Peeps for Only the Good Friday

For several weeks I've been participating in the "Only the Good Friday" meme that was started at http://thiseclecticlife.com/only-the-good-friday/  Below is my weekly contribution to the optimism virus sweeping the blogosphere.

Spring is finally here. We had a little rain today, but this week we’ve also had sunshine and cloudless skies. Although my tulips and daffodils haven’t bloomed yet, around town I’ve spotted trees in flower and patches of yellow blossoms in the sunny spots. The quail were in the yard this morning. There are more than a dozen from the last summer hatch. Our pheasant wandered across the lawn a little later. There was no sign of his hen. I hope that she is busy sitting on eggs. I love the hopefulness of spring. It is a time of rebirth and renewal. Everything is new again and the future is bright.

Easter is just around the corner. Today I picked up little Easter treats to send to my grandchildren. I will miss being there to see them search for eggs. I will include a package of yellow peeps in their parcel. I don’t remember when it started, but every year my children looked forward to gathering around the microwave and watching a peep get nuked. The peep grows to several times its original size. My daughter carries on this silly tradition with my grandchildren.

I am grateful for spring blossoms and the almost forgotten feel of sunshine on my face. I am thankful for all that spring brings including those gigantic nuked peeps…and making memories.

Life is good.

A Special Birthday-Only the Good Friday

For several weeks I've been participating in the "Only the Good Friday" meme that was started at http://thiseclecticlife.com/2010/03/19/the-best-thing-about-a-carnival/  Below is my weekly contribution to the optimism virus sweeping the blogosphere.

I substituted in the life skills classroom at the high school on Friday. It is always a challenging but enjoyable experience. It was one student’s 17th birthday and part of the morning lesson was to bake a cake so we could celebrate in the afternoon. (And if you’ve ever tried baking with a group of special needs kids, you know what an exciting teaching experience I had.) The birthday student basked in all of the attention and announced to everyone who came in the classroom “Today is my birfday. We’re having cake!” We heard about the cake all day.

After lunch two high school students who serve as student assistants came to the classroom. As the girls entered the room the birthday student announced “Today is my birfday. We’re having cake!” They told her that they knew it was her birthday and they gave her a bright pink gift bag. I don’t know who was smiling more, the birthday girl or the two student aides. The birthday girl tore into the bag and discovered a princess birthday crown, a princess wand and princess jewelry. For the rest of the day the student announced to everyone who walked in the room “Today is my birfday. I got a princess gift.” And then we ate the cake.

Two caring students reaching out to brighten the day of a special needs students…it gives one hope for the future. Life really is good.

Laughter

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Is there anything better than hearing a child laugh?

It brings a smile to my face just thinking about my granddaughters' laughs...not giggles, but those high pitched, full-out chuckles that come from deep within. Their squeals as they fly down the slide at the park is the sound of innocence and joy. It is pleasure in it's purest form.

All is good with the world when the children are laughing.

Only the Good 'ventures With Nana

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When your children are small people give you lots of advice. I don’t know how many times I heard “They grow up so fast. Enjoy them when they’re little.” I remember that when I was mired in the toddler stage, it seemed like it would never end. I think I was sleep deprived for years. And then they were graduating and heading off to college. Now I’m a grandparent to two beautiful little girls. I learned my lesson…they do grow up fast. I’m enjoying them as often as I can. Unfortunately, they live in Austin, Texas and I live in Oregon. I’m leaving this morning to visit them.

Every time I visit we do the same things. We will walk to the park and Nana will push them on the swings. I will read lots and lots of books, mostly about princesses. We will go shopping (Megan will wear her “shopping shoes”) and Nana will indulge them with just about everything they ask for. They like to go on adventures with Nana, or what Hunter calls “ventures.” They really enjoyed the “venture” to the Blue Hanger Goodwill. The Blue Hanger is a Goodwill outlet store…who knew that Goodwill had an outlet? It was an adventure for both me and the girls. There were very interesting people and piles and piles of stuff. We came away with a wedding dress for dress up, a straw hat, and a pink feather pen that lit up.

They grow up so fast. I am so lucky to be retired and able to visit whenever there are less expensive airfares. We’ll be making memories this weekend.

Life is good.

Saturday Shopping with Shawn

On Saturday my friend Shawn and I went shopping in Tri-Cities, Washington. Sometimes a girl needs more than Wal-mart to quench a lust for shopping!
Tri-Cities is a quick 30 minutes away and, unlike Hermiston, has major retailers. Macy’s was having one of those One-Day Sales that actually started the day before. They have these sales several times a month and Shawn and I can usually be counted on to participate at least once, especially if they’ve sent us a selection of “Star Rewards” coupons!

I had nothing on my shopping list. Retirement calls for a much more casual wardrobe and since my clothes fill both walk-in closets in our two spare bedrooms, I probably already have the right outfit for just about any event. ..and the shoes and the perfect purse. My plan was to shop for Shawn.

But it was a GOOD sale! Shawn was no help in my quest to live on a fixed income. She found a cute zebra print jacket that was just my style and it was an additional 40% off (plus my “Star Rewards” coupon!) And there was a short wool jacket in a black, white and red subtle plaid. It was a perfect fit, but a lot like one I already have in my closet. A stranger in the dressing room agreed with Shawn that I had to buy it. The expensive green sweater was 50% off, but still costly. It had great texture and a unique style, so it went in the buy pile. We hauled our loot to the cash register. The nice thing about Macy’s is that they hold our purchases for us to pick up later so we could continue shopping.

We had to continue shopping because Shawn convinced me I needed red flats to go with that plaid jacket. So much for living on a fixed income.

In the car on the way home, the trunk bulging with our purchases, we congratulated ourselves on our shopping expertise. Everything we bought was on sale. We are good shoppers. Shawn says her epitaph will read “She never paid retail.”

What a great day! Hunting for bargains, laughing, talking and having fun, and at the end of the day I’ve got a cute new zebra print jacket and shiny red shoes. I am grateful for a good friend and great sales!  Life is good, even on a fixed income.