With age comes wisdom?

"What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other? George Eliot

As I approach the ripe old age of (gulp) 60 in September...I can't help but feel a bit of confidence from having lived through so many different life experiences.

You know what they say: "With age comes wisdom"!

Aack.

Nevertheless, at the garage sale this past weekend I had the opportunity to visit with an acquaintance from many, many years ago. It was great seeing her again and doing some catching up.

But, looking into her eyes as she told her story...I saw such sadness and fear.

She had been divorced for quite a few years now and the pain was still quite obvious in her face. As I listened to her words, I realized that she was "stuck" in the past and didn't seem to know how to move on.

There is something that connects women who have gone through a divorce. Only those of us who have experienced that type of loss can totally understand what it is like. Even though each situation is different, the basic emotions are similar...but, how the individuals handle "life after divorce" can be extremely varied.

All I could do was tell her some of my story and impart some of my "wisdom" (HA!) to her. Remembering back 6+ years ago after my divorce, I did recall how comforting it was to me to know that others had gone through this and survived. Some had not only survived but had moved on to a healthier, happier place.

I remember reading book after book back then...just devouring the pages filled with information that made me say: "Oh, I feel the very same way!".

Some I read several times until the words sunk in. Some made me well up with tears as I let some of my own pain out. I told her this as I began to put some of my "surviving divorce books" into her arms. She wanted to pay me for these garage sale items...but, I knew that these would be a gift from me and the 50 cents or a dollar that I might have made on them was nothing compared to the help that they might offer to her.

I talked to her about "getting back out there" when she was ready. She was very fearful of taking that first step and seemed to be hiding herself by staying busy with work and other excuses.

"Maybe I will do that someday when I lose this extra weight that I have put on." she said.

I told her that she was a beautiful person and that the right man would find that inner beauty when he got to know her. I encouraged her to take a chance...go online....talk to friends about her availability and interest....whatever it took.

I told her that finding companionship in our 50's was totally different than dating in our 20's (boy, is it!). By the time that we have all reached this age we have already become pretty set in our ways...and change becomes difficult at best...but that there is a comfortable calmness about having a more mature relationship at this point in our lives.

I also felt that she still had a lot of life left to live and to try and take those first "baby" steps as soon as possible...not to keep putting it off until??? I said that there is still so much happiness awaiting her and she so deserved a full and satisfying life.

I continued to encourage her as we laughed together about some of my early dating disasters...and I told her about having Dave's companionship and love in my life now.

After a while, we hugged good-bye...and, with her arms full of books...I watched her walk away.

I couldn't help but notice that she seemed to step a little livelier and stand a little straighter as she headed down the driveway...

...and, it made me smile.

No, no, not that one!

Adam "interviews" Owen and tries to find a song to sing to the "audience" (baby sister Audrey). It seems as though Owen's favorite words these days are "No, no, no"! : )

Yeah Baby, bubbles!

When Owen is older he will probably not love the fact that his Grammie put this in her blog....so, I will do it now while I can get away with it!

It's Over!

The garage sale is over.

yay

We were all so loopy by around 2 o'clock today that we were literally "giving" things away.

These things are exhausting...let me tell you.

I had such a sense of relief when the truck drove away filled with all of our things that did not sell. We were donating the remnants of our two day sale to a local charity...and, it made us feel so good.....not only to be sending our things off to be used by people who really needed things....but, because it signified the end of two l-o-n-g days of schmoozing and selling.

Garage sales can be so interesting....you find yourself talking with folks that you might never come across otherwise.

We met so many interesting people....there was the little girl with Down Syndrome who was trying on all of the adult shoes for sale ( we gave her several "little girl" items)...there was the Oriental family who had just finalized their adoption overseas of their beautiful son ( a cute stuffed animal went to him!)....there was an elderly woman who spoke of her beloved husband who had recently passed away...and, her grown son who was so sweet as he accompanied her to the sale....there were the bargain hunters who really "worked" us to get our prices down even lower....there was the elderly woman who purchased some items that she later told us were for the homeless people (we ended up donating several items to her)...there was the large group of firemen who came by the sale (hopefully, no one was needing their services at the time!)....there was the old acquaintance who had just gone through a divorce...I sent her home with several of my "getting through divorce" books for free.....there were the antique dealers who purchased many of our lower priced items and had plans to resell them at their booth at a local antique show (and probably make a fortune!)....and, finally, there were just good old plain ordinary folks who worked hard for a living and were trying to make the most of their paychecks....

