Sunday, Mother’s Day, was beautiful! The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. It really was a perfect day.

I got beautiful flowers and cards and well wishes for a happy day and that made me smile, more than you can know.

I feel so blessed to have a wonderful daughter like Mandy, and two happy and healthy grandchildren, like Savannah and Quinn. My heart is so full of love for them.

Savannah, Me and Mandy, and Quinn. My joys!

There will always be that empty place in my heart that belonged to my daughter Katie. My forever six-year-old girl. I miss her more and more as the years go by. She was part of what made me a Mom.

I also have a step-daughter and step-son who I have really gotten close to over the last year or so. It is so nice to be friends with them at this stage of all our lives. For this, I am also blessed.

And of course, I am a Doggy Mommy to my group of hounds. Even though there are times when their care throws out my lower back (don’t ask) I simply adore them all. Greta, Arnie, Lili, and Anneliese. My loving balls of fur!

I left the house pretty early on Saturday. As it turned out I was way too early. I had planned to stop and get more Scallops at Market Basket, and gas up the Highlander, but I ended up with an hour to kill. What’s a girl to do? I went shopping.

I left home where our temperatures were close to 60 degrees and sunny, and as I drove south, the temperatures went down, the skies turned gray and it was rainy!

So, I stopped at Talbots Outlet and picked up three shirts. One I wore right from the shop, a nice long sleeve blouse. And because I am a frequent buyer I had $25.00 bonus points to use up! For three gorgeous tops, I only spent $35.00! Yes, I love a good bargain!

Then it was on to Savannah’s dance recital. As I said, I got there very early, so I stayed in my car playing CD’d and reading Facebook. Then, out of nowhere, I saw Mandy and Savi about to cross the street in front of me. I hollered to them, jumped out of my car and joined them.

Do you know how wonderful it is when your granddaughter throws their arms around you and tells you how much they love you and have missed you? Well, it made my day. Who am I kidding, it made my entire week.

I watched as Mandy helped Savannah get ready for the recital, and then we went out front to meet up with Matt and his parents. We took our seats and watched this amazing dance recital. Oh, they did have the young dance students and they were wonderful. But they imported their dance competition students for some amazing dance numbers.

Savannah was adorable and I loved watching her. It was so much fun! And as I have previously stated, I am so proud of Savannah in all her endeavors!

After the recital, we went for dinner at T-Bones. Nice place. Very casual and the steaks are good. I ordered a T-Bone and it was so huge, that I brought it home and Jack finished it for his dinner.

We all exchanged Mother’s Day gifts and cards, before finishing up our meals and leaving to return to our respective homes.

The drive was a bit long, but not too bad, but I admit to being just a little stiff and sore tonight. No, I didn’t dance, but driving for long periods of time, makes my neck stiff and sore. But, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Now that I have been back home in New Hampshire for over 24 hours, I simply want to repack my bag and head down to the Cape again. I want to watch the ocean and the Ospreys and walk along the shoreline. Alas, that is not to be right now, but I do have a trip planned again this summer. That’s great, as it gives me something to look forward to.

While I was down in Falmouth, I stopped by the Green Pond Fish Market and got wonderful Stuffed Quahogs and at another shop I was able to get a Seafood Pie. I was so excited to bring these home to share them with Jack. Surprisingly, he was not too impressed with the Cape Cod fare. Perhaps one has to be raised on it, to love these delicacies.

I think in many ways, I fell in love again with Falmouth. As I drove around the familiar streets, I could recall so clearly, my time spent there. Oh well, I guess I know where I will be going over the next few years for my weekend getaways!

And I know when I go, my two faithful sidekicks, will always be going with me! We sure have a good time together!

Love you two!

Saturday proved to be a really amazing day! Not only did we enjoy two lovely gardens, but the sun shone brightly, the air was warm and the woman who made a real impact on my life, Carol, my second grade teacher, and I were reunited!

Truth be told, I have been looking for her for a couple of years. And today there she was!

There is much to write about and I will elaborate on it all in Monday’s post.

This is one of my best visits yet to my old hometown.

On Friday I leave to go home. I know that sounds funny to many of you, but in my mind, in my heart, Falmouth will always be home.

It’s where I took my first steps, learned to laugh, to love, to swim, to ride a bike. It’s where I had my first room all to myself, and where I learned to love animals of all kinds (Except, of course, mice and snakes!).

Falmouth is where I go to recharge my batteries. It’s where I go to sit on the beach and feel the wind in my hair and smell the sweet salty air.

