Yesterday I went to my Spring Break Texas at South Padre Island. It's my third year of bringing my sister visitor to the annual ritual of college students. I guess the third time is a charm, we actually saw a lot of people and saw some "typical" spring break action.
"Typical" as is.... beer bong in action, girls dancing on the stage, girls flashing their boobs, drinking, students gathered around their school flags, and even a girl getting hand-cuffed and taken away. It was all quite interesting. I went to college up North and during my college time, I don't recall any "spring break" trips or even talk of trips to the southern beaches. I think it may have started with eastern and southern schools or maybe Ivy League or Big Ten schools. Maybe, I'll do a Google search on that later.
Anyway, my main point of this blog is.... the guys were all wearing board shorts. When did speedos go out of style?? :) Hubby and brother-in-law had a good time viewing the skimpy bikinis (are they even called "bikini" any more) on all the girls and sister and I had board shorts to look at. Not much skin showing on the guys, unless you're a "chest" or "back" man. There was one lone guy that had on a speedo-type of brief, but gosh did he look out of place.
Oh well, it was still fun! At the restaurant later, we met cousin, her husband, daughter & friend for dinner. There, the guys were treated to more eye-candy in the form of two other diners with tops that only covered one half of the boobs. My brother-in-law even set up the camera on the table so that he could hopefully get a shot as one of them walked by.
I apologize to sister and her hubby that have visited the previous two years and didn't get one-tenth the sights or action we had this year. Maybe it's because she and her husband are too young? It's we oldest family members that really needed this spring break?!?
Sorry, but even though I have posted pictures before on my blog, I don't have any pictures of this action, I left my camera in the car! Go figure!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
A Dash of Life
A little dash of this and a little dash of that! Usually we use this phrase in referring to salt and the other ingredients in the recipes of life. However have you ever thought about the dash that will be on your tombstone? You know the one between the year you were born and the year you die?
There is an excellent poem written by Linda Ellis call the The Dash Poem. It describes the dash --
"For that dash represents all the time
That she (you) spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth."
I have been thinking quite a bit lately about my dash, what my life represents. Recently I had two younger lady friends, one from work and one from church, lose their husbands to death within the same week. I attended the "wake" of one and the memorial service of the other. It's interesting to hear what people say about the deceased. What would they say about me?
There is an old saying, "Death comes in threes." With the these two men dying, I wondered aloud what the third death would be? Paul's car died (dead battery) that week and I jokingly thought "that must be the third death." Regretfully, another person I know died that week and I just read her obituary today. She was a lady younger than me that died of cancer. She and her young daughter were a couple of the constant participants in the weekly fund-raising meat raffle that hubby and I worked at in Wisconsin for over two years. In her obituary, it referred to her pranks and antics at Tom's Bar. Yes, I remember well.... when we would announce the winning number, Sissy would shout, "I won, I won!" It didn't take long to realize that she was joking. But her attitude on life was that she truly did win!
I have been feeling out-of-sorts lately, even before these deaths, wondering what my purpose is? Wondering what my "dash" will mean? Wondering about a lot of things. I feel like I should be doing more than working 40 + hours a week, coming home to read and watch TV. But I don't seem to have the energy to do much more. I know they say if do something, it spends energy, but it also creates more energy. Right now, I am quite stagnant.
There is an excellent poem written by Linda Ellis call the The Dash Poem. It describes the dash --
"For that dash represents all the time
That she (you) spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth."
I have been thinking quite a bit lately about my dash, what my life represents. Recently I had two younger lady friends, one from work and one from church, lose their husbands to death within the same week. I attended the "wake" of one and the memorial service of the other. It's interesting to hear what people say about the deceased. What would they say about me?
There is an old saying, "Death comes in threes." With the these two men dying, I wondered aloud what the third death would be? Paul's car died (dead battery) that week and I jokingly thought "that must be the third death." Regretfully, another person I know died that week and I just read her obituary today. She was a lady younger than me that died of cancer. She and her young daughter were a couple of the constant participants in the weekly fund-raising meat raffle that hubby and I worked at in Wisconsin for over two years. In her obituary, it referred to her pranks and antics at Tom's Bar. Yes, I remember well.... when we would announce the winning number, Sissy would shout, "I won, I won!" It didn't take long to realize that she was joking. But her attitude on life was that she truly did win!
