Deja Vu

I was channel surfing an hour or so ago. When I got to the local PBS channel, they were playing an episode of "The Lawrence Welk Show" from around 1969. I stopped to watch for a bit- I soon felt my eyes tearing up. When I was a small girl, I spent most week-ends at my great-grandmother's house. Lawrence Welk was one of her favorite stars. She always said that she'd love to be on his show and picked out of the audience to dance . They often showed couples dancing while the music was playing.
We would huddle downstairs every Saturday night in her tiny den to watch Lawrence. She had a piano in this small room and a red leather sofa. I think red must have been the color of choice in the 1960's as my other grandmother had one as well.
So, for a few moments this evening, while sitting on my eggplant colored leather sofa, I was transported back in time to 1965.
When the program ended, I found myself singing the theme song (and knowing the words by heart) - Good night, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you. Here's a wish and a prayer that all your dreams come true. And now, until we meet again, adios, au revoir, auf wiederschen. Good night!

Nanny's Back in the Swing of things

Today is Friday. I feel happy and less anxious about the things which I have no control over. This has always been a difficult thing for me- I worry all of the time. I worry that I won't have anything to worry about! I feel anxious when my children are feeling anxious. Only thing is, they are not children any longer. They are all over the age of 18 and doing fine. I worry about them, anyway. I have a step-father who is having critical health issues. I have an aunt who has lung cancer. However, these are the things which I have absolutely no control over. I worry about my daughter and son-in-law and grandson. They will be making a major move this spring. I will no longer be able to reach their home in 2 hours by car. It will now have to be 3 or 4 hours by plane. Again, no control.
I've been a worrier since I was a small child. Back then, I had a lot of responsibility thrust upon me --I worried constantly . I couldn't concentrate in school because I was worried about my family situation.
I try to let things go and be happy. That is another difficult thing- being happy JUST BECAUSE. Being happy that I have a nice home, a nice car to drive, enough to eat, a job that helps to pay our household bills, friends and family that are supportive, grown children that are kind and responsible young adults.
So, that being said, my new mission in life is to let go, be happy and QUIT WORRYING!! It doesn't do any good and only increases my anxiety. As the saying goes:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Simple yet to the point.

Gian's Nanny- Sad Edition

I've had the blues today. Real bad. I don't get them very often but every now and then I am overwhelmed. Today is one of those days.
Men typically don't understand- they assume that it's always hormonal. It may be indirectly since the change of life is at my heels. I called my daughter and cried in her ear. She's pregnant and likely has her own hormonal issues. She didn't need to hear her Mother, who is usually the voice of reason, have a meltdown on her lunch break.
Sometimes the little things in life just pile up and we need a good cry. I think that tomorrow will be better.

Pretty Confection

These are photos of the lovely birthday cake that my future daughter-in-law and her sister made for me on Saturday. It was a dense, lemon cake with a marzipan-like icing. It was VERY YUMMY!!!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Today I am 48 and feeling great!!! (well, sort of!) Other than the inner ear infection that I've been fighting with all week, the after-effects of the antibiotics to treat same, I am feeling great.
I had my first facial last night. Boy, was that a wonderful treat. She (my esthetician) applied some sort of mud mask that smelled like heaven. My face has never had such a silky feel to it. She wouldn't even charge me for it since it was my birthday. She is a wonderful lady and friend.
My sweet husband is taking me to see the new DeNiro / Pacino movie today and then out for Mexican food. This may not sound like much to many folks but (a) My husband detests sitting in movie theatres (b) My husband detests Mexican food even more. I may let him off of the hook on the Mexican food part of the deal. We can compromise on that one! I am thinking that he is agreeable to the movie only because it stars 2 of his favorite fellow Italian countrymen. :)
My oldest son left me a very sweet card and the new Al Green CD. I've been a fan of Al Green since I was about 12 years old.
I received a very sweet card from my daughter and son-in-law. It's funny how my daughter has begun to appreciate me in a different way since she now has a family of her own. Perhaps she has realized that I wasn't QUITE so stupid after all!! We had some rows during her teen years but she is an excellent Mother to my grandson and is expecting a new baby in the spring. She is married to a great guy and they have accomplished more in their early 20's than most do in a lifetime--and all on their own.
My youngest son had to be at work at 7 am but has invited me out for breakfast tomorrow. That means a lot since he works in a restaurant and going out for food is probably the last thing he wants to do---but then again, I have exceptional children. It means a lot as a parent to know that your children love and respect you- we are always here for our children no matter what the problem and love them unconditionally. I guess there's a lot to be said for "what goes around, comes around."
This promises to be a lovely day and for all of the above reasons, I am most grateful.

September Song

I've always looked forward to the month of September with much anticipation, though I've spent many while living in Florida evacuating or moving back home. I am most grateful that none of the above have occurred thus far in 2008. For me, it signals the beginning of Fall as well as the holiday season. It is the month in which I was born as well as my younger sister. When I was a young girl, we typically began getting cool weather in September. This does not happen in Central Florida but I can turn down my A/C at home and pretend.
We had a good trip to visit with our daughter and her family over Labor Day week-end. I so enjoyed being on the floor and playing with my grandson. He is such a joy! My husband commented that my back doesn't seem to hurt when I am rolling around with Gian- he's right. Even if it did, I'd ignore the pain. Our daughter is beginning to show in her pregnancy. She looked a little green a couple of times while we were visiting. Took me back to my younger days. My son-in-law prepared a lovely dinner of chicken scampi for us on Friday evening after our Mayo Clinic appointments. While I still have areas of concern, my tests hadn't changed in the last 6 months so I was one happy camper.
All in all, September is starting out on a good note.....I have much to be grateful for and much to look forward to.