Falmouth is where I gave birth to my two daughters. Where they both were Baptized. In fact, it’s where I was Baptized. And it’s where I got married, both times.

I love Falmouth because it was there that I learned to be a singer, an actress, a ham! (In the theatrical sense!)

I hiked the trails, walked the beaches, and climbed trees. I skated at the local ice rink. I had my first ever kiss there. I didn’t realize it then, but I was so lucky to grow up in such a place. Falmouth in the 1960’s was safe, fun and a loving place to bring up a family. I played all over my neighborhood, in relative freedom. No one worried about their kids being out playing back then. We just went and made sure to be home by supper time.

I’m staying in a motel that I used to walk past on my way to school. I don’t recall how many times I turned to look at it on my way to or from school. But I do recall thinking that one day I wanted to stay there. Now, all these years later, it’s where I want to stay and I do! And, it is just as special as I knew it would be!

So, off I go. Home to Falmouth. To relive a few memories, to close my eyes and to remember all those from my past. And most of all, to feel the ocean melt away the tensions in my soul. It’s like taking a deep breath and as you exhale feeling all the worry melt away.

In the last few years I have really thought a lot about my relationships. I wondered how the world would view me after extensive facial surgery. Would people see the scars? What would they think? I was really bothered by how I looked until recently.

You see, when I walked in the door of my daughter’s home, two wonderful children came running toward me, with their arms outstretched calling my name, quite happily!

Oma!

It dawned on me then, that they do not see my scars. They see my heart. They only know me as I am today, and their unconditional love is such a gift.

I am my own worst critic. I get close to my mirror and I see every stitch mark, every scar, and for the longest time I felt like I was not myself at all. I did not feel pretty, I did not feel happy and I was so critical about myself.

Why do we do that? Why do we judge our book (face) by the lines, or scars, or imperfections that we see there? Does it make a difference as to what is in our hearts?

My grandmother told me once, when I was a young and somewhat conceited teen, that I may be beautiful now (age 15) but that as one grew older, and went through life, if you were not a good, kind, person in your heart, it would show on the outside. Goodness and kindness lie within.

So this face I have now, although not the one I had at the age of 15, is just fine. My daughter and grandchildren love me, and they know my kind heart and my great love for them.

As I have wandered through my life these last few years I have tried to concentrate on being the best me I can be. I have stopped staring in the mirror, and when I do my hair or make-up, I try to embrace the woman I find in the mirror. She has worked so hard to repair her soul after falling down, so many times.

Be kind, be loving, and stretch out your arms to those you love. In the end, life is so very good!

Yesterday I was sitting in my chair crocheting after lunch. I looked out the window at the skies and knew that if we were going to go for a walk, we’d better do it! So, I got Jack in his coat, and picked up the leashes for Lili and Arnie and off we went.

The wind had picked up, and although the thermometer said 52 degrees, it felt much colder. I should have worn my hat and gloves, but seeing the temperature on the machine, I definitely had made a poor choice.

Our routine walk was nice. No one was around today to talk to, so we simply did our walk and came back. One notable thing was that a rather large rotten tree near our friend’s cabin, had fallen in  pieces onto the right of way road. They will need some young hands to help them get the tree moved.

Upon arriving at home, I walked Anneliese and Greta before settling in to finish up some computer work, and eventually warm up leftover Prime Rib. And I just have to say that the meat was even better the second time around! Best of all, we have one more meal of this wonderful cut of beef left.

Shortly after that, I looked out the window and it was SNOWING! Oh man! It snowed all evening, despite the temperature being in the upper 30’s.

I woke this morning and it is 32 degrees, and raining hard. Usually I walk the dackels early on, but with the rain falling, I knew they would not linger outside! And I was right. Not even Lili wanted to be out there.

My day today will be a quiet one. Maybe a little laundry, but definitely a lot of crocheting! Have a great Wednesday everyone!!!

Today is Dental Day. Every six months I force myself to put all my childhood fears aside, and “man up” and go to the dentist and smile a lot and breathe deeply and get through yet another appointment.

Now don’t get me wrong. My Dentist is a very nice man and the hygienist I use is very sweet, kind, and friendly. It’s just that all those times I went to the horrible, child-hating, dentist of my youth, really scarred me for life.

It makes me so happy that Mandy found a wonderful children’s dentist for Savannah, who proclaimed that she wanted to go to the dentist soon because she missed them! What a wonderful thing.

In many ways, life has changed for kids, since I was one. Both doctors and dentists make a point to treat their little patients well. When I met Savannah’s Pediatrician, I was so impressed by the real joy she had upon seeing Savannah again.