I have been feeling out-of-sorts lately, even before these deaths, wondering what my purpose is? Wondering what my "dash" will mean? Wondering about a lot of things. I feel like I should be doing more than working 40 + hours a week, coming home to read and watch TV. But I don't seem to have the energy to do much more. I know they say if do something, it spends energy, but it also creates more energy. Right now, I am quite stagnant.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Life
So much for resolutions...... I reviewed my last post on New Year's Day and I have to laugh! Did I do any of those for even a week? I can't remember. Speaking of resolutions, my sister who blogs daily has been writing a lot of eating, dieting, exercising, etc. I'm sure she weighs a at least 120 pounds less than I do and yet she is more concerned about her weight than I am. I am seventeen years older than her and I don't want to see her fretting over weight until she's my age. Life's too short to worry about some things. Granted, life will possibly be a lot shorter if a person continues to carry excess weight around. But part of me doesn't care anymore! Or do I?
In response (comment) to my sister's recent blog I wrote.... "Girl! What you need to "give up" is worrying about being fat! Let it go, like me. I rather enjoy the heavy breathing I do when I move around. My hubby rather "enjoys" my skin-tight clothes and the "love handles." My employer enjoys the money I spend on lunches and breakfasts in the cafeteria. My druggist enjoys the money I spend on high blood pressure medicine. Life being fat and NOT fretting over it is really quite enjoyable. You ought to try it, you might like it!"
My intent was to really tell my sister that I was concerned about her thinking about her weight and what she eats all the time. It can become an obsession (an addiction) and believe me, our family genes carry plenty of addictive behaviors. I have periodically obsessed (called diets) for years about what I'm eating, what I weigh and I continue to gain weight. I don't want her to end up like me, weighing 120 pounds more than now. However, I think my sarcastic sub-conscious mind took over in my message and before I knew it, I was writing very flippantly about some serious stuff (heavy breathing & high blood pressure). I do realize that there has to be a balance here.... concern about weight and what I eat, but not an obsession that takes over my life, day & night. I wonder how and when I will get that balance??
In response (comment) to my sister's recent blog I wrote.... "Girl! What you need to "give up" is worrying about being fat! Let it go, like me. I rather enjoy the heavy breathing I do when I move around. My hubby rather "enjoys" my skin-tight clothes and the "love handles." My employer enjoys the money I spend on lunches and breakfasts in the cafeteria. My druggist enjoys the money I spend on high blood pressure medicine. Life being fat and NOT fretting over it is really quite enjoyable. You ought to try it, you might like it!"
My intent was to really tell my sister that I was concerned about her thinking about her weight and what she eats all the time. It can become an obsession (an addiction) and believe me, our family genes carry plenty of addictive behaviors. I have periodically obsessed (called diets) for years about what I'm eating, what I weigh and I continue to gain weight. I don't want her to end up like me, weighing 120 pounds more than now. However, I think my sarcastic sub-conscious mind took over in my message and before I knew it, I was writing very flippantly about some serious stuff (heavy breathing & high blood pressure). I do realize that there has to be a balance here.... concern about weight and what I eat, but not an obsession that takes over my life, day & night. I wonder how and when I will get that balance??
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year, New Day, New Me!
Happy New Year! Happy New Day! The infamous day we resolve to do more or do less or change something in our lives. I am one of thousands of people that are probably publicly (as in a blog) pronouncing my resolutions or writing it down or saying to another person.
No matter what happens, I do know that this year and this day will continue to roll on, I can't change that. However, I can only change me or my attitude towards me. If you have been following this blog, you will know that I started out with a resolution to obtain peace in my life. Peace in my physical, emotional and spiritual beings.
The year 2008 ended on a positive note, even if I have gained back almost all the weight I lost last year. But the "positive note" is that the weight gain does not make me a "failure." It does not determine the kind of person I am and how I treat others.
In the past year, I allowed the love of Jesus to come into my life, accepting His free gift again. The action of "allowing" and "accepting" began my transformation into believing that I am worthwhile. That was a positive key to my spiritual health and spiritual peace.
Then I have read several books that re-affirmed to me that I can choose to feel and act how I want. I have choices, I have options. I do not have to be tied to external forces, opinions or attitudes of others. That was emotionally freeing, a feeling of peace.
