A Year of "Firsts" and Much "Change"

This year has been filled with "firsts" and "changes" galore!!

We spent the "first" few months trying to make sense of the sudden loss of sweet grandlittle bird, Carter. I am not sure I will ever be able to understand the loss of a child so innocent.

We somehow got through our "first" Easter without him. Last year Carrie was here at the BlessInn celebrating that holiday as an expectant mom of baby #2.

May brought about Will's College graduation. The door for him has opened to lots of "firsts" and "changes". The "change" for us was obviously more "change" in our pockets!!!

Then in June our hearts ached as the calendar rolled around to what would have been Carter's "first" birthday.

I held the "first" Grandy Camp for 3 weeks in June with grandlittle bird, Cailyn. We had a lot of fun, and I look forward to continuing that tradition every summer...but with one "change"...it will only be for one week in future years! Whew!

July brought life "changes" as my honey's parents...Namby and D'dad...moved in with us, followed quickly by littlebird Carrie and Chris and of course grandlittle bird, Cailyn. And...my honey left his job. Now that's some "change". Ditto on the Whew!

In August my honey had his "first" day with a new job. More travel, but he works out of the house...which is a nice "change". :)

October was spent preparing for grandlittle's birthday...the "first" she would celebrate here. It was a fun day for our little "Boo", the Halloween baby!

November brought about another difficult "first" as we had now spent a full year without grandlittle bird, Carter. Another day spent with much heartache.

The anticipation of Christmas, however, helped to "change" the mood a bit. This year was the "first" we would spend Christmas at the BlessInn as last year we traveled to Illinois for the holiday. This Christmas was also the "first" time Namby and D'dad did not play Santa for all the Wilkinsons...a "change" that has been difficult for everyone in the family.

One last "change" for us this year at Christmas was the retiring of the littlebird's Santa Sacks. After about 20 years of waking up to a sack FILLED with gifts from Santa, this year was the last. We did go out with a bang though!

"Change" is hard...and so are "firsts".

I am looking forward to a more uneventful 2011. Bring it on!

Hopefully the only "change" will be my hair color!

Happy 10 Year Anniversary

Just 10 years ago tomorrow, my honey and I renewed our vows at a beautiful ceremony at Hope Church in Illinois. All of our kids were there to share in the special day. We were just 6 months shy of our 25th wedding anniversary. It was a joyous moment, and it truly signified a new beginning. These last 10 years have been the best so far, and I wanted to say Thank You to my honey!!

In honor of that day, I have included below the vows that I wrote and said to my honey on December 23, 2000.

"I believe we were meant to be together. I believe that it's God's plan, so it has to be right. He has blessed us with four beautiful children, and they're the best gifts you could have ever given me...well...and the Barbra Streisand concert tickets!

I believe that we were meant to grow old together and share our grandchildren...and some day sit in our rocking chairs...on our porch at our house by the beach...holding hands...and knowing that we've found heaven.

I know this is right because God has answered my prayers and shown me the way back to you...and my heart is full again. I love you."

I love you, Lex and am so happy to have been blessed to marry you twice!!! XXOO

Gotta love craft shows....

A while back I blogged about an "awesome" piece of "art" that I saw at a local flea market. I really am drawn to those types of things...you know...flea markets...craft shows...etc. I am always amazed at what I see.

It never fails...tucked between the fabulous deals and creativity...you can always find something that just catches your eye...something that just does not allow you to walk past without noticing.

Once again...I am speechless.

'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came...

Written by Audrey Patricia Woolverton

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life, which was held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
LET'S NOT FORGET WHY WE CELEBRATE THIS WONDEROUS DAY!!

My wish for each one of you is that you BELIEVE in CHRISTmas!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!

A Little Cailyn Chatter

I just realized that I never wrote all the cute ways that grandlittle bird Cailyn pronounced her words during "Grandy Camp". She is so grown up NOW and speaks very well, but just a mere 6 months ago she made us giggle with her "words" everytime she spoke. Here are just a few favorites...

Yam I am! (Yes, I am)

Swim soup (swim suit)

Hula hoop (tube for pool)

Swim gobbles (swim goggles)

Peeuter (computer)

No, my not! (No, I’m not)

Hotgog (hotdog)

Pool towlull (pool towel)

Ham stamp (hand stand)

Shashlight (flashlight)

Mikey favor (microwave)

And one day I said she was "adorable" and she turned to Jessie and said "we can get a Dora bowl at the store"!

