Tuesday Tid Bits...

Today is Christmas Day and for many Christians (approx. 2 billion worldwide) today marks the day that hope came into the world. Christ is born today.

Peace on earth...

Good will toward man...

The message of hope for all mankind...all mankind.

 In today's fast-paced, high octane life it is hard to imagine the first Christmas, the solemn and reverential mood that must have prevailed in that simple stable.

Did the parents, Mary and Joseph, fully realize the impact their baby son"s life and sacrifice would mean for all mankind? I wonder...Do we fully realize??

I know for myself, that I often forget. Thank you, thank you Jesus.  Merry Christmas one and all!

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On the lighter side...Whadya think?  Too much Christmas cheer? Or something he ate??

 

 

How about...

                                              

How did they get the beard to stay put?   You really gotta watch those Office Christmas parties!

 

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Speaking of Christmas blunders and No-no's....

 

Always have help when doing second story lights...HELP!!
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Typo, ya think???
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Uhhh no, maybe not!!
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Another office party gone horribly wrong!!

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Unitl next year for Tuesday Tidbits...



              

Yuppers, We're still here...

 

 

Ahhh shucks...

 

I think I might be slightly disappointed...after all, you only get one shot at an end of the world experience.

 

Just think of all the #@!%  you wouldn't have to put up with anymore...

 

1. Paying Bills!  Or Eds! Or Charlies! Or your loan shark...bookie...whoever!
2. Working...or if you're the lazy sort; making excuses for not working!
3. Mundane tasks such as doing dishes, making beds, cleaning anything!
4. Obnoxious people...or hell, people in general!

I could go on and on until the next "End of World" prediction, but you get the picture.

 

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If I hear, "Are you all ready for Christmas" one more time, I might have to end the world myself!!

 

If I hear myself saying, "Are you all ready for Christmas" one more time, I might have to rip out my own tongue!!

 

Honestly, why do we insist on saying the lamest things??  So, how about it?

 

Are you all ready for Christmas yet? No, me neither!

 

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On a different note...

 

Is it okay to be sad at Christmas time? It is after all a most joyous time of year!

 

 I can't help, but feel a wee bit sad for departed loved ones,  or for folks who spend the holiday alone, or for the people of war torn and impoverished countries. These things are sad and it is right to mourn, but as I've gotten older I also, feel a little sad and nostalgic for Christmas's past. I miss...

 

my little girls (now grown women) light up when Santa (Daddy) showed up sooo "unexpectedly" every Christmas Eve. Or...

 

the endless stream of "Charlie Brown" Christmas trees Hubby brought home year after year because that's all we could afford, but with the proper embellishments of popcorn garland, gingerbread men, homemade ornaments and a few store bought shinies; the girls and I could dress those pathetic, little trees until they were fit for royalty...

 

I miss those days...

 

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 On a lighter note...a funny lady!

 

 

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One more thing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



What this Old Broad knows for sure aka Wednesday's Wisdom...

I know for sure as we age, men and women begin to resemble and act like each other more and more...

• Our hair begins to fall out and thin (some women even get a bald spot - Egad!)
• Our fat deposits redistribute giving us both a pot gut that no amount of exercise can entirely rid us of it. (assuming we have any energy to exercise??)
• We both can grow an equally fine moustache. (and occasionally compete just to prove who does best!)
• Our sex drive goes down the drain into the sea of fond remembrance.
• Same is true of our memory...
• We grunt, huff and puff exactly alike when we bend over to put on our shoes. (which also, happens when we attempt sex!)
• We truly do begin to look like one another!

 

See what I mean...

 

 

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I know for sure that Dec 21, 2012 is NOT the end of the world. Nope, nada, ain't gonna happen!

 

How do I know this???

 

Because my utility bills arrived right on time!!

 

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I know for sure it's 6 more sleeps until the Jolly Red Guy comes to visit!

OOPS!!  (I may be old, but I ain't dead yet!!)

Better...  Merry Christmas!!

Tuesday Tid Bits...

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!

It's hard to believe there can be any joy in this world we live in; just listen to the evening news...

fatal accidents...
shootings...
robberies..
fires...

and yet when I think (yes I can so!) beyond these horrible tragedies there really are small pockets of true joy this time of year.

