Life

Random 5 Friday – Opening day, extra days and Adulting

Posted on November 15, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday and time again for Five Randoms from my world. Ready? Let’s go!

1 – November 15th – the “high Holiday”- it’s opening day of firearm/rifle season in Michigan. Several years ago I traveled across the state on a beautiful Fall morning, completely oblivious that it was “opening day.” About an hour into my two-hour trip my attention turned from my tunes to the abundance of men in Orange jackets and pickup trucks off-road. Startled deer burst out of the woods and across the highway. I’ve never made that mistake again- nope, no more opening day road trips for me!

High-tail it Martha!

2 – This made me laugh out loud because it’s a little too true and don’t you dare touch my red spatula!

3 – Last week my team & I put together our Holiday time-off schedule – it wasn’t until I did so that I realized I have an extra WEEK of vacation days to use before year-end. My face when I realized the mistake in my favor:

swirling, twirling dance of JOY!

4 – As a result -I’ve taken the WHOLE week of Thanksgiving off + time at Christmas AND New Year’s- I have a new verb for what I’ll be doing: Hallmarking! I plan to sleep till I wake, read till I can’t, watch sappy movies, decorate, cook, clean, work out, putz around and mostly lean in hard to my highly-savored time OFF!

5 – Even with the holidays off I still have days to spare – I’m saving those for our new grand-baby’s December arrival. I plan to cuddle and rock our little one, take care of Mom & Dad, cook, clean and fuss over them all. ❤

When’s the last time a mistake worked in YOUR favor?

Love in a rocking chair

Posted on November 10, 2019 by emjayandthem

Going through family photos last year, I snapped cell photos of the ones I wanted and this one takes me right back to our farm Kitchen, the heart of our home.

and Emjayandthem (C) photo

– The morning sun streaming in through sheer curtains trimmed in cheery yellow.

– The metal pail to the right, filled with garden tools and produce.

– A can of coffee and a tin of Raleigh salve atop the fridge.

– …. and our family rocking chair.

It’s where she sat restless kids or misbehavers, those who needed “time to think.”

It’s where she put us as she laced up shoes & boots, tied scarves and matched up mittens.

It’s where she placed items before heading to town – a baby gift, a dessert to drop at the rink, a bill to be paid.

It’s where she read to us – and where we learned that, reading to children, even before they can understand words, teaches them to associate books with love and affection.

She taught us there was always time for stories, for love and affection.

No wonder I love books – and her – so much.

+ + +

What does this photo say to you?

Categories: Beauty, Blogging, Family, Growth, Home, Joy, Life, Mom, Opinion, Personal, Quotes, Thoughts, Wisdom, Women | Tags: affection, coffee, family, life, love, love of books, love of reading, memories, Mom, old photos, parenting, Raleigh salve, Reading, reading to children teaches them to associate books with love and affection, rocking chair, simple pleasures | 12 Comments

October Random 5 ~ Prayers, Waylon & the smell of home

Posted on October 12, 2019 by emjayandthem

Here we are on the weekend of Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving ~ we’re smack dab in the middle of my favorite season: FaLL, glorious Fall! Crisp apples, sunshiney days, something simmering in the oven. Cozy blankets, good sleeps, wonderful drives and cool breezes.

Here are 5 Randoms from my October world:

1 ) I don’t watch a lot of TV but I binge-watched this series and doing so took me right back to my parents kitchen, soup simmering, AM radio on, and a Hank Williams or Waylon Jennings song on the radio … so good!

Excellent!! For more visit https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/country-music/

2 ) Speaking of, I remember Willie & Waylon from their “Outlaw” Days, partying hard and having fun. But here’s a little some-something I discovered while watching that series … who knew, that before the greasy hair and cowboy hats, that Waylon Jennings was that good looking? Day-umn! **Might have rewound the show, not telling. 😉

A young Waylon Jennings

3 ) A year ago I visited the Billy Graham library in Charlotte, N.C. What an amazing and humbling experience that was, especially when, at the end of the tour, a volunteer asked if she could pray for me. I accepted, and that experience, and her gentle words of faith, remains deeply touching to me. I’ve recently discovered Podcasts and enjoy listening to them while driving to and from my many meetings. This week, the Billy Graham Ministries Podcast appeared in my “suggested” queue ~ random? Not so much.

