On A Journey of Self-Discovery

 Personally I have never been a fan of  'long-winded' blog posts. And, here I am doing one. But, please bear with me. This is just on my heart to share this with you all.

I was a shy, awkward country girl who never seem to fit in at school, no friends near where I lived. My self-esteem was pretty low. 

By the time I was 17 I was a new bride, a new mom at 18. And, so I took on those roles of Mother and Wife when I was in my mid-teens. And, those are the roles I played for decades! With our busy life I had not time to concentrate on me.

When I was 65 my husband and I moved from Alabama to Virginia. A couple years into being in our new home I met a woman who fascinated me. She was into healthy eating, connecting with nature, mediation, yoga, self-discovery. That was so new to me and I wanted to know more. I've always been a curious sort and love to learn about new things. My talks with her were so enlightening. 

My first self-help book I ordered was 'Who Will Cry When I Die' by Robin Sharma. I quickly became a follower of his and I began to delve into who I really was. I felt that there was more to this individual walking around in my shoes than just wife and mother. By this time my kids were all grown and I was the full-time caregiver for my husband who had Alzheimers. 

Who was this person that my Mother had given birth to. I wanted to find out. So, I set out on a self-discovery journey of my own. 

I read lots of books, most of which were 'crap' (excuse the expression) but I have found a few that has opened my mind, my heart and my soul that made me dig down and bring up all those old fears, wounds, scars that I had shoved so deep inside me over the years. I began to discover a sense of peace, of calm, of truth and being authentic. Oh, I'm not there yet but I know more of who I was meant to be, of who I can be, of peace and happiness and just a sense of being alive than I have ever felt. 

Some of my problem was not knowing that we all are capable and should set boundaries for ourselves.  When I discovered that I could request ... no, demand.... boundaries, wow, that gave me such a sense of freedom to be me. I've learned to be more open to forgiveness, to even forgive myself and especially those who have hurt me. This life is too short to  hold those wounds as sacred evidences of past wrongs. 

I'm working hard on that low self-esteem and it is a work in progress. I've had a great life, I've done a ton of things in those years, but I feel like I wasn't worthy or good enough so it always felt like it was someone else who did all that stuff, who travels all those miles, who held weeping mothers in my arms in MADD, who served on committes, who wrote books, and painted and quilted and so much more. BTW... singing is not on that list. 

'The Artist's Way' is a favorite book, so is 'Original Me' and now I am reading 'The Awakening'. All exellent sources to guide us to a better place in our lives. I also really enjoyed 'Women Rowing North'.

I encourage you to find your own path, your own self. You may be wonderfully surprised. 

And, I end with this... With an open heart I embrace each and every one of my blogging buddies. You are such a blessing to me. Love you. 

Waiting..... Waiting....Waiting Still

 I keep having some UTI issues so I made an appointment at Urgent Care for yesterday afternoon at 2:20.

Got there at 10 til 2.

Guess what time I got out of there!! 

Yep.... almost 3 hours later. 10 til 5..........

You can't get in to see your regular doctor anymore and then have to wait all afternoon in Urgent Care.. 

I was sooooo bored. My back hurt, my butt hurt and my legs hurt, all from sitting so long in those uncomfortable waiting room chairs. 

As they say "If you aren't sick when you go to the doctor.... you will be when you get out". 

Forgetting

I swear.... I can remember every detail about something that happened last year, back in 2000, back when I was a child even but if I am telling something to someone and get interrupted, it's GONE.... Like I never thought it in the first place! 

I know, I am fortunately and mightly blessed to have the sharpness I have but I sure would love to finish a sentence without forgetting what I'm talking about. 😁

Does that ever happen to you? 

 

Mountains in Watercolor

 Shirley asked me the other day what I thought I was best at painting. I thought about it and then told her 'mountains'. 

I was already working on this painting when she asked. Maybe that's why I said what I did but regardless, I do enjoy doing scenes. People are buggars to paint, least for me. And, I have trouble with flowers. They always look flat to me. 

So far I have painted 9 mountain scenes. 

Finally finished this one today... 

November 6, 2025

Check out my latest youtube post! 

 

If

Beautiful Sunday Drive

 A Beautiful Sunday...

Too nice to stay inside so I headed up to my daughters, 35 miles away, for a visit. I don't drive much anymore so I got in that right lane and I stayed there. No switching lanes for me!! 

We had a lovely visit. Shirley and I went  for Italian food for lunch leaving the guys to fend for themselves. The salad I could eat a ton of... 

We then drove around searching out all the signs of Fall that we could find. 

I came home, happy, content and tired. Crawled up in my recliner and turned on the tv. But.

What a beautiful Sunday it was! 

Our Halloween Shenanigans!!

              Our Halloween party was a blast! 

Several people did not 'dress' for the occasion but that's alright. Several did and we had music, games, food and some surprises. 

