Life in the Middle Age Lane

Certain conversations and opinions at times echo in my head when I least expect it.  I think it's a way my sub conscience "highlights" what I should be paying attention to.  I suffered from low self esteem/insecurities most of my life as I imagine most women have.   Trying to achieve the Barbie figure or wondering why no one has whisked me off my feet with grand romantic gestures, surely something is wrong with me.  Of course all this subtly lifted as I matured and realized that this was not the real world. Other insecurities took their place, my lack of higher education among my peers was a sore spot.  My lack in attention to expensive brands and fashion names, when it was all the rage among the PTO moms made me feel like I was missing something.  Which of course, I wasn't. Now a days, a few years short of turning 50, I listen to the positive words my friends say to me.  How easy it is for me to approach strangers and strike up a conversa...

This is a post that comes with serious consideration prior to typing it out.  This is why it's taking me a few days to get it out there.  That and an extremely bad case of food poisoning that ruined a beautiful Saturday and consequently Valentines day. That's another story in itself. I've always known deep in my heart that we are here to learn, teach, and improve ourselves.  That everything we encounter regardless of how insignificant is because we are in a constant change, a metamorphoses in a way.  Some lessons come easy and others very difficult.  It's my belief and whats in my core.  When things go astray in my plans I no longer get angry or upset, I just trudge forward.  When I missed my flight and the chain of events started unfolding I did not know what the lesson would be, if it was meant for me or someone else, nevertheless I had the best attitude possible and made it an adventure instead of a catastrophe.  Sometimes it is a fine l...

I enjoy keeping busy and learning new things.  I read a few blogs which showcase their projects and craft ideas.  One in particular looked like fun and I felt fairly confident that I could pull it off.  I found the finished result at Dixie Delights .  She has a fabulous home and does various projects throughout, room by room.  I then found the tutorial on Pinterest with step by step instructions at Pretty Handy Girl Blogspot . I was very happy with the end result: Original built in China Cabinet I chose this fabric to use as for the back. Here is my end result once I placed all my knick knacks on the shelves.  John did have to help with the glass shelves.  They were very heavy!! My father in law gave me some beautiful crystal from Germany. Instead of placing all the pieces out I only chose 4 of everything to display.  The beautiful little blue chevron bowl under the plant is a handmade gift given to my daughter by one...

It's 10:15 AM and I am finally home from a supposed five day trip to Gainesville.  I should have arrived last night at 8:30 pm but life had other plans for me. I arrived at the Gainesville airport with my huge red suitcase ready to check in and hand over this red box monstrosity along with the $25 fee that goes with it, first hiccup: the help desk is closed until 3:45 p.m. and I arrived at 2:30 p.m.  So I patiently sit and wait, bag in hand. I check in, they take my bag and fee and continue to wait but this time at the gate, having passed security (I highly recommend TSA pre check) and again patiently waiting.  All of a sudden I start getting bings on my phone from Expedia (delayed flight 20 minutes), wait a few more minutes (delayed flight 40 minutes), oh SNAP!  I then get up to check with the gate attendant and it is at this point that Expedia is desperately trying to get my attention by sending in bold text YOUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED 2 HOURS!!! It is now 4:...

December sucks for birthday, receiving birthday gifts in Christmas wrapping, getting only one gift, no one able to make your parties because family is in or company parties.  BUT on the upside,  you realize quickly who your true friends are because they actually make the time for you. Like the lovely couple you see here.  They were determined to celebrate my day.  I chose to have dinner and drinks at Hotel Zaza followed by an evening meandering through the Houston zoo admiring the Christmas lights. John ordered the tickets online so there was no waiting in line to get in.  Note to self, do not go on Saturdays, it was packed!! The line was all the way to the train station!! (for those without tickets) We actually had 2 extra tickets and I passed them on to a young couple waiting in line.  They just looked at me like "are you serious?"  I think I made their night,  they also received free carrousel ride tickets. My husband just had to ...

This past year had been a very somber and difficult year.  I said goodbye to five beautiful ladies this year,  ran my second 5K,  joined Crossfit in February,  and packed up my youngest for college. Some of the things I did for the first time this year was to tailgate at a college football game. Attended our first marriage retreat, which sounds nicer then it was, but it's a good healthy check up for our 20 year relationship.  Realized I need to get more organized at home because the only person I would be helping is me.  And God knows, I need the help.  Definitely a retrospective year. The blessings this past year felt over shadowed by the obstacles we encountered but looking back those blessings are enormous......see for yourself. . My goddaughter's son Lucas.  He is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. Friends have been constant and I have felt loved all year long.. I forget to count that blessing at times. Friends from Pen...

Treborway Home In Texas, our neighbors become our families.  More so on Treborway Drive.  John and I moved into this neighborhood not because we bought the house for the asking price, in fact we bought it cheaper than what another family had offered because it was important to the previous owner that his neighbors would like us. They wanted a nice family to move in but instead they got us.   Emilio was 7 and Shelby was 2 when we moved here, John and I were getting married in August and we moved in, in May 1997. 2000 A special thanks to my old boss, Mike ,for finding us this house and the Treborway family that went along with it. The first two nights on Treborway, Shelby would cry that she wanted to go home and we had to explain to her that this was now our home, and it was, for 10 wonderful years.  Not just any 10 years, but the years that matter.  The years that are filled with raising children, working on the yard, and adding the glue that ma...