True Confessions of an Overthinker

Last Friday evening I witnessed something that made me smile, then made me think. The image is still clear in my mind. I saw a mother letting her two young children out of their car at a playground. There was a boy about age six and a girl about four. The boy ran ahead first. I was able to see the girl's wide eyes and big smile as her mom helped her out of the car.  As soon as her feet hit the ground, she ran toward the swings as fast as her short legs would go! She could barely contain her excitement! I've been contemplating why that scene made such a big impact on me. I absolutely love children! But it was more than that. I really think it was about the timing. That sweet scene distracted me from my pity-party/bad attitude moment. To be honest, I'd been pity-partying with a bad attitude all day.  But when I saw that adorable tot beaming with joyful anticipation, it was contagious! I felt my burdens lifted for a couple of minutes. I'd left my house a few min

Welcome back to my blog. I am so excited to be sharing my first post by a guest blogger today! I am pleased to introduce my friend Mark. I met him on an "over 50's" social site last year.  I read one of his very funny stories that he'd posted there. I just had to leave a comment about it, to tell him how much I enjoyed his brilliant humor and writing style! The rest is history. We have become good friends. Mark (also known as Merchandiser) is very snooty about his favorite ice cream. Otherwise he is a very nice man! Please read more of his unique and funny work at http://www.blogster.com/merchandiser/#posts                             My Amazing Sea Monkeys It was about 50 years ago when I ordered my sea-monkeys kit from the ad on the back of a comic book.  I was gullible and naive when I saw the picture of these playful creatures. Sea-monkeys were advertised to give their owners hours of fun. The cute picture of the sea-monkeys playing by the beach c

If you folks have read me much at all, you know that I often see something funny in mundane life experiences. I realize that not everyone sees life the way I do, nor shares my sense of humor. I'm finding, though, that it just works for me! Goofy moments can ease stress and help us cope. Who doesn't need a little help to get through some difficult days? Let me tell you about two such occasions... Yesterday I had to have some pre-surgery testing done at my eye clinic, to prepare for a cataract/glaucoma procedure that I'll have on my right eye next week. While I was there, the doc checked my left eye too. I'd had a fairly major procedure done to it about two months ago. Well, I got bad news (again). It seems that the surgery might have failed. It was very disappointing and stressful news, to my husband as well as me! He's been by my side through these chronic glaucoma issues for many years.  When we got out of the clinic, we both reacted- and not in the be

What is normal, exactly? Well, that's a complicated question because it depends on the season of life a person is in and so many other factors. I've written before about life's seasons and how I think it's important to learn what you can during each one. There's a purpose for each stage of life! I love these lines from one of my favorite old Seals and Crofts songs: " I wanna laugh while the laughing is easy. I wanna cry if it makes it worthwhile." My story today is mostly on the lighter side. It's about this newish season of life that I entered a little over three years ago. Yep, I am now in the hood! Grandmotherhood. I have one granddaughter, whom I've affectionately nicknamed "Baby Girlfriend".  She is getting a new sister this summer!   Baby Girlfriend came over to play with me yesterday afternoon. It was a nice day so we played ball in the backyard for a while. Then we came in and had a snack, followed by making