From my earliest memories, there have been two words that I have heard from everyone from my parents to teachers, friends, geez...from people I barely knew.  Those two words.....PAY ATTENTION!!  I was laying in bed thinking the other morning (Yep....like our friend Texas Girl Jen, I am a thinker).  I was thinking that I need to pay attention.  I tend, like most of us, to get caught up in the everyday, mundane tasks of life.  I cruise through on auto-pilot from day to day, just doing from one day to the next, pretty much what I did the day before.  I realized this last week, thanks in part to a discussion with my hubby, that I need to PAY ATTENTION!  Because of articles I read in my daily newspaper I realized I needed to PAY ATTENTION!  Because of heart-wrenching pleas from hurting people on a prayer chain I am on, I know I need to PAY ATTENTION!

 

Some of the things I need to pay attention to:

 

My husband - he is the most important person in my universe of family and friends.  He is my BEST friend, my soul mate, my lover, my strength, my compass in many things I think and do.  I need to pay attention and pull my head out sometimes.  (I know you will read this honey, thank you for loving me even when I may not be very "lovable"!!)

 

My parents - they are truly in the sunset of life and I know not how much longer I will have them.  They are two of the best people I know.  I need to certainly not just say I love them, but show it more.

 

My immediate family - sisters, kids, grand-kids, nieces, nephews.  They are what makes my life so rich!  I may not have lots of money, but that does not matter.  I am fortunate to have such wonderful family.  I am rich in the things that count!

 

My friends - I have not been the best at keeping in touch with my friends lately.  I have had a pretty bad case of head up "you know where" with all that has been going on in my life.  Without certain of my friends....I can say with certainty, that I would not be here today.  I have friends that are THAT GOOD!

 

Co-workers/business associates - I just spent yesterday evening with one of these whom I also call friend.  She is separated from her hubby and really going through a difficult time.  I think she was glad to just have someone to hang out with who would listen to her.  My heart hurts for her....I have walked in similar shoes. 

 

I know that I cannot be all things to all people.  I know that.  I am not naive.  However, I do think that I can take the time out of my self-absorption to look around me.  Really look and take a few moments for the people with whom I interact with from day to day.  To not just half-way listen to them politely....but look them in the eye and give them my full attention....even for a few moments.  Sometimes those few moments with a listening ear, a kind word, and maybe even a hug given, can mean all the world to someone else.    There are two families in our area who within hours of each other.....lost their 18 year old sons to drowning.  Two more families have lost babies to senseless acts taken against the most vulnerable.  My hubby was in a wreck last night.....he wasn't hurt thank goodness and neither was the other driver....but it could have been very different.

 

I say this to myself and to you....PAY ATTENTION!!  This minute is the only minute I KNOW I have!!  I best be paying attention to those I love because there is no guarantee of another day to do so!!  Make that call, take those few extra minutes with a friend or loved one, give that hug!!  We will all be better off for doing so!! 

 

Have a great day people!!

 

BBB                                  

I have a confession to make.  I cannot deny any longer.  I am a Dancing With the Stars junkie.  I just LOVE that show!! I have always loved dancing and watching dancing.  One of my earliest memories is of one of my Dad's brothers dancing.  He was a dance instructor who gave private lessons at my Grandmother's house.  When we would go over to my Grandmother's house, if my uncle was there, I would beg for him to dance with me.  I was only about 3 or 4, so what he would do is put my feet on top of his and he would do some simple steps while holding my hands.  I was in absolute heaven!!  The other thing I liked about dancing with my uncle was that he always had mints in his pockets.  A dance instructor must always have fresh breath!  So I also begged for a mint, which I always got, of course.  When I was in my teens I did not dance.  I really didn't dance much until my college years.  Disco dancing was all the rage.  However, I never learned to do the partners type dancing.  I had friends that did, but I just did my own dancing thing like most of us.

 

After college, I didn't dance again until I was in my mid-twenties.  I remember my friend P trying and trying to get me to go country dancing with her.  I had just broken off about a 3 year relationship with a guy.  She thought I needed to get out and have some fun.  Have you ever had someone just bug and bug and bug you to do something you didn't want to do....and you finally did what they wanted just to SHUT them up??  Well, that's what I did.  I went with P to one of the popular country dancing spots, most begrudgingly I might add.  The first few times I went, I just sat and watched everyone dancing.  I did know one or two line dances that had been popular during my college days.  That was about the extent of my dancing.  Guys would ask me to dance, but I was afraid of looking stupid.  Enter one particularly stubborn little cowboy (he really was a cowboy!) who would not take no for an answer.  That poor guy!  I stepped all over his feet, but he just kept on dancing with me.  Gradually, I learned what I was doing.  Other guys started asking me to dance and I would do a few dances during the evening.  Fast forward about 6 months and I just could NOT get enough of dancing.  P and I went dancing at least 3 times a week!!  I got to be pretty doggone good at it and ended up with a really great "guy friend" who was my regular dance partner.  We didn't enter contests or anything, but just had a blast dancing with each other.  People thought we were a couple....but we were just really good friends and never ever crossed that line.  I still love L to pieces!  I no longer dance though.

 

When I watch other people dancing, especially dances so technical and beautiful as the ones on DWTS, I am just fascinated.  It makes me nostalgic for my dancing days, even if they were not anything like the dancing on that show.  So, there are only a  couple of weeks left in this season's competition, and I am enjoying watching.  There is some awesome talent this season.  My uncle would have been a contender.  He was a fabulous dancer.   I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I guess because of my uncle and my lifelong fascination with dance, it has been a fun time each week (except for the cheesy guest singers and special numbers). 

 

Does anyone else out there in blog land want to admit to being a DWTS junkie??  Or am I the only one??

 

Let's hear from you people!!  You won't hurt my feelings.  I know I am a little weird.  Lovable...but weird.

 

Gotta run for now.  Later ya'll......

 

BBB

Several weeks ago I sold the SUV that I'd had for about 4 years.  I was longing for a new car.  In particular a Chrysler 300.  I could see myself in that hot car....as my daughter said....a Bree Van DeCamp car.....how cool!  I put the money I got from selling my SUV in savings and was adding to it until I could get what I wanted.  We had two other vehicles, a truck and PT Cruiser, so I just drove one of those daily.  As the weeks have gone on, I got to thinking about summer and specifically, a trip hubby and I have planned to pull our trailer to Destin Florida for a week.  The more I thought, the more I had visions....not of the beautiful Florida sunshine and sugar sands of Destin....but of sitting beside the road with a DEAD truck....somewhere near a swamp if my luck were to run true to form.  Talk about bursting your bubble!!  Now, I realize that if we broke down, we have cell phones.....ummm....SURE.....those things ALWAYS work.....NOT.  Well....we would be pulling our trailer....so we could just LIVE in it until someone could rescue us.   I gave this a LOT of thought people.  As I told Texas Girl Jen, I am a thinker like her.  I can just think things to death!!  But sometimes after my thinking a light bulb comes on and I come up with a solution to what I am pondering.  Doesn't happen ALL the time...but every now and then.  When the lightbulb came on after pondering the horrors of a trip with an old truck, the obvious solution was to NOT buy a car, but rather to buy a truck.