It was quite an experience for us all.

Some of the garage sale girlies....Sharon, Carol, and me... : )

L-O-N-G Day

The garage sale weekend is half over.

Tomorrow starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

It was a pretty productive day today as we had a nice steady crowd for most of the day.

There is an interesting phenomena that occurs during these sales....you get so exhausted sitting out there in the heat all day...that when asked if you will take a lower price for an item....one absentmindedly says, "sure".

Then you realize that you just sold your $150 table for $15.

aack.

I found myself selling an old computer for $5....what was I thinking? It was a relic, but still.....

And, my friends weren't any better...almost giving away things. We even laughed that our prices were so low that we were almost paying people to take our items.

Oh well, I guess that people come to these things looking for bargains...and there were plenty of them today!

And, I do believe that I heard a few delighted 'snickers' as people walked away holding tight to their newly acquired treasures...

I think that I will raise some of my prices before the sale tomorrow.

Right....who am I kidding?

I'm just too much of a softy.

Guitar Duo

Exhausted.

The "grand" garage sale starts first thing tomorrow morning.

We have been hauling, gathering, pricing, and organizing non-stop all day long in the 90+ degree weather.

Luckily, I am not alone in this venture and had some girlfriends bring their stuff and help with the set up!

Unfortunately, there isn't a part of my body that isn't either bruised or cut right now. I was distracted the other day as I made my way down a walkway from the Mammography clinic to the parking lot and walked right into a large display sign that was sitting in the middle. Besides being terribly embarrassing, I have two bruised and sore knees and elbows and a generally achy body. Add to that this garage sale preparation.....and I can barely move tonight.

...too pooped to write any more....

I think that Dave was right when he said that we are getting too old to do these kinds of things...

Oh well, wish us luck.... : ]

...more tomorrow if I have the energy to use my fingers to type..... *groan*

"Why do I always do this?"

For those of you who know me well, this true story won't come as much of a surprise.

After a doctor's appointment yesterday, I headed to Costco to fill up my car with ga$.

I pulled up to the pump and got ready to insert my membership card into the slot...but, I couldn't seem to find my Costco card anywhere in my wallet.

In my frustration, I spotted a Costco employee nearby with is back to me.

"Sir, Sir!" I called out.

No reply.

"Sir, Sir!!" I again called out louder and with a little more force.

Again, no reply.

How could he not hear me? He was just a few feet away!

One last effort and the "gentleman" turned in my direction...ONLY....

"he" was a "SHE"!

So, I apologized and quickly changed to "m'am". (I am a Southerner ya know!)

I felt terrible about this mistaken gender identity....but, as I told her the problem, I somehow found my card stuck behind another credit card.

Issue resolved....BUT....

As I pulled away with my car now filled with ga$, I approached the Costco employee....rolled down my window AND....

...(here is what I always tend to do) still feeling so badly for mistaking her for a man (ok, she did have very short hair, broad shoulders and a touch of a moustache) I said, "I want you to know that you are a very attractive woman...and again I'm so sorry for my mistake. I couldn't help but notice the puzzled look on her face as I drove away.....

I tend to go overboard to make someone feel better instead of just leaving well enough alone....

"Why do I always do this?!!!!"

Aaaargh.....

Oh well, have a nice day and be careful who you call "Sir"!

Owen and Audrey's MOMMY's special day!!!!!

July 14, 2008.

My sweet Jenny turns 34 today!

Jenny, I know that you are crazily busy with all of your new responsibilities...but, I hope that you get a chance to read the blog today and receive all of my love and hugs on your special day!

You are the best...and, I love you dearly!

Happy, happy BIRTHDAY!

XOXO

Grammie

pre-haircut

The Haircut---------------A photo essay

While in Minnesota I was able to be there (with camera, of course) when Owen got a haircut.

So cute!

and, don't forget the giggles at the end!

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis

I loved this comic strip from today's paper!

ENJOY!

Temporary Insanity?

