Coloring Your World-- No Staying within the Lines Required

If you are like I was as a kid I had Crayola's and coloring book's to keep me occupied. It was one of my favorite past times in childhood. Whether it be a rainy day, or no kids to play with which happens often for only children, a coloring book can provide hours upon hours of fun. My early pictures were I am sure scribbles all over the page with no concept or reasoning. Then as I got older I came up with my own technique of color schemes and outlining the pictures. Somewhere down the line I decided to add the date then my picture was complete.

Back then I figured coloring books were invented by someone who knew that not everyone could be a free-handed artist, for which I am definitely NOT.

The closest I ever came to artistic design was as a figure skater. In school figures you could draw a figure eight with or without a scribe and follow the intricate pattern. In ice dancing each dance has a pattern to follow and most if looked at in a book or up close on the ice you can determine what dance it is.  Each skater's routine is usually plotted out with precise steps by a coach and choreographer.  Go to iceskatingresources.org or usfsa.org to check ice dancing/compulsory figure diagrams. They are not as detailed as they were at the start of figures but still a lost art of sorts since figures are no longer a requirement (sad but true).

Another fascinating use of coloring or art therapy is used for Alzheimer's patients. Used as an alternative therapy, The Alzheimer's Association of Orange County (AAOC) and artist Selly Jenny and Marilyn Oropeza developed Memories in the Making art program. This program works with persons with dementia and helps them express themselves through art when they otherwise may have little or no communication skills.  For some patients this outlet of expression has opened doors that were otherwise closed due to this terrible disease. Training sessions are available and additional information about this program is available by going to the alz.org website. Many chapters around the country are participating in this program.

Recently I came across several articles on adult coloring books. These are not just ordinary books. Most have themes as the one's I purchased below on Amazon. They have a wide variety of prices and styles to chose from. Other's are large scale posters with thin, fine lines that sadly even the older adult eyes might have difficulty in completing. Pull out that trusty lighted magnifying glass if you tackle those books!

Pinterest also has pinners who have started coloring book boards (myself included). Most pages you can print out and add your own unique colors too. Also the coloring craze seems to have a wide variety of printable pages available for free you just have to know where to look.

To keep with my connection to my figure skating roots a few months ago I found that former Two Time Olympic and World Champion Tai Babilonia was in the process of developing her own coloring book.  So far the pictures on her Facebook page "Tai Art" looks like it will be a fun one to add to my collection. I look forward to its release soon. 

Coloring is great therapy for any age, it can be a calming way to get your mind off hectic schedules or just a bad day in general.  I guarantee  your kids and grandchildren may want you to share your colors with them. It's your choice to stay within the lines, but it isn't required. 

Tai's Facebook Page is "Tai Art".

It Is Not Fair I am Not Ready for It

Well it is another where has the time gone moment. Just a few short weeks until the school year starts, the state fair will start in less than four days, and a friend of mine from my skating days mentioned that practices and competitions will be starting very soon.  Where has the time gone? Oh and to also top that have noticed way to many social media mentions of how many days, weeks and paychecks until Christmas!

When I competed in synchronized skating we had many practice sessions to iron out what our yearly program would be. Change after change, decisions about costumes, planning where we would go and what competitions was always a major decision making process; and with 20+ women and coach that was no small task. Everyone had opinions, ideas and was typically a challenge to agree. Not so different than anything else in life.

The state fair starts this week in town so a barrage of people from all over will be upon us. Planning how to get out of my subdivision will be a challenge for most of the time, avoiding some areas entirely will also be top on the list. Hearing "have you went to the fair yet?" surely I will hear at least a dozen times over the course. I am pretty sure I will at least go once. Sometimes I think I dislike going to the fair because I know that when it is over, so is the summer.

Which brings me to the third unfair moment. Time flies and it is truly unbelievable that our oldest grandchild will be starting Kindergarten. I am not sure who is having a harder time with this her mother or myself. I mentioned to several people that I don't believe I had as much of an issue sending my own two children away to school as much as I am having a difficult time with her going. I chalk it up to our changing society. I hope what we have all taught her doesn't get ruined by going to school. How silly does it sound?  Her old soul characteristics that shine frequently hopefully won't be ruined by whatever system is in place for the moment.  Keeping up with what everyone else does, has or wants was not a part of what my kids dealt with in school early on. Now it seems to be a whole different kettle of fish. I think we might get t-shirts that say "Just because so and so told you too do it doesn't mean you have too".

Oh well usually no one is ready for what life has to throw at you, but guess I will have to continue to skate through life as best I can. No blog pun intended. Better strap on my sharpened blades, may be in for a bumpy ride.

Trust

"Trust me, everything will come out fine". How many times have we heard that? Trust is something you have to build just like a house or relationship. Neither is an easy task.

A baby takes its first steps and usually it is with something or someone standing in front of it coaxing them forward one step at a time. Most of us do not remember those early days, but the days since we remember pretty vividly. Trusting to take the right step can be a tricky one.