She is growing up so fast right before my eyes!

Can you "see" me now???

I learned a long time ago that with age comes many wonderful benefits. Let me list a few...
* adult children
* grandchildren
* a bucketful of friends
* knowing "who" you are...and being comfortable with that!

But there are also some "not so wonderful" aspects to getting older. Let me list a few more...
* achy joints...you know when you get out of bed in the morning in stages (and very slowly)
* hair in places it should not be
* saggy (baggy)skin
* weird toenails
* hot flashes
* loss of memory
* loss of hearing
* loss of sight...you know, when you can no longer read the fine print unless you take OFF your glasses...hold it as close to your face as possible...under the brightest of lights!

Those of us that wear glasses have all read something in that way! Those of you that do not wear glasses normally...or at least "claim" that you only need them to read...have it a little harder because first you have to find your glasses then go through all the stages above!

A dear friend of mine, and her husband, wear their glasses just to read. You can be in their home at any time and find several pairs of glasses in each room...on the end tables...dining table...kitchen counter...and bathroom sink..even tucked away in drawers. Outside you can find them on the picnic table...in their cars...in the barn...and on the porch.

My friend even keeps a pair at my house in case she can't find hers when in need.

So...the other night we had just left a restaurant after having dinner with our friends. The guys were in the front seats while my friend and I were in the back. Why does that always happen????

My friend was digging in her purse for something...I don't even remember what now. While digging she found her cell phone...which she never has with her nor knows where it is. And of course when she finds it the battery is dead!

But also in her purse she finds one...no two...no three...wait, four...ummmmm five...six...oh my, seven pairs of glasses and two pairs of sunglasses!!!! She said every time she leaves home she throws a pair in her purse in case she does not have a pair in there. LOL!!!!!

I think this is where the * loss of memory comes in!

And...how about this one for those of you that always wear glasses...
* isn't it the strangest thing that you have to make sure you have your glasses on to hear something???

Splish...Splash

So...Saturday is pool cleaning day. Now, Sebastian does a really good job, but in the fall especially he needs a little assistance from me to get all of the leaves out. If I left it up to him he would have to be running around in the pool the whole day! It's tough to find good help these days! Geesh!

Now...you may be wondering why my pool is still open??? Well...simply...I forgot to call the pool company to close it until the 2nd week in September. When I did call the lady that answered the phone said "When would you like it closed?" to which I replied "Oh, the beginning of October would be great" to which she answered "Well, the first opening I have is October 23!" Now...I ask you...why didn't she just say that right up front?????

So, although I do a quick cleaning every day before work, Saturday is pool cleaning day. Complete with brushing and skimming and chemicalizing...is that a word??? I did finally turn off the heater on October 1st...after much prodding from my honey. Since no one is swimming anymore, and rarely using the hot tub...I figured he was probably right. See, my honey...I do say you are right sometimes!!

What a beautiful day it was. The sun was shining. There was a slight breeze. A perfect fall day. Cailyn was playing in the rocks by the pool, and I was scooping out leaves with the skimmer...keeping one eye on her so that she did not get too close to the edge and fall in. Thank goodness I was doing that!!!

In fact, I was paying more attention to her...and not quite enough to what I was doing. And so...guess who fell in!!! That's right!

Now I wish I hadn't listened to my honey and was still heating the pool!!! One never knows when the mood may strike you to take a little dip!!

BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Heaven and Hell Weekend

We are fast approaching what my daughter refers to as "Heaven and Hell Weekend.

October 31st is sweet grandlittle bird, Cailyn's third birthday! Wow, it is hard to believe that she is going to be three already. She is such a bright and beautiful part of our lives...a little bit of "heaven on earth."

Then November 1st marks the one year anniversary of our precious grandlittle bird, Carter's last day with us. Again, it is hard to believe that 12 months have passed. These days approaching have been difficult, emotional and very much "hell-like". I know my pain...I can not begin to know my daughter or Chris' pain.