Like digging out all my Christmas mugs and enjoying a really good cuppa java...

Sampling the Christmas baking while it's being prepared...

Ignoring my thickening waistline, at least for the season...

Oh and...let's not forget the Christmas Tree and all the decorations!

Who doesn't enjoy digging out the dusty boxes, untangling the twisted lights while...

drinking "Special" eggnog and listening to Bing crone all the old Christmas tunes??  Or better...

listening to Elvis belt out, "Blue Christmas"!

The ultra, super delicious, scrumptious turkey feast (that someone else cooked)! Yum, yum!!

Come on guys...is there no better joy than receiving that "surprise" gift from a loved one?? 

Except maybe...

Joy to the world, The Lord is come!!

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Today I take my precious pooch for his Christmas haircut...really...

It occurs my doggie gets more haircuts than I do!!

Whazup with that!    

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In the news:

Bye, bye penny...

"The last new penny was struck May 4 at a Winnipeg plant. And starting on Feb. 4 next year, the mint will stop distributing any remaining stock and instead start collecting pennies from banks and other financial institutions."

 

"These first pennies were actually shipped to Canada, but minted in England. It wasn't until 1908 that Canadian pennies were actually minted within Canada."

 

 

This saddens me, not because it doesn't make economic sense, but because it's the end of yet, another bygone era.

 

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Tha...tha...tha...it's it folks!!

No Words...

Tears
If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven
and bring you home again.
No farewell words were spoken
no time to say goodbye
you were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
My heart aches in sadness
and secret tears still flow,
what it meant to lose you,
no one will ever know.

~Author Unknown

 

 

There are no words to express how this world saddens me.  It is so lost and such horrendous things keep happening; one building on another.  There is so much darkness...and yet,

 

There is also, so much goodness and light.  A darkened room can never fill a lighted room with it's darkness, but rather the lighted room will always find it's way into the heart of darkness.

 

I cling to this truth...

 

My Prayer...

May the light of this world, which lies in Jesus,

fill every nook and cranny and heart.

May it also, lighten the burden of sorrows

that weigh down so many hearts today.

May this light overthrow the darkness,

exposing all that is good, beautiful and pure.

May this light hold fast all the little angels

that are loved here...and above.

 

Matthew 11:28

“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. " 



 

 



What this Old Broad knows for sure a/k Wednesday's Wisdom...

Well has usual I'm a dollar short and a day late...

so I guess I should titled this post "Thursday's Thoughts" or "Thursday's Treasures" or some such thingy... but

 I'll stick with Wednesday's Wisdom so, not to confuse myself.
Which happens quite easily these days... please, excuse this "Old Broad"!

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Speaking of being confusticated...is there such a word? Well, there should be!!

One thing I know for sure about getting older is that I am in a brain fog pretty much...always!

My Doc says it's related to hormonal changes. Uhmmm... Personally, I don't think I have enough to do anymore. No more kids living at home...no longer working...not nosey enough...Opps!

So, the obvious answer would be to get myself busier, right? Perhaps I could start a new hobby or habit or something?? You know what they say; if you don't use it, you'll lose it...so, if anyone has any "interesting" ideas, let me know!

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Another thing I know for sure...

I live in a crazy, crazy world!!

There was a time (not so long ago) when we didn't have to TEACH children how to play!! Yes, you heard me right!

I watched a news show recently where some schools are piloting a program for young children to "teach" them how to actively play! If successful, this program could be added to curriculums. Egad! What have we  become?? We are going to teach kids to be kids????

There are commercials by "ParticipACTION" to bring back play. I didn't know play was gone? Where did it go?? Why???

The ParticipAction web site says, "Kids are the REAL experts on play".

Dah! No kiddin'!

How about we just quit over-organizing our kid's time doing this and that and even more of this...and

limit, limit, LIMIT their time spent using electronic devices; then...

KICK them outside to play!

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One more thing...

I know for sure that I really enjoy getting "real" Christmas cards in the mail. Yes, I do!!

Don't tell me you don't have time; you have 11 months! Or...

It costs too much; you have 11 months to save up!

