A Day In The Life of Stress...

I have failed miserably at blogging lately.  So many things have happened since my days off.  Most importantly, my daughter had an out of state interview and that was first and foremost on our minds.  Everything went better than planned and she aced everything and was offered a position in Dallas!  She took the job and is scheduled to start on October 17!   This is stressful on so many levels.  #1 - she is leaving the state she was raised in  #2  - she is leaving me  #3 - she is leaving her family/friends/boyfriend #4 - she is moving to a big new city and a big new job  #4 - she has to get out of her current apartment, move in to an apartment at my step-daughter's house and everything is happening in 3 weeks!!!   Eeeek, can we be more stressed - and it's not even happening to ME, it's happening to HER!   As proud as I am that she aced everything they threw her way, and as excited as I am that she has an awesome opportunity to expand her knowledge, further her career and be the next
'Carrie  Bradshaw of Dallas', I am also sad that she will be even further away from me.   Granted, she was already 2 hours away, but now she's 4......but I plan to make many trips to see her since my step-daughter and step-grandkids are in Dallas with her!   And my goal is to become closer to them, not only in distance, but as a grandma (my daughter and I are already attached at the hip, so doubt we could EVER be closer!).....And, on top of all this stress, I will worry about my daughter's new job, her stress, her life in the big city, her safety, her well being, just....her life in general!!!  I have no doubt she will be awesome - she's a brilliant, beautiful, loving young lady and they are so lucky to have her.   But a mom's job is to worry...and I am wonderful at that job!!!!  BUT.....I KNOW she will do a GREAT job and they will LOVE her ALMOST as much as I do!!!!

Okay, on top of that, we are still preparing for my son and daughter-in-law's baby shower.  I have been crafting my little butt off in my garage, making all kinds of crafty, cute things for the baby shower.  I hope everything goes according to plan - it should be awesome if everything comes together as we hope it will.   My little grandson weighed in at his last check up at 2 lbs, 15 oz.....growing like a little weed.   His poor momma was so sick for so long and I'm grateful that she's finally feeling good and that he's getting to be a big boy!!   I can't wait to see him and can't believe that it is only 6 weeks away!!!   Eeek, where has the time gone!!! (although I'm sure to the little momma, it has been a long time comin' and she can't wait for him to get here!!)    My last trip to Dallas resulted in my bringing back LOTS of  baby toys donated by my stepdaughter.....so that got me even more excited!!   Can't wait to hold that little boy in my arms and see his sweet face and be an honest to goodness grandma!!!!!!!!!!    Can't believe how much love I have for him already in my heart!!!!!!!

Oh, I can't forget to mention on that most recent trip to Dallas referred to above, that we were there for a BIG surprise 40th birthday party for my stepdaughter.  Her husband totally surprised her and rented out LaGrange in Dallas with the band Whiskey Pants for her party - it was greater than great!!!!   She was totally surprised and we had an awesomely GREAT time with family and friends.   She is all I could possibly want in a stepdaughter.   A wonderful mother, a beautiful, smart, loving young lady that is so much fun to be around.   Could I be more blessed with my family????   I think not!   And now my stepdaughter and my daughter will be living together and bonding and our entire family will become closer than ever!!!!    Life is good, God is good and I'm thankful every day for everything that I have!!

So with that, I will close.   Stay tuned for a day in the life of the move to Dallas!!!!

A Day In The Life of Days Off!

I didn't post at all last week - I was too busy doing a lot of NOTHING!   Friday, Sept. 2, I got off at noon, which is the norm.  What isn't the norm is that I was off until Monday, Sept 12!   I rarely take more than a day or two off at a time and I haven't had a string of days off in forever, so it was WAY overdue.  I made a list of projects I wanted to accomplish, errands I wanted to run, and so on and so forth.  I spent the first two days getting grocery shopping and laundry out of the way, then I headed to Wal Mart for jars and bins and totally re-organized my pantry.  It's so neat and pretty now, that I just love going in there (thank you Pinterest!).   I then cleaned out the study (desk and closet), cleaned windows and was satisfied with the house.  Sunday was a lazy day enjoyed with my hubby.  We cooked out, watched football and sat on the porch (one of my favorite things).  I have to say here that we spent EVERY morning (except one) on the porch with coffee in the morning and a glass of wine in the evening.   The weather ALL week was gorgeous and I couldn't have planned a better week off!!

