Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Tinted Eyebrows

I had a moment very much like poor Jack.

One of my favorite episodes of Will & Grace is when Jack was wearing an eye patch because he lost his eyebrow. When he revealed the truth behind the patch, it was so extreme that I burst out laughing and Grace on the show had to cover her mouth (not in the script) because she couldn't say her lines for laughing. 

It was all things ridiculous and it took nearly a 1/2 minute for them to collect themselves to finish the episode. A classic!




There I am finally making time (I am over six months due for this) to get my eyebrows threaded to find out the Indian woman who is an absolute perfectionist that I love so much relocated. 

I find another lady, not sure of her nationality but I was a bit nervous by the look of her eyebrows. So, I was specifically very detailed in what I wanted. 

Voila! She did well threading. Not the perfectionist of my Indian woman, but good in a pinch. 

She asked if I wanted my eyebrows tinted, explained the process and said it only lasts two weeks.

I agree to give it a shot, whats two weeks? [You know where this is going.]

Looking at her eyebrows, so I certainly do NOT look like her, I was very, very, specific in how I wanted them done. She lays me back in the chair and paints on the tint. I've never seen this process and as I laid there for seven minutes for the paint to fully absorb I peaked up for a look in the mirror.


This is not me, but this is nearly how I looked. My brain exploded in panic and terror. Imagine these garish looking eyebrows darker and wet in black paint. That is exactly how the process is. Who knew?

At this point, I had to be very specific informing her this is exactly the look I didn't want. "I said ..."

She is using something to soften these harsh lines on this nasty looking box-shaped brow and my mind was racing through thoughts of two weeks! Of course she would do this to me, look at her! Why on earth! OMGosh, Jack McFarland!

Eyebrows are supposed to look natural. Not skinny pencil-shaped, not painted, not box-shaped caterpillar. Natural. 

This won't happen again and I am finding my bossy, opinionated Indian woman who won't keep her comments to herself, because she is the ultimate perfectionist and at the end of the process that is what I want. Perfection. 







Monday, February 19, 2018

Blueberry Banana Smoothie, Oh My!

Wonderful is the moment when you realize you have forgotten about rewards points and suddenly it feels like Christmas!

It was time for a new blender, I use mine nearly every day and only days after my rewards gift cards arrived in the mail my little blender that could, couldn't.

Perfect timing. I don't believe in coincidences. Little blessings don't go unnoticed.

Chocolate protein shakes, homemade milk shakes, and this morning a coconut milk blueberry banana smoothie ... oh my!

Happy Monday, cheers!


Sunday, February 18, 2018

Simple Pleasures

When I needed Saturday, I got Sunday, too.

A day of needed balance and being refreshed trickled into today and I am so grateful. Grateful for my new home church that has me so impressed and learning so much each Sunday. Grateful for the sunshine and it being warm enough for a walk today. Grateful for Brooke & Alex celebrating their 4 year anniversary today, they've really come into their own growing up together. Grateful for a clean and quiet home that provided two days of rest, relaxation, favorite shows, and comfort.

Simple pleasures.

It had me thinking a lot today. What simple pleasures bring me ultimate joy? My Sofia. When her sleepy eyes open and she breaks into the most beautiful gummy smile happy to see me. Her laughter, her warm snugly & chubby body, and sweet kisses. The warmth of the sunshine. Being by water, the ocean, a lake, or river. Gliding across the water on a paddle board on a peaceful lake. A good book I am caught up in that I don't want to put down. Driving through the mountains and countryside with my grandmother and stopping to pick berries and flowers in the sunshine. The moment I sit on the seat of my bike with a bike ride ahead of me. Being in nature with the sights, the sounds, the scents, and an un-rushed afternoon. When you slide your hand into another's and its completeness is more than enough. Moments in life when you know you don't want to be anywhere else. When you have everything in front of you and nothing else matters. The moments in life when your soul sings and you simply say, "Thank you, Lord."

Those moments are the prize. Know their value, because their value is priceless.

Life provides a smorgasbord of opportunities, but I've never been a buffet kind of girl. I don't want countless opportunities, I want the simple pleasures in life that make me happy.

