Last Day thoughts

It’s hard to believe . . . is day 31 really here?

Thinking back how silly there was worry and fear

It wasn’t that I thought I would have nothing to say

More just the commitment of writing something each day

But funny each day as I sat down to write

The words would come out feeling kinda right

Sharing thoughts both silly and deep

Reading comments made . . . made my heart take a leap!

I looked at the titles of others and felt connected

And sure enough after reading each one it was exactly what I expected

I hope the words I wrote back showed I was in touch

More importantly that you shared . . . thanks so much!

It was an incredible experience but like I’ve said

All good things come to an end . . . but I’m looking forward looking ahead

To the Tuesday slices of life that will continue all year

And I hope that each of you will also be here!

Till Next Time . .

All good things must come to an end . . . But WHY?

I ask myself this every time I have to say good-by

Time flies when you are having fun . . .

But I’m not ready or even close to being done!

But it happens, we go back to normal. . . back to our routine

The time before the next . . . that sort of in between

But trust me I’m so thankful, thankful I can go back

And in just a couple months I again will start to pack!

New York

New York . . . the City

Shop . . . dine . . . feel its energy

You Will . . . Come . . . ALIVE!

Central Park

Central Park, a park with so much appeal

Located in the middle of concrete and steel

Miles upon miles of nature at its best

With so much to see there’s no time to rest

People walking, running, riding their way through

Take time to see the wild life center or the zoo.

There’s also skating, concerts and a basketball court

Start early . . . spend the day . . . so your time there won’t be cut short

One of my favorite parts is the “Strawberry Fields Memorial to John

Each day different flowers . . . petal of roses . . . are placed upon

It is defiantly a New York must see

For this I can almost guarantee!

6 Women

Six women, six women spanning from 25 to 59 years old.

Women who have opinions to give . . .

Women who have dreams to share . . .

Women who have fears to reveal . . .

Women who have the passion to discover . . .

Women who love and are loved . . .

Women who have strength and courage especially for one another

Six women, six women of whom I am one . . .

Women I connect with on many different levels . . .

Women who know me deep into my soul . . .

Women who laugh with me . . .

Women who cry with me . . .

Six women . . .

Women so comfortable with who we are especially when together.

A Night at the Theatre

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert

Fabulous, get out of your chair kind of energy and fun

But the best part was the message . . . The Message of Acceptance

Acceptance of self, no matter . . .

Accepting of others, and the "rainbow" of who we all are

It was a reminder to love and not judge. . . no matter

Just awesome . . . and all done through songs we all know

Awesome costumes . . . awesome production

A must see for sure!

Clouds

Clouds . . . Or Are They?

I love to look up to the sky and “see” . . .

billowing white cotton balls

wisps of texturized silk

a silhouette of a heart

I love to look up to the sky and “feel” . . .

a golden arch oozing with stardust

the wings of an angel

a floating jelly fish

I love to look up to the sky and “hear” . . .

an erupting volcano

a growling lion

the calm before the storm

Oh how I love to look up and . . . imagine . .

Our Day One Plan

New York

Wake up early and on go the walking shoes

Cause when in the Big Apple there’s no time to snooze

First stop is to get those feet geared up and ready

With a relaxing and much needed mani and pedi!

Then it’s a short subway ride into the city

Contrary to what you think, it’s really quite clean and very pretty

The streets are filled, so alive, with so much to do

It’s such a fabulous place to visit and come to.

Rockefeller Center, and 5th Ave. of course

Or Central Park in a carriage drawn by a horse

Walking through boroughs each one so unique

There’s restaurants and food carts and little boutiques

On Broadway for theatre, Time Square at night

At two in the morning it’s filled with people and lights

You lose track of time, it’s just so hard to believe

When you realize it’s time to go home, time to leave

But we all know . . . know when it’s time to say

Let’s cash in our chips after all tomorrow is another day

New York never sleeps . . . that’s it’s claim to fame

Have no doubt, this city more than lives up to it’s name!

Crazy Hair Day . . .

This week at school it’s been “Spirit Week” . . . I’m sure most of you know what this is, but in case you don’t, each day of the week we dress or wear something sort of silly. It’s the perfect activity for the week before spring break! Well . . . maybe . . .

