Following Their Dreams, Every Year!

I had the most delightful find today while having breakfast at Denny's Restaurant in Wheat Ridge, CO.

An exuberant group of people in bright yellow T-shirts caught my eye.

The sight of them persuaded me to leave the safety of my booth and go find out what they were up to. I'm so glad I approached them with a request to take their picture. They were as happy to tell of their adventure as I was to hear about it.

The Lopez family is on their 5th annual trip. This year it was Alicia's turn to pick their family dream trip. She lives in Texas and has wanted to visit Colorado. So their bright yellow T-shirt boasts: Following Our Dreams to Colorado 2011.

This group of travelers plans for their yearly trips by fundraising throughout the year to help cover costs. Here in Colorado they have a 15 passenger van to travel the area in. The Lopez family travels from their hometowns to the chosen area each year. They come in from Michigan, Texas and other areas. Last year, New York was their destination and next year, it's looking like New Orleans will be the choice. Las Vegas is also on the agenda for the future.

Twelve names are listed on the back of the T-shirts. These are the travelers. These are the dreamers. Thank you, Lopez family for sharing your fun times with me today!

Also posted at http://www.randrtandt.blogspot.com

Happiest Person Award

Oh the irony of it all! About two weeks ago I was tickled pink to receive a certificate proclaiming I was selected to receive the Secret Society of Happy People's 2011 Happiest Person Award. Along with my lovely certificate I received a large medallion on a white ribbon, and a ribbon wrapped cellophane bag filled with Secret Society of Happy People "pass it on cards", post cards, a button with the SoHP logo and a pin. My DH had nominated me and the Society also included his very sweet write up that won me this honor. I was just amazed at what he wrote about me. I do try to be upbeat and happy so to receive this award was affirmation of the way I choose to live my life. At work, I have an elderly couple that call me "Sparkles". The gentleman has often asked me why I'm always so happy. I've told him I choose to be, no matter what is going on in my life. My beloved Dad used to quote Abraham Lincoln when I was growing up " We are about as happy as we make up our minds to be."

So, the irony I referred to above involves this elbow length pastel blue cast on my left arm. Six days ago I was futzing around on my patio and tiki hut. I was attempting to move some things around when I tripped on a rolled up rug that had been put on the patio after the garage clean-up session the day before. As I fell, I grabbed my wooden tiki serving bench and fell oh so gracefully onto the rug pulling the bench down with me. Even though it was a soft landing, I felt the pop in my wrist as I fell. I think my scream of alarm and the crash of the bench interrupted my husband's concentration and he called out asking if I was okay. My DH was in the middle of a timed test on the computer so I yelled "I'm okay, keep going!". He was doing a two hour employment test and I was just trying to keep quiet by staying out of the house. After I sat and cried for a few minutes, I dragged myself up off the ground and proceeded to evaluate the damage I had just done to my wrist. A bump by the bone was starting to swell, and it was hurting. "I was not happy"! Today I received a phone call, my 3rd confirmation, that my bone is really broken. It was a recorded message "the radiologist has looked at your X-rays and he has reported it is broken and that you need to follow up with the orthopedic doctor." No kidding.

I have found that people are either curious or being polite. I would say between work yesterday and being out and about today, less than five people I have been around have failed to ask me what happened. Some even suggested I fell off bar stool or hit my husband or successfully guessing I fell. This cast is inconvenient, bulky, itchy, hard and just plain unpleasant. I find I tell people " I am not Happy" (about having to wear this cast). I wonder if I should start wearing my Happiest Person Medallion to remind myself I really am a Happy Person, even if I have a pretty blue cast on my arm! Attitude is everything! :-)

Also posted at www.randrtandt.blogspot.com

Peppermint Patty Pedi

I had today off from work and watching granddaughters so I made the most of my day. I went to the fitness center and got in good exercise. Then I called a spa I've been wanting to go to and made an appt for my "Mother's Day" gift from my DH. I got the Peppermint Patty Pedicure. It was heavenly. A few times I almost relaxed enough to fall asleep. To my surprise, a cup of hot chocolate came with my package. I didn't bother drinking much of it but I sure had fun enjoying the whipped cream. lol I had another little gift as I was leaving. It was a cellophane bag with a chocolate footprint embossed with the spa's name and a peppermint. I felt so pampered.