Getting ready for a garage sale is multi-faceted.

Once you have committed to doing it, you are thrown into a whirlwind preparing for it.

Suddenly, everything has the potential of being sold...and, I mean everything.

Every time that I open a cabinet, drawer, or closet, my mind goes into garage sale mentality.

"I mean, do I really need this?" I query as I begin to see dollar signs everywhere.

Making the decision whether to hang on to an item for another 30 yrs.--- vs. putting it out there for the public to possibly purchase--- can be quite daunting.

"Well, you never know when this huge silver plated ornate champagne bucket will come in handy..." or "Maybe we will fondue again some day..."...and, "What about this key lime margarita kit?..that would make a tasty summer drink".

...and what if I decide to read through some of my old books like: "Eat Fat...Be Healthy" and "How to Date Like a Man"? These are some very important decisions!

My girlfriend, Sharon, who is doing this sale with me has really gone over the top. She can make anything fun...even a garage sale. She is finding "treasures" in her house as she scans for sellable items...things that she had forgotten about for years. She was so hyped up after going through her house yesterday that she had trouble sleeping last night.

She found herself feeling really crazy when she was in Pier One yesterday....looking at their bargain items and thinking to herself..."Hmmm, I could buy these $3 items and resell them at the garage sale for $4." yikes....

Then when we took a walk together this morning...we actually considered picking up an old, dirty rug that someone had thrown out for the garbage men to pick up.... and selling it at our sale....

But, we came to our senses (temporarily) and said "Nah.." as we walked on by....

...hysterically laughing!

Parents in Training

While I was in MN, parents-to-be Aunt Janet and Uncle Jeffrey came in for a weekend.

I loved watching them with Audrey and Owen.

Janet had a way to keep Audrey very calm and relaxed....especially when she draped her over her ever-growing pregnant belly! Who wouldn't like a nice, warm "lounger" like that?

And, Jeffrey became the favorite of little Owen...who kept uttering "Uncle Jeffrey, Uncle Jeffrey" over and over again.(Sure, the kid won't say "Grammie" much at all...but, he manages to enunciate "Uncle Jeffrey"!)

Jeffrey is such a gentle soul and children sense that in him. I sat and proudly watched as he played with him, read to him, talked to him, etc. etc.

Janet and Jeffrey have been reading all of the childcare books and I know that they are filled with knowledge when it comes to having their baby...

However, more importantly than knowing the facts about childbirth/care, I see such a calmness and confidence in the two of them that tells me that they will be wonderful parents to a very lucky baby.

I guess that we will all see soon....

...as their due date isn't that far away...

.... and September will be here before we know it !!!!!

Ahhhhh, another sweet baby to love...

: ) (Grammie smiling)

Stick drawings and memories....

"We live in the present, we dream of the future, but we learn eternal truths from the past." -Madame Chiang Kai-shek

It's garage sale time.

I am determined to clear out some of the old things around the house and in the attic. Things that are no longer of use to me...but, that can be a "treasure" to someone else.

It is a difficult venture, but a necessary one. Too much of my "space" is filled with "things" that I do not need anymore. I think that this exercise will be very freeing.

However, it has forced me to go through piles of old memories and this can get very emotional. I was a "saver" when my boys were growing up. If their name appeared anywhere, I kept it.

So, today, I went through stacks of old report cards, test scores, newspaper articles...and, other memorabilia from the past.

What I found was priceless...for example, seeing these old drawings by Jeffrey (top two) and Adam (bottom two) gave me the strangest feeling as I thought about the fact that they are grown men now....Adam a father of two....and, Jeffrey about to be a first time dad.

Their children will be making these same stick figures some day...and their parents will proudly save everything that they do...until they have grown up, moved out...and started families of their own.... Then, with tears in their eyes, they will box it all up .....mail it all out....and realize that the circle of life moves on so quickly....and they will wonder where the years went....

...just like I am doing today.

Ready or not.....here she is!

"Change means the unknown." Eleanor Roosevelt

Owen is quickly discovering that things are changing around his house.

This little bundle of joy that came home from the hospital three weeks ago is really intriguing him. As he continues to get more acquainted with her he seems to delight in her presence....Seemingly undaunted, that lasts for a few minutes and then it is back to his toys as usual.