See yesterday was “crazy hair” day. Yes, we come to school with our hair looking . . . well let’s just say . . . the things we do for our kids! Anyway, our principal decided it would be a perfect day for a fire drill practice. So, the alarm goes off and out the door we all go forgetting of course, that we are looking anything but professional because safety is always first.

Michelle and I walked outside together, waiting as we always do with a group of students, (a group of students that must have forgotten it was crazy hair day) until we get the “all call” to come back in. It seemed as if the “call” was taking longer than usual when all of a sudden, a fire truck comes pulling up in front of the school.

Hmmm . . . we look at each other wondering, why are they here? We usually know when the fire department attends our fire drills. Do you think someone pulled the wrong alarm? As the firemen were jumping out of the truck I turned to Michelle and said, “did you ever notice firemen are usually rather cute?” She smiled, agreeing with me and said “sure, they rescue us . . . they are our knights in shinning armor!.”

Just then one of firemen starts walking towards us and begins to chat. Never thinking/remembering about the way we look, we just start chatting away until we hear the call to come back into the building.

As we were walking back into the building it hits me . . . I looked at Michelle and said “oh boy do you think we should have told them it’s crazy hair day!” One can only imagine what the “cute” firemen thought!!

Oh, the things we do for our kids!

A Shower . . . A Simple Pleasure

One of my very simple pleasures . . .

If you read my “delicious” somethings, you know water was on my list. So now you have a little more in insight as to why I’ve wanted to write about this for a while. So here it is . . .

One of my favorite pleasures is a shower . . . a long . . . really long . . .hot . . . really hot. . . shower. I know this probably sounds crazy to most, but I can stand in there for hours . . . unfortunately my hot water heater is not big enough. There is something so relaxing about standing in there with hot water gently or not so gently beating down on me. I close my eyes, and pretend it’s a waterfall in Hawaii, or a really nice massage . . .I just love how the the water drowns out sounds . . . all sounds but that of pounding water . . . like when you are swimming under water. When I fear the water will start to cool a bit, it’s then that I decide which body wash to use. I like to have quite a few different “flavors” in there from two of my favorite stores, Bath and Body and C.O. Bigelow! I’ve had people tell me my shower is like showering in the store there’s so many choices! My morning showers are way too quick to take advantage of this indulgence, but in the evening, or on weekends . . . lookout, I’m all about draining the tank! Something so simple, yet so, so decadent!

Hump Day

“Hump” day, before break is like no other

It’s almost as if no words are needed for one another

Our faces tell a story, like a book with no words

It’s as if our brains have decided to switch and go backwards!

We cheer each other on, there's no choice but to keep pressing

Till 2:30 on Friday when we can start . . . well who’s confessing?

It’s great to be able to relax, refresh, renew and unwind

Cause in 7 short days the little darlings will be all that’s on our minds.

My Connections..or My "Delicious"

I’m driving home yesterday thinking about what to write about today. I often think about the day as I’m driving in hopes I’ll get an inspiration. I started thinking about how people are connected to one another as well as to places, things etc. I started thinking of all my connections . . . things that reach inside me . . . grab a hold and touch me for many different reasons. Then I read a slice, you may have read it too . . . the slice about “The Search For Delicious” . . . and I thought “yes” that’s exactly what my connections are! My ideas of “delicious” . . . So here are a few, a start to my list of “delicious” . . .

~First and foremost is my sister . . . she tops my delicious list! Most that know us tell us that our relationship is rare . . . we say it’s priceless!

~Water . . . the ocean, a river, even a small pond! I can gaze at a body of water for hours. Heck I even love washing dishes, because I love the feel of the water running on my hands.

~My niece Lyndsey and my nephew Jason. They are . . . well . . . let me just say, I love them more than from the stars to the moon and back!

~My hubby, he is a good and kind man!

~The “girls,” my two cousins, (my sister and I are part of this group) we have been together our whole lives.

~My friends, most are 20 year or longer friendships. How lucky I am for each of them and what they fill me up with!