(also posted at http://randrtandt.blogspot.com/)

Bubbles

Today was another full day. By 2:30 in the afternoon my adorable 3 year old granddaughter, Abbi, arrived for her weekly afternoon with Grandma! I had hoped to take her to the park as it started out to be a lovely day. By the time she was skipping up my sidewalk, raindrops were starting to tickle her pony-tailed hairdo. Her bright blue eyes danced as I greeted her with hugs and kisses and she quickly pealed off her light pink jacket and grabbed the bottle of bubbles she spotted next to the TV. Her "dada" tried to capture her for a good-bye kiss but capturing her took a bit of daddy-fun trickery to seal the deal. As soon as her Daddy left, the bottle of bubbles was opened, the wand pulled out and handed to Grandma with instructions to blow lots of bubbles. Abbi proclaimed she "loved" bubbles. Every day she has a bubble bath and bubbles are an important part of her life. So, this Grandma became a bubble machine for her adoring granddaughter. I blew bubbles until I was light headed! Abbi directed me to blow bubbles through a 3 tier plate stand she found in my kitchen. If I succeeded she squealed with delight. She had me blowing bubbles while she sat perched on a decorative kitchen stool popping them with her pinky finger. I blew bubbles for her to step on when they didn't pop on the floor. She even used her new pink princess wand to catch the floating bubbles in the air. Only rarely did she take the bubble container from me so she could blow a few aimed directly at Grandma! The sudsy water popped on my glasses, down my arm and across my blue jeans. Each time bringing her to giggles and a proclamation of "I got you". Eventually, the bottle of bubbles got so slippery I was afraid of dropping it to the floor. I called a time-out to wash it and my slick hands off. By the time dinner was ready and Abbi's mama was here to pick her up, the bubble bottle was almost empty. I reflected that this afternoon was truly a child's and a Grandma's total delight. I am so blessed to be able to spend an afternoon playing!

Praise Ministry Letter to the Homebound

Today I received a request to write a letter to the homebound in our church parish. This is a monthly ministry that the clergy and other parish leaders take turns doing. It's called the Praise Ministry. I was surprised to be asked but pleased as I do love to write. Below is my letter for the month of May.

Greetings in the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I take great delight in getting to visit with you this month through this letter.

As we continue celebrating this Easter season we can ponder the love and joy we are witnesses in sharing with our beloved Lord. He is alive and He is with us! We do believe. It is through this belief, that we know our sufferings on earth are only temporary as the promise of new life is truth promised and proven to us.

. Looking out my window I delight in the spring blossoms on the trees and the tulips starting to bloom. It is again, that new hope, tangible at my own front door, reminding me that Jesus Christ has risen and is with us. No matter what darkness we have endured or fears we have, our Lord has shown us that we too shall come through it. He has walked the path before us and shows us the way.

A favorite scripture of mine always brings hope. It is from the Song of Songs and it's a poetic portrayal of praise of the mutual love of the Lord and his people. In Chapter 2, verses 10 to 13 we read:

My lover speaks; he says to me,

"Arise my beloved, my beautiful one, and come!

For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth,

the time of pruning the vines has come,

and the song of the dove is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.

Arise my beloved, my beautiful one, and come!"

During the most holy season of the Church year, we have the wonderful opportunity to turn our eyes to the Mother of Jesus who stood by him in his pain, suffering and new life. Jesus gave his Mother to us from

the cross (John, chapter 19:25-27) and she is our Mother too. Her love and intercession for us is always with us. We are not orphan children of God but rather under the warm protective mantle of a Mother most holy. No matter where we are in our life journey, we have a welcoming Mother to comfort and care for us as she did for her son, Jesus. Our beautiful and humble Blessed Virgin Mary is honored this month of May along with our own mothers. Our lives are given to each of us by the nurturing care of a woman, who became a Mother. This is the most blessed honor to have a participation in the creation of new souls and lives given to earth by God our Father. Mothers come in all sizes, shapes, attitudes and personalities but each has accepted the gift of new life, their own Annunciation of saying "yes" to motherhood. Motherhood is under such attack in this day and age. Let us offer extra prayers this month for the many women who refuse motherhood and for the many women who say "yes" to bringing forth new life. It is spring time, let us rejoice in the season!

