Life as a mom, nana and follower of Christ; hoping to share from lessons learned
I captured this one day on my phone while our granddaughter was watching out the window to see when Papa would get home in his boat. Every time I see this I think about her future. She was just concerned with the next few moments, when Papa would get home and probably let her have ice cream. Nana ponders her entire future and prays for God’s best for her daily.
So, I finally got the okay from my hubby to cut my hair quite a bit shorter. He has always loved it long but understood I just needed a change. My appointment was relaxing and I’m very happy with the results (as is he)!
After the hair was done, I had about an hour to kill waiting for my daughter’s softball game to begin so what better to do than peruse the racks for the new spring dress contributions? I picked up my normal size and headed to the dressing room to try on a couple.
I loved the first one I picked, it was red, white and black and displayed a very striking geometric pattern. I had a little trouble pulling it over my head and down over my hips, but then it fit rather well; I was pleased and adored this little dress. I probably would have purchased if the following hadn’t occurred.
I tried to pull it off over my head and I could NOT get it off. Have you ever been in a dressing room, trying not to touch much of the floor with your bare feet, attempting to wriggle and wiggle out of a dress that is stuck somewhere in the middle as you attempt to remove it? It’s like they make it really tight at the top and once you pull it down, it fits, but trying to take it off is a nightmare. I don’t know about you, but on the few occasions this has happened to me, I feel like I am suffocating or claustrophobic or something. For some reason, it felt like jumping up and down would help. It didn’t. I’m fortunate I didn’t break something or hurt myself. And of course, in the middle of my panic, someone has to bang on the door and ask if anyone is in there. Oh, for the nerve to open up and say “Help me, please!” I got to the point where I literally would have ripped it off and just paid for ruining it, if it would just go over my head. It was about this time that I noticed the little hidden zipper on the side. Well whaddya know, that sure made it simple after all. I was so annoyed that I didn’t even hang it back on the hanger straight. It didn’t deserve it!
The other dress won, of course. It’s cute too, but not as trendy and whimsical. It doesn’t have a hidden zipper or any other kind of zipper, button, belt or other hindrance. It doesn’t make a bold statement and didn’t even yell for me to take it off the rack. It’s a safe bet, will look nice whether up or down 5 lbs. It’s pull on and pull off. And the more I explain, the less enamored I am with it.
The red, white and black had lost all of my love and respect in just a few short moments but now that my anger is gone, I’d gladly take it back if I could. Maybe I will return another day and try it on again after all 🙂
Stop and smell the flowers
Yesterday I was mom, aunt, daughter
A friend, cousin and wife.
Today I became a Nana
I never could have guessed the way I would feel
You changed my life on February 28th, 2010
The day I became a Nana
Those other grandparents tried to warn me
They spoke of a new and different kind of love
About how hearts turn to mush
But I just didn’t get it
Until the day I became a Nana
Happy 3rd Birthday to my baby girl 🙂
Cookies
Oven hot and ready
Gooey spoonfuls of sweet, chocolate chip cookie dough
Carefully dropped onto a shiny silver pan
Into the oven they go to rise into sumptuous bites of heaven
The smell of delectable sweetness fills the air as we patiently wait
The quiet is interrupted by a screeching timer
Out they come, piping hot and slightly browned
Finally ready, warm and yummy with a tall glass of cold milk
Question – Does the fact that I’ll write a poem about cookies mean I have serious junk food issues? haha
I remember when my girls were young and we had to buy or make valentines for the entire class. There were big decisions to be made about who got which one. Patience was a necessity as they carefully pondered the possible ramifications of each selection. “But mom, if I pick this one, he might think I like him”, and “Which one should I give my teacher?”
Some years we would carefully transform a shoe box into a glittering, shimmering, pink or red valentine mail box. After the inevitable Valentine party with punch and cupcakes, they would bring it home and excitedly show me all of their cards. I would catch them perusing them again later in their room and maybe tucking one in the frame of their dresser mirror.
We used to make some of them together with construction paper and doilies. We would cut out shapes, make drawings and pen our own verse, then deliver to family, friends and neighbors, often along with valentine cookies. Their smiles were the only reward I needed for my help. I imagine I could still find some of these treasures if I looked in the right boxes.
Time passes and those memories grow more precious to me as I try to hold on to every one of those sweet moments. Love grows and changes and those precious little children, who captivated us at birth, weave their own unique and precious pattern deeply and permanently into our hearts. Once again, I am so grateful for all the times I took the time to really enjoy them, to look in their eyes and listen to them.
Time flies and you never know what is waiting around the next corner. Live well and spend plenty of time with your family.
The weekly photo challenge was to depict home – to me, THEY are home….My husband, my daughters and my granddaughter…wherever we are together, living, loving, eating, playing….This applies to extended family members as well of course!
Maxine comics
Are you watching the Super Bowl today? I am not unless my family is home and watching it and I just happen to be in the room (translate as I will watch with my family if they want to because I love them). I used to, but along with all the other wonderful freedoms that come with age and maturity, I don’t feel compelled anymore to follow the crowd. I wonder how many people out there today are planning to watch and really wish they were doing something else? Been there, done that.
The bigger question for me is when did any type of event start to always turn into a huge monstrosity of a party for so many.
We can’t have sweet, simple little birthdays anymore. Those become events when the child is around, let’s see…one. We have to hire a circus, dancing monkeys or something just as fabulous to keep up with everyone else. I’ve done it too; I’m not judging. I just remember a simpler time and I miss it.
