I'm Not 20

I have a birthday this week, and if you've been around here for a while then you know I am not a grown up when it comes to my birthday.  I like it to be a big deal-ha! My family pretty much always comes through because they

are used to me
know me.

So guess what?

I'm not 20 anymore.

Does that surprise you, because sometimes the reality of that statement surprises me, and believe me, I am a long, long, way from 20. In fact my youngest child is now more than 20 so there you go.

When I was 20 I never had to spend a weekend with my foot elevated and iced because of a weird and random reaction to an antibiotic. True story. In fact, I'm pretty sure the only time I visited a doctor in my 20's was when I a) needed an immunization and form signed for a job, or b) I was pregnant.

Saturday marked my third trip to the doctor in two weeks.

When you're 20 you bounce back from stuff.  50-somethings don't bounce, at least not in a good way. Stuff lingers, and often requires more than one visit to a doctor who is also more than 20, but just barely.

When I was 20 I ate what I wanted.
Pizza in the middle of the night? Why not?

I cannot even tell you the last time I had pizza.

Wait, it was at my mom's and it was an emergency. We had driven down to her house, and arrived quite late without having eaten, so we ordered pizza. When I was 20, late night pizza was no big deal. Late night pizza now is a carefully considered decision, one we debate at length before giving in, and then asking ourselves the next day, "Why in the world did we order pizza at that hour?"

When I was 20 I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about how early was too early to put on my PJ's. Occasionally I wake up thinking about how many hours until I can put on my PJ's. I file this thought in the perks of getting older column.

We're not really sit around kind of people here, especially on the weekends. I know lots of people live with their yoga pants planted firmly on their sofa all weekend long, television remote in hand, but that's never been us. Hubs is not good at doing nothing, so while I sat on the couch all weekend long with my foot on ice, he worked in the yard, took his car and the pup for a drive in the country, ran a few miles...did stuff.

It's good to have a husband who still feels 20, because it keeps me young too.

I think?

When I was 20 I worried about so much unimportant stuff.
Another one for the 'bright side to growing older' column in my head.

When I was 20 I thought 60 was old. You kind of rethink that once you've hit the 50-something mark. Except for the weekends you spend plunked on the couch, doctors orders. Or the weekends you spend plunked on the couch due to an unexplained sleep injury. Do you get those?

Not unless you're something more than 20.

When I was 20 I thought retirement was for senior senior citizens. You know, people who were really old, not people who were 50-something. 60-something. 70-something. I also thought my abs would remain perfectly perfect and my children would always be within arms reach.

Allowing myself to insert a tiny little sigh here, because when you're the age I am, you give yourself a break sometimes.

When I was 20 I never gave a second thought to my 20-20 vision, my natural hair color, the movement in our 401-K, or the notion that an oven, water heater, and garage door could all 'break' within the span of one week.  Stuff like that's for grown ups, right?

Here's something I know right now...with every age you lose a little, gain a little. Your perspective on life is constantly evolving, but who you are at the core is still who you are at the core.  You can eat right, excersise, work crossword puzzles, stay current with the new technologies, color your hair, and correct your failing eyesight, but you are still older today than you were yesterday.  Every single one of us.

And that's not all bad or all good, it just is.

Do I wish I were turning 20-something instead of 50-something?

Honestly, no. I lived my 20's and I loved them. I was a college student, a newlywed, and a fresh faced mother before I left my 20's.

They were happy years, exhausting years, full to overflowing years, and while the events of my 50's will not be the same as those of my 20's, I hope when I look back I'll describe them the same-

Exhausting-happy-full to overflowing.

" He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's" Psalm 103:5

Continuing With The Stuff

So, I mentioned last Monday I was going to try to catch up some on my blog and now it's practically Friday, but who's counting?  If you've been here before you know the drill...brace yourselves for some mediocre.

I have a friend who moved here from the UK, and when her sister hopped the pond for a visit recently, she asked her to bring me this-

She knows I have a small obsession with all things England.

This adorable tin is filled with shortbread, and when my mom was here visiting last week we had tea and 'biscuits' every afternoon.  I even pulled out my Polish Pottery teapot and cups.

It's possible pottery is another tiny little obsession. ahem.  

