tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92183378799736911382024-03-08T12:17:43.658-08:00Age improves with wine...... and if you don't want your panties in a bunch, don't wear any!Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-1885905993405751982012-05-13T02:14:00.002-07:002012-05-14T16:26:12.031-07:00Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A young boy said to his mother, 'How old were you when I was born?'
His mother replied, '28.' 'Wow, that's a lot of time we missed spending
together.' </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love that quote. How beautiful that a child would be so connected to the mother/child bond that he would see the value of time shared with family. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, 1959</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was a little girl, all my stuffed animals and dolls became my babies, each having their own name and personality. All I wanted was to be a mommy when I grew up. I loved sitting and watching my mother "put on her face", or bake a pie. Saturday mornings she would wake us up by opening the curtains to let that God-awful bright light in, singing <i>very loudly</i> in her wonderful soprano voice "Oh, what a beautiful morning..." as we groaned and begged her to stop while secretly loving it! I would picture myself someday as a mom with my own child watching me go through my day or pulling the pillow over his head to drown out my voice as I tried to wake him from a deep sleep.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew & me, 1988</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the years passed and daily life in the average American household changed, I held tight to that dream of becoming someone so important to such a tiny person whom I would someday hold in my arms and love unconditionally. The most important person in his universe. Someone so tiny. Someone who relied on me and trusted me from the moment he first opened his eyes and gazed into mine. There were those who ridiculed me for wanting motherhood as my chosen path in life, but I held tight to my desire to have a family. I have never regretted that decision. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIvc7f0nm8Q/T691Ft0WldI/AAAAAAAAAmM/r-Y-hprDLDA/s1600/bikini_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIvc7f0nm8Q/T691Ft0WldI/AAAAAAAAAmM/r-Y-hprDLDA/s200/bikini_0043.jpg" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and me, 1989</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before I became a mother I had
never been peed on, pooped on, barfed on or drooled on. I slept through the night, usually had a clean house and showered every day. I also had never felt the warmth of a soft, little baby snuggle into my body or fall asleep on me. I had never sat up at night just to watch someone sleep or listen to him breathe. I had not listened to a child tell me of his dreams while sitting on my lap and playing with my hair. I had never felt my heart break when I couldn't stop his pain or sadness. I had no idea how it would feel to know the sheer joy of a baby's giggle or a first step. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew and me, 2011</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span><span style="font-size: large;"> cried when my firstborn started kindergarten and again when my youngest received his college diploma. The pain of letting go is equal to the joy of watching them spread their wings and take flight. It's altogether terrifying and yet thrilling to go through this life with these little boys. To watch them grow into kind young men with lives of their own, watch them become parents themselves is a culmination of my life's purpose. An achievement that speaks of itself. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and me, 2009</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My children have delighted me with their recipes for corn juice ("you need an apple press and lots of corn") and chocolate mousse ("well, Mom, first you have to catch the moose..."). They have amazed me with their intelligence, wit and charm. They have inspired me with their musical talent and achievement of goals. But mostly they have made me so very proud to call them my sons <i>and</i> my friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's not to say that kids won't hesitate to remind Mom of all the things she did "wrong" once they become <i>knowledgeable</i> teens. A
mother can take those moments and have regrets or she can calmly say to them, "You know, you didn't come
with instructions. Every new stage you go through as a young boy or man,
I go through with you as a first time mother." We survive the
difficult years, and hopefully as they mature they come back to love you and
respect you more than ever. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom with her first Great-Grandson</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My own mother raised five of us with little to no help from our father. She always had enough time and love to make each of us feel important and cared for. She wasn't the perfect mom. Neither am I. But she gave me what I needed to become a positive role model in my own children's lives. In the last few years she has become increasingly frail. This beautiful woman who gave birth to me, colored pictures with me, wiped my tears and always had open arms for me when I needed a hug. To watch her go through this process is both sad and scary. I find myself in a role reversal where I, along with my siblings, am caring for her now, as she once cared for me. I am reminded to be patient, calm, tolerant, kind and a giver of my time. I may have to listen to the same stories again and again, help her to find comfort and confidence when she feels lost, make sure she never feels alone and just be with her and understand her as she enters her final stages of life, to be there for her as she always was for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I write this I realize it's just past midnight, Mother's Day, 2012. So to all moms, young and old, moms 'due any day now', mothers who have lost their children, mothers who still dream of the day... I wish you all a very happy day filled with love and fond memories. And may we all remember our own mothers with love, respect and admiration for all they gave to us and all they gave up for us.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_7fPXrise8/T697HxTGn0I/AAAAAAAAAnI/tjLfjcLq3CE/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_7fPXrise8/T697HxTGn0I/AAAAAAAAAnI/tjLfjcLq3CE/s200/IMG_0003.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom with my Grandmother, 1940's</td></tr>
