Life...It's what happens when you are making other plans!

I was making plans for a lifetime...vacations, homes, potential opportunities, saving for the future...and then...


Some decisions come upon us out of the blue. Some linger for a while before making themselves known (although I think we may actually know they are there, but we are in denial). But they are always something that hit with hurricane force.

Occasionally, we find ourselves in a situation that seems outrageous to the outside world looking in, yet seems normal to us. Why is that? Are we so "out of it" that we don't see the obvious?

Not at all. We are a part of a process that we have been in and lived with. We see prospects and ideas that others cannot because we are intimately involved. We see a different perspective because we have lived it. But the choice still must be made.

No matter how we decide our issues, we must always consider every factor: children, parents, siblings, our own hearts and minds. Some issues are not easily resolved and may take years to find a solution. Other issues may be resolved with a single action.

I have recently made such a decision. It was difficult, mainly because I had to trust my own instincts above all others. It was not an easy decision to make, yet I truly believe that I am satisfied with the result.

I have to trust that I based my decision on well-thought out reasoning and a logical response to a long-term situation. Did I do the right thing? I don't know. But... did I do the right thing for me? At this time? I think so.

Some decisions are very difficult and take an extended amount of time to ponder every aspect of their validity. I think I did okay this time. I really do. I know that some may not appreciate my undertaking, but I know that the people who truly matter to me will support the moves I make.

I appreciate the support I have received and I truly love the outpouring of support. Thank you, my family, for making my decisions easier. You are wonderful people, even with your own situations and challenges, I can always count on you for support.

But this is life...unplanned, unguaranteed, and beautiful (no matter what happens).

Hurry Up and Move Out! Now, Get Back Home!!!

I am sitting at the computer twiddling my thumbs, thinking about what I still need to prepare, trying to keep my mind occupied,  anxiously awaiting my daughter's return!

My oldest daughter, a Navy Petty Officer, returns today for two weeks. My personal reactions to her return have startled me, yet made me realize how much my child means to me. When she lived here, we had the usual fights and arguments all parents have with their young adults still at home. But now? She has not been home in almost two years and I can't wait to see her!

I am so proud of my daughter! She went out into the world to seek her fortune. She found a wonderful husband and moved on. She's worked hard and continues to work to find her future. In some ways, I am jealous of her opportunities.

But now? The prodigal child returns.

I've been cleaning the house, finishing some woodworking projects, and working on some remodeling projects because I realized that I want to show her what we have accomplished, too.

I realized that, after so many years, I now want her to be proud of me, as well. That's a switch. For so long, she sought MY approval, and now I work to gain hers. I want her to know that I am okay without her, though I miss her every day. But I also want her to be proud of her roots... me.

For six years, it was just the two of us... Me and Charli against the world. Then, we added Aly to our little duo. So we became a trio for four more years ... a total of ten years. We enjoyed each other, fought with each other,  celebrated accomplishments together and watched each other grow physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

For ten years, it was just us. We became a very close little family. I hope that I taught her independence and the ability to think outside-the-box. (Box? What box?) I hope that I taught her to fend for herself when needed, but know when it's necessary to seek assistance. I hope that I taught her to always strive to be a woman she can be proud of, in and of herself. I hope I taught her many things.

But most of all, I hope that I taught her that I love her and I am so very proud of her.

Welcome home, Charli!

My Life in Dreams

"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching."  ~Lucky Luciano

I really like that. It resonated with me the first time I saw it. One of my former students posted that on Facebook, thanks P-Nut! But what does it really mean?

It means live life to the fullest. Know that you will be satisfied when you look back. Did I make my mark? Did I fulfill my dreams? Did I make a difference to someone? To several someones?

I keep hoping that I did. I really have lived a wonderful life. I got to travel to Europe when I was 18. I traveled to every state in the continental U.S. between 19 and 21. I traveled to Jamaica and loved it! I worked hard for a Bachelor's degree and even harder for a Master's degree. I have been a wife, a teacher, and a mother.

