How to Maintain a Great Attitude in the Middle of Sadness

Mother's Day is an emotional day for many moms. My mom died when I was 18 years old. Not only do I miss her every day but I realize how fortunate my friends are who have shared their lives with their moms all those years. 

Mom died 3 months after my wedding

I love orchids and hubby keeps me well supplied! On Mother's day, he made it his mission to find the darkest purple one available. We were both shocked to see that it had NINETEEN buds in addition to the ones already open. Considering that these blooms last at least six months - I wonder if it will topple over when all the buds open.

19 buds on this orchid

This is also a day I reflect on the years of joy we shared with our son and his family. I hide away for a few minutes each Mother's day to thank God that one day, someday, I will hug my son again. We are now in the tenth year since he walked away from our family, without explanation. He lives in our small town, minutes away from us. But, we have not seen him. When he left, he had two babies and now he has four. Although the last ten years could feel like wasted ones, I refuse to buy that lie. I focus on how wonderful it will be when we are together again and will maintain that attitude of expectation!

The more you give...the more you receive

Hubby and I have close friends in Uganda who run an orphanage. They have sacrificed everything to parent over 100 children at a time. They ask for nothing in return. When Covid hit, they lost any small source of income they had and nothing has pleased us more than to be in a position to support them. They are humble and never asked for help which made it even more exciting to be able to bless them when they did not expect it. I keep a journal of our daily conversations - the good and the awful things they have had to endure. 

On Mother's Day, our friend posted a Happy Mother's Day message on Facebook. His kindness touches many people and there were a lot of comments in that regard. I wondered if anyone recognized that he has a wife who has given so much, works tirelessly, and never asks for anything.

So......I posted a beautiful tribute to her and sent her two dresses. It is something she will remember forever and I cried when I received this picture of her.

Not the best way to hear such news

When I opened Facebook on Easter Monday I was shocked to see this pic of Brie. Her mom didn't want me to worry.....crazy kid....so she didn't tell me what happened until she knew Brie was fine.

On their Easter egg hunt, Brie was challenged by one of her boy cousins to put a chocolate egg up her nose. Daddy to the rescue and a trip to Emergency scared her enough I don't think she will do that again. She had to have minor surgery to remove it. 

For Brie's birthday, she received a Shetland pony from her daddy who did not know the pony was pregnant. Last week this tiny horse gave birth. And now there are two precious babies. I can't wait to see them.

Although William is in second grade he is reading at a high school level. Here is a note from his teacher:

I just wanted to write to let you know that I reassessed William’s reading level today. WOW. He’s reading at a level “X” on the A-Z alphabet scale. His fluency is amazing. I can’t overstate this: I’m really impressed. He says that he learned to do this by listening to music and reading the lyrics. Suffice to say, you have an amazing kid. I was thinking about talking with our Learning Support teacher, about taking a closer look at William’s abilities. And, of course, I’ll explain to his classroom teacher next year that he is a truly unique student. In the meantime, plenty of praise and confidence boosting is in order! Way to go William!

Kind big brother ALWAYS looking out for his baby sister

The hydrangea bushes were so high that we could no longer use the sidewalk around the front yard. When I watched the gardener trim them back the entire yard was a pile of trimmings. This pic is only the beginning. I have no idea how this little bit of a woman did all that and carried it down the driveway into her truck. 

When we chatted later she said she was in the movie industry in France and is trying to break into it here. After her first year, Covid hit and she needed a job so she started her own business as a landscaper. What an amazing woman!

When I was sweeping the sidewalk the next day, I found my diamond hoop earring on the EDGE of the garden gate. Don't ask...I have no idea how it got there but how wonderful to have found it.

Whatever is happening in your world I hope you can find good memories and hope for a brighter future in your thoughts every day. 

 

Welcome to a Fly on the Wall group post. Today four bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. Come on in and buzz around, see what you think, then click on these links for a peek into some other homes:

 

Baking In A Tornado      

        

Menopausal Mother      

             

Wandering Web Designer      

Is Dental Surgery as Awful as it Sounds? The Truth How to Survive it

When my dentist put a temporary cap on my front tooth he told me, "That should hold about two weeks, and then we have to start the process of putting in an implant."

My first thought was "Do you know how much an implant costs? $3,000 to $5,000."  I decided to wait until it was necessary and then.....THREE years later, I had a problem.

I tried a new 'recommended' dentist in hopes of walking out with another temporary fix. WRONG! He wouldn't touch it and said I had three options:

• Do one implant but that was risky as the neighbor teeth had issues - $5,000 for the one tooth which could fall out
• Repair the surrounding teeth including the implant $12,500
• Dentures - $4,500      
  

After spending most of the day deciding on my options, having X-rays and consults, dentures seemed the best option.

Was I scared? YUP. My past experiences in the dentist chair, especially as a child, made me sweat and shake. When I was a kid Novocain was not used and screaming out loud was not allowed. See why I waited as long as I did?

With the new technology, dentists no longer have to take an 'impression' to make teeth using a wax mold. They use a scope that takes pictures of your entire mouth. This is sent to the denturist to create your new smile. 

My appointment was set. Three days before Christmas. Excited? Well, it meant I didn't have to cook a turkey dinner but could veg at home for a week or more.

Scared? Terrified! Fifteen teeth to be removed.

The day-by-day journey was unlike anything I have experienced. I had a lot of questions through the different phases but few answers. I have considered writing a book to help anyone going through this nightmare. Extensive research was the only way I survived. 

I knew the endgame would be worth it - but it is the getting there.

Kids are born older now

When I was five years old I played in the dirt; in fact, I ate dirt. I found out years later that is a  calcium deficiency. 

BUT NOW.....the stuff my grandbaby knows....and does.... is a thrill to watch. I'm learning from her instead of the other way around! 

Her birthday party was planned and as my daughter always does -- it was over the top. But we woke up to a blizzard.

As expected, Brie had a positive attitude about it, even though you could see she was disappointed. One little girl was able to make it to the party and the day turned out wonderful. My daughter rented the town pool for an hour and the two little girls and Brie's brother had a great time.

A few days before the party Brie had her dyed with rainbow colors. She was so proud of her new 'look.'

NEVER EVER GIVE UP HOPE

My podcast, Never Ever Give Up Hope, is now in its seventh year. I love doing this show and more passionate about it now than ever. Recently, celebrities from every arena are sharing their journeys of hopelessness to hope. I am booked until 2022!

Please tune in - have a look around and choose an episode to encourage, motivate, or challenge you. I would love your feedback.

Welcome to a Fly on the Wall group post. Today four bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you would see if you were a fly on their wall. Buzz around and click on the links for a peek:

Baking In A Tornado

Menopausal Mother

Wandering Web Designer

 

4 Ways to Live Longer and Happier

Almost everyone wants to live longer and we spend a lot of money trying to find the secrets to living a longer life. We buy potions, pills, creams, and exercise equipment - all in an effort to maintain or regain/retain our youth. We spend a great deal of our hard-earned money to look younger. Some of it works, but most of it does not.

Don't Stop

Although longevity runs in my family, I know the reason most of them lived well into their 90s is that they don't stop. As my brother put it, "I'll have time to rest when I die." I  work harder than I did 40 years ago.  I love to be busy which helps me to think younger, act younger, and look younger. And an active brain is much better than the opposite. 

What you feed will grow

AND.....

What you starve will die