The third thing that happened and I will admit I did not think it would make any difference in my health, but it certainly appears to be so. Maybe, it's psychological and not physical, but the doctor put me on blood pressure medication and I feel calm. I wonder if my body working so hard (with the high blood pressure) made me jittery and nervous? Regardless, I have a physical peace that feels great.
So, today I start off the new year with my resolutions. I plan to have positive, "add" or "more" resolutions, no negative or "can't have" resolutions! The more I say NO to myself, the more I rebel and fail.
1. Drink more water.
2. Eat more vegetables, raw & steamed
3. Eat at least one serving of fruit per day
4. Write in my journal (or blog) at least once a week.
5. Do a Bible or meditative study at least once a week.
Sounds easy enough, but that's OK because I can gain benefits to my health - physical, emotional and spiritual which will all bring me peace.
No matter what happens, I do know that this year and this day will continue to roll on, I can't change that. However, I can only change me or my attitude towards me. If you have been following this blog, you will know that I started out with a resolution to obtain peace in my life. Peace in my physical, emotional and spiritual beings.
The year 2008 ended on a positive note, even if I have gained back almost all the weight I lost last year. But the "positive note" is that the weight gain does not make me a "failure." It does not determine the kind of person I am and how I treat others.
In the past year, I allowed the love of Jesus to come into my life, accepting His free gift again. The action of "allowing" and "accepting" began my transformation into believing that I am worthwhile. That was a positive key to my spiritual health and spiritual peace.
Then I have read several books that re-affirmed to me that I can choose to feel and act how I want. I have choices, I have options. I do not have to be tied to external forces, opinions or attitudes of others. That was emotionally freeing, a feeling of peace.
The third thing that happened and I will admit I did not think it would make any difference in my health, but it certainly appears to be so. Maybe, it's psychological and not physical, but the doctor put me on blood pressure medication and I feel calm. I wonder if my body working so hard (with the high blood pressure) made me jittery and nervous? Regardless, I have a physical peace that feels great.
So, today I start off the new year with my resolutions. I plan to have positive, "add" or "more" resolutions, no negative or "can't have" resolutions! The more I say NO to myself, the more I rebel and fail.
1. Drink more water.
2. Eat more vegetables, raw & steamed
3. Eat at least one serving of fruit per day
4. Write in my journal (or blog) at least once a week.
5. Do a Bible or meditative study at least once a week.
Sounds easy enough, but that's OK because I can gain benefits to my health - physical, emotional and spiritual which will all bring me peace.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Prayer
Here's a prayer/blessing from our church's Christmas Eve service that I thought I'd share.....
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
Praise God, all creatures here below!
You are the shepherds telling the story
We tell it in the streets and across the land.
You are the wise ones worshiping with thanksgiving,
We worship with gifts of song and service, talents and treasures.
You are the angels announcing peace.
We live with joy and go now in peace.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
Praise God, all creatures here below!
You are the shepherds telling the story
We tell it in the streets and across the land.
You are the wise ones worshiping with thanksgiving,
We worship with gifts of song and service, talents and treasures.
You are the angels announcing peace.
We live with joy and go now in peace.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
JOY
JOY!
It's a word that we don't use very often in our everyday language. We use the word joy or rejoice often in speaking and singing about Christmas and Easter. Christmas, a time to celebrate Jesus the Messiah's birth and Easter, a time to celebrate Jesus the Christ's resurrection. Joy is not just a word to describe birth or re-birth, it's a word to describe our lives everyday. If we choose to do so. How many of us can say that we live our lives joyfully? It doesn't have to mean giddy, smiley, thrilling or high all the time? But is that not what we often think of when we hear "joy" (i.e. joy ride)?
Joy means "a condition or feeling of high pleasure or delight; happiness; gladness; An expression of manifestation of such feeling." How many of us can say that we live our lives everyday with happiness and gladness? Oh, we all have periods or maybe just moments of joy throughout our day, week, month, or year. Joy is not just a gift of feeling delight, it's an action, an expression of such feeling. How many of our family, friends or co-workers would say about us, "He/She is a delight to be around."?
Living a life of joy does not mean that we will not face obstacles and challenges. However, can we take those obstacles and challenges and convert them into opportunities to share our joy? Sharing is an action, a giving of ourselves... our time, talents and treasures. Why not try to live your life "joyfully" this Christmas? Maybe even into next year? A Joyous Christmas to all!
