Mac Attack

I have been spending evenings watching old footage of what was (yes, still is) my favorite band, Fleetwood Mac. YouTube allows a glimpse back in time and it’s been fun to visit.

There are hours and hours of interviews, behind the scenes footage, and I have gotten to know these artists much better than I did back when I was a devoted crazed fan: Stevie was very cool, and funny. Mick was high. Christine was much cooler than I thought back then. Not much on John. And, Lindsey; Lindsey was gorgeous but too intense.

The videos helped humanize these folks; they are just people who succeeded in a difficult industry.

….but time makes you bolder, even children get older and I’m getting older, too….

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I choose…..

We have this little desk calendar at work that is set on a counter next to the restroom.  The calendar has a new quote each day for anyone who might want to glance at it.  Some days the quotes are spot-on for whatever I might be going through, other days they are just cheesy and I walk away giggling.

Today’s quote is a good one:

Optimism.  Being positive no matter the possible outcome is a choice, but can be a difficult one sometimes.  Life can make it hard to stay cheerful.  But think of it this way, what have you got to lose?  Choosing to be a pessimist, you have much to lose.

There you go man, keep as cool as you can.  Face piles and piles of trials with smiles.  Now, if that doesn’t take me way back.  Smiling.

This.

Prioritize

I’ve found that when you properly lay out life’s priorities then each day just feels right.  I’m not talking about bills, work, and all of those things that create stress; I’m talking about real life.  For me, real life is family, love, health, joy, faith, and gratitude.

Family.  My kids come first.  They are capable adults, however, for me to be whole, they need to know that I am there at a moment’s notice if they need anything from me.  My grandchildren are an extension of my kids so they also have my unwavering support, my unconditional love.

And speaking of love…..love is a strange and difficult thing at times.  Even with heartbreak, to have loved and been loved, it is beyond value.  I can’t flip my love switch off.

At the age of 57, my health has moved up in my list of real life priorities.  Being fit, eating healthy, means living longer – right?  I hope so.  Some new scary challenges in my health have created a bit of fear and realization of my own mortality.

Joy – Grammyjoy!  This one should probably be lumped with family.  When I am surrounded by my family, I feel the most joy.  Of course, there are other times which make me tremble with joy; music, sunsets, the smell of fall, etc.

My faith is just that – mine.  I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all.  As soon as someone begins to condemn someone else’s faith, I check out.  We need to find our own paths.

I saved gratitude for last as it is necessary for all of this to fit properly in my life.  I am grateful.  I have been given so much in my life and too often I took it all for granted.  There were times I was lost.  I was a mess.  I didn’t understand why until I found myself.  I am most grateful for that gift; for realizing who I am and being happy with her.

Yes. This is Arizona!

The color trip to northern Arizona did not disappoint. The rich colors were simply – creation’s eye candy.

I love my home state and the gifts of natural beauty it shares with me.

Soon the trees will be bare and the snow will come. I will then enjoy a day trip to experience the beautiful silence of snowfall and continue to focus on living life.

~and when I’m feelin’ down and blue,
then all I do is think of you. And all my foolish problems seem to fade away….

Color Trip!

That in-state road trip I blogged about recently, it’s happening this weekend!  I’m so excited for this color trip.  I’m assuming there will be plenty of other folks heading up to do the same thing so it might be a bit clogged with traffic, however, some things are just worth it!

I’ve been noodling about how I can insert these day trips into my life with more frequency.  Working a fulltime job leaves little time for the mundane but necessary things I have to do on the weekends (laundry, etc.).  I just don’t want to wake up in 20 years and realize I put more emphasis on a tidy home than on exploring this beautiful state.

At my age, you tend to look back at life and recognize the wasted time, foolish decisions, and make a conscious effort to ensure the years remaining are doing what you enjoy; what it is that makes you whole.  Work is necessary to finance my life, I get that, but I’m sure I don’t want to waste any more years waiting for the time to live my life.

I’ll keep noodling…..this is important.

But you won’t forget me…

I can’t get this song out of my head. I love it.