George Carlin’s views on aging

A friend sent this to me today. I really liked it and thought I'd share~

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life.... You become 21.
Even the words sound like a ceremony YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'

May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the 'devil's name is' Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,* but *by the moments that take our breath away.

Last summer BBQ

My sister knows how to throw a shin-dig! Her and Steve threw a little BBQ party today and served up some yummy eats! Veggies from their very own garden. They have a lovely place.

Tonight is our neighborhood block party. They are party animals around here. We're starting off with appetizers up the street. Should be an interesting evening. I'm hoping to present the neighborhood watch program.

Sushi anyone????

Some of our favorite foods is sushi. I think my family could eat it everyday. One place we like is Sushi Kyo. They serve them up on different colored plates, rotating around on a conveyer belt, and then charge you by the plate. Take a look at our stack!!! That's a whole lotta eatin'! :) It was a fun, yummy night and definitely a treat!

1987 was not "that" long ago!

I was working out at Curves today and noticed they put up on a board "Prices from 1987" and then proceeded to list the following items. I've added some extra tidbits of info because I thought it was very interesting.

Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 8.75%
Average Cost of new house $92,000.00
Average Income per year $24,350.00
Average Monthly Rent $395.00
Average Price for new car $10,3055.00
1 gallon of gas 89 cents
1 LB of Bacon $1.80
US Postage Stamp 24 cents
Dozen Eggs 65 cents

The World's Population reaches approx five billion (5,000,000,000)

Disposable Contact Lenses became available for commercial distribution

Televangelist Jim Bakker Scandal

The Simpsons seen on TV for the first time

Popular Films:
Three Men and a Baby
Fatal Attraction
Beverly Hills Cop II
Lethal Weapon
The Last Emperor
Wall Street
Dirty Dancing
RoboCop
Moonstruck

Popular Musicians:
Michael Jackson with " BAD "
Lionel Richie
Janet Jackson
Heart
Whitney Houston
George Michael with " Faith "
Aretha Franklin
George Michael
U2 with " With or Without You "

In my mind I thought, wow...I was going to college and moving to California from Oregon in 1987. I really didn't seem that long ago, but yet, they talk about it now like it was some era back in the olden days! Am I really getting that old?!?!?!? Talk about a "blast to the past"!!!

LSAC

Last night was the middle school's LSAC (local school advisory council) meeting. Can you believe I was the only parent who showed up, in a school of 950 students?! That is just amazing! Not sure why, and maybe some didn't know about it, but I loved it! One on one time with the principal is a rare thing and it was great! I definitely love being in touch with my kids' schools and the community.

Window blinds are a pain to clean!!!

I've finally figured out how to take these things down; the huge white plantation looking blinds in every window. I've attempted to clean them out on the back patio, let them dry and hang them back up. Well, after 2 sets, I was dead! I thought I would get a little further today, but I will try again later in the week. I went on to other chores, which seem to be never ending. When will the maid or cleaning fairy appear?!?!??!

My friend Holly reminded me of how delicious cowboy cookies are so it tempted me into making a batch tonight. Thanks Holly! ;)

TGIF!

It's Friday again...already! This week has just whizzed by! Victoria has her swim lesson and then we're headed over to Jacob and Noel's for game night. I don't think families do that nearly enough anymore. Do kids even know how to play board games?!?! It's always great to get together with friends to play and laugh!

*** Ok a quick update. We got home this morning at 1 AM and did not play one game! We all sat around the table and had a great time talking, sharing stories and laughing. Definitely a fun night! :)

School is back in full swing!

We have been having some absolutely beautiful "back to school" weather. The mornings are perfect for walking! It is definitely an Indian summer. We're expecting warm weather for most of September.

The headiners on MSN today struck me funny. They caught my attention:
"$20,000 cell phone bill"
"Baby high heels"
"Child delivers mom's baby"
"Body recovered after contruction"

Today was my first time at a Judson Booster Club meeting. I wasn't really sure what it was all about, but found out, the Booster Club supports the fundraisers and student events at the school; and is chaired by parents. The LSAC (Local School Advisory Council) meetings are monthly meetings that the principal chairs and discusses the school and curriculum. I'm wondering at this very moment, how I will juggle it all, between two schools!?!?

Today is also 9/11. We will never forget 2001.

Today is also my Aunt Ezet's birthday. Happy Birthday to you!!!

This evening was 'back to school night' at Judson. It's a fun time to go to all your kid's classes and meet their teachers. I got to put a face to the intimidating math teacher and the best block teacher. I'm so proud of Dillon and know he'll do well!

Lunch with a dear friend

Today I had the privilege of having lunch w/ my old childhood friend Sandy. She drove all the way down here from OC and we ordered yummy food at The Original Pancake House. I love getting together with friends and catching up. We all get so busy with our lives that we don't spend nearly enough time staying connected. I am thankful for my wonderful friends and value them dearly!

Friends are like balloons; once you let them go,
you might not get them back.
Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we
may not even notice
That we've let them fly away.

Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that
we forget what's right and wrong.
Sometimes we just don't realize
what real friendship means until it is too late.

I don't want to let that happen so I'm gonna tie you
to my heart so I never lose you.

My dad is in town

There is a long story to this, but up until we moved here, 3 years ago, I had not seen my dad since I was a teenager, so I would say, in 25 years. Since then, he's visited Portland, from Idaho, one other time. He is in town this weekend and we met up with him and his family for dinner tonight. Dad is doing alright. His health is not great and he's gained a bit of weight. They have their house up for sale in Idaho and looking to move back to the Portland area.