I'll accept you absolutely hate doing cards and just can't be bothered, which is kinda sad...

Ecards are great, but there's just nothin' like the real McCoy!

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And that's it for now...
Until next Wednesday or...
Thursday...
What can I say...
I'm an "Old Broad"!  LOL

Tuesday Tid Bits...

In the news:

Okay, okay I get that Kate and Will are royality.  I even get that they have the right to a certain level of privacy and safety.

I get they are big shots...VIP's...All Important...but...

the phone call to the hospital by those Australian DJ's was meant as a harmless prank.  Or what should've been a harmless prank. Until...

the nurse kills herself!

Over a misguided phone call????

Come on, I know I'm not the only one who finds this a wee bit weird?

Why would anyone go to such extremes as to off yourself because of an mistaken phone call?  Especially leaving behind a family?  Wouldn't you think your loved ones would be more important?

ESPECIALLY when neither the Royals nor the hospital were blaming you???

I feel extreme sympathy for family and more than a little pity for the nurse, but...

Donja think someone would have to be just a teeny,tiny bit unstable in the first place?  Maybe not, but...

I won't be surprised if the news comes out that there was much more going on than meets the eye.

And NO!  The DJ's careers shouldn't be ruined over this hoax!

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Some Christmas Trivia:

If you received all the gifts mentioned over and over from the 12 Days of Christmas song, you'd receive 364 presents?  Why not a whole years worth...uhmmmm...

The average shopper walks just over 8 kms around stores, malls and parking lots? No wonder we get so darn tired!! That's probably more walking than many of us do all year!

1 in 3 men will wait until Christmas Eve to finish their shopping.

1 in 6 men would like to quit all the "gift-giving" nonsense!  Wanna bet it's the same guy who waits until Christmas Eve?

Last, but not least. If you think your gifts cost a bundle; what if you were to buy all the 12 Days of Christmas gifts mentioned just once??



This is what the traditional 12 Days of Christmas items will put you back:

• A Partridge in a Pear - $205.00
• 2 Turtle Doves - $125.00
• 3 French Hens - $165.00
• 4 Calling Birds - $520.00
• 5 Golden Rings - $750.00
• 6 Geese a Laying - $210.00
• 7 Swans a Swimming - $7,000.00
• 8 Maids a Milking - $58.00
• 9 Ladies Dancing - $6,294.00
• 10 Lords Leaping - $4,767.00
• 11 Pipers Piping - $2,562.00
• 12 Drummers Drumming - $2,776.00

Not even gonna total that...no way!
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Happy Christmas shopping everyone!

And by the way "One Guy"; it's only 14 days until Christmas Eve! LOL

Everybody Must Get Stoned...

Remember the 60's or 70's???

If you can remember it, you must have been a nerd! LOL

I was a mid-teen in the 70's which meant I was a little too young to engage in Woodstock... 

but not too young to appreciate the point.

Which was???

Well, the point was Peace and Love...Nice thoughts...but...

Completely corrupted by many of the so-called soothsayers/mystics of that time. However...

The true meaning of love and peace still reigns on high at Christmas time.

It still sings for us...despite the many efforts to diminish it.

Woodstock might have really worked if Christ was the star of the show..

Peace and love of the season to one and all! Merry Christmas!

What Really Irks Me...

"It's funny the way most people love the dead. Once you're dead, you're made for life."

Jimi Hendrix

So true and this really, really irks me...

 When someone dies and they suddenly become an awesome, amazing person when they were really a Class A You-Know-What!

 I get it, I really do! No one wants to speak ill of the dead, but why not if they weren't a good (or at least, decent) person?

Please don't insult me by saying, "Everyone has some redeeming quality."

THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!

There are some people who are (were) just wicked, malicious, self-serving sorry excuses for human beings!

There are such individuals whether you admit it or not and you've probably known at least one.

 Like the person you`ve been immortalizing since their death!

Uhmmm...

They do not deserve a loving eulogy! 

In fact, it is extremely insensitive and hurtful to those they used and abused while alive!

Call a spade a shovel! Or...

if you can`t be honest, then don`t say anything.

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Another thing that irks me...

...that so many people don't RSVP when invited to some event.