 

So I mentioned my idea casually at a Sunday lunch we were having with some friends.  Hubby was like..."yeah...uh huh....sure....okay."  I think he knew how much I pined for my 300.   The following day, being the "go to" girl that I am, I got on a website that trades in autos (which I had been scoping out for my 300).   I call up hubby at work.  "Well, I have been looking at trucks and they have a really nice Ford F250 at this page"....which was met with...."You are seriously looking??"   "Of course I am seriously looking....I just told you they have some really nice trucks listed."  Folks, let me tell you it didn't take hubby but a heartbeat to be on board that horse!!

 

We found a truck on line that we liked.  Hubs traded e-mails with the seller.  Seller says...you know you should really go drive a similar truck to see if you like it.  Long story short....I liked the truck we drove.....really liked it....liked it so MUCH we bought it!!  We are proud owners of a new F-250 Diesel which is totally tricked out.  I LOVE IT love it love it!! 

 

Those visions of our trip in August have now changed.  I see a sandy beach and a long cool drink in my hand...watching the people frolick in the ocean.   Life is good!!

 

Have a great weekend people!!

 

BBB

I am not sure if you have read in some of my first posts, and maybe I just think I mentioned it, but it took me several tries at it in order to finally get a college degree.  My second try at college came not long after my friend I told you about in earlier posts had his diving accident.  I had been working for a large insurance company, and really I had advanced as far as I could without a college degree.  So, I talked to my folks, we found some money (a grant) and Mom and Dad agreed to help me again with expenses.  I decided I would get my secretarial certification.  So, off I went to the same university I had quit a couple of years before.  Now, it turned out that I still had a number of friends who were attending this university.  One of the activities I had been involved in previously was a women's auxiliary to one of the fraternities on campus.  Not only had I been involved in that auxiliary, I had helped to establish it.  When some of the guys found out that I was back on campus, they contacted me and asked me if I would join the auxiliary once again.  Since I saw it as a way to make some new friends and knowing that I had previously enjoyed it, I thought, what the heck, let's do it!!  Several of the guys took me to the next meeting and introduced me to the girls who were at that time active in the organization.  They were very impressed that I was a founder of the organization and were all very nice to me.  I began to make a lot of new friends and it was really a lot of fun, especially after having worked for a couple of years. 

 

I had an apartment off campus and so it soon became the usual gathering place with my new friends, most of whom lived on campus.  Now, unfortunately, when I moved into the apartments, they just happened to put me in an apartment just above a little elderly lady who was quite cranky on a good day.  Can ya see where we are going here??   Now, mind you, I was not one to throw wild parties, but I did enjoy having my friends over and we would cook meals and do a little (well maybe not just a little) drinking.  I only had a very SMALL stereo that my folks had gotten me when I graduated high school.  It could play rather loud, but, for the most part I tried to keep it down.  Especially knowing who lived downstairs. 

 

One of the people who I became fast friends with was Golden Dove.  She was a few years younger than me, just off a pretty bad divorce, she stood about 5' and was about 98 pounds soaking wet.  She had long blond hair...thus, her nickname.  Now the Dove was no wimp, even though she was small.  She was one of the most spirited people I had ever met.  You never, ever had to wonder what she was thinking, because she would just tell you...straight up....good or bad.  She was the daughter of a coach, and had two brothers.  So  Dove could MORE than hold her own in any situation as I would later learn.

 

The first party I had with my new friends at my apartment was just really a bunch of us getting together to eat pizza and drink some beer.  We did play a little music.  I would say there were probably 8-10 people there.  Not long after we ate, there came a knock at my door.  The apartment security goon was standing there.  They had received a complaint about my noisy wild party.  Well, I invited the guy in.  He took a look around and didn't see anything vaguely resembling a party.  Just some kids who had obviously been eating pizza and drinking a few beers.  He had me turn down the music even though he agreed it wasn't that loud.  He told me if I got three complaints, I would be out of there.  Now the Dove was really hot about this.  It seemed really unfair to her because we really weren't having a wild party....really!! 

 

Fast forward several weeks.  The Dove and I have gotten to be pretty good friends.  I just loved her spirit and she was just absolutely one of the funniest people I had ever met.  Her parents had a home on the river not far from our small campus.  Many times, after our classes were through, we would go and just hang out with her folks.  They eventually adopted me (unofficially of course) as another daughter.  Those were such fun times.  Now I continued to have people over, but we really tried to keep things reasonable.  However, one night, I invited a few friends and word just kind of got around that .....hey....there's some chicks hanging out at B's house....let's just go by.  Before I knew it, I had apartment full of people.   And....before I knew it....there was the security goon at my door once again.  He said everyone would have to leave.  Now, I thought that was really unfair.  We had John Denver on the stereo for crying out loud.... and were just sitting around talking and having a few drinks.  But, the goon would not leave until my friends did.  Not helping the situation was the fact that to a person, they ALL put their hands on top of their heads like they were going to jail, and filed out, one by one, lead of course, by the Dove.  I was told to see the Apt. manager the next day. 

 

The Dove knew I was in big trouble here.  So she went with me the next day.  The manager said they were asking me to move.  I told her where she could stuff her apartment and that I would be out in the next few days.  I promptly left and about had a meltdown.  How in the WORLD was I going to tell my folks I had been booted, and where in the world was I going to move!!  Enter the Dove to save my sorry self!!  She said...have no fear!! You can move in with me.  We will have the guys in the frat move your stuff to a storage until we could get a bigger place.  Now, I was so upset that this little factotum didn't really sink in....till we could get a bigger place.  Hey...I had been evicted (the first, and ONLY time) and I had no options so of course I took her up on her offer.  I will never forget the call to my parents.  Boy, was I a S P I N doctor deluxe!!  I made those people sound so unreasonable.  I didn't do anything...couldn't help if I had a cranky old woman downstairs....you know the drill if you are a parent. 

 

So, I moved in with the Dove and her dog.  Into an ITTY BITTY, miniscule, blink and you'll miss it about 15 foot travel trailer!!  She had a couch that folded out, and a little bunk thingy, a tiny tiny kitchen (un huh if you could call it that) and the ittiest, bittiest, tiniest bathroom I had ever seen.  But you know what?  We had an absolute ball!!  We lived in that trailer until her folks and her Nanny had pity on us and moved one of Nanny's trailers to a little park just off campus for us.  Yeeeeeehawww!! It had two whole bedrooms, a big (to us) living room, and a huge bathroom.  It had NO air conditioning.  It did have heat.  My parents finally took pity on me and bought me a tiny little window unit to put in my bedroom which was just off the living room.  I always kept that room neat as a pin because all that summer, when our friends came over, guess where we ALL hung out!!!  In my bedroom!! 

