Life's struggles

I was talking to a young couple recently and they were sharing how hard it is for young people to make ends meet. They said, "We work hard and still we don't have all they things you have." I said when I was your age, I didn't have all these things either! In addition "things" don't make you wealthy.

Even now there are many times my expenditures exceed my income. That is when I have to cut back and give up some of the things I enjoy. Eating out is one of them. I pick up the sales ad and shop for cheap food that will make healthy meals. I don't drive my care as often, because gas prices are so high.

My point was that we often think we should be where our parents are when we are starting out. I still remember the twin bed we used as a sofa, just add pillows. The hand me down furniture that we were given. I was an avid garage sale junkie and I still love the thrift shops. I have had times when all there was to eat for the next week was a 10lb bag of potatoes. I expanded my recipe collection!

We all have life struggles, things were not easy for my parents, they were not easy for me and sure they will not be easy for my children, but what we struggle to achieve we appreciate all the more. It also allows us to be grateful for the little things.

Beautiful Tallahassee

Spring is always a favorite, the new spring leaves, the flowers in bloom, the warm weather? Well we would normally have warm weather. I have enjoyed exploring the beautiful city of Tallahassee this weekend, however the extremely chilly temperatures have been surprising!



I find this to be such a beautiful place; with rolling hills and a lush wooded landscape. We drove through city streets, college campus and outlying areas to see a small town that has grown into a capital city. I know Philip likes the stark change from the drab, shabby streets of Milton. I know he will be much happier here and that makes me happy.



It is early Easter Morn and I am getting ready to head home for worship service and a family lunch, but I have truly enjoyed my time in this beautiful town.

Moving on....again

It seems life has a way of fixing the things that cause us stress and strife. Philip moved in December to Milton Florida. He found it and the job there to be less than desirable. He hung in there for as long as possible and although he would have liked to find something in Jacksonville, he took a job in Tallahassee. It is a beautiful city and should be much better in way of quality of life. I think once the initial loading and unloading and getting settled is over he should enjoy exploring there.

I spent last Saturday there looking at apartments for him and trying to find a place that was comfortable and quiet, yet affordable. I visited several at his recommendation and finally came upon a wonderful complex just off I10. It is located in the Northeast part of the town and really seems like a very nice area to live. I am not familiar with where the TV station is located, but Philip says it is fairly close to where the apartment is so the commute should be quick.

I will travel to Tallahassee tomorrow with a VPK Directors networking delegation. We will go and meet with several of our legislators to discuss issues that effect our local facilities. I am not normaly in the business of this type of thing, but I am looking forward to it.

Time with the Kiddo's

The twins have grown so much! They are talking and mimicing every thing they hear. They are a joy to be around and we had so much fun!
Jason and Ethan are two peas in a pod. I feel like I am having a flashback to Jason's childhood everytime I am with Ethan. Ethan still loves school, but can't seem to get much in way of what goes on during the day for him.
Ashley looks like a doll in her new glasses. She always is busy keeping up with the babies, Ethan and the biggest kid of all Jason. She is finally able to get little pony tails in the girls hair and so they wear their hair up; it really is adorable!
Ethan is showing off the families hobby. This is a monsterous fish tank with a beautiful variety of fish. The children love to watch it and I must admit I find it fun as well.

Bellingrath Gardens, Mobile Alabama

Spring Break has been a long favorite of mine. It is not something most adults get to experience after college graduation unless of course you remain in the field of education. This is spring break in our school district but not in my grandson's over here in West Florida. So my time with him is limited, but not altogether off. I was able to spend Sunday with the kiddo's at the hands on science museum and then lunch at TGIFridays!

Philip and I decided to spend Saturday over at Bellingrath Gardens just southwest of Mobile Alabama. It was a relatively short drive from his home. We were more than a little surprised at how dismal a drive it was and began to wonder how anything of beauty would be found in this drab and dilapidated part of the country. Well to our surprise the gardens are quite lovely. We were able to walk through out the garden at our leisure. We did not take the home tour or the river cruise, but just walking throughout the gardens made for a very enjoyable day. We very much enjoyed this lovely group of young ladies, we called the Southern Belle's! They were dress in these beautiful pastel dresses and made themselves available for pictures, I just snaped a quick shot!

There were azalea's that towered over Philip's head and flowers of every color and variety. We even happened upon a snake crossing a walkway in the Japanese gardens. I don't think I will add this to my places to go to again, but all in all a very enjoyable day!

ziddio

Philip and I love The Three Stooges. I found this vidio that many thought was lost. It is humor lost on many today, but I just laughed. Click and enjoy!
Ziddio

Future Plans

Lately I have been focusing on future plans and trying to make some. To most I think it would not be a difficult task, but to me it is next to impossible. Philip and I seem to be facing one Challenge after another and it causes me stress. I know that it causes him stress as well, but we handle things very differently.