What moments make your heart genuinely happy and at peace? Fill your life with those things, they matter.








Subtle and Understated

It's far more than evil in the news that shocks us, we measure our sin against them.

Earthquakes, fires, and natural disasters, we've been warned. 

Perhaps, its the deception of subtle and understated sins. 

   Subtle ...

        Understated ... 

              It was never the plan or even the intention ...

                     But look where we are ...


Perhaps the greatest deception of sin is the rationalization to justify our actions.

Lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud/pride, abusive, ungrateful, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, conceited, lovers of pleasure ... empty.

Imagine being unhappily caught up in this. Fleeting moments of satisfaction and a smile, but the satisfaction doesn't last. It never does.

God is missing, happiness is missing, love is missing.

You cannot change anything yesterday and years before, but you can turn that slow moving ship today and ultimately your future by making a conscious effort to change what you know needs to be changed in your life.

There will be terrible times in the last days ... 2 Timothy 3:1-4





Saturday, February 17, 2018

Oh, Saturday!


Oh, Saturday! What a blessing you are! 

It was a very good week. A very busy week. A too busy week. But, it's Saturday.

Saturday is when one wakes up in their own pace. For me, it's a pot of coffee on and in my favorite coffee mug, the Today Show (volume low to mute) so I can glance at the television, Brooke still asleep, and an unrushed nine hours in front of me before date night with Sofia. 

It's date night because I don't babysit my granddaughter. Our time together is not work, it's always special. 

Nine beautiful hours. 

I have put up walls of protection that no one can penetrate. Today is my relax and rejuvenate day. 

A sweet morning phone call, I hit on my topics of brief conversation, I am not the lingering chatty cathy on the phone like he is when he says, "I can sense you are jumping off the phone." [Smile] "My coffee is ready ..." I offer as a justifiable excuse. He knows I don't linger and it's Saturday.

Oh, Saturday! 

After confessions of his heart and intentions with me this week, asking me about vacation, and wanting me to come to his home, I am holding on for dear life to my plan. You know, the one where Brooke graduates, I sell my home and get a totally new place cat-free with a spare bedroom for just Sofia?! That plan.

I haven't been to his home, because it is brand-new and I don't want to see it. I don't want to like it and add another layer of goodness to him. I am in the 11th hour with only 2 minutes left until another milestone change with graduation and a move. 

I never play with healthy and available men, they are emotionally open and want a real relationship. It feels very consuming as if I will lose the life I know so well. This is where I pull back and try to find what I don't like about him, I know I do this (he has no idea). 

My inner gazelle is sensing danger and I promise you, it is very real. 

Looking down the road what is going to suffocate me? He is consuming me, I can see it and feel it. Heart and soul he is all in and this is where I pull back so I don't hurt him or I must free-fall into something that will be bigger than me. 

See? I need Saturday. 

Oh, sweet Saturday. xo



















Friday, February 16, 2018

Girls Night!

What a night! I bought us tickets to see Girls Night The Musical with expectations of an enjoyable evening with just my daughters and me. Sushi and a musical.

It was over the top FABULOUS!

The story line was four best friends (the 5th was an angel who had died years early, but they didn't know she was present the whole evening) out for girls night as the play took us on a journey into the lives of a group of friends. They visit the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future on a wild and hilarious night out. Each friend was unique and completely different. Each life was completely unique and different from the others.

Just like in real life.

The music, sensational.

Girlfriends are an absolute blessing in life and I've always told my girls the critical role girlfriends play throughout your whole life. Sharing this with my girls, just the 3 of us, was perfect.

To sit with my adult daughters is unreal to me at times. It catches me off guard they are 18 and 22 years old. Beautiful young ladies that I am so proud of. It makes me realize sometimes more than others they are not little girls and I am not in my 30's anymore, which I feel like.

We've entered a completely new season in life and life is good.



Thursday, February 15, 2018

Valentine's Day 2018


Chocolates, flowers, gifts, sweets and affections, everything Valentine's Day is made of. 

But, this year it was the most special.  Enter true love ...


*Outfit complements from me.