The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C.

4 ) Cooking last night for a family baby shower this weekend, our kitchen windows steamed up from the heat ~ On the stove simmered Sloppy Joe’s, in the oven roasted Cheesy harvest potatoes and a from-scratch pizza for the hubbs. He may have visited the kitchen several hundred times … I heard the screech of his slipper brakes as the pizza came out of the oven, bubbling and wonderful. We sampled and enjoyed and felt the coziness that comes from a contented life together. And when we got up this morning our house still smelled of all I’d cooked the night before. Say what you will, there’s not a candle made that can match the smell of “home.”

5 ) Fall leads to Winter and you know what that means to me? Books, books and more books! I’ve assembled quite a stack over the summer, some new and some new-to-me … They’re waiting for me like good friends at the ready. Waiting for a perfectly cozy Fall day with sunshine streaming in, a cozy blanket and no particular place to be. Ahh.

So what’s new in your October world?

Categories: Beauty, Blogging, Confidence at any age, Faith, Food, Fun, Gratitude, Home, Joy, Life, News, Opinion, Personal, Seasons, Uncategorized | Tags: apples, Billy Graham, Books, Confidence, country, faith, Fall, Grace in your Space, Johnny Cash, joy, Ken Burns, music, PBS, podcasts, things I love, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson | 6 Comments

Random 5 Sunday – Roasts, Pizza, Closets & Carpe Diem

Posted on September 22, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s a rainy September Sunday … time for a quick random 5 from my corner of the world. Ready? let’s go!

Randoms!

1 ) Pot Roast – Rain. Dark. Cool. Roast in the Crock-pot. There’s been at least 15 Kitchen visits by Hubbs … with commentary .. “Sure does smell good in here,” “is that roast going to be ready for supper tonight?” “man what a perfect day for a roast!” Yep, my man likes himself a roast of beef. The “pot roast” has been simmering all day ~ I’ve prepped mashed potatoes for him and oven-roasted vegetables for me (sweet potatoes, carrots, onion, yellow potatoes tossed in olive oil, rosemary and garlic .. yum) + steamed broccoli, a salad plus fresh rolls with butter. It’s raining and cool .. and we couldn’t be comfier.

#SundayAhhs

mmmm Pot Roast

2 ) Pizza – The man-who-loves a roast also loves him some Pizza. LOVES it. Could eat it 3-4x a week and has. He’s always scouting for the best tasting pizza — a normal to thin crust, light sauce, pepperoni, ham and bacon with extra cheese. He decided to try the “take & bake kind” last night, and bounced around my kitchen while cooking it “to perfection” last night. He served himself two pieces and settled in to enjoy it but reported back with a problem: no. sauce. Not light sauce, not heavy sauce, no – they forgot ALL sauce. Hubbs got cheesy-bread & was not happy about it.

#Pizzafail

this is what he hoped for …

3 ) Scales never tell your whole story – I regularly weigh myself but also take measurements 1x a month. Another reason to (mostly) ignore the scale – in the past 30 days I’ve lost 2.8 pounds but also 11 inches. I’m in between sizes again. If I had ONLY been paying attention to the scale I would have thrown in the towel 2 weeks ago, grabbed a snack and said to h*ll with it. Yes the scale can be helpful but inches tell your WHOLE story.

Tip – If you’re just beginning a health/wellness initiative first measure neck, chest, waist, hips, each thigh and each bicep. Measure again 1x a month – SO helpful!

#MeasuringTapesMakemeSmile

4 ) Closet Clean out – Measuring today gave me the incentive I needed to, once again, clean out my closet. I’ve been talking about this for a few months now, and wanting to get to it, but lacking motivation. Today was the day – I started by pulling out every bit of clothing that:

I don’t wear
I don’t like
doesn’t fit
I don’t want

Soon I had a big stack covering my bed, wow.