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<br />Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-23925521143289629582011-10-20T20:19:00.000-07:002012-05-14T16:24:39.620-07:00My retirement went to wall street and all I got was this lousy t-shirt...<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Occupy Wall Street has taken us by storm. You'd never know it to listen to or watch the media coverage, though. First they wouldn't cover it at all. Then they got shamed into it (or more likely just decided it might be good for ratings). Then they told us it was just spoiled white kids and hippies who forgot where to go to the bathroom. Huh? <br /><br />So, what are we complaining about, you ask? Do we even know? Glad you asked! We, THE PEOPLE, are not Republicans. Not Democrats. We are PISSED OFF. <span style="font-style: italic;">What's</span> that? You think we don't even know what we're protesting about here? <span style="font-style: italic;">Bless yer little heart, honey. Sit yer self down fer a spell and let ol' Maimeo explain it to ya. </span><br /><br />We are protesting the fact that three years ago Wall Street destroyed 20% of our national net worth and not one person involved has been held responsible. We're "upset about the fact that Wall Street has iron control over the economic policies of our country and that one party is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wall Street and the other party caters to them, as well". </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">[thank you, Alan Grayson for that quote]</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I love the thoughts of one lovely 93 year old woman, Esther, who says "Social Security is our money. Workers fund Social Security, not the government. And Social Security didn't cause their budget deficit, so why is Congress even considering breaking its promise to millions who need it now and in the future?" She goes on to say "Let's put billionaires on notice. The tax breaks are over. Let's put corporations on notice. The loopholes are over. Let's put Congress on notice. Americans of all ages expect YOU to keep Social Security's promise." So wise. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Here's an idea: let's make the banks bail us all out by refinancing our home loans at 3.75%! HA! </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Alan Grayson was mocked by a clownish, Econ 101 flunkee for his candor regarding why OWS protesters are upset. P.J. O'Rourke laughed at him and ridiculed him by suggesting he get a bongo drum and become the spokesman for OWS. Grayson's calm demeanor and intelligent, well-researched response was clear. He said, "If I am a spokesman for all the people who think we should not have 24 million in this country who can't find a full time job, 50 million people in this country who can't see a doctor when they're sick, that we shouldn't have 47 million people in this country who need government help in order to feed themselves and we shouldn't have 15 million families who owe more on their mortgage than on the value of their home - okay, I'll be that spokesman." He was given a standing ovation that could be felt nationwide. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Oh, and occupy this thought, NYPD... the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law interfering with the right to peaceably assemble<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><span style="color: #ffffcc; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_assembly" title="Freedom of assembly"></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">. Just in case you hadn't heard...</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Now, give me back my retirement. [cue cheesy grin here]</span></span>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-21845951676087809782011-08-30T19:01:00.000-07:002012-05-14T16:26:27.135-07:00If I am what I eat, I must be nuts<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;">Well, what a way to end the summer break before heading back to work on Friday. First a check under the hood followed by getting the headlights looked at and then off to have my windows checked. And last, but not least, a brake job. Next up - a check of the exhaust system. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;">Now, of course, only one of those really IS about a car. The rest? Let's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">just say I'm in excellent health!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">I take my health very seriously, but that doesn't mean I can't lighten things up a bit, now does it? I </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 130%;">encourage everyone to make sure you get your checkups and screenings scheduled and done.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;">I plan on living long enough to become a wrinkly, dried up ol' lady! Not one of those grouchy ones who always complains about her aches and pains and "today's young people". No, sir! I want to take the other path and be one of the old folks everybody loves. Sweet, docile and a joy to be around. That way, if/when I get a little nutty or fart with <i>every step</i> across a crowded room or ask <i>loudly</i> 'what are we doing here?' in the middle of my great grandson's nuptials, people will smile and make sure I am well cared for and just love me. