Lesson on Life

Politics has never been my cup of tea, until this years mid-term election began to boil. Tea Party that is ! Delaware's Senate race was a real life,eye awakening political extravaganza that I had never experience until now. Although, I realized that our country was in a financial mess, one really doesn't take it all in until it hits home. Humbling as it is to admit, I like every middle-class family have taken steps to cut back on what I consider to be luxuries.No more do I go to a gas station, fill my car and get a cup of coffee, a luxury. No more do I go out shopping and aimlessly buy something because it is on sale ( not that I did before). My point here is, I make a conscious effort in deciding weather my purchase is a necessity or a want. Life as it was, a mere year ago, no longer is today. Thanks impart to society, spending and to our government. It angers me to know that it is the politicians that control the average american household. It is a House and Senate that make the laws by which we live by. These are the same individuals that we put in office. During the election cycle, candidates make their rounds to various parties to endorse and we give money to the cause. Yet the cause, of the unemployed, the homeless, those who struggle seem important at the time of election. So where are these same candidates now? The reality is many people (hundreds, thousand,) who've already lost jobs, many have even lost their homes and have only a mere unemployment check mostly to cover the cost of basics needs will loose that small priviledge as well in the next few weeks. Congress is playing roulette with the lives of thousands of people.
In the next few days, congress will determine weather to extend unemployment benefits. Now Congress, I ask... wouldn't that be the gift that keeps on giving.. at least to our lagging economy.  Theses same people will go home on taxpapers expense (hence, we put them in office) enjoy the holidays, buy expense gifts for family and friends and for a few short days forget about the world who employs them.

I know, I am ranting, I am angry, but I do feel a sense of humbling spirit that I have a loving family, a home, food on my table and know that during these hard economic times that your never too old to have a harsh lesson on life. 

Tis the Season

Last evening, after a great walk with my "running"group I felt wonderful and looked forward to a nice hot shower and a relaxing evening after what seemed like a week of living the life of an MTV realty show. To my surprise, I came home to teens that have returned home for the holiday weekend excited to share and catch up on the lives of one another. Of course, I enjoyed the chats and feel honored to be included in such updates about new guys, breakups and the drama that follows the lives of teens. Today I reflect on my own life and what this season of Thanksgiving means to me. Being unemployed, I have become very humble and have learned to differentiate between necessities and what are considered luxuries. I am thankful for what I have, my home, my friends and most importantly my family. So this Thanksgiving, I will be more appreciative for the little things in life, after all "multum in parvo"!

For the Love of Food & Friends

A few months back, while strolling through Face Book, I discovered a long lost friend from High School. I must explain that while I am not a "creeper" or a FB "stalker", ( I will explain the terms for the novice FB users) I did find my best friend from HS through another HS friend. Creeper or Stalker by FB definitions if there are any, is one who looks or follows others on your friends list. I actually, found my friend Deborah through a post she had written on a mutual friends post. ( how confusing is that ) So, in FB fashion I friend requested Deborah and now we are forever BFF's ! (Best Friends Forever). We decided on our course of multiple telephone and emails that a road trip to West Virginia was eminent.  A date was set and off I traveled with my oldest son and friends in tow. It was a weekend filled with adventure (for the teens) food and and wonderful years of friendship rekindled. We shared our love for food, and exchanged recipes. I still say Mountain Man (my new name for Steve, Deborah's Husband) should have his BBQ sauce marketed. The weekend like all good things came quickly to an end. But like all good things, our friendship will continue will continue to grow into our older golden years. I look forward to weekly conversations about the many new teen adventures that occur in my house or in Deb's homestead. Yea, she has a "new" teen.. her adventures are just beginning. Mine are in their prime! I always say, "there is never a dull moment" when teens are involved. On a more serious note.. I enjoy my political talks with Mountain Man and the direction this country is going.

I truly am blessed to have such great friends, regardless of how near or far my friends may be. You know who you are and know you are loved. <3.

Birthday's, Milestones, Friendships

This year, as I celebrate another year of gracefully aging, I also celebrate a year of renewed friendships and challenges that I never knew I would ever accomplish. A few years ago, I traveled with a team of teachers to Italy's beautiful Tuscany region, only to learn that to truly enjoy life is to stop and smell the flowers along the way. I mean that in the literal sense. Having grown up in Europe, with a different culture then what I now live, has made me understand that in order to truly experience what life has to offer and the challenges it throws us. We must really slow down and enjoy the moment.

Which brings me why this years birthday celebration means so much to me.

Aging gracefully, simply put, is celebrating what life throws at you, smiling , accepting that life lesson and wisdom you will impart to your children. I spent my birthday, with my boys and their friends, who impart made my day truely special. Discussions of young issues (ahh to be able to re-live my youth..) French toast breakfast.. sunshine cupcakes, wings, and late night birthday chants will be a day long remember in my golden years.

Thanks to social networking I have renewed friendship gone astray from years gone by. I am reminded daily, of my youth, my life, my accomplishments and my challenges and look to re-connect and reminice once again. Sharing stories old and new with my family,  friends and my children.

Thank you for making my birthday a great milestone... and I have yet to turn 50... Wow.. ! Yes I am still young :)