Family and Home – Long walks and dark chocolate

A year of blogging

November 21, 2013 12 Comments

Happy Anniversary to me! Today is November 21, 2013 and it was exactly one year ago today on an evening much like this one after church that I started my blog. It read:

I’ve been contemplating starting a blog for a very long time. It’s been easy to put it off because I lead a busy life, but today I decided it’s now or never. Procrastination isn’t going to win the battle this time. The hardest part is deciding the “one” thing I’m most interested in, or what genre my blogging will represent. I can’t do that. So, I decided that this will be a mixture of interests, a conglomeration if you will.

Since this is my first ever entry, I will strive to keep it short and sweet and then let my eldest daughter know it’s done, so I can quickly obtain my first follower.

Something is changing and it isn’t just the weather. My interests are and somewhat dramatically at that! Whereas I used to loathe all things crafty, I found myself in Michael’s on Saturday searching for felt, buttons and ric rac. My mantra was always, “Why make it when you can buy it?” But now, laid out on my dining table in all it’s glory are the materials for my newest project; making these cute little felt owl ornaments I found on Pinterest.

Stroll a few feet further and you will find the kitchen. This used to be a place I barely tolerated. The greatest thing about it was that it housed my coffeepot and that of course is essential. Now, I have recipes galore, new ingredients in my pantry that I’ve only just learned existed and I have a desire for new cookware, bake-ware and am seriously contemplating buying one of those expensive mixers.

My hope is that this journey deep into the heart of middle age (or am I already there?) will prove enlightening at the very least. Hope you will join me!

My hope was to bring encouragement, smiles and yes, even the occasional tear to the eyes of my followers. You see, if I could accomplish this, it would prove to me that my writing could move people.

My eldest daughter has been brutally honest with me. If a post was lacking in emotion, content, creativity or purpose, I have been able to count on her to tell me. Thank you Ashley!

I’ve met new friends and gained much insight from fellow bloggers. They have been very helpful and willing to share knowledge of writing, technology or whatever assistance I needed.

For those of you who read or share my posts, visit my facebook page regularly and shower me with input and encouragement, I am sincerely thankful.

I look forward to continuing on this journey and hopefully make strides in my goal to write that book and be published!

Thank you and God Bless!

Lisa

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: anniversary, blogging, encouragement, People, thanks

An empty suitcase

November 8, 2013 5 Comments

Empty Suitcase (I) (Lomo) (Photo credit: roeyahram)

As I try to think of anything I can possibly do to avoid packing, I find myself here; sitting cross-legged in my comfortable chair with my notebook and pen poised and ready. I might as well jot down my thoughts.

I get loopy in the 24 hours before I travel. Call it travel anxiety I guess, although I’m not afraid to fly. My mind just will not focus and I flit around from task to task getting very little accomplished. I know that I will go to bed tonight with nothing done except perhaps some jeans thrown in the suitcase, or that book I must have on the plane stuffed into my purse.

In the morning, I will calculate and re-calculate how many more hours until I have to leave for the airport and when the count is down to around two, I will go into beast mode and get everything done with time to spare. I have always done this. The length of the trip, where I am going or who I am going with doesn’t seem to matter.

Since I am not a procrastinator normally, this odd behavior on my part puzzles me. The only explanation I can come up with is that somewhere deep down inside, maybe I wonder if I will really end up going so I wait until the last minute. That doesn’t feel like the answer, but what else could it be?

My family doesn’t understand me and I have one aunt in particular who starts preparing for a trip sometimes weeks in advance.

If you have any ideas, please feel free to share. Why would a normally focused, planner-type individual put themselves through this?

Excuse me, while I go do anything but prepare for my journey.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: nablopomo, packing, postaday, Travel, travel anxiety, trip

Peeling trees

November 4, 2013 7 Comments

Bananas on a banana tree. Personnal photo, free licence (see below). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My younger brother and sister bounded into the yellow house, excitement on their faces, along with dirt from their long day at play. My sister, with the bulk of her auburn curls trapped in pigtails fastened with yarn and sporting a splash of cinnamon freckles across her nose, was the first to speak. “Oh, Granny, guess what we did for Poppy? He is going to be so happy!” My brother was standing right beside my sister, which is where you often found him. He was smiling too, a smile full of a sense of pride and accomplishment for his part in this good deed. They both had some kind of juice and goo that smelled like banana all over them, enough where if we had been at home, mom would have escorted them quickly to the bathtub. Not Granny though; that kind of thing didn’t faze her.