But what do I see when I look back? Yes, I see my travels and experiences. But mostly, I see my family. I see my daughters' love for new experiences; I see the wonder in their own accomplishments; I see the joy in their lives to come.

That excites me. I think, of all my accomplishments, they are what make me the most proud. I have no doubt at all that they will endeavor and work and do great things. I can't wait to see what the future brings!

But what about myself? I love teaching at-risk kids. I love interacting with them and knowing that (possibly) I made a difference (I hope). But I have so much more I wish to do.

I really want to enjoy the biographic film I see at the end. But that means I have to do more.

My "bucket list" includes many things:

1. More traveling
2. Volunteer Work
3. Watching my children grow into the beautiful women I know they are (inside and out)
4. Fishing in the Amazon
5. Digging for fossils in the Outback
6. Exploring the ruins in England and Scotland and Ireland, and everywhere else I can find them
7. Spending the weekend in a Haunted Castle...anywhere
8. FINISHING MY HOUSE! (That's a hard one, there!)
9. Witnessing the wonder and beauty of nature on every continent. (Ok, maybe NOT the Antarctic...brrr!)
10. Be in a Blockbuster! (That would be fun!)
11. etc!!!!

But I think the main point . . . never stop dreaming. It's said that "you are only as old as you feel!" I really hope that's true, because I only feel 16, even though I'm  3 times that (well, minus 6...there's a math quiz at the end).

Dreams keep us alive. They keep us motivated and yearning to continue. Without them, we end up losing ourselves in a dreary, mundane life. Personally? I can't wait to see what the future brings, because I refuse to stop dreaming.

So, who will do the jig with me at my 90th Birthday party! I guarantee, it will be a blast!

Pop Quiz! So how old am I? Time's up!
Answer: I am only as old as I feel.

The Wondrous Talking Dog... all about doggy health

This is Sammy, our amazing talking dog.

The video is only 37 seconds long, so please enjoy his conversation, but make sure to turn up your volume!

Do you know what he's saying? Imagine that cute furry face saying "Please, may I have some more?"

Remembrance of High School

Once upon a time, I was in the Top Choir in high school. We were the Concert Choir and we ruled the school! (So WE thought, anyway.) I sang with enthusiasm, I made the Texas All-State Choir (in the Tenor section), I enjoyed the company of my peers, and I was looked upon with favor.

Purely Philosophical

Sometimes, we are forced to make difficult decisions.

Occasionally, the obvious choice is the right choice. Sometimes, it's not. And it can be so hard to decide because the logical mind and the emotional heart do not always agree.

Be Free!!!

We raise them, then we let them go. We proudly watch them make their own lives and sometimes make their own mistakes. We wait anxiously for the "Oh, Mom!" calls, good and bad. I still call my mom regularly, whether things are going right OR wrong.

But preparing younglings for independent life is a lot harder than it looks!

Teaching teens about money....

It's plain not easy. Sure, we teach our children about shopping and saving money when they are young, but do they really get it?

I'm not so sure. Yes, my daughter is great with a sale rack! But...

I can't say how many times I've had to explain that I get paid once a month.

"When are we going to the grocery store?" she says. "Can't we just go, now? We need a whole bunch of things!" Because we are out of her special cereal and favorite snack foods.

"No, I have to put gas in the Jeep," I respond. (Because, quite frankly, I'm too embarrassed to tell her that I can't afford to do both until next Monday.... teachers make the little bucks, you know?)

Cabinets, dogs, and daughters...

I have (slowly) been refinishing my kitchen cabinets. Slowly, because I really want them to look nice, so I am sanding assiduously and staining only a few doors at a time.

Yet, I just realized...I wouldn't be required to sand half so much if we didn't have a dog. He's a sweet dog. A wonderful, big, doofus of a dog. A much-loved dog. A hairy dog.

Slow it down!!

I never thought I would hear those words out of myself.

For so many years, I revered sleep. I could easily sleep the clock around. I had a true love affair with sleep. As a result, I slept as late as I could, which naturally caused me to race around frantically in the morning so I would not be late.