Next, on one side, I sorted & grouped career wear- blazers/cardigans, blouses, sleeveless tops, shirts, skirts, and pants. On the other side I sorted casual wear into 3 sections – 1) golf, 2) date night and 3) around the house.

That stack on my bed soon doubled in size. Wow!

Of course I got distracted once or twice, don’t we all? But, in the end, the closet looks 2X the size it is, I kept WHAT I WEAR and packed away or donated the rest.

#HappyClosetHappyMe

Truth

5 ) A work event last week afforded me the opportunity to meet Joyce, a volunteer at a Senior Community Center where our event took place. Her sparkling blue eyes drew me in, but it was her “joie de vivre” that kept me there. Chatting amicably, she whipped out a flip phone to show me what she uses to text ~ I noticed her screen saver that read “Carpe Diem.” Sieze the day.

Joyce is 93, about 95 pounds, an active volunteer & a going concern.

Joyce is #GOALS.

How about you?

What’s cooking at your house?
What kind of pizza do you like?
Measure vs. Scale – your thoughts?
How’s your closet looking?
CARPE DIEM — seize this – and every – day!

Categories: Attitude, Family, Food, Fun, Growth, Home, Joy, Life, Opinion, Personal, Relationships, Seasons, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Women | Tags: Carpe Diem, cleaning your room, closet cleaning, distracted cleaning my closet, donate the rest, donate what you don't wear, food, goals, inches lost, joie de vivre, lessons, measure, measure vs. scale, new sizes, people I admire, pizza, pot roast, scales lie, shopping my closet, sieze the day, Sundays at home, wear what fits | 8 Comments

Random 5 Friday – Elvis, Frankie, and Fall

Posted on August 16, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday, and time for some randoms … ready? Let’s do this!

1 ) Elvis my Elvis – 42 years ago TODAY the world lost a legend with the passing of Elvis Presley. I was at horse camp when I heard the news and still remember the sorrow and disbelief felt. There’s never been a time when I wasn’t a fan but if you asked me to pick my favorites from his music, I’d pick this:

an MJ favorite; image from amazon.com

2 ) Seasons – School hasn’t started yet but Halloween displays are going up. Slow down already, wouldja?

google.images.com

3 ) Home shopping – I love a good deal — some “finds” have been duds, but others have been bang-on. This is one of my top finds, ever – a luggage set by Samantha Brown (of HGTV fame). Well made, well organized, well structured, well … everything. I’ve never been complimented on luggage before owning this ( bought in burgundy). Really really well done.

4 ) Fall – We’re starting to see signs of Fall here ~ after a wet spring, it’s been dry of late so certain trees are turning color already. Mornings are a smidge darker, nights a bit shorter. There’s been a nip in the air some mornings. I know we’re in for more heat waves but, in the meantime, I’m leaning in…. because I LOVE FALL!

Our Frankie loved Fall!! An Emjayandthem (C) photo

5 ) Golf – Hubbs and I were talking golf strategy last night, with me asking questions about certain clubs ~ He assumed I “didn’t like” a certain club which I hardly use until I explained I hadn’t yet been taught how to use it – for me, golf lessons have been great but a bit like being parceled out individual chapters to a story you’ve not yet read. I want to jump ahead and know how the story ends! (Patience!) In the midst of our conversation I asked, “Did you ever think we’d spend an hour talking Golf?” and he laughingly responded “No, did you ever think you’d get me to talk this much?” HA!

We are enjoying this new adventure together! 😀

How about you? Are you an Elvis fan? Seeing signs of Fall? Take up any new past-times lately?

Happy Friday!

Categories: Animals, Confidence at any age, Faith, Family, Life, Men, music, News, Opinion, Relationships, Thoughts | Tags: Autumn, Elvis Presley, Fall, find new passions, Frankie, golf, grow together, halloween, HSN, hubby, leaves, music, relationships, Samantha Brown luggage, seasons, set new goals | 8 Comments

Reading through several lives

Posted on August 9, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s National Book Lovers Day!

