Family and Home – Long walks and dark chocolate

Weekly Writing Challenge: Power of Names

March 25, 2014 4 Comments

This week’s challenge was to explore the power of names. My offering is a silly poem about all of my names and who uses them. Hope you enjoy!

My given name is Lisa which I’ve answered to since birth

My mom and dad selected whilst I still enlarged her girth

Although they thought it so unique, there are thousands with the same

But even though quite common, I rather like my name

The next name I remember, my sister gave to me

I guess Lisa was difficult so she settled on sissy

To this day she calls me sissy, and it always makes me grin

I guess it has the power to transport me way back when

My grandparents all called me sugar, which I thought was pretty sweet

My mom teased me with Liza Jane, I begged her, “don’t repeat!”

Granny Goff sometimes yelled Lee-Si-O when calling me inside

No one else used that name and for that I’m much obliged

The first time I heard mommy, my heart likely skipped a beat

Then there were days when mommy seemed to be stuck on repeat

My husband mostly calls me babe, or love, or just “my wife”

He’s careful, which is good because I am keeping him for life!

The only name that I’ve left out, I’ve struggled with til’ now

My youngest and her friends call me Moo. Yes! Just like a cow.

Actually, the names I’ve shared with you, the ones in lines above

Are fine with me because I know they’re spoken with true love

Filed Under: Family and Home, Poetry Tagged With: dpchallenge, names, poem, power of names, silly, weekly writing challenge

Weekly Writing Challenge: The Sound of Silence

February 17, 2014 2 Comments

The Weekly Writing Challenge was to take the theme of silence and explore it in your own way. I used a fictional story and I hope you enjoy!

Mr. Rogers yelled, “Silence!”, and then in a more subdued voice said, “I don’t want to hear one noise out of you until everyone has completed this assignment.”

As I hear the sound of a pencil case unzip and watch a well-manicured hand plundering around for the right #2, I smirk at his choice of words. The football player who had been leaning back in his chair picks that moment to let it slam to the floor so he can get busy. The sound is magnified in the hushed room. So much for silence.

Next, I hear pencils dragging across papers and tapping on desks and a student who suddenly reminds me of a beaver, is attempting to chew his in half.

More noise ensues as the instructor settles his large frame into his chair and rolls it under the opening in his desk. He toys with his watch for a moment, and then he turns his attention to the stack of papers on his left and begins shuffling through them. I’m still waiting for silence.

Someone is popping forbidden gum inside their mouth, a skill I have yet to master. The round, black rimmed, school issued clock ticks away noisily reminding us that time is running out. My own stomach growls loudly enough for me to try to quickly cover it up with a fake cough.

The instructor pulls open his squeaky right desk drawer and draws out the ever-present tin of altoids. He opens it, selects two, pops them in his moustache rimmed mouth and immediately begins crunching them. As I suspected, this action is indicative of his imminent stroll around the room to discourage would be cheaters.

Seemingly unaware of his approach, the girl in front of me begins humming and as he reaches her desk he raises his index finger to his nose, to dramatically shush her. Spittle flies everywhere and I think I see the white flecks of undissolved altoids too.

He repeats the command to silence and I am more certain than ever, that his wish will never be granted.

Soon, papers start shuffling and chairs slide back against the floor as the first students to finish begin turning in their short stories.

I look down at my paper, pleased that I have satisfied the requirement to spend the last half hour of class writing about silence. I title mine, “Silence is elusive” and turn it in.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: dpchallenge, High school, noisy, quiet, silence, weekly writing challenge

Someone needs a Valentine

February 13, 2014 1 Comment

I love Valentine’s Day and I’m not the least bit ashamed to admit it. I have always been a sucker for anything heart shaped, although I’ve always wondered where the shape originated from, because it certainly isn’t the human heart. Add to that my adoration for chocolate and cards with loving sentiments, and I’m a goner.

Today I have perused a plethora of posts and blogs about the hatred of hearts and cupid and even love. That’s fine, I hate Halloween. I always thought it odd that parents would dress up their children in costumes and masks where they can’t maneuver around or see very well, and send them out in the dark to beg for free candy from strangers (yes I gave in too), but I digress.

Most of the Valentine’s Day haters have one thing in common; they are single. But, who says Valentine’s Day always has to be associated with “lovers”. Okay, I admit, it is a holiday about love and cupid and his arrows. For me personally, still in love with the man I married almost 21 years ago, it is a “lovers holiday”.

However, I also think it’s a great time to acknowledge other Valentines in your life. We always say, “don’t forget to hug your loved ones”, and “if you love someone, let them know”. Well, what an opportunity and the retail world is more than ready to help you find the right sentiment.

