It's Okay To Be Gray!

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?

 

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become.

I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

How to Dance in the Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.' I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, that is the kind of love I want in my life.' True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did. 'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!!'

Greg & I have been married for almost 21 Happy Years!

We've always told everyone that if you want a good relationship, you need:

GOOD COMMUNICATION!!

No Matter what type of relationship you have, you need:

GOOD COMMUNICATION!!

There are tons of different relationships: Husbands & Wives, Parents/Children, Siblings, Neighbors, Co-Workers, Boyfriend/Girlfriend, Car-Poolers, Church Members, Gamers, Parents/Teachers, Fishermen, Oh I bet you could add to this list Big Time... Of course, I think the most Important Relationship you'll ever have is between:

You & God!

So Enjoy Life, but Keep Up the:

GOOD COMMUNICATION!!

www.UrChoice-Radio.com

www.UrChoice-Radio.com 
Fun to listen to, especially while playing Pogo!

While playing Pogo this evening, I met this wonderful 34 year old British man, who lives in Florida! His name is Adam Channing (He's on Facebook, if you're on there) He loves music & owns: www.urchoice-radio.com broadcasting live from audiorealm.com
♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪

He played all sorts of Music while I got my World Class Solitaire Black Friday Badge!

Check out his web-site & Catch him playing on Pogo! You'll be able to request anything you want!

The Best thing about his site, is he doesn't play Hate Music! & He plays a lot of Christian Music too!

Today was our Thanksgiving day...

With the conflict of everyone's schedules, we decided to get together on a different day for Thanksgiving. And that's just what we did! We enjoyed our Thanksgiving Turkey - Today - the Day Before Thanksgiving! So while you all are enjoying the first day of Turkey on Thursday, we are already enjoying Day 2 of Turkey!! LOL - Here are some photos, I took today...

Whole Turkey

Upside Down for Moist & Delicious Turkey!

White Turkey Meat

Dark Turkey Meat

Homemade Stuffing

Right From inside the Turkey!

Candied Yams

Baked Corn

Sweet Minty Carrots

Green Bean

Turkey Gravy

As Everyone is Getting Ready to fill their plates, Greggy & David are getting plates ready for our 2 Dogs. Here's the oldest trying to hurry them up! LOL

Ruff - Ruff - Ruffffff!!!!

& Before we get to dessert,

Here's my Plate...

Boy, I'm Full...

Baked Pineapple for Dessert!

& Pumpkin Rolls Made by my Niece: Spring!

Benihana's Fried Rice

(We just ate at Benihana's on the 17th for my Birthday & it's Yummy!

I Plan on making this tonight, so I'll update my blog with photos...

& what we think of the homemade version...)

Ingredients

1 Cup  Uncooked rice

5 TBS  Butter

1 Cup  Chopped Onion

1 Cup  Chopped Carrots

2/3 Cup  Chopped Scallions

3 TBS  Sesame Seeds

5  Eggs

5 TBS  Soy Sauce

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

Cook rice according to package directions.
(I like to use a Rice Cooker)

In a large skillet melt butter.

Add onions, carrots and scallions.
Saute until carrots are translucent.

Set aside
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Place sesame seeds in a shallow pan.

Bake until golden brown (10 to 15 minutes),
shaking pan occasionally for even color.

Lightly grease another skillet.
Beat eggs.
Pour into hot skillet.
Cook as you would scrambled eggs.
Combine rice, vegetables, sesame seeds and eggs.
Add soy sauce. Stir. Salt and pepper to taste.

Okay, You have to forgive me, I never got home in time to make this for dinner & I'm just now getting online to show you what it looked like! I made it per the directions, but it took me forever to make it, simply because I had to take breaks in between all the chopping, even though I used a Food-Processor, my shoulder & arm hurt like heck! (I have a damaged Shoulder & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands!) I had to get my son to finish it up. My husband & I thought it tasted good, but I think the rice was the wrong type, because it didn't quite hit Benihana style! When we lived in Florida, I could go to the local grocery store & buy Thai Jasmine rice, but I could find it up here in Pennsylvania. I'll keep looking!

So, with this recipe, I would say:

If you want good Benihana Fried Rice, Go there & Get Some!!