Biking in the Sunshine

There is something so peaceful riding a bike in the sunshine.

It happens the moment I sit on the bike. It is if an adventure awaits, the breeze envelops and the white noise of life cannot catch up. Sights of spring everywhere welcome me. 

Trees in bloom. Ahhh, the weeping cherry tree covered in soft pink flowers hanging beautifully for only weeks. 

Riding at a pace where I can catch all the detail, the earth awakening from winter bright green from spring rain. Tulips displaying their majestic array of color in grand presentation. 

The warmth of the sun and that wooden dock overlooking the lake that makes a perfect destination to sit and relax with a cold bottle of water before I head home.

Grandmomma Life

Grandmomma life is sugar and spice and everything nice. Pretty things and loving wishes, an arm full of chub, snuggles and kisses.

And when she gets sleepy, I do the same thing, lay beside her and softly kiss her forehead and temple until she's sound asleep.

My Home is for Sale!

Hello world wide web, I've missed you!

Life is moving fast and I am multi-tasking at an incredible pace while keeping my balance.

I listed my home for sale.

It was an unexpected drive-by that caught my attention, a conversation with Brooke as my plan was to list my home after she graduated, that turned into her excited and saying, "Let's do it now!"

Sunday I wrote the description and took photos of my home. Monday it went live on the MLS at 10:00 a.m. and by Tuesday evening I already had 12 private tours of my home. Whew!! Unexpected!

It's been 1-1/2 weeks and I've only had one day with no home tour. That was because a couple asked to see my home Wednesday evening and I said, "No Wednesday evenings, that's my one no for the week because I have my Sofia."

My home is kept incredibly tidy on a normal basis. It's easier to pick up after myself right away. To keep my home tour-ready is slightly another level.

I found a fabulous apartment! While life is at such a transition, I want as much freedom as possible and the luxury of unexpected bells & whistles while not laying roots down before I am ready.

Vaulted ceilings, the open kitchen/dining room/living room airy layout I most want, a Sandals resort-style pool with a tiki bar and grills, a clubhouse with a movie theater, grand room, state of the art fitness center, and FREE 24/7 Starbuck's coffee calls my name. It was an unexpected "AHA!" moment that shifted this next phase of my life.

It is the crescendo to being a single mom for 20+ years, working hard to provide a good home for them and my youngest, Brooke, graduating in weeks.

In between home tours, I've left no stone unturned. To exhaust my options, I've toured other homes, condos and apartments and I come back to I'm not ready nor do I want to establish roots with the purchase of another home. I'm thinking a vacation lifestyle for the next year or two.

This has all been in the last couple of weeks.

Prom is next weekend for Brooke. Her dress and new hair color and style, done. Then it's Mother's Day. May 16th is her last day of school. A 3-day Memorial Day weekend, then she walks in graduation on May 29th.

Blink. Blink.

Brooke and Alex are checking out an apartment Monday. Brooke is on the hunt for their first apartment together. Between what Alex has, what I am giving them as well as my mom & dad, they are already set up with furniture and their starters until they are on their feet and buy their own.

From me, she has furniture, all my dishes, pots & pans, utensils, and towels. Momma's buyin' new! I will help her move, set her up, and exhale.

With a really nice nest egg from the selling of my home, I am going to step into a luxury, vacationesque lifestyle of no roots, openness and travel.

I can walk to work, it's that close, and the best ever is an Aldi's is being built next door!

Showers of blessings and while biblical, this is what comes to mind ...

Perhaps this is the blessing for being a single mom so long. Being a momma and now a grandmomma is my greatest joy! This transition in life is a blessing. God already knew I needed this window of time, I just didn't expect all the special touches. 

May is going to be a blur, but I'm ready!

Nostalgia Grips Me

I was asked today, "How do you feel about your daughter graduating and moving out?" [A wave of emotion hit me ... breathe ...] I laughed and said for the last five years I've been ready and now that it's here, it makes me panic.

It seems for as long as I can remember, I've been raising my girls. I've been a mom for going on 23 years. I'm cleaning out my home. What do I want to keep, what don't I want or use anymore and sometimes I worry I am heavy-handed purging. 

I look across my home and the transition from buying my home 15 years ago until now. The life these walls have seen. Life, drama, laughter, dreams, pain, blessings, love, loss and new life. Two little girls who are no longer little girls. Tomorrow is Mariah & Jeremy's 2nd wedding anniversary and next month Brooke graduates. Today, I snuggled and kissed my 8 month old granddaughter who has six teeth and changes before my eyes week after week. 

Life is a blur.

Purging I found photos, love letters, hand-written notes from my girls when they were little, and my dairy I kept 17 years ago. Memories. 

I'm grateful for our home. I wanted a home with a yard for my girls to grow up and play in and I moved into our excellent community where I felt safe being a single, young mom. It was important to me they had stability. We love our home. Through the years , changes and renovations, it is a reflection of us and our life together. 

It isn't a house, it is a home where love resides. 

I don't want all the work anymore. The mowing, mulching, flower beds, and shoveling. That was all a part of our life together and I loved it then. I'm ready for my free time to be filled with new things, but I will always be grateful for this home that love built. 

99 >

My Sofia went to the doctor and she is greater than the 99 percentile (99 >) among others her age. Of course she is! I could have told them she is the of the greatest. 

This sweet expression is what she goes to when a camera is on her or she is in the presence of a stranger and I wouldn't have it any other way. She does not need the attention and amusement of others when she is so well loved. When I have her and she looks at me like this, I lay her down and tickle her telling her she has to smile at Grandmomma. Her laugh is a joyful noise! 

Her little mouth going into a tight, little o when she is surprised or upset, makes me fall in love with her over and over. Her eyes get wide, her mouth goes into a little o and it happens so quick, I'd absolutely love to capture a photo of it.

Sofia said "Ma ma" this week and my daughter rejoiced! 

Oh Sofia, Grandmomma already knew you were in a class of your own! 

xo

A 1st Easter

It was a 1st Easter for Sofia and me as a grandmother. Hysterically sweet in her Easter dress, tights and that headband, over the top darling! There simply isn't enough snuggles and kisses, I am an endless fount of grandmomma love and adoration.

Beyond the chocolates, decor, dinner, and time together as a family, the foundation of Easter is God. His promise of eternity with Him and I am so grateful my kids know that. It's everything.

Beauty in Bloom

My 1st Easter with my granddaughter, we hauled out Easter decor and she was inquisitive sitting in the Easter patch.

Her little shirt says "Beauty in Bloom" and she most certainly is a beauty.

Sofia stands out and people are drawn to her everywhere, she is the spotlight among the rest. Adults and children wanting to be liked with an affirmation of a smile from this most beautiful baby, yet she doesn't give it to them. 

Sofia doesn't need attention from others, she is well loved. She is smiles, laughter and affection to those she chooses.

Her presence commands attention without seeking attention.

Femininity is strength wrapped in a velvet glove

It doesn't insist on its own way, 

but most of the time gets it.

I am that way and she is mine.