Tip for a Tuesday....

Make a list....

Having a plan or a list of tasks to perform can bring much needed structure to my day.  I love to write a short list of jobs and enjoy the sense of accomplishment it gives me when I can check off "done".

Minutes before leaving the house this morning to babysit the granddaughters, I was trying to think of something special we could do that would capture M's attention as soon as I arrived.  Divine inspiration popped in my head and said, "make a list".

Ok, fine.  Make a list.  A list of what?, wondered I.  And then it came to me - let's make of list of things to look for.  What are M's favorite things in the world?  Animals.  So making a list of animals to find would be our task.

This is what I came up with:

I'm the first to admit it is a simple, childlike list.  Clearly I am no threat to the artistic community, though my dear son-in-law heaped loads of praise on my drawings, the rabbit in particular.

My idea was met with much enthusiasm from the girls and we set off in their double stroller for a walk. We did spot a squirrel, but after much looking about, did not see a bunny or bird on a lawn. You can't make it out, but M did scratch a few lines in the squirrel box with a pencil to show we had spotted one.

A few directions of "go left, now go right" from Little Miss, and I was persuaded to push the stroller along to Grandmom's house.  We only stopped for a few moments to see Grandad, as we spotted a few dark clouds and decided it was time to return home.

Our "special hunt" turned out to be a wonderful diversion for the girls and I.  We got in a nice walk, enjoying the "lovely breeze" as I kept calling it, and passed an hour's time.

It also made for a nice change from my usual set of lists, which often consist of:  wash the bathroom floor, change the sheets, dust and vacuum, pull some weeds, etc. etc. etc.

sad news....

Sadly, the relief the family felt on Friday following the surgery for my daughter's dog, has been replaced with shock at the news of his passing.  She received a call late last night that he had suffered a setback.  He passed away early this morning.  

A tribute to "Mr. B" has been posted by my daughter on her blog, "Mommy Musings".  Just click on the link on the right hand side.  He was an adorable, loving, sweet natured boy, who will be terribly missed by all who knew him.

My heart aches for my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters.  I know their pain runs deep.

For the love of dogs....

My love of dogs began with this guy, a beagle named "Spotty".  He grew up with me, all during my years in grammar school.  Spotty was a strong hound, who once nearly dragged my sister, attached to him by his leash, under the neighbor's fence while in hot pursuit of a rabbit. Luckily, my Dad just happened to be arriving home from work and as he backed the car up the drive spotted what was happening.  He was able to throw the car in park, jump out and grab her, causing her to let go of her hold.  Spotty was in some trouble, as you can imagine, when he returned several hours later.  Thankfully, without the rabbit.

The Englishman and I have had a succession of dogs of our own over the years, starting with a bichon, then two weeks with a beagle, a cocker spaniel and our adored lab, Sherlock.  And now we have our boys, Dudley and Bentley.

Our youngest daughter took on her own beagle, Audrey, several years ago, pictured below with Dudley.

 Audrey is a rather unique little girl, having been on prozac for several years now.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Prozac.  She has fought and won a battle with cancer and brings much joy to her newlywed parents.

Then came more basset hounds, this time to daughter #1.  Barney, seen here as a puppy,  joined her a few years ago and the recent graduate of dog training school, Oliver, stole her heart last year.

Daughter #2 and her little family have some fur babies of their own.  First, came Shiba, who has been with them since just before their marriage.  And before Little Miss arrived in the world, Braddock, aka Mr. B joined the family.

You can see below Mr. B, a most laid back creature, is well loved, especially by the younger crowd.

Mr. B gave his family, and all of us, quite a scare the past several days.  While at his regular checkup, the vet thought he detected a "mass" and suggested an ultrasound.  Since he had recently lost a signigicant amount of weight, his anxious parents agreed to the test.  The technician indicated they could see what they thought was a tumor, as well as a bone, lodged in his intestines.  After much discussion and several tears shed, the young couple opted for surgery first thing this morning.

Well, the good, actually great, news is that the tumor turned out to be one of C's pacifiers!!  There doesn't appear to be any cancer.  The intestine was perforated and needed closing, so it was lucky they operated today and didn't wait any longer.  You could hear the sighs of relief all over the county this morning!

