Day 70 ~ Lake Break

Day 70 ~ Lake Break

Mar 11, 2014

My first: I explored the neighborhood lake with two of my grandchildren.

I had watched my grandson Andy all day when my daughter-in-law Shaundra called and asked if I could pick up my granddaughter Abbey from school and then watch the kids a while longer. Shaundra had to help my son clean up some shingles from a roofing job he had done that day. I said “of course”, of course!

I got Abbey from school and then went to their house to help with homework and fix a little dinner for the kids.  Sounds like my life about 25-30 years ago! Ahhh…the memories.

When we finished with all that stuff, we decided to go outside to enjoy the unusually warm day we were having. Andy rode the new 4-wheeler he got for his birthday and Abbey switched off between her scooter and her bike. After a little while, Abbey asked if we could take a walk. I said YES…I feltl a “first” coming on! I put Andy in the stroller and Abbey walked along beside me. We voted on checking out their neighborhood lake and proceeded in that direction. There were plenty of small rocks to be had by the lake so we did what any red-blooded boys and girls would do…we started tossing them in the lake. They had a blast seeing how far they could throw and, of course, watched the resulting splash.

It’s funny how other “firsts” can result from saying YES to doing my “first” for the day. I saw my first charcoal lab. A nice neighbor man was walking this beautiful animal and we started up a conversation. That is when I found out its breed and then I got to pet the dog. I have NEVER felt a coat like this on ANY animal. It was amazingly soft! I was stunned at the feel of this dog’s coat. I joked with the man saying that he could make a lot of money selling his dog’s hide. He laughed. Anyway, if you ever get the chance to meet a charcoal lab (not all of them have coats like this, I’m told), you must take the opportunity to pet it. I usually don’t carry on like this about animals, but this was really one-of-a kind.

And then there was ANOTHER “first” too! It was Andy’s! Andy is not much for words yet, but with a little tutoring from his grandma, he said the word “rock”. He was pretty proud when forming his little lips to say his new word. There was no “kuh” on the end, but in due time, he will get that too.

It was a simple, spontaneous “first” for me and them, but that was alright with us. There were no video games, no battery operated vehicles, no TV. There was just “outside” and we 3 "kids".  

Day 69 ~ Group Hoop Shoot

Day 69 ~ Group Hoop Shoot

Mar 10, 2014

My first: I played a game of "donkey" basketball together with my daughter, my son-in-law, and my grandson for the first time.

I had my daughter Robin and her husband Ross and her son Tyler over for Ross’ 30^th birthday supper. I made salad and lasagna for the whole gang. I prepared a dessert as well, but we were in no condition to eat that right after our big meal. I asked what could we do until our food settles and Tyler suggested basketball! We all headed outside and had a great time playing a game of “donkey”, but instead we used the name “Tyler” as our means of keeping score. It was so nice because the weather was perfect and everyone was in a playful mood. No one even minded my picture taking; in fact, it added more fun to the game!

Tyler was winning most of the time; but when it was just he and I left in the game, I took the lead and eventually won. I told them all thank you for letting the hostess win. It was nice being outside with some of my family enjoying the weather after such a long, hard winter. People were walking by and exchanging small talk with us…everyone just appreciating the simple life. It’s amazing how an unusually cruel winter can bring out the kindness in people when spring opens its embrace once again.

The evening ended with dessert, singing happy birthday, blowing out candles and opening presents…ya know, the usual. But that game of “Tyler” in my driveway still holds the prize for creating a memory that instilled love and a bond that will weather those rough times that are bound to happen in life.

Day 68 ~ Night Rider

Day 68 ~ Night Rider

Mar 9, 2014

My first: I took a bike ride at night in my neighborhood in winter!

I got home around 9:15 tonight from two birthday celebrations. We had a belated one for my mom and we had a little one for my 2 year old grandson Andy whose birthday actually was today!

I spoke with my sister on the phone for a bit about her surgery tomorrow and then I told her I had to go. I had a night time bike ride on my agenda as my “first” for the day. She understood and reminded me not to get abducted. Ok, Karen!

