We just finished our traditional New year's Eve dinner of lobster and steak. Dinner with family and friends is a great way to finish a year, especially the dinner we just finished. I decided this morning, after my shower, that I was going to spend the last day of the year in my comfy housecoat; just watching TV, reading a book and playing on my computer. It is somewhat of a hedonistic feeling just lounging all day. December 31st, 2012 will be a happy memory.
This year has had its share of winning and losing, although I think the winning has been bigger than the losing; at least it feels that way. There have no deaths in my immediate family and strangely no births. We did lose our beloved Poppy and we gained a little, blond Labradoddle puppy named Luna. I call her Tic, which makes her name Lunatic. That name seems to suit her right now. I feel a little strange as I start loving her, kind of like I am disloyal to Poppy. Then I think that Poppy would love her. She would have played with her and enjoyed her. I miss you Poppy and sometimes think I see you outside or in the house. Six, our German Shepherd, was not at all thrilled by a new puppy. Six is a really serious dog and definitely has the pack mentality. We, the family, are Six's pack and she takes her job of looking after us very seriously. I think she is beginning to accept Tic as part of the family or her pack, she's not liking it much yet but the process has started.
There are 3 babies expected in 2013 in my immediate family. Two will be greatgrandchildren of mine and the other will a great niece. One of the really good things that happened this year was that I reconnected with one my sister's children. She was here in August with her husband and 3 children. The week before they arrived for the visit my niece found out she is pregnant with 4th child. Her visit was one of the highlights of my year. I was fairly busy, at least as busy as I want to be with my little business. I am a pet/house sitter. What a great job that is. Spending my time with people's adored pets in their homes.
All in all 2012 has been a good, happy year, spent in a loving warm home, with my warm and loving family. Does it get any better than this?? I don't think so.
Monday, December 31st, 2012...........10:57p.m.
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Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
"The Bad News Is Time Flies. The Good News Is You're The Pilot" Michael Altshuler
My friend Karen sent me this quote. She finds the most interesting quotes and the apropos to me. In an earlier post I mentioned that as we age it may seem that days are long but years go so quickly.
The encouraging part of this quote for me is that I am the pilot of this flying machine we call life. This is something that I believe most of forget a lot of the time. I belong to an organization where we acknowledge we are powerless over many things in our lives. However, we are not helpless. I can choose how I spend my time. I can choose what I read, what I watch on TV and who I spend time with.
I can't seem to choose how much pain my knees are giving me, but I can choose to see a Dr, which I did. Now I have to choose whether I want to pursue surgery or whether I wish to avoid the risks that go with that. I can choose to give into the "Poor Me's" or be grateful that I still have reasonable mobility and that I have access to medication that eases the pain when I really need it.
When I am living the life that I am living it is hard not be grateful for all the things I have. If I could give the world a gift for Christmas; it would be a family as loving as mine, friends as caring and a past that has taught me to value the present and appreciate it.
Thank you Karen for the quote, as usual you sent it right time.
Thursday, December 13th, 2012......12:24p.m.
The encouraging part of this quote for me is that I am the pilot of this flying machine we call life. This is something that I believe most of forget a lot of the time. I belong to an organization where we acknowledge we are powerless over many things in our lives. However, we are not helpless. I can choose how I spend my time. I can choose what I read, what I watch on TV and who I spend time with.
I can't seem to choose how much pain my knees are giving me, but I can choose to see a Dr, which I did. Now I have to choose whether I want to pursue surgery or whether I wish to avoid the risks that go with that. I can choose to give into the "Poor Me's" or be grateful that I still have reasonable mobility and that I have access to medication that eases the pain when I really need it.
When I am living the life that I am living it is hard not be grateful for all the things I have. If I could give the world a gift for Christmas; it would be a family as loving as mine, friends as caring and a past that has taught me to value the present and appreciate it.
Thank you Karen for the quote, as usual you sent it right time.
