Stuck at 25 - Musings of a Chubby Grandma

#11 I've still got it!

During the 2 years prior to having my last baby I taught Aerobics.
Some friends I knew had a little exercise place, they needed an instructor.
I applied, did the training, and got the job.
Aerobics were very popular then - like running is today.
More and more customers signed up. Those of us who worked there taught more and more
classes.
I was in such good shape! I even had a six pack or something like that. I don't think we counted them back then.
I could take my kids to work with me (we had a great babysitter), I could eat anything I wanted. I loved that job! But the doctor made me quit teaching when I was 6 months pregnant - he said I was too old (34) and to far along.
I have been blaming that OBGYN for my chubbiness these past 26 years - it is his fault!
Well I am quite a bit older now, but I've still got it - the six pack that is - it's just wrapped in bubble wrap!

Stuck at 25 - Musings of a Chubby Grandma

Musing #10

Be Brave and go for it

I ran across this quote

"Creating takes courage.

Everything you create reveals a

little - or alot - about yourself.

Be brave and go for it." (no author listed)

As I get older I get a lot more courage, I care less about what others think of me, and

I become braver.

If I would have felt this way when I was younger (say 25 or so) think of how much more

I could have accomplished!

Well I feel brave now and really enjoy my creativity. I have always been a designer, but now

I am able to share with others. I am able to design and sell through Ransom.made design.

I am able to teach others how to be brave and create!

I"m just saying - don't wait until you are 60 to share your creativity!

Be brave and start now.

Stuck at 25 - Musings of a Chubby Grandma

Musing # 9

"Must be Old Hat to You"

My daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on the third of March and of course I made a few visits to the hospital.
On one visit some friends were there too, (every time I went the room was full of visitors, hardly got a chance to hold the baby. really?) they asked how many grandchildren I had now; with the additon of Reagan. I answered this makes sixteen.
One friend replied "this must be old hat to you".
He had it all wrong - It is not old hat to me! It will never be old hat to me! Each time I welcome a new grandbaby into this world it is a unique and wonderful experience.
Some say "all babys look and act the same, you have to wait until they get older to see the differences".
This is not true. Every time I hold a new born baby I can feel who they are. I can see their spirit looking out of those little eyes. I can feel their personality in the wiggles of their little body.
As each child grows older I see glimpses of them as a new born. Their body is growing to fit their spirit, to fit who they have always been.
And so we now have MISS REAGAN!

Stuck at 25 - Musings of a Chubby Grandmas

Musing #8

Box #8G

When I was little I lived near my Grandma McClellan - my Dad's Mom - I spent a lot of time there.

She had long hair that touched her ankles which she always wore up in a tidy bun held in place with one of those large tortoise shell hair pins.

Sometimes she would undo her bun and let me brush her hair. I would bring a little stool over - step up and start at the top of her hair and brush all the way down, stepping off the stool to reach the ends of her hair. Then I would get back on the stool and repeat this process over and over again. (my Grandma was very patient)

Her hair was a wonderful white color; the last five or six inches turning a pale yellow.

I wanted my hair to be the same color when I grew up.

My children all have beautiful brunette hair, all five of them. I also grew up a brunette.

When I reached about thirty years old things started to change....first a few grays, then a lot of grays. I could cover them nicely with a brunette hair color. But then I started having white hairs; hairs that would not take the dark color. After experimenting with different shades of dark brown, light brown, and ash blonde, (the last ash blonde color I tried tinted my hair a lovely green , which I did not realize until I was sitting in a sunny spot at church) I moved on to different shades of golden blonde.

I mention my Grandmother because I got my wish. My hair is now white with blonde ends.

One Summer I decided to let it grow out. I was visiting relatives with my Mom and a clerk at the store asked if we were sisters. I decided than I was not ready for a lovely white head of hair, and I am still not ready.... Sooooo....

Box #8G - Golden Blonde!

until tomorrow

Stuck at 25 - Musings of a Chubby Grandma

Musing #7

"Sometimes in the winds of change we find our true direction"

~anonymous~

I saw this quote today, it caused me to think over the changes that have occured in my life and the different directions they have sent me and I realize it is so true.

