.  Forget?  Not necessarily.  I'd have to be in the situation to determine that.

19. if you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
Brownies. But they gotta be good!!!! 
 

Okay, questions answered.  The next part is I have to tag others and if they are interested, they can answer the same questions, or different if I saw fit to change them.  As Laura mentioned, I know not all like to play along.  But I will name one lucky blogger:

Cindi at So, That's Why.  Cindi, feel free to play...or not.  Copy questions below and roll with 'em, or make up your own...or not.

1. if you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?
2. if you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?
3. what is the one thing most hated by you?
4. what would you do with a billion dollars?
5. what helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
6. which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?
7. what is your bedtime routine?
8. if you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?
9. if you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?
10. what kinds of books do you read?
11. how would you see yourself in ten years time?
12. what’s your fear?
13. would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?
14. would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?
15. what’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
16. if you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?
17. if you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
18. would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?
19. if you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Saying Goodbye

A very dear friend lost her mother this week.  Well, to be honest, she lost her mother little by little over the last few years.  Her mother suffered from Alzheimer's. 

But as I learned over at Bossy Betty's yesterday, it's now time to celebrate life.  And Fleming wouldn't want it any other way. 

Auntie Flemmie loved crossword puzzles.  She enjoyed playing scrabble.  She loved Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy.  She shared a recipe with me and it's the reason I make a pretty decent pasta sauce.  It was her home that welcomed us during her family parties.  It was her most beautiful smile that just made me feel all was okay in our world.  Not that age matters, but she was 92.

This was the prayer that was on the back of her prayer card:
One gift, above all others
God gives us to treasure
One that knows no time and place
And one gold cannot measure.
The precious, poignant, tender gift
Of Memory...that will keep
Our dear ones ever in our hearts
Although God gives them sleep.
It brings back long remembered things
A song, a word, a smile
And our world's a better place
-- because
We had them for a while!
(Author unknown)

Rest in Peace, Flem.  Thinking of you fills me with serenity.  I pray the same for your kids and grandkids.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Taking Life's Side Trips

Don't you just love spontaneity??

In my two weeks off, I've been working at simplifying my life.  That means boxing up and bagging up all the things that really don't need to be in my home anymore.  And some of the toys and books I've "found" have been here since my oldest grandson was a toddler.  They'll have a better home elsewhere.  So some of them seemed appropriate for my daughter's home or for the daycare her kids attend. 

My intent on Sunday was to drop off these toys and books and get back home for more boxing and bagging.  What a wonderful surprise when my 3 year old grandson invited us to the River Trail Nature Center.  Although it was windy enough to be bitter outside, they do have an exhibit room and playroom.  We were able to play some games, sit in a fox's den, use my new camera to take some pictures of sparrows and woodpeckers and turtles, OH MY!! 
  
"This is a cardinal.  It's my favorite bird."

Cheating at fishing game.  (I'll get him next time!!)

Coming in for a landing.
Hope there's room at the feeder!


Turtles sunning themselves under the sun lamp.

That's a woodpecker hanging upside down. 


Who's watching who??
SIL says that sparrows are boring.
I think they've got some magnificent colors!!
 
In the Fox Den with another visitor.

Watching for deer and coyotes.

Today, Ali Edwards' post is "Long Live Spontaneous Adventures."  I happen to agree. 

Life is Good!!