Double-Nickels Day

Yesterday was Kim's 55th birthday. He looks great too, don't you think? That title up there is a term that I only became aware of when I turned 5-5 last August. (Yes, I'm older than my husband.) I've thought it was a clever way to describe that age ever since. We should come up with more of those sayings for birthday milestones like the 5th decade b-day or the half dollar and dime b-day. Okay, I didn't say they'd be great sayings, but it's a start.

Anyway, we had a big family bash last night for Kim. His parents, brother, sister and their spouses come over. Two of our 3 sons were here, a daughter in law and both of our grandchildren. There was even a big, white canine family member in attendance, much to our cat's chagrin. We had a fun, loud house of family talking all at once. My grandson, Aidan, would try to jump into the conversation by yelling that he had something to say. You really have to be fast to get a word in edgewise at a Martin function.

One of Kim's birthday presents from me was a photo DVD that chronicled the many facets of Kim Martin's life. So, early in the week I began perusing my iPhotos, Flickr pics, plus those that I could lift off of the internet on my son's photo page and the Baytown Little Theater website. Next, I began going through our family photographs. There are literally thousands of pictures. So, I had to know what sort of pic I was searching for. It was also fortunate that Kim's mom had given him some albums with pictures of his childhood. Now the video project included baby and adolescent Kim photos. Then, I spent long hours during the day Thursday scanning photographs and setting up the slideshow using iPhotos on my computer. With the addition of what I'd call Kim's signature song, Seventy-six Trombones from the musical The Music Man, as background music, I could finally burn the DVD. (Kim performed in the show as Prof. Harold Hill in high school and again at the BLT.) Pleased with the finished product, I was fairly certain that Kim would enjoy watching his life parade by on the screen for all of 12 minutes. However, it surprised me how much the rest of his family enjoyed it too. I'd not thought about how much they'd like reliving some of the earlier family moments on the DVD. It was a lot of time and effort putting together a video like that, but well worth the pay off in the end.

Here's to the next 50 years of music, love and good times. Happy Birthday, Kim.

The Daily Grind Smooths Out

Now retired, I can relax most mornings while sipping my decaf and sitting on the couch with my laptop. Admittedly, too much time is being spent on the internet, but it keeps me connected to people and the world. I've never been much of a newspaper junkie. I only watch TV news when the channel wasn't changed. However, should something major arise in the world, I'm glued to CNN or the weather channel. Of course, I don't really know when something happens unless the TV show I'm viewing is interrupted or I read it on the internet. But hey, at least I voted yesterday...before 7:00 p.m. too!

As I see it, my work hours have changed. No more shocking my body every morning at 6:00 a.m. in a cold shower and taking it out into broad daylight by 7:30 or earlier. I'm often out of bed by 7:30 anyway due to the fact that I don't sleep hard. Then, armed with decaf, I can check email, get the latest news, read blogs, and do some writing all in the privacy of my own living room while still in my gown. Less you begin to think that I'm becoming a slug, allow me to explain that most of my computer work is done before lunch. If I'm out of bed by 7:30, I am usually finished sitting with my laptop by 10:00...or so. After a much friendlier wake up, I'm ready to move, shower and get the day going. Now I can be the homemaker I've really wanted to be all of my married life. The laundry is done, the dishes out of the sink and dinners actually are cooked more evenings than before. Another plus is that I believe my husband is enjoying my retirement also. Now, he notices I'm more agreeable to going places with him and working on his theater productions.

One thing is for sure, I love being retired. Not only can I devote more time to activities I enjoy, my availability to my family has increased. Whether it's my husband calling on me to help him or my son and daughter in law suddenly in need of a baby sitter at the last minute; I'm usually here. It's a pleasure to be able to help my family. It feels so good to know I have the time to be there for them. Going on a weekend trip is so much better without book bags filled with work. Now my book bag is only packed with my iPod, magazines, a good book and my laptop.

Sometimes I feel guilty about indulging my new lifestyle with so much unscheduled activity. Then, I think about the last 33 years and all of the work that was crammed into each and every single day. I have come to the conclusion that I'm just making up for all the overtime put in as a mom, wife and public school teacher. There was no such thing as an 8 hour day. The days never ended except for the 6 to 7 hours that I slept. So, retirement is turning out to be "my passion" if I can call it that.

One of these days, I'll need to get out to earn some money. Of course, it'll only be part time after 10:00 in the morning, my cup of decaf and checking the internet for news. After all, I don't ever want to go back to "the daily grind."

Autumn's Eve

Okay, I made up that title/holiday. It sounds better than Halloween. I will say that even though I don't like Halloween, I enjoy this short season and mild temperatures. It seems that we just barely start enjoying autumn leaves, baked pumpkin bread (I'll get around to the baking soon) and a little spiked apple cider, then we have to start on Christmas.

The earth tones of orange, brown, red and green are so pretty even here in East Texas. We may not have as much changing of the colors as the folks up north, but I do enjoy the crunch of brown leaves under my feet as I walk. The squirrels are gathering in families as they unearth their buried acorns. I've never seen so many squirrels in one place as we have in this yard. Of course, it helps that we have several oak trees for them to enjoy. The autumn picture the squirrels and leaves make is very pleasing.

I actually put out fall decorations in my house this year. I hung my "Happy Fall Ya'll" sign on the front door. I don't care that my sons have made fun of that before, I like it. My tables have fall-colored cloths on them adding to the seasonal look. There is a cute toothy terra cotta Jack O' Lantern named Punk, alongside some other pumpkin likenesses glowing on the hearth. The house feels all cozy and warm with the pumpkin candles lit in the evening.

Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and I'll be ready for it. The turkey and dressing, pumpkin bread (which will be baked by then) and all the other fine foods make for a family holiday that I really enjoy. Its a slow day and everyone seems to like sitting around while their food settles and watching football or perhaps getting up for a walk. In my husband's family, there is a traditional walk through the cemetery after Thanksgiving lunch. Sounds more of a Halloween tradition doesn't it? Oh well, its the togetherness that is important on that day, and not so much the traditions.

Today I baked sugar cookies in the shapes of pumpkins, ghosts and bats for my grandchildren. It may not be my favorite holiday, but going to their house this evening to see them dressed up in their Halloween costumes will be a treat for me. I also have a little holiday treat for each for them. I see stuff all the time to buy for my grandkids, but try not to indulge them too much. However, a treat on a special day from their Mama Lou can't be spoiling them. I say that it is better than a trick. At least this day is good for something and that is to see my Aidan and Regan. It's going to be fun, and I look forward to being with them this evening.

Whether you are treated or the one doing the treating, I hope you don't get tricked this Hallow's Eve...I mean...Autumn's Eve.