My most important job.

I'm a mom.... it's the most important part of my life! I've been a mom for almost 33 years now. It hasnt always been easy, but , nothing worth having is; or so I've been told. My 3 children are all grown and we have 3 grandchildren and one on the way. My last child, one of the twins, is getting married! She's also pregnant and due in June. So we're trying to put together a beautiful wedding in less than 4 months. Her dress came today... it will need to be altered closer to the day so as to fit her expanding tummy. I'm so stressed about this rush, that I'm having trouble enjoying the ride. I know that if something doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world, but I sure hope it's perfect for her. We also, very happy and excited about her fiance'. He's  a wonderful, kind and patient man and we think he'll be a wonderful husband to our daughter and father to our grandchildren. God continues to bless us and we can't be more thankful. It's every parents wish to have her children safe, happy and content.... Our wish has been granted... again!

post holidays

The days after Christmas are always depressing to me. This year, my husband and I are sharing a bad virus.. Ugh! LOL   I'm glad it waited until after our big Family Christmas party this weekend. It's always so much fun getting together with everyone. This year , everyone made it to the gathering , ecxcept one brother-in-law. He was sick. :(
It's amazing that this huge group all resulted from two people... my parents. They are all so different in personalities, likes and dislikes, but, somehow.... we all get along. I understand it's not uncommon for family differences to cause a rift, but, that's not happening in our gang. Thank heavens.
So, anyway..... we have another year before we bring out the decorations, tree, etc.
We have so much to look forward to this year. Our daughter is getting married and expecting her second child; our 4th grandbaby. Can't wait. Vacations are starting to get planned. They will, however , depend on when the baby is born. I want to be here for that.
I am so grateful for my family. They make my life so enjoyable and full of love.
Have a great day everyone!

Blessed...

Yesterday, 28 people died at an elementary school in connecticut. 20 of those that died were children age 6 & 7. I can't even wrap my mind around that horror. It's only a little over a week until Christmas and those darling, innocent babies won't be at home with their families where they should be! How their parents are going to be able to deal with this, I have no idea. It seems unfathomable!
6 adults were all women teachers at the school, including the principal. They did their best to shield the children from harm; dying heros. That , however, is little consolation to their families.
What is going on with our world, where this type of horror is happening more times than I care to remember.
I will be praying for the souls of the little angels and their guardians and also,, for their families. May God give them the strength they need to go on. Amen

Livin' the dream

I've always wanted a big beautiful home, a big beautiful yard and lots of fun , exciting vacations. Well, I have a beautiful home.... average sized; a beautiful yard, but, small one and our vacations are usually family oriented, but fun. I guess one has to change their priorities depending on where life takes them. I still wouldn't turn these things down, but, I've learned to live without them. Now, I'm more thankful for good health, happy, healthy children and grandchildren and everything that comes with being a grandma.
Would I still like the things I always wanted? Sure, but, they are not my goal anymore. Life doesn't always go the way we wanted or wished for.  We have to be satisfied with what we're dealt or work hard to change the direction we're headed....
Don't know why I've been thinking about this today.  The older I get the more I'm thinking about a lot of things. I would truly like to do something different than I'm doing now. As they say... I still don't know what I want to do when I " grow up"... I would love to be doing something that I'd feel passionate about. NOt sure what that is though.... better keep thinking... I'll let you know when I come up with it.

Countdown

It's the day before Thanksgiving. I've already put the pumpkin pies in the oven and started on my sweet potato dish. Still to come is a new leek and mushroom bread pudding. The kids are supplying much of the rest of the side dishes. Great to have adult children.
We are celebrating Thanksgiving here , at our house, tomorrow. Jim's mom will be with us this year. That's the first time she'll be here in a long time. She usually chooses to go to his sister's house. I'm so hoping she has a good time. Feel almost like we've hogtied her into coming here. :(   She hasn't been feeling well this year, so we're extra thankful that she's here with us.
I am feeling a little " blue" this year and i"m not sure why. It's not the first year without my father, so I know that's not it. Can't quite place what the problem is. Oh, well, I'll just put it out of my mind and be grateful for all we have. We may not have the biggest house or bank account, but, we have each other and truly, that's the most important thing. I love my family so very, very much!!
Hope you and your family have the best Thanksgiving ever!!

Friday....

Thank heavens, it's Friday. Lately Ive been feeling that way more and more. Don't know if something is going on with me or if it's just the change of seasons affecting me. My energy level is waning, that's for sure.
I've been working hard on getting all my Christmas shopping done early. I like being done before Thanksgiving so I can avoid all the huge, crazy crowds. I'm almost there. Going to finish it this weekend, I hope.
Having all our kids over for Thanksgiving again this year. I love that!  No longer do we get together with the entire Buretta Family. Too many kids and no one has the room to host it. Jim's mom will be moving into a senior apartment from her condo the weekend after Thanksgiving. Things will be changing drastically after that. The change is going to be difficult for everyone, but, especially my kids. They have such fond memories of being at grandma's. I know change is inevitable, but, why does it have to be so hard. Getting old sure isn't for sissy's!

It's been a while

I haven't posted for a while. We have been very busy with my husband's mother. She fell in March and has been having difficulties ever since. It's very sad, really, as she was a very vibrant and active woman. Even at 85 years old. Because she had a lot of pain after her fall, she sat around a lot which resulted in her having multiple, extensive large pulmonary emboli. That resulted in a hospital stay and her becoming quite weak.  Now, this very independant woman is having difficulty living on her own and we are looking at senior housing for her. You can see the change in her emotional status. It's so very sad. We want to help her in every way that we can without pushing her into something she doesn't want or need. It's difficult being an adult child and reigning in your opinions and desires. It's not about us.... it's about her.  Mom has always been very upbeat and positive. At this point , she's very overwhelmed with everything going on. I pray every day for the strength we need to help mom and accept whatever her future holds...