~Fresh cut flowers! There is something so beautiful when the colors and shapes of different flowers come together as one!

~Star gazing . . . sitting out at our camper looking at the night sky filled with sparkles and diamonds!

~Yoga, and the spiritualism that connects me to my mind and body.

~A new “delicious” reading and connecting with people I don’t even know through the SOL. It really does amaze me, the connection I feel sometimes, be it a comment that is left for me or a comment I make to someone else.

Sunset

Driving home last night the weather was glorious! The temperature was a balmy 81 degrees. Yes, 81 degrees . . . in Chicago . . .in March! The sunset was magnificent and my inspiration for this very short poem today!

Sky a blaze with reds

A diffusion of colors

Sinking . . . Slowly . . . Down

Walking vs Walking

Walking vs Walking

Walking lets you . . .

see the beauty in a tree

become one with nature

hear the birds’ songs

Walking lets you . . .

see the goal

become one with the pavement

hear your heartbeat

Walking lets you . . .

feel the breeze on your skin

watch the flowers erupt into color

enjoy the experience

Walking lets you . . .

feel the sweat on your brow

watch the momentum of your stride

enjoy the pride in the accomplishment

Walking vs Walking

Different, yet the same . . . both feed the body, mind and soul . . .

7 More Days!!!

Seven days to go till we get on the plane

Maybe I need to take a moment to explain

March has become a tradition of sorts

When us girls get together for our trip to New York

We all gather in Brooklyn at my niece’s apartment

It’s cozy . . . but filled with love and contentment

There’s laughter and hugs, and oh so much love in the air

Not a quiet moment between us because we have so much to share!

We all stake our spot for our carry on cases

And hope that it’s not one of Kiki’s (her kitty) favorite spaces

Then it’s time to kick back with a nice glass of wine

Our Lyndsey makes us feel so welcome . . . so, so fine.

She knows how to spoil us, she knows how to host

My sister and I smile as she makes the first toast.

I cherish the time when together we spend

And start thinking early . . . I don’t want this to end

I miss her so much, although we talk often and text

And I’m always planning, yes planning until the next

Funny . . . well not really, how my slice started about my trip

And then as usual my thoughts detoured and took a flip

Cause although I love the city, the energy, Times Square’s marquee

My real love in New York . . . is my oh so beautiful niece . . . Lyndsey!

Can’t wait to see you Honey!!! . . .143 ;-))

So Many Questions

There are times in my life that things happen that make me really question, question why?? Here are a few of my questions . . . some deep and thoughtful and some just plain silly!

(In no particular order)

Why . . .

do bad things happen to really good people?

Why . . .

do movie stars think when they support a political candidate, he/she has a much better chance of winning?

Why . . .

do people, who are voted by the people to take care of our city, state and/or country, lose sight of the people who put them there in the first place?

Why . . .

does the government think it’s okay for people to consume foods that are filled with pesticides, pesticides that are so dangerous, gloves and masks are needed when applying them?

Why . . .

is it, that for some children, the best part of his/her day is when they’re in school?

Why . . .

is it, even though you know everything has a reason, there’s times you can’t figure out what it is?

Why . . .

do some people always know the right things to say? (thank goodness)

How . . .

is it possible. . . that for some people, their child is not more important than life itself?

Why . . .

does food that is not good for us taste so darn good?

Why . . .

when a new season arrives, our clothes seem to have shrunk?

Why . . .

so many questions . . .

Why . . .

so many unanswered . . .

But never stop asking . . .

A Few Of My Life's Equations!

I know this has been done, but recently I used Amy Rosenthal’s book “This Plus That: Life’s Little Equations” with a group of 5th Grade students. I wasn’t sure how they were going to react . . . would it be too silly, after all, 5th grade, spring time, need I say more! Wow, was I pleasantly surprised! They loved it and came up with some really thoughtful equations for their lives. Their equations went from “super fruit salad” to equations about loving school! (Those were my favorites!)

So I thought, hey it’s time I give it a try myself!

Here are just a few . . .