Grandmomma + Sofia <3


Snuggles, lots of kisses, silly faces, playtime, books, cartoons, hugs and her sweet little head on my shoulder, we danced to my favorite Valentine song. 

Sunday, February 11, 2018

A Part of Our Story

My eyes opened and I was so tired, I wanted to close them and go back to sleep, but I wasn't at home.

I could see his face close to mine to my left asking if I was okay and then there was another to my right, I could hear her say, "I am an ER nurse, have you ever had a seizure before?" I turn my head slowly to look at her, but everything was dark (my vision was almost black) and I couldn't hear her through a tunnel. She was pretty, a blond, and I said, "No (to the seizure question), I cannot hear you."

I am on the ground. Oh my gosh, I passed out!

TEN MINUTES EARLIER ...

We walked into the bar to hear this band play that I was excited to listen to. The place was packed, so we found a spot to stand in. As we were talking I could feel my vision start to go black. I don't say a word. [Are you kidding me! I am doing a quick memory check on how long it has been since I've blacked out (years) and a self assessment, what is triggering this? Shake it off. Shake it off. I see two seats and desperately hope if I sit down I can get this to pass with zero notice.]

The chairs were quickly taken as we approached and I could feel more darkness envelop me and I found a new place for us to stand.

More darkness. I think I said ... all he said he heard was, "I think I am going to pass out ..."

"Are you okay?" he asks looking at me worried. I'm wondering why?

"I am an ER nurse, have you ever had a seizure before?" [I'm thinking this isn't happening. Did I get hurt when I fell? Nothing hurts. I can't see as if the lights are off and I cannot hear what they are saying.]

"An ambulance is on it's way!" I'm shaking my head no, I think I said the words. Oh my gosh, I cannot shake this. It won't pass.

Next thing I am on a stool, a bar stool with a big glass of orange juice in front of me being told to drink it really fast to get my blood sugar back up. I know its been minutes and I am still not shaking this.

My body is in a sweat and I am leaning forward with my head on his chest. I can feel his hand in my hair trying to comfort me. [Pass, I need the darkness to pass]

Oh, great, here are the paramedics. I'm guessing I'm getting a lot of unwanted attention in this bar.

Stop. Okay, feel free to crack up laughing. It was everything ridiculous! Are you flipping kidding me?! It's been 13 years since I've actually passed out cold. That last time was on a 1st date at the Cleveland Ribs Fest at a concert during the grand finale when I went down. That 1st date with a guy I desperately wanted to date, but it did turn into a 2-1/2 year relationship though. So, ladies, I promise as mortifying as it is, it isn't a deal breaker!! In some weird way, this unwanted episode allows a man to be a hero and a protector. It's a weird damsel in distress, the man gets to be the prince and kiss sleeping beauty.

My vision is finally starting to come back, the paramedics are asking me rapid-fire questions, my finger gets pricked. "Ma'am, your blood sugar is fine, there is something else wrong with you."

I am 47 years old and I have lived with hypoglycemia for over 30 years, I know exactly what this episode is. My blood sugar is probably back to normal, it's been minutes and I've sucked down a large glass of orange juice before they got there.

"Ma'am, we need to check you out in the ambulance." I am NOT going to the hospital, but I am ready to get the h--- out of this packed bar so in the ambulance we go.

Lot's of questions. "Ma'am did you take illicit drugs?" I'm certain I laughed. "No, I don't do drugs, but I do have hypoglycemia, it's just been years since I've passed out."

They ask him, "Are you the husband or boyfriend?" He says, "The boyfriend." Then he looks at me and smiles. Hmmmm

The only explanation in all things was we had a busy day, we were starved before our sushi arrived at dinner, and we had ordered cocktails. Mine was really strong. In fact, I commented after a few sips I could feel it, but then dinner arrived, it tasted so good, and I sucked the strong drink down.

I cannot go too many hours without eating. Some people can starve themselves, me, I literally pass out if I don't eat something, due to my blood sugar.

As he is driving me home, he asked, "Was that okay that I said boyfriend." [I begin feeling shortness of breath, chest pressure and my hair follicles begin to tingle. I'm kidding,]  Everything is happening so fast as if I am being carried along as if I blink my life continues to change.

