Cement blocks

Do we actually have to learn how to get along?!

Sometimes I think of my husband and me as two cement blocks...rough around the edges and difficult to move (stubborn?).  Our children were the grout that softened our edges and bound us all together.  Now that they are on their own, we're just two blockheads again.  :) 

Without that softening cushion, all the little annoyances and frustrations seem much bigger.  I know, it's all part of the transition process...reevaluating where we've been and what direction we want to go now.  But it's not comfortable and most of us like our comfort...me included.  I know that life is all about change and that change is part of growing and living so I should embrace this opportunity for the healthy process which it is.  But that requires me to admit that I need to go outside my comfort zone and learn something new...like maybe how to get along with my husband when it's just the two of us?  Sigh...yes, especially that!

Can two cement blocks find a bond that will keep them together without one or both cracking?  We'll see...:)

Timeless

Grandma and me

I just came across this picture of my grandmother and me when I was three months old.  What is especially special is that my grandmother was 58 which is how old I am now.  Fashion styles may change but love is timeless.  I miss her!

How do they do it?!

I was sitting with my almost 5 year old grandson while he was playing with his dad's iPhone
last night and I'm just in awe at the technological abilities of young children.  I know he's not the only little guy who is totally comfortable with technology but watching him maneuver the intricacies of a game was amazing!  The game was Pitfall and he advanced several levels, knowing when and how to slide his finger or tap his finger or tip the game to get through the different obstacles of the game.  I, on the other hand, was completely clueless.  Later, his one year old baby sister picked it up and immediately started sliding her finger across the screen.  Even SHE knows what to do!

Most of our generation learned how to use computers as adults and I don't know about you but I am still intimidated by them.  I have been known to wipe out hard drives and crash computers without even knowing how I did it!  Which is probably why I'm intimidated  :) 

I wonder if the kids in this new generation have an extra gene or something hardwired in their brains to automatically understand and be comfortable with computers and technology...maybe some kind of evolution...right before our eyes! 

A Dilemma

Today I'm asking for input.  I have two daughters-in-law who hate each other and aren't subtle about it.  Now, I understand that two people don't have to like each other and just because you marry into a family, that doesn't make you kindred spirits with everyone in the family.  But, I can't understand not being civil at family gatherings and being polite.  I would be horrified if any of my children were rude at their in-laws home.  Basic manners are part of any group dynamic.

I'm not comfortable talking with either of them or my sons because I don't want to alienate any of them or fracture the relationship further.  Yet, if this continues, I can see it resulting in one or both of them refusing to attend any family function if SHE is there.

I love both my daughters-in-law and want them to feel like they are a part of the larger extended family.  I love my sons and want to see them support and encourage each other. I don't want my family to be divided.

Any suggestions? 

Glorious sunshine!

  My daughter in short sleeves and a sun visor!  Wow!

Driving home from Utah is a fourteen hour trip and normally it is quite dull and monotonous... although I DO like cows!  :)  This time it was different.  The sun was shining brightly, there were signs of Spring everywhere, I was listening to good upbeat music and I just felt joyous!  Because I live in the Pacific Northwest (called the Pacific Northwet for a reason!), I haven't seen the sun in MONTHS and this time of year can be especially hard because everyone is so tired of rain, grey
clouds and dreary weather that being crabby and cantankerous is almost expected.  So, it was such a treat to bask in sunshine for eight whole days.  I loved it!

I think we forget sometimes how much our environment affects our moods. Maybe we should all move to Arizona! 

Oh, by the way, I'm home now and it's cold and raining...as usual  :)

"Tomorrow is another day"

When my kids were little, we used a form of discipline we called "behavior chips".  Behavior chips were actually just white poker chips and each child started the day with ten chips.  Misbehavior resulted in the loss of a chip and if a child got below a certain number of chips in a day, he'd usually get sent to bed early or lose a privilege or something like that.  And then the next day, he'd start back with ten chips and a clean slate.

Why am I telling you this?  Well, this morning my adult son told me that behavior chips taught him that no matter how bad a day was, he knew that the next day he could start with a perfect, unblemished day.  I hadn't thought of that in years but it's true even now.  It's easy to get discouraged or upset by things that go wrong but we don't have to let it continue to affect us.  We can start each day fresh and with new hope and determination to make things better. 

As Scarlett O'Hara said in Gone with the Wind, " Tomorrow is another day."

Happy April!

I'll be traveling today and tomorrow and won't have access to a computer so I'll be back on Wednesday.  Happy April!  Watch out for April Fool's Day jokes!