Family + Friends = Support System

Honesty + Positive Attitude = Me

“Girls” + Shopping + Spa + Mani + Pedi’s + Unknown = New York

Listening + Supporting - Judgmental = Good Friend

Computers + Books + Children = My Job

One Brain + 2 Heads = My Sister and Me (a nickname given to us by my nephew)

Sunshine + Smiles + Everything Sweet + Beautiful = My Niece Lyndsey

Zumba + Yoga + Walking + Weight Training = My Workouts (when I’m good)

Writing + Reading + Smiling + Commenting = SOL

Hair War!

After almost 30 years (yikes did I really say that?!?) I decided to grow out my hair. I usually wore it very short and I thought fun and funky!

It wasn’t as if I disliked my hair, in fact I loved it! It was a breeze when getting ready for the day, wash it, throw some gel on it and done!

So you are probably wondering . . .

Why in the world would I go through this? (I know you understand if you have ever tried this yourself)

Why would you change a haircut that was super easy and cute?

Hmmm . . . . I’m really not sure . . . I guess I just thought a change would be fun.

So, I started from scratch . . . no really from nothing . . .

absolutely no hair! (a gift from chemo)

What a really great way to start . . . Think of all the possibilities! Right?!?

Each day as I am getting ready, I have conversations with myself. . .

You can do it . . .

You’ve gone this far you can’t stop now! . . .

It will be worth it in the end! . . .

Are you kidding! Are you really going to leave the house looking like this?!?

My 20 minute routine in the morning has turned into 40 minutes. I now use more tools than some carpenters.

And more conversations with self . . .

Hey, be thankful you have hair . . .

At least it’s as thick as it used to be . . .

Well maybe . . . it doesn’t look too bad today . . .

And that’s where I’m at . . . good days and some bad, but each day closer to . . .

Well I haven’t figured that out yet!

I guess that will be another day . . . another slice!

The Playground

The playground is quiet not a movement or sound

But at noon that all changes when children abound

There’s screaming, there’s laughter there’s games to be played

There’s balls and some hoops and jump ropes for each grade.

I stand there and watch them so happy and carefree

Some swinging, or sliding or just chatting under the tree

Watching I’m reminded how much movement they need

Yet we want them to sit and of course then exceed

But For 20 minutes a day they can run and be free

And if it’s sunny they’re even getting some vitamin D

So thank goodness for recess, when weather permits

Cause both teachers and children would surely call it quits!

My 50th Post on My Blog! And How it all Started!

Today I posted my 50th piece on my blog! Oh, my gosh,

I remember like it was yesterday . . .

My first thoughts when Michelle shared her blog and encouraged me start one of my own . . .

Me,?!? Write?!? Share my inner thoughts and feelings to, to hundreds of people I don’t even know?!?

I couldn’t do that . . . or could I??

It really was not like me to be scared . . .

Stepping out of my comfort zone was not usually a problem for me . .

Normally I like taking chances, living on the edge so to speak . . .

So why did this . . . this blog thing seem so scary to me?

Michelle took me by the hand and reassured me that I could write and share my blog with as few or as many people as I want .. .

Only people that know me, and no”strangers” would ever really see it . . .

Well heck! I could do that and so it started . . .

I started writing . . . writing about how I felt, how I saw things around me

But I always had a “private” rule . . .

I wanted my words to be positive, And I wanted people to see that we can . . . that we have to try and find the positive in situations

I wanted this because . . . I like to think I’m a “glass half full” kinda gal!

I wanted to inspire someone else to write, give back if you will, like Michelle did for me. But there was always this little voice in my head saying . . . “Why are you playing this so safe?” “Who are you going to inspire, if you only allow 2 or 3 people in to read . . . to read what you have to say?”

And slowly I started telling more people, people who I knew . . . about my blog . . . and I just kept writing. I was amazed how the ideas would come pouring out of my head onto the the paper. Almost ever day, I had something I wanted to share, to share out loud to the people I had let in.

Then one day, which turned into one week, and into a month . . . and nothing, I mean I couldn’t seem to get anything down, I had the thoughts . . but nothing! There was nothing to write!

My sister asked what happened? I miss my morning “blog” readings, I miss reading what you have to say!