Moving on...I'd purchased concert tickets for hubs birthday, so last Friday night we went to see The Marshall Tucker Band play in a small local venue. Marshall Tucker Band might be hubs all time favorite band, and they definitely rank up there in my top three.

The bands creator sadly passed away several years ago, along with his brother who was also a key member of the group, but the original voice is still singing, still sounding so awesome. They've maintained their original sound which is most important, and the flute/sax player is incredible.

Sometimes these 'old' bands want to play all new stuff, but MT played the old familiar and the audience loved it.

Back when I was in college (in TN) my younger sister, who was in college in Delaware, came for a visit. I remember sitting around talking about music with hubs and a friend of ours who happened to be from Spartanburg SC which is Marshall Tucker Band's hometown. This friend could not believe my sister didn't know any Marshall Tucker. My sister on the other hand, couldn't believe our South Carolina friend didn't know anything by 'the Boss'.

Guess everybody was a nobody once upon a time.
Even Springsteen.

Last Saturday hubs and I spent a fun afternoon at a local rodeo, and the weather could not have been more perfect for an outdoor event. We brought lawn chairs and set up on the hillside overlooking the ring, and we ate bbq and homemade ice cream while we waited on the cowboys.

This was a professional rodeo, the participants competing for points on whatever the big time rodeo circuit is, so really entertaining, and only slightly nerve wracking.

I gained a whole new respect for mamas who let their babies grow up to be cowboys.

Cowboys who need to wrap their arms from wrist to shoulder before jumping onto the back of a bucking bronco from which they will very likely be thrown.

On Sunday a young man who was our across the street neighbor (three houses ago), and who is currently hiking the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, passed thru the portion that hits our neck of the woods.  We trekked out to meet him, bring a few supplies, and then run him into town for a break from trail food at a lovely little Italian place with outdoor seating.

Pretty sure there's no avocado topped with tuna tartar and caviar out on the trail.  If there is I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to eat it.

I posted a picture of the boy on my facebook page, and yes he's actually now a man, but I've known him since kindergarten so he'll always be 'a boy' to me...anyway, I had to smile at all the commenters worried about his safety. The danger factor is part of what makes stuff like this fun.

Guess who would love to take six months and hike the A.T.?

I could see the wheels turning in hubs head.  I told him I'd go along for six days, maybe even sixteen days, but six months holds no appeal, mostly because I like showering every.single.day.

Once upon a time I spent eight days on the Appalachian Trail. It might be fun to write about that experience one of these days.  How about I leave you with this little teaser...

The leaders of our group almost sent me home pretty much as soon as we arrived because I hyperventilated, then fainted.  I scared them good, but here I am so I guess it all worked out in the end.  

Peace in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge...everyone is welcome to participate. Answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of my post before visiting the neighbors. 

1. What's the best thing about growing older?

I think as I've gotten older my 'voice' has become more my own. I'm able to consider all sorts of world and life issues with a wide lens, and then filter the important from the unimportant.  I can easily recognize what lines up with my beliefs and value system and what is contrary to that, and am less influenced by peers, trends, and public opinion than in my younger years. I also think as you age you feel a greater sense of urgency to figure out what really matters, and to act on it...that's a good thing.

2.  When did you first feel like a grown up?

It was a process, but I think I felt officially grown up when hubs and I moved to Richmond.  We'd been married less than a year and were living in Knoxville TN, a very familiar city, with family nearby.  I was 25 years old.  Hubs got a new job, we bought our first house, explored new places, began some of our own traditions, and got ready to welcome a baby. It felt like the place we became officially us. Grown ups.  
3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?

Finally an easy question...chocolate cake with white icing for sure!

4. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

When I was in grad school I drove by myself from collegetown TN over to Myrtle Beach SC to meet my parents who were vacationing there. Back in the day (gosh I sound old!) you had to take the two lane over the mountain as opposed to the lovely highway there now, and my car died. The clutch went kaput and that was that.  

It was right around sunset on a Sunday evening, and I was pretty much the only car on the road. I was also over a mile from the exit, and 'back in the day' (gosh I sound old!) there was no such thing as a mobile telephone. As I sat there panicking debating what to do, an elderly gentleman pulled up beside me in a pick up truck.  Actually he was probably more middle aged than elderly, but I was 23 and perspective is everything (gosh I sound old!).  He commented on the fact that I had a 'foreign car', and as such would need to be towed to the dealer.  Then he offered me a ride into town.  
Dilemma! 