This should be a national holiday .. with paid time off .. with cozy chairs and coffee/tea for anyone interested. 😀

I’ve written before of my love affair with books .. and it hearkens back to being a very young girl. Cozied up next to Mom while she read me a story, I remember the heat of her body on mine as I leaned in wide-eyed and wondering.

Mom took me for my first Library card before I started school and I still remember the joy felt filling the book bag up to the top, the weight of it necessitating a drag to the Oldsmobile. Sorting through my choices, the smells filling my senses, I lined my books up in order of priority.

I remember a similar thrill when the Book Fair came ’round each school year ~ bringing home the paper-thin order sheet and circling choices, then handing my list over for her review and approval. She always encouraged us to “read up,” and we discussed choices and our reasoning behind them. Looking back, I can see she favored intelligent choices and those fought hard for. And if you couldn’t defend it, you didn’t need it.

Another one of her life lessons right there!

And, as I’ve grown, books remain a comfort to me ~ a place I love to belong.

A summer read takes me back to our backyard canvas tent, reading my sister’s “Valley of the Dolls” or “Love Story” before moving on to “It” or “Roots” or other intriguing plots.

A winter read can transport me back under the covers of our shared girls’ bedroom, the weight of winter blankets cocooning me into a drowsy state of relaxation.

It’s National Book Lovers Day ~ but I’m celebrating all year long!

“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” ― William Styron, Conversations with William Styron

Are you celebrating National Book Lovers Day with me?
If you’re a reader, who encouraged your love of reading?
What recent book are you still thinking about?
- for me, it’s “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah

Categories: Attitude, Blogging, Confidence at any age, Determination, Family, Home, Life, Mom, News, Opinion, Personal, Quotes | Tags: "The Nightingale", a great book should leave you with many experiences, book fair, bookmobile, IT, Kristin Hannah, love of books, Love Story, Mom, national book lovers day, Reading, Roots, summer, Valley of the Dolls, William Styron, you live several lives while reading | 7 Comments

The last thing to grow

Posted on August 3, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s August already! Summer took forever to arrive and now it’s flying by .. “Back to School” supplies have been on store shelves since 4 seconds after the 4th. We’ll blink and Halloween will be here.

For me, the first half of the year flew by due to copious amounts of work travel, work schedule, work projects, work calls and … work.

One thing that’s saved me has been steadily indulging my passion: reading. I’m devouring books on planes and in hotel rooms; picking up more at bookstores in tiny towns as I pass through. I’ve lost count of the number read this summer … but it’s not about the number. It’s about the departure. Falling into a good book is like coming home.

Just finished. Delicious!

Recently I saw these words below and they resonated with me. Not just because I adore the fruits of summer … cherries, watermelon, and fresh peaches coming soon … but because, just like in life, we can’t feel our growth until the fruits begin to appear.

Can you relate?
What passions do you want to indulge?
What are you reading this summer?

Categories: Attitude, Confidence at any age, Faith, Growth, Life, Life Lessons, Personal, Quotes, Seasons, Self Discovery | Tags: Books, growth, love of reading, Sejal Bandani, self-care, summer, the last thing to grow on the fruit tree is the fruit, the Storytellers Secret, what's saving my life right now | 12 Comments

July Random 5 – Aging apps, Shirley MacLaine and self-care

Posted on July 21, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s Sunday, mid-July, and here we are cruising down hill towards August. Time for 5 Rapid Fire Randoms from my world. Ready? Set – Go!