Now, I know they are only "animals" but those of you who have dogs, cats, birds, or even fish,  know that the love generated between pets and their owners can hardly be described, much less put a price tag on.  So despite the thousands (ouch!) it has cost our family over the years to care for all of these dogs, the rewards we have received back from each of them has made it all worthwhile.  This quote sums it up nicely:

"Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole."  ~ Roger Caras

Have a lovely weekend.  The Englishman and I are about to settle in to watch the opening ceremony for the Olympics in London, live on the BBC. (Being married to a tech savy Englishman has some wonderful perks!)  Cheers!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.” 
                                                                                           ― Andy Rooney

How true.  I find it is the little things in life which give me the most happiness.  Hugging my granddaughters, giggles with the Englishman, snuggling with the dogs, watching the feeding frenzy at the bird feeders in the yard - those moments are the treasured ones.

I was watching one of the many house redecorating programs last week.  There was a young newlywed who was looking to have her kitchen redone.  She said that once she had granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, she would feel she could finally live happily ever after.  Wow.  She clearly doesn't get it.  How very sad that she would actually believe she couldn't be happy until she had certain "things".  Even sadder, I fear, is that she is not alone in her thinking.

May today be one in which you delight both in the little things and the people in your life with which you share them.

Lovely....

So I've been trying desperately all afternoon to think of something funny or uplifting to blog about.  I came up empty, until a few minutes ago when I remembered about the film the Englishman and I watched the other night.  It's called, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" and is, quite simply, lovely.

It stars Ewan McGregor, who is an adorable Scotsman, and British actress Emily Blunt.  I saw her previously in the film, "Young Victoria" and enjoyed her performance very much.  One reviewer described the film this way:

"A rare catch: an intelligent romantic comedy that finds laughs without stooping for them, and wins the heart without pandering to it."

Marshall Fine, Hollywood and Fine

The humour is, like that of the Englishman, subtle but effective.  I wouldn't characterize it as a "chick film", for there is enough attraction in the story line for men as well as women.  It's one of those films which you find yourself coming away from feeling so much better for having seen it.  

Isn't that reason enough to do lots of things these days?  Seek it out and enjoy!

Tip for a Tuesday....

DO IT...NOW!

Been meaning to write a letter or an email?  Thinking about phoning a friend to say "hi" and catch up on what's been happening? Have you thought, "Did I remember to say 'thank you'?" to your spouse or child?

DO IT.  Only do it NOW!

A very sweet woman I have known for several years passed away over the weekend.  It had been a few months since we had spoken on the phone, after her move into an assisted living facility.  I had tried her a few times after that conversation, but when she didn't pick up, I left a message.  The thought crossed my mind several times during the following weeks that I really must give her another call.  But my memory is such these days that thoughts seem to flow out as quickly as they flow in.  Unless I write it down or do it immediately, it's gone.  I wish now I had simply called at the moment I thought of it.

Tragedies, such as the horror in Aurora, remind me how important it is to say those "I love you" or "thank you" because you never know when that opportunity will be lost to you.  Daughter #2 learned that lesson when her then fiance was deployed to Iraq.  From the moment he left, and ever since, she has always ended her conversations and text messages with all of us saying "love you." 

It is now an ingrained habit we all share among us.  Even the little ones. Yesterday, as I pulled away from her house after a quick visit with daughter #2 and the granddaughters, Little Miss shouted to me "Love you, Grandmom!"

(She also said, "Tell Grandad to take good care of you!"

Actually, I don't have to tell him.  He's been doing that for thirty four years now.)

So my tip?  Never miss an opportunity to tell someone: I love you, thank you, I'm so  proud of you,

 I think about you all the time, I'm here to listen if you need to talk, thanks for being there....

Back to it....

Happy Monday! I've been away from my home computer for the past week.  I find it a bit difficult to "blog" from other devices, so I let my blogging slip away from me. Now that I'm back, I'm looking forward to resuming my daily routines in my little office.  The fact that I am coughing significantly less than I have been is a bonus too.