I went to the shed and got my bike out, filled the tires with air, took some pictures while my hair was still intact and off I went.

It was a crisp 30+ degree night with plenty of stars and a half moon. My neighborhood was quiet but somehow inviting. The sound I mostly heard was the wind blowing in my ears from my “awesome” speed.  I smelled the smoke from someone’s fire in their fireplace…mmmm…so nice! I felt the chilled night air on my face…not biting, just refreshing! I was just letting my senses do their thing throughout “most” of my trip so that I could be truly present during this experience. HOWEVER, sometimes my monkey mind would take over the handle bars and transport me somewhere other than my ride. I hate that when that happens! But I kept coming back to my “now moment” because that is where I wanted to be! After all, I could have stayed home and done all that ponderin’ on the couch!

This is one “first” that won’t be my last!

Day 67 ~ A Cast from the Past

Day 67 ~ A Cast from the Past

Mar 8, 2014

My first: In one day, I said yes to three different events that allowed me to spend time with three of my EXs.

Imagine your life as a stage play or a movie. And the cast of characters are those that have impacted your life in some way. They are the ones that have “acted” in the production of your life and collaborated in the writing of your “script”. The importance of their roles in your finale is unquestionable.

On this particular day I had the opportunity to spend time with three of these people from my past that impacted my life. In a cast of the many characters in my life, these three individuals would have top billing.

The first was my ex-fiancé, George. He was in town passing through on his way to his farm in Tennessee. We went to Cracker Barrel and had an hour and a half long breakfast. Let’s just say that we did not have a lack for words the whole time. George and I have met on other occasions when he was en route to Tennessee. We have dined, shared and have even met each other’s children. We have this relationship that budded when we were 19 and neither of us wants to let it go.We remember how and who we were and now we see the “individuals” that we've become. There was a lapse of many years between the break-up and our get-togethers, but we have managed to rekindle our friendship that was always there in our hearts. We are not the same people as in our youth, but we enjoy discovering the “features” that make us who we are today.

Second on my list was my ex-husband, Gary. I was invited to his step-granddaughter’s 8^th birthday party at the local skating rink. We didn't have a chance to talk much there. I was out on the rink, of course! But later that day, we both happened to be at our daughter’s house at the same time. I was there to drop off our grandson Tyler and Gary was there to deliver his dog (for them to watch) and their dog (because Gary had watched him). We sat in the kitchen with Robin and her husband Ross and talked about whatever came to mind. It was nice because it was relaxed and more friendly than usual for some reason. I felt that Robin appreciated having both her parents in her house sharing time with each other and with her. Gary patted me good-bye as he was leaving and I offered a hug to finish it off. There seemed to be this “bygone” mood that enveloped us both and we embraced it.

Third and last was my ex-girlfriend, Maureen. I went over to her apartment to hook up some speakers that I had given her and she made us a wonderful dinner. It was just the two of us…very friendly and familiar. She and I have been good friends now for several years. We broke up at the start of ’98 and after our 8 ½ year relationship, it took some time to reach out to each other and salvage the friendship between us. We share a lot and constantly bounce things off each other. She is definitely the one I am closest to today from this “cast” of three. She and I will be friends ‘til the end.

So here is my take on this “cast from the past” day that I experienced. It is twofold: the people that link us to our past are the ones that composed our present in some way and the greatest gift to others is to spend time. And unexpectedly it becomes the best gift to YOURSELF!

Day 66 ~ Boot Scootin’

Day 66 ~ Boot Scootin’

Mar 7, 2014

My first: I rode a scooter for the first time since I was a kid.

Yes, today I rode a scooter for the first time since being a kid. I really don’t remember doing it as a kid, but I guess I did. I was with two of my grandchildren, Abbey (6) and Andy (2). We were downstairs in their huge unfinished basement. They were showing me how they can ride their little motorized jeep. They are quite a pair of Jeff Gordons in their parents’ basement! They made me a nervous wreck; but if I could have fit in, I would have been in the jeep right there with them!

