Giving Thanks . . . November 26, 2009

As this new day dawns—Thanksgiving Day— I think it’s appropriate that I take just a few minutes before the busy hustle/bustle of this holiday weekend takes over to give thanks.

In short, I’m thankful for:

• Four generations of family members to celebrate the holidays with
• An 87-year-old mother who inspires me on a daily basis
• A grandbaby on the way (OK, you’ve heard this before!)
• My wonderful husband who supports me even when he thinks I’m crazy (as in currently pursuing my Doctorate)
• Three grown kids who make me intensely proud!
• A career (working with kids and adults) that I love
• Purposeful work at school and home
• Our family farm full of animals and adventures
• Friends who “hold me up” and occasionally, let me “hold them up”
• A positive attitude despite everything around us in the news–and world–that could make us pessimistic
• “Enough” of all of the above!

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR ON THIS DAY OF THANKSGIVING?

Aloha Friday #21: What are you thankful for? November 21, 2009

TGIF (Actually a day late, but who’s counting?),  so that means it’s past time for . . .

My “Aloha Friday” question this week is:

 WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

I’m so thankful that I’m a grandma-to-be, among a multitude of other things!

 If you’d like to participate in more Aloha Friday questions, click on over to  An Island Life for Kailani’s  “Aloha Friday

3 Generations January 3, 2009

I am often inspired by the generations around me, both older and younger, and this holiday season was no exception.

My  Mom (center) has the most positive attitude of any 86-year-old I know.  Recently, she wanted to show a granddaughter who lives in Texas how much she enjoyed her Christmas gift of a new “cowgirl” hat, so she posed for this picture with horses on her own farm. 

Despite being robbed of her sight by glaucoma over the years, she manages to be extremely agile, upbeat, and pretty darn technologically proficient.  Recently, we finally convinced her that she could use a cell phone (for her safety) after she accidentally locked herself in the chicken coop and had to crawl out the tiny “chicken door.”  Now, she uses her cell for enjoyment as well when she discovered that she has “free” nights and weekends, calling long-time friends who now live further away.

While “Mema” can be pretty hip, my daughter, two generations younger, can also be very fashionably “old-fashioned.”    Abbie, also known as the Farmer’s Daughter, is another person who impresses me to no end, linking family values, social issues, and a purposeful lifestyle.  A teacher and environmentalist at heart, she “walks the talk,” living a green, old-fashioned lifestyle today, embracing family values, good old-fashioned cooking, growing and using local foods, sewing, knitting, and creating wonderful gifts of herself for those around her!

Each day I feel thankful for these incredible women around me.  Thank goodness for the three generations in our family!

Time’s a wastin’… November 9, 2008

I’ve been feeling kind of reflective lately, probably because I’ve passed yet another birthday and have finally heard the results of a pathology report, after having some minor surgery and a biopsy last week.

“Benign.”

Just a small,  little word, but so meaningful.  Not cancer, not now, not yet, at least.

OK, on with my life, not that things had ever come to a standstill.  While I was busy with all the commitments of school this past week, working with students, presenting workshops and meetings for colleagues, completing coursework . . . as well as trying to keep up the demands and responsibilities of family and home, those unknown results were nagging at the back of my mind.

Good news, great news, but also the clock is always ticking.  As I enter my “next 50 years,” as Tim McGraw sings in his song, will I have time to accomplish all that I want to do?  I’m always setting new goals and reaching for more; things are never stagnant or still.  I want to have enough time–and more–to get it all done!  Am I crazy? Is this unusual?  Does anyone else ever think this way?  Do you ever stop in the middle of the million demands of the day to wonder . . . will I have enough time to do all I want to accomplish?  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this . . .

So, this weekend, amid the demands of ambitions, career, family, and goals, I did celebrate this good news.  I’m so fortunate for all I have and am very thankful for family and friends who care so much.  This weekend, I celebrated by . . .

• taking a bike ride on a sunny afternoon on the farm, around the pond, and into the woods
• cruising top-less, letting my hair fly in the wind (in other words, in my ‘stang with the top down!)
• enjoying a lovely dinner out with my family to celebrate that birthday that I’m no longer counting
• joining dear friends for another, double birthday dinner celebration
• visiting with my Mom
• updating my blogs
• working on school work
• making homemade turkey soup
• picking apples
• lingering a bit this morning over coffee with my dear husband
•  . . . and yes, I even did laundry, vacuuming, and grocery shopping . . . and it all felt great!

Hope you had a GREAT weekend.  What did you do for fun?  What did you think/worry/obsess about?

Now, to get ready for tomorrow . . .