Soo....about that cough.  I'm about to go down memory lane again, only this time it's about the distinct lack of cooperation between my lungs and I.  It began when I was a small baby, I'm told, and had several bouts of "croup".  It's a rather painful cough which closely resembles the sound of a seal's bark. Hence the nickname my Dad gave me, "Barky the Seal".  You're supposed to outgrow it by the age of five, but being a late bloomer I guess, I had bouts as late as about ten.  Steam heat is supposed to be helpful in opening up the lungs and making breathing easier.  I can still recall one time in which my parents created a tent over my bed, using a thick plastic sheet.  It hung from the headboard and was draped over my mother's vacuum cleaner and floor waxer on the other end.  Then a humidifier, spewing out hot mist, was place inside it with me.  I have to be honest and say it was pretty miserable lying there, my clothes and hair sopping wet.  Also in those days, they would give you ipecac, a coke like syrup which would make you vomit, in order to clear out the lungs.  I remember crying and wondering why on earth anyone would want me to be hanging over the toilet bowl throwing up.  I thought they had medicine so you wouldn't find yourself in that position.

Over the years I've had several bouts of bronchitis and asthma symptoms.  This recent episode with pneumonia was my first, and I hope, last.  Usually, when I start to feel better after a go round with a cough or mild illness, I jump right back into things, anxious to make up for lost time.  Not now.  I've finally learned that I pay a big price for that.  I am pacing myself.  No cheating.  No rushing to scrub the tub or pull all the weeds in the front flower bed when the Englishman goes out to the store.  I do a few bits and pieces, then sit and read a few chapters.  Or crochet a few rows.  Finally learning it's better to have calm lungs than a manicured garden.

The games people play....

What can one do when the good doctor emphasizes the need for you to rest?  Why, play games of course.  The Englishman had the foresight to realize we would need something to do to pass the time and ordered us our very own toy.

The idea for the toy came several weeks ago when we were Mother-of-the-Bride dress shopping.  If you recall my earlier posts about those outings, I think I can safely say that they ended up costing us far more money than simply the price of the dress.

There were the stops for lunch at various restaurants following each search.  And the tea shop, "Teavana" where the persuasive salesman beckoned us in and we left a large part of our wallets in exchange for some tea and German sugar.  Then there was "The Lego Store".

Now I haven't seen Lego's since my children were very small, so I had no idea of the level of sophistication they had reached.  While in one of the malls, we happened upon a window display of The Tower Bridge of London.  Naturally, the Englishman was drawn to it and we decided to venture inside the store.  There is a tiny little world in there!  There are shops resembling NYC brownstones, airplanes, trains, and monuments all made out of Lego's. There are teenie tiny people, dogs, cats, and even mice.  It's incredible!

Since wedding attire was the most pressing purchase, we looked carefully and then moved on.  I did tuck the thought in the back of my mind, that one of the Lego kits might make for a fun Christmas gift for the Englishman.  But he beat me to it.

Which brings me back to what we have been passing the time with lately.  Here are a series of pictures showing our progress over the past week with our new toy.  The Englishman describes it as a 3D puzzle. The detailing is amazing.  When completed, it will be yet another attraction at Grandmom's house for Little Miss, one in which she can open and close doors and windows, and move about a child on a bicycle and a doggie from the Pet Shop.

Isn't it something?  We embarked on the second building yesterday, which will adjoin this one. Now that we have worked out a system by which we sort the bits and pieces into various groupings, progress is much quicker.  I'm looking forward to seeing the expression on the face of Little Miss the first time she sees it. Her joy will most certainly make the whole endeavor worthwhile!

Thought for a Thursday....

This thought provoking quote has been in my photo album for some time.  I must have found it out there somewhere, on the internet, and realized it was worth keeping.

The Englishman is taking the most wonderful care of me, as I recuperate from the "noises" in my lungs. As a result, I am feeling like a billionaire today, for I am truly "rich" indeed!

Tip for a Tuesday....I mean Wednesday....

We are a family that shares a lot.  The past ten days, my daughters, granddaughters and I have been sharing coughs, sneezes and all that fun stuff.  Despite a week of rest and tender loving care from the Englishman, I did end up at the doctor's office yesterday, hence the reason I missed my Tuesday post.  Due to some "noises" in my lower lungs, I will be laying low a bit longer.

