Birthday

Birthday. 

Today is the third birthday of my blog, Grace Found Daily, and my 778th posting. When I remember back to that January morning three years ago when I nervously pressed the publish button to release my blog into the world, I can't believe time has passed so quickly. I was hesitant to share my writing, but took a leap of faith that day, and I'm so glad I did. 

My first posting was the following:

Today is a first. The first posting on my blog. Covey says, "To start with the end in mind." I can't say exactly where that might be. But I do know that I needed to just start. So today is that first small step in a new beginning."

I can honestly say that I really had no idea what direction the blog would take. What I did know was that I had really gotten into reading other people's blogs and I wanted in. Each day I wrote I found the blog taking on a voice of its own. 

It seemed the more I tried to direct it, the more difficult it would be to come up with ideas. However, if I just kept myself open to the world around me the ideas would just flow. In fact, some days I would find myself writing four postings in one day. Other days maybe not one. 

I learned to strike while the iron was hot, and  embrace inspiration leaving the postings in draft form until I was ready to publish them. I found myself always looking forward to writing, and never considering writing a chore. It seemed to bubble forth from inside, and never required an outline to guide its direction. 

I've tried not to make my blog a place for confrontation. Perhaps this is because I don't feel comfortable doing so, and have preferred another path for my thoughts. I have tried to inspire, and encourage, and even make you laugh. I share about my family, and my hopes and dreams. I ask questions and share not only my successes, but my vulnerabilities as well. 

My blog has been a way to chronicle the events of my life. It is a way to remember the antics of my grandchildren as well as some of the struggles I have gone through. More than anything else, it is a way to stay connected. 

Each comment made by you the reader resonates with me, and I get such a kick out of seeing who is reading the blog. It warms my heart when someone points out that my message was just what they needed to hear that day. Somehow I feel that maybe what I end up writing about may not have always been up to me. 

What I do know, is that writing this blog has been such a joyful part of my life, and I hope to continue writing into the future. Sometimes I wonder if the blog might take another direction, and if it does that is okay. In fact, a new direction might actually be fun.  

Happy 3rd Birthday little blog, and virtual cake and ice cream for all!

The Pantry Challenge

The pantry challenge.

One of the drawbacks to apartment living is the apartment-sized pantry. Now this didn't seem much of a dilemma back in my single days when dinner consisted of an apple and peanut butter or microwave nachos. 

However, I like to cook, and I cook quite a bit. In fact, Chuck and I probably only eat out about twice a week. Breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week requires a good bit of food, and a good bit of pantry space. 

What I'm finding with the "Black Hole" as I like to call it, is that I'm never really sure what I already have on hand, and what I'm out of. Of course, the most sensible thing would be a quick pantry inventory before grocery shopping, and I wish I could say I do so. Except, that it's so much trouble digging around, and moving everything in an effort to determine what I need, that I prefer to live on the edge and take my chances on overstocking. 

This just happened the other day when I bought a canister of steel cut oats thinking I was just about out. Let's just say I won't be needing to purchase any more in the near future. On the flip side though, every now and then you come across something you forgot you had, and find yourself doing a little happy dance over the sheer joy of it. 

At my last house I had a smaller sized pantry as well, and found myself using the over-sized linen closet upstairs for the overflow. Chuck even attached a set of shelves to the door in order to give me more room. Excitingly, one of my dreams is coming true with the large walk-in pantry in our new house. I'm already pinning furiously on Pinterest all the amazing pantry organization ideas. Room for appliances, cookbooks, bulk items and even some canning I've been considering doing almost makes me giddy. 

I know, perhaps this reaction is a little over the top, but for this foodie a long awaited blessing. So for now I'll continue to make due with my small apartment-sized pantry, but knowing how grateful I am for the bounty that fills it. 

Cursive

Cursive.

There's a meme going around the internet declaring that cursive writing is the secret code of old people. As funny as it may sound,  unfortunately it's true. Fewer and fewer young people know how to write in cursive, let alone read cursive. 