(also posted at http://randrtandt.blogspot.com/)

My bid for more time!

Why I need more than 24 hours in a day and more that 7 days in a week.

I sit here on the sofa in my living room surrounded by my "stuff" and things I hope to do.

I have my ukulele and it's stand and case and tuner, my uke song books and I'm hoping to practice some songs and strumming.

I also have my two computers with cords strung across the love seat. On one computer I'm writing my book, which btw is up to 42,244 words. The other computer has my pictures downloaded because the USB ports on my main laptop are not working...so I need a trip to Best Buy to the Geek Squad repair folks.

I also have the Healthy Edge notebook and papers from the program I'm doing with my Health & Wellness Coach. Each week I listen to new audio and video classes and I track my eating, exercise, water consumption, etc.

That last paragraph brings me to the hours of exercise I aim to do most days. I work at a fitness center so I can work out whenever I want. Problem is getting there. I love doing the elliptical and the weight machines and treadmill. I sometimes branch out and do other things in the stretching room. I do weight bars, exercise balls and Bosu balls, medicine balls, exercise bands and tubes. If I'm really tired I bike with a touring screen. It's all good for a healthy sweat....which leads to....

Showering, shampooing and continuing maintenance. I think as I get older it might be taking me a little longer. Maybe as much because I can more easily get side-tracked?

And watching Granddaughters while their parents work, my own work schedule, meals (whether eating out or in) are other hourly considerations.

If there is any down time, like sitting down on the full sofa, I do love to check email. My friends are very important to me so I like to write back! I also love to check out Facebook, Twitter and other people's blogs. When I am inspired, or mostly have time, I like to write on my own three blogs.

I also love to travel to fun places and do fun, adventurous things. Amid the hustle and bustle of my life I'm always pondering where and what can I do next. I didn't get to go to Winter Park dog sledding this winter or hot air ballooning yet so those are in my mind. Always I'm watching for

an opportunity to go sailing with friends again. This all takes time, as it starts in the planning stages.

Speaking of planning, I have the whole family and some of their family coming over for Easter dinner. I need to plan my menu, get the house in order, and balance out a Mass time so as to have time to actually do the cooking.

Did I mention my beloved, darling husband, Rex? He works and does deacon ministry so when he is free, I want to hang out with him. Some days that is harder than one would imagine. I've often accompanied him in the car when he has to go somewhere for a few hours just to be with him. I drop him off where he is teaching the deacons and I putter around until it's time to pick him back up. I usually bring my computer and find a Starbucks or Whole Foods Market to write while I wait. I do try to make good use of available time.

People often tell me they don't know how I keep going and doing all I do. I do manage to accomplish some things but all too many stay undone.

It's now midnight. It takes every minute of every day to squeeze in things. I do try to get in eight hours of solid sleep so it looks like I had better close my computer for the night and start counting sheep so tomorrow I can pick up where I left off today!

Good Eating

One of my favorite people who comes into the fitness center where I work told me about a

restaurant I needed to check out. Rex and I went there tonight. It was wonderful and we had the greatest experience.

Here is a web site to read about and see Dakota's Restaurant:http://www.restaurant.com/rdc/dakotas-restaurant-arvada-fusioneclectic-rid=405220

The owners, Susan and Michael, visited with the diners making everyone feel at home. The chef, Steve, came out of the kitchen to meet us and check on our meal. Before we left, we had a wonderful extended visit with Susan and Michael.

Susan plans to start having afternoon tea parties starting in May so I plan to check those out.

For my next visit, I have my breakfast picked out of the menu they sent home with us. I look forward to going back. I hope I get to go back soon.

(also posted at http://randrtandt.blogspot.com/)