Heaven and Hell Weekend...a roller coaster ride I am not wanting to take. But, I will have to none the less. I pray God grants me the strength to sit between Carrie and Chris...holding their hands as we rise to the top of that ride and then drop quickly to the bottom....

but...only to rise again. HE will bring us through this, of that I am certain.

I miss you sweet Carter. Every day...every minute...every second.

My nest is empty....

and it seems very strange. In my last post I talked about how full it was. Just that quickly things changed. I mentioned before about the revolving door we have here, and it just continues to spin.

Littlebird Jessie moved out to an apartment not too far from us. Then littlebird Will moved to NYC to pursue his dream in theater.

This week littlebird Carrie and grandlittle bird Cailyn are in Missouri visiting friends and family. So...my nest is empty...really, really empty...strangely empty.

Quiet. My friend said "silence is golden". I say...sometimes not so much.

I have been enjoying my house being in "order". I have been enjoying sharing the TV in the great room with my honey...watching what we want. I did enjoy going in the hot tub with my honey just a few minutes ago...uninterrupted and alone.

But it is quiet.

And empty.

My nest is full...

of love, joy, dreams realized, laughter...and family! Lots and lots of family!!

In early June my sweet grandlittle bird, Cailyn, came for a three-week "Grandy Camp". When Mommy and Daddy left, they planned to return in early July to pick her up and visit with us for another week (a planned family reunion) before returning home. As Cailyn would say..."that's sounds like a plan".

In early July my honey's parents were planning to fly out of their nest, and settle into ours. We had spent the better part of May and June preparing for this move...finishing the renovations in the "guest suite" (which is now the "apartment") installing a dishwasher, garbage disposal, venting the dryer...and removing all of our furniture to make a blank canvas for them to "paint" with all of their special things.

The plan was that my honey's siblings and their families were coming move-in week to help unpack and get my inlaws "settled in". Well, as life goes, our plans never seem to be the reality. Although we had a nice visit with two of my honey's siblings and families for a few days, by the time the delayed moving truck arrived, one family had already returned home.

But...here's the other change in the original plan...and may I say right here it was answered prayer! Cailyn's Mommy and Daddy decided that they would be moving here also that same week!

So...my nest is full...of love, joy, dreams realized, laughter...and family! Lots and lots of family!!

A FULL NEST HAPPENS...one bird migrating at a time. Still hoping that #1 little bird finds her way back to the "mothernest" some day.

Until then, I will keep on praying!!

A Day in the Life of Grandlittle Bird

My littlebird, Carrie, surprised me with a visit a week ago, and when she left to go back home, Grandlittle bird, Cailyn, stayed behind. What a perfect surprise!! I have her for the next three weeks, so we are filling our days with lots of fun. Hopefully "Grandy Camp" can become a tradition and the trip a yearly one!!!



Waking up with a smile
Brushing teeth with Dora toothpaste
Pigtails-picking just the right color hair bands
Getting dressed, including magic Dora panties from Grandy(we are nearly potty trained!)
Breakfast-with the pink pig plate
Potty time
Giggles
Big Hugs
Sweet kisses
Reading books
Doing puzzles
Potty time
Watching Nick Jr.
Playing in her "kitchen"
Lunch-with the pink pig plate
Potty time
Big Hugs
Sweet kisses
Dancing
Singing
Pool time
Snack time
Potty time
Riding her bike
Doing Hula-hoop
Playing on the swing set-a.k.a. Grandy's Playland
Helping Grandy water flowers
Potty time
Playing with GP in the barn
Big Hugs
Sweet Kisses
Dinner-with the pink pig plate
Playing catch with GP
Potty time
Swinging on GP's tire swing
Playing with doll babies
Sticker book
Coloring
Bath time
Potty time
"Jammies"
Brushing teeth with Dora toothpaste
Big Hugs
Sweet Kisses
Watching Curious George in her Dora bed
Grandy snuggled up with her
Going to sleep with a big smile
Night-night...sweet dreams.
Whew!

Oh, and just one more thing...
a heart filled with so much love for such a "littlebird"...there are no words to describe.

I can not wait for morning to do it all again!

The Icing on My Birthday Cake

The first weekend in May we traveled to Moorhead, MN...right up there next to Fargo, ND...to see our son, Will, graduate from Concordia College. It was a weekend full of moments I will cherish forever. Will graduated on my birthday...what a great gift!