And others noticed . . . noticed I was not writing . . . yet it was as if I didn’t know how to start again . . .

And then the “CHALLENGE”, join the SOL challenge . . . and I did . . . and not only did I start writing again . . . I became connected to so many people who just like me have things to say and share. . . and because we share we learn from one another and we can see how much we all have in common . . .

So today, I say, Happy 50th post to me!

My Poem on Spring . . . I think?/?

Spring . . . reminds me of warmer weather

Warmer weather . . . reminds me of nature’s change

Nature’s change . . . reminds me of fresh starts

Fresh starts . . . remind me of new beginnings

New beginnings . . . remind me of early spring flowers

Early spring flowers . . . remind me of firsts

Firsts . . . remind me of opportunities

Opportunities . . . remind me of doors open

Doors open . . . remind me of endless possibilities

Endless possibilities . . . remind me of our youth

Our youth . . . reminds me of changes . . .

Which reminds me of those early flowers that let us know it’s spring!

Play A Little Country!

Country music..it took a while but I have to admit I’m hooked

I know, some say it’s corny or twangy . . .

But I say, country songs tell a story . .

Stories of people, people like you and me

Stories of life, struggles, fears, new loves, lost loves, mean girls, cowboys and even a red solo cup!

Songs that you learn the words to and sing along with

Because those words . . . aren’t just words to a song

They are a connection . . . a connection that touches you down into your soul

Words that you think when written . . . were written just for you

So go ahead, kick back and listen to a little country . . .

Just maybe you’ll hear your song!

My Grateful List of 10 . . .Even Though There’s Lots More

• Always so, so grateful for my sister . . . she is my BEST buddy and I couldn’t ask for a better one!

• That I am able to go to New York with “the girls” to see my niece every spring break!

• All my friends . . . such a great support!

• To my hubby for cooking dinner more than me!

• My job, teaching is one of the greatest jobs!

• My health . . . something I never take for granted!

• Rainbows, every time I see one it’s like seeing it for the first time!

• A box of SOFT kleenex . . . (especially this week)

• Discovering organic fruits and veggies!

• Yoga! Awesome way to relax and unwind . . . can even be a great workout!

And this week . . . I’m grateful it’s Friday!!!

The Sign . . .

Late last night, I heard that familiar “CHIRP” on my phone. Even though I was already in bed, I had to get up to see who the text was from. . . I know it’s an addiction...

What I saw was a picture, a picture that to all of you would mean nothing, but for me it gave me chills of pride and joy!

The picture was a sign on a door, not just any sign, it was a sign with my nephew’s name on it. You see, he just started his career as an attorney.

Seeing that sign brought back so many memories of all his “firsts” . . . his first word, first step, first hit in T-Ball, first A on his report card and oh . . . how the list goes on and on. . .

and I was there . . . there for all the “firsts”, not just as a gloating Aunti, but as his “second” mom . . . as my sister has always says . . a role I cherish so, so deeply for both he and his sister.

I remember . . . how as a very young boy, when people would ask, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” He would always say with such conviction, “I’m going to be a lawyer!” And people would smile and think how cute . . . but you see . . . he was serious, he really did want to be an attorney.

I remember . . . looking for colleges with him, colleges that would help him reach his goals . . . because yes, he still wanted to be an attorney.

Then it was law schools, which would be the best fit? Which would be the one to help land him a job?. . .

I remember . . . law school graduation, so proud, so, so proud . . . but on that day it was very anticlimactic for him. . . because next he would have to pass the bar . . . the test that determines if you will practice law.

I remember . . . last summer when he was studying for the California Bar . . . his fears . . . how overwhelmed he was whenever I talked to him . . and it was hard, hard to talk to him because there was nothing to say but give words of encouragement. . . because you see this was the test that would determine it all . . determine if he would finally begin his dream.

I remember . . . the night . . . 4 months after taking the bar . . . waiting to hear if he passed . . . sitting waiting for him to call . . . oh how I remember . . . how that night dragged on until . . the phone rang and we heard those words . . “I passed.”