Later, Abbey was showing me how fast she can ride her scooter and, boy, can she! After she made a few rounds, I asked if I could give it a shot. I’ll tell you what! They don’t make scooters like they used to. This thing can GO! I guess the engineering behind these “toys” has improved because this thing can fly. You better be on your game when you ride one of these or you could break a hip (in my case).

It was good to feel like a kid again and to watch my granddaughter’s eyes light up as she watched her 61 year old grandma burn up that concrete floor! My advice? Well, here it is whether you want to hear it or not. If you can still do what a kid does, do it! Even though your chronological age is getting up there, you will feel young again. And who, my age, doesn't want that?  If not now, when?

Day 65 ~ Erotic? Not!

Day 65 ~ Erotic? Not!

Mar 6, 2014

My first: I went all day “going commando” style.

Let me tell you this one thing. This “first” was not my idea. I received a list of possible “firsts” to do from a woman that I met at a party. (You know who you are.) When I got her list in a private Facebook message, I was so surprised and pleased that someone (who hardly knows me) would take the time and interest to produce such a long and detailed “first” list for me! That was sweet!

Anyway, her #7 suggestion on the list read like this: “Go commando (now maybe you always do this, I dunno, it's not that rare, but I'VE never done it, and never plan to do it!) (Not sure you'd wanna blog about that, tho)”. Well, gotta face my fears! So here goes the blogging!

As I got ready for my not-so-glamorous day of work AND “going commando”, I had to decide whether to wear sweat pants or jeans. Jeans it was! I figured “zipper control” was the better choice than anyone wondering why I had no panty lines in those sweats pants! After all, you have to worry about what other people think, right! Then there was the concern of always remembering to pull my zipper up! Also, came the dreaded plumber’s crack concern. Can you believe I forgot to wear a belt! I had to keep pulling and tugging just in case someone was looking as I was bending over. Geez, how can a girl get any work done with all this going on? Needless to say, I went home between jobs…my main reason: to get a belt on!

Wikipedia comments that some people regard “going commando” to be erotic and can be a part of some sex fantasies. I regard it as nothing that I would want to make a habit of doing. It does nothing for me and I doubt if anyone cares that I do it whether they are aware of it or not. So I will stick to wearing underwear…pardon the pun.

Day 64 ~ Time to “Dust”

Day 64 ~ Time to “Dust”

Mar 5, 2014

My first: I went to church to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday.

I set my alarm for 5:30 with the intention of getting up and being a part of the Ash Wednesday service at the church that I grew up with, the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, IL.

Just like me, I arrived late because the church’s website said the service began at 6:45, but I found out on this particular day it begins at 6:30. I knew my mom would be there before she started her day of quilting in the rectory basement. I think she was surprised to see me there. Well, I KNOW she was!

Anyway, I did get there just in time to for the bestowing of the ashes on the forehead. The priest said “you are dust and to dust you shall return”. I kept thinking of that term as I sat in my pew watching the other people there receive their ashes. What a downer when you ponder it! So I googled it when I got home.  I found this man’s blog. He is a young man but his explanation is perfect and hopeful. Here is his link if anyone cares to read it: http://fallibleblogma.com/index.php/and-to-dust-you-shall-return/#respond. Basically, he summarizes this: So when you hear these words, “you are dust and unto dust you shall return,” it should put you in the spirit of Lent. It should remind us that not only are our bodies dust, but so are all of the things of this world. All of our money, possessions and earthly accomplishments are not important in themselves. They are all fleeting. They are all, ultimately, dust.  Lent is a time to re-evaluate our lives. Yes, we are dust. Now do we spend our lives chasing more dust? Or are we chasing the one thing that can truly make an eternal difference? Are we chasing the one Being who can actually breathe life into dust?  For a people of dust, this is our only hope.

I love this explanation! Now, remember that I am a former student of 12 years of a catholic education. Did I get anything out of that? Thank God for Google! I get it now. Maybe I was too young and preoccupied to really understand all this stuff back in the day.

But now is the time, whatever age we are, to GET it! Ponder it. Delve into it. Do whatever we have to do to keep it in the forefront of our lives. I'll bet sales in anti-depressants will decrease amazingly!