Granny smiled that kind of smile that grandmothers smile and animatedly asked, “Well sugar, what did you do?” She had that way of speaking to you that always made you feel good; never a glimmer of frustration or impatience to be heard. Her voice and tone felt like a warm hug.

“We peeled Poppy’s banana trees! Granny we stripped every piece of the brown off and made them all nice and pretty!”

Now, before I go any farther, let me say that Poppy loved to garden and he loved his banana trees. Looking back, I think working in the soil was relaxing for him after his long day as a fishing guide. He liked to see the fruits of his labor and share them and he was very particular in the way the way he attended his plants.

The look on Granny’s face after their announcement went from perfectly peaceful to a bit concerned. I, being a little older and wiser knew the look and the once uneventful day looked suddenly as if it promised some excitement. She took their dirty little, banana gooey hands as they led her outside to survey the beauty of the project. I trailed along behind them anxious to inspect the ruins, and sadly, but honestly probably enjoying the possibility of the impending drama a little too much.

The trees were peeled alright, there was barely anything left. Now, granted you are supposed to peel off the dead yellow leaves, which in their defense, they had probably watched Poppy do.

Granny elected not to share with them at that time, the trouble they were in. Knowing her, I bet she wanted them to enjoy their excitement for as long as possible, while she prayed and figured out how to calm the storm she knew to be looming on the horizon.

I knew two things; one being that Pop was not going to be happy and two being that granny didn’t let anyone and I mean anyone mess with her grandbabies. So, now to sit back and watch and wait for the Dixie to dock, and Pop to head home, all of which we could see from Granny’s front yard.

Pop got home and I waited. They hurried up to him excitedly begging him to “Come look what we did for you!” Poppy would make this snorting sound when he didn’t really want to participate in something, but when it came to his grandkids, he would usually relent anyway and this time wasn’t any different.

But when he saw his precious trees, he quickly lost his temper. This was before Poppy had a sanctified vocabulary, so we heard some choice words. He then described what was going to happen to their little derrieres. Their joyful little faces quickly turned into blubbering, dirty little, banana goo messes and we all ran as fast as our little feet would carry us into the house and they jumped straight into Granny’s lap. By this time, I was no longer looking forward to any action; I had softened and started to feel sorry for them, as I watched tears dampen their dirty little cheeks.

As Poppy angrily lamented what he thought would be the end of his poor trees and advised Granny as to whose hides were getting tanned, Granny got that wet mother hen look in her eye. She made it a point to call them “the babies” and reminded him they were only trying to help. She said very matter-of-factly that no one would be getting spankings on her watch. Poppy snorted and shuffled back outside and that was the end of that. I could have sworn I heard Granny giggle.

Before the end of the night, Granny had calmed Poppy and they were both chuckling about the peeled trees. To this day, we still mention it with a smile; one of those things that for a few moments completely stole our peace and filled us with fear turned into one of those funny moments our family has laughed about for years.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Banana, banana trees, grandchildren, grandparents, Granny, nablopomo, post a day, Tree

Thankfulness in forward motion

November 3, 2013 Leave a Comment

On this third day of November, I have already noticed all of the “what I’m thankful for” posts on Facebook. I surmise that because November is the month of Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all the things that we sometimes take for granted. It’s encouraging and uplifting to see so many people thoughtfully posting their thanks throughout the month of November.

We are a blessed nation, even in the midst of some of our circumstances. However, I want to encourage all of you, my friends, that as we are thankful, as we express our gratefulness we would be mindful that this is a difficult month for many. As the holidays approach, there are those without family, those who are estranged from their families and those who aren’t feeling too particularly thankful at this time in their life.

I pray that we make it our business to search out, to find out who these people are in our neighborhoods. My hope is that as part of the demonstration of our thankfulness, we would reach out and somehow provide that feeling of home and comfort to the aged, the lonely and the downcast.

Many of us will bake and decorate, and our homes will smell of cinnamon and spices; we will surround ourselves with family and friends and feel that “thankful” spirit for our fellowship. Let’s spread it around; let’s be mindful of those less fortunate.

We can do this by our prayers and by giving, but it’s also in the simple knock on the door of a shut-in or a hot apple pie delivered to someone who might not be able to see well enough to do all the baking they once enjoyed.