As a young adult we can never imagine all the things our future has in store. We dream of the years to come and what we want to happen or what we think will happen but most of the time that dream is nothing like what really does happen.

I do not like change but change does happen - life happens!

I guess if we give ourselves over to the things that come through change and enjoy each new direction... we will better know ourselves and find joy in the journey!

until tomorrow

Stuck at 25 - Musings of a Chubby Grandma

OnMusing #6

Today I am Musing about the 3 L's of old age.

There are a lot of things you can do to slow the loss of your youthful look.

There are a lot of suggestions and millions of products advertised. You can even get a "Life Lift" if you've the money. (I wonder - can they do that over and over again, and after a few years does the "Life Lift" fall?)

Anyway - I have boiled it down to 3 L's I live by.

LIPSTICK, LOTION, AND LAUGHTER

Lotion:

One of the things I remember about my Mother (who is turning 84 next month) is watching her apply Cold Cream to her face. I assume she was removing her makeup (She fixed herself up every morning which included doing her hair and makeup) I seem to remember her applying cream or lotion before putting on her make up too, I bet she has the same routine today.

I have been applying creams and or lotions to my face; paying close attention to the wrinkles and my eye area since I was 16. Has it made a difference? I don't know. Do I have less wrinkles and puffiness than other women my age? I don't know. Does it make me feel better about myself? YES IT DOES!

I can only assume that is why my Mother does the same thing. She never wallows in self pity or depression just gets up, gets ready for the day (which includes making herself the best she can be) and gets on with it. She set a great example for me.

I have found out, over the years, that it does not matter how expensive or what brand name the lotion or cream is, (some of the cheap ones seem to work better) it just matters that you use it.

PS don't for get to put lotion on your chest - the part that shows when you wear a V neck. There is nothing worse that a wrinkley chest.

LIPSTICK:

Words to live by - Lipstick makes everything better!

If you are feeling down, if you look like crap and someone is at the door,

If you are having your picture taken, and especially if you are going out (with the girls, or your favorite guy) etc. these are all times to grab your lipstick and apply.

Reds are the best but if Red is too much for you ....pinks and berry colors or even tinted gloss

with be alright. It only takes 2 seconds to apply lipstick.

Get ready for comments .... They may say things like....Where have you been? Are you going out? Are you wearing lipstick in the middle of the day? Wow your teeth look so white etc.

But that is ok. I live for comments like these. Lipstick does make everything better.

LAUGHTER:

There have been soooo many studies done reagarding years being added to your life span due to great doses of laughter. They are right!

Laughter is the best medicine!

I suppose I should have mentioned Laughter as the first "L" or mentioned it between each of the others.

I believe in order to grow old gracefully (we will all get old, why not do it gracefully) we must

apply Lotion and Lipstick regularly and Laughter liberally - besides we might as well have all those wrinkles around our eyes and mouth go up instead of down right?

So think about it and call your favorite make up consultant today, then call your best friend and have a good laugh!

until tomorrow

Stuck at 25 - Musings of a Chubby Grandma

Musing #5

Today I am removing the wallpaper from my bedroom walls.
I cannot remember how long ago I put it up there - 10 or 15 years ago.
Designers say you should update your decor every 5 to 10 years.
Yeah right, sometimes it takes me a year to get rid of all the old Decor and 2 years to get the new Decor up.
If I do the 5 year plan - I am always in some state of change. I don't like change!
I love my wallpaper! But I am remodeling the bathroom and closet now so it is a perfect time to get out of the 90's.
I guess when I paint the walls with the lovely pale tourquise paint I have chosen in two different shade - (Laura Ashley Forest 2 & 3) I will feel better about the decor change.
I don't know though - I got a beautiful taupe colored bedspread and pillow shams to go with the new decorating plan. Everyone loves them but I think it makes the bed look like it is wrapped in a brown paper bag.
I love my wallpaper! - I will miss my wallpaper!