 

Our little trailer park was mostly inhabited by college students who were college poor, and if you have ever been to college, you KNOW what I'm talking about here.  The Dove and I didn't have a lot of money, but we ALWAYS had something good cooking even though we were on a budget.  Both of us were really good cooks.  And the guys in the trailer park never ever failed to be "happening by" just about dinner time.  The windows had to be open, so they could smell the food.  The typical conversation went something like this.  "Hi ladies....sure smells good in there.  Man, it smells like my Mom's home cooking.....don't suppose you'd want to share would ya???"  Always something along those lines.  And, of course, we always shared, especially if it was certain really hunky guys that we liked.  No fools B and the Golden Dove!!

 

So this is how I met and became the best of friends with the Golden Dove.  There are more stories coming.  We became like sisters!!  In fact she calls me "Sis" when we talk.  Good times my friends!!  Poor as church mice.  Lived in not the best of conditions....but we loved every minute of it.  I wouldn't trade those times for all the money in the world. 

 

Stay tuned for more adventures of B and the Golden Dove!

 

Later Gators!

 

BBB

Buff/fit friend went by the gym today to see the owner.  She told him how much weight I have lost so far, and he told her that as far as weight loss goes I am NUMBER TWO in the standings!!!!  Woooooohoooooo!!!  Yeeeeehawwwww!!!  I am SO pumped!  Now they are looking at other factors over all...like inches lost, BMI, etc.   But in weight loss to be doing that well is just exciting!!  Just thought ya might like to know.

 

BBB

For those who are following my progress towards fitness (and you know who you are).....I just did my morning stint on the treadmill.  I thought I would just post a note before I toddle off to the shower.  This evening I have my next torture....errrrr....ummm....fitness training session at the gym.  All kidding aside, I am kinda looking forward to it.  I really want to learn the exercises and I REALLY want to make the most of my six weeks since they appear to be all I can afford to do at this point.  I am a little less sore than yesterday, and a whole LOT less sore than I was on Tuesday.   So it looks like I will spend a few days each week in a little pain.  But, hey, it was tolerable and I made it through it!  I talked with my buff/fit friend yesterday and she tells me there is new "eye candy" in the form of a new fitness trainer at the gym.  Although I am married, I like "eye candy" as much as the next lady!!   Buff/fit says this guy was eyeing her as she worked out the other night.  As a young, single person, she was pleased to say the least.  So I can't wait to see if I can pick out this guy from the seven new fitness trainers at the gym.  Ah... the little things we look forward to.   :)

 

I am working on a post about another one of my long time friends.  I'll call her the Golden Dove.  Not sure when it will post.

 

If'n you are interested......stay tuned folks!

 

Have a great day!!!!

 

BBB 

I thought I would update any of you following my quest for fitness.  Last Thursday I went to the weigh in/measuring session.  To my surprise, most of the people who showed up were women....like 90%....WOMEN!!  We rock!!  As part of our measurements they took our body mass index.  They haven't said what is optimal, but I know for sure mine WASN'T.   After the paperwork, my buff friend had come earlier than usual and took me through just a PART of her workout routine.  Can you say....OOOUUUUCCCHHHH!!!  I now understand why my friend is buff and toned!!  She literally has worked her toookus off!  My admiration rate went up even more for this young, single mom.   The last thing I did before I left last Thursday was set up for my free "boot camp" session.  It was last night.  A personal trainer (actually - the gym's owner) took me through exercises that, if I follow for six weeks, should help me to tone and firm.  Certainly I have no expectation that I will be toned like my friend....she's been at it since November.  But I should have a good start.  The only problem I can see, I can't remember HALF of what the personal trainer showed me.  So, I have decided I will go and do what I CAN remember, and just make a pest of myself asking questions.   Of course, the owner of this gym, which, by the way, is awesome, wants everyone in the challenge to JOIN his gym.  Of course he does!!  Most probably will.  But hubby and I took a look at the budget last night and, in my case, the money just is NOT there at this time.  If I don't join THIS WEEK, the price goes up considerably after the Challenge.   So, unless I win the lottery, or come up with some other windfall, I do not see a permanent gym membership in my immediate future.

 

That said, I fully intend to make the most of my six weeks for $20!!!  I intend to learn all I can about the exercises, and shall try to develop a routine that I can follow from now on.  The owner did say when we were talking that first day I met him, that for about $150 I can get most of the things I need to do the workouts on my own.  I am continuing my morning treadmill (it was just a little painful this morning...but I DID it anyway!!).  Since I worked out so hard yesterday, the owner suggested that tonight I hit the ellipticals, and the treadmill there tonight.  So, that is my plan.  I know I will be at a disadvantage in a sense, because most of the people in the challenge will buy more sessions with the fitness trainers.  And, if I can, I will do so as well.  But I am going to make the very most of my six weeks of working on my own.  I really want to do well, and I think if I try hard, all be it ....on my own....I believe I will get results of some kind.    I mean....we are talking about a totally inactive couch potato doing exercise at least five times a week!!  So, we shall see.  I need to haul my sore tushie to the shower!

 

You all have a great day and great week....and STAY TUNED!!!

 

Later gators!

 

BBB

I am one of those people who is your classic "couch potato" type person.  I have never, ever had an athletic bone in my body.  I am most content curled up reading a good book, watching a good movie or my favorite shows on TV, or sitting on my wonderful covered porch watching the squirrels play in our trees and listening to the birds sing.  At various times in my life I have been more active than I am now.  In my 20's and early 30's when I was single, I used to go dancing several times a week.  Now, I didn't just kinda dance, I full-out danced and worked up a sweat!!  I had a blast doing that!  And I was HOT in a pair of jeans.  But as I have grown older I have become more sedentary, i.e. a couch potato.  I do get out and ride my bike once in a while.  In our home office, we have no less than two, yep, two treadmills, and one recumbent stationary bike.  But have I availed myself of those??  Not so much.  While I am not huge, neither am I the skinny slip of a person I used to be.  About a year ago I had had enough and I went to Weight Watchers and lost 25 pounds.  During that time I exercised some, but mostly I lost because I followed the REST of their plan.  But I got to a point where no more weight was going to come off without some effort on my part, i.e. exercise.  So, I just took a powder and haven't done anything since December of this year when my membership ran out. 