If you are feeling negative or cynical about hugs and kisses and all things smoochie, opt for celebrating with a friend, or a relative, or your kids! I have been told that I often look at the bright side of things, and I take it as a compliment, although sometimes I’m not sure it’s meant that way. In the spirit of looking at things from a “glass half full” perspective, I encourage you to try something new this year.

I assure you that if you choose Valentine’s Day to share a little love, whether it’s a box of chocolates, some flowers or even some of your precious time with someone you love, you will not regret it. It may even melt away some of your Valentine’s Day angst. I dare you ❤

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”

C.S. Lewis

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: chocolate, cupid, Halloween, haters, hearts, love, Valentine's Day

Weekly Writing Challenge: Leave Your Shoes at the Door

February 2, 2014 4 Comments

The writing prompt at The Daily Post, said, “This week, we’re asking you to consider things from a different point of view — to walk a mile in someone’s shoes.” If I understood correctly, we are to write from the perspective of someone else. Here’s my attempt:

“Honk, honk, honnnnnnnkkkk”. The young man slowed as he came alongside and looked at me angrily and mouthed what appeared to be obscenities. He continued pressing his horn as he sped by me, my hands gripping the steering wheel securely at the 10 and 2, just like my dad taught me. Maybe I was going too slow, but better safe than sorry. The honking incident hadn’t done much in settling my nerves today.

Moments later, my blinker flashing, I carefully turned into the grocery store and found a spot up close. That walk isn’t as easy as it used to be and although I’m not ready for a handicapped space yet, the closer the better. Before I opened the door, I plundered in my pocketbook for an elusive tube of lipstick. I feel like I need some color, but I’m careful in my application. I don’t want to look like those old women who miss their lips and color outside of them.

Getting out of the car, I glance down at my Dr. Scholl’s walking shoes and have to remember to be thankful I can still walk instead of wishing I could still sport high heels without pain or injury.

Entering the store, I walk toward the long line of carts and immediately sense the impatience of the sharply dressed young lady behind me. She is obviously in a huge rush, so I hurry to get out of the way and feel grateful when the cart comes apart from the others easily and all the wheels work.

As others pile into the store, I again feel the pressure to move out of the way, to get through the front door and move to the side. Tears well up, as I realize I’m considered an obstacle or a bother once again. I long for my love, my soul mate to be here with me, by my side. His hand would always guide me and his presence gave me comfort.

In the aisle for baking goods, as I struggled to read the ingredients on a jar, another woman, this one large and more interested in talking on her cell phone, than paying attention, almost knocks me over. I overhear something about “the old fool” to her friend on the phone. I am older now, but I still have feelings and ears. What happened to respecting the elderly?

I look at the cases of water, and would love to get some, but I’m not sure I can grip and lift, and then I would have to also get it into the car, and then into the house. The cart is heavy even without the water, but I manage to get the few items I came for and make it to the check out.

The young man operating the register asks, “paper or plastic?” in a frustrated tone, like perhaps he’d already asked me before, so I answer him and begin to arrange my items on the belt.

Behind me, I notice a beautiful young woman, maybe barely in her twenties, wearing a big smile. She says, “Ma’m, could you use some help?” I looked at her with damp eyes, her kindness griping my heart. Before I could answer, she was at my side, unloading my groceries.

Her only purchase was a gallon of milk, so she quickly caught up with me before I made it to my car. She insisted on helping me put the groceries in my car, told me to have a nice day and carefully closed my door, when I got in. With that big smile and a little wave, she was gone.

This young lady had no way of knowing it, but this was my first shopping trip ever without my husband by my side. He passed away just last month and after all the affairs were settled and the family all back to their homes, I found myself alone, with empty cupboards.

My emotional state was fragile and this girl showed me attention, respect and kindness, asking for nothing in return. I felt the corners of my mouth turn up and into a genuine smile for the first time in a long time.

Filed Under: Family and Home, Inspirational Tagged With: aging gracefully, dpchallenge, getting older, Grief Loss and Bereavement, kindess, loss of spouse, love, love for people, respect

Weekly Photo Challenge: Object

January 31, 2014 2 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Object

Believe it or not, this lonely little green plastic toy soldier has the power to induce blatant bawling in this nana. My one and only grandchild lives almost 13 hours away, so we don’t get to see her as much as we would like to. Her daddy is a U.S. Marine and they are stationed in New Orleans.

After a visit, when I know their departure is imminent, I search for anything and everything that might get left behind. This is a self-serving effort meant to spare me the tears when my emotions are finally back to normal and I find something she forgot. After one of their last visits though, I found these little guys all over the place. They were in my makeup, under the sofa, in the cabinets and even in one of my shoes. The memories rush back and the ache in my heart seems almost unbearable.