Thursday, December 13th, 2012......12:24p.m.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
"Love Is Really The Only Legacy Worth Having"
My last post was about the death of our beloved dog Poppy. I received a comment from a woman in the UK who I only know as "Dreaming In Stitches", the quote above was part of her comment to me and I thank her so much.
Probably the scariest thing about dying to me and perhaps to most of us is that we will be forgotten, that we really haven't left anything of significance. Saying that money isn't important is fine, especially for those who have a lot (they are usually the ones saying that). However, if you have lots of money you can leave a great monument that bears your name and perhaps you won't be forgotten as quickly. I would leave a huge Library with all of the amenities. A Library that was open 24 hours, for those who can't sleep and the TV just doesn't do it for them, a safe place, a haven, where you could be part of a group or alone but know others are there. A place full of books.
But I don't have that much money, so I will probably leave "The Only Legacy Worth Having". I have resigned myself to the fact that when I die no one will say "Her house was always spotless, you could eat off her floor", all though I have eaten off my floors a few times when I dropped something. I hope that people will say "she was always welcoming, she always had time for me, she always listened, I always knew she really cared". That is the legacy I would like to leave.
Afternoon Thoughts
Thursday, November 29th, 2012.............1:12p.m.
Probably the scariest thing about dying to me and perhaps to most of us is that we will be forgotten, that we really haven't left anything of significance. Saying that money isn't important is fine, especially for those who have a lot (they are usually the ones saying that). However, if you have lots of money you can leave a great monument that bears your name and perhaps you won't be forgotten as quickly. I would leave a huge Library with all of the amenities. A Library that was open 24 hours, for those who can't sleep and the TV just doesn't do it for them, a safe place, a haven, where you could be part of a group or alone but know others are there. A place full of books.
But I don't have that much money, so I will probably leave "The Only Legacy Worth Having". I have resigned myself to the fact that when I die no one will say "Her house was always spotless, you could eat off her floor", all though I have eaten off my floors a few times when I dropped something. I hope that people will say "she was always welcoming, she always had time for me, she always listened, I always knew she really cared". That is the legacy I would like to leave.
Afternoon Thoughts
Thursday, November 29th, 2012.............1:12p.m.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Poppy Died Today
This afternoon at 1:37p.m. we lost possibly the most loving, caring and forgiving member of our family. Poppy was 6 or 7 years old. I remember Tami got her after her Father died; she needed something else to love.
It has been an emotional day for all of us. Poppy is buried under the white birch tree that I got Tami and Dennis for their birthdays over a year ago. It is the remembrance tree. I think that is such a good idea, having a remembrance tree. Fergie, a previous dog is buried there and there is a picture of her dad buried there. Someday I hope to be buried there, even though I have bought a plot in Fenelon Falls. My tombstone is even in Fenelon Falls, it may be that I have some control issues, I had the inscription done the way I wanted it. However, now I think I want to be under the tree with the beloved animals and my children's father.
While watching a Documentary on TV last night I heard something that caught my attention, this is a quote from Joe Hutto "When we live in the abstraction of the future we betray the reality of the moment". I was going to do a blog on these words, but it seems so appropriate now. Poppy had the great gift of living in the moment, she never betrayed the moment with the abstraction of the past or future. She taught us all many lessons, perhaps the biggest lesson for me was to forgive, immediately if possible, that is what she did.
I was aware of Poppy's spirit leaving her body. I am so glad that I got to experience that. She died surrounded by love. May we all have that much love when we die.
Thursday, November 22nd, 2012.........5:16p.m.
It has been an emotional day for all of us. Poppy is buried under the white birch tree that I got Tami and Dennis for their birthdays over a year ago. It is the remembrance tree. I think that is such a good idea, having a remembrance tree. Fergie, a previous dog is buried there and there is a picture of her dad buried there. Someday I hope to be buried there, even though I have bought a plot in Fenelon Falls. My tombstone is even in Fenelon Falls, it may be that I have some control issues, I had the inscription done the way I wanted it. However, now I think I want to be under the tree with the beloved animals and my children's father.