Here are a few random "highlights" of the trip:

I traveled to Fargo via airplane with Sissy (my sister Carol), Mom and Dad, and Aunt Jean (the sweater maker). On the way home we were joined by Jessie and my honey. The experiences in the airports and on the planes are a book in themselves! I will try to be brief.

My sister and I had quite the time juggling carry on bags, purses, etc and three wheelchairs on the way there. Most of the time we only had one airport person helping. The end of the trip was much easier as we had four extra hands, and Aunt Jean insisted she did not need a wheelchair.

When we left the hotel in Fargo, my honey somehow managed to squeeze the seven of us including our seven PLUS suitcases in the vehicle he had rented. He put us in first, then stuffed the bags around us! Thank goodness it was only a 5 minute ride. My honey was the "chauffeur extraordinaire" all weekend, taking good care of my parents and aunt. Thanks, honey.

I sat next to Aunt Jean on all of the flights, and she was quite entertaining. At times the conversations just went in a circle as she is beginning to suffer from short-term memory loss so therefore repeats herself...OFTEN. But other times she filled me in on some pretty funny stuff. Like how my Grandmother didn't like to fly because her "legs weren't long enough". And how Aunt Jean once had something engraved with her name, which at the time was "Jean Large". The instructions said to engrave Jean Large so they engraved JEAN all in caps! She also said that flying above the clouds makes her feel like she is in heaven. I agree...it is a spectacular sight.

At the baccalaureate and graduation ceremony sweet grandlittle bird Cailyn was quite the entertainment. She tried to persuade her mommy to leave every couple of minutes by either saying she wanted to go to the potty or go bye-bye. Her face lit up when she saw "Unca Wheeeeeel! My face lit up when she was sitting in her GP's lap and said "Grandy, Happy Birthday". It doesn't get any better than that!

My honey sent me a text the day of graduation as I was seated in the auditorium waiting for him to park the car. The text said "sorry, too late, doors locked, can't make it". Funny guy.

Will singing with the Concordia Choir is always a highlight. We got to hear them three times during the weekend. They make the most beautiful music and I know he will miss being a part of that group. I am so glad he had that experience during his years there at Concordia.

One night as I was getting ready for bed I reached in my bag for the toothpaste. I put the toothpaste on my brush and began to brush my teeth...but it wasn't toothpaste...it was cortisone cream! Disgusting! In the future I will make sure I have my glasses on when preparing to brush my choppers so as not to make that mistake again.

All in all, it was just a perfect weekend. All the little birds were there and of course the grandlittle bird, Cailyn. Will was surrounded by aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, a niece and friends. We were all so proud of him and are excited to see what he does in the future. I know he will be heading to NYC to hopefully use his degree in theatre performance.

Break a leg, Will!!

News from the "Barn Widow"...

So my honey has been very busy over the last several months mixing and pouring the cement floor of his barn. This is a very long process. First you have to frame it...then mix it...then pour it...then smooth it out (there is a technical term for that, I just don't know what it is!)...and then, of course, there is the "watching it dry"!

If dreams were real...

I would have been content to stay in mine all night.

I closed my eyes and tried...I wished with all my might.

But this dream was just a blip in time, too fleeting to retain.

A nano second spent with you, but precious, just the same.

You laid upon the floor, pulling up upon your knees.

Your smile was like sunshine, your eyes looked right at me.

I gently picked you up, and held you in my arms.

You snuggled on my shoulder. I'll keep you safe from harm.

The moment was so real, but soon came to an end.

It really was not you, but a message that you sent.

"I just stopped by to say that I love you too, Grandy.

But I am happy here. They take good care of me!"

I miss you, oh so much, an ache is in my heart...

my sweet grandlittle bird, Carter, each day we are apart.

At night I'll close my eyes and pray that it's your plan

to meet me in my dreams so I can see you once again.

XXXXOOOO

Are you Presbyterian?????

YESSSSSS!!!...My honey and I have finally found a church that we KNOW we can settle in to. It has been a long and grueling process. We have visited EVERY little country church...and a few larger ones...within a 15-20 mile radius of our home. We thought we found "the one" about 6 months ago...but when getting up and going to church on a Sunday morning became a "chore", we knew that our search was not finished.