Yes, she has a huge chunk of my heart in Louisiana with her and all I have are memories until the next time.

Filed Under: Family and Home, Photography Tagged With: granddaughter, grandmother, missing, object, photography, toy soldier

Sleeping with the Enemy

January 27, 2014 6 Comments

Found on Pinterest, “original owner” unknown but will post if someone knows

When I was a little girl, I remember my Poppy dozing off in his recliner sometimes after he read the paper. He would snore and we would giggle. It was a comforting sound to me, but then again I wasn’t trying to sleep at the time. I was having a sleepover at Granny and Pops.

Fast forward forty years and I’m lying in bed next to the man I love oh so much and that same innocent snore has me feeling slightly homicidal.

First I try coughing or the really loud throat clearing noise, which will sometimes cause him to shift positions and cease for at least ten seconds. He sleeps with two pillows, so I try first gently, then like a maniac, adjusting them under his head. This might work another few seconds. Through the years, I have hit him (gently), plugged his nose (briefly) and woke him up completely.

While I lie there, I am always optimistic for the first 10 minutes that surely he will get it all out and I’ll doze off myself. That rarely happens. I end up gazing at the clock and re-calculating how many hours of sleep I have left before the alarm.

Before anyone begins to tout “breathe right strips”, we’ve tried them. If they worked, I would have bought stock in them. They were a complete failure. Then, there was the suggestion about advising my man to take an afternoon nap, as perhaps this would help him be more relaxed. No, that just gives me double the snoring.

I bought the almost seventy dollar mouthpiece and that seemed to work somewhat for a few months. He hates it and swears it will ruin his teeth, but he is kind enough to wear it at least three or four times per week. Alas, it seems to have lost its worth as well. He snores whether he wears it or not lately.

When I was a child, I never understood why older people had separate rooms and I always vowed and declared that would never happen to me and my husband. Well, I get it, now – I really do. I’m still confident that it won’t come to that, but it may require surgery on his part, or some very expensive ear plugs on mine.

So, if you have any suggestions, feel free to share.

Signed,

Sleepy in South Florida 😉

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: husband and wife issues, insomnia, lack of sleep, sleep, Sleep deprivation, snoring

Daily Prompt: Sweet sixteen

January 21, 2014 1 Comment

Me and my Celica

Remember the year I turned sixteen? Must I? What a tumultuous year, a year filled with ups and downs, highs and lows, a veritable roller coaster.

Looking back, meandering down that passionate, tormenting, and at times exciting path makes me smile now. That is, after I reassure my racing heart that those days are over and we have lived and learned plenty since then.

To highlight the good first, I got a brand new car; a Toyota Celica with a moon roof. My dad put money down and I made the payments working at my part time bank job.

Dancing was one of my favorite past times and that year and much of my solace came from lessons at Miss Debbie’s School of Dance. I could work out the frustrations and stress of being a teenage girl through jazz, tap and ballet. My introversion which I mistook for shyness back then disappeared when performing in a recital.

I suffered what I thought was my biggest heartbreak ever that year and went on to begin a new relationship which would deliver an even bigger one.

Seriously, I must add that this year was a defining one for me and not in a good way. I lost myself in a young man and gave up on my hopes and dreams and settled for what I had somehow began to believe was all I deserved, much to my wonderful mother’s chagrin. I won’t elaborate on all the whys and what could have beens, because I believe in the end, I learned a lot and some of that made me who I am today.

There is no reasonable explanation for why I made some of the choices that I made, but thankfully, God is merciful. Although, I suffered plenty at the hands of love, I made it through that fire intact, albeit singed and in need of tender loving care.

I think sweet sixteen is an oxymoron, and I know many who would readily agree with my assessment. As for me, I’m much happier now as a forty-something, confident, life loving, secure, blessed and highly favored, woman of God.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Daily Prompt, heartbreak, love, postaday, sixteen, teenage girls, zerotohero

Weekly Photo Challenge: Family

January 17, 2014 6 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Family

At first I thought this challenge was going to be difficult as I love all of my family so much and there are hundreds of photos to choose from to depict “family”. Then, I saw this one. It perfectly illustrates the fun that my brother and sister and I have when we are together. It’s not the greatest picture ever and they weren’t even standing perfectly to get the full effect, but it still works for me, because of the memories associated with it.

On this particular day, we were hanging out at a state park in North Carolina, enjoying the view, the weather and each others company. My sister had the idea for this picture, which was no surprise. If there is a crazy idea amongst us, I can guarantee she will be the one who came up with it.

We’ve always enjoyed each other, but as life continues, with all of it’s joy and challenges, you realize more than ever how important family is.