Watching him observe his new little sister is such fun. He almost doesn't quite know what to make of all of this...but, he does sense that his days of being the only child are long gone...and that this new little "Baby" Audrey (as he calls her) is here to stay!

I like her! I really like her!!?!

Lucky for Audrey that her big brother is a sweet, gentle soul and seems to like having her around so far! I am confident that he will move right into his new role pretty easily.

Of course, he will begin to demand more attention as the days go by...and Mommy will find herself nursing one baby while the other is clinging to her...He may not like having his need for attention shared with his little sister. While difficult at times, those of us with two or more children certainly can relate and empathize.

So, what I laughingly said to Jenny as I observed this behavior beginning to occur was:

" Welcome to the wonderful world of Motherhood!!!!!".

: )

Pure Unadulterated Joy

(Owen going down the tube slide!)

"One laugh of a child will make the holiest day more sacred still." Robert Ingersoll

"Children have a remarkable talent for not taking the adult world with the kind of respect we are so confident it ought to be given. To the irritation of authority figures of all sorts, children expend considerable energy in 'clowning around.' They refuse to appreciate the gravity of our monumental concerns, while we forget that if we were to become more like children our concerns might not be so monumental." Conrad Hyers

"Joy is the feeling of grinning on the inside." M. Cosgrove

Act like a kid today and find your joy....

xoxo

Grammie

Big Brother OWEN

(drinking at the daycare water fountain.....one of his favorite activities!)

(The t-shirt tells it all as Owen licks his lips from the wonderful cake that his Mommy baked!)

(Don't ask?!?!)

(Owen and Garfield....one of my favorite photos!)

(He is growing up waaaaayyyy too fast...What a cutie pie!!)

Reality Bites

I had two surprises when I returned home from visiting the kids in MN.

First of all, my backyard pool was a lovely shade of green. This is not a good sign. So, $100 later....I have poured chemicals into this little "money pit" of mine in hopes of turning the green color into a sparkling blue. (still working on it three days later)

As if that weren't enough, my air-conditioning stopped cooling on Thursday night. That meant a call to the technician on the Fourth of July. That also meant that anything that he had to do would now cost double(gulp) due to the holiday weekend.

The good news was that he replaced the motor ($800) and the air is cool once again. The bad news was that he said that my system was antiquated and would need to be replaced very soon. We are talking in the $10,000 range now to replace the whole system.(gulp, again.)

So, I am trying to keep my mind back to wonderful MN..... holding my newest granddaughter in my arms...and enjoying the antics of my sweet grandson. (sigh) I am hoping that this will lessen the impact of my very expensive (understatement) Fourth of July.

Who needs fireworks when their life is this exciting???

audrey maren....

...a few (ha!) photos...

Well, she can't always be joyful.... : )

That's it.......

.....for today! : )

Red, white and CUTE

Happy Fourth of July!

Audrey....14 days old. : )

 

Auntie Sherri sent me this cute t-shirt so that I could show my patriotism today!

280 photos later..... : )

(Jeffrey, Janet, Owen, Grammie, Adam, Audrey, and Jenny!)

I'm home.

I'm pooped.

More photos to come.... xoxo

Dearest Audrey and Owen,

Grammie will be heading back home to Birmingham very early in the morning tomorrow. : (

In fact, so early, that I will be "sneaking" away in a cab in hopes that the rest of you will be having wonderful dreams as you peacefully sleep.

This has been an amazing visit for me.

Owen, I have loved watching you play with the little boats that I brought you as you joyfully splash around in the bathtub. And, picking you up from daycare as you ran into my awaiting arms is still right up there in the "most special Grammie moments" category. I love how you sit intently and look at the pictures as I read to you. I already know that you are a brilliant kid. : )

You are talking up a storm...and, even though you seem to be able to say everyone's names so well...except for Grammie's...well, the gig is up. Your Mommy, Daddy, and I heard you talking in your bed the other night as you clearly said, "Mommy, Daddy, Baby Audrey, GRAMMIE..." You little stinker...making us think that you couldn't say my name!