After expanding the search in a westerly direction...having already exhausted the south and east (the north does not offer much in church selection)...we have found a beautiful Presbyterian church. They offer two types of worship services...traditional (which brings us back to our Presbyterian "roots") and contemporary (which we have come to love since ECC in Minnesota). It is a "healthy" church with lots of ways to get involved!!

This morning my honey and I went to the first contemporary service (they have two of each type on a Sunday morning) and actually moved up a few rows when we sat. We usually start near the back and work our way up as we become more comfortable. This was our 4th visit and we are already "movin' on up"...a GREAT sign!

After the first set of praise music it was time to greet those around you. We turned around, and seated behind us were the two cutest couples I have ever seen. They were dressed in their "Sunday best", from suits and ties to beautiful dresses (the only thing missing were the hats!)...and yes...they were in their mid-70s. While shaking my hand, one of the ladies said "this is quite the lively service!" I replied that "they do offer a traditional service in the Sanctuary..." but before I could get any further in my description of the service (ie. organ music, hymns and a 70-person choir...or so I have read), she then said "are you Presbyterian?"

Now the humor in this question is only understood if you ARE Presbyterian. This contemporary service had a full praise band complete with drums, bongos, violin, keyboard, base guitar, lead guitar, and an awesome praise singer. The music was loud and exciting. The congregation was exuberant and engaged...complete with hands raised and clapping. I am certain that these two couples had NEVER experienced this kind of worship in their lives...and most definitely not in a Presbyterian church!!

I quickly answered "YES!", but did not have a chance to say anymore because the "greeting time" was over and the music had begun again.

I wonder what they were thinking??? I wonder where they came from?? I wonder how they became unsuspecting visitors who stumbled upon this room full of "crazies" claiming to be Presbyterians?? I wonder if they will give it another try on another Sunday?? I wonder if they will find their way to the sanctuary with the organ and the choir??

I hope that they do not "give up" their search...but remain persistent until they feel comfortable enough to sit in the front row...with their hearing aids turned off, of course!!!

Bunco Buddies

After much planning and after several long months I finally got a Bunco League together. We have been meeting once a month and really having a good time!...at least I am having a good time!

These girls are so much fun to be around! We are quite the collection of characters...coming together through friends of friends of friends. We had a tough time getting the 12 needed players, so everyone was asking literally everyone they knew if they wanted to play. Some are silver friends...some are gold friends...some are sisters by blood...some sisters by chance...some are (rather,were) strangers...but we are all now Bunco "buddies".

The group is made up of the Minnesota transports, L and L...two of the original Bunco "buddies" from our group there and my dear silver friends. Even though they are not sisters by blood, they have been told on more than one occasion that they look like sisters. This past month someone lovingly referred to them as the "Bobbsey Twins". There are my two sisters...Sissy and M3...and Sissy's gold friends, JU and B...and B's friend JB. Then there are two of my gold friends, who are also ex-coworkers, JJ and K...and our newest member, K's littlebird JM. We are still short one regular player, but another of my gold friends is filling in for the time being. We are hoping to talk her into becoming a regular.

Every time we play we giggle until our sides hurt. Of course the wine is plentiful...which helps to keep the mood light!

In case you don't know what Bunco is, it is a game of chance using dice. You are seated at three tables of 4 players. You roll for a number from 1-6, getting points for each correct number rolled during a round.

Everyone has their own special method of rolling the dice...drawing their "luck" from some very strange and comical ways of doing this. Some talk to the dice(nicely and not so nicely)...blow on them...rub them on weird areas of their bodies...oh yes...this definitely happens!! Then there is the wrist snap roll...the soft and gentle roll...the two-fisted roll...the quick roll...just to name a few.

There is always confusion! At the end of every round you move to another table depending on whether you won or lost the round. It seems that a few Buddies have a tough time remembering which table to move to. At times it resembles musical chairs...and someone is always left standing trying to figure out where to sit.

The food is plentiful and delicious...the wine is chilled to perfection...the laughter is contagious...and the "sisterhood" shared by those that were a group of strangers just a few short months ago, is priceless. I am certain that this group will give me plenty to blog about each month.