As a child I was completely intrigued by the squiggly letters that my mother and father used. I can remember pretending to write in cursive making loops and squiggles on my paper. I was mesmerized by Babar the Elephant which was impossible for me to read as it was written in cursive. It all seemed so mysterious and grown-up, and I couldn't wait until I was old enough to learn. 

When I was in second grade in Kansas I was thrilled to find out that I would be learning cursive. Many minutes a day were spent practicing, and I took great pride in my penmanship. At the end of the school year my family moved to New York, and enrolled me in school for the month of June. I gloated over the fact that I had already learned all the cursive letters since school in Kansas ended almost a month before New York. 

As a second grade teacher I thoroughly enjoyed teaching my students not only the proper formation of each letter, but more importantly how they were connected. We worked our way through the alphabet learning how to write each other's name. Each child's anticipation of learning their capital letter just added to the excitement. 

By the end of the year my students had the choice to do their work in cursive, which most did, and did beautifully. My insistence on teaching them the proper formation paid off, as they had not had the chance to develope any bad habits prior to my instruction. I learned a few years later when working with older students that although cursive may still be taught, it generally is not required to actually be used, and most of my students chose print over cursive. 

As cursive has been deemed less and less important in our modern-day keyboard world, we are finding through research that there is an actual advantage to cursive. Writing in cursive allows the brain to retain information more readily than when typed or printed. Comprehension is aided as well in better understanding of what is being learned. I'm just stubborn enough to say that I think we do our children a disservice in not insisting that they actually use cursive.

In education trends seem to come and go. I'll be curious to see if cursive makes a resurgence  or if it goes completely by the wayside as some lost ancient art.  Either way my Baby Boomer friends and I will enjoy sending secret notes to each other at our retirement homes completely  unlegible to our caretakers. 

Welcome to Texas, Y'all!

Welcome to Texas y'all!

January marks the fiftieth anniversary of my move to Texas. I was eleven years old, and my father had just retired from the military after twenty years of service. I was an Army brat who was getting ready to settle down in what would finally become my home state.

I was quite excited about moving to Texas, although I hated that I was leaving behind my best friend Ann Marie. However, having gotten used to moving every two years in the military, leaving friends behind was just part of the deal. Luckily for me we were able to reconnect forty years later, and now are a part of each other's lives once again. 

I had traveled to Texas the summer before from Florida to visit my aunt and uncle. I had expected to see everyone on horseback toting around a six shooter, and was sorely disappointed to learn that Dallas was a rather cosmopolitan city. I had suffered through my first Dr. Pepper that trip, and can honestly say fifty years later that I've never drank one again. 

After moving here I quickly began throwing y'all into my vernacular, and switched "ant" for "awwnt" when referring to my beloved Aunt Joan. I resigned myself to the fact that everyone moved at a much slower pace at the grocery check-out, and that a one syllable name could be dragged out over a matter of minutes. 

Along with this I discovered exotic creatures like horny toads, and Cicadas which we referred to as locusts. I recall our family cat finding locusts a tasty treat, and once she even dragged one into the house. I shudder to remember my reaction, and my fear of them still remains today. 

It took some time to adapt to Texas traditions. Putting up a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, eating Black-eyed peas on New Years, weddings without a sit-down dinner, stopping by without a formal invitation, football mums, and women dressed to the tee were all things Texan. 

I can honestly say that I have loved growing up in Texas. The pride of the Lone Star state seems unmatched, and I am happy to have been included. Now that I've been here officially fifty years I'm claiming full citizenship and hoping my Texas friends don't mind. 

"You don't just move to Texas. It moves into you."

Manny Fernandez

A Factless World

A factless world. 

I was following a thread the other day on Face Book that ended up being a back and forth discussion about a particular controversial subject. 

