suddenlysinglewomen

Howdy everyone. It’s been a while, my apologies. It’s summer and with that comes craziness. June was busy getting house ready for summer, finishing up the last of the “punch list” for the remodel but with different vendors since the original contractor entered the big black hole and disappeared. Yup, that means some things I paid for twice. But hey – – – you gotta get D-O-N-E Done!

Gardens were planted, I had my annual “discussion” with the neighborhood HOA’s irrigation guy about when I want the water turned on. The hose, liquid fertilizer and me – I’m determined!! At least there was no other snow like Memorial Day weekend. UGH!!!

June also brought joy!! I found a horse to lease and have begun riding again. Baby steps – slowly working myself back up to jumping “form” again. I kinda smile alot right now, some people here will “get it”. My family doesn’t, but it is what it is. It brings me great joy!!

July brought a trip back to the old Texas home state to babysit, then back here to the mountains to prepare for the family’s arrival. 4 extra adults, 5 extra kids 9 and under, and 2 extra dogs. We were full. The beginning of a family tradition every summer – the “gathering” in the mountains. Legos were everywhere – do not walk barefoot downstairs in the playroom, LOL!! A few disruptions, the blending of several households worth of behavior and “rules” will always bring up challenges but we all survived. Not only important for my two sons to have time to reconnect, but for cousins to “know” their cousins.

Now we’re in August – how did THAT happen?? More houseguests will arrive this month, flowers are still thriving thanks to Miracle Grow on the end of the hose spout, five new trees, one HOA (3rd annual) party in the front yard is in the books. Hiking, live music, cookouts with friends, workout classes, books and needlepoint and – let’s not forget the rebirth of the equestrian life.

I truly hope that even though you’ve not heard from me in a while, that you are also busy enjoying your summer time, your family and friends, your hobbies, your animals and most of all, yourself. And . . . can college football be too far behind???

Hugs from the mountains, y’all.

(PS – funny story, next blog . . .)

Now here’s a little chuckle to take you into the new week!!

Have an awesome week everyone!! : -)

(Sorry for the blurriness, I never claimed to be “tech savvy”, LOL!!)

When I saw this, it really struck a chord because I have been around this alot in my adult years.

As a child growing up, I was surrounded by love and positive reinforcement. I was praised when I did something right, and corrected when I did something wrong. BUT . . . the correction was never harsh and it always came with guidance and suggestions of a better way.

As a society we have become VERY “judge’y”, we don’t listen to others, it’s our way or the highway, we’re so sure we are right. Social media “shares” are distracting, hurtful, full of opinions and certainly rarely verified.

Shaking up my life and moving several states “over” has certainly opened my eyes to the “comfort zone” I was living in. Have I become a kinder more compassionate person? Hope so. Do I still judge? Yes, sometimes I can’t help myself. But I also try to step back and re-evaluate when necessary.

Thanks for letting me share today!! Almost July, where did June go??

This quote popped up on my feed last week, and I was going to share it, then like everyone else felt, the world went sideways in Uvalde.

I meant to research WHO Noah is, or was, then did not get it done. Will still do it, but for this weekend, I’m going to try to enjoy the good things out there, while praying for healing and recovery and a better path forward for our nation.

You might have to read it several times, as I did. Each time sinking a bit deeper into it. Have a good weekend everyone.

“But nothing can save you. Not your friends, not the best Fred Astaire musical you’ve ever seen- the grace of it, not your mother’s beauty, not a line from a letter you find at the bottom of a drawer, not a magazine or the next day. Nothing can save you. And you stand in the moonlight and a sweetness comes off the top of the trees, and the fence around the yard seals you off from the dark and you can’t breathe. It is all so familiar and possible. It is too simple that there is this much good in the world and you don’t know how to have it. And it makes you wonder when it was you lost your place. Then you catch a breeze, so warm and ripe, it makes you hope that someone will come who also cannot save you, but who will think you are worth saving.” – from Noah’s wall- 1/31/04

Do I really need say more???

The photo today is from my first time being a Mother. My eldest, and as he refers to himself often, #1 son. Being a Mom is like no other experience you’ll ever have. The highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows, and sometimes both of those in the same 24 hours.