Saturday chores

I could think of a hundred things I much rather be doing today than to be home with a list of chores! But nevertheless, it needs to be done and unfortunately I don't have a genie or a maid! Maybe one day I will . I thought I'd take the opporutnity, while the weather was still warm, to open up all the windows and start the oven's self cleaner. Now, that is one thing I love (well, not so much the smell). I want to get it all ready, just to get it all dirty again, in the coming holiday months. Well, at least it will start off clean!

2nd interview

Ok, I finally heard back from the State this week, regarding my job interview, back on 8/21. They called Wednesday to request a 2nd interview for today. I went at 2pm and met with the director, Kevin and his boss, Cheryl. I think it went very well, but as they all say, "We'll be in touch". So, I'll wait to see if they offer me a job.

Update** 9/8/08-I received a call today to say I did not get the position. I'm not sure the reasons, and maybe I will ask later, but right now, I just take it as an answer to prayer. We've been praying God's will be done and really, I'm trying not to feel bad about it.

McCain Palin '08

This was a very impressive, inspiring speech from the National Republican Convention, by Sarah Palin. I think she's an awesome woman! The little flashes to her family are adorable; especially when the little one is holding the baby and licks her hand to comb the baby's hair! :) If you haven't seen it, you must! The media only showed bits and pieces, so the word out is "all she did was bash Obama". That is so untrue! See for yourself!

First day of school!

This is the day I've waited 12 years for. Well, not exactly, I've enjoyed every bit of time I've had with each my kids at home. But after today, I'm a free woman and I get part of my life back. David wants to know what I'll be doing for 6 whole hours of quiet. I can't even imagine that. I'm sure I'll start thinking about the kids and missing them, but then again, that feeling will go away as soon as I dive into all my work! I know the day will go by quickly. It's beautiful out...sunny and warm. Supposed to get up to 78 and be nice all week. What more could you ask for!?

Dillon stood out front for his obligatory "first day of school" photo. Not too excited and a little embarrassed, since some kids were across the street at the bus stop already. We prayed together and off he went.

I drove Victoria and parked a little ways because it was crowded and crazy. We walked to her class and again, it was neat to see everyone and chat with some of the moms. The FDoS is definitely an exciting time...for kids and moms! We took a couple of photos and then went to a corner and said a prayer. Victoria's eyes started to water a bit, but she didn't cry. Although she's been looking forward to this day all summer (just about), at that moment, she was experiencing separation anxiety. She did not appreciate me telling all the other moms that "I'll be a free woman", rather, I should say, "I'm going to miss my baby"...is what she said to me. I think in a few minutes, she'll forget all about me and enjoy her day!

6 hours later...
Both kids are home from their first day and Victoria told me all sorts of neat things about her day. Dillon, I had to pry every bit of info from him! That’s the difference between boys and girls, I guess.

Victoria loves her class and everything about it. They have so much more freedom and opportunity compared to kinder, and she feels very grown up. She thought the neatest thing was, you could go to the bathroom whenever you needed to, but you have to get the stuffed bear, put it on your desk and grab the pass, so the teacher knows where you’re at. She was amazed they didn’t have to ask. And the second neatest thing was when they gather on the carpet, she said you could sit anyway you want to; on your knees, side-ways, etc. You’re not just limited to criss-cross applesauce. She was thrilled about that! Isn’t it funny what things made the hugest impressions on their little minds?!

Dillon was very happy to learn he has close friends in each of his classes, unlike what he originally thought. Apparently some of the schedules changed. So, there you have it. We made it through the first day! It sounded great!

Today is also Kelda's 39th birthday. Since we have church tonight, we'll probably not doing anything, but maybe this weekend.

Officially the last day of summer!

The kids are gathering up their supplies together today; each in their respective back pack and messenger bag. Dillon is playing with Eddie, riding bikes all over town. Victoria has a 'meet & greet' at 3:30pm. This is something new; an hour scheduled for kids in the A Kiva to come bring their school supplies and meet there teacher. It was neat to see friends again and we were all sad that the summer was so busy and went by so quickly, that we didn't get together nearly enough. Appears most of the kinders are spread out between the 3 1/2 first grade classes. Victoria is in Mrs. Hutchings' 1st and 2nd grade split class. I sort of have mixed feelings about it. First of all, Mrs. Hutchings' is a new teacher at Sumpter and secondly, she's in a split class. I'm hoping that Mrs. Hutchings' turns out to be the best teacher ever and trust that Mrs. Beebe (Victoria's kinder teacher) put her where she felt best. It will be fine. It's only 1st grade, right?!?!? There is great anticipation and excitement in the air.

Labor Day

We got up with great anticpation to finish off the back-to-school shopping. The intent was to hit the Outlets. We got on the road and had to stop for gas. Immediately after that, Victoria, in normal fashion, announces she needs to go potty. We pull into Fred Meyer and everyone gets out, only to shop there the next 2 hours and pretty much got what we needed. Even picked up some steaks for dinner. So, needless to say, we saved a trip out to the Outlets and had the rest of the afternoon/evening free. Dillon and I did make a trip to the mall later to get his back pack (it's HUGE!) and I had to return something. I really enjoyed my time spent with him alone, which is rare. It was great to come home to dinner, already prepared. Thanks David!!! Tomorrow David starts back at work and the kids' last and final day of summer!