 

Well, I have decided I am tired of vaguely resembling that doughboy's long lost sister.  I am not so old that I don't love fashionable clothes, and folks, what I call "fashionable" does NOT come in my present size.  I attended a ribbon cutting for a new business in our town a week ago since I am on our Chamber of Commerce board.  It was a cute little antique shop, and they were serving FOOD!!  Now that's my kinda deal!!  So, I did my chamberly duties and was headed out to my car for lunch (I really didn't eat much at this little shop).  I saw a friend of mine talking to a guy who had also attended the ribbon cutting.  It turned out it was her personal trainer from a new gym here in town.  They were looking at some flyers he was wanting to get put up around town.  Being the NICE person that I am (most of the time anyway) I offered to take one and put it up at my office.  Then I got to looking at the flyer.  Well, it seems that they are having a six week fitness challenge.  You pay $20 for six weeks of training and the people who lose the most inches/weight etc. win prizes.  WOOHOO!!  That sounded pretty good to me.  So I talked to the guy.  "As you can see....I could be a real challenge for you..."  He didn't even miss a beat.  He said "You'll be no problem at all!"   My response..."RRRrrrriiiiiiiiiggghhhhhttt!!"   I have one bad knee (which has been operated on twice), a bad shoulder that's been operated on once, and a bad back (curved spine).  This guy is just not even bothered by this.  He says...come on down.  Try it out.   Well, being the extremely intelligent (uhhh huuhhh) person I am, I said I would think about it.

 

Folks, the more I thought about it, I figured that I could do just about anything for six weeks, especially for that price.  So I took the bait.  Tomorrow I report for my first weigh in/measuring session.  Now these people best not be putting my measurements out there for the world (or people in my little corner of it) to see.  But other than that, I am P U M P E D!!  I am ready to jump in and see just what this old lady can do in six weeks.  To that end, on Monday I started getting up early and walking on the treadmill.  I am NOT a morning person and am not fit to talk to until about 9:00 or so when I have had a chance to drink my 1/2 coffee 1/2 vanilla cappucino.  Even the dog knows better than to  try for too much attention very early.  But I am going to walk every morning and the trainer guy says I need to train at least 2 days a week, but hopefully 3-4 days a week.   Hopefully, once the weigh in stuff is done tomorrow, they will proceed with the training. 

 

If you don't hear from me for a while.....it will either be because it killed me.....or because it made me wish it had killed me.  Folks, I am NOT into pain, and I have heard from my friend how this personal trainer has worked her during their sessions.  Yep, I have heard the horror stories and I am still going to do this.  Why???   Because for all the pain she has gone through....my friend is now toned and buff and looks great!!  I would settle for somewhat toned and remotely buff at this point!!  Time will tell if I need to have my HEAD examined for even thinking that I could do this. 

 

So, stay tuned.  I am hearing the Rocky theme in my head....."Gonna fly now...." as I totter off to get ready for bed.

 

Till next time.....

 

BBB 

Given my last entry, I thought I would add a little caveat here.  I have read comments that have been left for some of the young mothers who blog here on spaces, and they seemed rather harsh at times, and even gave the feeling that these women weren't thankful for their children because they use their private space to "rant" about their children.  Let us all show a little grace and understanding to these mothers.  No one knows better than they, just how difficult it is to raise a child 24/7.  Better that they "rant" about the wee ones here and have that release!!  Personally, I have found that their stories are just real and human, and sometimes just downright side slapping funny!!

 

So you hang in there young mothers and do not be discouraged!!

 

Now, I shall step down off my soap box and haul my fiftyish self to work.  Have a great day!!

 

Till next time....

 

BBB

If there is anything I have learned in my 50 plus years, it is to expect the unexpected, to roll with the punches, to have a thick skin sometimes and just let certain things go, and not to sweat the small stuff.  I have also learned that God definitely has a sense of humor.  We want certain things in our lives and we ask for them, and we don't quite get what we asked for.  We get HIS version of what we asked for (i.e. what we need).  I remember from a very young age loving babies.  I learned how to babysit with my cousins and other neighbor's kids and have just always loved babies.  I had a cousin a few years younger than me and she was my living baby doll!  I carried that child everywhere, and to this day we have a special bond.  One thing I always KNEW from a very young age, is that I wanted to be a mother.  I wanted to have children.  When I was in high school, there were certain girls that BFF and I ran around with that we never ever DREAMED would be mothers.  But I just knew in my heart that she and I would be mothers together.  Our children would grow up togther and be BFF's too!!  We would laugh, we would cry, we would share stories of potty training and projectile vomiting and skinned knees.  Because, of everyone that we ran around with, she and I were the ones who most loved children.

 

Well, God didn't exactly give me or BFF children in the way that we both hoped and dreamed that he would.  But I think because of this, BFF and I have both learned that blood does NOT a mother make!!  God has given me (in two marriages) four step-children that I have loved like my own.  BFF is a teacher of children and she loves every one of her students (and they absolutely adore her).  Did either of us have our children in the conventional sense that we had prayed for?  No.  Has it been difficult?  Yes.  If anything ever rocked our respective faiths, it was that BFF and I have never understood why God did not give us our own children.  So, we have a bond she and I, of aching for a child.  Yet, here we are on the other side of 50 and neither of us have ever experienced a pregnancy of our own.  It just wasn't in the plan for either of us.  I have never known the joy of telling my husband we were having a child.  Never experienced morning sickness, cravings, swelling bellies and ankles, planning with family for a joyous arrival.  Neither has BFF.  I think both of us will regret for all time never ever having experienced that. 

 

With that being said, I love my four step-children and their respective children.  Daughter of my Heart is just that.  My daughter in every sense except that I did not carry her for nine months and birth her.  I feel her every joy and every heartache, just like any mother.  Given the fact that she does not have a relationship with her birth mother, I think God knew she would need me.   So, I have "children" just not in the sense or way that I had prayed to have them.  I love my children no less because I didn't birth them.  If anything, maybe I love them a little more fiercely.  Yep....God has blessed me with with "children" that I could love and that I think love me, each in their own way.  

 

So I have read the blogs of many young mothers here on spaces with great interest.  Through these blogs I have learned of the joys and the heartaches that many of you young mothers go through.  Looking at things from my perspective, you are all so blessed to have your little ones.  I know that being a parent is hard, sometimes really hard.  But how blessed you are to have those little ones.  There are those of us who would have given almost anything to be in your shoes dealing with snotty noses, dirty clothes strewn about a bedroom, sleepless nights due to ear aches, you name it.  So, out there in blogland, if you are blessed to have a child, just know how truly blessed you are.  Hold them and kiss them and scold them and love them. 

 

Life lesson learned?  Sometimes we don't get what we want, but that does not have to be a bad thing.  We hopefully grow to accept our disappointments and to be thankful for the blessings that we do get.  Is it easy?  Not by a long shot.  Can it be done?  It certainly can.  BFF and I are living proof that it can. 

 

Till next time.....