Survival Kit for Life

One of my Minnesota Bible study friends...who was actually from Pennsylvania!...gave me the most clever gift one year for my birthday. I came across the "survival kit for life" list while looking for another list I kept..."crazy things I was asked while working in a church office"...didn't find that one...but will keep looking until I find it. It will make for a most comical blog!

So the "survival kit for life" is a list of items that you can easily carry in your purse...and the explanation as to why you may need them...and it goes like this...

Toothpick...To remind you to pick out the good qualities in others. MATTHEW 7:1

Rubber band...To remind you to be flexible, things may not always go your way, but they will work out. ROMANS 8:28

Band-Aid...To remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's. COLOSSIANS 3:12-14

Pencil...To remind you to list your blessings every day. EPHESIANS 1:3

Eraser...To remind you that everyone makes mistakes and that it's okay. GENESIS 50:15-21

Gum...To remind you to stick with it, and you can accomplish anything with God. PHILIPPIANS 4:1

Mint...To remind you that you are worth a mint. JOHN 3:16

Hug and Kiss (Hershey's candies)...To remind you that everyone needs a hug and kiss every day. 1 JOHN 4:7

Teabag...To remind you to relax daily and to go over that list of blessings.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

Thanks, Sal, for giving this list to me! I hope that all of you find it to be valuable!

A little bird told me....

Once upon a time one of my sweet little birds may have mentioned that my wardrobe needed to be updated. You know what it's like...you get comfortable in the old blue sweatpants with the elastic at the ankles...the teeshirt you have had since high school...and the sneakers that you have several pairs of the same style...all in varying stages of wear...one for "good"...one for "workout" and one for "working in the yard".

I know I am not alone here...because the other day at the hairdressers I sat next to a woman that had on the same sneakers that I wore for years. And in discussing the "comfortableness" (is that a word???) of them, she, too, mentioned having several pairs. I used to get a new pair every year for Christmas! After much prodding by my children I did finally ditch the sneakers and tried a pair a bit more "in the now".

Now I have tried several different brands of sneakers but have not...as of this point in time...ever found a pair as comfortable as the originals. But, for the sake of keeping the peace at home, I will not go back!

After all...nothing ever stays the same. And I do enjoy being experimental...like the time I had red hair! Ohhhhhhhhhh...so daring!

So, it was time to give my page a "new look". You like????

Sisterhood of the "Pee your Pants"

I love my sisters. I have two of them...Marcia (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia or M3)and Carol (Sissy). Whenever we are together we always seem to get a giggle fit about something. Nothing better than a good knee slappin', snortin', cryin', pee your pants giggle fit. It is good for the soul, and some say your health.

Several years ago we made a promise to get together more often...just the three of us. We managed to do some really fun things together on a pretty regular basis, then I moved to the land of snow. It was a little hard to stay connected, but every time I came back home we managed to at least go to dinner together.

So, since moving home over a year ago...can you believe that one!!...we are finally settling in to a routine of a once a month connection...at least we are trying! A few weeks ago we bundled up and took a bus into NYC for the day. As always...we had several giggle fits.

Now, I could bore you with the details of all of them, but I know that during the translation a lot of the humor will be lost. You know what they say..."guess you had to be there". So I will just fill you in on the one at the Lincoln Center.

While waiting in line to use the ladies room...why is there always a line for the ladies and not the mens?...you would think someone would have remedied that problem by now!...we saw a very funny "optical illusion"..of sorts. The door to the ladies room was propped open. Directly inside was a wall of mirrors...and a counter. The "facilities" were off to the left...at least that was what we thought.

My sister, Carol, was the first in line and all of a sudden turned around giggling so hard it was a good thing we were so close to the bathroom. What she saw...or thought she saw reflected in the wall of mirrors...was a woman sitting in a bathroom stall with the door open...reading a paper! Behind the open door to the ladies room was a chair. The woman was sitting there relaxing...reading the daily news...minding her own business...not even knowing we were looking at her and doubling over in laughter. The reflection Carol saw in the mirror was of a woman sitting on the pot reading a newspaper with her stall door wide open. I know, it lost a lot in the translation...but it was funny!!!!