"Yea, that's okay," and I smiled.

He is sharing details of the whole pass-out episode and we are cracking up laughing!! Good grief, I said I wanted that moment wiped from our memory when he said, "No way, it is a part of our story." <3

He shared as we were standing there (I was standing in front of him with his arms around me), he thought he heard me say, "I am going to pass out" then I went limp in his arms [Feel free to crack up, I am laughing writing this] and he lowered me to the floor, which is why I didn't feel like anything got hurt as I was laying there.

He was so sweet, so caring and concerned throughout the whole ordeal. A rock of strength as I was a puddle of pass out! Lol

We have laughed about his perspective, my perspective, but I will leave you with this ... he said when we were in the ambulance and the paramedics were asking if I had used any illicit drugs that he was going to be funny and mention that line of coke I did earlier (which is a joke!). I told him if he would have said that, I'd told the ambulance driver he was keeping it in his butt hole, go ahead, search him!
























Thursday, February 8, 2018

The Grandmother Leo


Sofia started fake laughing tonight. We were playing in her room when she made herself laugh simply because she wanted to laugh. That was my cue to be creative and funny. 

We laid on her bed being silly and laughing together. 

I love that I can snuggle and kiss her constantly and I know the day will come where she will become independent and not want that affection. I remember when her momma, my Mariah began walking, she always wanted to do everything on her own and I missed these days. 

It's incredible Sofia's personality that can be seen so early. She truly commands attention and there is strength in her confidence. She is a happy baby and makes one work for her affections (just like me as a baby). I respect her and know her well. What an awesome responsibility to guide this little one in life. I have always said DNA is powerful and my role as her grandmother is significant as I will know her far better than herself.

She is truly a princess, the daughter of the King. 

To guide a baby Leo can be done well. A role I know all too well. Me, The Grandmother Leo.












Wednesday, February 7, 2018

In All Her Sweetness Glory

Chubbilicious Snugglicious in all her sweetness glory.

My Sofia is an armful of soft chub and my pride and joy. I love life with her and little bodies don't get any sweeter!



Sunday, February 4, 2018

Minnie Mouse

M I C K E Y  M O U S E ...

Sofia loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on television. As soon as I lifted her out of her car seat, her little neck did a 90 degree turn to see what was on tv.

I have a surprise for you!!

"Sissy, it's Minnie!" Sofia loves her. It's especially fun watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse at Grandmomma's house when Minnie is on your lap and ready to love on.

My sweet granddaughter turns 6 months old this week!




Bird in Hand


Brooke and I went to a botanical garden and nature preserve yesterday to feed the birds from our hands. They eat best out of the hand when it is 20 degrees. Probably because it's too cold to hunt for frozen food at those temperatures. 

So there we are in nature in the mid-30's and our hands were freezing standing still for about 20 minutes. About to say I've had enough, I said a quick prayer, "Please send a bird to eat out of our hands. At least her hand, it's getting really cold and this could be a fun experience for her." 

About two minutes later a pretty bird like the one in the photo above, but more blue landed in Brooke's hand and returned to my hand about two minutes after that. 

A photographer captured a video of this and I am waiting to see it myself.

In the car Brooke said, "I said a prayer a bird would come and two minutes later one did." I shared with her I was praying as well about the same two minutes.

I'm grateful she knows to send a prayer for the little things.



Thursday, February 1, 2018

White Noise

I've always enjoyed peace and quiet. Being outdoors in nature, riding a bike, a walk in the park, the scent and beauty of a botanical garden, and being at home with the television off.

There is so much white noise, a constant background noise that drowns out other sounds with meaningless and distracting commotion or chatter.


When my girls were little we would play in the parks. I'd have them sit on a bench, close their eyes and tell me what they hear. When your eyes are capturing everything around you it becomes your primary sense and you miss the sounds of nature. Close your eyes ... listen.

Busy schedules, constantly running, a cell phone, television, music, phone calls, text messages, and social media. It's all consuming.

Busyness is not a badge of honor, it's a life out of control.