It's a word that we don't use very often in our everyday language. We use the word joy or rejoice often in speaking and singing about Christmas and Easter. Christmas, a time to celebrate Jesus the Messiah's birth and Easter, a time to celebrate Jesus the Christ's resurrection. Joy is not just a word to describe birth or re-birth, it's a word to describe our lives everyday. If we choose to do so. How many of us can say that we live our lives joyfully? It doesn't have to mean giddy, smiley, thrilling or high all the time? But is that not what we often think of when we hear "joy" (i.e. joy ride)?
Joy means "a condition or feeling of high pleasure or delight; happiness; gladness; An expression of manifestation of such feeling." How many of us can say that we live our lives everyday with happiness and gladness? Oh, we all have periods or maybe just moments of joy throughout our day, week, month, or year. Joy is not just a gift of feeling delight, it's an action, an expression of such feeling. How many of our family, friends or co-workers would say about us, "He/She is a delight to be around."?
Living a life of joy does not mean that we will not face obstacles and challenges. However, can we take those obstacles and challenges and convert them into opportunities to share our joy? Sharing is an action, a giving of ourselves... our time, talents and treasures. Why not try to live your life "joyfully" this Christmas? Maybe even into next year? A Joyous Christmas to all!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Dear Santa
I was just reading an article in Real Simple magazine with Letters to Santa. The letters were written by authors as they may have written in their younger years and even one letter to Santa as the author may write in the future. It brought to mind a letter that I wrote when I was 8 years old..... 1959
Dear Santa Claus,
I want some clothes for my doll. Here are the clothes that I want. A bride dress, some home dresses, pedal pushers, and a coat. And some pairs of high heels. She is 11 inches tall. She is 2 inches wide. I hope you will bring them for me. I will say thank you now because you will bring them for me. And this will be the only chance to say thank you. I love you Santa Claus.
Love Rayna, and her doll RoAnn
The letter was saved by one of the "North Pole" postal worker's wife. Yes, I named by doll after my baby sister, RoAnn, who was 2 years old at the time. It got me thinking of what I would have written to Santa at other times in my life....
1968, Age 17 years
Hi Santa,
I know that I have to say that I believe in you for the sake of my six sisters and brother. I'm the oldest and have to set a good example. Yes, Mom had another baby... actually twins were born in June. They sure are cute and they are starting to be fun! But, they are a lot of work, getting up in the middle of the night to feed them a bottle; going into town to do loads of laundry and dozens of diapers. I resent having to do that especially now when it's so dark and cold out at night, but it beats staying home and trying to do my homework in the noisy house. I know, I'm a complainer. Santa, just help me get through my Senior year in high school so that I can go to college next year. You can bring me a letter from the college saying they accept me. That would me nice. Help Mom and Dad find some money to get some nice presents for my sisters and brother, they need it. We're so poor and Dad drinks too much. Could you help Dad to stay sober on Christmas Eve? Anything you can do to help would be wonderful. I know that you don't really exist, but I just had to get my feelings out. Rayna
1979, Age 28
Dear Santa,
Well, I've been sober for about three weeks now. Taking after my father, just like my mother yelled about me for years now. But it's OK, I feel better admitting that I've been drinking too much and I can't control it any longer. Once I get started drinking, I don't stop. It's going to be a different Christmas this year, without drinking. But I don't really feel deprived as I'm excited about taking a trip next year. I'm going to wander off and see the country of the western United States for awhile. I have a job waitressing to make extra money. Santa, help me to make good tips and to have the determination to stay sober and really go on this trip. I need this!
Rayna
1988, Age 37
Santa,
Paul & I just need some things to make our first home together more cozy. For one thing, we need a window air conditioner in the bedroom. It gets so hot here in Georgia and that window air conditioner will help us sleep better. This place is an old house (about 70 years old) with virtually no insulation and a tin roof. It's quaint and we have painted and fixed it up the best we can. A new couch would be nice to replace the old, lumpy one we are using. Oh well, that's life and I'm so glad to have some decorations to brighten this place.
Rayna (and Paul)
1998, Age 47
Dear Santa,
This is our last Christmas in Georgia, we're moving to Wisconsin next year! I'm so excited to be moving "back home." We found land on lake up there and we're going to build a house or cabin. We're going to have friends over to our place on Christmas Eve as is our tradition, so as you are making your trip around the world, we'll be celebrating. Can't think of anything that we need this year.
