Fakegrandmother's Blog

It’s about the baby Jesus…not me!

fakegrandmother — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:31:09 +0000

Bah Humbug. Depression? Maybe? Perhaps just exhaustion, but something has made me not in the Christmas mood. The house is decorated. Even the outside lights are cheery and beautiful. I hosted a holiday party for friends last weekend and attended two festive gatherings this weekend. But still that “poor me” attitude prevailed.

Then it hit me! The season is NOT really about if I am happy with the way things are going in my life. It is NOT even about me giving to others, however generous or noble that may be. The season could happen without a single stocking hung or tree trimmed.

Though I have known this from my earliest being, I need to re minded. It’s about the baby Jesus, dummy. Nothing I do for charity or for family and friends has any real significance if it is not done in His name and because of my love for Him.

I do not need to be festive. The Lord does not call me to host parties or make wassail. He calls me to acknowledge and give thanks for the coming of His son. And if I happen to fond time for other things, fine. But until I get my priorities straight, no wonder I am not filled with unbridled joy. If I truly focused on His unspeakable gift, how could I not be overwhelmed with thanksgiving and joy!

Time to Quit Mourning the World Series Loss

fakegrandmother — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:26:26 +0000

I have been sick of stomach, head and heart for 10 days, but now it is time to face the fact my Rangers LOST the World Series. Heart wrenching though the loss was……we were ONE STRIKE AWAY from winning twice….it is time to move on.

I learned the difference between a fan and a fanatic this fall. There were many many people, including most of my dear friends, who like the Rangers and even wear the appropriate apparel during the post season and watch the games.

Then there are us fanatics who live and die by each and every pitch and swing. We know way too much about the players’ families and background. We are physically ill when there is an error ar if the ump blows the call.

The down side of being a fanatic is that you can’t put the game behind you and go about your business as usual. Yep, it it like a death and demands going through the stages of grief.

So now I must go about finishing that process and wait until spring. Pitchers and catchers report late February. I’ll be ready, boys!

Day 3 of the New Diet Exercise Plan…Let’s Get this Diabetes in Check

fakegrandmother — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:18:56 +0000

150
67
201
47

Those were my blood glucose levels over the course of four hours. If you are not familiar with this, my personal optimal blood levels are 80-110 in the morning and about 140 after dinner. Below about 75 I become weak and shaky. Above 200 is really bad for my health.

So the DRs want to change Medici e all the time but it doesn’t seem to be helping so I am taking charge. Dr. Cindy is in command.on a stringent diet and exercise plan. Turning down lunch invitations to stay at work and eat my solitary lunches. Id it is not on my list it doesn’t go in my mouth. And exercise is a priority…specific days for card and strength training. I usually start out a new regiment well but fall off the wagon.but this time it is not just my jeans getting tight. This time it is about my health and life.

I think I can…I think I can…I must do this.

Back to back World Series, Baby!

fakegrandmother — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:28:58 +0000

Forty years. Yep that is how long I waited to see my beloved Texas Rangers go to the World Series. That 2010 trip to the Fall Classic was short…only one win against the SF Giants.

But we are BACK! This year we head to St Louis after a resounding game 6 rout to win the ACLS. The fun is just beginning. October is great in 2011 if you are a Ranger fanatic.

World Series here we come!

Thankful For A Good Day

fakegrandmother — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:03:23 +0000

Lots of days are rotten lately. Stress and pressure permeate most days at work recently. But today? Quite a positive day with more than a few smiles and laughs.

Thank you, God, for this day. A good day can help me get through some of those not so happy days!

International adventure

fakegrandmother — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:31:46 +0000

I work with international and immigrant families all the time. Love meeting families from different cultures. So this fall I signed up throughout a local university to be a “friend” for an international student. I envisioned an 18 year old that would need a little mothering, some home made treats and a place to do laundry.

I got my student’s name and I fo. He is from India and is a PhD candidate in some micro something something I can’t pronounce program. I had to chuckle. I was worried about the language factor but perhaps I should worry that he is brilliant and I won’t have the cerebral skills needed to communicate.

Have an orientation tonight. Cannot wait to meet my new friend. In the meantime, that person walking around with her head in a dictionary learning vocal about the micro ?? program is me!

Birthday Week Fun

fakegrandmother — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:24:06 +0000

Work is still crazy.my diet is shot. I am not sleeping well. But last week brought a Ray of sunshine in the person of my daughter. She flew in for my birthday and I took the day off and spent it with her and hubby. What a wonderful respite from the stress of the work week.
We had brunch out and then I took a nap while she and her dad ran errands for me in advance of the dinner party I hosted for myself!
Yep I invited friends over to visit with lovely daughter. But don’t think I spent time in the kitchen. Nope.pick up catering is the best thing ever. I even used ……..dare I admit it…….paper plates and napkins. That is usually a no no in my house, but the rules were broken so that there was no stress…just fun visiting with friends.

Dessert deserves a mention here. Nothing Bundt Cake just opened here and my great friend Joanne brought these scrumptious little individual cakes. HEAVEN!

Daughter is gone back to Colorado. The cake is gone. I am back at work where the stress doesn’t seem to lessen. But I have great memories of happy times. And that is about the best thing any of us have.

Spent

fakegrandmother — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:06:53 +0000

Spent! Yep that’s the word! And I do not mean like my money is spent the day I get paid.
Even when I was 9+ months pregnant, or when I stayed at the hospital for days with a family member, I retained a small amount of energy.
Not so now. Exhausted inside and out. Too tired to cook. Too tired to read the newspaper. Even too tired to attend a party tonight….and boy do I love a good party!

For the past 5 weeks work has drained everything out of me.Nothing left to give to anyone.
Yep…SPENT!

Finally …have time to post

fakegrandmother — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 03:38:23 +0000

I have heard the phrase, I haven’t had a moment to even breathe! I did not understand what that meant until the last few weeks. When I returned to work to get things ready for the new academic year, I had no idea that I would be so swamped.
It has been the most grueling few weeks of my working life!
Hopefully I will get to sleep and relax a bit for the first time next weekend with an extra day off for Labor Day.
What a month!! n

How to surprise spouse without making a gaffe!

fakegrandmother — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:02:04 +0000

Spouse has a dream. Has had it for a long time. An expansive, expensive dream. In 10 month he reaches the magic age of 65. I know that deserves a grand celebration! So, I would like to grant his wish. But the logistics are quite problematic. These are the burning questions:

1. Is the most fun in the planning an anticipating? If so, am I taking away some of his joy by making all the arrangements and then just announcing plans a few weeks prior to event?

2. There are several opportunities out there and include several groups of friends that could be involved. What if I choose the group that he would not choose.

3. I will have to blindly call his office manager and ask her to discreetly reserve his days off to celebrate. What if the time is all wrong. She does not know all his obligations. And what happens if someone sees the Calendar and spills the beans?

4. What if he does not REALLY want to do this…just talks about it with friends as part of general conversation. Like, for example, when I say I would love to live in a high rise loft in Manhattan. I would love that but I also do not someone to sell my house and spend my $$ purchasing it for me.

So what is a spouse to do?
Decisions, decisions!