Never, ever, in the world's history has it been easier to communicate with others! There is...

- texting
- messaging
- face time
- emailing
- blue toothing (is there such a word?? Dunno...)

And let's not forget the old standby...

TELEPHONING!!

Come on people; no smoke signals required!

Let common courtesy be your guide!

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Nuff said for today....catcha later gator!

What this Old Broad knows for Sure aka Wednesday's Wisdom

I'm starting a new weekly (I hope!) post called by the aforementioned title. What this Old Broad knows for sure...Uhmmmm...

Surely after all these years I must know one or two things for sure?? Right?

I do know for sure that nothing, nada, not-a-thing is ever, ever, no NEVER FOR SURE!!  Yes indeedy, this I know... For example...

I once thought 40 was old...

and that everyone would find their soul mate...

and crying was a sign of weakness...

and life was fair!!

I thought these things until I was...say, age 5!!  Just kiddin', I was really 8 and a half!

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Another thing this Old Broad knows for sure is that no matter how many cutesy books are written, positive posters posted or aptly affirmations are uttered we still sweat the little stuff!! I do... and so do you!  Let's be honest here. We all worry when life throws us a curve ball (or a two hundred mile per hour roundhouse!).

In fact...

Many of us worry even without a reason. We worry for the sake of worry. We worry...

a.  when everything is going TOO great and wonderful because it just cannot last!
b.  when we haven't heard any bad news for awhile because it just cannot last!
c.  when nothing has happened to nobody (or anybody) that we know or know of because...

IT JUST CANNOT LAST!!

We worry... we sweat the small stuff... yes indeedy!

 Do you know how I know this for sure???

Because of all the books, posters, t-shirts, decals, etc., etc. that we buy; making someone, somewhere very rich tells me so.

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One more thing...

I also, know for sure that Justin Beiber and the Kardashians are passing fads, but...

Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne are not!!  Just saying...

Toodle Loo!!

Tuesday Tid Bits...

 



Why????
That's all I can say on this subject...

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And Didja know???

There are only 34 days until Christmas! And I just know everyone is right on the ball with everything...right?

Wrong!

Really?

Well, I am now able to say that I have reached a certain age where I can admit to failing to give a "rat's ass" if I'm on top of ...

Present buying,

Baking,

Decorating,

Card making,

Card sending,

Grocery shopping,

House cleaning,

Entertaining/Party attending,

Oh ya, don't forget the present wrapping...

and...

any other "must do, can't forget, earth shattering" Christmas details I may have overlooked!!

Yes, indeedy...I am of a certain age where ALL (or most all)  these glorious details have been passed on to my two wonderful daughters.

Booya!  The glory of having had children!!

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Speaking of details; didja know?

1. Because they viewed Christmas as a decadent Catholic holiday, the Puritans in America banned all Christmas celebrations from 1659-1681 with a penalty of five shillings for each offense. Some Puritan leaders condemned those who favored Christmas as enemies of the Christian religion.     

2. Oklahoma was the last U.S. state to declare Christmas a legal holiday, in 1907.

3. Puritan Oliver Cromwell outlawed Christmas celebrations and carols in England from 1649-1660. The only celebrations allowed were sermons and prayers

Talk about Bah Humbug!!!

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On a lighter note...

Hubby and I are arguing about which Christmas Tree to go with this year. Perhaps you could help us decide...

Tree Number One - The Beer Bottle Design! (1000 beer bottles - hmmm...)

As I'm sure you guessed, this would be Hubby's choice!

Tree Number Two - The Effect after drinking ALL those beer!!

My choice, of course!!

Now any comments you'd like to share would help settle the argument. Thanks and..

That's it for Tuesday Tid Bits!!

Growing Older Badly...

There are good ways to grow older...

Then there are NOT so good ways...

 

 

 Granted both are famous women and both admit to having had plastic surgery (one in particular has had LOTS of plastic surgery from the looks of it...) which most of us commoners would never do...right?  Right???

Or would you?

 

And if you admit "yes", that you would go for a little nip and tuck, pinch and lift or fill and drill, does that mean you're growing older badly?

 

Throughout history many women have felt their looks hold at least, some importance.  Does this necessarily mean anything?

