In With the New and Out With the Old???

You have heard that saying many times probably in your lifetime. I think it means more to you as time goes by. I am thinking, what do you mean, out with the old? There is a lot to be said with the wisdom and knowledge that one acquires during a lifetime. I know. . .I know. . .there is nothing as precious as a newborn baby. There is such a sweet innocence that it is intoxicating! Anything when it is new is so adorable. . puppies, kittens, horses, deer, trees, flowers, you name it and there is a certain beauty in the new. But then, you have the old. . . . .ever notice the really old trees? They are big, tall and provide the ever much needed shade here in the valley. I love going to the older parts of the city and driving down the streets lined with these very old, very big, and very shady trees. There are so many beautiful things to behold whether they are new or old. I love the fresh new things but I am attached to the old ones also. I don't want to take the new in and throw out the old! I want both!

My Arizona

Image via Wikipedia

The media would have you think that Arizona is not the place to visit or live, but I disagree. We have such variety in our State. North in the Mountains, we have beautiful, tall trees and it is so green and fresh looking. There are streams, rivers, lakes, and mountains. Down here in the Phoenix area, there are lots of things to see and do, with a variety of desert landscapes. I think the greatest thing about our State is the weather. Sure, we can have some pretty hot summers, but the rest of the year is absolutely delightful and to be envied by most. Our State is warm and friendly and we do not want to stop legal immigration into our State. We need to stop illegal immigration which infringes on the rights of each of us who call Arizona our home.


I moved here from the State of Georgia and have to tell you that I was not all that impressed upon my arrival. The desert looked gloomy to me after all the greenery in Georgia, but my years living here has made me a changed woman. There is no other place I would rather be (unless it was in a house on the beach somewhere). Arizona is my home. My children were born here and my first husband died here. I am grateful that we located here in the late 60s and have been here ever since. Just call me a "transplanted native"!

And Life Goes On. . . .

I have found that Life does go on. . . .with or without us. I look around and see so many people like me who have lost a loved one (my current husband included) and wonder how they were able to pick up the pieces of their life and go on without their loved one by their side. When we all first got married we never knew what challenges life would give us, but we loved each other so much we were willing to take the chance. Some lost their soul mate early in their marriage due to war or accident and others, like me, lost mine after 38 years of marriage. He was my best friend. . . my eternal love. I never really imagined my life without him. It never even occurred to me that he would not be by my side during our "Golden Years". But life has a way of shaking up the very core of your foundation. My faith has seen me through these very trying and difficult times. Without it, I do not think I could have survived. The secret to a good life is to just do the best you can with what God has given you. Always look for the best in others and find little ways you can serve Him by serving those around you. He will lift you up and give you the strength you need. He will not fail you.

Our Birthday!

Clarence and I celebrated our birthday yesterday, June 13, 2010. Yes, we have the same birthdate! How cool is that? We actually celebrated on Saturday, but it was nice to receive all the good wishes on Facebook from my family and friends. My sweet granddaughter, Ashley, brought me a baloon bouquet and cookies! I cooked for the missionaries and we enjoyed their sweet spirit. Clarence and I share our birthday with my neice, Emily and my granddaughter, Tanis. My oldest grandson just returned from his Honeymoon just as I have a birthday! Time marches on. . .and on. . . I don't understand where the time goes! Funny, I don't feel any different. . .should I?

LEVI AND KIRSTEN'S WEDDING DAY!

It was a beautiful summer day in Snowflake, Arizona. Levi and Kirsten kneeled across the altar in the Snowflake Tempe and becaue Mr. & Mrs. Knight. It was a beautiful ceremony. At 1:00 that same day, My daughter, Sandi (Levi's Mother) gave a luncheon in their honor at the Convention Hall in Snowflake. Everyone had a good time visiting and eating and once in a while a child would try to play the piano. Clarence played the "Boogie Woogie" for them. His talents, of course, are unsurpassed! The evening was the first Reception in Eager, AZ, which is where the bride is from. It was a beautiful drive up there and I absolutely fell in love with this small town! Clarence and I drove back to Showlow where we stayed another night and got up on Saturday and drove to the cabin in Strawberry, AZ. The 2nd Reception was in the Valley Saturday evening for their friends and family that could not make the Snowflake trip. We returned home on Sunday evening. I still can't believe that my grandson is now a married man!!! And time marches on . .

Our Flag

I am so heartsick that so many people who live in the United States of America are so disrespectful to our Flag. I read in the news how several Flags over the Memorial Day Weekend were shredded and burned. This by American people living in America. Our Flag stands for Freedom, the same freedom they enjoy each and every day. Memorial Day is one a day a year we honor those who have given their lives (and/or limbs) in order to preserve this freedom we so dearly cherish. Our freedom has not come without sacrifice. Every time we look at our Flag, we should be reminded how blessed we are to live in this country where we enjoy so many freedoms that other people throughout the world does not have. Every American citizen should look to our Flag with pride and respect for all she stands for. . . .The United States of America. . . .the land of the free. . . .and the home of the brave! My heart swells with pride each and every time I see her flying freely in the wind!

Grandchildren

Am I really old enough to have a grandson getting married? Our firstborn grandchild is getting married on June 4, 2010. It seems like yesterday he was just a baby. Where does the time go? My children are getting older and their children are getting older. . . .I just don't understand it. Time does not stand still and we all just keep getting older!!! I tell you I just don't feel old enough to have a grandchild that is old enough to embark on a journey through life with his own family. Next I guess I will be a great grand ma, even though my grandchildren call me Nana. You know life keeps going on and we can either sit back and enjoy the ride or fear for the future. I choose to sit back and enjoy the ride!

Love the Second Time Around

I used to think that "Love the Second Time Around" was just not possible. My beloved Thomas, and the father of my children, passed away suddenly October 19, 2003. I was devastated to say the least. I never in my wildest dreams expected to find another love in this lifetime. Boy, was I mistaken. A mutual friend introduced me to Clarence in July 2006. We started dating and found that we had a lot of things in common. For one thing, we share the same birthday, June 13. He was just born 8 years earlier than I. Anyway, after a year of dating we decided to take the plunge and get married. I have to tell you that I was really scared. I was married to Thomas for 38 years and could not see myself married to another man. Well, the more I was with Clarence, the more I loved him. I am not sure when I actually fell in love with him because it was so natural and gradual. I am living proof that you can fall in love a second time. I tell everyone that a lot of people go through life and never even find that one great love, but I am blessed to have found two great loves in my lifetime. Yes, Love the Second Time Around is not only possible. . . . .it is a reality.

Mountain Retreat

My hubby and I just got back from a wonderful weekend in the Mountains! The weather was much cooler than I expected but it was really neat to hear the wind rustling through the trees. I had to close the windows because it got soooo cold! It was 50 degrees when we left and only 71 degrees when we got back to Mesa. We sure enjoy going up there. It is so quiet and peaceful. Sometimes you just need to get away from the normal routine of things, you know? Do something different. . . .just have fun! That is what we did. Everyone needs to have a diversion now and then.