June birthdays, July 4th and more...

 

I never would have predicted that I would blog every day for an entire year. But I did in 2013. I guess I got somewhat burned out and have been quite lazy about blogging in 2014. Not that I haven't experienced... Eat... Pray... Joy every day in 2014. I have eaten plenty and tried several new places in 2014. I have taken less photos of food than I did in 2013. I'm guessing it got a little boring seeing pictures of what I had for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.  

 

I continue to pray daily for friends, family, etc. Prayers of thanksgiving for my friend, Susie. She came to Texas in mid May and finished packing for my move to Addison while I worked. I could not have done it without her. In June, on my heart and in my prayers was my friend, Karen and her family. She had so much to deal with over the past several months. I was taken back to those days in 2008 when I dealt with my aging parent, three kids, etc. There are so many things that come up when dealing with your aging parent. Illness, surgery, their fears, your fears, etc. It is all so stressful emotionally and physically. In my case my mom waited until the last days and moments to handle end of life decisions. My heart goes out to anyone dealing with an aging parent and especially my friend, Karen.

 

 

 

I continue to find Joy in every day. I have been very fortunate over the past several months and have experienced much joy! I found a new place to live only two miles from my office rather than 18 miles. My lessened commute brings me joy and saves me major bucks and time. In April I, with my three children, attended the wedding of my niece, Amy, much joy was had by all! It was great to have all three children in one place for the family occasion.  The birthday of my youngest son, James, was in late June and we had a family celebration for he and my niece, Amy, and their June birthdays, I felt blessed! Next, I looked forward to celebrating the 4th of July in my new place in Addison, very close to Kaboom Town. I had hopes of sitting back in my pool, enjoying a beverage (or two or three) with friends and watch the fireworks to celebrate our nation's birthday! Part of those were realized as I grilled burgers for Kari and Alys on my new grill, had several Cosmos and we enjoyed the pool at Kaboom Town time. Alas, we could only hear the fireworks on 7/3. The company of friends, burgers, drinks and the pool was great though! The next day, 7/4, I drove to be close to Josey Ranch for the Carrollton fireworks show. I located the perfect parking lot on a hill and had a wonderful view of the show. Pictures never do fireworks justice, unless of course you are a professional with professional equipment. I was blessed to have one of the best views in town. Watching fireworks always brings me such joy...I love all of the colors!

 

How long does your birthday last?

 Does your birthday last a day? A week? More?
 

I say, it lasts as long as family and friends want to celebrate it with you. I am so very blessed to have family and friends who celebrated my birthday on March 13 through April 17 when I received the last birthday gift from a friend. The gift tag said, “Some birthdays go on…and on…and on…!”

Through the years my friends have made fun of the fact that I celebrate my birthday for an entire month. This began when I celebrated my 50^th for a month rather than getting bogged down into the fact that, “OMG I was turning 50!” To be honest, it was funny at first and I laughed with them and took the joking in stride. After a while it ceased to be funny.
 

This year, I said nothing about my birthday and hoped it would go by quietly without notice. I just wasn’t in a partying mood. My friends and family are the reason I celebrated. They proceeded to shower me with lunches, dinners, gifts and cards for over a month. I am in my 50s and proud of it. Prayers of thanksgiving for my family and friends! They are my JOY!  

Mardi Gras to Lent to Easter

 

Mardi Gras (French) also Fat Tuesday (English), refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany of Kings day and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season. I enjoyed Fat Tuesday with my handbell peeps before our Tuesday rehearsal. We had waffles at the local Waffle House, delicious. 

 

Lent...give up, give away or add in? Many choose to give up things during Lent each year. Like soda, drinking alcohol,  a certain food or internet game addictions like Words with Friends. This year it is quite popular to do 40 bags in 40 days where people go  through a closet, give away or repurpose clothing or household items, sort through an overcrowded garage, etc. I have chosen to "add in" a discipline. I have begun yoga...again. Every morning I have the hardest time getting up and getting going. So I began doing my "Morning Cup of Yoga" book. It is a fifteen minute yoga routine that is designed to get you going in the morning. So far I have done it every day in Lent. I have to admit it has helped defeat my morning laziness. I am very much a night owl but I have begun getting to bed earlier knowing that I will need to awake earlier to do my morning routine. Will I become a yoga fanatic? Probably not, but it certainly has helped me to get going in the mornings rather than dragging out of bed at the last possible moment and feeling behind and tired all day. Here's to adding in a new discipline that helped me along my journey through Lent.

Sunset in Sarasota, FL

Photo credit: Susie Elsea

Now I have made it through Holy Week where I rang at a Maudy Thursday service and sang at a Good Friday service. The Good Friday service was such a moving Tenebrae service ending in darkness with a soprano/tenor duet of Where You There sung from the chancel and balcony. I was moved to tears. Looking forward to the Joy of Easter.

An Attitude of Gratitude

An attitude of gratitude February 2014 Prayers of thanksgiving. So many things to be thankful for in February of the New Year. And gratitude brings me joy!

I currently have a job with benefits. Grateful.

  

I have attended many performances of dance and theater in the New Year, Pelobolous, Kibbutz, Plano Symphony and Godspell. I have the privilege of having invitations to these performances with and from my friends. Grateful.