Please feel free to share what your plans are to give back or things that you and your family have done in years past to share the love.

If we all just reach one, there would be hundreds of smiles that might not be possible otherwise.

Love, Prayers and Happy November!

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Apple pie, Children and Youth, Facebook, Gratitude, Holidays, Home, nablopomo, November, postaday, Thanksgiving

Thinking and thanking

October 21, 2013 Leave a Comment

spaghetti-squash-with-parmesan-cheese (Photo credit: famfriendsfood)

The smell of bacon permeates my kitchen as it pops and splatters noisily in the pan. Tonight is one of those “force yourself to put one foot in front of the other; just hurry up and get it all done so you can relax” kind of nights Tonight I find myself lamenting the fact that I pulled out new recipes to try, but stubborn enough to try them anyway. My back is achy because my job in front of a computer all day was a tense one and I can’t wait to hop in a warm shower. At least there is an extra piece of bacon I can munch on as I continue cooking.

Today has been the kind of day where I had to choose to make a conscious effort to see the positive, to choose happy. Throughout the day I reminded myself, “this too shall pass” and “you are blessed to have a job”. As time rolled around for dinner preparation, “I am thankful I have food to cook”.

By the time I pulled the spaghetti squash out of the oven and started removing the tender threads, my mood was already elevating. I don’t know what it was; the smell of the yummy food, the call from my husband (because once again our wedding song is playing on the radio and he likes to play it for me), the message from a friend, or a combination of it all. I just know I stopped and remembered to be grateful. Sometimes you just have to turn off the distractions and take a few moments to realize what you already know.

The truth washes over me afresh, that there are so many people out there who would see one of my “bad days” as one of their “very good” days. The truth stings as I begin to think about those people and some of their situations.

Something to think about as you reflect on your Monday.

Spaghetti Carbonara (splendidrecipes.wordpress.com)

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Cook, Cooking, Family, food, happiness, Home, love, mood, think positive

Not my usual Friday

October 18, 2013 3 Comments

Today dawned cool and quiet (well cool for SW FL) and after coffee, prayer and devotions, I was ready for whatever came my way.

My eldest called and we chatted about her family’s healthy eating and her participation in the Spartan Race tomorrow. She is one of those Crossfit crazed people, but whatever keeps her motivated sounds good to me. I mention this because later it would inspire me to dig deep.

I blogged a few days ago in “Painting in Circles”, about helping out my husband with his new venture into stone crabbing. Today he needed help loading several hundred crap traps onto a trailer, hauling them to the local fish house where he will sell his crabs and unloading them once there. They would be “poured” today with cement. (to help them sink)

Of course I offered to help and he gladly accepted since most of his friends were working or otherwise engaged today. Loading the first 200 or so was easy – I loaded onto the trailer while he stacked them. We drove slowly over to the unloading site and I began unloading as he prepared the rows and lined them up properly. I was easily lifting three at a time and stacking away, pretending at times that I was doing crossfit; bending at the knees, careful not to overextend, staying hydrated.

Before I knew it, we were getting back into the truck to come and get another load. My nephew who was helping us, would stay there and continue lining up the traps in neat rows, readying them for the concrete. I was hot and my elbow (the one with a tad of tendonitis was stinging), but all in all, I wasn’t much worse for wear. We loaded another 220 quickly and went back to unload. I’m not going to lie, I was getting tired of playing crossfit by now in the now 90 degree heat and began working harder and faster to finish the now grueling task.

We got that done and headed back for the remaining 90 or so which we loaded right away. “Babe, are you coming back over there with me”, he asked. “Well, I really need to get some laundry done”, I replied, doing my best to look tired and pitiful. He thanked me for the help, kissed me and rushed off to finish the job.

The ice cold air greeted me like a long lost friend as I opened the front door. My shower felt like a blessing from heaven and last nights left-overs satisfied my hunger and made me want to go to take a nap. Since I know what I put my body through today, I went ahead and took a pre-“onset of pain” Advil. It’s not that I don’t work out, walk and try to be healthy, but I used arm muscles today that I haven’t used since I carried a baby around.

After a glass of refreshing iced tea, I got a second wind and proceeded to finish a little wreath project I started the other day. Now, I am feeling accomplished and awash with that good tired, the kind where everything aches a little but it’s okay because you got stuff done.