The new holiday items are on the shelves before we finish buying for the last holiday. Everything is so commercialized and there is so much STUFF out there until when you do buy a gift anymore, even for a small child, you have no idea what to get because they really do have everything.
The electronic revolution has helped catapult us into approaching every new holiday or event with the mentality of honoring it with the best post, funniest tweet, most awesome pinterest folder, most unique desserts, best costumes and decorations and gifts. We are prodded and poked with ideas, pictures, suggestions. Even if we had a good idea of our own, we probably couldn’t eek it out of our already overstuffed brains sometimes.
Does anyone else agree? Am I getting old or cynical? Or am I realizing that while there are people starving and devastated and lonely, I am spending too much time on materialistic trivialities to bother taking the time to pray for them, to think of them, to do anything to help.
I am grateful for all of the ways we have to communicate nowadays, I really am. My prayer is that I would use them to encourage and uplift others and to spread the word about truly meaningful events.
I do believe we have to have fun, relax and all of those things – I’m not “dissing” anyone who is truly enthusiastic about watching the Super Bowl today – may your favorite team win. I’m just reflecting on my own priorities and wanting more than ever for them to line up with God’s will for me. I want to place the correct and proper value on things and events, not the value that everyone else says must be placed on them.
Making thumbprint cookies
I hate when I’m browsing for recipes and I see a picture of something that looks perfectly scrumptious, only to click on the actual recipe to find out it is a mile long with complicated instructions. What part of “easy recipes” does Google not understand? Then they try to sabotage you with directions like “blend to desired consistency”. What exactly is that supposed to mean? My desire is that I actually end up with something edible.
In my late forties and just now actually beginning to enjoy baking, I don’t want to blast my confidence by attempting something that takes 2 hours just to assemble; it’s just not going to happen. Well, maybe someday but definitely not today (or this year, I’m guessing).
I’m having one other slight problem with baking. I can no longer hold some of the recipes (think small print on backs of semi-sweet morsel bags) far enough away to actually read them. When I get into the middle of making something, I’m too stubborn to go find my “magnifier glasses” so it’s quite fortunate that I’m not mistaking a TSP for a TBSP which I’m finding really can make a difference.
I find that I am coveting a lot of gadgets and pans and kitchen items that I only bought in the past for the Suzie Homemaker’s on my gift list. Thankfully for me, my mother in law is delighted with my new found love (or maybe like would be a better word at this point) for baking and has some of these items that she is blessing me with! I plan to hit my hubby up soon for some of the pricier things but the plan is to wait until after Christmas and until he is well over his despair of what it cost him.
Well, back to browsing for something else tasty. Maybe if I search under “really super easy” or “baking for dummies” I’ll have better luck? I do think I will attempt my mother’s red velvet cake. I’ve done it once before and it was a hit!
Happy baking and MERRY CHRISTMAS Eve to you all!
Happy Birthday to you!
Today, my blog is dedicated to my beloved mother in law, Nancy.
You know those people who everyone loves? Seriously…you don’t know one person who dislikes them or has anything unkind to say about them. Nancy is one of those. She always sees the best in people, always gives people the benefit of the doubt whether they deserve it or not.
She is merciful, kind, loving and giving. When I lost my mom, back in 96’ she stepped in and without trying to take my mom’s place, became much more than a mother in law to me. I’ve heard all the horror stories about mother in laws, but I can happily say I haven’t lived them. Nancy has been by my side through thick and thin and loved me unconditionally. I don’t feel like a daughter in law, I feel like a daughter.
Nancy loves her children and grandchildren and the rest of her family and friends. She has dreams and hopes for all of them and prays for them continually. Nancy is one of this communities most treasured occupants and I don’t think she realizes how many people love her deeply.
Yesterday I was on the phone with my granddaughter, Ayda and she was telling me about how she got into trouble for throwing her mommies cell phone. She had spent some time in time-out over this infraction and wanted sympathy from Nana. I said, “Your mommy loves you”, and began to elaborate on who else loved her. I thought I’d go down the list. I began with “Nana loves you and Papa loves you and Momo (her name for her aunt Morgan) loves you”. She interrupted me and said, “Yeah yeah, yeah, Nana. I know. EVERYONE loves me!” Nancy could say the same thing because EVERYONE truly loves her.
Nancy, I love you. I don’t say it enough, but I do! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Today is one of those days when I need comfort food; I’m hoping to fulfill that need with red bean and ham soup, a recipe that I’m making up as I go, so we shall see. My daughter already said that the cooking beans smelled “gross”. That wasn’t very encouraging, but in light of her frequent negative opinions and observances of some of the things I cook, I’m going to ignore that. Normally, after tasting, she changes her mind.
Work was particularly taxing today so I’m happier than usual that it’s my Friday. Couple that with the back pain that is lingering since yesterday, and I’m feeling a tad out of sorts. Hmm, a nice quiet evening at home with a bowl of soup? And, I don’t have to set my alarm clock for tomorrow? Yes, I’ll take it.
Tomorrow will be a better day; I will probably rise early in spite of the fact that I don’t have to because that’s just how I roll. I’ll make coffee, then devotion and prayer time, and I will feel compelled to check my blog for comments and then I have a list of things that must be done. For now, time to check the food, snuggle up and relax.
Happy Thursday evening to all, Be safe, blessed and happy!
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By Lisa Smith Molinari
Living under the guidance of the Good Shepherd. All of living should be lived in light of God's Word. I enjoy taking life's litte parts and making them practical, yet have spiritual depth.
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Life as a mom, nana and follower of Christ; hoping to share from lessons learned
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