One person kept stating that her thoughts were her opinion, and that they seemed to hold weight over any factual evidence. I found it interesting at how many times I see this in our culture, and wondered when this became the norm?

According to Merriam-Webster the definition of fact is, "a piece of information presented as having objective reality." When I think about facts I think about something having proof, or having been researched over a period of time concluding in actual evidence.  

On the other hand, the same dictionary defines opinion as, "a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge." I couldn't help but think that the comments made about the writer's opinion were not necessarily based on definitive proof. 

They had more to do with her feelings than anything else. Now I'm not passing judgement on her feelings. I'm sure she was sincere in her thinking, except she appeared to be discounting actual evidence as not valid because it did not line up with her thinking. 

As a teacher we used to teach our students the difference between fact and opinion. To do this you had to agree that there were actually some universal truths based on evidence. Today it would be more difficult to do so because opinion seems to reign supreme. It doesn't seem to matter what the evidence shows, it's more about how you feel about the evidence. 

Interestingly enough, one of the counter-comments was made from a very qualified individual who not only had expert status, but also had personal experience in the matter. It used to be that opinion had more to do with flavors of ice cream, not so much the color of the sky. Today everything is fair game when it comes to an opinion. 

Of course, I guess this is just my opinion. 

Yes!

Yes!

When it comes to toddlers one of the most often heard words is generally "No!" Now I'm not saying my two year old grandson never says this word, especially when it comes to naps, but I've noticed this past week that more times than not he says "Yes!" Actually a resounding, "Yes!"

He seems pretty agreeable to trying the foods that I bring, helping his mother out with the new baby, and generally being up to anything that includes tractors or trucks. What makes this even more endearing is the way he says yes. It's said in a very pleasant, uplifting tone that warms my Mimi heart every time I hear it.

I got to thinking once again about the lessons that can be learned from these little ones. Having an enthusiasm for life, and a willingness to try new things is something I aspire to as well, and can't help, but look toward my oldest grandson for inspiration. 

Saying yes to life sounds pretty good to me!

Defensive

Defensive. 

Have you ever been accused of being defensive? And if you have did you consider it a bad thing? As one who has had this trait brought to my attention more than once I began to wonder two things. 

First, is it necessarily a bad thing, albeit somewhat annoying I know, and second, do I really have much control over it? Is it simply a bad habit stemming from long ago insecurities or is it more of an instinct? Kind of like running away from a lion?

As I reflected on my tendency to feel the need to defend my actions or maybe I should say my mistakes, it occurred to me that at this point in my life it really had little to do with insecurities. In my sixth decade of life I can honestly claim that I feel pretty darn comfortable with the person I am. What a blessing to acknowledge considering the angst I have gone through at different times in my life when this wasn't the case.  

No, today my defensiveness I think has more to do with my wanting to do and get things right. I rarely am haphazard about anything, and when things don't quite go as I planned, I know that generally my intentions were in the right place, and I feel the need to stand up for myself.  What I'm finding is that things like my failing eyesight, distractability, and short term memory blips all contribute to a not so perfect execution of what once came so effortlessly. 

Just as it is almost impossible to write with your left hand when you are right handed trying to control my defensive reactions is just as challenging. As I've said before the words just seem to slip out more quickly than I want. However, my defensiveness has become a default button for me, and I'm not sure I like that.  

I wish I could take even three seconds to think before reacting. Maybe then I would realize that I really don't need to defend my humanness. I've used the tool of crossing my fingers while others are talking to remind me not to interrupt. It's a thought, and might be something I could use in the future when it comes to this dilemma. Everything I do does not need to be defended, and would probably result in a more peaceful state if I chose not to. 

The Best Surprise of All

The best surprise of all. 

Almost twenty-nine years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter I did not have a sonogram to know the gender of our baby. My doctor did not do one unless there was some medical reason, and luckily my pregnancy was pretty text book. 