 

BBB

 

Note:  I just came from the hospital.  Former MIL's cancer was worse than anticipated.  I appreciate prayers on her and the family's behalf.

 

I have been very fortunate in my lifetime to have some really precious friends.  I have friends that I see all the time and do things with often and also, like most of us, friends that I don't see very often, but when we do see each other we just pick up like we saw each other the day before.  Yep....in the friends department, I have been truly blessed.  But the biggest blessing in my life has been my BFF.  As you can tell, I am living life on the other side of fifty.  Well, I met BFF when we were in seventh grade...so we were about 12-13 years old.  I first came to know her as another member of our Junior High chorus class.  BFF was absolutely one of the "cute" and "popular" girls.  One of the cheerleaders, always had a gaggle of girls around her, and always had the cutest boyfriends, and thus, always had someone's ID bracelet.  Boy, am I dating myself or WHAT!!  Yeah, all you youngsters out there, and you know who you are, way back in the dark ages of the 1960's when boys and girls "went steady" the big thing was for the guy to give the girl his sterling silver ID bracelet that had his NAME engraved on it.  Or, the other choice de juer that COULD be used if you didn't have an ID bracelet, was the ever popular (back then) St. Christopher's medal.  The one thing that was different about BFF though, was that she was friendly to EVERYONE!!  And one of the very first things I knew about her was that she was a Christian.  Now, she didn't beat you over the head with it, but she just has always, even at that young age, just lived her beliefs.  She always has walked the walk, not just talked the talk.  She is someone who was liked and admired by most everyone who has ever met her.

 

BFF and I had chorus and some other classes together in Jr. High, but we really didn't become close friends until our Sophomore year.  I heard from another mutual friend that BFF had a crush on a guy named John P.  John P. was a HOT guy and he also went to my church.  So I told mutual friend, take me to BFF and I will see what I can do to "help her out" because I know John.  At the football game that Friday night, my other friend and I went and talked with BFF.   "Yepper....I hear you have the hots for John P....well he goes to my church...I bet I can fix you two up!!"   Well, BFF was just so excited and said sure....see what you can do.  So, I enlisted another friend to help me get the two of them together.  A couple of Sundays later, our youth group was having an activity after church.  I cooked it up to have BFF visit evening services with me, then after, she and I, along with a couple of other friends and John P. would ride to the activity together.  Of course, when the evening came, other friend and I conspired and had BFF sit next to John in the back seat of the car.  Being the smart HOT guy that he was, John was definitely happy about this situation and took things from there.  I think they went out a few times after that.  Alas, that "love connection" didn't last, but my friendship with BFF took off from there and we became inseparable.  I was in the semi-poplular group of kids.  BFF was in the popular group, but she always and I mean always, hung with everyone.  She was voted "Most Friendly" our senior year.  Over the years, we have learned that we have the same birthday (she is a few hours OLDER than me...hehehe), we complete each other's sentences, we buy the same shirts at different times without each other's knowledge and end up wearing them to same events.  I even found out a few years ago, that our social security numbers are almost identical.  I guess that would be because we were both born the same day and in the same state.  Not sure on that.

 

I wish everyone could have a friend like my BFF.  She is my yardstick for the kind of person I want to be.  She is someone I just admire more than words can say.  I cannot imagine my life without her now, and I know for certain, that my life would not be what it is today if not for her.  Actually, I might not be here at all if not for her love and support....but that's another story altogether.  I thank God for her!!  What a blessing she is to me.  I wish you all THAT kind of true friend.

 

Everyone have a lovely spring weekend!!  I am really looking forward to mine.

 

Till next time....

 

BBB

My parents are now in their 80's.  I am the typical 50ish child born just at the end of the baby boom.  Since I live closest in proximity to my parents (2 blocks away), it usually falls mostly to me to see to their needs and care.  My sisters step in when they can and when I express a need.  It works for us.  Momma and Daddy have been married for 63 years.  When I think of that in this day and time where marriages and sometimes families are "expendable" it just blows me away.  Have they always gotten along?  Not by a long shot!!  They had their hard times, they had their disagreements.  We are talking about a fiery red-headed irish woman and a stubborn German/Dutch man.  You can bet they have had their moments.  But, all in all, theirs is a true love story.

 

Flash back to the 1940's.  America is embroiled in World War II.  My Daddy was a 21 year old Army private stationed at a Camp in Oklahoma for his "boot camp" training.  My Momma was a barely 17 year-old high schooler who had just completed her junior year.  Now, in those days, when young people were looking for something fun to do, they went to movies, they bowled, they went skating.  Thus was the case for my parents.  My Daddy was on leave with his buddies and they decided to hit the nearest "big" (I use that term loosely) town to go skating.  Now it just so happened that my Momma and her younger sister were expert skaters who even had their own skates!  Now Momma didn't just kinda skate in a circle like most of us.  My Momma had her skates "set just so" in order that she could do figure 8's, she could dance and shimmy and of course she could whirl around and skate backwards.  I remember in my junior high years my Momma being a "chaperone" for our church skating parties.  Now, I knew she could skate.  She still had her skates, but I didn't know how well.  Suffice it to say that while I did well to make it around the rink once or twice in succession without falling, my Momma was out there doing her figure 8's and dancing!!  My friends thought she was the coolest!!   So, back to a night in the 1940's.....Daddy on leave....Momma and my aunt skating and showing their moves.  In walks said Daddy and friends, they get their skates and proceed to the benches to put them on.  Daddy looks up as a beautiful, slender, fiery red-head goes a shimmying by.  He (and his friends) couldn't take his eyes off her.  Now, my Daddy was just a really handsome man, but a tad shy.  I am not sure how he did it, but he managed to introduce himself to that beautiful red-head, my Momma.  The rest, as they say, is history.  It must have been pretty much love at first sight.  A whirlwind courtship ensued. 

 

At their 50th wedding anniversary, my Daddy told the story that, he was about to ship out to Europe (he fought in the Battle of the Bulge).  My Momma, knowing this, proposed to him!!  My sisters and I just looked at each other and it was..."well I didn't know that....did you know that???...nope, never heard that particular tidbit before..."  My Daddy accepted Momma's proposal and they were married just with a few family and friends to witness.  Daddy soon shipped out, and Momma went to live with his Mom and Dad, and quit school.  She eventually got her GED, but a high school diploma just wasn't her priority when it came to her love of my Daddy. 

 

Momma and Daddy raised three girls and we turned out pretty well if I do say so.  In Februrary they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.  If I ever wonder what real, true, deep love looks like, I just go spend some time with my Momma and Daddy.  They are still absolutely devoted to each other.  Momma is in end stage non-alcoholic liver disease, and is in hospice care.  Daddy takes loving care of her.  They are in assisted living, but when push comes to shove, it is really Daddy who looks out for Momma.  It doesn't take people too long being around my parents to realize that their love is the real deal.  I am so proud to call them my parents.  I aspire to be like them.   I am not sure I always succeed......theirs are some pretty big shoes to fill.