 

Does it really? Or...

 

...what if growing older well didn't have much to do with the outside, other than the fact, it will reflect our inner being and give "real" clues as to whether...

 

There is a guy who dances inside:



 

Or if you'd prefer:

 

 

Or not.

 

Let's face it, growing older well,  isn't for sissies or prom queens. It takes inner strength, tolerance, forgiveness, humour and gratitude.

 

For a life well lived...

 

NOT well dressed!







Tuesday Tid Bits...

For lack of any earth-shattering ideas to blog about, I give you the following (hope you enjoy):

 

Have you heard the shocking news?! Justin ( the Beeb) & Selena have broken up! OMGoodness!!  I can hardly believe it...snicker, snicker

 

 

Is this really so shocking people? How old are these two anyway, maybe 20ish?? Who expects ANY two 20-somethings to last, let alone famous ones?

 

Come on...

 

Even the famous 40-something's can't keep it together.

 

Besides...

 

I want to hear the "real" important news, like next season's fashion colours!!

 

Or perhaps... someone somewhere (preferably in Canada) found the cure for say...

 

Cancer...

 

Or Aids...

 

Or MS...

 

Or ....You get the picture

 

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On a lighter note...

 

Rotten Dog....the love of my life (just kiddin Honey) but....

 

 

Look at that Face!!!

 

To find that "special-one and only" dog that captures your heart and soul is special indeed. The bond is extremely hard to describe.

 

I've owned other pets and have loved them all, but until Rotten Dog came into my life, I never really understood. And...

 

He is a very, very, veeerrry BAD dog!!

 

As I write this he is barking insanely at a Atco Gas truck... What my gas bills are not high enough? Must we PO the gas man?

 

A VERY BAD DOG....but what can I say...

 

He is my canine soul mate. Yes indeedy...

 

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One more thing...

 

Dija know...

 

That the top salary earned in the NHL's 2012-13 season is earned by Shea Weber (Nashville Predators) at a whopping $14 million dollars!

 

And...

 

The top salary earned in the 1917-18 season was made by Newsy Lalonde(Montreal Canadiens) at a whopping $13 hundred dollars! (which by the way, equals $25 thousand by today's standards)

 

WOW!

 

Double Wow, Wow!!

 

Do ya think today's NHL players are payed a wee bit too much? Hmmmm...

 

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And that is it for this week's Tuesday Tid Bits.... Glad you could be here!

 

 

 





When Fortune trumps Reason...

I don't know if there is a rule somewhere (somehow I think there might be) about opening more than one fortune cookie, but I did it anyway...

Ahhhh....curiosity killed the cat...meow!

Fortune # 1: "Something unusual will happen at work or school next week"

Well, since I am currently off on disability and don't go to school; what am I to think...

Does this mean I SHOULD be working or in school? Have I missed the boat on this? Was I asleep at the wheel when fortune smiled down?

Or...

Is it perhaps, a general, kind of, generic way of just saying, "Something will happen in your life (whatever it is you do - or lack thereof ) next week"?

Ummmm... and what does it mean by unusual? Unusual how? Good unusual or bad unusual?

And what does "something" mean?  Is it something I'd want to happen or something that could cause me sleepless nights all next week?  Because after all, "something" could mean just about anything!! And "unusual" isn't usually good, or something I'd want, is it??

Eee Gads!

Something usually is bad!!

Fortune #2: Keep an eye out for a wonderful opportunity. 

Ahhh, I feel so much better for having opened fortune number two. It so explains fortune number one. Yes, indeedy! Life is good! All is well with the universe!

Everything is as should be...yes...


The "something" will be an opportunity! The "unusual" will be wonderful!

Or perhaps, Vice versa.

Whichever, I'm okay now.

Or....

Perhaps it's irreversible, bad luck to open two fortunes at once and I've set into motion some horrifying, catastrophic chain of events!

OMG! ( the G stands for Goodness as I won't mess with "you know whose name!")

I can't take the uncertainty anymore!!  I think I'll just toss both fortunes and forget I ever read them.

Yes, that's exactly what I will do.

Forget

I

ever

read

them!

If the fates allow, that is....