1 Aging apps – friends on Facebook are posting results of an app that ages you by 40 years. Here’s one to try- ha!

2 Dog days of Summer – Our West MI Summer took it’s sweet time arriving. Our first 80F day was June 20th. But now that we’re into July – with more than 3 weeks of warm weather behind us – folks are already CRABBING about it. I was doing fine until that sweltering sweaty muggy stuff landed last week ~ the hot, humid, dank weather that steals your breath away at 6am. The humidity so high that you sweat AFTER a shower. Our local AM radio host cheerfully announced, “The heat index – with the humidity – is already over 90F.” I turned up the fan and suppressed my crabbiness.3 Grand Dames – I read a recent interview with actress Shirley MacLaine. Always liked her. Classy, smart, sassy … takes no prisoners. This quote resonated with me:

“I have what I consider just a perfect life … I eat what I want, I sleep when I want. Not that much bothers me. I think attitudes are a choice. Anger is a choice, peace is a choice, sarcasm – which is what I’m good at – is a choice.” ~ Shirley MacLaine

I wanna be Shirley MacLaine when I grow up!

the incomparable Shirley MacLaine

4 Stopping when necessary – As I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten better at stopping what doesn’t work for me. Try something new but don’t like it? Don’t keep doing it. Order a new food that disappoints? Set it aside. The same goes for books – I LOVE to read, as in l-o-v-e to read. Summer = reading for me. But just recently I started a book with characters so awful – I had to stop. The female character allowed herself to be manipulated by a narcissistic and cruel man, a man who enjoyed the “game,” playing with her emotions and physical safety like a cat with a mouse. I could see where the story was going after reading just a few chapters. Yes, I knew she’d probably become her own kind of hero but I just couldn’t sit through the abuse.

So I stopped reading it.

I didn’t give it away, I didn’t turn in for re-sale or donate it.

I threw it out.

You might be empathic if …

5 Heading to a corporate conference this week ~ practicing self-care now – there – and thereafter!

Ever stopped doing what didn’t work for you?
Does Shirley’s quote resonate with you as well? Why?
How do you practice self-care?

Categories: Attitude, Confidence at any age, Faith, fear, Food, Growth, Life, Life Lessons, News, Opinion, Personal, Thoughts, Travel | Tags: aging, aging app, bad books, Books, classy, connect to others, empathetic, empaths, Facebook, feeling others experiences, feeling others pain, good books, grand old dames, life, Reading, sarcasm, see beyond logic and words, self-care, self-love, Shirley MacLaine, smart, stop doing what doesn't work for you | 6 Comments

Summer Days & Sully’s book

Posted on July 13, 2019 by emjayandthem

We’re nearing the end of our July vacation ~ and it always amazes me how quickly vacation flies by!

Ahh the lazy days of summer. It’s hot, sticky and sunny. Even with my 70SPF I have a warm tan with tan lines where my flip flops go and tank tops end. As when I look back at all we’ve accomplished and had going these past 2 weeks it’s no wonder we’re both moving a little slow this weekend.

I arrived home on a Friday after attending a 3 day corporate conference
Had new window treatments installed (involved moving furniture/etc out of the way and back again)
Played in a couples golf scramble
- all in the same day 😀
  - what was I thinking?
  - Say yes and you’ll figure it out later
Picked my sister up from the plane and, for a week, stayed up late and got up early, still talking
Visited the big lake (Lake Michigan) 2 x + Won and lost money at the Casino
Cried watching “Toy Story 4” and “The Mustang”
laughed at all the same places in “Bridesmaids”
Reveled in the ability to sit across the table from each other, laughing until we choked while finishing each others sentences
Skipped breakfast & enjoyed watermelon and cherries for lunch
Savored pots of coffee & tea out on the patio with sister, Sully and Hubbs … plus a cold beer or two, too

Mornings with Sully, an Emjayandthem (C) Photo

Up and outside early and to bed when tired with no alarm clocks – WHEE!
Celebrated the 4th with amazing fireworks, dancing fireflies and neighbors
Decorated the hall for the kid’s wedding and hosted the rehearsal dinner, ordered the limo, catering, bar, DJ and more plus managed the details!
Helped him get ready on his big day
- Cried with Hubbs and my sister at ^^ above
  - Smiled at his smile when he saw her
  - Cried again
Witnessed their vows, celebrated by dancing with our boys, my sister, hubbs and friends.
Polka’d till I lost my breath and then went out and did it again 🙂
Cleaned up the hall and tumbled into bed
Got up early & hosted a gift opening
Languished in the hot tub
Cared for, slept with and supervised grand-dog Sully ~ who is adorable and hilarious but a bit like having a 70lb toddler

Today I cooked up brunch, did some catalogue perusing and online shopping but still haven’t started on my books, there’s been no time. …. but I think I’ll take a page out of Sully’s book and go enjoy a nap in the a/c.