When my daughter was pregnant with our first grandchild she elected to find out ahead of time what sex the baby would be. We had a gender reveal party which added to the excitement of the impending birth. Our grandson was named and work soon began on his cowboy themed nursery. 

This time around our son-in-law and daughter chose not to find out ahead of time whether their baby would be a boy or girl. The element of surprise now became a factor in this pregnancy. Of course, we were more than thrilled when we found out Brittany was pregnant, and just assumed another gender reveal party was around the corner. 

Through out this pregnancy not knowing has been interesting. It's been fun kicking around the possibilities reminiscent of my own pregnancy. However, not knowing in this day and age has been different as well. I was glad when they shared with us the two name choices, and found myself counting down to the big day. 

Whether it would be a boy or a girl crossed my mind daily. On the one hand, a little brother for our first grandson would be a perfect running buddy for him, and yet the lure of cute girl outfits was calling my name. Either way I knew this new addition to our family would be perfect. 

We were pleasantly surprised when he made his entrance into the world, and felt very blessed to be grandparents to two little boys. Our first grandson seemed to know all along who was coming because he repeatedly said he wanted a brother. I look forward to watching these two brothers share many adventures together. 

I'm Not Bossy

I'm not bossy. 

"I'm not bossy. I just have better ideas." is a plaque given to me by my daughter. She has one too, and we both get a kick out of its sentiment. I'm not sure my husband feels the same way, though. 

We are a family of first borns, and we come by our "bossiness" quite honestly. Once when Brittany was four Chuck asked for her assistance on some landscaping we were doing on our new home. She didn't miss a beat, and declared, "Wait, I've got a better idea!"

Now mind you this was not said with any disrespect or obstinace. In her mind she simply did have a better way of attacking the problem. Having a family of three opinionated leaders, and no real followers can be tricky to navigate. At least when Brittany was a child we could claim parental authority, but get the three of us together on a vacation as adults, and it's a whole different story. 

My bossiness stems over a lifetime, as I remember my mother pointing out to me at eight years old that if I didn't stop being so bossy I would not have any friends. I knew better than to talk back to her, but I remember clearly thinking, "Well they'll do anything I say." And they would! I learned early on that the world is divided into leaders and followers, and followers are all looking for a leader. 

Of course my thirty plus year career as an elementary school teacher was the perfect fit for my natural bossiness. Nothing like bossing around a classful of seven years old! 

However, I'm not sure that my natural inclination toward being bossy has always made for smooth sailing in my marriage. Hopefully, I have mellowed some with age, but my bossy gene does like taking charge. 

I was filing some papers the other day and found myself laughing at the plaque that was staring back eye level with me. I guess learning to laugh at yourself is good medicine. 

Minimalism Revisited

Minimalism revisited. 

As I began the process of downsizing over a year ago I quickly became overwhelmed with the sheer volume of the possessions I had accrued over the years. What at first was hard became easy as I found myself just getting rid of things. 

As organizer Peter Walsh had so aptly put, "If everything is important, than nothing is important." As I made my way through these possessions I tried to follow the advice of another organizing guru Marie Kondo. If something "Sparked joy" then it found its way into my new much smaller apartment. 

Except what I've realized a year later is that if all your stuff does is sit in drawers or tubs because there is no place to display it, than you really are missing out on the whole sparking of joy experience.  I think that is what I have missed the most this last year. 

I remember after I retired from teaching how much pleasure I took in taking care of my home. Now I'm not so much talking about housecleaning, as that is more of a have-to than a delight. But I enjoyed decorating for the seasons, and feathering my nest. I would simply walk around my home taking it all in, and enjoying spending time there. 

I think what I'm learning, though, is the idea that was taught to me through a childhood favorite, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In life you need to find that Just Right amount. Not so much that you don't even know what you have, but also not so little that nothing has any special meaning. 

When I wrote about moving the other day, my aunt asked me if I had "Kept enough stuff for the new house?" To be honest, probably not, but I'm okay with that. Paring down my possessions helped me to better know what I liked and what I needed. I'm sure there is something that I gave away that I wish I might have kept, but I'm not going to dwell on that. 