I recently decided to switch doctors. It was a difficult decision, mostly because I will admit to being lazy. The office was familiar, and close, even if I didn’t feel I was getting the best care. But with a little nudge from Jack, I switched to a female doctor in Manchester. She was really on the ball, took a detailed history, did a first class physical, and blood-work which found me having a cholesterol problem, and the fact that the old doctor had me on too much thyroid medication!

I bought a book on lowering my cholesterol naturally, and my medications have been adjusted. She also lined up a skin cancer screening and a few more tests.

Now I concentrate on actually eating with a purpose. Lowering my Cholesterol numbers so I can avoid taking any new medications. Anyone have any Cholesterol lowering secrets?

I am not quite sure where the time is going. All I know is, tomorrow is April 1st! Our days are getting longer and we have more daylight, so even if the temperatures are still cold, the light gives me hope that Springtime is on it’s way.

Yesterday we were in the middle of watching an old movie, “Sense and Sensibility” when the dogs reminded us that it was time for our walk. Jack and I looked at each other and decided that it was time. So, we abandoned the movie, and off we went with Arnie and Lili for our walk.

We’ve been building up and expanding our walk, and the dogs really look forward to it. I cannot recall if I mentioned that Mr. Arnie has a heart murmur now that he has entered his golden years. We have slowly increased his exercise (Arnie is a couch potato!) and changed his food. I am hopeful that we can keep him nice and healthy for a very long time!

Lili is crazy healthy, and she needs these walks to burn off all that energy! And boy does she run all around while Jack and I walk at a sedate pace. The good news here is, Jack and I both are getting stronger and Lili gets to crazy run all over the place. We do leash her when we get close to the busy road, but once we are away from it heading home, we let her go and off she runs. And there is such joy in her heart!

This morning the last Blue Moon until 2020 was just starting to set when I got up. I grabbed my old camera and my cell phone and after walking the dackels, I ran outside and took a bunch of pictures. Surprisingly, my cell phone took much better pictures than my Olympus camera.

I wish my camera was good enough to catch all the shadows on the moon itself. They were there, but not captured. I can see it in my mind, and many times I find that those types of memories are stored for me to look back on and enjoy in private.

I wish you all a blessed Easter.

It seems that life has a way of changing quite quickly. Like the John Lennon song goes, “Before you cross the street, take my hand. Life is what happens to you while your busy making other plans.”

On Sunday we learned that my brother in-laws Aunt (the sister of his mother, who just passed) had gone to bed in her warm much loved pajamas and while sleeping peacefully in her own bed, had gone home to Heaven, to be with her husband of 60+ years, and the rest of her loved ones.

Sally was a sweet, warm, funny, kind woman. She was the blond sister to my brother in-laws brunette mother, The two of them looked very much alike facially and they both enjoyed the heck out of their families.

Sally, with her husband, Gene, and Nancy, last year.

Within a two month period, they all passed. Yet now, they are together again.

In fact all of her kids and most of the grandchildren came to Nancy’s service on Saturday. At one point friends had drifted off to go home, but the cousins all stayed behind, just a little bit longer, to reminisce and share their much loved stories of Nancy. Of course this brought in the memories of Nancy’s other brothers and sisters. And at that time, we believed that Sally would be the last, but also we thought she would be around a little longer. The plan was, to have a big family gathering this summer. Something I hope they still will do.

Anyway, after everyone left, I went back to my sister’s house, and we just sort of collapsed. Thankfully, there was plenty to eat, left over from the Memorial Luncheon, so we picked at food, watched the Olympics, until the bed called my name at 10:15 and I fell instantly asleep.

The next morning, my sister got ready to go to church. She sings in their choir each week. She asked if i would go. I was in my pajamas and didn’t feel like going. I know, bad sister!

After she left I started to feel guilty, so I told Ron I was going to get dressed and go with him. I changed, brushed my teeth, and was all set, when Ron’s phone rang, with the news about his Aunt. After his call, we headed to church, and my sister was so happy to see me, as Ron took her aside to tell her the news. And then, my sister was happy to have me there, with her, as she faced another family member, leaving us.

So the weekend was a tough one, yet filled with so much love, and also full of hope. I do believe in God. I do believe in a place where our pain and suffering is gone and we are reunited with those we have loved and lost. Heaven.

I came home and I stood looking at my husband and I reminded him that life is so short. That we need to tell each other every day how much we love each other. How much we love those of us that are near and dear to our hearts. Life goes by so quickly.

Remember, gentle readers, you are loved.

Blessings!