Sometimes, I just don't know what to think about things . . .

Life just isn't fair sometimes.

Years ago, when my daughter was born, she had such a hard and challenging life ahead of her.  And, as her family, so did we.

Our son's little friend and his family were a great source of help to us during those first few years.  They were there for us when we needed help, and they took our little guy into their hearts and home when we were in the hospitals for months at a time.

Now, the boys have grown into men.  The little friend is now a dad of two.  One of his little ones is now facing so many challenges in life.

I just finished reading an update on his little boy's latest surgery and I was taken back 26 years ago to my own experiences with hospitals and fragile little babies.  The pain, the sadness, the fear.  It breaks my heart that this young man is now going through these same things now with his own child.

Sometimes, life isn't fair.

Tick tick tick.....

As the little counter above indicates, the time is ticking down for the wedding.

Which means, it's time for me to do the mother of the groom dress shopping.  Umm....someone needs to explain to the powers that be (dress designers) not every groom's mom is a size 2.  Ha! Not even a 12!
So, I have been pouring over the selections and have finally narrowed it down to a few.

Now! I have to go and check out my choices.  Keeping the fingers crossed and hoping that I find something and actually like it!!!

Wish me luck!

Baby, it's cold outside!

I think that everyone in the country must be saying this right about now.  Here in VA it is not as cold as other places. Poor NY, IL, NE  and out west - the cold there must be bone chilling, mind numbing.

I saw a sound bit on the news this AM about how your body loses heat so quickly in those temps (you know, the ones that are in the MINUS digits (windchill or no windchill).  Cautions to make sure hands and feet and head, nose and ears are well protected because frostbite happens quickly.  Good advice most definitely, and well worth repeating.

So, in the next sound bite - a bit of a discussion about children waiting at the bus stops.  Waiting? Bus stops? Waiting in the frigid temps? Ummm....I am kind of thinking those little stick like fingers and nubbin toes that children have - no matter how well bundled we may think they are - must really get cold fast.  Waiting at the bus stop? Ummmm...no. I don't think so.  My kids are older now, so bus stops and waiting for the bus are no longer part of our morning routines.  BUT! If I did have a kiddie - they would have been dancing the dance of JOY this AM because this mommy would have announced a FROSTBITE DAY!  No school!

So many cities are announcing the steps being taken to aid the homeless in their communities.  Hopefully, many will find shelter from these blasts of record setting cold.

And, please, if you have outdoor pets, dogs and cats, make sure they have access to a snug shelter.  It doesn't matter if they are 'used' to the cold.  No ONE or THING is used to a 'winter vortex'.  My Maggie-Poodle went out to commune with the new neighbor dog, Millie, at the fence line.  She came in quickly though. Her feet were so cold, she let me rub them with a towel and then 'allowed' me to cover her with a blanket and she promptly went to sleep.   I heard Millie barking for her a while ago, and Maggie barely budged from beneath her blanket.  Canine-canoodling and doggie dialogue will wait for another day.

On a final note, may I say thank you to everyone who was up with the horses, goats, pigs, and other farm and barn creatures today.  Barns and stables can be especially chilly on a normal winter morning.  This morning it must have been like visitng the north or south pole.    So, when you got up anyway, and pulled on extra socks and thermals and headed out to feed and water, to muck stalls and just general daily chores that animals depend on us for - I hope you know that the sound of your footsteps and the sight of you gave the horses and all comfort.  They may not understand the terrible cold, but they know that their people are still on the job and caring for them.  And, they felt safe.  Thanks to you from all of them (and me!)

Finally, take care of yourself too.  Make sure that you check your fingers and toes, your ears and nose!  Chapstick those lips and take off wet boots and change socks if you need too.  Drink some hot tea, or coffee or cocoa.  Take care of you!

No New Year's Resolutions for me . . .

New Year's resolutions start out with a bang and generally end with a whimper somewhere around the first of February.

Let's face it, if I am making a resolution, obviously I am having difficulty with whatever it is that is causing the resolution to be needed in the first place..This year, I have decided that instead of making resolutions that are great but not very realistic, I am going to focus on ONE word.  I will try to incorporate this word into all aspects of my life and hopefully, by year's end, while I may not have conquered some well intended but impossible goals, I will find myself, my health, my outlook and my general all around being . . .

                                                               BETTER

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Any one have info about vacationing in Ireland?

The kiddos think that Ireland is going to be the destination for their honeymoon.

Does anyone have suggestions, advice, recommndations for visiting Ireland?

Thanks.

Holiday Wishes

As you gather with family and friends during the holidays, take a moment to remember those who serve our country in the armed forces and their families who miss them dearly.  Remember too, those who serve in our communities, the police, the fireman, EMTs and nurses and doctors and the personnel that hold down the fort while the rest of us enjoy the celebrations.

Have a wonderful, happy and safe holiday, and may the coming year bring all of us happiness and good health.