 

Till next time....

 

BBB 

My friend the Gypsy has told the rest of the story with the Mr. Bill "C" supposed lookalike.  She tells me that she got a call at her office again.  This call came a couple of weeks after their ONE and ONLY meeting.  It helps to keep this in mind when you hear what this idiot said.  Gypsie's secretary puts this guy through and first thing out of the box he says...Well I've really been thinking about this religion thing and you know, I am just not comfortable with your beliefs.....you know....nothing WRONG with them, they just aren't compatible with mine.  So I don't think we should see each other any more."   Gypsy says she pauses for a minute and decides he deserves this comment said very loudly and with a very "distressed" tone of voice...."Are you BREAKING UP WITH ME???"   Now, Gypsy KNOWS her co-workers are listening....but she just has to rag on this guy.  "I just can't believe...you are BREAKING UP WITH MEEEEE...."   She says he starts stuttering.   "Well, now, it's nothing against you.  But I just really can't be around your cats and dog....I am allergic you know."   Now THIS really got her attention.  Gypsy says...."Are you sure you have the right woman......who do you think you are talking to???.....I don't have a  #$%$#@#@# DOG!!"  And she hung up on him.  She said that when she hung up all her co-workers came in to check on her and she started laughing SO hard that she almost cried.  This guy must have a very inflated opinion of himslef and his effect on women, and he must not be able to keep track of them either.  Gypsy does NOT have a dog...only two cats.  The jerk can't even keep his women straight and "broke up" with her after ONE date.  I am sorry guys out there....but this is the kind of guy that gives guys a BAD NAME!!!  And rightly so.  Gypsy did clue her co-workers in that she was okay...that she was just playing with the guy since she really didn't know him that well and had only been out with him once.  They got a big hoot out of the story when they understood what was going on.

 

I laughed my butt off as well!!  This poor guy just doesn't get it and he was so outclassed by the Gypsy!!  I just hope and pray that some day a fine gentleman will come along and love and cherish her as she so deserves to be loved and cherished.  Gypsy doesn't hold out much hope.  She has pretty much given up and says she will just enjoy her friends, her family and her cats....thank you very much!!

 

So that is the rest of THAT story. 

 

Till next time.....

 

BBB 

It seems I have left one of my stories kind of hanging.  I guess I should finish the story of my friend, who like Kenny Salvini, had his life altered in a moment in time.  Well, I continued to see my friend through his hospital stay and into rehab.  The thing that absolutely amazed me is that he never ever in my presence asked the "Why me?" question.  He just knew from the git-go that he was paralyzed and that he had to deal.  He worked so hard in rehab and of course, everyone loved him.  Because he is a wonderful guy.  My life took a turn not long after my friend went into rehab when I decided that I needed to return to college.  I had quit a couple of years before and entered the workforce with nothing but a high school education.  I knew it just wasn't going to get me where I needed to be.  It was so hard to tell my friend of my decision because I felt like I was deserting him when he most needed his friends.  However, being the great guy he is, he was really sweet and encouraging.  I tried to come in from school as often as possible, but as time went on, I just didn't make it to see him like I should have.  Over the years, my friend and I have stayed in sporadic touch.  I wish I could say we were still amazingly close...but life just lead us in totally different directions.  Do I think about him still??  Yes....just because he is such an amazing person.  And, there is a part of my heart that he will always and forever own, just like all people we love in this life.  I am so glad that God has blessed this man with a wonderful wife and family.  From visits with him over the years I think he has had a good life.  Is it the life he had planned??  No, certainly not.  But, I think my friend is at peace that God had a different path for him.  Would that we could all be at peace with where the twists and turns of life take us.  I think we all have our share of heartaches and disappointments.  What we DO with those ultimately makes us,  and shapes us into who and what we are. 

 

So there you have the rest of that story.

 

Till next time....

 

BBB

Last night hubs and I had our friend, the Gypsy, over for a belated birthday dinner.  It turned out lovely, with a fare of steaks, which Gypsy loves, baked potatos and caesar salad.  I even got her a little bitty birthday cake which she loved.  Now Gypsy and I met when both of us were going through divorces.  I remember that first winter, sitting in the living room of her small apartment.  It was Christmas time and everyone we knew were with their loved ones celebrating.  Being the resourceful women we were, we decided to do our own Christmas eve dinner.  We made roasted cornish hens with dressing and ceasar salad, plus several bottles of good vino.  Both of us were poor as little church mice.  Our exes had all the money and it seems, both our exes got the houses with our fireplaces!  We ate our dinner and drank our wine and commiserated with each other about how unfair it was that our respective exes were probably sitting in front of OUR fireplaces on this cold, cold night.  From that time....our friendship has evolved.  Gypsy is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met....inside and out.  She will tell you that she has gypsy blood, and I truly believe her.  She just has an aura about her, and....she KNOWS things....and not intuitively.  I don't have any expanation for that.  Anyhoo....we have been through many good times together and some pretty rough times together.  My re-marriage (which she predicted spot on timing wise very early on), the births of grandchildren, job changes, you name it.  We are both in good places in our lives right now, so it was appropriate that we celebrate last night. 

 

One thing about Gypsy is that she can tell a story like no one else I have ever known.  I have been begging for years for her to write a book about her life and the stories she has told me and the hubs.  Last night, she told us a story that just had me in stitches!!  Since the Gypsy is still a very beautiful single woman, she gets many offers by friends, family and acquaintances to "fix her up."  You single women know how that usually goes.  Gypsy's equally devastatingly beautiful daughter says..."Mom...you need to just try it...go with it...you haven't dated in SO long."  So, an acquaintance approaches her.  "My wife and I have this friend...divorced for 3 years....really nice guy.....you'd be perfect for...yada yada yada."  Against her better judgment, remembering her daughter's urging, she gives in.  Okay...he can call me at home.   So he calls a couple of times.  She sees his name on the caller ID and just can't work up the courage to pick up.   Well, then the guy calls her at work...which in Gypsy's book is a NO NO!  Work is for work.   She doesn't get the call as she is in a meeting.  Sure enough, he calls again that evening and this time she picks up.  They talk a few moments and decide to meet for a cup of coffee or a drink, whatever, at a restaurant they both know, after work the next day.   So, at the appointed hour, in Gypsy walks and there is "the man."  This man is wearing a long wool coat and is standing there just grinning at her (he knew it was her from their friend's description).  She says he asks "Do I look familiar?"  She thinks about it, wonders where this is going, and says...'UMMM..no."  He says "You don't think I look like Bill Clinton???"  Being the perfectly honest person she is...."Ummm, NO!"   Seeing the handwriting on the wall here, she orders a beer instead of coffee.   They visit for a while as he tells her everything about himself.   She says....So your friend says you've been divorced three years...  His reply....UMMM...No, actually when I find the right Christian woman, I will divorce my wife, and marry the Christian woman, but right now my wife and I aren't together.   Gypsy orders another drink!!  They visit a little more and he questions her about her religious views, then says he's not sure he is quite in sync with her view of God and religion.   What is UP with that????  Oh...just wait.  It gets better.  He then proceeds to tell her that he HAD been in a relationship with a good Christian woman for several months, but he broke up with her when he got up one morning, went into her bathroom and found her FALSE TEETH laying on the bathroom sink!!  He poses the question.... "Ummm....do you have false teeth?"  Gypsy orders another beer.   "Well....can't you tell if I have false teeth???"   Now, friends, I have to say, I have been on some REALLY bad dates.  But this one takes the cake!!!  Gypsy made her escape from this date, but not before he hugged her and made the comment that "Wow!! Those are real!!!"....referring to her boobs!!!   To her credit....she didn't clock the guy like I WOULD have.  Thus, her dating forays are over thanks to Mr. Clinton.  She says that she will stay single, thank you very much!!  Who in the world can blame her???   At least she has a sense of humor about it.  She said she had to laugh...it was just too unbelievable to do anything else.