With all that said, I will leave you with a picture of my wreath and I welcome any comments good or bad. For those of you who have followed me for a while, you know I don’t always have the best of luck with crafty things. You won’t hurt my feelings if you provide some corrective criticism for my next one. Good night and sweet dreams. I will be probably be dreaming about lifting something.

Owl fall wreath

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: crabbing, crafting, CrossFit, fall, owls, Physical exercise, traps

Rollin’ on back to Funky town

October 17, 2013 2 Comments

I could smell the leather and feel the wheels beneath my feet as I looked at the picture my aunt posted the other day. It portrayed several rows of roller skates, all lined up ready for rental; the old brown ones with orange wheels.

It took me back to a time in my life when I was precariously perched at the beginning of my teenage years, ready to dive in and begin the years that often felt like a roller coaster as my body and mind sped towards adulthood.

Often during this time of my life, my sister and I would pack up an overnight bag and head to my aunt’s house on Friday after school to begin a weekend of fun with our young, beautiful, hip aunt and her two daughters. Selfishly, I was thankful that my uncle spent a lot of time hunting. Therefore many times we had them all to ourselves. The weekend was usually spent at the movies, beach, mall and my favorite; the skating rink.

We would make a big deal out of getting ready to “go out” Friday night. I’m not sure if my aunt knew this or if this post will give me away, but I used to “borrow” from her makeup and there was a drawer which housed a particular hand cream that I know we weren’t supposed to use. I think it was called “pretty feet and hands”. It was an amazing thing to me at the time; it claimed to remove all the dead skin cells and when you applied and rubbed hands together, you did indeed get balls of something that resembled dead skin, so maybe it was. I just know I used way too much of it and always felt guilty about it. Obviously not bad enough to tell on myself or stop, but in my defense I was young and the forbidden was attractive.

After we primped and studied ourselves in the mirror, we were off to Skate land. We went so often that we all had our own skates so we got in and were ready to roll pretty quickly! We raced, slow skated, ate soft pretzels with mustard and flirted (well, maybe I was the only one who did that). We usually stayed until closing and I don’t ever remember wanting to leave.

The highlight of the afternoon or night session for me was always the “couples skate” (provided someone asked me to skate), but I loved the entire experience. I remember feeling cool as I skated backwards to “Funky town” or “Le Freak” in my black “hockey boots”, or holding hands as I circled the rink with someone to “Reunited”, or speed skating to “Another One Bites the Dust”.

Ahh, such wonderful memories and I had the plus of always having my cool aunt right there for any advice regarding hair, makeup and boys.

We would go home, tired but happy and snack on Entenmann’s donuts; the kind with the crumbly stuff on top, with nary a thought about our waistlines. We laughed and talked and made our plans for the next day, then drug out extra blankets and pillows so we girls could all sleep on the living room floor together.

My sister had the bright idea the other day to go skating. I told her I didn’t think I should risk the broken bones after all these years. Besides, the rentals are always wobbly; I know this because I tried them a few times after my skating phase had passed and I sold mine.

Now, I’m wondering if I’m just afraid it wouldn’t be the same; or if maybe I like those memories as they are and would rather keep them tucked away unchanged and unbeaten by new skating memories.

Skates Buying Guide (walmart.com)
Skating rink re-opening after 30 years (ocala.com)

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: 70s, 80s, good times, Music, Roller skates, rollerskating, skating, skating rink

Painting in circles

October 15, 2013 3 Comments

Yesterday I did something I haven’t done in approximately 35 years. I painted buoys that will be used on our recently acquired stone crab traps. I have really tried to distance myself from this particular venture and vowed inwardly that I would not get sucked into the labor crew in any capacity.

However, finding myself looking out the window at my hubby hard at work yesterday as I sat inside contemplating what to do, I caved. I changed clothes, marched right out there and said, “What can I do to help?” A few moments later, there I was, brush in hand; yellow paint drops already appearing on my flip-flop clad feet, as I made my way down the line of buoys.

As I painted, fond memories assailed me of a line of buoys strung between 2 big fichus trees in the front yard. My brother, sister and I, adorned in “play clothes”, were anxious to paint blue circles on my dad’s buoys. My dad was a commercial fisherman and stone crabber at the time, and depending on the task and our skill level, we could occasionally provide cheap labor. However, if I remember correctly our great desire to work never lasted through many lines of buoys. I will have to remember to ask my dad if we gave up on them or if he and my grandfather just grew impatient with us and encouraged us to go play.

