Coffee (and oxygen?)

Friday morning, up early (went to bed early) and I wake up because I am desperately searching for coffee and oxygen (?) in my dream. My dreams are usually pretty vivid - one reason I guess that they can easily turn into nightmares - and I usually remember them quite well.

Focus on this one: preparations for a "family" vacation. Unknown destination - don't know what to pack. Arrival: suddenly in a boat being towed and at a lakeside campsite. Who am I with? Him. And the kids. (Kids? In real life they are all grown up - in my dream they are young (not little) but young - and all three are there). They are going to charge us more for our stay if we go swimming - I respond that this isn't a "swimming" vacation. He speaks up and says - I brought my swimsuit - I'm going swimming. There is another couple/family with us (I'm not sure who they are).  I remember asking why he didn't share that information - feeling shocked and betrayed.

Next thing I know - I'm walking along a path - searching for both coffee and oxygen. With scary blue birds (large yellow bills) up in the trees. Wake up. Guess I couldn't breathe very well last night.

Now, coffee in hand, calming down. Planning my day.

Is this all because he has been here, off and on, this week - repairing the stairs? Or because our 34th Wedding Anniversary is tomorrow? Or because I am working in this house - and finding things that remind me?

Doesn't matter. Making a hair appointment, going to the bank, heading towards adoration (but not till VBS has ended). Survival - cranking up my music. Sipping my coffee. Breathe.


My favorite group (JYJ) singing a song for their fans: "The boy's letter". Recommended by JaeJoong when fans are feeling depressed:

Five in five

I've been celebrating the joys of being a Grammie lately. The newest addition made his arrival in early June - and, of course, he's adorable.

All of my "Little Women" and "Little Men" are precious. As I get older, Louisa May Alcott's books speak even more to me than they did when I was a child. I always wanted a dozen children (really, truly!). I had lists of names (and their meanings) ever since my baby brother was first born. I knew that my husband would never go for that many - so we compromised with three (although I was pushing for five!).

Now, my daughters are joyfully becoming wonderful young mothers - and their husbands are incredibly attentive young fathers. I pray daily for their protection. Their blessings are increasing (and mine along with them). We now have five little women (2) and men (3) - within five years' time! Who knew that we would be celebrating like this five years ago?! The oldest and youngest (at the moment) share their birth month - making it five grandbabies within five years!

Another joy is the fact that they will soon be living less than five minutes apart from one another! Ah, to grow up with the extended family and love of aunts/uncles/cousins! And, in this instance, Godparents! Hopefully, in a few years, this circle will also extend to the youngest sister (she is still pursuing her studies and has yet to meet the "right" one, so to speak).

I love watching the interactions of them all. How they navigate their relationships - the usual bumping into one another and tears and hugs and laughter. At the end of the day, it is still hugs and kisses all around - and prayers for one another. I think that if my husband and I had included nightly family prayers then we would have cemented our relationship with one another and with God more fully. (Wishing I could go back in time!).

Thanking God - and drawing closer to our Mother Mary. Keeping the faith - and basking in the blessings of being a grandparent! Five in five - wow, what joys the future holds!