I adored watching you sit up in that chair and get a haircut the other day...such a big boy! And, then you were "rewarded" with a little sticker that you proudly wore on your t-shirt as you played in the mall playground. Talking about playgrounds, Grammie will never be the same after climbing up the steps to go down the slides with you...and, how about when we got stuck together in the wavy tubing?! Daddy had to come pull us both up by my feet! We all got a good laugh out of that!

Owen, you are filled with so much joy and enthusiasm and you make everyone feel good around you. This is a wonderful trait that I know you inherited from your parents. You love music and singing and playing your "mini-me" guitar while your daddy plays his.

Always keep that sense of wonder within you...even as you grow up. I love you very much.

And, Audrey...what can I say to you?

You entered the world and our hearts all at once....just fourteen days ago.

You are so beautiful with that rosebud mouth and pink complexion and bright eyes that follow our every move.

You are so observant of your surroundings as you intently watch the little streams of light that reflect off of your tomato red walls in the nursery (aka the dining room- pre-Audrey!). One of your great-grandma's made a cross stitch picture that hangs over your changing table and you love to look at its beautiful colors.

Yes, you can be exhausting at times as all that you know right now is to: eat, poop, pee, and sleep. And, when you are in need of anything...you let us know...loud and clear.

But, the most precious moments with you have been in the quiet of the house, sitting on the rocking chair, giving you a bottle as you wrap those tiny fingers around Grammie's one finger. Holding you close and listening to your coos is pure Heaven...and then some.

I keep looking into that sweet face of yours trying to imagine a little girl of the future jumping around and giggling...playing with her girlfriends...hair in pigtails....*sigh*

I know that you both will be changing so much in the next few months before I am able to see you again. While I hate to miss all of the steps in between...I am so absolutely grateful that you are both strong and healthy and growing. We are all so blessed.

I think that I will forever carry early last night in my heart. Owen, you were freshly bathed and in your pj's while Audrey was in my arms. I asked you if you wanted to hold "Baby Audrey" (as you so sweetly call her) in your arms. Next thing that I knew, you were climbing up in my lap as I gently placed your little sister in your arms. Mommy and Daddy were right there with us and the four of us sang songs to baby Audrey and rocked her. You squealed with delight...and, I cherished the family moment of togetherness and love.

Owen, I need for you to try and be patient with your parents as they try to juggle life with two little ones and both vying for their attention. And, Audrey, I hope that your every two hours or so stretches out to three, even four between feedings...so that your Mommy can get some much-needed rest. She is giving you a great gift of nourishment--her breast milk... rich with all of the nutrients and antibodies that you are needing to grow up strong and healthy...and, that can be both satisfying, bonding... and oh, so tiring for her.

I know that it is time for me to go...but, that doesn't make the distance that separates us any easier to take.

The good news is that you have two very competent, and loving, parents here to watch over you both. Yes, they will be exhausted at times to the point of tears...but, they will make it through with flying colors. I see the joy in their faces as they nurture you both, and I feel peaceful knowing that you are in such good hands.

I will miss all four of you already...

Sending lots of hugs, kisses, and love, your Grammie

(sshhh...don't tell Mommy and Daddy yet........but, I will be back real soon.) : )

Has anyone seen my ________________???

You can fill in the above blank with anything that would normally be found around a house.

Since I have arrived here in Minnesota, we have had a knack for losing things.

But, it is not entirely our fault.

Besides having a new baby...besides having an almost two year old toddler, etc....Adam and Jenny have their house on the market in hopes of selling it this summer before the cold fall and winter months begin here in MN.

Now under the most normal of circumstances, keeping the house in tip-top shape for showings would be difficult at best. But, with all of the above, it has become quite a feat.

So, what occurs right after the realtor calls with the news that the house will be shown is that we have to gather up the "troops" and then begin the clean-up ritual.

It is during this mad scramble that items are put wherever we can find a space for them...thus, the reason that so many things have been misplaced in all of the confusion.

The good news is that no children have come up missing so far...and we do find everything eventually.

...that is until the next call from the realtor... : O

"Groanin' Grammie?"

Rough night last night.

My cold turned into a full blown sinus infection with my head and lower face throbbing like root canal pain!

...called my doctor back home.

...got a Z pack antibiotic prescription.

...bought a face mask to keep my germs away from everyone else.

Not fun.

He