I Was Like You

Here I sit, Mother's Day, 2010, which happens to fall on May 9th. That was the due date of my oldest daughter 19 years ago. We ended up, she and I, being attached for another 10 days before we delivered her screaming healthy self into the world. Last night, she had her Senior Ball, and looked GORGEOUS.

I have been reflecting yet again on life, what has happened, what is yet to come, what is here already. Sometimes, when I come across people that have yet to find their feet, I notice them looking at me sometimes assessing me. Whether it is my figure, grooming, car, personality, house, children, what I am eating, you can sometimes watch people's minds store that information in their mental databases. Just as I do about them...

I Was Like You:

I was a young single mother with barely any money, yet I found a way to make it work.

I am the daughter of a mother who has high expectations and sometimes it is overwhelming.

I am a professional wiith a family that relies on me, and the long hours of work pull you away from the very reason you put in those hours, your family.

I need to tone up and do more cardio.

I am covering my gray, and feel good about who I am, one day you will too.

I was a bright eyed Pollyanna with hope and dreams I recently found again, and 20 years later, am pursuing.

It is a mental mindset. We simply need to adjust our thinking, perceptions, expectations, learn to breathe, walk, and live all over again in certain instances. Choose what is truly important, not what we are told is important.

I am choosing happiness, love, and to put one foot in front of the other, follow my path, and do so with glee. Be Well!

I'm IN!!!!

I have been busy as a bee since the last post, and yesterday, received my acceptance to the Pacific Lutheran University!! Now, I am in the midst of obtaining financial aid for myself and the graduating daughter simultaneously, in addition to working full time, and parenting my other two high school students. LIFE IS GOOD!

Enjoy your day and be thankful for your blessings!

Good Morning To You!

Every morning since my kids and I have been in the single parent realm, 15 years so far, we have had some interesting mornings.

They generally begin with hugs and smiles, then some scuffling to get to the shower "first", and rustling up breakfast, then, a mad dash for the car to see who sits in the front seat. These next two months will be the last of the three kids all in school together. My oldest daughter graduates June 12th. WOOHOO! Yes, many more of those exuberant shouts will echo as the entire senior class of 2010 walks at Commencement. Then comes....the first car. Oh boy.

She loves VW's, Jeep's, and other such types. Bright colors are best in her estimation, particularly lime green, yellow, or orange. All colors I shy away from. My free spirit is quite the lady, and I do not fear for her well being. However, I do have concerns for her in the way of people taking advantage of her kind and generous nature. Well, we live and learn.

Hopefully, the future still holds, "Good Morning Mama!" for years to come. I had better give George a call...I owe him a good morning.....

What's In It For Me?

I have heard people of the last 3 generations say "this new generation...." and say how good they had it, and how happy they are not to be growing up "now". Well, I believe, I am becoming one of those people.

As positive as I want to be about things, and I am for the most part. I am witnessing the generation coming up with many having the attitude of "what's in it for me"? I have also seen it in many 20 and 30 somethings. What happened to being kind, charitable, and selfless just because it was/is the right thing to do/be? Must there always be a tangible benefit to be gained, or accolades to be given? The narcissistic behavior is soul sucking and demoralizing. It is to the point now that our children here are required to perform community service hours to graduate high school. When did we STOP teaching our youth to do for others without NEEDING validation or attention?

My son wanted to do his by participating in a World Vision sponsored 30 hour fast. I wouldn't sign off on it, and we went round and round. So, I will self impose fasting on my son without supervising it myself, and let him collect money for World Vision and count it as "community service"? NO. You should have seen the liability waiver they wanted signed. Why not actually serve your "community" by growing a garden and donating fresh produce to a food bank? GET INVOLVED locally, and actively. Don't passively sit and fast with a group and call it "community" service. You are basically having a slumber party at a youth center with juice and water and saying "wow....look what we did". Just start giving without expecting and move ahead.

How can we get involved? Some simple ways are:

1. Ask your neighbor if they need help. Talk to your neighbor, be a good neighbor, look out for each other.

2. Put your shopping cart away. Learn to say thank you to the people at the cashier's window instead of expecting the royal treatment.

3. Pick up trash lying around and recycle it or dispose of it.

4. Buy local and fresh. Support your local businesses.

Are these charitable acts? No, not all of them. However, they start the mental mind set of an attitude of gratitude, and open communications with others that lead to knowledge of ways you can help, or make someone smile even. It is a beginning. Let your light shine!

What's in it for me? Who cares? I can go to bed with a clean conscience and look at myself in the mirror without regret.

Never Too Old To Learn...

I just had a customer that is from Mexico. Her language skills are excellent, and we were discussing our children and further education. She is in her early 30's, and stated that in Mexico, she is too old to return to school. In the USA, we have an ever present opportunity to pursue an education, no matter what our age. Many students that come here from other countries are exceptionally bright, however, did not "make" it for whatever reasons to university in their country. The collegiate placement abroad, depending on the country, does not necessarily allow for you to NOT do well on your high school courses.

If you are one of the many young adults who doesn't find their stride until post high school years are attained, you may be out of luck for the education or career path of your choice, unless you are in the USA.

I was contacted yesterday by the University I have applied to. My transcripts are 25 years old. I can get in with them, however, the suggestion was made that I take some summer courses at the community college and transfer them in the fall. At 41, I have this option, and am going to execute it. Not only will it ease me into the collegiate experience, and ready me for the course load, it will give me credits to bring with me to set me off on a solid footing. Never too old to learn.

My great great grandmother was 48 when their 17th child was born. Tragically, he died at age 9 from diphtheria. She decided to focus on a positive instead of wallow in self pity and grief. She taught herself to play the piano. She is quite the role model. Pernella was from Norway, and had a strong and incredible spirit and mind. The stories of "mother" were always warm, tender, and misty when my great great aunts and uncles spoke of her. The waffle breakfasts every Sunday, and NOT only for the 17 kids. The extended cousins as well would come over. What a dynamic legacy of love and laughter.

We are NEVER too old to learn to love, laugh, and live.

What Would You Do If....?

What would you do if......

How many times have you thought or heard that phrase? IF, IF, IF....well, I am here in the now, not the what if. I am now trying to replace the IF with WHEN.

WHEN I.....

When I wake up in the morning sounds SO much better than IF I wake up in the morning. Now that I have thought that through, I think the WHEN is definitely the better term for me. How about you? WHEN you choose, what will you do with your WHEN? Isn't that great? IF is so wishy washy...WHEN is full of hope.

Oh What A Night....

I had a great weekend. Accomplished things around the house, and launched the youngest into the world of work. It was a joy to see her stomp out the door to the car with a smirk on her face, then come home smelling of grease and fries, with a grin at her "fantastic experience". She was inaugurated into the work force by working at a food stand at the local "fair" for the weekend. So many walks of life to encounter, especially at a food stand. So many times you bite your tongue and learn to shut up and work. The torture at the hands of other people in the "real world" as George always termed it, is a lesson I could never teach her by lecturing. It is one we must all learn from baptism by fire. WOOHOO! I cannot wait to explain the taxes taken out of her check when she receives it. Congratulations kiddo! Welcome to the jungle! Mama Lion is proud of her cub.