Alisha and Lois spent a lot of time making this Bus from Haunted Brooke and made a grand entrance with it. The get-up was used as a photo opt. They have the most fun doing things for our events. (see below)

         Daughter Shirley dressed as The Iron Chef 

I thought Beverly's face mask was quite impressive.

I went as............

Had lots of fun, lots of attention, everyone loved my outfit!

I'm glad it wasn't a cold day.... my feet would have frozen if it had been!

Our maintence man took a liking to my little boy (my doll) and he and the staff had their picture made with "Aaron" (doll)

Some more photos from the day!

Now, I have to get busy and come up with another costume for next year's Halloween! 

Happy Halloween

 

A Halloween Kind of Week

 It's been a wild week so far around here. I got notice Monday that the apartment building was going to be power washed. Lordy, it needed it!! Don't you think!!!!

We were to remove everything from our balconies. So, I got busy and tugged and pulled til I got a bartop table, 2 barstools, a small table, 2 planters, a rug and other sundry things off my balcony and they are now in my small living room, along with what I already had in there.

The company got started but then the rain came and they ran for cover. So, days later I still am waiting for a clean outside so I can put my stuff back in place. What a mess~

One night we had power surges that caused the lights to go out. Everytime, it would play havoc with my electrical gadgets in the apartment. Kept me awake a lot.

Then last night the lady that lives over me kept me awake... at 3 a.m. she was up moving around, dropping things. It sounded like she was packing to leave.... and come to think of it, I wouldn't mind! 

Although I am griping about my little annoyances I am praying for those poor people in Jamaica. 

It's so devastating!

As I have mentioned before, my hands are just about shot. I have always been a creative person and you can't create without your hands. So, I've had to curb a lot of the things I love to do. Knitting, crocheting, writing letters, etc. I still do paint and type in smaller amounts of time.

I get bored, folks! I saw some really cute embordiery pieces on facebook for sale and thought I might could handle that. The kit came the other day, hoop, printed fabric, a needle and thread. And.... it's been days and I still have not picked that thing up and made one stitch. 

Oh, I'll get around to it.... I promise and then I'll share with you what I did! 

Have a happy Halloween! 

Fall Decor and Decoration of another kind.

 I know... a lot of folks have already had their fall things out for weeks.. I won't say that I am just now doing my fall decorating because I am not. I am just slow posting things!! 

Susan gave me this fall wreath. I hung it on my door and added a cute little scarecrow to dress it up a bit. I wish I'd thought to add an orange bow at the top. Maybe next year.

I stuck a gnome in my herb planter. I love the pumpkins and gourds he's surrounded himself with. My curly parsley is not growing. Hasn't gotten much taller all summer long. Am I missing something in what to do for it?

This display was at a farmer's market. No, I did not bring any of them home with me but they were too pretty to not take a photo. Right?

I ocassionally make what I call a scrapbook journal page. This one was done last year.  Just another bit of Fall to brighten our days. 

On another note: I spent all afternoon yesterday going through a thick file I have of my husband's Naval records. It was such a nostalgic journey,oh the place he went, the achievements he made... I stand in awe of what that little country kid from Alabama did in his lifetime. And, I was part of it and for that I am thankful. 

He came up through the ranks from seaman and here he was getting his boards of Ltjg. at Annapolis. Just one of the thrills in our life. 

Just Find Me Some Good Food!

                  If anything can happen, it will happen to me and Shirley!

A lunch date and we decided to go to one restaurant, but we got lost and ended up a block from another place that we had eaten several times before. We were hungry .. we just parked and went in to Place #2. 

Neither of us was 'feeling it'. The items on the menu just didn't click for us. I finally selected a chicken salad sandwich and fries. Shirley got 2 sides. The chicken salad was just cooked chicken chopped fine with some mayonaise mixed into it... no taste. So uninteresting. And, my fries... they were limp as a wet noodle!! No crisp to the outside, mushy inside. We gave up after a few bites and left.

Got in the car and we look at each other and asked 'What just happened? We just spent $35 and we are still hungry. I get this idea that we should just find place #1 and get us another lunch. 

That's what we did. Have you ever done that? Had two lunches within an hour of each other. It was funny as heck and we kept laughing about it. But, Place #2, the food was good. I had soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. There was plenty of food and flavor and we were happy. 

On a sadder note

My Susan lost her best buddy last weekend. She'd had him for 8 years but poor fellow got cancer and couldn't make it any longer. 

Snickers was attached to Susan's hip from day 1. It's a tough time for her so just give her a thought and prayer. I am sure she'd appreciate it. 

Surrendering

 Talk about life being dull around here! But, then I guess it's my own fault. 

I did go to the drs. twice last week. Why is it, that the dr. is about the only place you go when you get older?