An experience I would never trade, even in the lowest of the lows because the highest of the highs are just plain magical. Now watching those that made me a Mom, being parents themselves? Well, it’s just the best.

So, here’s hoping that all of you have a most amazing Mother’s Day in 2022, and that you are shown the well deserved appreciation for having the title of “Mom” that you deserve.

Happy Happy Mother’s Day! : -)

The donkey told the tiger, “The grass is blue.” 

The tiger replied, “No, the grass is green .”

The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, so they approached the lion. 

As they approached the lion on his throne, the donkey started screaming: ′′Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?” 

The lion replied: “If you believe it is true, the grass is blue.” 

The donkey rushed forward and continued: ′′The tiger disagrees with me, contradicts me and annoys me. Please punish him.”

The king then declared: ′′The tiger will be punished with 3 days of silence.” 

The donkey jumped with joy and went on his way, content and repeating ′′The grass is blue, the grass is blue…” 

The tiger asked the lion, “Your Majesty, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?” 

The lion replied, ′′You’ve known and seen the grass is green.”

The tiger asked, ′′So why do you punish me?” 

The lion replied, “That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is degrading for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with an ass, and on top of that, you came and bothered me with that question just to validate something you already knew was true!”

The biggest waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on discussions that make no sense. There are people who, for all the evidence presented to them, do not have the ability to understand. Others who are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right even if they aren’t. 

When IGNORANCE SCREAMS, intelligence moves on.

Have you ever just been SO tired, so exacerbated, so frustrated, so longing for back-up, support, an “atta girl” or two?? I know I have.

The past two years, and the beginning of this one have pushed me sometimes past my limit of “being nice”, LOL!

When someone says, “Hey, how’re ya doin’?” and you say, “Great, all good!” But you’re not, and you’ve been brought up to be polite, and to basically slide past that question with a bit of a “white lie” because really, does anyone want to hear that you’re not really OK?

When you’re faced with a dilemma and you make a decision and you wait around for someone to validate you, to tell you that you’re right, great decision, I woulda done the same thing! Don’t hold your breath.

When those times come along, please remember this post and the words of wisdom above. Be a warrior, believe in yourself, don’t wait for others to tell you that you’re right. Deep down in your gut, make the decision that is right for you, then smile. Put on your Wonder Woman suit and seize the day!

Happy Valentine’s (Gal’entine’s) week everyone. It’s been a full week and it’s not done yet. Started with watching the Super Bowl, no “dog in this hunt” but I did prefer one team over the other because of some of the players, their stories, their journeys . . . and they won.

Then – a sweet new neighbor, widowed within the past year, showed up at my front door with a flower bouquet and offered my a Happy Gal’entine’s message of cheer.

Then – I learned my “refinance” of this home was approved and I close tomorrow. You know we ladies of a certain age, and no “earned” income, face an uphill battle with banks, mortgages and the black hole of underwriters. BAM! Never missed a payment, fabulous credit score and still, it can be like pulling teeth.

Then – yesterday my other house that has had offers (some good, some ridiculous), faulty inspection reports, two different agents and so many house showings that the wood floor must need to be buffed, FINALLY got a “real” offer. We countered, we played the game, but we finally came to a deal. Inspections and appraisal in two days. First family in to NOT ask for all the walls to be painted, all new carpet, etc etc etc. They actually like my house the way it is – how refreshing?

Don’t wanna count my chickens though, so I’ll wait till after Friday to celebrate.

Then – last but not least, it’s been ten wonderfully full years of “Suddenly Single Women – the Blog”! Started just after Valentine’s Day 2012, it’s been a real learning experience and a very cathartic way to get to the “other side” post divorce.

My book published in 2016, becoming a #1 Best Seller on Amazon, then “THE” lawsuit from the ex (that I never really addressed on this site) happened. Six months of idiocy till he finally dropped it, then getting the book back up on the market. It’s never really fully recovered from the momentum it had.

But that’s OK. It was never published to make money, it never would have BUT it’s been read and appreciated by so many – and that was the purpose. To remind those women they were not alone, and to hopefully help them find their smile again.

So … hope your week is going great! Send up a prayer or two that the former house passes inspections and sells, but most of all Happy 10th Anniversary to all of us who write/follow/inspire this blog!