I’ve never been one to wear makeup, get my nails done, go to the beauty shop, etc.  I’ve never been one to spend too much time in front of the mirror either.  I’ll flash a smile into the mirror to ensure my teeth are shiny after I brush them, I’ll cast a quick look to see that my hair is properly brushed and lying down neatly, and I’ll glance at my outfit for the day once I’m in it to ensure that all my fastenings are properly closed and my bras strap isn’t showing.  That’s my normal relationship with  a mirror.

Recently though, I glanced in the mirror a little longer than usual and was shocked to find that I barely recognized the image looking back at me.  When did those wrinkles all appear?  All those scraggly grey hairs?  That beginning of a turkey neck?  Good grief,  was that me?!?!?  It was . . . it is . . .

I’ve pondered on this revelation of the newly discovered me.  Should I be depressed?  Should I run out and get my hair cut and colored (cover that grey)?  Other options floating through my head like commercials on television were Botox, face lift, liposuction. . .  Those were just fleeting thoughts because, regardless of what my outside might look like now; my inside is still the same old practical me.

There is a song with the words “Those are wrinkles, they ain’t nothing to be scared of.  They’re just the product of time and true love.  Some are going to come and go, some are going to come and stay. . . “  I love that song. 

I will embrace my wrinkles, my turkey neck, and my grey hair.  I believe that most of my wrinkles were caused by an overwhelming amount of joy and laughter over the years.  My grey hair . . . just a product of time passing and God allowing me to live a long and full life.

Soooo, I won’t waste any extra time in front of the mirror pondering my wrinkles and age spots.  I’ll continue to check my teeth are clean, my hair is brushed, and my clothes are on properly; then I’ll head out the door and get on with the business of living life fully and happily, thanking God for the multitude of blessings He has already sent my way over the years, and looking forward to the blessings that are yet to come.

Thom and I went on a week-long vacation to Arizona the first week of July.  We spent two days in Yuma, two days in Laughlin, and three days in Cornville.  We had a great time.

We visited my folks in Yuma and their new cat, Sammy.  It was 117 degrees outside, so we spent quality time indoors visiting and enjoying each others company.  Sammy is the most mellow cat on earth and a welcome addition to the family as Mom and Dad recently lost their long-time pet cat Max.  Sammy was abandoned by his owners when they moved out of the area.  It’s hard to determine if Sammy adopted my folks or if they adopted him; but I think Max had a hand (paw) in seeing they got together somehow.

After leaving Yuma, we went to Laughlin for two days and donated to the casinos there.  It was still rather toasty at 113 degrees, so we didn’t spend too much time outside.  We did take a gambling break to go to the movies to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  It was a very enjoyable movie - rather corny, but packed with action, fun, and adventure.

We left Laughlin and drove on to my sister’s house in Cornville where it was noticeably cooler at 102 degrees.  My sister, Lisa, is one of my favorite people on earth and we had a terrific visit.  Talking, laughing, and just generally goofing around with Lisa always rejuvenates me.  I am so very blessed to have her for a sister.

We (Thom, Lisa, and I) went on a hike down the West Fork Trail in Sedona.  A beautiful hike down the bottom of a canyon where we crossed the river several times - carefully navigating across on boulders, rocks, and fallen logs.  Not being the most graceful person, I was a bit leery at first about getting across without falling in, but after the first few crossings I gained more confidence and managed to stay dry the whole hike.

The sights along the trail were awesome - great canyon walls, beautiful flowers, eyecatching bugs and butterflies, the river flowing.  A most enjoyable hike.  Sedona is a beautiful place to visit and there are many trails to hike and explore.  I’m looking forward to exploring other trails there on future visits.

If you’d like to see the photos I took of family, bugs, butterflies, and flowers during our week in Arizona just click here.  Maybe you’ll feel just a bit of the joy I found in spending time with Thom, Mom, Dad, Lisa, and the great outdoors.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted because my husband and I went on a two week vacation; and it has taken me a week to get semi caught up at work.  Now, I’ve found a peaceful moment to post an update. 

Vacation was wonderful.  We toured the California Mining Museum which was very interesting - all sorts of gold, minerals, and gems. 

We then went further north and spent quite a bit of time enjoying Columbia State Park where there were some great rock formations and old gold rush days buildings. 

Further north on our trip we saw some metal sculptures and a sign for “Mine Tours” that caught our eye and we pulled in on impulse.  If you ever pass by Sutter Creek, CA, I highly recommend the Mine Tour - we really enjoyed it. 

Then came the part of the trip I was most looking forward to . . . seeing my son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids!  My son and his friends dubbed our final group camping destination as Camp Awesome and that describes the place perfectly.  On the way there, we all stopped at Cape Meares to check out the lighthouse and have a picnic lunch.  We also stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory and watched the workers make cheese - quite a fascinating process to watch the processing and packaging. 

We arrived at Cape Lookout in the afternoon and set up our Camp Awesome.  This place was literally right on the ocean - just several yards across a road and over a short berm.  I so enjoyed meeting Jim and Rebecca’s friends - this is just a wonderful group of people and we had such a good time camping, hiking, and visiting with them.  If you ever want the perfect s’more, just ask Megan to make you one - delicious! 

