It really is FABULOUS!...40 THAT IS:O)

So, my dad used to say it's blessing to be on this side whenever he'd celebrate a birthday.  Having recently found out that a 37 year old friend of mine was buried last week, I fully understand what that means.  It isn't promised to us.  That being said, I'm truly grateful for another birthday.  I joke about being middle age; not quite but close:o)  My mom lived to see 67; my dad 83 and they both lived full lives.  It's not about the years so much as the quality of life.  Each day, I recognize the quality but today...even more.
 It's funny really, how a birthday blessing, in any form, from family and friends can brighten the day.  
*Phone calls, text messages, Facebook shouts, gifts, greetings and salutations have added to my joy 
*Good news from a bestie regarding her future
*flowers from Grace E. Pooh
*hubby's homemade cupcakes
And the list of things for which I am grateful goes on...
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THAT JOY!  I feel loved and cared for and that's a good feeling at any age!

Life in the MD...

I'm in the process of organizing my closet and wondering when I wore a size 10.  Needless to say, I put that dress and pair of pants in the giveaway box.  I'm actually participating in a community yard sale at the YMCA in April, so that dress and pair of pants may actually make me five bucks!  YAY!  Let's hope someone else can benefit from what is a very distant memory in the form of a lovely Banana Republic (one of my favs) frock.  REALLY, WHEN WAS I A SIZE 10!

My mortality has once again reared its ugly head...this time in the form of blurred vision.  Up until the impending arrival of my 40 birthday, my vision equaled 40 in the form of 20/20.  Now, if I'm honest, the signs have probably been there for some time.  However, on Tuesday morning, I felt as if I was looking in a funny glass.  I had to close one eye and squint out of the other one to get an almost clear picture.  I suppose I'll add finding an optometrist to the list of professionals I'll need in Maryland.

Spring Break is upon us and we're headed....somewhere.  That's one of the beauties of being in a new place.  There's a new lot of weekend jaunts from which to chose.  We're thinking Annapolis, Baltimore or a little sea town called Chincoteague.  Pictures to come:o)

My charmed life is ever changing...in MD...WOW!

Soooo, the kitchen is cooking ready, Grace's room is play ready (and she has a bit more space), the family room is ready for family:o) and my life in Maryland is happening.  We continue to unpack and get settled and grow.  We joined the YMCA last week so....check!  I marvel at God's grace in all of it.  Some days are overwhelming, whether I choose to be overwhelmed or not.  I have cable and internet and all the modern amenities for which a small family can hope.  I'm on a quest for gainful employment, and I continue to look for the moments of gratefulness.  Sure, it's not my intention to move every three years.  We've actually said this move will take for at least 5 years.  But, with so many dreams and goals, it's no wonder that we would attempt to progress where we can...this time it's in Maryland.  I applaud my husband/protector/coverer for having the gumption to say no to the least of it all and expect greatness for himself and his family!  YAY DALE!!! Yes, moving is a monumental adjustment, one that I haven't been able to blog about for lack of sufficient Internet :o).  But, the reality of life is that change is constant, and we have to find the opportunities to flourish in the midst of it all.  We have moved and are expecting ALL GOD'S BEST!
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Grace says to me, "Mom, I want to be a boy."  I say, "you were born a girl; and you're a cute girl...and sweet...and smart.   Girl is working for you".  Now, Grace was just tossing about some language and thoughts.  I, on the other hand, was reminded of a very real difficulty of parenting; dealing with the hard issues with your kids whether you feel prepared to or not.  In this day and age, though this is not about anything LGBT, the choice to become the opposite sex is a possibility in some ways. In an instant, while she was just being a 3 year old who wants something different every 10 minutes, I was reminded of how hard it can be to parent; to make hard choices that may not be popular.  Grace becoming a boy is not something I really have to deal with, but, for better or worse, there are parents who are faced with such conversations as early as grade school and that thought burdens me.
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After installing our cable, the cable guy created an account for me and my family....it's Ebony-Wesson....
I suppose it seemed an obvious enough choice to him. But, I feel disappointed and disheartened that I, without being asked, would be reduced to a hue and the last name on the account for no apparent reason.  Sure, he thought it apropos to be obvious and obtuse while I try and figure out what the password could be (my favorite pet being the clue).  The thing is, it's not a big deal, but it's insensitive and perplexing and unnecessary.  I was present and accounted for should he have needed to ask me for an appropriate account moniker.  As it goes, I will call the office and field a complaint.  If I don't, as is the case with many a supposed unintentional follies, it will not only happen again but escalate to a less desirable word. Welcome to 2013???!!! REALLY!