In the new house I look forward to truly unpacking, and enjoying the things I own. Minimalism has its place, but for me Mediumism seems a better fit. 

Technology

Technology. 

You know what they say, "Can't live with it, can't live without it."

Recently I spent an hour getting my insurance and prescription plan registered on-line, ordered a prescription, paid some bills, sent an e-mail, and updated my Weight Watchers e-tools. When you think about it, all of this is pretty remarkable. 

Except when it's not! Just the passwords alone make my head swim, and why do they constantly have to change the website for Weight Watchers making it virtually impossible to find your FREE e-tools renewal?

My frustration and reluctance to do all things technical is palpable, and yet I soldier on knowing that if I don't rise to the occasion I might be left alone like an old Mac Book collecting dust somewhere. 

What I do wonder, though, is how am I going to keep up once I'm eighty or ninety?  I guess by then artificial intelligence will be doing it all, and there will be no need for my input, as my intelligence may be just hanging on by a thread. 

This new house we are buying is considered a Wi-Fi Certified home, and if I'm understanding it correctly, Alexa is about to become a new member of the family. You know, the sister that Brittany never had! If you haven't had a chance to view the Saturday Night Live Alexa parody you really should. I'm afraid it might just be a little too close to home. 

Moving On

Moving on.

Moving on or perhaps I should say moving in. This March will mark the one year anniversary of our life in our apartment. I have so thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and the freedom it has afforded Chuck and I. I have loved every walk around the lake, and have enjoyed getting to meet new people along the way. 

However, Chuck and I knew that this would not be our permanent residence. He still has six more years to retirement, and spending our money on high rent for the next six years did not seem to be the best financial decision. Except, to be honest buying a house really wasn't on our radar two weeks ago. I attribute our actions to my bout with insomnia a few nights back when I found myself on Zillow. That led to checking out neighborhoods in the near vicinity that were still close to Chuck's work. 

The next day I was checking out those said neighborhoods, and by the weekend we had found a home nearing completion that seemed to meet not only our needs, but many of our desires as well. It is 1,000 square feet smaller than our last home, and it's three bedroom, two and one-half baths is suited well to this time in our life. The yard is just a fraction of the size, and the neighborhood pool will not have to be maintained by Chuck. 

I've learned long ago that life is often a series of trade-offs. Chuck will be a little further from his work, but we won't have to put up with an upstairs neighbor who vacuums on a daily basis. I'll be responsible for a larger space to maintain, but I can easily open the back door to let Cooper out, rather than taking him out to the courtyard morning and night. 

I will miss my beloved lake which has brought so much peace and joy to my days, but there is a walking trail in the neighborhood, and I'm checking out any local parks that might have a water feature as well. 

Everything has fallen into place, and I feel blessed that it has done so. We are on the next leg of our journey and adventure, and look forward someday to retiring to the country closer to our grandchildren. Thank you Lord for your direction and guidance. 

What is it About the Walmart Parking Lot?

What is it about the Walmart parking lot?

I find it interesting, and curious that the only time you actually see sea gulls in the DFW metroplex is at the Walmart parking lot. They were regulars in Frisco, and now appear to like Irving as well. 

To be honest, I would maybe expect them at the Walmart in Galveston and Corpus since those actually are coastal communities. What makes a sea faring bird think life in North Central Texas with no ocean in sight is the way to go?

But, every now and then you see them hanging out at a Walmart parking lot. Of course the most obvious reason might be a plethora of McDonald's bags with left over quarter pounders and fries littering the ground. I can certainly see the appeal since I've eaten my fair share of the Golden Arches delicacies in my lifetime. 

Except, that I've never actually seen them at a Kroger's or Tom Thumb parking lot where I have also had to step over a breadcrumb or two. Perhaps it's ingrained in their DNA or maybe as a chick their mothers whisper in their ear one final word of advice. "If all else fails, Walmart is always an option." Come to think if it my mother might have whispered those same words to me!