Oh well.  I had been hoping to find more time in my day for reading. I should have learned by now to be careful what I wish for, as it rarely comes out the way I plan. Maybe that should be my tip.

However, the "tip" I wanted to pass along involves my flowers and vacation time.  The Englishman and I were at our "retirement" house last week and I was concerned about leaving all the plants in our back garden.  At his suggestion, I moved the bulk of them into the shade, in a tight little group and watered them thoroughly before we left.

Despite the grueling temperatures and only occasional bursts of rain, the plants fared quite well, I think. The Englishman and I have a disagreement about the state of the basil.  I keep insisting it's coming back.  He just smiles at me and shakes his head "no".  I'll let you know who wins that one in a few days.

If you are heading out on vacation, my suggestion is that you group your plants, in a shaded area, water thoroughly and hope for the best.  And if your basil doesn't survive, I'm sure I could spare some of mine. Fingers crossed!

Who'd have thought....

That this would look tempting?

Truth be told, I am neither a fan of snow, except a few days before Christmas, or the hazy, hot days of summer. I'm more a middle of the road girl.  Give me temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees, a soft breeze and I am quite content.

Though I'm not actually wishing for snow, I am already "done" as they say with the scorching temperatures and the wilting of all my flowers in the back garden.  While daughter #2 is looking forward to football season, I'm counting the days till Autumn breezes....

Just a suggestion ....

The Englishman surprised me last Friday and asked if I would like to go the movies the next day.  "You want to go to the movies? On a Saturday? I inquired.  The number of years since he has been to the movie theatre are too numerous to count, so I really was taken aback by the question.  Past experience with unchaperoned screaming kids, patrons talking nonstop, and freezing conditions in the building, have put us off when it comes to movie going. I pointed out that it was a weekend and might be crowded.  He quickly replied that was doubtful, given the rising temperatures, and that everyone was probably heading for the beaches.

"What film did you have in mind for this outing? I asked.  The Englishman responded that he thought we should see the one with everyone we like in it, the one we've been wanting to see.  Ah, yes - the hotel one.  Fabulous idea!

Off we headed, late Saturday morning, for a walk up and down the High Street of a nearby town.  First order, lunch. We peeked at the menus posted outside several restaurants and finally decided upon an Italian one.  The food was.....OK.  Far too much garlic for my liking, so we skipped dessert. Instead we spent the few minutes we had before the movie starting time in a small bookstore.  It took hardly any coaxing at all from the Englishman for me to pick out a book for Little Miss, while he found one for C. Ah, Grandparenting!

Tickets purchased, we went into theatre #3, as directed by the tall young man at the door. The seats were comfy and adjustable.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the temperature to be just right, and was relieved I wouldn't need to search out the socks and sweater stashed in my purse. Just before the film began, we noticed there were only 5 other couples. We were the youngest.  Perfect movie viewing conditions! (The Englishman was right, again.)

I won't give you a "movie review" but simply urge you to go and see "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" either in a theatre or as soon as it is released to Netflix, Amazon, or beasts of that nature.  It is, quite simply, wonderful!

I've shared before that I keep several journal style books filled with quotes that "speak to me" as my daughters would say.  I wished I had a flashlight with me that day so I could take notes from some of the most heartfelt words I've heard spoken in some time.  I will have to wait till I can watch it on my computer and pause it every few minutes, so as not to miss a single phrase.

The actors in this film are among the very best I have ever seen.  Some may be familiar to you, especially if you watch English drama on PBS, including "Downton Abbey".  You know how with some films, as you watch you think, "oh yes, that's Julia Roberts" during most of it.  But these actors become the characters they are portraying.  It's marvelous!

The Englishman says the film is quite an accurate depiction of life in India, where he has travelled several times.  So why not think of the movie outing as a chance to travel there, without all the bother of luggage and security checks.