I'm my mother's daughter, so of course the whole serial killer scenario flashed through my head, but I also knew I didn't have a lot of options. Just as I was getting out of my car and into his truck, an acquaintance from college passed by on the opposite side of the road.  She recognized my car, did a U-turn, and pulled up behind us. She had a carload of people and possessions, but said she'd follow us into town to make sure he wasn't a serial killer I got where I needed to go. She was obviously her mother's daughter too! Anyway, he was just a kind man helping a young girl who needed help, and I've never forgotten him or his willingness to go out of his way for me.  

5. What's something you learned from your grandparents?

My maternal grandma was a woman who prayed, my mama is a pray-er, and I think I am as well so that's something. 

6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11...what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?

I'm something of a peacemaker...I really dislike controversy, plus I'm the third born child in my family. I think third borns are often peacemakers. I'm also a mother, and as such I feel like I hold the keys to peace at home.  

Outside of my home, I try to treat people with kindness, to remember that everyone has a story and sometimes we don't get to know that story, we just have to deal with the effects it has wrought on their well being and temperament.  One thing I think everyone can do is to 'simmer down'...people are so easily offended it seems, ready to challenge and argue and accuse with little provocation. How 'bout we all agree to give each other a break?

7. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace.

One of my all time favorite songs ever, particularly this version. I've posted it several times on my blog, and while it's typically played at Christmas time, it feels right to add it here today.  

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep..." 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've struggled with a random thought this morning, nothing feels like the right thing to say. I like this verse so will share it here. These words bring me comfort and fill me with hope...I pray they do the same for you today. 

"...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Birthdays with a Side of Hodgepodge

It's Tuesday, so you know what that means, right?

It's my baby girl's birthday!

Oh, and I have to post the Hodgepodge questions too, but more importantly...

It's my baby girl's birthday!

She told me last week that her students are very excited about her big day, so I'm hoping lots of lovely minutes fill the hours today. I sent a big box full of goodies, which she got last week, and I have to smile because she didn't open a single present. Four whole complete entire days have passed, and still they are unopened. Being the disciplined person she is, she placed them neatly in front of her coffee table to be opened today, her official birthday.

My sister lives near my daughter2, and has a special dinner planned. Thank heaven for sisters who cook and plan and love on daughters living far from home on their birthday.

This girl makes the world a brighter place, and I am so lucky to be her momma.  
Happy Birthday Daughter2...I love you to the moon and back!

Be sure to grab this week's Hodgepodge questions before you go...

1. What's the best thing about growing older?

2. When did you first feel like a grown up?

3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?

4. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

5.  What's something you learned from your grandparents?

6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11...what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?

7.  Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Gotta Start Somewhere

Hi blog.  Remember me?  I have a whirling twirling spinning spiraling mish mash of about a million things going through my head right now so I'm just going to dive in and unload a few of them here.  You're excited I know.

Hubs informed me last night that I hadn't been on my blog since September 4th, and that was the Hodgepodge which doesn't count.  I mean, it counts but not really.  No offense Hodgepodge!

Let's see...hubs had a birthday over the long Labor Day weekend and it was delightful. All except for the crazy hat-boat hair I had going on, but other than that delightful. I'd like my coffee here every morning please.

My sister and her hubs and their 7-year old son invited us to spend four days on their boat down in Chestertown Maryland.  That's pretty much our idea of a perfect long weekend, and my brother and his wife came too, so lots of fun.

Hubs finally got his feet back into a water ski which made him ridiculously happy. That's exactly how you should feel on your birthday, right?  The skis were too small, but he didn't even care, he was just so glad to be back on the water.

When we were first dating hubs skied a lot, and I gotta tell you it made me love him a little bit more than I already did.  He was always completely fearless on waterskis, and if you don't believe me, just ask a sailboat missing a chunk of its hull in an East Tennessee lake and a couple of cows who never saw him coming back in 1982.

At the ripe old age of not-23, he's still pretty fearless on the water, still trying to kick up a big spray, still making it look easy.

He gained a couple of new fans that day.

The weather was gorgeous the entire weekend, and the scenery was so beautiful.  We love this part of Maryland, and if you're water people like we are you'll love it too.

