Another Year Older

Time flies it seems when another birthday rolls around. 47 years and what do I have to show for it? A few more grey hairs that I have to touch-up more and more, a couple more wrinkles to try and hide with creams and potions, a few more aches and pains but hey overall I have had an interesting, eventful, unpredictable, life so far.

This past weekend we brought back a tradition and went skating for my son's birthday who just so happens to be the day after mine. His first on ice experience was at the age of 4, although he had pretty much grew up at the rink, tagging along with me. We walked down memory lane about that first experience because it was also when he met Tom Hanks and got his autograph. He was their for a family get together and was gracious enough to give Matthew an autograph and also sing a little Happy Birthday song on the spot. I remember he was just so nice to take the time with a 4 year old. I also remembered how Matthew told him he had seen a couple of his pictures "Man with One Red Shoe" and "The Burbs". This of course was early in his career and way before his multi-Academy Award winners but he chuckled at the fact that a young boy would know those films. Probably films he would like to forget now...What an experience it was....

Matthew turns 23 today, hard to believe but that day will forever be in my mind. He took his time coming and he still continues to be a bit of a procrastinator to this day. The little story about his arrival according to David is that I had said over and over that I really didn't want to share my birthday with him since I had up to that point had to share my birthday with my adoptive father and I didn't think it was fair. So Matthew was born at approximately 2:00 a.m.
I still stick to my story that he controlled the time he was born not me, but David still thinks differently.

Anyway we had a great weekend and look forward to the next birthdays in both our futures

People Watching and Old Memories

I remember when I was growing up I spent alot of time entertaining myself. Something you do alot when you are an only child. Be it sitting at the mall or even when I was skating at the rink I would spend an awful lot of time just standing and watching people. (This used to make my mom mad as she always said with the little time we had to skate I wasn't using my time wisely).

In today's times of multi-tasking I still find it easy to observe people. Recently I was at a Ladies Night with my Beauticontrol business and these always give you a great opportunity to watch people and the different reactions they make to things. I happened to be next to a guy from a major water distribution company and he had free water for people as they walked by. He told those who stopped by that ice cold water is better for you than any other as it boosts your metabolism and allows you to burn calories better. Most of those who stopped to listened were surprised at this what seemed like new information to them. As one woman stopped to listen she asked the gentlemen, "So if I eat ice cream does this also burn more calories because it is cold?" As I listened and watched as he tried to as gently as possible not to embarrass the woman he replied, "No I am sorry it's not the same" we both couldn't help but get a chuckle out of it.

It did bring a memory back from my childhood though. I remember when we would go out to a restaurant and they would always fill your water glass with water and I would quickly grab the glass and drink feverishly, the first words out of my parents mouth were "don't guzzle your water it will spoil your dinner".

Little did I know they were doing me a favor.....Now I "guzzle" that water today so I don't eat all my food....Imagine that....

Observation of a Generational Difference

A recent trip to a home improvement store opened my eyes to how wide generations really are today and how professionalism isn't what it used to be.

A woman approximately in her 70's or 80's was with her grandson and were purchasing carpet to have it installed. As I was waiting to pay for my purchases I noticed that the woman was attempting to conduct her business with the 20 something clerk. The clerk was not making eye contact and was not talking directly to the woman. You could tell that the clerk was trying to complete the order as fast as possible without any real conversation. As the transaction was coming to and end the clerk looked away and the customer extended her hand out to shake the clerks hand. The clerk was clearly not paying any attention and the woman continued to extend her hand and respond "thank you" several times. Finally the clerk turned around and slowly extended her hand and chuckled with a faint "thank you" back.

It is painfully obvious by these sometimes daily occurrences that society today shamefully has lost its ability for personal, professional connections along with kindness and manners.

Not Always a Walk in the Park

Two years ago I began a quest to get back into better shape. Since moving to MO 12 years ago my figure skating routine went seriously by the wayside since the closest rink is over an hour away so I started walking. First it was just around the neighborhood but since the weather doesn't always permit walking outside, I then started going to the track at the local community college. That gets boring and hard to walk at a consistent speed when you are jockeying around people. But needless to say I try and get out at least 4 times a week for an hour.

Something that definitely helps to perk one's mood up is the fact that outside walking you have the chance to see the seasons changing. I am more of a spring/summer person and as fall has begun here in full swing just the fact that by walking you are not only becoming more healthy but it helps to take your mind off other things in your life.

The good part since I have gotten more active is that I have lost 30 lbs. With walking and changing my eating patterns (I don't like the word "diet" anymore I chose to use lifestyle change) It isn't hard once you put your mind to it and have noticed it has helped with sleeping, and overall I feel better too...

30 Year Reunion

Well it is hard to believe that 2009 will be my 30 year high school reunion. Wow!! it is hard to believe it has been that long, and boy sooo much has happened I can't believe it. The day I walked that line to get my diploma and walked out of Banning High School is literally a lifetime away. The person that walked those halls has done a complete 180 and so many stories to tell.

Growing up an only child, a meek and mild young lady with absolutely no idea what life was really like outside the walls of my parents house. It would take many years, and many stumbles to try and figure out who I am. I don't think I still have figured that out yet. I don't know maybe we really never find out who we really are.

The fantasy is always there of going back in time and reliving your school years, especially high school. I would have liked to be more popular, do more activities, take chances like others did but I guess that would have changed who I am today.

One thing I wish is that more of us had kept in touch with each other throughout the years. I Of course lately several have come out of the woodwork with e-mails. I guess out of sight out of mind and then it hits us. I think I am lucky I do have a couple I hear from time to time, we've married (some of them multiple times) had children (some of them many, some none) there children have married now they have grandchildren; unbelievable sometimes!

We all have different memories of high school, overall my experience went well. And also I can say there were teachers that I would later say had overwhelming influence on how I live my life to this day.

I am sure it will be fun to see them. Because we probably really haven't changed much at all.. Yeah Right! the clicks will probably be the same, a little more weight, or maybe less....a little grey hair, or some are bald, but deep down we are still the same kids that walked the halls, a little more wisdom and all with paths that took different ways in life.

A Banning Pilot forever.......