It's An Educational Anniversary

Milestones are important. They signify something monumental; the length of time you've been at the same job, the number of years you've been married, or how long you've been cancer-free. We tend to celebrate the big numbers ... five years, ten years, twenty years, fifty years. Any time you've been at something for a long time you deserve a proverbial pat on the back. Why? Because it signifies loyalty, commitment, accomplishments, and focus.

This month my husband and I are celebrating two big milestones. We will have been married for thirty-five years, which seems impossible to us (I suppose because we try to stay young at heart). We have two adult children, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and two precious granddaughters. I'd celebrate them all every day if I could. But this month we are also celebrating something else. For the first time in twenty-five years we are not driving someone to school, purchasing school supplies, attending a school musical concert or a Science Olympiad tournament. We didn't send anyone off to band camp, we didn't move someone into their college dorm, and we didn't help relocate a child off to another state. I didn't need to watch the advertisements for Bed, Bath, & Beyond or Target and I didn't make an extra trip to Sam's Club to buy granola bars or mac n' cheese in bulk. 

Yes, this is a monumental milestone for us; an educational anniversary of sorts. We've watched two children blossom into smart, talented, and God-loving adults. We'll continue to watch them find their way and their nitch in today's demanding world. We'll continue to give them both our love and our support. We'll always be just a phone call away and will always be willing to be a sounding board as they make their decisions and tough choices.

To all the parents out there who are buying new sneakers and a backpack for their elementary-aged child, we wish you luck as you and your child adjust to this week's new sleep schedule and routine. To the parents of the middle school aged kids ... brace yourselves ... they will go to school happy and come home feeling defeated because their best friend didn't say hello and someone else wore the same blouse to English class. To the parents of the high school students; pay attention to 'who' your child hangs out with, follow them on social media, and always remember that they already have enough 'friends', what they really need is for you to be a parent. For the parents that are carrying the mini-fridge up to the second or third floor of the dorm ... remember, lift with your knees! It will be easier at the end of the semester when it comes down. 

As our children hit their late teen years and even their early twenties, we always told them we would be there for them; as a sounding board, to help them study for an exam, to meet up for a burger when they were tired of cafeteria food, or to be their 'way out' of an uncomfortable situation. Trust me, when your daughter (or son) goes off to that one college party where no one was supposed to drink, but suddenly everyone was and they're worried about getting home we want them to know they can call home at any hour and we can help them work out a solution that will keep them safe and help them still be cool with their peers (which is important to them at that age).

So, here's to all the parents out there who are celebrating any sort of an anniversary or a milestone. Congrats to you for a job well done.

What life stage are you currently in and how's it going for you? Any words of wisdom for the rest of us?

The Year Is Winding Down

Tomorrow is the LAST day of the year. 2016 will soon be nothing more than another chapter in our life book. Surely, there were high and low points; no one's life stays on a constant horizontal balance 100% of the time. As New Year's Eve draws nearer it would be customary for people to talk about resolutions and goals; some undoubtedly will revolve around diets, relationships, jobs, and finances (they always do). Maybe what is better to think about is how did you do with your resolutions and goals from one year ago? Did you pick a goal that was repetitive? Have you been setting yourself up to fail? 

A year ago I got the news that my cholesterol was higher than I would have liked. My weight wasn't exactly where I wanted it to be. My overall attitude needed some adjustments. I sincerely needed to find better ways of dealing with anxiety and stress. So, here I am one year later and it is time for a progress report. My cholesterol has gone down and is still improving. I made some lifestyle changes and without any dieting I am down 22#. My attitude, like anyone else's, remains a constant work in progress. But on some days, I am proud to report, I feel like I am doing a little better.

I don't like picking resolutions on demand at the end of year with a party horn in my hand, they feel too forced for me. Goals can be a good thing, as long as they are reasonably attainable. For me, I would rather reflect on where I am today, think about what is working and what is not, and think about whether or not I can do anything at all to improve it.

If you check dictionary.com synonyms for the word 'resolution' include determination, perseverance, strength, and fortitude. I sincerely like the sounds of these words. They all suggest positive images and success. Rather than saying you want to lose 20#, tell yourself that when the end of the year comes you want to be a healthier you (whatever that looks like). Rather than saying 'I want a new job', pray for a sense of commitment, respect, and accomplishment in whatever you are doing. Rather than saying you want to be in a certain place in a relationship, work toward being in a healthier and stronger mindset - the rest will come when it is the right time.

I had a lot of highs and some lows in 2016. I stepped out of my comfort zone, tackled ballroom dancing and raised a lot of money for a great cause. I played with my granddaughter whenever I could. I added some flowers to my garden. I bought my first-ever pair of straight leg skinny jeans (and wasn't embarrassed to wear them outside of my house). On the downside, our family lost someone special, I have learned more about elder care and being a power of attorney than I ever wanted to know, and I still have moments when I deal with anxiety and insecurities (but who doesn't?).

So, what has been great for you in 2016? 

What's been not so good? 

Where do you see yourself one year from today?

How do plan to get there?

Just Taking A Break

You may or may not wonder where I've been lately. Just taking a break, I suppose. This time last month I was getting pretty enthused about writing more consistently on my blog. I was working on themes for different days ... a favorite recipe day ... a funny story day ... a serious topic day ... etc. Then my motive got tripped up - well actually it wasn't my motive, but me. In one of my less graceful moments I tripped and broke my ankle. Not just any ankle, but my right ankle (meaning that I have had certain restrictions these last few weeks). Restrictions like I can't drive, I can't go down my basement stairs as often or as quickly (which makes using my home computer difficult), etc.

I'm gonna be fine, but like many situations in my life I've tried to find the positive aspects of this one. Let's see ... people have opened doors for me like they did when I was 8 months pregnant, my husband and daughter offer to clean the dishes after dinner (assuming that I've actually cooked), I've heard some great 'punny' lines, and oh yeah ... I've even been driving the motorized scooter at the grocery store. When I told my mom I was going to drive one she said 'seriously?' and I said 'Uh, yah!'

No matter how much a situation can sometimes inconvenience us it's important, sometimes even vital, to try look at the glass as being 'half full' rather than 'half empty'. I know some people who can't even manage to view the glass as 'half empty' ... they can only see it as 'half empty & there's a whole in the bottom!'. I mean come on ... take a look around us - I look at the recent political happenings on the other side of the world, the tornados in the southern U.S. states, the earthquake in Japan, and any number of the local news stories and I have to stop and think 'Wow, what am I cranky about - all I have is a broken ankle. A mere temporary inconvenience'. My ankle will heal, hopefully the sky will soon turn blue again and perhaps even the sun come back out. I guess I, along with a lot of others, have a great deal to be thankful for.

I won't worry. I'll get myself back on track with my blog, hopefully start taking some outdoor walks soon, and perhaps even get outside and start working in my flower garden in a few weeks (providing I get the fasionable boot off). Minor inconveniences sometimes have a way of getting us back on track when we need it. Whatever your minor inconvenience of the day is: lack of time, motivation, sleep, whatever it is ... well I hope you can look at your glass as half full and get yourself back on track.