Sully nap, an Emjayandthem (C) photo

What are you up to today? Take any naps lately?

Categories: Animals, Attitude, Faith, Family, Home, Life, Life Lessons, Love, Opinion, Patriotic, Personal, Thoughts, Writing | Tags: 4th of July, animals, dog lessons, dogs, fireflies, fireworks, Independence Day, lazy days of summer, movies, naps, no schedule, pets, relationships, seasons, simple pleasures, Sully, summer holidays, summer vacation, Summertime, The Mustang, Toy Story 4, travel, watermelon, wedding | 8 Comments

Sunday Random 5 – Golf, Joe Friday, Wedding Bells & Good Tired

Posted on June 23, 2019 by emjayandthem

Here we are nearing the end of June ~ it’s time for 5 Random Thoughts from my world. Ready? Let’s do this.

1 ) Golf – who knew I would have this much fun golfing? Even the lessons are fun! I tell him this all the time so I’ll tell you, too: Hubbs was right. You cannot golf and work. Beyond being together and being outside, disconnecting from my job is something I’m enjoying so much. I like what I do, but no one needs to do it a-l-l the time! 🙂

2 ) Good tired. We both worked around the house & yard yesterday and I went to bed early ~ It was a “good tired,” the tired that comes with aching muscles and sore feet but the knowledge you accomplished something. Then, to no surprise, I found myself awake at 4, then 5, at by 6:10 I threw the covers back with a “oh just get up already.” Laundry’s done, coffee’s hot and Salsa Chicken simmers in the crock pot ~ I’m enjoying padding around a quiet house on a sunny summer Sunday.

3 ) Joe Friday – Heading to another corporate conference this week ~ there have been even more organizational shifts with senior people leaving and new folks coming in. The bench is deep and the talent is impressive. And, as we’ve done before, we were asked to complete the Myers-Briggs personality test. I’ve taken this test many times over the course of my corporate life and I always get the same result – I’m an ISTJ —

ISTJ – The Inspector (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) ~ Quiet, serious, earn success by thoroughness and dependability. Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, and responsible. Highly capable and decides logically what should be done and work toward it steadily, regardless of distractions. Take pleasure in making everything orderly and organized – their work, their home, their life. Value traditions and loyalty.

I’m Joe Friday! Google.images.com

However, the test is only as accurate as your answers are honest. And like we’ve all seen, there are some who “play it” up for the big cheese(s), sit in the front row, hang on the leaders’ every answer, and kiss the ring. These are the same people whose profiles never match up to who they actually are. I’m fine with my results because I know exactly who I am – the good, bad, and the ugly. And that’s exactly why such trips are so taxing!

4) Wedding bells – Our youngest son is getting married in just a few weeks! 10 minutes ago he was this little. But he’s not so little anymore. He still has the same laugh & love for life ~ and now he has a beautiful partner by his side, someone to call his very own. The love between them is palpable and we couldn’t be happier!

Corporate Family picnic, an Emjayandthem (C) photo

5 ) Summer Vacation – After this week’s conference ends comes 15 – count ’em – 15 days off! I’m leaning in for time with Hubbs, time with my sister, trips to the beach and Casino, visits with our boys & their girls, a happy wedding to enjoy and dance to, grilling out, grand-kids, grand-dogs, Golf, sunshine, sunscreen, watermelon, flip flops, tank tops, down time , new books and more good tired.

