The Bomb

Some people end up stopping for a drink to unwind after a hectic day. Me, I can't wait to go home and soak in a bath with a delicious bath bomb.

So much better for so many reasons than a hot tub with harsh chemicals, these fragrant bath bombs come in a variety of scents and feel fabulous on the skin. 

After much research, this brand was rated the best and they've proven worthy and as I begin my search for a new house in spring, I fully intend on putting in a luxurious soaking tub. 

Ahhhh, a deep tub of hot water that envelops you, a delicious scent, and a good book... me time. 

Rowan's Stocking

Rowan's Christmas stocking is finished and was revealed at our family Christmas last night. 

His name is hand-stitched on the back of the pine cone that flips over and his stocking is now hung on the fireplace next to his big sisters. 

Merry Christmas, my sweet grandson, I love you.

xo

Too Peopley

Traffic was bumper to bumper, the stores were busy and I had to stop and think about what on earth day it was? Only Monday at noon, two weeks before Christmas, way too much traffic.

For a minute I thought it was the weekend. When I go to the stores, I go early, get in, get out, and avoid traffic at all cost. We had four stops to make and it was the grocery store where I was ready for battle.  

My mom walked up to the meat counter and asked for help. I'm walking towards the situation and about 15 feet behind her when I observe what's happening. The guy in the meat department walks with her to show her where the hams were. 

There was a oaf of a man in probably his 50's, could be younger, but he's sloppy and appears older, that turned to his mother, a sweet little old lady, and started making snarky comments on how my mom cut in front of him. 

Aware he is making comments, I ignored it. Walking back by him, I don't remember why I was behind my mom again, this jerk-off approached my mom and said something.

Observing this in slow motion, my brain is processing, is he really saying what I think he is saying?! Certainly he isn't?!! My mom listens to him for a second and says something above his station in life and walks away. My heart is pounding!! Blood is racing through my veins. 

Do I verbally take him out? How far do I go to verbally put him in his place? I'm walking straight into confrontation, wanting to go gangster vs. me not looking like trash. He's an oaf of a simpleton who looks like he lives in his mother's basement and creeps on the internet, SMIRKING and thinking he's better than he is and I want to:  

a n n i h i l a t e  him.

This is taking place within seconds and my thoughts are racing as fast as my blood is pumping, it's been a long time since I've been this mad.

I walk straight up to him [he's still smirking and proud of himself] and tell him very matter of factly, "IF you are at the meat counter staring like you don't know what you are doing, NOBODY knows you need help! Speak up!! She walked up and asked for help while you stood there doing nothing!" He tries to talk and I wasn't going to give him time to, "SHUT UP!" 

My mom is ahead of me and has no idea. My blood is boiling and I'm not happy that I was far too polite. I'm feel like a lion in the jungle hoping he walks by me and makes just one comment. 

I know it's a good thing we never crossed paths again. 

It's been a long time since my blood has raced like that. I may be a sweet grandma, but blood still races through my veins. 

Don't mess with my family. 

I have to agree with the Grinch here, it's too peopley outside. 

Sliding into sweet Gamma mode, because my name seems to forever change with Sofia and I am now, Gamma. My sweet grandson, Rowan, is a momma's boy. I ended up holding him most of the evening. He didn't need a bottle or changed or a nap, he cried because he needed his momma and being second in line to his momma (who was Christmas shopping) as long as I snuggled him, he was just fine. It's all good, I love the snuggles and kisses.

We finally got to use her umbrella! Sofia loves her umbrella and pretends it's raining in the house, it was perfect it was raining last night. Bundling her up so she could actually use her umbrella in the rain, we walked down the road a bit looking at the pretty Christmas lights on the houses. 

Tonight is our family Christmas, I can't wait for everyone to be together. 

Christmas Stocking

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Because Rowan's Christmas stocking is officially done!! 

Once we have the family reveal next week I will happily share a photo. Let's just say, the 2" pine cone alone on it took 4 hours to cut, stuff and embroider. 

It's beautiful! 

The Ugly Truth

I have a new favorite blogger, New York Times Bestseller, Mandy Hale, the writer of The Single Woman. She's candid, raw, and puts life being single into well-written words. 

Being single over 20 years, I can't summarize it. It's a million reasons and stories that are all woven together in the fabric of my life. There were countless choices and reasons then as there are now. 

One thing that I can say is, when I look back now, I understand why. 

God. 

Here is a part of one of her posts that caught my attention, because I love the movie, the very funny romantic comedy, The Ugly Truth. Mandy goes into her depth of The Ugly Truth of being single. 

