Happy New Year

I haven't posted on my blog for a while because my life has been a whirlwind of activity. I finished my accounting class, which I am happy to say I scored a 99% on the final and I'm glad I persevered and stuck it out. I hosted a baby shower for my daughter-in-law and was a sewing maniac making baby gifts and Christmas gifts. My husband, Mert, and I are now proud grandparents to a precious baby boy, Landon Merrill Foltz, and I must say that he is perfect in every way. Who knew that becoming a grandparent would be such a joy and the instant expansion of love you feel for this newest member of your family? Just holding this healthy beautiful boy brings back tender feelings I had when I held his father 27 years ago. I am now reflecting on this past year and express my gratitude for both the trials and the joys. I know that 2011 will be a wonderful year full of promise and possibilities.

Simply RetroGrand

I was made aware recently that one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music, is celebrating it's 45th anniversary. Upon hearing this news I sat down and watched our VHS (remember them???) movie and was once again moved and reminded as to why this is such a wonderful, endearing, and classic movie. It was also brought to my attention that this movie won 5 Academy Awards. I could really go off on a tangent right now as to my thoughts on why I don't watch the Academy Awards any more (the Academy has gone downhill in my opinion) but I will save that for another forum. I chose the title of this post to remind the reader and myself of the simple times, in retrospect and how grand they really were. When a family could go to watch a movie, such as The Sound of Music, on a big screen. like I did with my family in 1965, and walk away feeling like we really could "climb every mountain." The messages in this classic movie speak to the good in all of us and if reminders of these qualities are presented with re-visiting this delightful musical, so much the better.

Advocate for Education

I was one of those "older" (or should I say more mature) graduates from college. It wasn't until my kids were in their teens that I went back to school to obtain my bachelor's degree. As such, I had not only a greater appreciation for my professors trying to teach the classes but also a greater appreciation for the learning process and the knowledge I was picking up in these classes. I am one of those students who absolutely loves school. With that in mind, I am back in school with some Adult Ed classes. One of the courses I am taking is computers, which absolutely fascinates me. My other class, however is Accounting and I have to say that I am struggling. I unfortunately do not operate on that side of the brain too well---math and science and accounting is indeed a science. As challenging as this course is for me though I am tenacious and I am not going to let it defeat me or my purpose. I am told that having this accounting skill will be appealing in the job market but aside from that I am determined to persevere. Thankfully we have wonderful instructors in this adult education system who are patient and supportive of their students trying to grasp everything they are teaching. I graduated from college in 2004 and have not gone back to school until this past spring in 2010. The moment I stepped back onto the campus I realized how much I missed the world of academia. I truly love learning new things and want to continue educating myself the rest of my life...no matter how difficult a course could be, like accounting.

Slipping Through My Fingers

I am a fan of the musical, Mama Mia, and enjoy the songs along with the cinema photography of the beautiful Greek island where the story takes place. One of the songs that never fails to bring tears to my eyes is, Slipping Through My Fingers. It is a song that the mother, Donna, sings to her daughter, Sophie, as they prepare for the wedding ceremony. The message of this song speaks of moments slipped by that they shared with each other and plans they had made, which never materialized. It is a powerful reminder to me to cherish moments shared with friends and family. Our 3 kids are now grown and living their own lives. I was an extremely lucky mother who had the honor and joy of being home with them during their growing up years but I realize that I let many moments "slip through my fingers" and there is no "going back" to recapture them...they are gone. It is my prayer that my kids come to this knowledge now so they can capture as much as they can with their own children. I have no regrets because I shared many happy times with my family...I could have shared more though. I try to practice this with my dear friends too. Each time we are together I love sharing laughter, wonderful talks and outings with them to tuck away in my heart and cherish. Life is comprised of moments and as they slip through our fingers we should use them wisely so we can reflect on them with joy and love.

Seasons

The weather man on our local news station announced on September 1, 2010, that this day starts the Fall season. I look out my window and smile as I see the sun shining and appreciate the summer (albeit very short this year) now ending. My husband's favorite season is the summer but unlike him every season is my favorite. Each season brings it's own variety of fruits, vegetables and holidays, to name a few. I am an eternal romantic so I embrace the "hibernating" instinct of cuddling indoors with a fire glowing in the fireplace with candles lit throughout the room. My spirit is calmed and soothed as I prepare cinnamon pumpkin bars in my kitchen. As our home is filled with the mouth-watering smell of Turkey baking in the oven I offer thanks for all of my blessings. My heart delights as I sing along to my favorite Christmas hymns. Yes, the years do pass along too quickly now but they also bring memories of joy and appreciation for each season to me.

My Books, My Friends

I saw a commercial last night for the Kindle, a wireless reading device. We are now offered this new technology of reading books on a small screen.

I am an avid fan of antiques and I enjoy being the custodian of these sentimental pieces of our past but I also love and enjoy using my microwave oven. I am a woman who lives in and appreciates both worlds--the past and the amazing inventions of the present. As much as I marvel at this new technology and way of reading on a small screen I don't think I will ever completely embrace this in lieu of physically touching my books---my friends. There is something so peaceful and calming as I sit down for my morning devotion and opening up my Bible to study the word of God. I love the tactile feel of the fine thin paper as I turn the pages in my Bible. It gives me pleasure to see the scriptures that I have marked with my red scripture pencil, which speak the messages for Susan. I thoroughly enjoy cuddling up in my favorite chair to peruse my inspiring decorating books with their colorful glossy pictures. Just like a well-loved friend my books bring comfort and feed my soul---the likes of which I don't think I'll find on a small screen. Our society is now speeding along accompanied with technological advances that affect our lives but there is something to be said about the simple pleasure of sitting down with a favorite book and visiting that friend on a more personal level by touching the pages again and again.

Chapters

One of the leisure activities I enjoy is reading. I can get really engrossed in a novel with memorable characters and a powerful story. Often times just before I fall into my REM sleep at night thoughts come to me, which on many nights I forget what they are by the next morning; however a couple nights ago the word "chapters" entered my mind. Just as chapters in a book take the reader along in the story, I related this to my life. I look back on the chapters in my life thus far and remember joy, teen-age angst, first love, true love, giving birth to our three beautiful children and raising them--each with their own chapters dove-tailing into mine. Now, as I enter a new chapter in my life I face a new set of trials but while I remember the trials of yesteryear I know that this chapter will have lessons and joy to cherish in its own unique way.