While watching a Documentary on TV last night I heard something that caught my attention, this is a quote from Joe Hutto "When we live in the abstraction of the future we betray the reality of the moment". I was going to do a blog on these words, but it seems so appropriate now. Poppy had the great gift of living in the moment, she never betrayed the moment with the abstraction of the past or future. She taught us all many lessons, perhaps the biggest lesson for me was to forgive, immediately if possible, that is what she did.
I was aware of Poppy's spirit leaving her body. I am so glad that I got to experience that. She died surrounded by love. May we all have that much love when we die.
Thursday, November 22nd, 2012.........5:16p.m.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I Mean It...I Really Don't Care
The 70er I get the less I care about many things. At this moment I don't give a rat's ass about who Generals, Movie Stars, Politicians, Sports Figures, Co Workers, Neighbors and everyone else on the planet copulate with. I am trying to think of something that I care less about but for the life of me I can't.
There are so many things in this life that I do care about. I don't watch the news to see and hear about who's doing who. One thing does come to mind; if I ever need a serious operation, I would like the best surgeon possible. I don't care who or how many people they are or have fornicated with, I don't think that makes a difference to their surgical skills. And if I ever need a really good lawyer I don't care with who and or how often Mr. Greenspan has sex. The same applys to plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc etc.
There are so many important, some terrible, some wonderful things to care about in this life. How about world hunger, famine, war, disease etc etc? How about seniors living below the poverty level. I care so much more about 70 something people being forced to live in conditions they have no say in, than who is screwing who.....Just Saying
Tuesday, November 13th, 2012...........4:32p.m.
There are so many things in this life that I do care about. I don't watch the news to see and hear about who's doing who. One thing does come to mind; if I ever need a serious operation, I would like the best surgeon possible. I don't care who or how many people they are or have fornicated with, I don't think that makes a difference to their surgical skills. And if I ever need a really good lawyer I don't care with who and or how often Mr. Greenspan has sex. The same applys to plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc etc.
There are so many important, some terrible, some wonderful things to care about in this life. How about world hunger, famine, war, disease etc etc? How about seniors living below the poverty level. I care so much more about 70 something people being forced to live in conditions they have no say in, than who is screwing who.....Just Saying
Tuesday, November 13th, 2012...........4:32p.m.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
The Advantages Of Aging
I think all to often I dwell on the disadvantages of getting older. There really are some good things about being 70 something. For one thing I don't care as much; I am not sure that I ever cared a lot, probably not, at least not as much as most people seem to care, or perhaps I just care about things that most people don't...whatever.
I can remember the years and years and years that I went to work every morning. Many of those mornings I would think, "I would love to sleep in this morning". Now I make a point of sleeping in almost every day. For as far back as I can remember, at least 65 years, reading has been my favorite thing to do. Now I bring about 6 books home from the library every week and sometimes I get 5 of them read. I used to always say "One of my greatest regrets is that I will never live long enough to read the books in the world'. I still won't but at least I am working on it. I also very much enjoy writing, now I at least write a blog. I have had a book in my head for many years, it is called "Living In Other People's Houses", a series of short stories that would be mostly autobiographical.
What I wear has never been of great importance to me, now I can definitely live by my clothing motto.
"Is It Clean And Does It Fit?"
There have been times in my life when I would be concerned that I enjoyed observing life more than participating in it; now I just let myself enjoy observing. I don't have to work, so when I do I make sure I am doing something I enjoy; I spend time caring for animals and "Living In Other People's Houses". No one expects me to do a lot of housework, which I never did do anyway, only now I don't feel guilty about it.
Afternoon Thoughts
Saturday Afternoon, October 27th, 2012......4:21 p.m.