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;">So if you want to have wheelchair races with me at the old folk's home someday and laugh and giggle our way to the very end, please get your annual gyno/prostate exams, mammograms, eyes checked out and a colonoscopy. And get your brakes done on your car when they need it! What good is excellent health if you can't stop in time?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande',Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i>A healthy attitude is contagious but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier.</i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-39968098118884803352011-08-21T10:33:00.000-07:002011-08-22T13:58:29.632-07:00Life is too short to drink bad wine<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bG256IlKhLc/TlGdWYF5uJI/AAAAAAAAASE/AoDg_eVPycI/s1600/Bears.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bG256IlKhLc/TlGdWYF5uJI/AAAAAAAAASE/AoDg_eVPycI/s320/Bears.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643464815821830290" /></a>
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<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Uh-oh, writer's block... Is this it? I know <i>what</i> I want to write about, I just can't seem to get started. Hmmmm.... well, then off to Purple Smile Wines for some tasting to get the creative juices flowing. Literally. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">I love wine. Good wine. So much so that recently I decided to just slow 'er down a tad. But as the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus said, "Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance." Makes sense to me. So my few tastes of the good fruit add up to a glass and now I'm burning up the keyboard like a secretary from Mad Men after a slap on the fanny!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">When Pat and I see a film in the theatre we can't bring ourselves to pay laughable amounts of money for popcorn and sodas. Thus we bring the Beer Purse. We put a couple beers or a bottle of vino in it along with some nuts, cheese, etc and sit in the back row, enjoying the film in style. This worked great until one evening I accidentally knocked the empty bottle over and it rolled downhill all the way to the front row and everyone giggled as it <i>'clanked' </i>when it hit. You could hear it rolling and picking up speed all the way down. <i>argh</i>... The next time we hunkered down a few rows from the back in a fairly empty theatre and sure enough some people came along and sat down right behind us. "He<i>llo</i>, people! There's something <i>wrong</i> with the other 97 empty seats in this theatre? You just HAD to sit behind US?" Ahem... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAblWYEpOY8/TlGby9TXciI/AAAAAAAAARs/9P3N4QSRZMc/s320/P1020621.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643463107823497762" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">I don't even really care that much about having this beverage in the theatre. It's the sneaking it in and getting away with it that keeps me coming back (reminds me of sneaking Wendy into the drive-in movies in the trunk of the car back in high school). Now some theatres are even stooping so low as to check purses upon entry. So, how do we attend to this situation? We buy The Wine Rack! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:large;">No, silly, not a wine rack. THE Wine Rack - it's a sports bra with a bladder in it that holds an entire bottle of wine or other beverage of choice. But wait! There's more! Added benefit - it makes me look like a DD. Talk about a rack! Check THAT, Cinema dude! HA! The only worry is that if it's filled with red wine and springs a leak... how do you explain you're lactating cabernet?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Well, besides wearing a purple shirt and drinking up in a hurry (not a good option) I would have to just chalk it up to another teachable moment and laugh about it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Either way, wine to me is not just a beverage. It's art. It's passion. It's good food, good company and good health. Perhaps it's pleasing to me because as I age, I slow down a little and see things differently than when I was much younger. I see the importance of enjoying every day and the components I've mentioned all lead to a richer life. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9VqV_PUrc4/TlGcQ77nzBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/1nmCrfM5N5A/s320/P1010366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643463622851546130" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">"With years a richer life begins, the spirit mellow: ripe age gives tones to violins, wine and good fellows" John Townsend Trowbridge</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">
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<br /></div>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-10074505866798467812011-08-15T13:35:00.000-07:002011-08-15T16:46:57.277-07:00"When the fun is done, the adventure begins"
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<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw2OnqVXAUY/TkmrVcGlxUI/AAAAAAAAARM/3N8slPMFdiw/s1600/anniv%2Bpics%2Bfinal_0014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sw2OnqVXAUY/TkmrVcGlxUI/AAAAAAAAARM/3N8slPMFdiw/s320/anniv%2Bpics%2Bfinal_0014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641228393067693378" /></a>