_______________________________________________

Why do I SAY I’m still single?

A pithy, “Because I’m too fabulous to settle.”

A polite, “Because I’m waiting for God to bring me the right man.”

A peppy, “Because there are still things I’m meant to accomplish as a single woman!”

But the truth is…sometimes I think the reason I’m still single is because I’m inherently flawed. Bad. Ugly. Undeserving. Screwed up. Unlovable.

THIS is the underbelly of singleness. The dark side. Where the rubber meets the road. Where the truth comes out and it’s not the slightest bit pretty, or inspirational, or even positive.

It is, in fact, very ugly.

I’ve dressed it up in pretty pink girl power with a silver lining ... use positivity as a defense mechanism with some cheesy quote or self-help speech ... but neither should we walk around like Tigger all the time springing into action when we feel like sighing.

_________________________________________________

There is the good, the bad, and the ugly truth whether you are single or married. Each of our journeys are different.

Look at social media, there are so many that seem to use snapshots of the positive to gloss over their life. I like Mandy's honesty. The good, the encouraging, but she also shares when she isn't feeling all the feels, that's when it gets real.

It's made me reflect and ask myself if I do the same. I believe I do. Throughout my blog there are seasons of joy, seasons of heartbreak and just real life in between.

If Mandy only shared the positives, it would feel superficial, and quite honestly, superficial is the new normal. Superficial is only true and real until examined more closely, that's annoying and honestly transparent.

She doesn't. She writes straight from the heart and it's almost as if you're sitting down having a conversation with her over a cup of coffee.

I love having a new favorite author.

"My alone feels so good, 

I'll only have you if you're sweeter than my solitude."

- The Single Woman

Theory of Grandma Gift Giving

I have #1 - a plausible and scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena. #2 - A belief proposed or followed as the basis of action. #3 - An idea or hypothetical set of facts, principles or circumstances. [- Merriam-Webster] 

I have a theory of grandma gift giving. 

My preferred method is to give some gifts before Christmas day. 

Little ones get so many gifts in the thrill and excitement of Christmas morning, as one package after another are torn open, they are ready to tear into another. This is absolutely what Christmas mornings memories are made of when you're little and I have a pretty exciting gift for her Christmas day, too.

Preferring to stretch the excitement out and loving that gasp of excitement and sparkle in Sofia's eyes when I say, "I have a surprise!" Giving her time to really enjoy a random gift and why wait till Christmas, I found something I think will make her eyes sparkle in joy, and I don't want to wait to give it to her.

Presentation enhances the moment with a Frozen gift bag (her new favorite thing), and a yummy cookie. I'm excited to see my babies this morning before I go into work. 

This grandma doesn't simply stop by, I arrive.

A Thrill of Hope

Christmas isn't about gifts and vacation and travel aren't just about the shops and shows. 

It's with a thrill of hope when luggage is packed with the promise of adventure ...

... it's the journey, the laughs, the smiles and the whole experience.

We couldn't wait to get into the mountains. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and those winding roads with magnificent mountains on each side, that's where I wanted to be.

Beauty surrounded us. 

Lighthearted and relaxed, my daughter pointed for me to look at the ash on top of the mountains. I laughed and told her that was snow, snow-capped mountains. We laughed, but to give her credit, it did look like a dusting of ash.

Driving through tunnels in the mountains, we played the game we always do, and we held our breath. The goal is to make it through the tunnel without breathing. 

Enjoying the countryside, the crystal clear waters of the rocky rivers that ran along side the mountains, seeing different homes, lifestyles and cultures. Just talking, laughing, and sharing.

The gasp of seeing something breathtaking and beautiful, the laughter of the ridiculous, the smile of this Momma when my little girl said she was sleepy and asked if I was okay driving while she sleeps.

This Momma is always okay, sleep well. This Momma also enjoys the quiet and am perfectly happy and content driving and taking in the views in the quiet of a vehicle surrounded by mountains and sunshine.

Driving home we planned to leave a bit early on Wednesday due to the high volume of traffic the day before Thanksgiving. I wanted to be through the winding mountains, before traffic and before it got dark. We successfully made it home with no traffic delays in 8 hours with 2 stops. 

Sunny & 73 degrees in West Virginia, it felt incredible to crack the windows for fresh air and the sun was hot on my skin. 

A thrill of hope for the trip, happy to get home to her babies, it wasn't about the shows and stores, "Maybe travel, ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!'"