Whatever your plans this weekend, I hope you will have the blessing of air conditioning at your disposal.  I am most grateful to the people who invented it!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Reading makes me feel I've accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. ... Reading is bliss.” 
                                                                         ― Nora Ephron

Growing up, summertime was the the opportunity to read books of my choosing, though titles were often suggested by a school Summer Reading List.  I can recall riding my bike to our local library, which at that time was located in an old house.  Carefully going down the concrete steps to the basement section where the children's books were kept, I suspect I lingered as long as I could given the rising heat outside and the soothing cool of the book stacks.  One of my absolute favorite finds?  Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It's still a favorite.

Currently, I am rereading a series called Thrush Green by Miss Read, a pseudonym name for Doris Saint, a former schoolteacher in England.  I never tire of her books.  They are a wonderful escape to the countryside in the Cotswolds and life in a tiny village. Losing myself in one of her novels always has a soothing effect on me.

For several years my mother shared my interest in Miss Read's books and was an avid fan until macular degeneration robbed her of the ability to read.  Recently, I was delighted to find several of the books on cd's and now my mother has once again been happily transported back to the villages of "Thrush Green" or "Fairacre".

If you are looking for an escape, whether from day to day life, the never-ending political debate or often tragic news which surrounds us through multi media, why not immerse yourself in a good book. I suspect you will come away with the same experience as expressed by Nora Ephron.  Like Nora, I find that "Reading is bliss" and a gift I can easily give myself.

Happy Fourth of July!

Today I am thinking back to the Founding Fathers, and to the women they left at home who kept the farms and homesteads running while they were away.  No cell phones then to let the family know how things were going.  No twitter to say they had made a decision or were still debating the cause of freedom.  It must have taken a great deal of faith and courage to keep going forward each day.

Life was certainly quite different back in 1776 in the colonies.  Fed up with a tax on tea caused a revolution.  I wonder what those same citizens would think of our country now. 

Tax upon tax upon tax.....

After the government was formed, the idea was that citizens would leave their professions for a time to give service to their country and then return to their homes.  It was not meant to be a life long career.  When did that change?

Today, I'm grateful to the men and women who had the courage to break free from the security of their homelands and to seek a better life, whether they came here in the late 1700's or in 1978, as in the case of the Englishman.  This "melting pot" we live in is the culmination of all their dreams.

I'm grateful to the men and women who are willing to give their lives to defend our freedom, and to the families who love and support them.  I'm grateful to the people who put forth their best efforts to make this country great by their service in government.  

I'm grateful to live in the United States of America.  Having traveled around the world to many different countries and observed other cultures, I still feel "there's no place like home."  (Well, I could contemplate living in England if I could take the family and the dogs.)

Happy Fourth of July!  

May we always be mindful of how very lucky we are 

to live in this great nation.

Tip for a Tuesday....

Tip: Never decline the opportunity to dine!

Thirty four years ago this past Sunday, I followed that tip and the result was extraordinary.  

My sister and two of her friends had rented the bottom half of a house on an island for a month.  My sister kindly invited me down for the weekend.  She and I were the first to arrive and take possession of the rental.  As we pulled up in front of the house, I noticed some guys on the top deck giving us the once over. After unpacking our bits and pieces, we got out some lounge chairs in the yard and continued to work on our tans.  A short while later, the young men descended the stairs from the deck and offered a proposal.  They asked if we would be interested in joining them for dinner. They would provide steaks if we would provide a salad.  Cost wise, the odds were definitely in our favor, so we said yes.  We informed them there would be two other women joining us and they said that would be great.

Hours later, we set off for the supermarket.  As we perused the produce aisle, I noticed my sister was tossing numerous items into the basket.  I quickly started removing them. "Whoa!  Let's not go overboard. These guys don't look too promising," I cautioned.  As fate would have it, I could not have been more wrong.

Long story short...I noticed at dinner that one of the men had an English accent.  Having spent three weeks in London that past January, I felt comfortable striking up a conversation with him.  We talked and talked, and have been talking ever since.

We all had dinner together again the next night, and over the course of the next several weeks, the Englishman and I ran into each other again and again.  Late August he proposed and five months later we married.

Over the years, the Englishman and I have often encouraged our daughters to accept not only dinner, but other invitations.  Because based on our experience, a simple invitation can change your life forever.