I remember in my early skating days an instructor told me it would be beneficial to me if I tried a certain technique the way she taught me rather than the way I had learned by watching someone else. I had already gotten into a bad habit which was not helping me in my progress. So along with my instructor I had to "re-learn" the trick from scratch. It took constant practice over and over and over again to break the habit and the move did improve over a long, long period of time.

Often when you watch figure skating the commentator sometimes will comment that "oh he/she doesn't have the best technique" or "he/she recently changed instructors after many years and they had to go back to the drawing board and break down the trick in a better way". That can be a make or break situation sometimes when all the bad habits have to be erased. Easier said then done!

In today's society trusting others and even your gut instinct have battles all the time. Throughout my life it seems my "gut" instinct prevails over most anything. Sometimes I like to also call it my "Scorpion stinger" because most times when I get stung once, most often I don't get stung again in the same way.

Trust played a big part in our first start in our own truck business also.  I have always took the cautious route while David sometimes not so much. Our ying and yang complex. The offer he had been approached about didn't seem realistic to me but to him--a great deal. The little small voice kept insisting NO but I gave in with much reservation. The to good too be true situation lasted longer than I expected but eventually it did sour. It was definitely a learning experience for both of us and several years later when we again had the opportunity we went into it with a whole different perspective. Thank goodness twenty years later we have been blessed. We have managed well with only a few bumps in the road. Expansion was never on the list because too much of a good thing can lead to disaster. We have seen it happen with many in business for themselves. Taking on more than you can handle, giving up control to other's can lead you down the wrong path. That little small voice has won out.

Trust me, everything in life will eventually come out fine, or so I am told. Over and over and over again.

Summer Days--Summer Nights

What is summer without hot days? I have expressed many times I dislike humidity. The hot, breath of summer hitting you in the face the same in the morning and also late at night--not my idea of fun summer life. Warm with a breeze in which you can sit out and enjoy the sunrise or sunsets is more to my taste. We have only had a few of those lately with a helping of cloud formations for storms either coming or going by. We may have not had 100 degree weather (yet) but it inches closer and closer to three digit temperatures. Maybe if we are lucky (fingers crossed) we won't have any this season.

One night recently when it was cool enough to sit out on the porch and actually enjoy a breeze, made me think of summer evenings as a kid. We didn't have fans, or air conditioning, we really didn't need them living close to the coast but sometimes all you could do is find a place on the floor, open the sliding glass window and think cool thoughts. With the lights on and some form of music playing your imagination took you to places only a youngsters mind could.

Summer vacations typically started out with summer school to curb boredom in the mornings. I was one of those strange kids that didn't mind going at all. Trips to the library to get books to read and skating sessions at the skating rink. What kid didn't want to go to the rink in sub zero temperatures and come out from the rink only to have your feet steam from the sudden temperature changes. While spending time on Pinterest recently I found the picture below that summarized it oh so well.

If enough time was to be had for the rest of the day you spent some time in the sun to get a little of the white ice rink pale face a little color. If we only had spray tans back then like they do today. Somehow the orange tan lotion just didn't cut it.

This summer enjoyment will be coming to an end soon hopefully all the other social uproar that has been a part of our lives lately will also just be a memory also. Only we can make that possible. The weather well you know Mother Nature does what she wants--doesn't every woman?

Wake Up People

Well this past week has been an interesting one. The weather has been soggy, and my schedule, thank goodness I use pencil when I am actually writing it down and with my new phone my alerts would buzz on the 10 minute before it happened.

The older we get the more we seem to need a little push or sometimes a slap on the head to either remember something that needs to be done or maybe just to change the perspective that needs updating. Living where we attempt to get all seasons (they may be a month or two off in some cases or stuck on the same weather event) but I like to compare people sometimes to hibernating animals. We have been in the warm winter comfortable blanket and when its time to shed it, I am usually the first person stripping to spring clothing, airing the house or just making the change over as quickly as possible.

Some people might consider the town in which I live a small bedroom community, other's would say boy are you wrong it is a big town of almost 23,000. However you look at it,some people's desire to kick it into gear can be slower than slow.

This past week we had many people from according to the local newspaper, all over the globe. The weekend was a get together for Red Power Roundup International Collectors. I personally did not come into contact with any of the visitors but the traffic it brought to town made for some unique driving skills and patience for which mine became ragged. The sudden, although by the article businesses knew at least a year in advance of the event, it seemed as though most of the businesses I frequent on a regular basis were ill-prepared to say the least. I have always said don't wait until the last minute to hire someone and expect them to learn the entire operation under excessive pressure--most are ill-equipped.

I think the one major thing that never sits well with me is how people have to be told to "make visitors extra welcome so they think highly of our town". This leaves a bitter taste in my mouth each time I actually see it in print.  Hence, the title of this blog. WAKE UP PEOPLE, do you really think that impresses people when they act different than the normal everyday way? Why leave a false sense if security. This town or no town that I have ever visited rolls out the perfect red carpet.