By the time you’ve reached my age, you’ve likely lost someone dear to you, which further reinforces the brevity of life and a greater appreciation for it. You realize tomorrow isn’t promised and the future is unpredictable. People and the time you spend with them becomes a priority because you no longer take them or that time with them for granted.

May we be reminded today that “life is but a vapor” and make our choices accordingly.

Filed Under: Family and Home, Photography Tagged With: brothers, Family, fun, siblings, silly, sisters, weekly photo challenge, zerotohero

Flashbacks of watermelon and nausea

January 13, 2014 5 Comments

REBLOGGED from last year

My brother, Ronnie and I in 79′ at picnic area in Iowa.

It was the summer of 1979 at a roadside stop in Iowa. The day my hatred for all things watermelon began. I ate WAY too much of it; haven’t been able to stand it since. Something about the gluttony and the heat mixed together and let’s just say I had to empty my stomach of all of it before we could resume our trip.

The rest of that trip was a good one though; it was my mom, dad, brother, sister and I. I don’t remember what our vehicle was at the time, but I’m sure the three of us kids were sliding around in the back seat without the restraint of seat belts. One of us would make a loud slap noise on our own leg and then yell, “Mom, so and so hit me!”. “So and so” was whoever we felt like getting into trouble.

I remember that quite often I got to ride in the front because I got carsick. This wasn’t one of my sneaky little games either although my brother and sister always thought it was. Mom and Dad would usually attempt to make me sit in the backseat, but after enough pleas to, “pull over, I think I’m going to puke!” I would soon find myself comfortably lodged right between them up front nearer the air conditioner. Okay, I admit, I wasn’t always really sick, but most of the time I was.

This was especially necessary in the summer when it was hot or if we traveled mountainous or curvy terrain. I went on a trip once with my grandparents and aunt and uncle and threw up in the Catskills. I told people about that for months. To this day, when someone mentions the Catskill Mountains, it’s always the first thing I think of.

After my move to the front seat, Dad would cajole me into singing along with whatever country song was on the radio or 8 track tape. One of his favorites for me to sing was Jessie Colter’s, “I’m not Lisa”, or Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t it make my brown eyes blue”. With my eyes being brown and my name being Lisa, this was always funny to me.

I loved traveling as a child and I still do. Some things about it haven’t changed at all. There is something about heading out in the morning with coffee in hand, watching the sunrise as you countdown the miles to your destination. Then there is the quality family time spent in the car together, arguing over the radio and temperature. What about trying to get dad/hubby to stop for potty breaks and having to wait so long and pass so many possibilities that finally the only choice you have left is a nasty truck stop with no toilet paper or the other even less favorite option, the side of the road.

All in all, traveling with my family throughout the years holds more pleasant memories than bad ones. Besides, looking back now, even the bad ones don’t seem so bad anymore. After all, we were together.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: carsick, family vacation, i hate watermelon, parents, siblings, Travel, Watermelon

Just pick one

January 11, 2014 2 Comments

I just walked in the door from a nice long, gorgeous walk.

This morning, I found myself mulling over one thing after the other that I wanted to get accomplished today. Knowing that my almost daily walks help me to clear my head and listen for God’s will in the foggy areas, I decided it was time to change clothes, lace up and get out.

If you read my post from a couple of days ago, The Everyday Things, you will know that earlier in the week I received a poignant reminder to slow down. That continues to resonate in my soul.

It is easy to imagine that the faster we go, the more things we check off that list (you know, the one that never has an ending and is never going to?), the better our lives will be. So, the outcome from that type of thinking is we hurry to do more. Wouldn’t you agree? However, do we do it as well? Do we focus all of our energy and attention in to one thing and give it our best?

Let me illustrate. Say, for example, that I feel led to go and visit some of the elderly folks in my community, just to check in and let them know they are loved and appreciated. If I do something akin to a drive-by, pop in, hello, pop out, goodbye, it’s better than not having done anything. But, what if I really focus on that person for say, an hour? What if I look into their eyes, sincerely desirous to see and know their heartfelt needs? I’m taking the time to discover how I might be of the most help to them, and at the same time, letting them know I really do care about them.

We don’t want to do things just so we can say “I did something”, or feel like I we checked an item off the list, or just “did my good deed for the day”. The second example involves more sacrifice; it’s more of a heart thing.

Today, as I put one of my new Christmas sneakers in front of the other, I contemplated on this and I knew that I needed to “pick one”. Pick one thing today, pour myself out and into it. If there is time left, move on to another, but not at the expense of the first. This is difficult, especially for women who are so adept at multi-tasking. That’s a great talent to have in many areas of our lives, but not when it comes to relationships with other human beings. I continue to pray that I will learn this, let it sink in and make it a habit of my own.

May we all continue to slow down, really listen and love deeply.