My life is filled with many things. I work at a job that I have had for nearly 10 years, live in a house I had built over 15 years ago. I have an extended family and friends I have known for 20+ years. I think you would say I am a stable if not rather boring individual. I find security in planning and executing those plans.

Philip boosts his ability to be free and clear in a few days notice. His profession is fluid and although he has done essentially the same job for many years, he has moved from company to company for various reasons. His list of cities lived in reads like an tour of southern cities and towns. He thrives on living for today, and not worrying about tomorrow.

I think that is why we are such a good match because we balance each other in many ways. It is when things begin to change that I lose composure and become a fearful stressed out mess. Philip gets a light in his eyes and looks to the change as a challenge and a possibility of something better. I think that one day, we will be able to make life a more serene and peaceful place for the other, but right now future plans are not as much a reality as just seeing what tomorrow holds and looking for the possibilities.

I think there is a lesson to be learned by both. I must learn that taking each day alone can release stress, allowing me to experience more in life. Philip must learn that stability allows roots to grow deep and those roots hold us steady in storms. Oh! The sunrise at the top of this blog is a reminder that every day is new and has its own set of possibilities! Also that on June 16th at sunrise, our lives will begin anew!

Turning 20!

Today was a special day for Grace because she turned 20! It was also a milestone for me because all my children have officially left their teen years behind. It is our families tradition to have a family dinner on your birthday. Tonight Grace chose to have Chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, green beans, ceaser salad and raspberry sherbet for dessert. It was a great night with grandparents, aunt and cousin, sister and of course me (MOM) and now her husband Chris and her daughter Vanessa. The family has grown so very much this last year. Soon we will have another addition, as my niece Laura will have a baby in May. The more the merrier!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET GRACE, LOVE MOM

Time

Time passes so quickly. The minutes turn into hours and the hours days, days into weeks and the weeks become a year. I sometimes feel as though I have closed my eyes as a child and woke up a middle aged woman with nothing to show for this life. Oh I know I have accomplished things, but nothing huge or memorable or life changing. I wake each morning with a sense of anticipation the hope of a new day just to realize this day will be much like the one before. Before I know it I shall be an old woman reminiscing about the good ole days and wondering where they have gone.

Today I found myself wondering if my Grandmother Baker had the same thoughts and feelings I do. She was our "cool" Grandma. She bought us bikini's and played jokes on our cousins and just made life fun. She had a purple Gremlin, and loved the beach, thrift stores, and adventures. She never said, "I don't think that's a good idea", she'd say,"That sounds like fun, want to give it a go?". I am myself a Grandma, although I am "Goody" to them. It does not have the aire of old, I hope it says I am the "cool" Grandma. That would be great!

Anyway, time can either be your friend or your worst enemy. It passes without our permission or acknowledgment. We find ourselves watching it slip away through opportunities missed and children grown. I am praying I will still accomplish much in this life. I have a few more good years in this old girl yet. Enjoy today for tomorrow is a thought of what is to come and yesterday is just a memory.

Random Thoughts

Today has been one of those days that I wish would be finished, yet hope will pass slowly. That is to say, I am tired but have enjoyed my day. I am finding that I overfill the weekends now. I wake by 7:30 and begin with the many things one can do in a weekend; such as going to the gym, yard work, house work, laundry, grocery shopping. Those are the drudgery, there is also the fun stuff like coffee with my folks, or dinner and movie with my daughter, taking my dog for a long walk at the park, brunch to celebrate my parents 49th wedding anniversary with our family or going to church and visiting with friends. These are all things that fill my time and I truly enjoy.

Life seems so very busy and that can be a really good thing. I don't have much time to feel sorry for myself, I focus on the positive. Life sometimes goes in unexpected directions and I think I allowed those unexpected events to bring me down. I finally realize that life is happening everyday, I am not waiting for it to begin on a certin date or when I am able to have things a particular way. This is my life and I plan to live it every single day.

Happy Anniversary

Today, my parents achieve something that I never will; 49 years of marriage. They married at a young age and although I have been around for 45 of those years I still don't know the secret. They are truly happily married. They look at each other with adoring eyes, smile with looks that say I know what your thinking and treat each other with such care and concern that it makes all envy them.

I don't know many people that can say their parents are still happily married after 49 years, married yes; but happily would be optional. I am so very happy for them and wish them a wonderful anniversary.

Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday

Well after a much loved long weekend with Philip and My son, Jason and family I have been educated somewhat on Mardi Gras. I now know that Mardi Gras translates from the french to the english Fat Tuesday. It is the feast before the fast and supposedly is the last indulgence prior to lent. I would have to say from what I can see it is an overindulgence. I also hear that many believe it has its beginnings in the ancient Greek and Roman orgies.