Another thing we observed while standing in line was the most unusual...I use that word out of kindness...sweater I have ever seen. A woman had on a home-made...obviously...knit sweater with a crocheted doily attached to the center of the back of it. Interesting way to use old doilies. I never saw the front but I am hoping that she did not have two smaller ones attached there! :)

Well, in NY...anything goes!!! Maybe she started a new fashion trend??

Looking forward to our next adventure...stay tuned!

Taking Inventory

As octogenarians, my Mom and Dad are definitely categorized as being in their "golden years". I have found that my interpretation of the "golden years" was very much the same as my interpretation of the "empty nesters"...way off the mark!

The only information I ever had about these stages of life was negative and came from other people...people who were either experiencing these times themselves or had "heard" of others who had "been there".

When I stepped into the "empty nest" stage of my life I found it to be refreshing...not so bad at all! I found humor in the everyday "brain spasms" I had and even the fact that I have slowed down a bit. But, that's me. There are so many things in this world to worry about that you DO have control over, that worrying about things in God's hands is not worth the time or effort it takes. It's all about faith...I leave that stuff up to Him, and I know that He will take good care of it.

I think my Mom has the same attitude about the "golden years". She takes each day with stride. Although she likes to share each ache and pain with you...each comment from the doctor...which new medication she is on...the dose...the reason she is taking it...yadayadayada...she is for the most part content with her life. After all, that IS her life!

We admitted Mom to the hospital last night as a precautionary measure. She has been fighting a respiratory infection and it has not improved...even with the doctor's mega prescriptions. He felt it best to admit her so that they could monitor her and make sure that pneumonia did not set in.

So her nurse, Doris, was asking her the usual questions for her file...which things had she suffered from in the past or was currently suffering from. As I listened to her answer these questions I realized that she really was in great shape for 86 years old! No history of heart problems...no strokes...no arthritis...no diabetes...no replacements (knee, hip, etc)...only one surgery (gall bladder a few years ago)...good eyesight (although she does have a few cataracts that the doctor "just chooses not to do anything about"...her words)! I commented to the nurse that she could run a marathon if she was not short of breath right now from this infection!

Then she asked Mom if she had dentures. "Nope...they're all mine! As a matter of fact I was just counting them the other day to see how many I still had!"

What a hoot! I laughed until I had tears running down my face...as did my Dad, I might add. She is most definitely living this stage of her life with humor.

Lesson number 1,732,815 learned!

A year of mixed emotions

Well, 2009 is gone. Just like that. I was looking forward to it ending, and hoping that it would not all at the same time. We have had an unbelievable year full of blessings...and great sadness.

But...life moves on.

We moved back "home", built our dream house...filled it up with our little birds and grandlittle birds, rekindled old friendships...life was grand...life was just as it should be. Then it screeched to a halt. We are still feeling the affects of the whiplash. Our lives have been altered...forever. I miss my sweet grandlittle bird, Carter, every minute of every day. There is an empty place in my heart...a place that was reserved for him.

I know I should be focusing on all the blessings in our life...there are way too many to count! God has been so good to us. He has filled our lives with the love of a wonderful family and numerous friends. And He has covered us with His grace to get through our pain and deep sadness.

2010 has arrived. There is no going back. Yes, life moves on.

This year ended an era in the Wilkinson family...the whole Wilkinson family...not just our nest. We have traditionally gathered at the home of D'dad and Namby...my honey's parents...every third Christmas. All the birds flew home to the "mothernest"...brother Andy and his flock, sisters Jenny, Martha and Annie and their flocks. There are around 30 birds, grandlittle birds, and great grandlittle birds. What fun we have had over the years...such wonderful memories we have made!



But, this year was the last year we will all gather in Illinois at the "mothernest". It was an emotional year for me...I have been a part of the Wilkinson family traditions since 1973 when my honey and I started dating. Although we plan to continue to gather at the BlessInn every third Christmas because that will be D'dad and Nam's new address, some of the traditional things that we have come to love will stop or at least be quite different.

Yes, life moves on.

I am thankful for everything the year has brought to us, but I am also happy to say goodbye to a year that ended so tragically. I am thankful to be a part of such a close and loving family with such strong traditions, but am sad to see them end or change.

Wishing us all a happy, healthy 2010 filled with the love of family and friends, and the beginning of new traditions. May God continue to pour his blessings on us all!