So, what’s new in your world?
Do you enjoy the feeling of “good tired?”
Ever taken a personality test?

Categories: Attitude, Beauty, Faith, Fun, Growth, Home, Joy, Life, Love, News, Opinion, Personal, Random, Relationships, Romance, Thoughts, Travel, Work | Tags: Beach, coffee, conference, corporate travel, fun, golf, golf lessons, good tired, happy, ISTJ, Joe Friday, just get up already, kiss the ring, Myers-Briggs, personality test, sister time, sleep, tee it up, unexpected delights, Wedding bells | 8 Comments

The space between yes and no

Posted on June 4, 2019 by emjayandthem

Sometimes little nudges come from the most random places. Today, this popped up in Facebook Memories ~ it was a passage I needed to read again and I thought you might, too:

“In the space between yes and no, there is a lifetime. It’s the difference between the path you walk and one you leave behind; it’s the gap between who you thought you could be and who you really are; it’s the legroom for the lies you will tell yourself in the future.” ― Jodi Picoult.

5 Things I’m excited about today:

Road trip – tunes at the ready, coffee up!
In about a month our baby boy will be married; in < a month my sister arrives for the wedding 😀
We just got the news that another grandchild is on the way – oldest boy & his wife are expecting a baby in December 🙂
I’m taking my first golf lesson this week!
The days are longer, the nights are shorter and I do believe summer will be here soon!

And pie, always say YES to pie~

What lives in your space between yes and no? What are you excited about today?

Categories: Attitude, Faith, Friendship, Joy, Life, Seasons, Travel | Tags: adventures, coffee, golf, grandchildren, Jodi Picoult, life lessons, pie, road trip, saying yes, summer, the legroom for the lies you will tell yourself, the space between yes and no, travel, wedding | Leave a comment

Random 5 Friday ~ Mothers Day, Coincidences and GPS

Posted on May 17, 2019 by emjayandthem

It’s Friday and time for a few randoms from my corner of the universe. Ready? Set? Go:

1 ) Mother’s Day as a child meant 3 things: a) Church/Sunday School, b) a family get-together and c) Homemade cards/gifts for Mom. Like they’ve done before, my boys asked to take me out for “a nice lunch.” They know this is the one thing I want more than anything from the store – time with them. We met up – they gave me their gifts and cards with notes of love and appreciation and I savored the moment. We laughed till we cried and I beamed with the love I feel for them. In my view, the greatest gift a Mom can ever get is children who grow up to be people you want to be with! We ate, we laughed, we leaned in. I felt the love then and still do. ❤

2 ) Whenever I have a “big” meeting or presentation to do I “bring” Mom with me – by wearing a piece of her jewelry as her reminder to “go get ’em, kid” – She’s met the Governor, Congressmen/women, Leaders of state, Senators, House Reps, congressional pages, Mayors & more ~ she’s with me every step of the way. And if I encounter any “nonsense” I’m not afraid to use my firmest “Mom voice” which of course I learned from her!

Just a couple of Mom’s rings – Peridot & Padparadshca Citrine ~ she loved her “right hand rings” from the shopping channel.

3 ) In meetings earlier this week I had one of those moments we’ve all had where you know the answer to a question not yet asked. Tingling and trying not to jump ahead I listened closely; when I shared my thoughts later the speaker pulled back, her eyebrow went up and a smile filled her face. “How did you know that?” she asked. “Because sometimes I just know.” We talked about coincidences and serendipity and how sometimes we find ourselves right where we’re meant to be; it’s up to us to recognize it when it happens. The more I acknowledge it when it occurs, the more it occurs for me.

Fate’s like that, I find.

4 ) Saw this and laughed out loud because 1) it is so true and 2 ) I admit that I often still revert to “old school GPS” – read on ~

5 ) I’ve been traveling weekly these past few months; one day easily rolls into the next, weekends have been full and a Tuesday morning can feel like it should be Saturday already. Memorial Day is next week and – gasp – it’s been 3 months since I woke up to this: