Peace this season

Last weekend we took our annual holiday shopping trip to San Francisco
it is such a wonderful time because
we catch up with family and friends.

we start the bus ride with Mimosa's and I had the chance to get to talk with my niece who has only been in the family for almost three years now. that meant a great deal to me. only because even though we live in surrounding areas life keeps us busy and we don't always get to see each other. but I am hoping that will change in the new year at least that is one of my hopes. My daughter and I had a great deal of fun we shopped and she probably shopped for her self and for sure more than I shopped! we found ourselves in MACY'S where after trying on 20 some dresses she found the perfect one and it was reasonably priced and on sale which made it better!. Down at the Ghiradelli square we had the best cupcake ever at Kara's cupcakes they melt in your mouth then of course dinner at what has now become her favorite place Joe's Crab Shack where we watched the wait staff dance and they played wonderful music. then walked back to the pier 39 where we enjoyed watching a spray paint artist who was talented and to the bread factory for some sourdough bread to bring home, then on the bus back home.

there were many signs posted all over stores and billboards saying "peace" that is what I wish
for everyone in these few days before Christmas " peace"

refelection

It has been quite sometime since I have posted anything on this blog
partly because I have been kind of lazy I am on a computer all day at work and by the time I get home make dinner and clean up i am kind of not in the mood to get on the computer again! and the other part is cause this past year I have had so many different layers in my life. from health issues for both me and my husband to the daily things that happen in ones day to day of life. I am in awe of all the blessings I have each and every day. also preparing for the holidays in following one of my families traditions a few weeks ago myself and two of my sisters made 40 dozen tamales for our family it is a great deal of time consuming work but I love the tradition of this that my mother had given to me and it is something that I intend to keep doing
till I am unable to. it brings joy to me to be able to do this for my family!. then there was Thanksgiving we stayed home and I cooked for the four of us it was fun just sitting and talking with our kids. then last Sunday I turned 47 I don't look at it as I am older of course I am another year older I have started looking at it as I am getting another year wiser and accept my aging with grace. yes I need to work on weight issues and I intend to do so on a day to day basis.

now we are getting ready for the Christmas holiday which in my household is filled with excitement of baking cookies, planning our dinner and of course what the spirit of Christmas means. another special thing that has become a tradition is that my daughter and I go on a shopping trip to San Francisco with some other family members this year in particular is very special because I am not sure if this will be the last one with my daughter for a while since she will be off to college next fall. ( I am hoping she chooses one close by) so of late I have been reflecting on all that has happened in the last 11 months and look forward to embracing the new
year to come. ( but that will be another blog stay tuned!!)

Zen Thought 11/3/09

" I have nothing to report my friends,
if you want to find the meaning stop
chasing after so many things"
Ryokan

Life ain't Always Beautiful

Life ain't always beautiful
sometimes it's just plain hard
life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life ain't always beautiful
you think your on your way
and it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggles make you stronger
and the changes make you wise
and happiness has it's own way of taking it's sweet time

no life ain't always beautiful
tears will fall sometimes
life ain't always beautiful
but it's a beautiful ride

life ain't always beautiful
sometimes I miss your smile
i get tired of walking down these lonely miles

and I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
guess i can dream, but life don't work that way

but the struggles make me stronger
and the changes make me wise
and happiness has it's own way of taking it's sweet time

No life ain't always beautiful
but I know I 'll be fine
Hey life ain't always beautiful
but it's a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride.

this is a song that was written by Cyndi Goodman and Tommy Lee James and recorded by Gary Allan. it is a song that lately has really resonated with me for many reasons I really can't
explain right now. but the words hit me and I Know that Life is not always beautiful , struggles do make you stronger and changes do make you wise.

and yes LIFE is a Beautiful Ride

Never Forget

" Never forget the powerful resources always available to you- LOVE, PRAYER, FORGIVENESS"

Sometimes when I see things like this wagon my mind wanders through time ( like an episode of Little House on the Prairie I sometimes catch an old rerun of that show) I think about the struggles that they went through. My husband's grandmother ( Granny) as she is called by us has given us wonderful stories of her youth riding in wagon, hunting and fishing with her grandpa and Papa, going to the church that was also her school helping with all the siblings. and her family always hoping the crop would be a good one every year as they also ran the local cemetery. as my mind wanders I think if our grandparents, and even parents have lived through a depression, a few world wars, that in today's world we should be able to as well,( we are and I know that it is economically challenging) they did not have the luxuries or resources that we do today. except for the three I mentioned above those to me are the resources and luxuries that is needed in this world and I certainly try to instill them in my everyday life. Our granny has had Parkinson's for many years she is in her late 80's and it is finally taking it's toll on her but she does not give up. sadly she fell and can no longer live by herself and has dementia she is very stubborn when it comes to her independence! and now lives in an assisted home. and just last week she had lost her only surviving sibling ( she has out lived 3 sisters and 1 brother) I spoke to her and she reminded me of what these three things that are most important in any life time.

LOVE- love the Lord, Love your life, Love your family & friends.
Prayer- Always have faith,
Forgiveness- always have a heart of forgiveness because not forgiving can only hurt you.

Decisions

My daughter is a senior in high school and is now in the midst of having to make some important decisions of what colleges to apply to, as well as some other decisions. she is feeling the nervousness and I feel it too. My baby girl has grown so fast! and though I know it is time to let her spread her wings and fly I can't help but feel a little bit sad. I felt this way with my son but for some reason the feeling with my girl is hitting me a bit harder is it because she is my only daughter? or the last to leave the nest? I don't really know but what ever decision she makes for herself I will support in every way possible. she has always beat to a different drum and this I am sure will be no different. over the summer she and her brother got closer in many ways they have always been each others rock and this summer she really needed him and us. I am hoping that her choice will be somewhere not to far sort of like my son but she has already told me that though we love going to visit her brother in Santa Cruz she has no plans to apply to that college. I respect that! they need there own places to be. but I am hoping that she chooses some place that is in driving distance I guess we will know this spring.
Until then.

I May

I'm not a perfect girl my hair doesn't always stay in place and I spill things alot. I'm pretty clumsy and sometimes I have a broken heart.

and sometimes my friends and I fight
and some days nothing goes right.

but when I think about it and take a step back I remember how amazing life truly is and that maybe just maybe I like being imperfect