 

So, if there are any guys out there...What's up with this kinda date???  The sad thing is this guy was serious as a heart attack.  He was NOT kidding.  Thank you God for my wonderful hubs!!  I am so blessed!!

 

Well, I am off to enjoy this B E A --UTIFUL day!  May you do likewise.

 

Till next time.....

 

BBB

Have you ever had "one of those calls"??  You know them.  The ones that you know from the start just cannot be good.  The ones that leave you with a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach?  Well, I got one of those calls this week.  It was from the Daughter of My Heart.  I haven't introduced you to her yet.  She is the daughter from my first marriage, not a child that I brought into the world, but one that is and always be the Daughter of My Heart.  Since she has no relationship at all with her birth mother, and little that resembles a relationship with her father, when she is in need of support....she calls me.  And I am privileged that she still does so after all these years.  It seems a little piece of paper cannot "divorce" you from certain people if you don't want it to.  So, anyway, the phone rings at lunch time and it is my daughter.  I can tell by her voice she is trying not to cry.  She says that she has just left her grandma and grandpa.  That they think her grandma has cervical cancer.  She says...."I need to be strong for her.....how am I ever going to do that?"  I told her that she is a strong person and that she can do this for her beloved grandma because when she needs to cry or have a shoulder to lean on in order to maintain that strength, she can call me.  I will listen, I will hold her close, I will pray.  We will get through this together.  I think she felt at least a little better when we hung up.  She called again the next day and the news was worse.  They are pretty sure it is ovarian cancer....she has most likely had it a long time and it has most likely spread.  She will have surgery next Tuesday.  I again had that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

 

Now, I know when you go through a divorce, the usual way of things is that your are "divorced" from the family you used to call your own.  But in my case, although I don't see them often, I still adore my ex-in-laws, but most particularly my former mother-in-law (MIL).  I know all the jokes, I have heard all the MIL stories.....I know.  Many people don't like and in some cases, hate, their MIL's.  I guess I was truly blessed, because from the first moment I met her, I loved my MIL.  It was pretty much love at first sight with her son....and with her as well.  We were so very close.  She is a lovely, loving, hard working woman.  Larger than life she was to me.  And I was even MORE lucky because she loved me too!!  I will never forget her heartbroken words to me when my ex and I divorced...."You were the daughter I never had..."  It was hard to let her go.  I have gotten over her son and missing him.  But I don't think I will ever get over "losing" her.  I still see her and FIL from time to time because of my relationship with my daughter.  I last saw her when my daughter and her husband renewed their vows on their 10 year anniversary.  She thanked me for being there and continuing to love my daughter.  We sat and talked like old friends.  It was wonderful and I got one of her wonderful hugs! 

 

So, now, I will see this lovely woman's life story continue to unfold.  My heart hurts for her, for my FIL, for my daughter, and yes, for my Ex.  I hate the thought of her going through this.  I want to see her.  I want to be there for her.   I asked TOHTC (the only husband that counts) "Do you think it's okay to go see her....I know it makes Ex uncomfortable..."  He said, this is NOT about him...it is about her and what she needs.   Ex needs to suck it up and think of her.  So, I am thinking I will go visit her whenever I can, while trying to be unobtrusive to my ex.  What do you all think?

 

I know I will, at least, be there for my daughter.  If she loses her grandma, it will be devastating to her.   Truth be told, it will be devastating to me as well.  If you get a minute, please say a little prayer for this sweet woman.  I know I have been and will be wearing out God's ear in her behalf. 

 

Till later.....

 

BBB 

I know, I know....I haven't finished my previous story.  But I promise I shall at another time.  I thought you might be wondering where in the world I came up with "bbubblesbest" and thus, BBB for my space.  (And that is assuming alot.....you might not wonder at all!)  But I figured, just in case,  I would fill you in any way.  After all....it is what a blog is for, right???  To write what I think might be interesting??

 

So, I go back to the year 1963.  Some of you were definitely not even BORN then.  But I was a skinny, spindly, tow-headed seven year old at the time.  Now I had two cousins on my Mom's side of the family who were my very favorites.  They were my Mom's younger sister's boys.  I didn't get to see them very often and when I did it was always an adventure.  You see, at seven, I was already a "city girl."  My cousins, on the other hand, were "country boys" who lived in rural Missouri.  In June of 1963, we happened to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins on my birthday.  That made the visit even more fun than usual because I had presents not just from my Mom, Dad and sisters, but also from my aunt, uncle and cousins, along with a home-made cake!!  The present that my aunt chose was these cute little packets of powdered bubble bath.  They were really pretty decorated packets and each one was a different scent.  Wowzer!!  Eureka!!  I was in hog heaven and could NOT wait to try my very own bubble bath!!  So, that evening, before bedtime, my Momma let me empty my very own packet into the tub and draw the water for my bath.  I was so excited and just absolutely loved them.  Now, my country boy cousins just thought that it was a HOOT that I was so excited about something like bubble bath.  So they took to teasing me the rest of the weekend.  My given name begins with a "B" and at some point I am sure I will reveal that, but not just yet.  Anyway, they started chanting "B" as in my name "Bubbles Best"!!  I cannot tell you how many times the rest of the weekend I heard "B...Bubbles Best!!"  It became my nickname for all time with those particular cousins.  To this day, I am at the ripe age of just a little over 50....still "B...Bubbles Best!"    I was thinking back on that time and decided to use my pet name for my blog.