I made a couple new recipes. One, a magical lemon cobbler, is now in my garbage can..... I started making it thinking I had all the ingredients and I didn't, so I improvised and it flopped big time. I didn't need all that sweet stuff anyway!! 

(not my photo.... you don't want to see what mine looked like!)

It's getting cooler now so I spent the morning dragging all my summer clothes out of the closet. Got all nice, warm things hanging in there now. Watch it turn off warm again!!

Oh, I did surrender last week. Nope, I wasn't in a battle and come up with a white flag... well, I sort of did. I've been resisting using a walker. Now, I can walk fine without assistance on level surfaces and there was this thing about having a walker that just screamed "YOU ARE OLD... YOU ARE USELESS". Boy, pride can be our biggest enemy. 

My daughter asked me, 'Well, when did you think you'd get old enough to need a walker, when you're 100?"  It sure wasn't now at age 91 but I knew it was hampering my freedom. I just can't go up and down curbs, slants, etc. without some help. So, for a dr. visit last week I dragged out that walker I've had forever and used it. It was amazing how much more confident I felt. The heck with pride!!

Those of you who asked if Miss P (from my last post) was moving into a place where she'd have more assistance. Not Miss P. She'd have stayed here if she could but her husband passed away awhile back and without his income she just couldn't afford to stay here. She's moving to D. C. to live in a garage apartment that her son has. Oh, that woman is independent.. no assisted living for her. We are missing her already. 

I painted a watercolor last week. Funny thing... when I scanned it the background and shadows came out blue. On the original it was grey. 

Guess I'll tootle along... nothing much else to yak about. Take care. 

It's Party Time

 Oh What A Party!

Sunday afternoon we said goodbye to one of our residents... Miss P

I am sure you remember me talking about her before... that classy lady, 93 years young, still wearing high heels and dressing to the nines. What an inspiration she has been to us all.

Shirley organized the party and she went all out with the High Heel decor. Even the cupcakes were made like high heels. There must be pictures but unfortunately I do not have any of those.

Miss P was just so delighted that we were recognizing her that she went into her kitchen and bakes 5 sweet potato pies and sent them down to add to all the other food we had prepared. Like I said, she is amazing!

Of course, she was all dressed up! I loved her outfit!! So daring, so cute, so Miss P.

You can't see her shoes with that long skirt.... but, yes, her ever-present high heels  were cream colored to match the appliques on her outfit.

Shirley has one of those printers so that one of the residents was taking pictures of each of us with the guest of honor and then she'd send them to Shirley's phone. Shirley printed them from there and an album was made and presented to Miss P. She was so happy with all of that. 

Miss P is actually Mrs. Pauline Copeland. That woman is gonna be missed around here big time! 

Cheering For The Home Team!

            Last Saturday morning I made a pot of veggie soup.

Perfect food for an afternoon of watching college football. I got to watch my favorite military college team... Navy! And, they won over Air Force. While I watched, I slurped down a small bowl of soup.. comfort food. That game was a doozy. Back and forth, back and forth. Love them that way.

Then later on I ladled up another bowl of soup to fill me up while I watched my main favorite team! Roll Tide! Go Bama! and they did. It just couldn't have been a better Saturday afternoon! 

I'm about 'souped' out but I'll be ready come next Saturday to heat up the soup pot again and settle down to cheer on my teams! Do you watch college football? 

Glorious October

                          October is here!

Well, actually it's been here 3 days already, came in while I wasn't watching!

So happy for the cooler weather. the hint of fall in the air and dragging out a sweater to wear as I head out this morning. 

QUOTE

"Tomorrow is another day. But, so was yesterday."  

Rene Ricard

A Stop at a Farm Market

 It had been ages since Shirley and I had been to Cracker Barrel for turkey and dressing but yesterday we fixed that mistake!! So glad that the CEO of that establishment came to her senses and got things back like we like them.

While driving home we stopped in a farm market... so cute a place and I bought some goodies.

 I couldn't pass up a tray of huge muscadines. Now, for those of you who are not from the south.... muscadines are wild grapes and are soooo good. Most people don't eat the skins 'cause they are tough but the taste of the pulp and juice is just divine. These were so big....

I also got some sweet potatoes. Love them baked with butter and brown sugar on them. I bought a quart of pickled spiced peaches but those are on hold for the holidays. 

As we parked back at my place Shirley noticed a grape vine growing in a tree by the parking area. It looked weird! By doing a google picture id I found out that a tiny insect called a leafhopper was causing that pretty pattern on that leaf.  I like the look. but, I am sure it isn't healthy for the vine.

I think it just puts you in a different frame of mind to get out and enjoy the sights of a new approaching season. 

Storing Up For Winter

 

Yesterday afternoon I sat down at the table on my balcony and just watched the breeze fluffing the leaves. Some fell, some hung on for dear life. The fountain was going, the water splashing around. I could hear a rustle somewhere and saw a dark object in a nearby tree. 