I remember . . . my sister and I bursting into tears. . . tears of joy and pride because he did it! His dream would finally become a reality . . . even though in the back of our minds we had the same fears as he and so many young people today have. . . a dreadful job market. But again, I had words of encouragement, stay positive . . . it will all work out.

So you see, it was not just any sign for me . . . it was seeing someone I love, come full circle and reach a long time goal! Congratulations Honey!!!!

A Zumba Convert

I walked into the room where they held the classes

Saw people of all shapes and sizes ready to work off their !/??/!

The music was blasting . . . the fans were ah blowing

I could see the instructor was ready to get this class going!

The warm-up went smooth and it was getting quite clear

This class would be awesome and I had nothing to fear

The songs for the dance steps were familiar and entertaining

But let there be no mistake . . . it was a great workout training!

Fifty five minutes later . . WOW! it can’t really be done?!?

But clearly, I can’t remember a workout ever being so fun!

A Zumba convert, yes I think I can say

I’ll be the first one in class waiting . . . next Sunday!

Thanks!

Thanks!

Wow! What an experience this has been and it’s only day 6! It’s amazing . . . I can see how this community of writers becomes a family of writers. It’s so exciting to log on each morning and read a “slice” of different people’s lives and how often I can relate. . . I only wish everyday was a weekend when there’s so much more time! And thank you . . thank you for all the thoughtful comments . . . I really appreciate them. So I guess my slice today is to just say to say thanks!

Words I Have to Say . . .

Before I took the SOL challenge my writings were for a very few . . . the very close people in my life, the people, I felt really comfortable reading what I had to say. And even then, I often did not write about things that were sad or showed the raw side of me. After all, I wanted my blog to be upbeat and inspirational.

But today, I have to write about 2 people, one little boy who was only 22 months old and a woman who was only 52 years old. Sadly, both of these people lost their fight with cancer.

I didn’t know either of these people personally, but I had a connection to them . . . not through my friends who are related to them, but because I am a cancer survivor . . . so I have a connection to them.

As a cancer survivor, each time I hear that someone loses the battle . . . the battle I am so, so fortunate to have won, a part of me relives, relives what they have gone through and it saddens me to know they were not as lucky as me.

As a cancer survivor, the “it” never goes away, never gets buried as deep as you would like because when you hear someone loses the battle the “it” comes rearing its ugly head and you remember, remember the fears, the questions, the unknowns . . . and you remember these same fears, questions and unknowns in the eyes of the people you love and who love you, and there’s a little bit of guilt knowing that others weren’t as lucky as yourself.

But then I tell myself maybe . . . it’s good, good to be reminded so that we never, ever forget to be thankful for what we have . . . and to remember to stop and smell the flowers, even when we think there’s no flowers to smell, and most important to surround ourselves with the people we love because that’s what matters most.

Exercise War

It’s Sunday and the “exercise war” begins in my head

It’s not like I want to stay cozy and warm in my bed

I think of the chores, such as laundry and more

All the things keeping me from walking out the door

I know it does good physically and mentally too

It’s not that I’m lazy. . . please don’t misconstrue

I bring out the schedule, maybe there’s a class I can take

I see at 9:30 there’s a class I can make

Zumba is the name, it’s about movement and dance

Heck, I say to myself . . . why not take a chance

I text my good friend to see if she’s in

Asking if she’s up for taking a spin

And maybe tomorrow as I ponder my SOL

I’ll share and reflect on how it all went so well!

Power of Words . . .

Power of Words . . .

We all have heard it . . . we’ve taught it to our kids . . .

Heck there is even a rhyme about them . . . remember?

Sticks and stones can break my bones

But words can also hurt me . . .

And on the other side of the spectrum

Words can make us immensely happy, jubilant even!

Hallmark Cards . . . need I say more?

I was given this very interesting book, Heal Your Body A - Z by Louise L. Hay

The book speaks to having faith, not in the religious sense, but . . .

faith in life . . . in the universe.

The power of words . . .

“Whatever we send out mentally or verbally will come back to us in like form.”

“For every effect in our lives, there is a thought pattern that precedes and maintains it”

If you’re willing think about the power of words in relation to your health . . .

check out this book . . .

if you’re open to it.