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">That quote is from a dear little boy who sees the world through innocent eyes. Have you ever wondered what life would be like if adults would communicate with each other the way children do? Just walk into a room where you know no one and see how long it takes another adult to approach you. But watch the kids and they will immediately be drawn to each other like magnets and begin playing together. No need for introductions. Like puppies at the 'arf park' - same thing. They simply enjoy the camaraderie without inhibitions.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMEHbLpnRUU/TkmvkA6hf3I/AAAAAAAAARk/aQQbZOzAllw/s320/DSCN0342.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641233041513873266" /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">I spent the weekend camping with dear friends and family on Camano Island with several children in attendance. Sitting back and watching them interact with each other and with adults was fascinating. They will not only 'say it like it is', but while they are speaking they may stroke your hair or play with your jacket zipper as matter-of-factly as if they were sipping a cup of coffee during conversation. Gives me cause to take an introspective look at how I communicate with others. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXfd0joLk-Y/Tkmu0crX0vI/AAAAAAAAARc/5zixls2hrv4/s320/DSCN0973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641232224332796658" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Next time I'm at Boundary Bay Brewery I'm going to strike up a conversation with whomever is sitting next to me and challenge him or her to a hula hooping contest and see where it takes us. Who knows, I may make a friend for life. But don't expect me to play with their zipper!</span></div></div>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-70871109619698714652011-08-08T11:37:00.000-07:002011-08-15T15:29:54.207-07:00Wonder Woman may be stacked, but she doesn't know Jack about...
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<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Sssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">don't tell anyone, but, I have secret powers. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">Yes, sirree. Truth is, I've known this for a long time. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><i>[cue: Superman theme song]</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Years</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"> ago I worked in customer service and a visitor remarked "You are a <i>very</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"> capable woman!", and there it was... my new SuperHero name: Capable Woman. I even had a nametag to prove it.</span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Well, it was better than the old nametag: B.O.W. That one was merely for a coworker who apparently didn't care much for me as her lead and was sharing with anyone and everyone that I was the Bitch On Wheels. So, of course, I had the nametag made in order to put an end to her malicious, defamatory remarks. It worked, too! But I digress...</span></i></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZEXnGNpZoM/TkmdyWcGvJI/AAAAAAAAARE/zVBWrCybFYc/s320/anniversary_0053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641213496600738962" /><div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">It has recently come to my attention </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">that the middleborn child (which I am) is <i>not</i> the neglected, overlooked and confused mess our society has characterized us as for so long. Research has shown that we are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">'beholders of secret powers'. Yeah! Turns out the archaic perception of middleborns as being resentful loners with a negative outlook on life and shying away from the spotlight has been wrong all along. Wel</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">l, duh... Capable Woman could've told you that! We are "self-aware team players with remarkable diplomatic skills" according to this resea</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">rch. We are outgoing, flexible, motivated more by fairness than money and have a deep sense of family, friends and loyalty. We are not a supercilious bunch, although we tend to assess others based on how they treat another living bein</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">g. Well </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">now, these are superpowers I can be proud of!</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">I see all of us as having these traits and more - regardless of our birth order. I believe we are molded by our families, life experiences and society's perceptions and labels put upon us. It is up to each of us to set the record straight and show the world our <i>best selves</i>.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Now, if only my secret pow</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">ers could trans</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">port me to Olive Garden where Mr. Wonderful awaits my arriva</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">l. SuperHeroes aren't supposed to be late fo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">r lunch!</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tu-BiOxVgwQ/TkBCZ0OUzZI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Yqn7xLyrFzI/s320/DSCN0164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638579744750751122" /></div></div></div>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-57548879795623658882011-08-01T12:21:00.000-07:002011-08-01T15:32:10.546-07:00We the Peeps...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1YtC1A67RQ/TjcUf7dONiI/AAAAAAAAAPs/5GBQ7iA5syI/s1600/P1010653.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1YtC1A67RQ/TjcUf7dONiI/AAAAAAAAAPs/5GBQ7iA5syI/s320/P1010653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635995997446223394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >That's it! I'm starting my own country. It shall be known as </span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Moxie. </span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >It'll be a micro-nation so we'd better </span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >have micro-homes, microbreweries and micro-workweeks. We'll skip the microphones and micro</span><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >waves, thank you very much. </span> <span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >We, the peeps, will be proud of our autonomy and simplicity. We will not feel the need for constant reassurance that we are the greatest country in the world, because it just won't matter. We will have no debt issues due to the fact that we will have no monetary base. Our </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">tribe will enjoy life's nece</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">ssities and appreciate anything more than that as a condition of great ease and comfort.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Life in Moxie is simple. Our basic philos</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">ophy is taken directly from Robert Fulghum's <span style="font-style: italic;">All I Ever Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten</span>. The following is an excerpt from his book.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Wisdom was not at the top of the grad school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Kindergarten. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.<br /><br />Shar</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >e everything.</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:100%;color:#040404;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:100%;color:#040404;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Play fair.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Don't hit people.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Put things back where you found them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Clean up your own mess.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Don't take things that aren't yours.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">W</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:100%;color:#040404;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">ash </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:100%;color:#040404;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">your hands before you eat.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Flush.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Take a nap every afternoon.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:100%;color:#040404;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Be aware of wonder.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:100%;color:#040404;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Take any of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had a basic policy to al</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:100%;color:#040404;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">ways put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess. </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:85%;color:#040404;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:ARIAL, CHICAGO;font-size:85%;color:#040404;" >Robert Fulghum, 1990.© </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:verdana;" >LOOK. LISTEN. BREATHE.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88XYUokEJ98/TjcoYafa3gI/AAAAAAAAAQE/NZ4nEkEUFZQ/s1600/203538_141188549287568_6833523_s.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 114px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-88XYUokEJ98/TjcoYafa3gI/AAAAAAAAAQE/NZ4nEkEUFZQ/s320/203538_141188549287568_6833523_s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636017858570542594" border="0" /></a>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-33772383038392640222011-07-21T14:03:00.000-07:002012-05-14T16:19:38.360-07:00Some Like It Hot... or Heatless In Seattle<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vkTgWhd3QI/Ti4hnTAMFkI/AAAAAAAAAPE/6pBORr36moU/s1600/rain7" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633477142886749762" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vkTgWhd3QI/Ti4hnTAMFkI/AAAAAAAAAPE/6pBORr36moU/s400/rain7" style="float: right; height: 267px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheilacarsonphotography.com</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hell, at this point I'd even take lukewarm. While the rest of the country is sweltering in record heat, our beautiful Pacific Northwest has been experiencing the coldest, wettest summer I can remember. Last month I kept referring to it as JUNuary. Now, in July, I am calling it JUvember. We're talking low to mid-sixties, clouds and rain. LOTS of rain. In fact, we have had a grand total of 78 minutes of 80+ degree temps this year. That's right... I said minutes.<span style="font-size: 78%;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 78%;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>[Thanks, la Nina, you little bitch.]</b></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, I'm a very positive-minded woman but even the most optimistic person i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">s going to get a tad annoyed with this eventually. So, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">what to do, what to do? Hmmmm....</span></span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Join the 'Debbie Downers' and complain? What fun is that? </span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Continue to try to convince myself it'll get here before Halloween? Well, maybe. Nah...