Who Doesn't Love Bright New Clothes?

Since I have turned 50 I have this urge to wear bright colors. Now why would that be?  I can't quite explain it.  When I was young I loved to wear bright colors.  In fact when Drew and I were dating I had this bright purple shirt with really loud flowers all over it.  He loved it. (Anyway that is what he told me.)   

About the last 10 years I have notice I have toned my wardrobe down to solid, darker colors for the most part.  I guess trying to look "put together" (hasn't worked), but I try.  I notice older women wearing really bright colors and I sometimes think it draws too much attention to them.  I guess  I think that if I stay a little "low key" others won't notice I am getting older.  

Well,  I was in a store a couple of weeks ago and saw this bright T-shirt and no matter what I did I could't resist. It has been hanging in my closet ever since and I have been trying to get the courage to wear it.  Today was the day...  I took a deep breath and put it on, looked in the mirror and thought...hey this doesn't look too bad.  I walked downstairs confidently and bless her heart my mother-in-law took one look at it and said, "What a beautiful shirt!" I thanked her kindly, smiled to myself and headed out the door to run some errands.  This might be the start of a whole new me!

Did I mentioned my mother-in-laws birthday is next month, she turns 84. 

If I were brave I would wear really bright colors and join the fun older crowd. 

They do look like they are having a good time. 

Surprise!!! + 50 pairs of Socks!

I am not one who is a big fan of surprises.  Well, let me back up.  I like surprises as long as I am not the one being surprised.  Doesn't really sound fair I know but thats the way it is.  With my birthday rolling around and it being one that might have some traditional element of surprise attached to it I was on the look out.  First off I made Drew promise me he would not be involved in any kind of a surprise party for me.  Second I suggested we go to the cabin for the long weekend. Third I invited the Az kids to come along so I could keep my eye on them.  Drew seemed agreeable and the kids thought it would be fun to go to the mountains.  Then strange things started to happen.  I talked to Amanda and she said that she had Saturday off from school and was going to be in Cedar City all by herself for the long weekend, and not once did she beg me to let her come home---interesting.  I heard Drew in his office on the phone one day, after he had shut both doors, use the words cabins and surprise in his conversation. (I keep telling him he talks loud on the phone).  There were a few other things that happened and I had a pretty good idea that my Utah kids were coming to the cabin.  Actually it worked out great because I had as much fun preparing to have them there as they did planning to surprise me.  


After a couple of days for fun and togetherness, the big dreaded day finally arrived.  I woke up that morning and took inventory.  Well, I felt pretty much like I did the day before.  So far, so good.    The kid were out in the family room and kitchen doing something, I assumed they were cleaning the cabin and making me breakfast in bed. Nope!!!  When they invited me to join them I discovered what they had been up to.  50 pairs of socks were scattered all over the place. Hanging from the fan, the trees, light, and yes Mazie! 

 (A little explaining here--whenever the kids have asked me over the years what I want for Christmas, or Mothers Day or my Birthday I have always said, "Oh, a pair of socks would be nice"--well I guess they were tired of that answer!)  Back to my story,---I now spent the next few minutes gathering up all the socks because they had placed the real present inside a couple of the socks.  Thanks goodness Kylie was anxious to help me and soon I had a much appreciated gift card for dinner and a movie.  It was a very fun and unique way to start my day. 

The big surprise that I really didn't know about, was my friend Janece came from Utah and surprised me at the cabin on my birthday.  It was the best gift ever. She stayed for a few days and helped me ease into old age.  I am so blessed to have her as a friend.  She is amazing.  

I had a great birthday weekend.  I loved being with my family it was awesome.  My grandkids are the cutes ever and we all had a great time being together.   Thanks kids!!!

PS.  I have had fun wearing the socks to the gym in the mornings.  My favorite pair so far has little pink flamingos on them.  xoxox

I Can't Believe I'm 50! :-(

If I Were Brave I Would Turn 50!---(Well actually I don’t really have a choice in the matter now do I?) 

If you live long enough I guess it is bound to happen.  I am not prepared for this!  I always thought that if I ever reached 50 I would know stuff... I would have life figured out. Help...I don’t know enough stuff! I now realize I have so much more to learn. 

I have tried to keep a sense of humor about the whole thing.  Here are some thoughts that have helped:

The 50-ish wife comes up to her husband and says, 'So, Harvey. What do you think of my new bra-less look? Does it make me look younger?' 

'It does!' Harvey says. 'It pulls all the wrinkles out of your face!'

 Perks of being over 50:

1. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
2. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
3. You sing along with elevator music.
4. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
5. You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
6. People call at 9 PM and ask, "Did I wake you?"
7. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
8. Things you buy now won't wear out.
9. You can live without sex but not without glasses.
10. You enjoy hearing about other peoples operations.
11. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
12. You can eat dinner at 4 P.M.
13. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
14. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
15. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
16. Your eyes won't get much worse.
17. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
18. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

  19.  In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first

  20. No one expects you to run~~~~~anywhere.

Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life. ~ Daniel Francois Esprit Auber

“Looking fifty is great if you’re sixty.” ~ Joan Rivers

"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed." -          Charles M Schulz

"I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming... suddenly you find - at the age of 50,  - that a whole new life has opened before you." - Agatha Christie

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OK Here Goes....I’m jumping in...50 here I come..."Come What May And Love It!"

What Would I Do Today If I Were Brave?

I love the Song: "If I Were Brave" by Michele Baer. 

What would I do, if I knew that I could not fail?
If I believed, would the wind always fill up my sail?
How far would I go? What could I achieve,
trusting the hero in me?

If I were brave, I’d walk the razor’s edge,
where fools and dreamers dare to tread.
I'd never lose faith, even when losing my way.
What step would I take today, if I were brave?

What would I do today, if I were brave?
What would I do today, if I were brave?

What if we’re all meant to do what we secretly dream?
What would you ask, if you knew you could have anything?
Like the mighty oak sleeps, in the heart of a seed,
are there miracles in you and me?

If I were brave, I’d walk the razor’s edge,
where fools and dreamers dare to tread.
I'd never lose faith, even when losing my way.
What step would I take today, if I were brave?

What would I do today, if I were brave?
What would I do today, if I were brave?

If I refuse to listen to the voice of fear,
would the voice of courage whisper in my ear?

If I were brave, I’d walk the razor’s edge,
where fools and dreamers dare to tread.
I'd never lose faith, even when losing my way.
What step would I take today, if I were brave?

What would I do today, if I were brave?
What would I do today, if I were brave?

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Don’t you think that’s a fascinating question?  “What would I do today, if I were brave?” …

I have decided to explore this question in my own life and write about it in this blog. Not sure what the answers will bring but I am nervous and excited to find out.  Wish me luck!