Ha ha ha... haaaa haaaaaaaa, Heeeeeeeeee......

Finding Gratitude in the Storm...

 

 

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, out-of-control, crazy? Have you ever just wanted to run away and live in a van down by the river? Of course you have, who hasn't?

For years whenever life becomes too big for us, Hubby and I joke (?) that we should sell everything and go live in a van down by the river. We fantasize painting it psychedelic colours like pink, orange and purple; with love and peace signs drawn all over it. Doesn't this sound like the coolest, most groovy thing to do at our old age???

We could call it "Ye Old Hippy Van" and apply for a legal marijuana license (old age pain - don'ja know) and grow pot to smoke and subsidize our pensions! Mmmm... this sounds so darn tempting, except...

Except...

Hubby would miss his big screen T.V. and I, my Tassimo!

So what instead of "Ye Old Hippy Van"? What can we do when life feels so chaotic and crushing that we fear we might lose our minds?

Like the eye of the hurricane; we must go to that special place, that sweet spot amid the storm.

That place that no matter what, always makes us smile and feel right; like the football finals on the big screen T.V., the delicious cuppa from the Tassimo, whatever...

Curling up with a good book.
Snuggling a grandchild.
Playing ball with our puppy.
Eating those hidden macaroons from the freezer.
Being in the protective arms of our loved one.
Praying and singing glorious praises to Jesus.
Whatever...

These are the sweet spots. These make the craziness of life bearable. This is what gratitude really means; enjoying our life despite the storms.

Despite

the

storms...



My Rant...

Okay, I wasn't going to say anything on this topic and add to the circus, but...

I will BUST if I don't have a rant!

Whad Up America!

What was that newest reality show called, "Politicians Gone Wild"!?
Plu-eeze, I have seen less mud-slinging at a Redneck's party! This show cost somewhere around 6 billion dollars.

6 billion dollars!

Six billion dollars!!

6,000,000,000,000!!!

I can't even imagine what this much money might have done that was worthwhile? How many hungry children could have been fed? How many houses might have been built? How many jobs might have been created? Or social programs could've been saved?

Call me stupid, but I believe this was nothing more than a back-stabbing, ridiculing and underhanded attempt to entertain the masses who are addicted this type of degrading and shameful media.

Shame on us for participating in this sham!

Shame on the political parties for allowing it!

Whatever happened to dignified political campaigns that focused on real issues that plague real people rather than who could put on the most "entertaining" show?!

I don't believe this political campaign cared one iota about the problems that the average American suffers. It was simply done for ratings and ultimately votes. And yes, before you say it, I realize an election is about votes, but like this?????

A low-brow, reality mini-series that made the rich, richer?

That satisfied our unsatiable thirst for the seditious and demeaning?

Again, I say shame on us!

What can I say?

Growing older....uhmmm. What can I say about it?

Well, it's a sneaky thing; one day you're 20, then wake up and discover you're turning 50. A half a century... That seems so old when you say it that way, doesn't it?

When we're younger, we hear all the time from older people how time flies and we need to appreciate our youth, but no one ever truly does. The best we can do is ENJOY it so, when we look back, we can smile at the memories.

The same holds true at any age because we are constantly aging until we die, which hopefully is long into the future.

ENJOY...

Our lives.

The time we`re in.

Can we honestly say we`re doing this or are we spending all our time mourning the past or fearing the future? Can we truly just enjoy where we are in life without prejudice?

Or do we paint the past as much better than it was by forgetting the difficulties we went through; or colour the future as much worse than it will be?

I wonder...

Do I do this? Uhmmm...

I have...I probably will...I try not to...

And that's all I have to say about it....

For now....

In Hard Times Too?

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What is gratitude? Is it felt only when things are going well? It`s certainly easier then, but...

In hard times? When getting out of bed is difficult?

Really?

Anyone can be grateful when things are hunky dory, but God asks us to be grateful in all circumstances. This can't apply to getting older, can it?

Afterall, what is there to be grateful for? Wrinkles, sags, bags, aches, pain? Not to mention slowing down, brain fog, menopause?

Let's not forget that with each year, death hovers closer. How can one be grateful for that?

And honestly, when life is hard, it's difficult to be grateful at any age!