We played on the beach with the grandkids (actually we gained two more grandchildren as Kaylee and Chase adopted us as their grandparents for the duration), hiked with them, and just had a ball.  I was in grandma heaven!  As always, it was tough to leave to head back home to the desert - not only missing the kids, but oh how I loved the cool weather, clouds, and even rain! 

On the way back home, we stayed in Gold Beach, OR and went on a mail boat ride down the Rogue River.  It was raining when we left port, but stopped about an hour into the trip.  We saw deer, wild turkies, eagles, and mud swallows - it was terrific. 

When we left Gold Beach, we stopped over in Calistoga, CA, for two nights to see the “California Old Faithful Geyser” and the “California Petrified Forest.”  The petrified red wood trees were huge!  Much larger pieces of petrified wood than I saw when visiting the Petrified Forest in Arizona. 

Our final stop before coming back home was in Cambria, CA.  The weather was beautiful, we saw tons (literally) of elephant seals on the beach near San Simeon, and we walked the board walk along Moonstone Beach. 

So, vacation was absolutely wonderful.  Now, it’s back to work and back to the heat of the desert.  Ahhhhhhhhhhh, I’m longing for the clouds and coolness of Oregon . . . and most of all for the hugs and kisses of my grandkids.

Thom and I attended Davey’s t-ball game in Barstow a couple of nights ago.  I didn’t realize how much fun I would have.  The kids were just adorable.  Davey is on the Cardinal’s team and they played against the Dodgers.  Very enthusiastic and happy playing.  I thought the game rules were kind of neat - you get up to bat and if you miss 5 or 6 pitches, you then put up the t-ball holder deal and get another 5 or 6 chances to hit the ball again.  If you actually hit the ball, you take off and head for first as fast as you can.  It’s best to be as dramatic as possible and dive onto first base.  Even if the first base kid gets you out, you laugh together, stay on base, and carry on until a teammate hits the ball and you can take off for second base.  The ultimate important thing is to dive face first to home plate, getting as dirty as is humanly possible and kicking up a duststorm that would make Pigpen proud.  You certainly couldn’t beat the enthusiasm and the good will among all the players.  This was playing ball at its very best!  Total fun for the kids to participate in and total fun for the parents, grandparents, and other fans to watch.  That is Davey in the photo sliding in to home - the happiest kid in the world at that moment.

As you may know, I’m in the process of changing my eating and exercise habits (for life); and losing weight.  The weight loss challenge I participate in at work is nearing an end and what are we doing to celebrate and announce the winning team you may ask.  We are going to eat!  Everyone is supposed to bring their favorite breakfast item. 

I’ve been pondering the logic of this for a few days now.  Wouldn’t it make more sense for all of the participants go on a group walk?  go bowling?  do something physical yet fun?

If I brought my actual favorite breakfast items, I’d bring bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, and white toast with lots of butter.  That’s what I’m teaching myself NOT to indulge in.  So, I’m going to be a bit dishonest and bring things I like but would never say (at least at this point) are my favorites.  I’m bringing fruit - bananas, apples, and oranges.  I may end up bringing the most of it back home; but that’s okay.  I’ll eat a piece of fruit when I get a craving for bacon.   :-)

Food is historically such a treat for us humans.  We go out to eat to celebrate (anniversaries, graduations, etc.); to entertain family/friends/guests, to comfort ourselves. . .  I think it is engrained in us to use food for so many things other than for plain old nourishment.

I’m not offering a solution to any of this.  Like I said, I’ve just been pondering the logic.  Maybe some of you out in blog land (I’m certain that’s not appropriate terminology - but I like it anyway) have some thoughts of your own.  I’d be interested to hear them.

Have a happy, healthy weekend.

Luann

Today, I was so proud of myself because I figured out how to replace my photo on my “about” page with one I liked a bit better.  Why do I like it better?  Because, quite honestly, it shows far fewer wrinkles than the other one.  I’m not too awfully vain, but I do have a shred of it in me.

At any rate, I got the new photo posted and was all ready to brag to Jim about how smart I really am, when I found that the words don’t go around the photo like they did the old one.  There is a huge white blank space to the right of the photo, instead of words.  So, I can’t really brag after all.  I did send off an email to Jim asking him to fix it for me when he gets a chance.  It’s a real benefit having a son who is a computer guru.

I just spent quite a long time composing my “About” page.  If anyone reads it, let me know what you think.  I never thought I’d have my own blog, but I’m getting a bit excited about the idea.  There is something kind of fun about writing down things that are important to me or that I want to share with others, and getting feedback.

Banner event of the day (besides my first blog) is that my weight loss team at work remains in the number one position.  Two more weeks, one more weigh in, and this competition will be concluded.  Losing weight is what is most important to me, but winning the $120 prize for each member in our team of three wouldn’t be half bad either.  Here’s hoping we stay in first place.

For tonight, as Bugs Bunny would say . . . “That’s all folks!”

Luann

Mothers Day is for My Mom from Jim Goings on Vimeo.

Happy Mothers Day Mom! The whole family helped make this video just for you. As an added bonus, this blog is yours to do with as you like! Welcome to the online world.