 Monday hubby and I paid a visit to my mom.   I love my big family, but it was nice to have a little one-on-one time with my wonderful momma!   My daughter joined us in time for a yummy lunch out and we had a great day.  Tuesday and Wednesday I spent most of the day running errands and getting some appraisals for my mom.  It was exhausting - both physically and emotionally because it involved some of my dad's treasures dating back to his childhood (he passed away in 1991).   Anyway, by Thursday I was totally ready for our mini-vacation to Branson.  We stayed at the Chateau on the Lake, which I highly recommend - it is a beautiful place and we loved it!  We had a great meal out, then watched my alma mater play football (go Pokes!).  Friday we got lucky again with Sadie's Sideboard for breakfast (which included live country music - only in Branson - lol), toured a winery and then spent the day at Branson Landing - it is awesome (and new since I was last there).  We walked for miles, shopped, had ice cream,

watched the water/fire show two or three times.....and just had a wonderful, wonderful day together.  I got to spend Saturday and part of Sunday with my daughter and had a quick visit with my son, daughter-in-law and teeny grandson-to-be!   I love, love, love spending any kind of time (short OR long) with my kids!!

My 9-1/2 days came to an end way too quickly and it was back to the grind on Monday.  I can honestly say that taking time off from work - whether you have anything to do or not - is really GOOD for the soul.   I have enjoyed work so much more this week - I feel rested and restored!!  And spending an entire week with my hubby served as a reminder as to why I love him so much....because

And I married it!!!!!!  <3

Not a very exciting blog, I know, but just another week in the life!!! 

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

That's what little boys are made of.   This day in the life is devoted to my soon-to-be grandson - because my daughter and I have been crazily planning our family baby shower.  It will be at Great Grandma Nene's house in October.   Since this is my first grandbaby, from my first born and only son, I already love this precious little guy like there's no tomorrow, so I want this event to be perfect in every way!  His Mommy wants to have a sports themed shower and with football in full swing starting last Saturday (Go Pokes - win  #1!), the planning has been easy and fun!! Pictures to follow next month.

I am pretty positive now that the baby will be Brayden Michael.  Michael is also my son's middle name, so it makes me happy that he is passing it on to his son.   I wouldn't be all caught up on the name if I weren't making my grandson the 'traditional' Christmas stocking.  This tradition was started by my Memaw (my mom's mom).  She started making beautiful sequined stockings when my big brother was born and made the last one for my niece, who just turned 19.  After that one, her vision was getting poor....and then she started to suffer from dementia.  I was lucky in that I spent lots of time with her growing up and after I married, she shared her templates for the stockings and I have now taken over what she started.  This is a family tradition that I hope will go on for generations to come - and I can just see her smiling down from heaven (and probably critiquing my sewing skills!!)

Since I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks....I think I should stop and post this.   More to come because I am on vacation this entire week and will hopefully have more to blog about!   Until then, it's just another day in the life!

A Day In The Life.....

I must admit that I am new to blogging and was encouraged by my daughter to try it.  It seems similar to the diary I kept as a young girl, but those thoughts were very secret and for my eyes only.  It is rather unsettling to know that my thoughts and feelings are going to be put out there for everyone to see, but I shall forge ahead and give it a try.....

A little something about me.   I grew up in a small town in a very close-knit family with my dad, mom and three brothers.  Family always was - and is - extremely important to me.   I don't know what I would do without them.  I have been married for 4 years to my wonderful husband.  Yes, sometimes the second time around IS the best!  I have a grown son and daughter and a grown stepson and stepdaughter and they all make life joyous.  Although I am a grandmother of seven from my second marriage, my son and his wife are expecting their first child in December, so this will be my first very own grandson (yep, it's a BOY)!! 

But back to me....I love trying to be healthy - I say 'trying' because I've been working at it for a long time and have my share of setbacks.  Although I didn't start until I was 40 something, I'm doing the best I can now to turn back time!!  I love the outdoors...gardening in particular.  I love to read just about anything.  I love to sit outside and read when the weather is nice or curl up by the fire with a good book in the winter. 

I love shopping, clothes and shoes!!  (Hey, I am a female, after all).   I love my job......I really do like being busy and get bored if there's not enough to keep me occupied.  I love sports.....and since I graduated from Oklahoma State, I am, of course, an avid Cowbow fan.  So don't ask me WHY I married an OU fan....it does makes life interesting though!!

And last, but not least, as you will find if you follow my blog....I love a good cup of coffee and a nice glass of wine.  My hubby and I sit out on the porch almost every morning and every evening when the weather allows....and it usually involves one liquid or the other.   Usually coffee in the morning or evenings when it's cool....and wine on the weekends.  I believe I would be very much at home in Italy (and my favorite movie is Under the Tuscan Sun).....

So there you have it - my very first blog.   There will be many more 'days in the life'....some good, some bad, some happy and some sad.....but these are the things that make a life worth living.........