Tell Me Why

Why is it that impressionable teenagers are more impressed with the ill behaved society we live in than with their respectably behaved parents? How come you can say and do 1,000 things right and the 1 thing you do wrong the kids point out? Why is it that it takes years to train a child in the way they should go but it only takes 1 day for them to forget? Why must you repeat the chore list to a teenager 10 times but only tell them once that the phone is for them? Why can't teenagers hear you when you yell at them but can hear you if you whisper their name to your spouse in your bedroom with the doors closed? How come teenagers are too tired to walk the dog but not too tired to walk in the mall? Why is it that teenagers can text, listen to music and walk but they can't follow a simple 2 part instruction? Why is it that teenagers think they know everything until you ask them where the remote is? How can teenagers remember when and where to meet their friends but not remember to take out the garbage? And last but not least, tell me why I love them so much?

We're Back

We just got back from a very nice trip to Niagara Falls and Watkins Glen. We had a lovely time living life at a different pace. One of the things I like about vacations is that you become kind of anonymous. Not that I don't love my friends and love my "at home" commitments, it's just that it's nice not being needed so much. I can go to the store and to restaurants and window shopping and nobody knows me. Nobody stops me to ask me about how this one is or that one is. And nobody at home expects anything from me. It's like, "Oh, don't bother her with that stuff right now she's on vacation." Nobody expected me to check emails or return phone calls or make plans for September. It was really nice. Though a rather large man did stop me and my daughter to ask us what we thought of NJ politics because he heard me say I was from NJ. I felt he had an unhealthy interest in politics and told him that he needed to trust God to take care of His children, no matter who was in charge of our Nation. I said that he needed to trust God more and man less. But other than that, no one else even wanted my opinion . . . and I rather liked that for a change.

On Nothing

I usually feel the need to write with a purpose - finding some obscure truth in the midst of everyday life or writing a story with a "message." I don't like to waste my words, I do like to use my words effectively and succinctly. With that being said, I must say, I don't have much to say today. We have been away on a family vacation, not a novel idea in the summertime, as we were surrounded by hoards of others who had the same destination in mind. We did, however, thoroughly enjoy the time away from our normal responsibilities at home. It is never my goal to lose weight on vacation, only not to gain weight on vacation. But, when you vacation at Hershey Park in 90+ degree weather and the only place that has air conditioning is Hershey Chocolate World, you must adapt. What's a few pounds anyway? We are home briefly to get our oldest off to college and then off again on another trip - I won't say where just in case you decide it sounds wonderful and end up there, too. Not that I wouldn't love to spend time with most of you who actually read my blog (all 2 of you), just sayin' that we want to get away from the crowds. It is very easy to be distracted by friends and the healthy activities (and some not so healthy activities) of life that you don't spend enough time with family. Fortunately, I really like my family (and chocolate) so being away from the distractions was wonderful. It's all about balance, isn't it? Hmmmm . . . where have I heard that before?

On Family Vacations

I'm in favor of these, too :)

See ya

On Turning 50

My favorite reaction to telling people I've turned 50 so far is . . . "SHUT-UP! You look fabulous!" Of course, this was from a very sweet 19 year old girl who must think 50 should look decrepit. She said that 50 is the new 30 and that she loves the way my hair is turning white (she says my hair isn't grey at all, just a few strands of pretty white that looks just fab on me). I would have hugged that sweet child, but we were in the super market and we had already made a bit of a scene when she yelled SHUT-UP. People were staring. This is why it's vitally important to make friends where ever you go. I met KC at the super market about a year ago when she left home to live with her fiance. Her parents didn't approve and she was really needing a "motherly" type to talk to. I genuinely like this girl and she appreciates my friendship. It's so easy for me not to judge her because she's not my daughter. And she loves my motherly advice because I'm not her mother. She just enrolled in college and downgraded her phone and cable services like I advised her and she beamed with delight when I was pleased. I must say, I too, beamed with delight at her reaction to my milestone birthday. Thanks KC :)

On Sea Shells

Another metaphor - Do you ever wish you (when I say you, I mean me) could grow a sea shell around you to protect you from the elements and from the prowlers out there looking to devour you? But if we did grow a shell, it would likely be like this one that I found on the beach last week . . . very pretty and very photogenic (wink), but useless at protection because it's missing most of it's structure. However, if we (when I say we, I mean me), had the ability to grow outer shells, most of us (when I say us, I mean me) would and that would be bad. God created us to be in fellowship with each other. The kind of sea creature that lived in this shell didn't need fellowship and even though we sometimes think we don't need fellowship either, we do. Just sayin' that while I was walking alone on the beach, feeling content in the solitude, searching for sea "gems" I was wholly aware of the need for humans to be in healthy relationships and wholly grateful to God for His design. There were times that, if I could, I would have donned a shell, but how glad I am that I was not able to. God's designs are best and His plans are full of Grace. Halleluiah!

On Strawberries and such

My last strawberry of the year got too close to the hot chili peppers and took on some of it's characteristics. Hence the warning from Paul to the Corinthians, "Bad company corrupts good character." I will miss my strawberry patch (like one may miss a toothache - jk). I learned a lot from that bunch. I learned that the sun and the rain can make you sweet. I learned that giving is better than receiving. I learned that if you let them, the weeds will crop up and choke you. I learned that keeping close to those you want to be like is much better than associating with those you don't want to be like. And finally, I learned if you are going to associate with a bunch of hot chili peppers, you must be a very strong little strawberry. And if you haven't yet noticed, I love metaphors. . .

On The Sea Shore and Visiting Relatives

I'm in favor of them :)