A Granny

Most people at some point in their life have been asked the question "what do you want to be when you grow up?". Many of us are still trying to figure that out. In this season of empty nest I've given it a lot of thought.

Some people get their mind/heart set on one career path as a child and it stays there. They just KNOW what they want to do and they do it! Kudos to those annoying, overachievers.

Most of society it seems, bounces around like a warped bouncy ball trying to find where we fit. How do our likes, dislikes, personality, talents... all of that - fit into making a living in order to EAT? :)

The first half of my adult life was laid out for me. I was a wife and a mom. Not just a mom but a homeschool mom. Secretary for Thomas Inc. Dabbled in pretty much every career without being a "professional".

Wouldn't.
Change.
A.
Thing.

Thoroughly enjoyed those years and they FLEW by way too fast! There is a part of me however that wonders if I would have had a career path and edumacated, would I have more direction now??? That wasn't my life, I'll never know so I ain't dwell'n on that...
And we're walking...

What is my answer now when someone inevitably crosses that line and says "so what do you do?". Well, first of all Susan, I survive. Thank you. BUT... other than that, I'm a wife/mom/GrandLady!

As I was thinking about this, my mind wondered back to a Texas restaurant - Grandy's

Grandy's had the best fried chicken livers other than my mom's. My dad was very fond of Grandy's so we went as often as the wallet would allow which wasn't a ton but it was enough for me to be influenced by "Granny". At every Grandy's they had a "Granny" who would welcome you, walk around the restaurant clearing things, talking, filling drinks etc. I remember thinking "I want that job when I grow up".

You see where I'm going here... I've hit my goal!!! I'm a GranLady AKA "Granny"!!! Imma perfect my fried livers and get a soda fountain :)

Every place of business should have a "Granny". I think it would enhance businesses in general.

But... what do I know? I'm just a GrandLady ;)

Play Time

When I was growing up - back in the dark ages - we didn't have all this newfangled stuff to play with. Listen, I warned errbody way back when I first blogged that I ain't got no good grammar so don't come on up in hea and tell me I'm Southern mixed with some kind of gangsta. To be honest, It's hard for me not to type out how I would talk. I'm pretty sure that's why I have like 3 subscribers, I'm ok with that! This is mainly to log memories and just have fun.

Brings me back to... what was your favorite toy growing up??? I was born in 1975 so I'm telling the truf, we really didn't have all the tech stuff that's here today. We didn't really have a lot of toys.
We had a barn with animals, a farmer, wagon, silo and fence. I remember playing with that the most.
Outside was definitely my favorite. Riding my bike and just singing at the top of my lungs. Our neighbors surely thought I was a wild child. Well, other than the one who shot out our car window. Maybe a story for another time...

Our little trailer park probably wasn't the safest place in our town so mom and dad did well by not letting us go play in the neighborhood. Even still, I wore a path in front of our trailer riding back and forth acting like I was on my way somewhere important.

People say that as adults it's important to play. That sounds fun right?

For me, playing is using my creativity. Painting, crochet, making jewelry... I'm aware this is not the definition of "playing" to a lot of people.

Today I set out to play and have fun at some point. Wasn't sure what that looked like but I really had the best intentions. Came bedtime and I had only "adulted", nothing I would classify as "play time".

As I was winding down and getting ready for bed I saw the girls' charms that I'd been holding on to since February. I decided on Lillian's first Valentine's Day to get her a new charm for a bracelet every year. Hopefully something that speaks to that year. My challenge is - what to do for a boy now??? This year has been a bit nuts and even though I bought the charms in February I had not been able to put them on the bracelets. I pulled everything out and began to put them together. A gummy bear for LilyBell and a honey bee for Jubi! I write them a little note each year. Not sure when I'll give them to them. Seems like they would like it at 10 but probably appreciate it more at 18. We'll see how life goes :)

While doing this "task" it hit me... I'm playing, this is absolutely FUN to me!!!

Here's my point, as we get older our play time may look a little different. Although, my DIL did find a vintage barn that is exactly like the one I had as a child. She gave it to me for my birthday so I actually DO get to PLAY with the grands!!!!!

Go on... find time to PLAY!!!!!

Stay In Your Lane

Have you ever been side swiped?

Driving along, minding your own business and BAM! Someone comes out of nowhere into your lane and takes the side of your car with them. Or, maybe YOU sideswiped someone else? What was going down in your brain? Going too fast, maybe didn't see them at all? Maybe you were trying to avoid something in the road???

Whatever the case was it never ends well when we don't stay in our own lane.