It was a squirrel. I'd never seen a squirrel in that particular tree. They are usually scampering up and down the pine trees past the driveway, chasing each other out one limb and then another. I grabbed my camera. 

There, evidently, was some sort of nut or seed pod on that tree and he was having himself a feast! I sat and watched him run out a limb, grab something to eat and scoot back to this one spot to munch on it. He did it over and over. Getting fat for the coming winter, I guess.

Gee, I wonder if I can use that as an excuse that when I eat more than I should I can say I am storing up for the wintertime!

A Sad Thought

 

Yes, it's the first day of Fall. We always said Fall but I love saying Autumn. Sounds more lyrical, I guess. 

However you say it just enjoy each golden day. Too soon the cold winds of Winter will be whistling down our chimneys. You know what I mean... I don't even have a chimney! haha

I made a lemon cake the other day. It's been years since I made a cake! And, this one was done in my toaster oven. 

Lemon.... that sounds more summery but I saw the recipe and made it for Michael's birthday recently. It was good.

But, I am trying hard to get sugar outta my life. Lordy, that's hard. Not only sugar but fried foods and a bunch of other stuff that's not good for you. 

Are you on a search for healthier eating?

Got any fav recipes you'd like to share?

On to a sadder subject

I had never really paid attention to the name Charlie Kirk until he was killed. Guess I live under a rock, cause there were a ton of people who knew and loved him.

However, his passing affected me deeply. I spent all yesterday afternoon watching his memorial on tv. And, I cried for Erica and those little kids.

I think the reason why it hurt so much was that Charlie was the same age as my Dad when he got killed (by lightening).

My Dad left a wife he loved beyond anything, a daughter age 8 and me (I was still in my Mother's womb) 

I know what those little kids will go through... not having a Dad. 

The older I get, the more I miss mine. 

I just pray that all the violence against those who think differently than you will stop. 

Chatting and Chewing

 Yesterday we had our monthly Chat and Chew meeting in our lounge. Had the best time! That Chat and Chew was my idea. I just have a hard time conversing in a meaningful way when the room is full of people also conversing!! This group is small, we take down our own lunch and we usually spend 2-3 hours just catching up. 

I have gotten to the age that when you interrupt my train of thought, that thought's done left the building! Can't remember what it was and yesterday I noticed others doing that, too. Guess we all belong to the same club. 

and on to other subjects...........

Son Michael left Sunday morning driving back to Alabama where he lives. I miss him (and his little dog).

 He got home safe and sound. What mother doesn't love hearing that their kid arrived at their destination safe and sound? 

Tuesday morning Shirley told me that Michael was in the hospital. Little stinker didn't let me know... guess he didn't want his Mama to worry. 

It was a severe case of acid reflux that had asperated enough so that some had seeped into one of his lungs. They kept him overnight, gave him a bunch of antibotics and he's fine now.

What was funny about that was.... they asked him when was the last hospital visit he'd had.

Sept 8, 1957, he said.

The day he was born.

That boy has not ever been a patient in a hospital!!

Lordy, I wish I could say that.

3 abdominal surgeries

a tonsilectomy

a breast lumpectomy

2 knee replacements 

and I birthed 5 babies.

Can't say I've never been to a hospital.

My air conditioner/heating unit went kaput while Michael was here. Luckily, we were having cooler days and too, the office brought up a portable air-conditioner for us to use. 

Yesterday I got a new unit installed. Took them all day but now I can stay cool if I want... or when winter gets here I can be toasty warm. 

Take care.

Quote

"We have two ears and one mouth for a reason - to listen twice as much as we speak. So, be a good listener."

Robin Sharma

More Celebrating!

 Another birthday celebration!! 

Yep, same guy. same birthday but 3 days later than the actual day. 

Michael and I drove over to the Eastern Shore... now, if any of you don't know what the 'Eastern Shore' is, it's this: The Chesapeake Bay splits off a slice of Virginia and the long peninsula that is on the east side is known as the Eastern Shore. It's Virginia but separated by a big body of water. 

Any way...Michael's big sister had promised him a seafood lunch as her part of his birthday. She and her hubby are house/dog/grandchild sitting at their daughters house and couldn't join us on his big day (the lunch at the Mexican restaurant). 

They took us to the Island House. What a view. 

Everyone got shrimp but me and I chose a crab cake sandwich. It was soooo good. 

We had a great time. And, Michael got his seafood! 

On another note: I don't know about all of you but I have a difficult time pronouncing worchestershire sauce. To be funny, Michael started calling it 'wash your sister sauce'.  Well, I knew what he meant.... and I thought it was cute. But, then Moms always think their sons are soooo darn cute, I don't care what age they are.