Tomorrow is my 60th birthday...

Today is the last day in my fiftieth decade. Tomorrow my first day as a sixty year old.  Just numbers?? If they are they are sure giving me pause. I think about the aging process a lot. I can't imagine not being here with my beloved family. But I also am excited about tomorrow...birthdays in this family are fun.

Question # 10. What's so funny? Beck says, Regain your youth by laughing at every possible situation.  Funny and laughable list: The Office,  the things grandkids say, "Granny, you are very fluffery!"  "Please, Granny, come home. We have not had any sugar since you left."

Two days left and let the party begin...

I woke up to birthday decorations! A friend took me out for a birthday lunch former co-workers
took me out for dinner and a Bloody Mary. It begins...Friday a.m. I leave for T.C. for birthday surprise with my family...

Question # 11. Where am I wrong? According to Soccrates, we gain our first measure of intelligence when we first admit our own ignorance. Ask where am I wrong instead of insisting I am right.
Hmm... tough one. I do like to think I am right.

Where am I wrong? I wish I was more able to step out of my comfort zone in my daily life. I like every day to be the same, safe. Is that wrong?  Anti-politician, I want them to serve the people and stop helping themselves...Is this wrong? I need to come  back  to this question.

Three more days til the Royal Wedding aka my birthday...

I stopped to get gas today after subbing at school. I paid $4.05 at a full service station. The amount made  me so cranky that I was not going to tip the attendant...he comes up to my car all smiles and cheerful "How was your day today, Ma'am? " To make a long story short he was the younger brother of a dear student at my old school. I tipped him and drove away smiling!!

Question # 4. Why do I like {cupcakes} more than I like {broccoli}? {dogs} {people}? {reading} {exercise}?Every woman has something she likes more than the somethings she is supposed to like and according to Ms. Beck we must stop trying to like the things we don't like and many vices will disappear on their own. So, I'm thinkin' I can stop trying to like, say, salads and my vice, sweets could just disappear. Yah, no, I think I must accept who I am and what I like and dislike...

Four days left...

...in the decade of my fifties. I wonder if I did everything I should have done? Most of the time I feel good about my life. Sometimes I wonder.  which leads to question # 3. Why worry? Beck says worry rarely leads to positive action. It scuttles happiness. By focusing on gratitude we can shut down the part of our brain that worries. So, some gratitude here.

On Saturday evening I went upstairs to put the baby to bed and she cried so I rocked her in the yellow bed room I decorated for the arrival of my first grandson 10 years ago. Sitting with her snuggling in my arms was so sweet. It made me think of all the babies I had rocked in that same room in the same rocker...love and joy. She drifted off to sleep in my arms. I am so thankful for the love my grands give to me.

Six days and counting from my porch...

My neighbor of thirty-six years just sent over homeade sticky buns on a crockery plate. I have brolen at least three of her dishes and a platter and she still does not send a paper plate!

Now for today's question,  # 6. How do I want to be different because I lived in this world? Martha Beck said that in small ways or large  the world will change my life. Make a list of experiences I want to have during my brief sojurn here...hmmm.


A bucket list???  I want to visit my sister in Idaho.  Spend time with my grandchildren, lots of time. Walk in the park...feel the sun on my back. I want to get to know my daughters as adult women. See Europe,  England, Ireland, Spain & Italy would be fine. Travel with my husband, maybe Mt. Rushmore and the redwoods. Sit by a campfire, eat homeade ice cream...how will these experiences make me different? I want to savor each moment of my life, the small joys. I want to be a person who is more aware of moments let stress go....

Today show announces 7 days left in countdown...

In seven days I will be sixty...also The Royal Wedding will take place...so there is a world wide countdown til my birthday. No forgetting this day for me!

Question # 8 What is my body telling me? (Martha says) The body is a wise capable creature, it recoils from what is bad for it and leans into what is good , let it...I keep telling myself I am healthy, I do enough...I can live on cake (cookies, ice cream, dessert) but my body is not agreeing. I have to force myself to get moving, joints are actually creaking, yoga, stretching and walking make me feel better, so why must I force myself to do these things. Much rather play computer games, read, crochet.  The cake, sugar thing is so hard for me. I am adding healthy grains, fruits and the dreaded vegetables to my diet but I am kicking and screaming. It is good for my body but has taken the pleasure, joy, out of eating. This stuff does not taste good. Flax and blackstrap molasses....But I have to admit my body is giving positive feedback.

Twenty Questions...

I read an article in Oprah by Martha Beck called Twenty Questions to Ask Yourself...Some food for thought. So here goes, I am going to answer a few. Number nineteen really got me thinking. 19. Are my thoughts hurting or healing? Good question. I am struggling with my health now a bladder spasm thing related to menopause :( :( and a chronic cough that is disrupting my sleep and my life. I am very down. The mental story I am telling my self is miserable...not helping me get thru these tough days. So, hence , number 19, Beck suggests telling your self  a more positive and grateful story to increase happiness. Hmmm. Whatever your situation, choose thoughts that knit your heart together rather then tear it apart. My goal today is to think one grateful thought, think of something that makes me feel good (even though I am feeling very bad). Look up out of this funk place. My 60 thinking needs a kick out of the doldrums, too. Eight days til the big day, and I don't mean the royal wedding!

I am grateful for the care and patience my husband has shown to me during this awful time...
Filling Easter eggs to hide for the Grands who will be here in a few days makes me feel good.

On the porch with ten days left before my birthday....

I'll be sixty in ten days...found a few quotes to help me along.
Aging is about striking a balance. Exuding a mix of beauty, strength and confididence.--Callaghan
(Only in my dreams)
 Aging is a journey and often a challege, but never as bad as one would expect. There are fabulous surprises along the way.--Pruitt (I like this one)
Aging is much better than the alternative. ---Makay (Yah Huh)
Aging is a part of life...I love my lines because they tell a story.---Leube (I earned them)
   

                                            

Oops, I did it again...

I will have to post a new profile picture...I just needed a little shape up trim on my new long hairstyle. I have been growing out many lenghts for nearly two years now. I made an appointment with my dear hairdresser of thirty years...my hair is gone, in a pile , on the floor of the beauty shop. What we have here, is a failure to communicate. The front still looks long  but the back is angled to inches from my crown then shaved to my neck. I never wanted my neck shaved or 4 inches of hair cut off. I do not, as I near my sixtieth birthday, have the neck for it! I am not sure how I let this happen again (way too short), I have to let this go....I am trying to age gracefully here...

Drip, dripping...

I took a walk in the rain. I took my camera with me and caught this drip...

Sign of spring...

I am waiting on my porch...

My daughter and her family are returning from a few days in Chicago to see the sights, aquarium and museums. I watched their German Sheppard, Hazel...I wanted the baby but I got the dog. It has only been a few days but I am so excited to see them again.

This is my last month as a fifty-nine year old. Sixty on the 29th....

I am reading The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elizabeth Robinson. Not easy to read...it is in letter form. I need a better read.

A thing I love is how excited my grandkids get when they see me no matter if it has only been a few days.

I subbed at school for the last three days in my old room. Lots of work but it was good to be there.