 

My friend, Blake, will soon receive his Doctor of Ministry from SMU. He has been there for me over the past several years during and since my divorce. Proud, Grateful and Thankful for him!

I have lost 10 pounds by eating less and more healthily. May I never find it again. Grateful.

 

Even though I'm eating less I have enjoyed many good dishes with friends in January and February. Grateful for friends to share meals with.

I find joy in the music whether it be ringing handbells, singing in a choir or attending musical performances. It is hard to concentrate on the negative when one is "in the music." Grateful for the music in my life!

Comfort in food, friends and family!

January certainly proved to be true to form with regard to weather. But, Texas being Texas, it is in the 70’s one day and in the 20’s the next. February is arriving in the same style. These cold days have caused me to crave several of my favorite comfort foods, like soups and chili. Enjoyed tomato soup and a grilled cheese at Applebee’s with friends from another time. We call ourselves the Goodloe Girls. Five of us worked together for about two years in the same realty company. It was good to get together after almost a year. Changes have come about for all of us. One became very sick and was hospitalized and ill for some time, another will move to California soon, another has bragging rights for several grandchildren. But, through it all, we remain friends even though the bond of working together is gone.

 

Friends are so important during important times of our lives. When there is a birth, wedding, celebration or death we are drawn to our friends. My prayers are with my friend, Lynn, and her family as they grieve the loss of her dad, Stan. Another friend, Jackie is gone before her time. We sang together in the church choir for years. She was always so delightful and positive. Her daughter and I have the common bond of both having twins. Prayers for Jackie’s family at this time of loss.

 

 

 

Family is so important. We must cultivate those relationships at all times. I am so blessed to have my family, a sister, three children, a niece, cousins, etc. They bring me joy in unexpected ways. This week I received a photo frame with pictures of my three children. Unbeknownst to me the three of them had a photo session when they were all in town in January. The result, wonderful pictures taken by daughter, Sarah, such a talented photographer. My photo of it does not do it justice. I will hang it proudly and know that I am blessed abundantly each time I look at it. I am so joyful at the news of my niece, Amy, and her engagement. I will definitely “save the date” as she requested in a text yesterday. Family, we can go for weeks without seeing or talking to them, knowing that they will be there when we need them. Do not take family for granted, tell them you love them at every opportunity. Life is unpredictable, you may not get another chance!

 

 

 

Weekend of Dance, Music and Party!

 

Weekend of Dance, Music and Party!

Friday I was invited to attend a concert with Pilobolus Dance Company. Named after a barnyard fungus that propels its spores with extraordinary speed, accuracy and strength. That certainly personifies the dancers who move with great strength and speed. They make everything look so easy. Amazing and goose bumps on the last dance which culminated in switching off a single light bulb. Cindy and I dined before the show at Jorge’s Tex-Mex. We met Lori and Marilyn at intermission and I went out for a drink with them while they had a late dinner at Taverna. We had a great wine and wonderful appetizer with prosciutto. Topped with truffle oil and fresh ground pepper…delicious.

Saturday was time for the Plano Symphony Orchestra with the Canadian Brass. The Canadian Brass has five musicians who play Tuba (1), Trumpet (2), Horn (1) and Trombone (1). They entertain with the classical of Brahms, Schumann and J.S. Bach to the Beatles and Gershwin. So creative and fresh. Marilyn suggested Joe’s Italian since Carrabba’s had a 45 minute wait. Their tortellini carbonara was amazing. Sunday was my day of rest. I streamed worship since I was feeling tired when the alarm went off. Went to the first Cast of Bronze handbell choir rehearsal since December 2012. It was great to read through the music and discuss what direction this group may take. I am still trying to decide if it includes me or not. After rehearsal I met Cindy at Houlihan’s with other friends for her birthday party. I ordered their BBQ chicken flatbread, it was just right for my hunger level. Cindy and I had a glass of Bailey’s at my home before she went home to Ft. Worth. She had a good birthday. Prayers of thanksgiving as she made it home safely so she could sleep in her own bed. My joy was in the music of the weekend with dance, brass and handbells.

Photo credit: Larry Pollis

My twins turn 24!

My twins turn 24!

It’s hard to believe January 11, 1990 was 24 years ago, but it was. John and Sarah gathered about 15 close friends on Saturday, January 4 for an early celebration. A good time was had by all except me since that was the weekend I suffered with the flu. Since Sarah was going on a cruise with her friend, Briana from 1/9-1/13 we celebrated early on several evenings before Sarah left for Galveston. One evening Sarah and I got together with Maddie at the Main Street Bistro. We all enjoyed Peach Bellini Tini’s and delicious appetizers including their great Hummus. Sarah and Maddie are becoming such strong, independent, beautiful young women. I pray that they continue to discover what the future holds for them and to follow their dreams. My heart is full with pride and joy for my children and good friends. Friends and family relationships are only what YOU make them. I am doubly blessed, not just with twins but with family and friends who love and support me unconditionally.

Sarah (24)

Photo credit: Georgia Harris Wayne Davis

 

James (21)                           John (24)