Either way I do get a kick out of seeing them, and can't help but remember the time I fed a flock of seagulls in a parking lot along the gulf shore of Mississippi. My step-mother had informed me that they liked Doritos, and that if I would stand there and throw the chips up into the air they would circle round to eat them. 

I must admit I can't remember a time that I laughed so freely and unabounded then that day. There was something so fun about seagulls circling overhead. I've never repeated the process, and have never really been tempted to rip open a bag of Doritos in a Walmart parking lot to recreate the experience. 

You know me, and my constant need to know why. Ever since I spent a New Year's Eve in my mid-teens reading the widely popular sensation Jonathan Livingston Seagull I've had a soft spot for seagulls. Except I have no true recollection what the book was about, but to my seventeen year old mind I do remember it seemed pretty profound!

Easily Influenced

Easily influenced. 

One of my shortcomings is that I am easily influenced. Luckily, this has not led to a life of crime, but it still bothers me that I am quick to assume that someone else surely knows better than I. My trusting nature, and general assumption that others intentions are good, often leads to this influence. 

In reflecting on this characteristic I have come to the conclusion that I have an innate desire to know and follow the truth. Each time I meet someone with a different world view than mine I find myself questioning my own. 

Now this may not necessarily be a bad thing, except that many times I have found myself drifting away from my beliefs simply because I didn't trust myself enough. 

I automatically jump to the conclusion that someone else must know better than I, and that maybe I should be more like them in my thinking. Rather than feel confident in what my belief system is I find myself thinking that it must be "less than" someone else's. 

I struggle with things that are not settled. As a Christian the differences of denominations has always been difficult for me to accept. I spend so much time trying to determine who is right that I begin to miss the point. 

There always seem to be competing views from politics to diets, and I just don't seem to be able to find that comfortable spot where I fit. I keep thinking that someone else must have the answer, and that if I keep on looking I will find it as well. 

I have no qualms with the idea of changing ones views as one grows in wisdom and maturity, but I do wish I trusted myself more to make the right choices. Perhaps just being more aware of this trait can help me to become better grounded in what I truly believe. 

Whose Thighs Are These Anyway?

Whose thighs are these anyway?

Mother Nature sometimes gets a bad rap, but I think she's actually quite kind. Somehow she knows how to coordinate failing eyesight with crepey thighs. The result being that although once you pass sixty your thighs are unrecognizable, your inability to see without your reading glasses prevents you from being aware of this fact. 

Unless of course, if you are in some really bright light, and then what you find yourself doing is  moving in and out of the light in hopes of not having to accept the reality that your thighs have gone south and are reminiscent of your grandmother. 

Although burned in your brain you find yourself running to the nearest bottle of lotion in hopes that maybe with a little moisture your long ago taunt skin might make a comeback. Unfortunately, there is only so much that a bottle of Jergens can do, and you have to accept the fact that gravity, and aging seems to be winning. 

It's at this point that you thank your lucky stars that capris seem to be a fashion trend with staying power now that the Baby Boomer generation has the buying power to make it so. I can't help but feel a little envious or even quite shocked when I see someone in their twenties sporting shorts well above the knee, and realize that that was me forty years ago. How could my once smooth skin have changed so drastically?

So what's a girl to do? Just keep slathering on the lotion I suppose, and disregarding the road map of spider veins that rivals Rand McNally, and just get on with the business of living. You know what they say, "Out of sight, out of mind!"

Texas Winters

Texas winters. 

I've been enjoying Texas winters for the last fifty years. I moved here in sixth grade and found a little culture shock at my new public school. Apparently the kids in public school seemed way advanced to the parochial school kids from Florida. I hadn't been in school thirty minutes and some boy was already asking me to go "steady." 