Rayna
2008, Age 57
I suppose you don't get too many letters from 57 years old ladies, but what the heck? I'm young at heart or at least I like to think I am. I guess I am younger than most of my neighbors, who would have thought I'd be living in an over 55 community? This year, I'm not going to ask for anything for Paul & I. I have a good job and Paul has a good retirement; we have a house full of furniture; we have a church to go; and we have friends to visit. I would just ask that you bring my parents, that are both still alive, good health and safety. They are still independent. Yes, we kids sometimes think (and say) "stubbornly independent." But all in all, I'm so thankful they're alive and well. Help them stay so, will you Santa?
Rayna
Dear Santa Claus,
I want some clothes for my doll. Here are the clothes that I want. A bride dress, some home dresses, pedal pushers, and a coat. And some pairs of high heels. She is 11 inches tall. She is 2 inches wide. I hope you will bring them for me. I will say thank you now because you will bring them for me. And this will be the only chance to say thank you. I love you Santa Claus.
Love Rayna, and her doll RoAnn
The letter was saved by one of the "North Pole" postal worker's wife. Yes, I named by doll after my baby sister, RoAnn, who was 2 years old at the time. It got me thinking of what I would have written to Santa at other times in my life....
1968, Age 17 years
Hi Santa,
I know that I have to say that I believe in you for the sake of my six sisters and brother. I'm the oldest and have to set a good example. Yes, Mom had another baby... actually twins were born in June. They sure are cute and they are starting to be fun! But, they are a lot of work, getting up in the middle of the night to feed them a bottle; going into town to do loads of laundry and dozens of diapers. I resent having to do that especially now when it's so dark and cold out at night, but it beats staying home and trying to do my homework in the noisy house. I know, I'm a complainer. Santa, just help me get through my Senior year in high school so that I can go to college next year. You can bring me a letter from the college saying they accept me. That would me nice. Help Mom and Dad find some money to get some nice presents for my sisters and brother, they need it. We're so poor and Dad drinks too much. Could you help Dad to stay sober on Christmas Eve? Anything you can do to help would be wonderful. I know that you don't really exist, but I just had to get my feelings out. Rayna
1979, Age 28
Dear Santa,
Well, I've been sober for about three weeks now. Taking after my father, just like my mother yelled about me for years now. But it's OK, I feel better admitting that I've been drinking too much and I can't control it any longer. Once I get started drinking, I don't stop. It's going to be a different Christmas this year, without drinking. But I don't really feel deprived as I'm excited about taking a trip next year. I'm going to wander off and see the country of the western United States for awhile. I have a job waitressing to make extra money. Santa, help me to make good tips and to have the determination to stay sober and really go on this trip. I need this!
Rayna
1988, Age 37
Santa,
Paul & I just need some things to make our first home together more cozy. For one thing, we need a window air conditioner in the bedroom. It gets so hot here in Georgia and that window air conditioner will help us sleep better. This place is an old house (about 70 years old) with virtually no insulation and a tin roof. It's quaint and we have painted and fixed it up the best we can. A new couch would be nice to replace the old, lumpy one we are using. Oh well, that's life and I'm so glad to have some decorations to brighten this place.
Rayna (and Paul)
1998, Age 47
Dear Santa,
This is our last Christmas in Georgia, we're moving to Wisconsin next year! I'm so excited to be moving "back home." We found land on lake up there and we're going to build a house or cabin. We're going to have friends over to our place on Christmas Eve as is our tradition, so as you are making your trip around the world, we'll be celebrating. Can't think of anything that we need this year.
Rayna
2008, Age 57
I suppose you don't get too many letters from 57 years old ladies, but what the heck? I'm young at heart or at least I like to think I am. I guess I am younger than most of my neighbors, who would have thought I'd be living in an over 55 community? This year, I'm not going to ask for anything for Paul & I. I have a good job and Paul has a good retirement; we have a house full of furniture; we have a church to go; and we have friends to visit. I would just ask that you bring my parents, that are both still alive, good health and safety. They are still independent. Yes, we kids sometimes think (and say) "stubbornly independent." But all in all, I'm so thankful they're alive and well. Help them stay so, will you Santa?
Rayna
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