My plans for Saturday are easy. I plan to do a little laundry and sit and crochet. I’ve been running around like crazy this past week and quite honestly, I am tired. So tomorrow, a movie or two, perhaps letting Jack watch some of the Golf and downtime.
I hope this will help to recharge my batteries and get me back on my feet. What do you do when you need some downtime? What recharges your batteries?
Have a great weekend!
I was thinking about my childhood the other day, and I was recalling my childhood home on Clipper Lane. This was the house my parents brought me home to when I was born. It is where I spent the first ten years of my life. Even now, when I think of places that I felt really grounded and safe, Clipper Lane is at the top of the list.
Whenever I go back to Falmouth, I always go by and say hello to my old homestead. It is still there and the new family that lives there loves my old home too, and take very good care of it.
This house is a five-minute walk from the beach, and a five-minute walk in the opposite direction takes you into town. The perfect place.
I guess that was why, when my parents decided to sell it and move to the other side of town, I was really devastated. I remember feeling like my entire world had been turned upside down. Which, looking back wasn’t true because we were moving 2.7 miles away from my much-loved home on Clipper Lane. But to me, it was the end of the world!
I had to start in a new school, meet new kids, and carve out a whole new life as a fifth grader. I was terrified, but eventually, I settled in, only to be moved two years later to another home that was 4.4 miles in the opposite direction.
I’m not sure how military kids do it because it was really tough for me, and I never even left Falmouth. But somehow, that first move away from Clipper Lane never really left me.
Sometimes I dream about moving back to Falmouth, but I know it wouldn’t be the same. So I will just keep going back for short visits. Enjoying every moment that I can while I am there.
Here I am on Sunday night, my first week back at Weight Watchers, and I have not strayed at all. I’m reading and planning and so far I find that there is plenty to eat to fill myself up. The key here has been the planning.
I’m trying to eat as many fish, chicken and vegetable meals, as I can. It seems to be working as I have not been overcome with hunger. I am also drinking a lot of water and iced tea.
I wasn’t sure I could handle my withdrawal from sugar, but so far I have done very well. I also plan meals and snacks with as many Zero point foods as I can. Trust me, there are plenty of those.
My weigh in is Wednesday and I am anxious to see how I have done. I really hope that I have lost enough weight to spur me on. I admit to being easily discouraged.
We shall see.
The grandparent’s all gathered for Savannah’s dinner celebration on Friday night. She opened her gifts, enjoyed each and every one of us, and felt our special love!
Savannah and Oma.
Savi and her grandfather, Bob.
Savi and her Nana, Mary.
(Notice Quinn photo-bombing)
Despite the fact that it was Savannah’s birthday celebration with her various grandparents on Friday evening, I managed to stay on the WW plan. Amanda bought the most awesome steak and marinated it, and Matt cooked them up on the grill. That man knows how to cook a fantastic steak, and I sure did enjoy every bite!
Dinner also included corn on the cob and Parmesan Cheese Noodles. Now I know that corn on the cob is a zero point food, so I had that and the steak (which does have points, but is really lower than you might think) and I did not eat the pasta. Now, I wanted the pasta, but I wanted a loss at the scales on Wednesday, more than I wanted the pasta yesterday, so it was an easy choice. I also wanted a birthday cupcake, so the noodles never even saw my plate!
I also drank…WATER…ugh, not a big fan of water, but once again, I am trying to make better choices. I knew I wanted that darn cupcake and so I made no other breaks from my eating plan and ate zero point foods all day before that dinner.
So when I got up this morning, I raced to the bathroom scale and hopped on, just knowing that I must have lost at least ten pounds for all my great planning (and sacrificing!). Ah no. It is also very humid up here right now, and in this humidity, I always retain fluid. (That is my story, and I’m sticking to it!)
Savannah’s party was great, all the grandparents are good friends, and we all adore our mutual grandchildren. We laughed and joked and lamented the fact that the last six years have gone awfully fast!
And then we looked up and there was the kitty cat Bear, the mouse hunter, with a chipmunk in his mouth! This time Matt was here to go out and rescue me from the creature.
I finally knew I’d better hit the road, as I was working under a time constraint. I needed to get home before dark (my car will turn into a pumpkin!) as I cannot see well at night, and the Friday night, summertime traffic can be a nightmare.
I kissed and hugged one and all, and off I went. No traffic and I managed to pull into the garage at 8:41 pm! I just beat the onset of darkness.
After the heat and humidity and two long drives, I collapsed into bed at 9:15 and slept like a rock never moving until 5 o’clock this morning!
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!