The story behind the title:
Returning home from Whole Foods, I pass the area where the boys were in a car accident about 8 years ago. I usually take a second and reflect on that event. Very thankful it wasn't any worse. Our car was totaled but the boys were ok. A lady pulled out in front of/into them. This particular day I was thanking God just for life in general and carried on. I pulled up to the light in the right turn lane but we were turning left. The SUV beside me decided he/she was the only one on the road and turned wide into my lane like I wasn't there. In all honesty, I'm pretty sure they just flat out didn't see me. They had a HUGE vehicle and mine is small. That being said...

If you stay in your lane when you turn, um... it's actually an illegal turn when you turn wide into the other lane. Ask my boys how they know this LOL

Honking my horn is one of my LEAST favorite things to do and only happens in situations like this but rest assured I HONKED my horn. Thankfully between them correcting and me slamming on my breaks we avoided an accident.

As I was reflecting on this near accident the rest of the way home, I was convicted.

Stay in your lane Joy

In life, we often refer to staying out of other people's business as "stay in your own lane". Or when we take on more than we should "stay in your own lane"

Admitedly, it takes effort. Intentionality. Here's a challenge for me... what is my lane??? So many good anaolgies with this thought! One I hadn't considered was how by not staying in our own lane we could be pushing someone else OUT of their lane. Even to the point of causing chaos, backing up traffic, metaphorically speaking.

Here's my challange - to myself but if you would like to jump in, feel free :)

Find your lane.
Beware of distractions.
Stay focused on where you are going
Pay attention on sharp turns.
If by chance you need to change lanes, BLINKER PEOPLE!!!!!
Enjoy the ride.

Mess Bird

Strong storms can do some damage BUT they can also set in motion a new beginning. A few months ago we had high winds that blew a bird’s nest out of a large tree in our front yard. It landed on my car like it was meant to be there. This small seemingly meaningless event sent my emotions reeling. We are all aware this doesn’t take much but still… here we were. I took a picture and my thoughts began to swirl. Poor birds! Here they are with an empty nest and BAM it gets blown out of the tree. Their home, everything they knew, gone. Obviously I was emotionally attached at this point. I didn’t want to disturb it so my husband being who he is carefully picked it up and placed it in a small crepe myrtle tree. It left a mess on my car and in true fashion I didn’t wash it off for well… until the next time it rained 😂

My granddaughter Lillian noticed the mess on my car. I told her about the bird’s nest that was blown out of the tree and made a mess on GrandLady’s car. With motions I showed her how Papi carefully scooped up the nest and placed it in another tree so maybe the birds could still use it. Sweet girl listened so intently! From that time until now she has repeated the story in detail - with motions - and is constantly wanting to see the “mess bird” on my phone. I gladly show it to her and we recount the story in detail.

This year God has given me a new word every day. It has been my lifeline! I seek Him for it! Through prayer, worship music, friends… etc. He has spoken as He does - mysteriously.

My word today - Empty
I cried.
Yes Father I’m empty.
My nest.
My heart.
My soul.
Empty.

He says well, I’m building a “mess bird”.
Just when you think you’re used up and empty, tossed every which way by the wind; I’m going to fill you and give you a story - a new one!
Through this I’m learning many things.
* Storms come and go.
* He controls the winds and all that is In it.
* He says "How I use you is in my hands - I’m your creator, trust me"
* Listen to the sweet child voices - they are full of wisdom from the Father!
* Empty means the refilling is about to happen!

Exhale

By definition, exhale means "to breathe out". This would imply that one has been holding their breath.

Ever been there? Ever held your breath until you hear someone say "BREATHE!"

I have.

To exhale is just as important as breathing in deeply. If you don't exhale all of the air then breathing deeply is just about impossible. Sir google says it best "The main reason for exhalation is to rid the body of carbon dioxide, which is the waste product of gas exchange in humans". Whoa! That'll preach!

Have you watched someone - a mom typically - on the sidelines as their child is taking the game winning shot. After the shot whether they score or not, you see a long e x h a l e. Holding ones breath is a sign of anticipation/anxiety. The term "I'm holding my breath" says that someone is anxious about the outcome.

Exhale.

Go ahead.

Just let it out! There's peace in knowing we don't have to hold our breath. We know Who is in control and no matter what happens here on this fleeting earth, He's holding each deep breath and each exhale!

One of my favorite songs (there are many, trust me!)

Exhale by Plumb

Just let go
Let His love wrap around you
And hold you close
Get lost in the surrender
Breathe it in until your heart breaks
Then exhale
Exhale