CHANGES

Change. What an amazing word.

Used as a noun, its meaning can be transformation, alteration, substitution, variety or even coins of low denomination

Used as a verb, it could mean to transform, transfer one for another, remove and replace or to pass from one phase to another.

Google the definition of "change" and the list is endless.

Now, use "Change" in a word association exercise and the responses go from "Panic" and "Terror" to "Exhilarating" and "Progress". How could one word have so much power? Why do some fear change while others embrace and thrive with it?

I believe change is good. If we, as a society, never changed; we would not have become a society at all. If no one took a chance; what chance would we have to survive?

I personally enjoy change; especially small ones. They motivate me. I can get tired of cleaning the house until I change the decor or move furniture in one of the rooms. It's a whole new ballgame. I like bigger changes, too. I've always loved a challenge. Not to say I am fearless. Some changes are scary. I can always tell when I'm scared of change. I procrastinate. It's an ugly truth I alone must bear. I have told myself over and over again, I work better under pressure of a deadline; but when I'm fearful, I change the deadline.

What has help me is to answer the question: "What is the worse that could happen?"

Answer: "I'll know what doesn't work and try something else."

EARTH DAY is everyday

Our grandchildren on Easter Sunday.

Earth day was April 22. That's when we were to acknowledge and try to do something to improve our planet. I spent the day working in my yard and walking the dogs. PERFECT.

The last two years of research on organic and responsible living have opened my eyes.


My husband and I do live differently than we did 15-20 years ago. We have already became more aware; recycling, fluorescent light bulbs, energy efficiency. We are eating differently, too. I've been reducing the amount of processed food we eat. I am a little surprised how rewarding it has become. It does takes a little more planning, but not as much as I first thought. It's been fun trying new recipes. Not all have been successes. We discovered we didn't like a lot of basil on our pork loins. And we still have some processed food in the house. (I just need a few Lays potato chips occasionally.) The biggest rewards are how much better "real" food taste and how much better we feel.


A great website for finding healthy ways to live and help our planet is http://www.thegreenguide.com/.

And We Had FUN, FUN, FUN.....now that

I know this title means nothing to the "under 50" group; but it marks the beginning of an amazing week for me - starting with Sunday.

Husband, Ron, and I had 4 tickets to the Omaha Symphony Pops concert featuring the Beach Boys on Sunday. We took our grandchildren; Alex, age 11, and Cole, age 7, to share the "magic" with us.

In the '60's, this was Ron's and my first concert date at Rosenbladt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, "I know, Grandma; you've told us 3 times already".

Ron and I had a blast; and I think the grandkids enjoyed the catchy tunes; even though they were not as good as Nickelback - "NO WAY".

Monday and Tuesday:

Preparing for the vendor's booth at the ICAN Women's Leadership Conference in Omaha.

Finished reading the Twilight Series. (The series started off sophomoric for me, and then it grabbed me by the heart.)

Wednesday:

Stef and I went to Qwest Center to set up the booth. ANTICIPATION!!!!! Couldn't sleep.

Thursday:

Up at 4:30; on the road to Omaha at 6:00 - What will the day bring?

WOW!! What an exhilerating day! We met so many wonderful and interesting people. We loved them and they seemed to like us - it doesn't get better than that.

Friday:

Slept like a baby last night.....Worked on our new orders......got a foot massage and pedicure.....time with my grandson. Life is good.

THANK YOU.....I love you all.

My friend

I have a TON of tasks on my "to do" list.

We have a booth to get ready at the "I Can" Woman Leadership Conference in April.

I've found toddler's T-shirts I need to order.

I need to pay my bills and update my accounts.

Our tax returns are ready.

President Obama is speaking to Congress on television.

I'm busy.

Why is it all I can think about is the well being of my friend? She has been tirelessly working to mend and start the healing of a broken family relationship.

We have all had our family issues; some petty, some hurtful and some unvieldy. This is what she is up against - petty, hurtful and unvieldy issues.