That's the part I couldn't understand for so long. You know, the part about being grateful even when life sucks! Well it seems, God didn't ask me to be grateful FOR the circumstances, but IN the circumstances. Ahhhh....

Should've seen that right away! But I didn't...

Still...

Some things are just so difficult that it's almost impossible to feel gratitude for or in the circumstances.

But for most of us, no matter how difficult (and I know some things can be excruciating) if we take a moment away from our circumstances; we can be grateful for much in our lifes.

Children, grandchildren (aren't they the best?), spouses, friends, health, home, food, clothing and all the basics in life. We really don't NEED much more.

I realize when our circumstances suck something of importance is likely missing or severely affected, but whether it's health, family, wealth or something else we still have much.

If we look.

But we must stop feeling sorry for ourselves and honestly "look" at the bigger picture. Most of us have had a pretty good life. Have a good life.

But...we forget.

 In the forgetting, we lose gratitude.



My Rant



Today I digress from the growing older as you will notice I will do from time to time. There are just some things that happen in my day that cause me to well...rant. Today it’s about a snowstorm and dumb ass drivers. Ummm...

We had a 15 cm snowfall, the first big one for the year. This is about 6 inches for any American friends. It’s not lots, but for the first one of the winter, it does make roads slippery, visibility poor and slow things down when commuting. IT should be anticipated by any reasonably intelligent person that the driving will likely be well... a bit tricky. Which brings me to my rant.

On the news last night they reported a number of traffic accidents, mostly due to speed. They interviewed several motorists who were very grumpy because it was too slow getting where they needed. Huh? Really?

It was a STORM guys, what did you expect? Did it occur to these people that it might be wise to get their lazy ass out of bed earlier so they could allow for extra driving time? This storm was forecasted for at least 2 days before it hit. Do they not listen to any news, talk to others or pay attention? Do they not plan or predict driving might be slower?  It was too slow? Come on! It’s NOT summer anymore! Dah!

This happens every winter and pretty much every time there is a big snowfall throughout the season.  I often wonder if it’s the same dumb ass drivers who either get in an accident or lose their cool because it’s time-consuming?

Try PLANNING for it next time, guys and dolls! Get up earlier, bring a book to read when traffic comes to a standstill or maybe try a self help CD for impatience or stupidity. We don’t live in Florida! It snows here every year! After year, after year... this is nothing new!

There you have it. My first rant. I’m sure there’ll be many more, but in the meantime I will focus on getting back on point next time. Be grateful out there, heh!

Growing Old...Gratefully Really??

Growing old gratefully, I’ve been thinking and thinking what this means to me? And what is my intention for this blog?  I’m not yet sure, but it may be something I need as a catharsis.  Why?  Because at 57 I’m growing old (um older??).

Some folks (over 70) may say, “No way is that old! You’re still a baby!”  But others...well, let’s just say my grandchildren would beg to differ.  And LOL – Laugh Out Loud for those who aren’t in the “know”.

Since I am getting old(er) it has given me pause to think; which if you knew me as a younger lady, you may not believe it or perhaps, think it’s just about time! Never mind, you weren’t the sharpest tack in the box either, so there! Anyway, back to my thinking...Hummmm

My life has slowed down considerably since my youth and with it so have I; which could be construed as a bad thing or perhaps, something to be grateful about?  No doubt I have more time to blog now which may be a good thing?

 I hope to explore the things of age that we can appreciate. Surely there must be something!  I may be able to convince some of you younger “thangs” that there is nothing to fear.  LOL!

But... here is the big BUT!  (Isn’t there always a but?) I also, intend to blow the lid off some of the not-so-good things such as illness, aches and pains, brain fog and the ever popular menopause. Possibly there may be something to be grateful in all these, but I will have to dig deep, real deeee-ep, deeee-per.....deeeee-per, deep,deep, deeper to find them!!

I will grow old gratefully if it kills me, but I already know it isn’t all great. With that in mind; assuming you don’t forget, perhaps you may wish to travel along in this blog with me?  I don’t have all the answers; I’ll leave that to the centurions, but I really do wish to grow old in grace, wisdom and gratitude.

Maybe writing about it will help me on my way?