What a whirlwind!

I’ve had a really great couple of weeks...I’ve talked about it to many of you and have mentioned it here in my blog a time or two as well.  Life is good, indeed.  

I have really enjoyed reliving some past events, seeing some old friends and family members, sharing lots of laughs, meeting new friends and had some new experiences.  I wish every month could be as fun-filled as my October has been.  I had a birthday, an anniversary and for a brief minute even thought I might have my new grandchild in October.  But, that was just practice. 

How can my November top my October? Well, I should get that grandbaby....that’s going to be a big plus.    There’s Thanksgiving of course...that’s probably my favorite holiday, as long as everyone has Friday off.  Oh, I have a job outside the home now.  I may actually have to work on Friday! Yikes! That’s alright; I love being at work. 

I also have our annual “chili party” planned for family.  As our family grows, its getting more and more fun to look forward to.  I will see if my weather prediction for the first weekend in November always being fabulous works out.  Otherwise, its a good thing we’re family and get along because we will be squeezed in! We have been before, however, and it works out! 

So I guess I DO have a lot to look forward to in November.  It will be a month filled with excitement, fun and family.  My goodness, how did I get to be so lucky? What about YOU? 

Was that a year? Really?

Today is my birthday and although I worked today I did spend a little time reflecting over the last year, to see what's different, what's the same and what needs to change.  I prefer to do this kind of thing around my birthday rather than New Year's Eve; to me, it just makes more sense.

I really, really like my new job.  It is not enough money...there is not enough time in the day to get everything done but, for the time being, that's okay.  We can visit those issues later.   I am so enjoying being with the art everyday, I can't even tell you.  There's some minor adjustments that will need to be made along the way to some of the processes that I work with every day, but I really like it.  The people are great as well.

Someone said to hubs last week that the job comes with its own social life and that is so true.  I've had two events and one dinner to attend! Me, who never left the house to the concern of my friends and family!  I am very grateful as one of the things that needed to change, if I were being honest, was that I need to be out and amongst it.  Check.

I looked at my face for a while in the mirror this morning and felt okay about what I saw.  I see my mom's neck there but that's to be expected, I guess.   I again thought to myself "Not bad, not bad" as I took a brief survey of the lumps and bumps of me.  I don't sweat the weight gain and the gravity drain as some others might.  I just don't want to be burdened with thinking about that ALL the time.

You know about my hair cut and my change of shampoo.  My hair is growing super fast but is not looking much thicker than it was.  I've got thin spots to be sure, but my hair is healthy and shiny and I like it alright.  So. My nails are super tough.  My feet swell and my legs sometimes hurt.  Still can't get to sleep every night but I get to sleep most nights so that's good.  I think all in all, I like me pretty well.  I looked in the mirror and thought, again, not bad for a bird your age, Cindi Lou.  Just like last year,  I thought "Yep, not bad for 56." Do the math...57, not 56.  Why can't I get that right?

Back in the saddle.

Hubs and I went to our big capitol city over the weekend and while there enjoyed a visit to a pumpkin patch to help the granddaughter pick out pumpkins.  The pumpkin patch we visited was like pumpkin patch infinity as was far more than just a pumpkin patch.

There was so much to do at this patch that it can not be called a patch.  It was a production.  It was incredible!  After being directed to park for a $5 fee, we tumbled out of the mini-van with two pregnant daughters and their husbands, and the princess who allows us to dally in her domain. 

As we walked through the gates of the bustling farm,  her eye landed on small horses being guided around a circular loop, young riders on their backs.  A new adventure and I agreed as soon as she pointed her little finger and said she wanted to do that.  We stood in line, paid our fee and soon she was having her first pony ride.  Mommy walked along, with Daddy managing the camera and close by,  and a staff member was on the other side of the pony.  The little girl in pigtails, who holds my heart in the palm of her hand, bounced along on that little pony and grinned her biggest grin.  Mommy smiled big, too, and Daddy snapped away, taking great pictures. 

Something went slightly awry about halfway through the well worn route,  the pony danced, shook and the granddaughter sort of fell off/was pulled off and caught. Staff members came scurrying over and the pony was calmed, Mommy reassured and the little girl was plopped back into the saddle.  Not being sure what spooked the little guy, named LeRoy, the staff suggested it might be the sound of Mommy’s keys, attached to her purse handle.  

The pony finished its circuit and came to a halt, carrying the brave little princess, her smile not quite as confident but still in place.   She was lifted out of her saddle by a teary eyed Papa.  She informed us that LeRoy was scared, and so was she, but she liked it. 

I can’t get over how brave of her to get back in that saddle to “try again”, which is one of her favorite phrases, usually with a giggle.  I can’t get over how brave of Mommy and Daddy, either!   I can’t get over how quickly my heart melts, again and again. 

Can I stand any more?

Along with my new job, I decided to go for a new haircut.  A new style.  My hair had gotten pretty long, almost too long and while somewhat easy to take care of, it could be a bit of a pain as I'm definitely not a pony tail girl.  I decided to go for something a bit more trendy, to fit my new job and my personality...a bit of spunk.

About three weeks ago I decided to try this cleansing system for my hair that you see advertised on infomericals and I gotta tell ya, I like it.  Is it better than all the other products out there? Time will tell, but so far, I like it.  I especially liked it the week I tried it on my longer hair.   I'll keep posting how that product works for me in case any of you have wondered about it.

All in all, then, my life is pretty good, right? Well, grab on to yourself or your loved one because the NEXT thing is my youngest and her husband announced her pregnancy! I am so over the moon with it I can hardly bear it.  Two pregnant daughters and more grandchildren on the way.  Life is good, very good.

Here is what happened to me today, however.  I was standing in front of the mirror, fixing my new do for my trip in to my new job, feeling pretty good about myself and my life, maybe even whistling,  when it occurred to me that I have seen this longer, somewhat shaggy, side swept hair cut...it's Justin Bieber hair.  Oy. I have opted to have my hair cut like a boy pop star.