From the beginning, I was adamant that fishing was not my thing. Despite repeated attempts by my six-year-old grandson to entice me to join in his new passion, I was steadfast in my refusal to even pick up a rod. I’m sure Caleb thought it odd, since I’d always been such a willing sidekick to every adventure he cooked up; all he had to do was mention it, and I was game. But not this time; not fishing. I encouraged him to seek involvement from others, as I was sitting this one out. Continue reading “The Only Thing He’s Hooked So Far is His gMa…”
Make the Most of Serendipity Day … Celebrate Life’s Unexpected Pleasures
Happy Serendipity Day! Well, actually it’s tomorrow, August 18, but I’m posting early in case you want to wrap your head around it. The purpose of this whimsical holiday is quite simple; it encourages us to block out the distressing rhetoric swirling all around, and at least for one day, embrace the positive happenings right in front of us and celebrate the gifts of everyday life that we so often miss! Goodness knows we can all use a break from the non-stop negativity; so, count me in! Continue reading “Make the Most of Serendipity Day … Celebrate Life’s Unexpected Pleasures”
Shift Shop: I’m Happy I Did It…and Even Happier I’m Done!
My skepticism kicked in as soon as I heard Beachbody’s latest super trainer, Chris Downing, promise I’d get leaner, faster and stronger in three weeks. But as he rambled through his spiel, his enthusiasm seemed refreshingly genuine and once he flashed that infectious smile my resistance softened. I was in. Now that I’ve finished Shift Shop, I’ll admit this trainer and his breakthrough “ramp-up” method was worth my time. I say that even though my performance tanked on day fifteen, of the 21-day program. Reflecting on my experience objectively, I can see the problem wasn’t so much with the program, at least not technically; it was that this old lady simply needed a longer ramp. Continue reading “Shift Shop: I’m Happy I Did It…and Even Happier I’m Done!”
Cheers to Lake Hair, Tan Skin, and Months of Living in a Swimsuit!
How can you not love summer? The days are longer, the colors are brighter and life moves to the great outdoors. For many, summertime means the frantic pace of their everyday existence slows a bit; kids are out of school, people take vacations, traffic is lighter, and everything seems just a little easier. For me the opposite is true. Right about the time everyone else is taking that deep breath to welcome the summer respite, my life is speeding up. From May through August the pace is intense, my workload peaks and despite it all, or maybe, because of it all, I’m my happiest self. Continue reading “Cheers to Lake Hair, Tan Skin, and Months of Living in a Swimsuit!”
The Rhythm of Summer
Every summer has a beat. It varies from year to year, but once it kicks in we all march to it. Some years I pick it up by Memorial Day, other years it takes a little longer to resonate. To most casual observers and our Facebook friends I’m sure each of our summers appear the same: weekend gatherings of our summertime family joined by an interesting array of guests with a backdrop of water, sun, boats, food, drinks, laughter, music, hugs, and smiles… Good times always rule, but trust me, each year has a distinct beat all its own. Continue reading “The Rhythm of Summer”
New York City Through the Eyes of My Forever Child
This trip was years in the making and like most weekend jaunts, just as we picked up the pulse of the city it was over. But then I never have enough time in New York City. Fortunately for my daughter, Stephanie, it was everything she had dreamed it would be and since this getaway had one specific purpose – to celebrate her thirtieth birthday – having it live up to her expectations was all that mattered. Continue reading “New York City Through the Eyes of My Forever Child”
A Mother’s Day Wish
“Hey, Mom. You got a minute?” That’s how most of our conversations started. Maybe it was incredibly good timing all those years, but I never remember her saying she’d have to call me back. I always had the same mental image of her topping off her coffee and settling in at the kitchen table as she replied, “Of course I do, honey. I’m glad you called.” I can remember her words so precisely, but sadly I can no longer hear the sound of her voice saying them. I’m not sure when it happened, but my vivid memories have become a silent film and I’d give anything to hear her answer that phone one more time. Continue reading “A Mother’s Day Wish”
Boost Your Bright Side If You Notice People Avoiding You
We all know at least one Debbie or Donny Downer – the perpetual sad sack that makes our stomach flinch when we see them heading in our direction because we know two minutes into the conversation we’ll be looking for car to jump in front of. I wish I was exaggerating, but few situations in life drain me more than getting cornered by one of these folks.
Is life really that much worse for these doomsters? Has the universe conspired against them as they would have us believe? Continue reading “Boost Your Bright Side If You Notice People Avoiding You”
Life Is Short . . . Eat The Cake
And drink the wine, and the margaritas, and even the champagne! Especially the champagne! Last weekend I decided my newly adopted healthy lifestyle was going to have to stand down; it was after all my birthday. And I had the good fortune to be spending it with friends I’d known . . . well, forever. I wasn’t just hurdling past another annual milestone, I was doing it with some of the best friends a girl could ever have. And that’s a reason to celebrate! Continue reading “Life Is Short . . . Eat The Cake”
And So, The Countdown to the Summer of 2017 Officially Begins . . .
I always have mixed emotions with the arrival of spring. Don’t get me wrong; I love the longer days, the warmer weather, and the explosion of color that’s replacing more of the gray shades of winter each day. But spring is petal-to-metal busy around here. The next eight weeks is when Tim and I transition our home from a winter sanctuary to the welcoming lake house so many friends and family help us enjoy each summer. Continue reading “And So, The Countdown to the Summer of 2017 Officially Begins . . .”