Basically all that entailed was wearing his ID bracelet, but my Mom said, No way!" To be honest I was quite relieved because my mind was still on all things kid-like. I was much more content playing with my neighborhood friends in the vacant lot next door pretending it was exotic Czechoslovakia. Once two boys from my class stopped by, and seemed pretty perplexed at my attraction for the chalkrock cliff next door. Needless to say, it was a long time after that that I had my first real boyfriend!

However, one of the things that I have so loved about Texas is their beautiful winters. Although, we may have a share of frigid days, and an ice storm or two, we can always count on those beautiful blue-skied sunshiny days with temperatures hovering around the 60's. 

There is something about sunshine and fresh air that is just good for the soul. Cooper and I were able to get out the other day for the first time in a good while, and thoroughly enjoyed our walk. I had never seen so much water fowl on the lake, and almost felt like I was invading their territory. The word must have gotten out that Lake Carolyn is the place to be. 

When I think about the long, gray winters that many people endure in states further north, I thank my lucky stars or perhaps I should say Lone Star that my parents moved us to Texas back in the late sixties. You know what they say, "I may not have been born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!"

Recent Favorites

Recent Favorites

Ezekiel Flax bread-You find this in the refrigerated section of Sprouts. It's a little pricier than standard bread, but is to die for when toasted. It also is considered a complete protein. We enjoy using it for avocado toast. 

Aquaphor lip balm- I'm finding in the winter months my lips have become quite dry. While most lip balm basically just masks over the dryness, this product seems to provide enough moisture to solve the problem of dry lips. 

Corner Bakery- The trio has always been my favorite choice here, but recently I tried a couple new choices, and they were yummy. Along with the pasta salad, I now include the pico quinoa, and the hummus with carrots. This makes for a really tasty plant-based lunch. 

Forks Over Knives magazine- This has recently hit the shelves. It's chock full of plant-based recipes, and is a good source if you are interested in learning more about this lifestyle. 

Ricola Honey Lemon throat lozenges- I find these cough drops to be my favorite. Unfortunately this time of year seems to lend itself to sore throats and coughing. I keep these in my purse just in case. 

The Crown- If you are looking for a new Netflix binge this is an excellent series. It's kind of like a royal housewives episode, but soooo much better. 

Moleskin book- This was a Christmas present that I'm planning on using as a bullet journal. Although, there are many ways to do one, and you can find plenty of ideas on Pinterest, I basically just include a table of contents and numbering in order to easily locate whatever I've written in the journal. I'm excited to have a quality notebook. 

Back to Normal

Back to normal. 

I don't know about you, but I don't think I could ever live one of those over the top adventurous lives. Not because I don't want to, not because I'm sure it wouldn't be over the top exciting, and not because I'd have really cool things to write about everyday. 

But the uncomfortable truth is that I am a creature of habit, and released from the general predictability of my life I find myself somewhat grumpy and down. Coming off of the Christmas season I've found myself trying to right the nonroutine of the last two weeks. 

My eating has been WAY out of control, and today is the day of reckoning as I return to Weight Watchers for the first time in 2018. In my typical fashion of denial I haven't stepped on the scale once. My grocery shopping has been done on the fly, and although not completed in its normal predictable fashion I can brag that Chuck and I always had clean clothes to wear this holiday. 

As much as I enjoy trying out something new or venturing to a new eating establishment, the truth is that I find contentment in the predictability of my normal. Yesterday for the first time in weeks Cooper and I were finally able to get outside and enjoy our walk. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the ducks as they huddled in the grass to avoid the frigid water. I think they too are ready for things to go back to normal as well. 

"Order is heaven's first law."

Alexander Pope

A to Y

A to Y

Sue Grafton is the author of the mystery series that follows the alphabet. The first in the series, "A" is for Alibi was written in the early eighties, and her final novel was published just last year. 

