Paddling down the stream...

Today is my maternal grandmother's birthday. She was one of six children and her sisters were all blonde or strawberry blonde haired, blue or hazel eyes and had fair skin. My grandmother had dark hair, brown eyes and olive skin. Because of this fact, her mother didn't like her and was mean to her. As a result, she ran away from home at the age of 16 and eloped with my grandfather. I was told left in a horse and carriage and her brother chased them on a mule for miles. She and my grandfather were married for over 50 years and raised nine children together.

She died when I was 19 and I still miss her. My mom went back to work when I was six weeks old so I stayed at my grandparents during the day until I started first grade. I was lucky in that they only lived 2 miles from me until they passed away. My grandmother loved me unconditionally...well except for telling me one time that "boys don't like girls that laugh loud"...that was as critical as it got.

She looked like a stereotypical old fashioned grandmothers. She wore her hair in a "bun" on top of her head and wore dresses all the time. She loved food and was a wonderful cook. After my grandfather passed away, I spent a lot of time with her spending the night, attending church conventions with her and all major holidays. She was a good, God-fearing woman. She loved her family and even stranger she LIKED her family.

So, Happy Birthday Grandmother! I was extremely blessed to have you in my life for 19 years - I just wish it could have been longer. I love you!

Since the middle of June I have lost my job of eight years and filed for unemployment for the first time in my life. On top of that I turned 50 which really freaked me out. Talk about a rough two months! Waves of depression kept crashing on my head. Just when I would have a good day and could almost believe everything would be okay CRASH another wave hit. My best friend tried her best to pull me out. She took me out of town for a long weekend for my birthday to the mountains (which I love). I even did something daring to celebrate my birthday - got a tatoo on my ankle! Actually, it was an air brushed tatoo. But, it was daring for someone who has never done anything like that in my life. I am totally afraid of needles so I this was as close as I will ever get to a real tatoo.

Since I had time on my hands in between looking for jobs and crying, I thought I'd head to the library. I love to read. Reading has always taken me to other times, cities, situtations - I am THERE when I read. I read a review for the book The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinksi. "June Parker is trying to complete a “things to do” list for a woman who died before she could finish it herself—but can someone who’s never given thought to her own dreams really make someone else’s come to life?" OMG this book was ME - I was the woman who never really gave a thought to my own dreams!! I decided I would create a "things to do before I'm 60" list. Being the procrastinator that I am, I figure I should be able to get the list done in 10 years Starting a blog was one of the items on my list. One again, thanks go to my BF who invited me to join the Opera community. I am now a blogger and can cross something off my list.