A new Senior citizen!

Yesterday was my birthday!

I turned 55 years old and officially became a senior citizen. If you had asked me about 15 years ago, if I'd be happy to become a senior citizen, I would have asked you what drugs you were on. Now I supposed that I have matured and realized that age really is just a state of mind. I don't want to do the "young" things - I don't like the new music - it's too loud; I don't want to twitter or text - it runs up my phone bill; I don't want to drive a convertible - it messes up my hair. I am very content with my life exactly as it is. I'm retired - I don't have to get up in the morning if I don't want to, I don't have to battle traffic during rush hour, I get to run my errands while everyone else is working so the lines are never long. I got my driver's license renewed in 30 minutes - 2 people were ahead of me in line - they were older too. Granted, getting older does have it's drawbacks - arthritis, bifocals, health issues, losing loved ones. But if you learn to appreciate the blessings that come with it, and adjust to the downside, life can still be good. I am grateful for all my friends and family and the blessings that I have in my life.

The greatest blessing in my life is Tim, my husband. He's not the most romantic man by his own admission. He only acknowledges our wedding anniversary and my birthday when they are what he calls "biggies" like those that end with a 5 or a 0 so this year our 35th wedding anniversary and my 55th birthday were BIGGIES. I normally don't even get a card but this year I got 2 - an anniversary and a birthday card. The anniversary card was one of those gooshy ones and I even got a handwritten note which made the tears flow, while the birthday card made me chuckle - commenting on his lack of fashion sense(he thinks there's nothing wrong with wearing burgundy and red together), his inability to notice when I get my hair done (after I have returned from the hairdresser - he says "what time is your hair appt?"), and his annoying jokes. I couldn't have a more wonderful life partner. I am truly blessed.

Reading Blog is on its own!

Well, I've decided that I don't want to mix my reading in with my day-to-day observations so I've broken my reading and reviews into its own blog. I may still mention the books that I am reading here, but I will post my reviews on my reading blog.

http://chelisreading.blogspot.com/

35 YEARS TO TREASURE

Tim and I headed home from Richmond this morning- our 35th wedding anniversary. I was surprised with an anniversary card and note that touched my heart and made me cry. Tim can be a bit of a romantic if he tries. (Let's see if he remembers my birthday.)

We had spent the weekend at John & Ellen's visiting with family and meeting my grandson Jackson who is just the best little guy, so well-behaved and so cute! Ellen & I did the GRANDMA thing by shopping at Target and getting a kiddie pool and pool toys, but the weather didn't cooperate so we'll have to wait til next time for the pool adventure.

Why is it that babies smell so good when they poop and pee and spit up? I don't understand but I still just want to cuddle him tight.

I've met Jackson!

I finally met my "grandson" last night after a 4 hour drive to Richmond. I caught him while Daddy was giving him a bath. He is so beautiful! He is the sweetest little thing (though he is getting bigger - well over 11 pounds) and he has such a pleasant disposition.

Mommy and Daddy were a bit tired last night because they had to catch their flight very early in the morning so I'm heading over to see him again today. Keep you posted!

Is Golf really fun?

I went to the golf course today with Tim because I really need practice if I am ever going to play with the Ladies 9 holers.
The good news is, I actually had an 8 on the par 3 third hole. The bad news is that I shot a 155 for nine holes. I don't think that's good. I don't think I understand why people think this is so much fun. I'll keep trying, maybe I'll figure it out when I break 100 for 9 - can't imagine for 18.

He blames me!

Those of you that know Tim and I, know that whenever something goes wrong, we manage to blame the other person. Usually, I am blaming Tim for something and good-naturedly he just grins and bears it. Well, now it's my turn. Monday morning we head out to work and it is raining as it has been lately. I usually walk around the back of the van after the garage door is up and shimmy up the side to avoid every tool imaginable hanging along the wall of the garage. So since I don't want to get wet and I can't make it down the side to get in the car, I wait patiently for him to move the car a bit so I can get pass the weed-wacker. Without thinking, Tim pushes the button for the garage door to go up, puts the car in reverse and proceeds to smack the back of the van on the rising garage door. Before I could say a word, the entire rear window SHATTERED into a zillion tiny pieces of glass. He was so mad at himself I couldn't make him feel worse so I simply told him, "It's just a car. It can be fixed." I seem to recall saying those same words to Mary-ellen at one time. As long as no one is injured, don't sweat the small stuff. Needless to say, I'm to blame because I didn't want to get wet and I was rushing him. I guess it evens out in the end.

Books, Books and more BOOKS!

I think that I have clearly lost my mind.

I have been diligently reading away trying to complete my 999 Challenge. I signed up to try to read 9 books in 9 different categories in 2009 (81 books). To really challenge myself, I'm trying to finish by 9/9/09. Now, since I was progressing so well, I signed up to try to double the achievement. That's 162 books by 12/31/09. I 'm not sure that I'll be able to do it, but I'm sure going to enjoy the reading as I go along. To help, I'm joining a read-a-thon on June 7th.
It should definitely help me get a few books finished.

A Day OFF at last!

I finally got a day off. I had everything all caught up when I left the office last night, so Tim said that I could take the entire day off. I had an appointment for my hair and nails already so I wasn't going in until 11AM so I got the afternoon too!

Good thing, because I have a book due tomorrow at the library and I have to finish it today because we have bridge tonight. Off to my reading!