Unfortunately Grafton passed away before she could write the last novel of the series "Z" is for Zero. I was surprised that I had not read any of her mysteries over the years, as I do recall being intrigued by the large letter of the alphabet that graced the cover of each.  

In the eighties my favorite authors were John Saul, Mary Higgins Clark, and Robin Cook. Each year I would anxiously await the paperback version of their new release as my budget didn't usually include the pricy hardbacks. Fiction was my genre of choice, and even through the parenting years I always made sure to read. Of course by then I had added John Grisham and Dan Brown into the mix. 

Grafton's passing caught my eye this past week as I found it somewhat ironic that the true final book of the series would not be written. "Y" is for Yesterday would have to suffice. I decided, though, that I would set the goal to read all of her mysteries this year.  

Yesterday I stopped by the library and picked up the first three books. I'm actually about halfway through A is for Alibi and am finding it enjoyable reading. The idea to read them all was inspired by a former second grade student of mine named John. He began reading the Magic Tree House series and became so enamored with the historical adventures that he asked to read them all. I made sure between the library and Half-Price books that he was able to do so. We celebrated his accomplishment in front of the entire school at our morning assembly. 

I like setting a goal that I can measure, so I'm off to the races. Grafton is interesting because she did not start her series until she was forty, although she had made her career as a screenwriter before. Sometimes we can write our age off as an excuse not to do something. Although, she never fully finished her goal she left behind a pretty impressive body of work that has kept fans wanting more.  

Here's to you Sue!

"Ideas are easy. It's the execution of ideas that really separates the sheep from the goats."

Sue Grafton 

Like a Shark

Like a shark. 

I remember once watching a show about sharks, and how they must remain in constant motion in order to live. I used to kiddingly remark about former classes that had to constantly be moving in order to remain somewhat under control. If for some unseen reason our line ever had to stop we were up a creek, and my little "sharks" would completely fall apart. 

Now what does this have to do about anything? Well actually, I'm reading a book by the creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, Shondra Rimes entitled Year of Yes. It's title intrigued me as I know that I have a tendency to consider doing something new, but then conviently talking myself out of actually folllowing through. So far the book has basically been about Rimes intense reaction to being in the limelight. I'm seventy-nine pages in, and I'm wanting to say, Enough, already. I get it you are not comfortable being in new situations that include people!!!"

However, as I read about a commencement speech she gave in 2014 at her alma mater Dartmouth, I've come across a nugget of gold. A nugget that reminded me of the shark analogy. Rimes states when discussing the idea of dreams that, "You just have to keep doing something, seizing the next opportunity, staying open to trying something new."

Just like that shark that must remain in motion in order to live, we too must remain moving as well. As we enter a new year I find it appropriate to take Rimes lead, and to approach 2018 as a year of yes. I'm also hoping that the remainder of the book is a little more interesting than her fear of public humiliation. Yes, we get it!

Past, Plants and Possibilities

Past, Plants and Possibilities.

Some people make New Year's Resolutions which they may or may not keep. I prefer choosing more of a theme for the year. Last year's theme was Move which was accomplished both figuratively and literally. 

This year I'm using a little alliteration to ring in 2018, which I must admit I'm quite tickled about as I seem to be drawn to even numbers. Go figure! I've found myself drawn recently more to the past. Maybe this year will be a good time to finish up scrapbooks, organize my father's papers and memorabilia, and maybe dig a little further into my family tree. 

My new found love of all things plants makes me want to continue down this path as well. However, I'd like to commit myself a little more into the research side of why plant-based eating is beneficial. I might even try a little container gardening this spring. 

My final idea has to do with possibilities. Although, that might sound somewhat vague, I like being open to what might be presented to me over the year. 2017 showed me that life is more interesting when you take advantage of opportunities that come your way. 

So as I enter a year that will mark 50 years that I have lived in Texas, and 40 years since my college graduation, and the beginning of my teaching career I look forward to honoring the past, continuing a healthy plant-based diet, and embracing the possibilities that 2018 may bring.