I always go back to the same movie scenario "Funny Farm". Rent it, Netflix or however you want to watch. It's one of Chevy Chase's funniest and fits any small town to a tee.

Our society seems to have many "wake up people" moments on the horizon. With elections coming up, the economy ever changing, sometimes we need to be hit over the head. Alarm bells sound every day for the varying amount of diseases, remedies to take and ways to change our life. I am all for making changes, but don't change who you are to make everyone else feel welcome.

Over the weekend I volunteered at out annual golf tournament for the organization I have volunteered for over 10 years. The beautiful scenery, even with the rain storms brought out all the wonderful nature the hosting town has.

I captured the picture of the hummingbird, (not always an easy task). The wing speed is always fascinating to me. The fact that pictures of the little birds are a little hard to get, I felt fortunate it stopped to get a quick drink before going off somewhere else. I guess the feeder was its welcome to the clubhouse, red carpet moment and no one really made that much out of it.

I May Have Lost My Mind, but Not My Heart

I am borrowing our pastor's sermon title again. I felt it was a rather good fit for the past several weeks.

When I worked full time, had an hour commute and dropped off kiddos and navigated my way through routines in my 20's and 30's ice skating was my sanctuary. Pregnancy brain, fast-paced life I attempted to keep from losing my mind and skating was such a wonderful outlet. The ice rink was cold and would calm me and I could blow off steam all at once. Skating will always hold a dear place in my heart. Now its keeping up with skating friends on social media and gliding through a next generation of skaters.

I am still a Mom and now a MiMi, and sometimes have those lose your mind moments. You take on extra responsibilities,  have a list of projects you want to complete and those honey-do's for the hubby.  I possibly might lose my mind during the completion of the many house projects we have on the list. Doing as many as possible during the nice weather months sometimes turns out to be like the shell game. Too many things need attention before the luxury just want updates. Hopefully the smaller list will get done before the weather turns, I am hopeful. I had happiness abound last week to have two rooms painted. The older we get the more basic changes can make us happy.

Our fourth grandchild arrived the end of last month. Not soon enough for my daughter who had an eventful first trimester of the pregnancy  and by the last few weeks was feeling ready for the blessed event. It was funny how slightly similar our deliveries of our second child were. If it is any indication Gentry will be a force to be reckoned with. Now that she has two little ones, I am sure she will have many instances in the next several years where she may think she will lose her mind. Rest assured every parent but especially Mom's wonder if they are giving enough time to each kid and yet still have time for themselves.  I am a firm believer of "ME" time. If you don't give yourself a break I don't believe you can truly be the best parent you can be. Children need to grow just like the plumeria flower in the above picture. They need nurturing, water, food, a trim now and then and eventually they will blossom into what you see in front of you with maybe a little extra help.

I questioned all the time if I was around enough when they were little, was a stay at home Mom  when they were teenagers and probably around more than they wanted. I didn't always get my lost my mind time away for the last several years but tried to make do with the arrangements that I was given and roll with it. 

I have probably lost my mind more than I care to admit, but at this stage in life my heart continues to grow with the love of family, finding things I enjoy for fun and connecting with friends although most are far, far away.

Thanks pastor for the inspiration.  Starting the week with a clear mind, but a happy heart.

A List of First Time's in a Lifetime

We have all heard, "first time for everything" throughout our lifetime. I remember my first skating competition. I wore a blue dress that my mom made and I beaded myself. The rink the competition was held at has been gone for years but it was one of my favorites because it had a mural around the entire rink so it made it look like you were skating outside.

Think of how many times a first comes into your life. First kiss, first time riding a two-wheel bicycle, driving a car, first time you try a new food.  Many firsts come in and out of your life during your entire lifespan.

Recently my daughter and granddaughter and I experienced a first time going for a spa day. As the due date comes closer and closer  for our fourth grandchild, my daughter wanted a relaxing pedicure. My granddaughter got to experience her first time getting her toes painted by someone other than Mom or MiMi. She took it all in and we had a good time. While at the salon we encountered a couple and their first pedicure experience. The young lady talked her boyfriend into getting a pedicure. He didn't seem too enthusiastic at first, lots of laughter and strange facial expressions between them but it provided laughter and chatter among the customers and staff. He was definitely a trooper to go along. I know my husband even when we were dating would have never and will never have that first experience.

Our other granddaughter had her first dance recital. She definitely has showbiz in her blood already.  Watching all our grandchildren experience many first time things will be a joy.

It is not just about one time situations though. Repeating things you enjoy helps too. We watch sunrises and sunsets many times throughout our life, yet each one is like seeing it for the first time.

I guess the music group Foreigner knew what they were doing when they had the song "It Feels Like the First Time".  Each experience in life is different and sometimes better as time goes on.