 

So....there ya have it!!  Probably not the most earth shaking revelation...but it was a special time I remember just like yesterday.

 

I hope everyone survived this Friday the 13th with no bad luck!!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

BBB

Have you ever felt that sense....I have been here before....I have felt this before....I've done this before???  Well, that is the feeling I felt more than a year ago when I saw a little blurb on MSN Spaces about the featured space.  Kenny Salvini's space.  I read a little bit....then I went over to Kenny's space and read not a little bit more....but a whole lot more.  I went back in the archives as far as I could and just sat and read, read some more, kept feeling that feeling, I cried, and kept on reading.  You see, in a sense, I had been there before.  Many years ago.  I had a friend, a very good friend, who was in a diving accident and ended up as a quad.  My friend, like Kenny, was a recent college graduate, young, good looking, he played every kind of musical instrument and sang like no body's business, he had the world by the tail.  He had his whole future before him.  And in the blink of an eye....in one horrible mis-step, it all came crashing down.  I will never ever forget the call.  "He's been in a diving accident."  "He's alive, but....it doesn't look good....neck broken....cervical area of the spine...in intensive care."  A little of me died at that moment because I KNEW that his life, and mine, would never be the same.  In reading Kenny's account from the first hours and days after his accident, I just got goosebumps.  I remember so well walking in that room the first time to visit my friend.  Before I went in, his Mom took me aside.  She said "No matter WHAT you do....you cannot cry in front of him"  "We need you to be positive...encouraging...can you do it?"   Well, I am a BIG time crier about a lot of things because I am such a sensitive person.  I wasn't sure I could do it.  But I said...yes...yes...I will do what you say.  I just need to see him.  And it was just almost overwhelming all the tubes and equipment my friend was hooked up to.  But the most overwhelming was that "halo" and the drill holes in his beautiful head.  But I didn't cry.  I went in and just talked with my friend, like my heart wasn't broken for us both.  And....being the person he is....my friend was the one encouraging me.  He said he KNEW from second one exactly what was going on.  And, being a phys ed major, he knew enough about the human body, that it was bad and he was paralyzed instantly.  He said he never lost consciousness and he was praying his friends would see that he was in trouble.  They did thank God.   So as I walked through Kenny's life since the accident, I walked yet again, through my friend's life.  I am happy to say that my friend has made a very very good life for himself, albeit, not with me.  But he has a lovely wife, her children, and his family and friends he has made all over the place since his accident.  He has a ministry and talks to high school youth groups trying to keep these kids from making the same mistakes he made.  He tells them "you think you are invincible"  "you are young...nothing can happen to you"  "things like that only happen to other people"  then he tells them "I am living proof that it CAN happen to you!!" 

 

Okay...intense here.  I gotta take a break.   Will post more of the story later.

 

BBB

 

As you may have guessed from the tag line of my blog....I am a little past 50 years of age.  I am a college graduate (after numerous tries).   The cast of players:  OHTC - the Only Hubby That Counts!!  Yepper...I am what I never thought I would be....on marriage number two.  Marriage number one and THAT hubby are a whole 'nother entry.  I am married to a wonderful man who is my best friend, my love, my strength, and just an all around lovely person.  He is in business for himself and is such a hard worker.  He is a very talented builder...of birdhouses, of covered porches (yaaay...it's so cool!!) and now of kitchen/dining room/living room.  He loves many things....God...moi of course, his children, his family and friends, his travel trailer AND his ZTR lawn tractor!!  :)   DSD - Darling step-daughter.  Oh yeah!!  I am a step-monster!!!  Albeit a NICE one!!  DSD is a great mom to my three grandchildren and is someone I love and admire alot.  She is a very talented decorator in her own right and I intend to get her input on putting the finishing touches on our remodel.  SIL - My much loved and hard working son-in-law.  Talk about a talented builder!!  He is just a marvelously talented man who does remodels on houses and makes a very good living.  He gets my vote because not every man will take on two children who are not his own and will love them and be good to them...but he has!!  He earns gold stars in my book.  GC#1 - number one grandchild.  On the cusp of being a teen. Beautiful girl.  Has had a hard time from the git-go, and that is also a story for another day.  GC#2 - my only grandson.  Ten years old. Just an all around good kid.  Even tempered, funny, and way cute if I do say so.  GC#3 - THE BABY.  Oh my....our little "princess" just turned three.  This little girl is ALL girlie girl and she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her Grammy!!   Oh....oh....oh....I almost forGOT!!  Grand-Dog!!  I love this little bitty fur ball.  A sweet black and white Shitsu who came to the family in December.   Eight pounds of sweet love and energy!   And last, but certainly not least....The Critters - my four, yep you read that right, four dogs.  I have a weimy who owns...errrrr....uh.....lives in our house.  Put her outside for long????   Fugggeddddaboudddittt!!  She don't go there except to do her business and to flaunt her precious self in the faces of our other three dogs.  They are a ragtag trio of mutts, who no one else wanted.  There are other players who will be introduced over time.  They shall be introduced all in good time.

 

Suffice it to say, that I am a very blessed woman.  I love my family, my friends and co-workers.  I am at a good place at a little past fifty.  For you youngin's out there.  Fear not!!  Fifty just really isn't so bad.....once you get used to it.  However, I have learned that getting old is NOT, I repeat, NOT for sissies!!!  As always, life has its challenges.  They are just different ones when you are in your fifties. 

 

Well, till next time,  I hope you have had a Happy and Blessed Easter! 

 

BBB

 

Well, after being a "lurker" for almost a year and a half.....I am dipping my toe in the blogging waters.  I came

to the land of MSN Spaces, like about 99% of you other spaces peeps, via the awe inspiring blog of the one and

only Kenny.   You know....THAT Kenny!!  The one and only Kenny!!  Via that particular blog, I have been following

the lives of so many MSN bloggers.  I have been absolutely amazed at the things that bloggers share on their

blogs.  Stories of lives much like mine....and ones that are not like mine at all.  But each one giving a glimpse

into the the real lives of real people.  I have followed your every day lives and realize that we all are probably striving

for a lot of the same things, happy homes, loving relationships with family and friends, success in our businesses,

and to be loved and accepted for who and what we are.  I admit, I am more than a little nervous.  Will you all like

me??  Will anyone even know I am here???  Will my writing suck or soar???  Soooo many questions.  I figure

the only way to find out is to just dip in that first toe....and see where we go from here.

 

So, if any of you lovely peeps find me, drop me a note and let me know.  I promise not to "lurk" any longer!!

I am no longer a "lurker"!!!  I am now a blogger!!  I am a "big girl" now at something after 50!!  I hope in coming

months to share with you a little about who I am, how I think, what I feel.  You know....all that blog speak stuff!! 

I may "vent" or maybe not....   Only time will tell.

 

Until the next dip of a toe......

 

BBB