I can remember the years and years and years that I went to work every morning. Many of those mornings I would think, "I would love to sleep in this morning". Now I make a point of sleeping in almost every day. For as far back as I can remember, at least 65 years, reading has been my favorite thing to do. Now I bring about 6 books home from the library every week and sometimes I get 5 of them read. I used to always say "One of my greatest regrets is that I will never live long enough to read the books in the world'. I still won't but at least I am working on it. I also very much enjoy writing, now I at least write a blog. I have had a book in my head for many years, it is called "Living In Other People's Houses", a series of short stories that would be mostly autobiographical.
What I wear has never been of great importance to me, now I can definitely live by my clothing motto.
"Is It Clean And Does It Fit?"
There have been times in my life when I would be concerned that I enjoyed observing life more than participating in it; now I just let myself enjoy observing. I don't have to work, so when I do I make sure I am doing something I enjoy; I spend time caring for animals and "Living In Other People's Houses". No one expects me to do a lot of housework, which I never did do anyway, only now I don't feel guilty about it.
Afternoon Thoughts
Saturday Afternoon, October 27th, 2012......4:21 p.m.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Gratitude
I have been wanting to write this blog for at least a week. During that time I have been more aware of all that I have to be grateful for than usual. I think, I hope that never a day goes by that I don't have moments of gratitude for all the good things in my life.
I live the most wonderful family in the world, and everyone who knows them even slightly agrees with me. There is much love in this household. Jonathon, my youngest grandchild, has a friend who lived with us for awhile. After a couple of weeks of living with us, he told me one day "I have never lived in a house where everyone likes each other". Those words have stuck with me, I thought at the time how very sad, then I remembered that in the house where I grew up, not everyone liked each other and we all spent a lot of time dealing with our negative emotions. Mine was fear, fear of my Mother and almost everyone else. It wasn't a home, it was a house, and a scary one most of the time.
My health is not perfect but it is good. For the past 2 years I have suffered, and suffered is the right word, with pain in my knees. Last week I went to my Dr and he told me that I didn't need a knee operation but I did need relief from the pain. Now I have pain relief available when I need it. What a relief that is. I have been walking around for months fearing an operation, now, not only do I not need one but I have medication for the pain. I am grateful that I have a new Dr. who seems to really care about me being comfortable. Now when I wake up in the morning with a lot of pain in my knees I know that I don't face the entire day and night with that pain.
My youngest son, Rusty, has been working for a friend of mine for the past 10 or 11 days. I have spent three of those days and nights with him and my friend. I love spending time with my children. I still marvel at the wonderful, unique, and talented people that came from my body.
I have family, friends, interests, and I am loved and able to love in return. Life has given me so many gifts and I am truly grateful.
Afternoon Thoughts
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012................2:22p.m/
I live the most wonderful family in the world, and everyone who knows them even slightly agrees with me. There is much love in this household. Jonathon, my youngest grandchild, has a friend who lived with us for awhile. After a couple of weeks of living with us, he told me one day "I have never lived in a house where everyone likes each other". Those words have stuck with me, I thought at the time how very sad, then I remembered that in the house where I grew up, not everyone liked each other and we all spent a lot of time dealing with our negative emotions. Mine was fear, fear of my Mother and almost everyone else. It wasn't a home, it was a house, and a scary one most of the time.
My health is not perfect but it is good. For the past 2 years I have suffered, and suffered is the right word, with pain in my knees. Last week I went to my Dr and he told me that I didn't need a knee operation but I did need relief from the pain. Now I have pain relief available when I need it. What a relief that is. I have been walking around for months fearing an operation, now, not only do I not need one but I have medication for the pain. I am grateful that I have a new Dr. who seems to really care about me being comfortable. Now when I wake up in the morning with a lot of pain in my knees I know that I don't face the entire day and night with that pain.
My youngest son, Rusty, has been working for a friend of mine for the past 10 or 11 days. I have spent three of those days and nights with him and my friend. I love spending time with my children. I still marvel at the wonderful, unique, and talented people that came from my body.
I have family, friends, interests, and I am loved and able to love in return. Life has given me so many gifts and I am truly grateful.
Afternoon Thoughts
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012................2:22p.m/
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