All I know is that there are many parades, beads and outrageous behaviors. Philip has actually been to Mardi Gras in Mobile and says the parades are really great. My experience is with watching them on the local channel out of Mobile and I don't think I would enjoy the crowds.

The flip side of the craziness is the calmness of being with those I love. Philip and I enjoyed a drive from Milton over the Garcon bridge to Gulf Breeze and into Pensacola back through Pace and home. It was a nice drive, although very windy but just time with those you love is a wonderful thing. I was privileged to see Ethan and his class at school. He is adjusting and doing well, however as the Director of a private school, I know that children do much better when parents and grandparents give them some independence, however as a grandmother, I just needed to see for myself he was in a good place and doing well.

Well I will have to wait for the next break to see my beloved Philip and spend time with JE, Ashley and the grandbabies. However this weekend will warm my heart until we meet again.

My little Valentine

What could be sweeter than this little beauty! She is a Valentine to all who know her!

Hand in Hand

I walked along the road of life
so happy and carefree.
I smiled at all who passed me
I'm full of joy you see !

I walked along this road alone
for many years did pass.
One day out on a wind blown pier
I met a friend at last.

He joined me on the road of life,
we walked together hand in hand.
The journey seems so easy now
as if it all were planned.

Time did pass days, weeks; now years
and still our travels meet.
No longer on the same road, but
separate ones indeed.

The love we share now is the bond
the distance does not dispair.
Our hearts, our souls we rest upon

Eternal love we share.

We wait and watch for days to come

when two no more, we shall be one.

cold winds~taxes

This is my least favorite time of year. I don't enjoy bitterly cold winds. We have had our share these last few days with temperatures plummeting into the low 30's. You say, "What?!", "Is she crazy?" OK I know that the 30's may not seem all that cold to some of you but I live in Florida because I like the warm balmy weather! I am a Florida girl, born and bred! I use the nickname Sunny because that is my favorite kind of day. These last few days have been bitter cold and very windy, a combination that can cause me to want to never poke my nose out of bed in the morning.

After the lousy weather, I detest this time of year because of tax season. Why is it that we live in such a technologically advanced country and yet we have such an archaic tax system? Oh, we can now eliminate the paperwork by going online to file, but we still need a degree in tax law to understand all the forms and loopholes and lets just say questionable deductions! Oh well I guess one day our government will see fit to work on issues that actually matter to many of us who voted them in office and that would be tax reform!!!

Georgia Life

Georgia Life

Growing Babies!

Time passes so quickly that you rarely notice its passage. However when you watch a baby grow you can actually see the passage of time. They change day by day, with first just thier eyes showing recognition then they start to become the little person they are to be. Just glimpses of the personality inside can be seen. This is our sweet Vanessa, now at 4 months old she is a joy!



It is the same for puppies, but at a much faster pace. Clay is now nearing 7 months old and he is 55 lbs of pure energy. He just had the dreaded experience of being "fixed" but he is still our sweet Clay. A happy, smart, energetic puppy that keeps things lively!

Joy, more than happiness.

There are times in life when we must depend on our joy, the inner light that carries us through difficult times. Would it not be perfect if our lives were forever happy? No storms, or sadness; times of lonliness or rejection?

If this were so how would we ever know when to enjoy the happy times? Would we see the contrast without those storms? When faced with difficulties one must look inward and take inventory of strengths and weaknesses. Are we someone worthy of "happiness"?

Life is filled with good and bad, we sometimes endure the bad so that we might enjoy the good. It is in these times I am grateful for the joy, and forever prayerful that the happiness comes again.

Saturday's and Sunday's

I have grown accustomed to spending my weekends with Philip. We enjoy relaxing drives, quiet conversations and just each others company. I have grown to love it over the last two years with the short drive up 95 to SSI; but all things change.

I am now adjusting to Philip's move to a new town and the end of our weekends together. I will be the first to admit I don't adjust well to change. I may have over compensated by filling as much of my weekend with activity as humanly possible. There are still bits of time that I am alone, and things are quiet and I find myself wishing for the short drive up 95 and the quiet of the Sea Palms Condominiums and Philip. Oh we talk, our phone minutes ticking away as we discuss the weather, work, family and how much we miss each other; but it is not the same. It is not that comfortable side by side on the couch as we watch the playoffs; or the strong hand holding mine as we drive around town just taking in the sights....

Oh we will see each other and we will find time in a new place, a new way of doing things, but it is forever different. I will miss the way Saturday's and Sunday's use to be, but most of all I miss Philip.

Philip C. Livingston turns 54!

Happy Birthday to a man who deserves the very best life has to offer.

Birthdays come but once a year.

A celebration of your beginning.

A time for reflection of what has past and

anticipation of what is to come!

May this be a day where the love and joy you share comes back ten fold.

Happy Birthday PCL

Love always

Ev