I do remember when the buoys first arrived, prior to the branding and painting, we would usually get into trouble due to the “buoy fights” we had with neighborhood kids. Yes, it was just as it sounds; everyone would grab a buoy and try to hit someone; if you were hit, you were out.

I remember the smell when dad would brand the buoys with his own set of numbers. It’s funny how that smell still evokes so many childhood memories.

My husband and I both have other careers, but this will be a “supplemental” one for him and I pray it proves to be fruitful. It is something he has always wanted to try. So, I have decided that instead of lamenting his longer hours, fearing the imagined problems, and distancing myself from it all, it is far better to jump in, support and even try to muster up some excitement about it.

But for now, I have buoys to paint.

line of buoys stretching to the sky

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: Buoy, commerical fisherman, crab traps, crabbing, family life, fishing, Paint, Southwest Florida, stone crab, working hard

Empty nest but a full heart

October 10, 2013 6 Comments

As the curtains gently sway with the beautiful fall breeze on this quiet Thursday morning, I sit in the midst of the leftovers from the wedding; the items that they couldn’t quite squeeze into the very packed black Jetta now bound for Texas; the one with “just married” fading on the back window.

As I take a few moments to reflect on the past several days, I smile broadly and my heart warms. She said, “The wedding ceremony and the reception were everything I wanted them to be”. (and wasn’t that the goal?)

We were blessed before, during and after the wedding with friends and family who smoothed out the potential wrinkles prior to their occurring with their support, love and encouragement. During the wedding ceremony, love permeated the crowd; the love between the bride and groom and also the love felt for both of them by so many family members and friends who came to share in the joy of their nuptials.

This now official “empty nester” knows that days will come when the sense of loss brushes across her heart in large, sweeping strokes. But, at this moment I feel nothing but excitement and thankfulness; excitement about all that God has in store for them and thankfulness that another daughter has found love and happiness with her soul mate.

Yes, mom and dad may be all alone now but as the youngest takes that final leap and clears the nest; we will look on and smile knowing she has been equipped to soar.

Filed Under: Family and Home Tagged With: bridal, empty nest, God, love, mother of the bride, nuptials, October wedding, Relationships, Texas, wedding

This too (the chaos) shall pass

October 2, 2013 8 Comments

Morgan and a FL sunset

How did the time get away from me so quickly this morning? My daily routine was all out of whack and it wasn’t even 8:00am yet.

As my daughter reminded me that we had to drop off her car before her hair appointment, the phone rang, adding a few minutes more delay. Finally, I was in the car and on my way and then I saw him. Our elderly neighbor was slowly making his way to the side of the road, waving his hands up and down holding what appeared to be a card. I had to stop, even though I knew this would make me even later.

He had a card for the bride and groom, but expressed his apologies that he and his wife couldn’t attend the wedding. He hung in my passenger-side window and began to remind me of how my children used to plant flowers with them. As much as I knew I needed to go, I couldn’t. This little bit of conversation and the card and well wishes to my daughter were important to him and appreciated by me. He solicited a promise from me that I would remind my daughter of the times planting flowers and encourage her to teach her children to garden as well. As I made my way to pick up my daughter, I remember thinking about how fortunate I’ve been to have great neighbors and friends.

Fast forward past long appointments, crazy traffic, and Costco crowds, and “the list”; the one that never seems to shorten and once again, the stress level seemed to reach it’s almost breaking point. I just had to call my sister. Just hearing her voice helped right away and she began to remind of a few things.

First she said, it’s all going to work out and then she provoked me to remember; these emotions aren’t just about the many “to dos”, or even about the chaos of preparing for a wedding. More than anything, it’s the deep-down inside knowing that in a few days, my baby will be gone. I’m holding that part in, to deal with it later, alone, after all the relatives and friends return to their everyday lives.

With that realization, we both gushed fresh tears, but they were cleansing ones. They absolved my earlier guilt that said I couldn’t handle all of this planning and preparation without wanting to hide in my bedroom. She left me with a heartfelt prayer and hung up to begin cooking dinner for her family and mine. It’s the little things that mean so much.

I can’t even count the number of people who have called, emailed, messaged or sent word by a family member that they are there for me, if I need any help as “wedding day” looms closer. Then there are the wise voices of counsel that comfort and provide that faith bolstering word when things get overwhelming. And as for me, I’m smiling now as I write, although I still have tears. They are happy tears though. I’m so blessed with so many people who love me.