She is conquering all. Why? Because she is doing this for love. That's the magic bullit. LOVE.

This is not amazing. It's hard; but not amazing. Working with love in your heart seems to cut through the maze and continues on until the job is done. The only thing I worry about is the drain on my friend. She gives and gives and gives. Let's give her our love and energy (prayers).

Stage Fright

I finally got back to my blog site. I was even surprised it had been 2 months since my last entry. Sure, I'm been busy getting the website up and running (we became official January 13, 2009).

Yes, we had another family medical crisis. My mother-in-law had colon cancer surgery. The prognosis is excellent. There will be more tests and procedures to made sure.

I have given notice at my paying job. I am now in the progress of training my very competent replacement. Soon, it will be full time marketing www.Rubij.com.

Blogging is part of a new business - "GETTING YOUR NAME OUT".

So. Why have I not been blogging?

Easy answer. I had been away from it long enough it scared me again.
It took my daughter, Stef, a long time to convince me to blog in the first place.

She blogs all the time "Mom, it's easy and fun". It's fun for her because she is an "open" person. She can share her feelings. I've read about her type in "Oprah". I, on the other hand, have a harder thing expressing my passion. It's there; but I'm afraid of opening the door too wide.

So, anyway, I'm back in the saddle. What got me going again? Look at the new picture of Mickey. I forgot about my "stage fright" and remember what is our mission.

You'll be seeing Mickey's new picture on our website as soon as I can figured out HOW to add it; but that's another blog entry.

Christmas mania!!!

I haven't posted for a while; I apologize. I (like all of you) have been occupied with the holiday season.

We have a small family; I shouldn't be overwhelmed; but........I CAN'T GET IT EVEN!!!!!.

Oh, all of you know what I mean. You're all done shopping....your list is complete......you lay the gifts out for wrapping; but wait. Oh no, Alex has one more gift than Cole; he will be brokenhearted. Quickly, back to the stores!!!!! Thank God, I noticed the inequality in time!!!!!

So it begins. I buy the extra gift for Cole; but find something I know Stef would love......on to find sometime nice for Doug. While picking up for Doug; Ohhhhhhh, Alex would love this!!!!

I'm sure there's a support group for this affliction. (Hello, my name is Sandy, help me stop).

Truth is, I love it. Love the looks on the faces of the ones I love. It doesn't get better that.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Giving Thanks

I love Thanksgiving day. Even though our small family is together a lot; this day is still special. I enjoy having the meal at my house; planning the menu, hoping the new recipes turn out right, praying everything will done at the same time; I want to serve a special meal to the most important people in my life.

Sounds dumb - right? Who cares - just another meal; like the many we share throughout the year? Why is this one so different?

This is my time reflect.

When I became a mother, the world changed.
When I became a grandmother, I changed.

The moment I became a parent, I viewed the world differently. Everything revolved around "what would be the effect" on my child. A person is sometimes overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising another human being. You want to do everything right (whatever that is). I wanted to give her the world, but at the same time, to teach her morals, the benefits of hard work, kindness, empathy; the list goes on and on.

Well, I lucked out. Stef grew up to be a wonderful person, in spite of me. Then, she and our son-in-law, Doug, gave us our first grandchild, Alexandria Grace.

I was in a position to babysit our grandchild full time. Stef was grateful, knowing the care I would give. But, she had also heard horror stories from her friends on "Grandma" taking over the raising of their children. She shared her concerns with me once in a tactful way; hoping I would never take Alex to get her "first" haircut, etc. I said "Stef, I already have a daughter". She knew what I meant. (See, I told you I lucked out.)

So, why is the love for grandchildren different?

For one, we didn't know until they appeared, there is another place in the heart for them. Also, we grandparents are in a more secured place in life. But I think the reason is the responsibility. We can just enjoy them. We can spoil; we can indulge; we can play.

Life is good. Give thanks.