</span></span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Remind myself of the many benefits? Sure! </span></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1) we're saving a </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">lot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of money this summer on water </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2) it's easy to put on a sweater</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3) when the sun finally </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">does</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> make an appearance we'll appreciate it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> even more</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: trebuchet ms; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4) if we were sitting here in 90+ degree heat, we'd be wanting our cool, w</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">et weather back </span></span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> our beautiful PNW would not be so beautiful.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53uf7szLMZM/Ti4h4Rn1t1I/AAAAAAAAAPM/ihYapEAzkAw/s1600/rain23" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633477434573961042" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-53uf7szLMZM/Ti4h4Rn1t1I/AAAAAAAAAPM/ihYapEAzkAw/s400/rain23" style="display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheilacarsonphotography.com</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, what do we do?<br />We are Washingtonians, people! And we are going to get out there and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">LIVE IT UP</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">! And </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">we will</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">LIKE it</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">! Let's get out the Hula Hoop, ride our bicycles, hike, kayak, get a coffee and sit outside until happy hour. Then we'll sit outside some more and enjoy a libation with someone wonderful. If we need to dress in layers, we will, because around here... that's-what-we-do. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So simple we almost forgot it. I have a watercolor painting that reminds me to "Smile at the rain". Good advice. I have always taught my sons that life is not so much what happens to you, but how you react to it. Same here. So if I want to get my 'floaty thing' out on the lake in the rain, I will! </span></span><br />
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<i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />"Hey, Ria, do you want beer or wine?! We'll tan our boobs! Hoist the canopy!" </span></span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2SrmD1_r0E/Ti4ihhyUfpI/AAAAAAAAAPU/p-4b5Jcal3E/s1600/rain18" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633478143287525010" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2SrmD1_r0E/Ti4ihhyUfpI/AAAAAAAAAPU/p-4b5Jcal3E/s400/rain18" style="float: right; height: 267px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheilacarsonphotography.com</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Now... where did I put my umbrella and rainboots?</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photos courtesy of sheilacarsonphotography.com</span></span></span></div>
</div>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9218337879973691138.post-36498667550997833682011-07-15T17:55:00.000-07:002011-07-25T19:19:05.740-07:00Woop, here it is...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Yep. Middle age. The dreaded 'getting older'. Time for longer sleeves, shorter hair, mental-pause and the drying up of the va-jay-jay. [cue 'record scratch' sound fx here] <i>zzzzzzzzzzzzp!! </i>Or at least that's what my mother's generation and generations before hers would tell me. I am 51. I look ... well ..., that's up to '<i>the eye of the beholder</i>', I suppose. I feel ageless. If I feel great and look great, why shouldn't I BE great? My husband, Pat, really IS my best friend but Ria is the one close friend I share my deepest, darkest secrets with. We laugh. We run through sprinklers on the golf course. We go pantiless under sundresses. And why not? Life isn't about stages or milestones or changes as much as it is living each day to it's fullest potential. I've heard the now-over-used phrase that when I die I want to go "s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">liding into homebase", basically saying I'm not going to give into other people's ideas of what my middle aged behavior should be and just sit down and wait it out. I'm going to keep on riding my bike, acting in theatre, laughing - loud and hearty, drinking good wine, enjoying intimacy with Pat, and more.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2tKsz4XtNA/Ti4jonj7NhI/AAAAAAAAAPc/LxUWJm1UwOQ/s1600/DSCN1100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2tKsz4XtNA/Ti4jonj7NhI/AAAAAAAAAPc/LxUWJm1UwOQ/s400/DSCN1100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633479364608472594" border="0" /></a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thhr0SFh_U8/Ti4j-fX_VvI/AAAAAAAAAPk/vww86HcViPs/s1600/DSCN1098.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thhr0SFh_U8/Ti4j-fX_VvI/AAAAAAAAAPk/vww86HcViPs/s400/DSCN1098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633479740368049906" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br />Clearly, I like quotes, whether they be inspiring, funny, sentimental... and one of my all-time favorites is "Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional." I have been saying this for years and I just saw it on a readerboard the other day. Made me smile. And then I took off my panties.<br /></span><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="addImage();" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);;ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Add_Image" title="Add Image"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" class="gl_photo" border="0" /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span>Susan Shrevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12812634068071177424noreply@blogger.com5