It's hard to beat a crab feast eaten with a view like that.
Unless it's a view like this-

I made these chocolate cupcakes which have a sinfully delicious blob of ganache dropped into the batter before baking.  So delicious! My nephew declared them the best chocolate cupcakes he'd ever eaten, and he's something of an expert on the topic. I copied a little boating theme for the decor that I'd seen on Pinterest and they turned out cute.

I've got more, but this feels like a start...

A peaceful easy happy summertime memory kind of start.

A Honey of a Hodgepodge

1. What's something you're never too young or too old to enjoy?

Lots of things-Disney World, a sunny day, music, an ice cream cone, a nap...

2. Share one happy memory from your high school years.

Some of my happiest memories from those years are associated with the youth group at my church. We were a bunch of kids in various grades, who came together from three or four different high schools, and we were close.  

We're scattered like the wind now, although many of us are back in touch on facebook, which has been fun. Those 'kids' will always hold a special place in my heart. 

3. A nationwide strike of fast food employees took place in the US last week...they're calling for higher wages and the right to unionize.  Your thoughts?

Fast food is no longer fast, nor is it inexpensive. It used to be people who took that sort of job viewed it as temporary...a summer job, a second job to help make ends meet, students, or people looking for other work who needed a little money until they found something more substantial.  

A job-not a lifelong career. 

I realize nowadays some people work fast food because they can't find anything else, but I personally think for the job they are doing, $15 hour is a lot. Like most business owners, fast food chains are also in business to make money, and I imagine they will cut staff or raise costs to maintain profits. 

I'd say no to a union in this case...do the people clamoring for a union know what that will cost not only their employer, but also the employee? 

4. September is National Honey Month...what's a favorite dish you make or eat that calls for honey?

I don't use a lot of honey, mostly because it's one of those items I forget about. I guess my favorite thing to eat with honey would be a toasted English muffin.  I like the way honey gets down in all the nooks and crannies.  

5. If you notice someone with a tag sticking out, a button unbuttoned, a shirt inside-out, or some leftover lunch between their teeth,  do you say something or do you keep quiet?

I thought about this recently as we sat behind a woman at a wedding whose dress was unbuttoned.  Just the top button, but it made the edge of her dress flop over funny. She was going to get up and do a reading, and I desperately wanted to reach over and button her dress, but hubs gave me the evil eye so I refrained.  

If I know you I'd retuck your tag or let you know if a button were undone.  Depending on where we are I might tell you if your shirt is on inside out. If there's no place to go and fix it, then I'd probably keep quiet about that. I have to know you pretty well to mention food in your teeth.

6. What's a movie that always makes you cry? Or at least makes you feel like crying?

Brian's Song...the original version though, with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams, not the remake. Why did somebody feel the need to remake that one? 

The movie is based on the real life relationship between football players Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. Just hearing the music from the original can make me cry. 

7. Mary Had a Little Lamb was written in 1830, and published in Juvenile Miscellany in September of that same year. Now for the fun part...create your own four line rhyme using that same tune.

My mom is here, my mom is here, 
mom is here, mom is here
No time to chat, 'bout this or that, 
We're go-ing shopping.

Hmmm, that wasn't easy after all.  Or fun. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I had to go find the clip of Gale Sayers speech.  I'm okay up to the 1:30 mark, but once he hits that mark pass the tissues please.  

Hodgepodge Questions-Vol 140

A new week means a new set of questions for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, but be sure to hop back here tomorrow and add your link to the party. Here ya go-

1. What's something you're never too young or too old to enjoy?

2. Share one happy memory from your high school years.

3. A nationwide strike of fast food employees took place in the U. S. last week...they're calling for higher wages and the right to unionize? Your thoughts?

4. September is National Honey Month...what's a favorite dish you make or eat that calls for honey?

5.  If you notice someone with a tag sticking out, a button unbuttoned, a shirt on inside-out, or some leftover lunch stuck between their teeth do you say something or do you keep quiet?

6. What movie always makes you cry?  Or at least makes you feel like crying?

7.   'Mary Had a Little Lamb' was written in May of 1830, and published in Juvenile Miscellany in September of that same year.  Now for the fun part...create your own four line rhyme using that same tune.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.