It has nothing to do with how much we love you

A funny story……Grandparents were waving their good-byes to their family after an extended visit. As the family was driving away, the tired grandmother glanced at
Granddaddy and noticed that there were tears running down his face,
“what’s wrong?,” she asked. He answered, “they just ran over my foot, but keep waving, they might come back”.

No, it has nothing to do with how much we love you. It has everything to do with endurance, stamina, and the increasingly difficult task of cooking a turkey, dressing, 10 side dishes, 6 desserts, homemade rolls, 4 gallons of sweet tea, and having it all ready at the same time, with one oven! This must also happen with all the adults gathered around you in the kitchen and the kids needing your help with their crafts.
Another amazing tidbit about this scenario, the whole bunch expects to eat the next day too!” By then, Granddaddy and MiMi are not making complete sentences!

It has nothing to do with how much we love you!

Comments from our friends are comforting and reassure us that we are normal.
As I talked with one of my really good friends at our Christmas Eve service at church, she whispered, “they’ve just told me they are staying for 4 days! What am I going to feed them?”

Another funny comment from a new grandmother, “we have been making organic baby food all week, I have washed 11 loads of clothes every day, and they brought their 100 lb. dog!”

It really has nothing to do with how much we love you!

(As you have probably already figured out, I wrote this after Christmas, 2008)

A Good Laugh

On the eve of a recent birthday, I am laughing at myself!

After a weekend with five grandchildren, I think my son thought I needed to be pampered a bit, so, thoughtful person that he is, he called and said my birthday present this year was four hours at the most luxurious, expensive day spa in our town. I've never even been there.
He said there would be a massage, pedicure, manicure, facial, and some more things that I don’t

even know what they are talking about! I have never had any of this done to me. Everyone tells me it will be wonderful, and I'm sure it will. It's just that blasted massage that has me so stressed! I needed to talk with my good friend, Margaret. She is the "massage queen". I had lunch with her today. Earlier this morning I called the spa to hear exactly what was involved and how long the massage lasted? 30 MINTUES!
Now on to the questions for Margaret. “How much do I have to take off? WHAT? I’m not sure I can do that”. She said, “don’t worry, the lights are really low and they cover you with a sheet”. I wonder if they could do this in the dark? She said they worked on different parts of your body and only uncovered that part! Well, I’m telling you I have large parts and I don’t think 30 minutes will do it! Hmm............... I wonder if I could get my hair cut instead.

Maintenance

Maintenance.…..hmmmmm, “continuing repair work”. The art of maintaining…..

Wow! No one told me it would be this hard!. At sixty-six, I am forever looking for easier, simple, makeup tricks. How do I keep foundation on my face while sweating like I am running a marathon? How do I apply mascara and eye-liner with my glasses on? Where do I not put concealer?
As we age, I think all of us, still want to look nice without all the trendy products that we see in the national magazines. I have come to the conclusion that the secret is to find a few great make-up artists/companies, (Bobbie Brown is my favorite) use them, then, let it be! Learn to be comfortable in your own “skin”. Be happy. It will show.
I have learned that I must keep my hair short. To do otherwise adds years in weeks!
I have also realized that I can look in the mirror easier if I color my gray.

I feel really good in beige and black clothes. Notice I said I feel really good, not look really good. I have to really talk to myself to wear bright colors although I enjoy red and purple.

Jewelry is hard. Something classic and silver is usually good. Mostly earrings, never a bracelet. I also love antique brooches and old rhinestone earrings.

My preference in purses goes in cycles. It must always be a shoulder bag and I am attracted to expensive leather! For years I carried a very organized, small handbag.
I have never been one to change purses to match the clothes. I usually change with the seasons. For the past couple of years I have migrated toward larger, hobo type bags which is like looking in a deep, dark hole to find my keys. My cell phone always stops ringing before I find it! Oh well…….
Socks…..I love them. Loud, gaudy ones. My sister(who thinks everything must “match”) almost faints sometime when I cross my legs and my socks reveal themselves.

Shoes……I used to love them. I still love them on other people. There is nothing as good looking as high heels. I bought my last pair about 4 years ago. I saw them at T.J. Max and bought them without blinking an eye! They are snakeskin, 3 ½ inch
good looking shoes. I call them my “sex in the city” shoes. I haven’t dared wear them in at least two years. Just can’t do that anymore.

“It is what it is” and I’m gradually becoming "content in my own skin".